The Dating Game (24 page)

Thursday 29th September

‘Everything’s going well,’ Gill told Christopher when he
called that night.  ‘Work in particular.  I made the temp permanent.  She’s a
student, so isn’t costing me that much right now, and I think, Angus, my new
recruitment consultant, was sent from Heaven.’

‘That’s praise indeed, sis.  Particularly coming from you,’
he joked.

‘Thanks for that, Chris.  I love you, too.  So how are my
beloved nephews?  Misbehaving as usual?’

‘Are you suggesting my adorable children are anything less
than perfect?’ Chris feigned outrage.

‘Would I?  Such angelic cherubs have never before graced
this earth.’

‘OK, don’t overdo it.  So what about the love life?’

Neglecting to mention Anton, Gill told Christopher she was
going out with Gary on Saturday, and the following Saturday with Charlie.

‘You
are
busy.  Well, it’s about time.  You deserve
someone great.’

‘Thanks.’  Gill knew that what Christopher really meant was
that she deserved someone as amazing as Sarah.  She thought Christopher and
Sarah were really lucky to have found each other and even luckier to still be
together.

What Gill couldn’t tell him was that she had received
another profile from the agency.  She was glad he hadn’t asked her how she had
met Gary and Charlie, and the subject of the agency hadn’t come up.

She replaced her phone in its cradle and picked up her
mobile.  She read Caroline Morgan’s e-mail and then concentrated on the profile
she’d received.

Candidate Profile

Name – Todd Grainger

Age – 39

Lives – East Kilbride

Occupation – Sales Director

Qualifications – MSc Marketing – University of
Strathclyde

Height – 5’ 11”

Marital status – Single

Children – None

Smoker – No

Interests:  Golf, go-karting, books, music, films,
dining out, keeping fit, comedy.

Further information:  Originally from Edinburgh, now
live in East Kilbride and have lived on the west coast for five years.  In my
spare time I’m a stand-up comedian and I like to go to comedy festivals and
clubs.  I’m scared of flying.

Looking to meet:  Someone to share couple stuff with. 
Must have a sense of humour.

Gill stared at his photograph.  It was always difficult to
tell how attractive someone really was from a photo.  Often the camera didn’t
do justice, but just as frequently the person didn’t match up to their photo –
especially if it had been taken five years previously.  His jet black hair
curled around his ears.  His smile seemed a little unnatural, but not creepy. 
Difficult to determine eye colour – grey, green?  She knew she liked pale and
interesting, but Todd seemed almost cadaver like.  But he did look like he’d be
a lot of fun, and what girl didn’t want to be with a man who indicated a sense
of humour as a requirement?  Unless, of course, he was going to enforce his
stand-up routine on her - that could be fatal, particularly if he wasn’t any
good.  She noted that Todd liked books.  At least they had that in common,
since she didn’t know one end of a fairway from the other.

Gill couldn’t quite make out his build, but if he liked
working out and played golf, surely he would be relatively fit.  She thought
briefly of Anton’s body entwined with hers and then shook her head, as if to
dislodge the memory.  It still smarted that he hadn’t been in touch.  On
impulse, she hit Reply and advised Caroline that she could go ahead and pass
her details to Todd.

Saturday 1st October

As it was the only relatively formal item she owned which
fitted her properly at the moment, Gill donned the green silk dress she had
bought for her date with Anton.  Perhaps wearing it on a non-romantic date, how
odd that sounded, would dispel visions of Anton unzipping it.  Hair up or
down?  Down, she decided, the opposite of on her date with Anton.  Would he
ever get out of her head?  She was annoyed with herself - so many men, causing
her grief. Only Gary had been sweet, no pressure.  She wondered what his
surprise was.  She really needed something nice to happen to her, as she was
feeling a bit low. Yesterday, she had felt on the verge of tears.  No message
from Anton.  He’d be back in a few days, and still not a dicky-bird.  To
compound her misery, last night, just as she was leaving work, after a fruitful
day, her phone had pinged to alert her to a new e-mail.  Caroline Morgan.

