Getting a Life (2 page)

'Money of course. Part-time students don't earn much and the courses are expensive. This job pays well and I enjoy it. Usually get a good meal, to boot. No, I'm not in the least ashamed of it.' He smiled and relaxed. 'So, you'd better brief me on exactly who I am supposed to be.'

It felt strange, telling one of her own students all about herself. He had been in one of her classes for almost four terms now. He was taking a part-time management course, as a mature student, of course. He was a bit younger than she was. At college, it was her job to bring him up to speed on one of the computer sections of his syllabus. They didn't really know each other, apart from the course and she'd had no idea about his part-time job.

'So, they all think we're a steady item,' she finished her explanation. 'You're my secret boy-friend. I'm sorry.'

'I'd be flattered to be your boy-friend, secret or not but we hardly know anything about each other.'

The next half hour flashed by, as they talked about their likes and dislikes; previous friends; everything they could think of in the limited time.

'I hope I won't let you down,' he said softly. He had a lovely voice. Gentle but positive. She could have listened to him talking all night. Perhaps she would. Well, maybe not all night.

'I think that's about all we can do for now. Let's go to it, shall we?' She sounded braver than she felt. Or she hoped she did. 'And you'll have to be Michael, not Rudy. Someone else might recognise you.'

'Pub first. Then the reception and the rest. Okay. Come along then, Darling. Or maybe you have a different suggestion for what I call you?'

'Darling sounds fine. Unusual to think it refers to me, but I like it.'

She knew it was a mistake. The whole thing was a mistake. It was too late now. Somehow, she had to brazen it out. Like it or not, for once she had a handsome man to take her out for an evening. They could always escape from the dinner as soon as it was decent to do so. She could quite fancy spending an evening with Mike, on their own somewhere. A thought struck her. She wondered if he'd be quite so happy to spend an evening with her, if she wasn't paying through the nose for the privilege. She'd probably never know.

'Here we go,' she said as they arrived at the pub. They were quite late, considering there was a deadline.

'Over here,' called Jason. He was sitting next to a woman Joanne took to be his wife. She hoped her legs weren't trembling too obviously. Mike put his hand beneath her elbow and steered her towards the rest of the group. It felt nice. Warm. Comforting. To her surprise, it also felt quite natural. She could get used to this. Maybe everyone else was right. She didn't know what she'd been missing.

'Hi everyone. This is Mike.'

'Haven't I seen you somewhere?' Trisha said immediately.

'Possibly. I attend the college a couple of days a week.'

'Well aren't you the surprising one,' she said to Joanne. 'And don't you look something? Why do you hide a figure like that under all those layers of skirt and scarves?'

'Don't be so personal,' her partner scolded.

'Joanne doesn't mind. Do you?' She stared at her friend again, and then allowed her eyes to partially undress Joanne's escort. She could tell Trisha was impressed. She grinned. So far so good.

'What about a drink, Darling,' her dreamy Mike asked. He was certainly the perfect escort.

'I'll have wine thanks. Just a small one though. It's going to be a long night.'

'I'll bet,' Trisha said with a wink. As soon as Mike crossed to the bar, she grabbed her and dragged her down beside her. 'And why have you been keeping all this so secret? Why didn't you tell me, you dope? He's simply gorgeous. I wouldn't mind a bit of that myself.'

'Hands off,' Joanne smirked.

'Just watch him like a hawk. There are several people I know who'd snatch him right away from you, given half a chance. So, how long has this been going on?'

'Oh ages,' she lied. He came back with two glasses and handed one to her. She'd given him a few quid to buy drinks etc. It was part of the deal and certainly better organised beforehand, rather than handing over cash in front of the others.

By the time they left the pub, she was beginning to enjoy herself. She felt relaxed, though that could have been something to do with the wine. Mike was almost too perfect. He smiled at everyone at exactly the right time. He was attentive to her at all times. She lapped it up. In fact, she thought she'd never enjoyed herself quite so much. If she didn't know herself better, she'd admit to being halfway in love with him by the end of the evening.

