The Dating Game (30 page)

That works both ways,
thought Gill.

First of all, she told them of the developments at the agency,
and her new recruits.  Her father nodded approvingly, delighted that the
business was doing so well.  Her mother tried to pry about facts and figures,
but Gill remained vague, not wishing to be side-tracked from her purpose.

Then she talked about Debbie and how well Olivia was doing
at school.  Likewise when her mother asked after Angela, she told her she was
doing well at the school where she taught, and that her son, Matthew, was also
thriving.  Gill’s mother never missed an opportunity to comment on what a shame
it was that Matthew’s father didn’t live with them.

Gill gritted her teeth and changed the subject.  Finally,
she talked about her trip to Barcelona and the bizarre circumstances which led
to her meeting Liam.

‘So, are you seeing this man, this Liam?’ her mother’s
forehead had scrunched up.

‘Yes, we’ve been seeing each other for a few months now.’ 
It was a little under two months, but her mother didn’t need all the details.

After subjecting Gill to a thorough grilling on Liam, his
prospects and his intentions towards her daughter, Gill’s mother finally asked,
‘So, are we getting to meet this one?  We didn’t meet the last one.’

Thank God for that
, thought Gill.

‘Well, actually, I’ve invited him to have dinner with us
tonight, and he quite fancied going to see
Dirty Dancing
, too.’

‘A man who wants to go and see a musical,’ her mother seemed
torn between wondering if he was sent from Heaven or gay.  Meanwhile, Gill’s
father had perked up considerably at the news that another male would be
present at the evening’s proceedings.

As soon as she politely could, Gill slipped away to call
Liam.

‘Hey, how are you?’

‘Good, you?  Has the eagle landed?’

‘Don’t know about the eagle, but two pensioners, one very
opinionated and who would give Hyacinth Bucket a run for her money, are here.’

Liam laughed, ‘I’m sure she’s not that bad.’

‘Well, don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.’

‘What time are we meeting at?’

‘I thought we could meet at the restaurant at six thirty. 
The show starts at eight thirty.  That gives us plenty time.’

‘OK, I’m looking forward to it.’

Gill only wished she was.

Gill needn’t have worried.  Liam charmed her mother more than
she would have imagined possible.  At certain points, she was sure her jaw was
hanging open, given how girlish her mother was around Liam, and how she would
pat him on the hand and say ‘Oh, you!’

Liam and her father had surprisingly a lot to talk about –
not least when her father asked about the best way to re-grout his bathroom
tiles.  Talk of hill-walking done in earlier years and golf, also kept them
occupied, and dinner passed all too quickly.  Gill breathed a sigh of relief
and crossed her fingers, as they left the restaurant and headed for the
theatre.

‘What a wonderful performance!’ said Gill’s mother when the
final curtain came down.  Like the majority of the audience, she had given the
cast of
Dirty Dancing
a standing ovation. Even Liam, who had come, more
for the sense of occasion than because he liked musicals, he’d admitted to
Gill’s dad, remarked on what a great job the cast had done.

They all tumbled into the taxi which Liam flagged down and
soon they were heading over the river to the south side and back to Gill’s
flat.

Her mum was a little tipsy – a couple of glasses of wine,
with her slight frame, and she was giggling like a schoolgirl.  Gill stifled a
laugh.  It was hilarious watching her mum with Liam.  Gill gave him the thumbs
up, as she heard him regale her parents with another tale from his repertoire,
whilst she organised the drinks.

The four sat chatting happily together, Gill’s father more
animated than she’d seen him in years, whilst they drank their spirits and
liqueurs.  Whisky for Gill’s father and Liam, Baileys for her mum, and Gill
stuck to wine.  Mixing her drinks gave her a hell of a hangover.

A few hours later, Gill’s mum excused herself for yawning. 
Gill gave Liam a look.  Liam said, ‘Don’t be silly, Mary.  It’s been a long day
for you both. You’ve done well, quite frankly, to last the pace today.  We’ll
let you get some rest.’

Gill’s mum glanced at her daughter, as if to say
‘what a
sweet boy.’

Gill brought bedding through to her parents and then said,
‘Night, see you in the morning. Sleep well.’

‘Night, love,’ said her dad.

‘Night darling, lovely to meet you, Liam,’ her mother shook
a bewildered Liam’s hand.