‘Dear Gill, I’m sorry to say that Todd
Grainger does not wish to proceed.  I will be in touch again when we have
someone more suitable.  Regards.  Caroline.’

Gill could have thrown the mobile across the room.  Was
there a surer way to make you feel unattractive and of no interest to the
opposite sex, than being turned down before the person even met you, based
solely on a photo and a profile?  If so, she was yet to come across it. Angrily
and before she could stop to think rationally, she replied saying,
‘Caroline, in future, can you please only send me profiles of
people that you have already verified are interested in meeting me?  Regards,
Gill.’

At that moment, she hadn’t cared if she came across as
abrupt, but perhaps her response had been a tad hasty.

Gary had arranged to meet her at the main entrance to Central
Station at seven o’clock. Gill got off the bus in Hope St, and walked around to
the main entrance.  At first she didn’t see him.  Eventually he spotted her. 
‘Gill, Gill,’ he called, waving at her.

The man wearing a green tartan kilt, Bonnie Prince Charlie
jacket and white wing collar shirt approached her, as Gill stared at him in
astonishment.

‘Well, what do you think?’ he gave a little twirl and the
pleats of his kilt fanned out as he spun.

‘You look incredible,’ and she meant it.  He wore the kilt
well.  And Gill had always liked Bonnie Prince Charlie jackets.  The question
was, why was Gary wearing a kilt?

‘Not as incredible as you,’ Gary smiled at her as he took
hold of her hands.  ‘That dress looks amazing on you.’

‘Thanks,’ said Gill.  She noted he hadn’t said ‘
That’s an
amazing dress
,’ but had personalised it, paying her a bigger compliment.

‘So, what’s this surprise then?’ Gill finally managed.

Gary smiled at her, eyes shining with excitement.  ‘We’re
going to One Devonshire.  You’ll find out soon enough,’ and he took her hand as
they walked across the street to the taxi rank.

Gary wouldn’t be drawn when Gill tried to quiz him en route. 
She wondered if there was a ceilidh or maybe some other event on at the hotel. 
Sometimes One Devonshire held special events.  The hotel was supposed to be a
cut above.  Whatever, it thrilled her that he had gone to such lengths to make
their date special.

Once deposited outside the hotel, Gary led the way, nodding
once at the member of staff they met on the way up the steps.  Gill was busy
lapping up the hotel’s luxurious interior, when Gary turned a corner and they
entered the Glenlivet room.

Immediately Gill’s expression turned from one of
anticipation to one of consternation. It was a wedding reception. 
Oh my
God!
  She didn’t know anyone, she hadn’t been invited.  How could Gary
think this would be OK?  She hesitated on the threshold, but soon had no choice
but to enter the room, as a couple of girls were trying to squeeze past her.

Gary turned around to speak to her and realised she wasn’t
there.  Confused he glanced back towards the entrance, and seeing Gill’s
stricken face, rushed back over to her.

‘Is everything OK?  I thought it would be a nice surprise.’

‘Gary, I know you meant well, but I don’t know anyone here,’
Gill whispered to him.

‘Relax.  They’re a great bunch.  They’ll be more than happy
to meet you and so they should be,’ he smiled warmly at her.  ‘Here, let me get
you a glass of champagne and then we can mingle.’

Gill nodded mutely.  She stood to one side, as Gary
approached the table at the end of the room, where waiters poured champagne
into flutes.

‘Hi, you must be Gill.  I’m Stephanie,’ the woman who
appeared to be in her early forties, held out her hand to Gill.

‘Nice to meet you,’ Gill said for want of anything to say.

‘You’ve made quite an impression on our Gary,’ the woman
touched Gill’s shoulder gently.

‘Have I?’ a dumbfounded Gill asked.  This was only their
second date.

‘Oh yes,’ Stephanie’s gaze was warm as she surveyed Gill.

‘Ah, I see you’ve met Steph,’  Gary held Gill’s flute out to
her, meanwhile throwing a warning glance at Steph, which Gill didn’t see.

‘Yes, so how do you two know each other?’

Steph choked on her champagne.  ‘Sorry, I think Teresa is
calling me.  I’ll see you both later,’ and with that she was gone.