'You know, for a college formal, that wasn't bad,' Trisha pronounced her verdict. 'And as for you two, I shall expect to see much more of both of you. We all go for a drink sometime. And we're having a party on New Years' Eve. You're both invited. I don't accept refusals, by the way.'

Joanne gulped. Why hadn't she thought of this? Once she'd seen them together, as far as Trisha was concerned, they'd be expected to join in with every occasion going. She could never afford to pay the fees to Mike's agency very often. The was a special occasion and quite a different matter.

'I'm afraid we won't be able to accept,' Mike said, rescuing her and totally knocking the wind out of her sails. 'We always have a family party on New Year's Eve. You simply don't get out of one of my family's parties. Short of having bubonic plague, that is.' She stared at him, totally gob-smacked. He'd used the very same unlikely excuse of
bubonic plague
that she had been bandying around in her mind for the last few days. And what was with the idea of a family party? Obviously, he was simply being kind but he sounded very convincing. She smiled and shrugged.

'You heard the man. Like he says, one doesn't get out of family parties. See you on Monday.' In a cloud of euphoria, she floated out of the room and felt that lovely, warm hand beneath her elbow. 'Mmm,' she murmured. 'I could get used to this treatment.' She hiccupped loudly, quite spoiling the moment she was hoping to create. 'Sorry,' she said as the hiccups continued.

'Hold your breath and count to ten,' he commanded. She tried but kept giggling.

'Did you see ... hic ... Trisha's face... hic ... when you said ... hic..'

'Save it till you've stopped,' Mike ordered. 'Come on. Let's get you home.'

'But I liked it... hic..,'she continued. 'In fact, it was the best evening ever, Mike. I loved it all. You're a very good man to be with. Oh, I didn't hic then. Did you notice?'

'You're crazy,' he said laughing softly. 'I've had the best evening too. I think I should give you a refund. But I can't really because of the agency. I can give you a contribution to the drinks though.'

'Don't be silly. We had a deal. A business arrangement. But I can't afford you too often. Certainly not on New Years' Eve. Do you charge extra for a special occasion?'

'Depends. But I was serious. I'd really like you to come to our family do. It'll be ghastly, of course, but I meant it. Will you come?'

'Do you charge when you give the invite? Or do I get paid. I'll be cheaper than your rates, I promise.'

'Please Jo. Let's forget all that. I'd really like to see you again.' He sounded slightly hurt mingled with irritation.

'Joanne,'she corrected automatically. 'Don't be silly. Nobody ever wants to see me again.'

'I'll call you in the morning. Not too early, I promise.' He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. She touched it after he'd gone from the door ... her door. Mike Thomas. Perhaps she would never wash that place again. She was fantasising here. Had she really drunk too much? Of course she hadn't. She was giddy with the joy of spending an evening with an attractive man, just like any normal person. What had she been missing for so long? Well, she told herself: this is the start of a whole new Joanne Swithenbank. She intended to get a life and begin to enjoy herself, before she got too much older.

She was struck by another thought. How many twenty-eight year old virgins could there possibly be? And how many of them would actually admit to it?

Chapter Two

Joanne lay in her bed the next morning. She tried to remember every little detail of the previous evening but didn't get very far. Had she been drunk again? She didn't think so. It was a muddled memory. Had that gorgeous hunk of man really been there? Really been with her? She gazed across the room at the silver dress and knew that it must all have really happened. Mike Thomas. How on earth would she ever face him in class again, as she remembered the previous night in every little detail. They had spent ages talking here and had been at the college event. ... together. He had seemed quite at ease with her crowd and had even impressed Trisha and her bloke. What lay ahead? He probably had more engagements with his company. How could that work? He would be taking other women to events ... they might even meet again at one of them. Not that it was really likely to happen, as she never went anywhere.

Would he really call her? She wanted to see him again undoubtedly but if he called, how should she deal with it?

It was Saturday. She needed to do some shopping and her place really needed a good clean out. She needed to get up and begin to do some of her chores. The phone rang. Could this be him? Mike? She reached over and lifted the phone.

'Hallo?' she said nervously. Her voice squeaked she realised.

'Hi. It's me.'

'Oh, Mike. How are you today?'