As Gill and Liam closed the living room door behind them and
entered Gill’s bedroom, Liam said, ‘I don’t think they know I’m staying. 
Should I go?’

‘No-o-o.  Don’t be silly.  If they haven’t worked it out,
that’s their problem. I’m thirty-seven and it’s my flat,’ Gill said, then
silenced his protestation with a kiss.  Soon a pile of discarded clothes lay
beside the bed, as Gill and Liam slid in between the sheets, covering each
other’s body with their own.

Fifteen minutes later, Liam stifled a moan as he whispered
in Gill’s ear, ‘I’m coming, Gill, I’m coming,’

They collapsed together, exhausted.

Suddenly the door opened and the light went on, as Gill,
horrified, heard her mother say, ‘Gill, I can’t get the sofa bed
mechanism…aargh!’

‘Mum, put the light off, please.  I’ll be through in a
minute.’

For all his attempts to slide under the covers, Liam was
still partially visible, on top of Gill. Gill was mortified, but Liam even more
so.

‘Oh my God, do you think your father will challenge me to a
duel?’ he tried to make light of it.

‘I can’t believe my mother walked in on us!  Hasn’t she
heard of knocking?’ Gill was outraged.  ‘I’m really sorry.  Let me just go and
deal with this sofa bed.  I won’t be a minute.’

Steeling herself, Gill slipped on her terry towelling robe
and left the room.

‘Mum, what’s the problem?’

Her parents fell silent as she entered.  News obviously
travelled fast, as they both turned to her guiltily.  It was clear her mother
had been divulging to her father that she had just interrupted Gill and Liam in
bed.

She stared at them expectantly, daring them to take issue
with her sleeping with her boyfriend, in her own home.

Her mother lowered her eyes first, ‘I can’t get the
mechanism to release,’ she finally said.

Relieved, sensing the moment had passed, Gill said, ‘It’s
easy, look, you slip your fingers under here, push and
voilà
.’  The bed
sprung open and she helped her father unfold it to its full size.

‘Thanks,’ said her mother.

‘Right, do you need anything else, or can I go back to bed?’

‘No, we should be OK now, dear,’ her father smiled at her.

‘Great, night then.’

Just as Gill was closing the door, her mother said, ‘Oh
Gill?’

‘Yes?’

‘Will Liam want breakfast in the morning?’

Trying not to laugh, Gill turned to her mother and said,
‘Full cooked, I should think.  Night.’

As Liam and Gill lay in bed later, trying not to laugh at
the sheer embarrassment of her mother walking in on them, Gill felt that things
were finally working out for her.

December

The driving November rain had been replaced by the splendid,
but deceptive December sunshine, which tricked you into thinking it was warm
outside, when in reality it was bitterly cold.  A scarf, hat and gloves were a
prerequisite.

Gill shivered despite her warm coat, as she unlocked the
main door to the building, before entering the agency.  Even with the heaters
on full, due to the old windows, the rooms were not as toasty as she would have
liked.  She kept on her coat as she brewed the coffee.

When her team arrived, within five minutes of each other,
Gill stopped working and came through to offer them tea and coffee.

‘I want to talk to you about something.’

‘Sounds ominous,’ said Janice.  Amanda seemed a little
worried, whereas Angus merely appeared interested.

‘Nothing to worry about, quite the opposite,’ said Gill
cheerfully, as she bustled around, preparing the drinks.

Gill finally placed the mugs on the table in front of her
staff and said, ‘I was thinking we should have a Christmas party.  I know it’s
late and most places will be booked up, but I’ve done a little research and
there are three places in town which still have some availability for the week
before Christmas.  I just wanted to ask you all if you fancied it, before I
book it.’

‘Oh, we’ve never had a Christmas party,’ said Janice,
rubbing her hands together in glee. ‘Not a real one, anyway, with it just being
you and me,’ she said to Gill.

‘When would it be?’ Angus asked.  ‘I have something on the
Saturday before Christmas.’

‘Well, I was thinking the Friday or the Saturday, the
sixteenth or seventeenth, but if Angus is busy on the seventeenth, is everyone
OK for the sixteenth?’

‘It’s fine for me,’ said Amanda.

‘And me,’ said Janice.

‘Don’t see a problem,’ Angus chipped in.