Wondering what all that was about, Gill turned to Gary,
hoping for enlightenment, but he was waving to an elderly woman over in the far
corner.  When he turned back to her, he said, ‘C’mon, let me show you around. 
Have you eaten?’

Gill hadn’t, so Gary suggested they hit the buffet first. 
‘The food is amazing.  It’s all locally sourced.  Have you ever eaten here
before?’

Gill explained this was the first time she had ever set foot
in the hotel.  As they reached the buffet, she noticed several other people
arrive.

‘Evening guests,’ Gary explained, ‘seven for seven thirty.’ 
Turning his attention back to the buffet, he said, ‘I’ve been reliably informed
the lemon sole tempura is out of this world.’

From the duck teriyaki, haggis balls, vegetable tartines and
tempura that were on offer, as well as a vast selection of sandwiches, Gill
avoided the sandwiches and the haggis balls and took one each of the others.

Gary piled his plate high then said, ‘I can’t believe I’m
eating this.  You ought to see the amount of food we put away at the meal.’

As they walked back from the buffet, and sat down at a
table, Gary regaled Gill with the delights of the wedding meal.  It did sound
delicious.  Part of Gill wished she’d been here then – the part that wasn’t
already uncomfortable about being at a wedding, uninvited and with people she
didn’t know.  She didn’t even know whose wedding it was.  She was just about to
ask, but she had already bitten into the vegetable tartine, and was busy
chewing it – oh, it was lovely and fresh, light and fluffy.

Determined to ask before she took another bite, she was on
the verge of interrupting Gary to ask him, when someone beat her to it.  She
turned around to the female voice which said, ‘I thought you’d gone and left
us,’ as Gary rose to greet her.  Wondering who could be causing Gary to smile
in such a way, and feeling a tiny bit jealous, even though she wasn’t sure why,
Gill turned around and came face to face with the bride.

‘Of course not, Suzanne,’ Gary rose and kissed her warmly on
the cheek, then gave her a hug.

‘So this must be Gill,’ the bride appraised her openly,
‘Lovely to meet you.  Sorry didn’t see you earlier, but it’s been a bit of a
day.’

‘It’s lovely to be here.  Congratulations,’ Gill said
mechanically.  What else could she say? She hadn’t even known the bride’s name
until twenty seconds ago.

‘Wife, are you leaving me already?’ a handsome man in his
mid-forties wrapped his arms around his new bride and kissed her neck.

‘Stop getting fruity.  There’s a time and a place I was just
meeting Gill,’ she gestured to Gill, ‘Meet my husband, Billy.  That still
sounds strange.’

Gill let him kiss her on both cheeks, and then congratulated
him.  Only as he pulled away, did she feel a little stab of recognition.  He
looked very familiar.  As he slapped Gary on the back and they engaged in
conversation, Gill realised why she had thought she recognised him – he was
Gary’s double – a younger, heavier version.  They must be brothers.  Gary had
invited her to his brother’s wedding! 

Breaking out in a cold sweat, Gill suddenly needed to get
out of the room.

‘Are you all right?’ Suzanne asked her concerned.

‘I think I might just need a little air,’ said Gill.

A worried Gary rose to help her and said, ‘I’ll come with
you.’

‘No!’ it came out more vehemently than she intended.  ‘I
mean, I’m going to the Ladies’ first, to splash some water on my face.  I won’t
be long.’

True to her word, Gill did go into the Ladies’, although she
didn’t splash water on her face, as that would have ruined her makeup.  Instead
she took very deep breaths, trying to calm down. Why had Gary invited her to
his brother’s wedding?  And even more importantly, why hadn’t he told her that
the groom was his brother?

Taking her mobile from her bag, she checked there was no one
in the cubicles and then dialled Debbie’s number.  After five rings Debbie
answered.

‘Debbie. I don’t know what to do.  You’ll never believe
where my surprise date with Gary is.’

‘Somewhere nice, I hope.’

‘Yes, it is.  One Devonshire actually, but that’s not the
point.’

‘One Devonshire.  I’ve been dying to go there.’

‘Not under these circumstances you wouldn’t be,’ Gill said
through gritted teeth.