'I'm really very well indeed, thanks. And you?'

'I'm fine thank you.'

'Excellent,' he replied. There was quite a long pause. 'I wondered if you'd like to go for a drink this evening?'

'Would I have to pay you?' she said without thinking.

'Of course not. Please, can't we forget about all that nonsense?'

'I suppose so. In that case, yes please. I'd love to see you again.'

'That's great. I'll be round at seven. We could get something to eat too, if you'd like that?'

'I would. Very much. Look, why don't I cook us something?' she offered before she could stop herself.

'Really? I didn't know you could cook.'

'Oh, you know. Something simple.'

'I'll bring the wine then, shall I?' She thought for a moment. If he was so broke that he needed to do these escort duties, should she allow him to spend his money like that?

'No, it's all right. I'll pick some up when I go shopping.'

'If you're sure? Thanks very much. I'll be round at seven then. Bye.'

'Bye.'

Joanne put the phone down and lay back, thinking. What was she doing? Cooking for him? Buying wine for him? Like this was some sort of normal situation? He was very good looking though. And she did really like him. She leapt out of bed, eager to get on with everything.

She drove to the nearest store and parked. She took her trolley round, picking up bits from the shelves and plonking them down. What on earth was she going to cook? What on earth was she capable of cooking? Smoked salmon. That couldn't go wrong. Starter organised. Main course? She looked in the ready meals place and picked up a chicken dish. That would do. In fact, they had a meal deal going on here. She grabbed vegetables and added them to the growing pile of things. The wine in the deal looked okay too. It may all be cheating but what else would he expect? Best of all, she'd have the rest of the day to clean up her place and make sure all was ready for his visit.

By five o'clock, the house was clean and tidy and Joanne felt exhausted. She decided on a long soak in her bath and then she would get dressed and prepare the food, such as was needed. She lay in the warm water, dreaming of the evening ahead. What would they do? Music? She wondered what sort of stuff he liked. She was bit old fashioned in many ways and her choices were very retro. She needed to get a more up to date. She would download some more modern stuff before he arrived.

Suppose he wanted to go to bed? How would she cope with that one? She sat up suddenly. Her sheets. They needed changing. Oh heavens, there was so much to do. She got out of the bath and dried herself quickly. She pulled on her old things again and went into the bedroom. She grabbed fresh sheets from the cupboard and remade the bed. She wondered if she had time to wash the old ones but decided against. She stuffed them into the linen basket and hoped it would close properly. Six fifteen. She needed to get the meal cooking. She looked at the instructions and transferred everything into her own dishes. The waste bin was full. She took it all out to the dustbin and emptied it. Six thirty-five. She needed to change. What should she wear? Casual? Smart? She still hadn't downloaded any music.

She went into her room and decided on being casual. She took out one of her favourite hippy style skirts and tops and put it on. She was about to do something with her hair and the doorbell rang. She ran her comb through it. It would have to do.

'Hi. You're early,' she said without thinking.

'Exactly seven o'clock,' he laughed. 'Do you want me to take a walk round the block?'

'Sorry. I didn't realise the time had gone by so quickly.'

'Are you inviting me in or shall I go for walk?' Mike asked.

'Sorry. Come on in. Well, this is it. My home.'

'Yes, I saw it yesterday. It all looks very much cleaner and tidier,' he remarked.

'Well yes. It was Saturday today. Cleaning day.'

'I see. I'm afraid I took you at your word. I didn't bring any wine. I have brought you some flowers though.' He handed her a lovely bouquet of roses.

'Oh, how lovely. Thank you so much.' She felt suddenly shy of him. She felt her hands trembling slightly. 'Sorry, please sit down. Oh, would you like me to take your jacket?'

'Thanks. Please, relax Joanne. It's only me. Here to spend an evening with you.' She took his leather jacket and hung it in her hallway. She sniffed it as she did so and gave a little smile.

'Sorry. Please sit down. You look nice.' She noticed his blue denim shirt and grey pants. The shirt matched his eyes.

'You look different to last night. Well, the same as you usually look at college. Nice though.'

'Thanks. I'll just put these into some water. Oh, would you like a drink?'