‘Great, so now all we have to do is think about venue.’

Gill told them the three venues and the themed nights at
each.  She asked them to decide amongst themselves, and to let her know what
they preferred by the end of the day, so she could book it.

As Gill sat doing the accounts, she could see the past few
months had been good.  She would have the full news from her accountant at
their meeting in January, but already she had the gist of it, and the news
appeared very positive.

Life was more balanced now.  She’d even started exercising
again and loved it.  She and Debbie had found a Zumba class in Maryhill and had
been twice already.  Gill was determined to get fit and with the party season
looming, the sooner the better.

With Christmas around the corner, and realising how stressful
a time it could be, Gill had told her staff they could have a couple of long
lunch hours to pop into town and do some shopping.  Today it was her turn and
she left the office, armed with her list, so she could hit the shops; a quick
in and out.  She needed to go to a specialist camera shop for the x2 converter
she was going to buy for Liam.  A hamper would do the trick for her mother,
whereas anything wrestling related, plus pyjamas, covered her nephews; perfume
for her sister-in-law, the list went on and on.  She thought she had been
pretty methodical about it. She wouldn’t get everything today, but half would
be a good start.

Ninety minutes later, as she walked back up Buchanan St,
laden down with shopping bags, Gill was full of Christmas spirit, listening to
the street artists belting out Christmas carols instead of their usual fare.

Suddenly her legs gave way and she struggled to stay on her
feet.  About thirty metres in front of her, walking directly towards her, was
Anton.  She froze.  She couldn’t move.  He hadn’t noticed her yet.  She had to
get out of there.  Too late.  He glanced up, trying to pick out the shop he was
looking for, and found himself staring directly at Gill.  Confusion crossed his
face and then his features broke out into a broad smile.  Quickening his pace,
he walked towards her.  Gill didn’t know what to do, so she turned and fled. 
Biting back tears, she turned onto St Vincent St and tried to push past the
lunchtime shoppers, in an effort to get away.

‘Gill,’ she heard his voice call, ‘Gill, wait.’

It was no use.  He caught up to her.  He didn’t touch her,
but instead stepped in front of her.

‘Gill, I’m sorry.  There’s so much to explain.  I barely
know where to start.’

Gill was unable to get past him without creating a huge
scene, so with her head bowed, she listened to him.

‘Gill, there was a reason I couldn’t contact you.  I need to
explain,’ but Gill cut him off.

‘That’s nice, Anton, but I really don’t need to hear it. 
Goodbye,’ and she pushed past him.

‘Wait, Gill, please.’  He caught up to her again and
extracted a business card from his pocket.  ‘We have a lot to talk about – I
don’t want this to be the last time I see you.  Please, take my card.’  He
thrust the card at her.  Realising he wasn’t going to go away if she didn’t take
it, she took it from him, reluctantly, and popped it in her pocket.

‘Goodbye, Anton,’ and Gill turned and walked quickly through
the crowds, tears blurring her vision.

As she stood at the traffic lights, waiting for the green
man to come on, she stifled a sob.  What a shock!  She hadn’t been prepared for
that.  It was bad enough when she thought she would never see him again, but to
see him, standing right in front of her; all the emotions had come flooding
back, all the disappointment and feelings of rejection.

Trembling, she fished her phone out of her bag and called
Debbie.  She answered after four rings.

‘Debbie, I need to see you urgently.  Can you meet me after
work?’

Her friend, startled by the tremor in Gill’s voice, agreed
to meet her at Chez Molinières at six thirty.

Gill wasn’t sure how she made it through the rest of the
day.  When Janice told her that the three of them had decided that the Abba
themed Christmas party would be the most fun, Gill had tried a smile, but
feared it came out as more of a grimace.  She then asked Janice if she would
mind calling to book, and Janice, seeing Gill’s ashen face, said, ‘Consider it
done.’

As Gill was about to leave the office to meet Debbie, her
phone rang.

‘Hi, it’s me.  How’s your day been?’ Liam seemed
particularly upbeat.

‘So so,’ Gill replied evasively.  She couldn’t banter with
him, not at the moment.  She simply wasn’t capable of it.  Her mind felt
overloaded, as if it would explode at any moment due to the pressure building
up in it.

‘How are you?  How was your day?’ she asked mechanically. 
This needed to be a short call.  Thankfully she had the excuse of rushing out
to meet Debbie, and Liam had called her on the landline.