‘Why, what’s wrong?’ Debbie noted the edge in her friend’s
voice.

‘He’s only gone and invited me to his brother’s wedding.’

‘What?  That’s where you are now?’ Debbie asked in
disbelief.

‘Correct.  What do I do?’

Debbie said nothing for a minute.  A tall, pretty girl came
into the toilet.  Gill smiled at her and moved to let her pass.

‘Unless you want to cause a scene, do nothing.  You don’t
want to create any animosity at a wedding.  If I were you, I would try and
enjoy myself, but make my excuses relatively early.  Then I would either tell
Gary you’re upset, or that what he has done isn’t the done thing, even if he
had the best of intentions.  Remember guys’ minds work differently from ours.’

‘You’re telling me,’ Gill muttered.  ‘What the hell was he
thinking?  And to cap it all, he still hasn’t told me it’s a family wedding,’
Gill whispered the last part, aware that she was no longer alone in the
toilets.

‘What do you mean?’

‘I worked it out, because the groom is the spitting image of
him, but Gary hasn’t actually told me,’ Gill paced up and down the Ladies’.

‘How odd.  I wonder why not.’

‘Exactly.  Anyway, the whole thing stinks.’

‘Do you think you can last the evening?’ Debbie asked.

‘I don’t know.  I just about had a panic attack in there.’

‘Go back out there and see if you can handle it.  If you
can’t, tell him you feel ill, make your excuses, then leave.’

‘OK, thanks Debbie.  I knew I could count on your sound
advice – as always.  Have a nice night and say hi to Gerry for me.’

‘Will do.  Good luck.’

Gill hung up, faced her reflection in the mirror and said,
‘You can do this,’ just as the young girl exited the toilet and said,

‘Great dress.’

Gill mumbled a thanks and left.  That was all she needed,
other guests to think she was loopy.

Returning to the table, she found Gary deep in conversation
with Steph.  The bride and groom had moved on to do their rounds.

‘Ah, you’re back,’ Gary said, relieved.

‘Was the prospect of meeting our family too much for you?’ Steph
joked.

Gill looked carefully at Steph, then at Gary, who was
looking daggers at Steph.

‘Not at all, although Gary seems to have told you more about
me than me about you.’

‘Nothing much to tell.  I’m the elder by ten minutes.  Isn’t
that right, Gaz?’

Gaz
had turned an impressive shade of beetroot.

‘I, I, Gill, my sister is a right wind-up merchant.  You’ll
have to forgive her.’

Steph, witnessing the colour Gill had turned, then sat back
and laughed, ‘I don’t believe it. Gary, do you have no sense, at all?’

Gill sat back, unsure what to say, and played nervously with
the edge of the slightly wine-stained linen tablecloth.

Gary looked at Steph and then at Gill, shamefaced.

‘Oh my God, I’m right, aren’t I?  He didn’t tell you about
us.  He didn’t tell you it was his brother’s wedding, and he didn’t tell you he
had a twin sister.  Am I getting warm?’

Now it was Gill’s turn to flush red.

Steph turned on her twin, ‘Gary, you’re a half-wit.  Gill,
come with me.  We need to get you another drink.’

As Steph half-marched Gill to the makeshift bar, she put her
arm gently on Gill’s and said, ‘Look, I’m sorry about my brother.  He means
well.  He just doesn’t think.  Sometimes I think I got all the common sense and
he got the big heart.  I know it’s a bit of a shock, but we’re a good clan
really, and you’re here now, so why don’t we get to know each other and just
enjoy ourselves?’

With nothing to counter that with, Gill accepted the glass
of wine proffered her, and when prompted, clinked glasses with Steph.  ‘To my eejit
brother.’

‘To your eejit brother!’

Back at the table, Gary didn’t know where to look.  Steph
handed him the beer she’d brought him.  Gary thanked her and said, ‘Steph, can
Gill and I have a minute, please?’

‘Sure, but make sure it’s just a minute.  I don’t want you
scaring off my new friend,’ Steph winked at Gill, as she left the table and
headed off to speak to some distant relatives.