She listened to him as he told her about his call from his
brother in the US, and how he intended coming over for New Year.  Liam sounded
so excited.

‘It’s been too long,’ he said.

Liam talked a little of their plans for the weekend, and
then Gill, having difficulty keeping calm, interrupted him, ‘Liam, I’m really
sorry, but I’m going to have to run.  I’m supposed to be meeting Debbie at
Chez
Molinières
in ten minutes.’

‘Oh, no problem.  I’ll see you tomorrow.  Have a nice time.’

Gill dreaded the thought of the next evening.  How could she
see Liam tomorrow, with this maelstrom of emotions whirling around inside her? 
Any fool would be able to detect something was wrong, so her boyfriend would
definitely guess.

With a heavy heart, she closed the storm doors to the
building and set off to meet Debbie.

‘A large glass of Pinot Grigio, please,’ Gill said to the
barman.

Debbie eyed her curiously.

‘Gill, you look like shit.  What’s wrong?’ Pausing, her
mouth dropped open, ‘You’re not pregnant, are you?’

Wordlessly Gill shook her head. 

‘No, you can’t be, or you wouldn’t be drinking,’ Debbie
thought out loud.

Running her hands through her hair, Gill sighed deeply and
blurted out, ‘I ran into Anton.’

Debbie’s eyes widened and she was momentarily speechless. 
When she recovered, she said, ‘Where?’

‘In Buchanan St.’

‘What was he doing in Buchanan St?’

‘I don’t know, Debbie. I didn’t exactly ask him,’ an edge of
frustration crept into Gill’s voice.

Realising how upset Gill was, Debbie didn’t take her to task
over snapping at her.  She simply said, ‘Tell me what happened.’

Gill relayed her brief encounter with Anton.

‘So, what now?’

‘I don’t know,’ said Gill.  ‘I feel sick.  I can’t
concentrate.  I don’t know how I’m going to act normal around Liam tomorrow
night.  I’m furious,’ she said, as tears threatened to fall.  ‘I thought it was
just the shock of seeing him that made me feel like this, but that was five
hours ago, and if anything I feel worse now.’

Debbie thought for a moment, then said, ‘Why exactly are you
upset?  Are you upset because you saw him again, after he let you down?  Or are
you upset because you still have feelings for him?’

Gill debated this for a second, as much as she was able, and
then replied, ‘Both, I guess, but I also want to know why.  I’ve always wanted
to know why.  I thought he just shagged me and left me, once he got what he
wanted.  And now he turns up and tells me we have stuff to talk about.’

‘What are you going to do?’

‘What do you think I should do?’

Debbie shook her head, ‘Gill, I can’t tell you what to do. 
But you never did get any peace of mind with this.  Are you thinking of meeting
him, at least to get an explanation?’

Shaking her head and wringing her hands, Gill whispered, ‘I
don’t know.  I feel as if I don’t know anything anymore.’

‘OK, well, how will you feel if you never see him again and
never get to ask him why?’

Gill shook her head again, as if the concept of rational
thought was currently beyond her.

‘Do you want to see him again?’ Debbie asked gently.

‘I don’t know,’ Gill said.  ‘I’m so confused. I can’t think
straight.  I keep wondering what he wants to tell me.  What does he think he
could possibly say that would make me want to listen to him?’

Debbie stayed silent, as she gathered Gill wanted to say
something more.

‘It’s just…he seemed so pleased to see me.  The smile on his
face, it was genuine.  Even though he knew, he must have known, I wouldn’t give
him a warm welcome.’

‘You don’t need to make up your mind straightaway.  You have
his number.  Wait and see how you feel over the next few days.’

Nodding, Gill agreed that’s what she would do.  Unable to
eat anything, she ordered coffee and half an hour later, the girls left.

‘Thanks for being there for me, Debbie.  I really appreciate
it.  It has helped talking to you, even if I still don’t know what I’m going to
do,’ Gill said ruefully.

‘Don’t mention it.  Call me if you need anything, or if you
just want to chat.  I’m always there, OK?’

The girls hugged and then Gill headed for the bus home, her
mind racing.

Next morning, after a fitful night, Gill had more pressing
matters to contend with.  Overnight, without warning, it had snowed heavily. 
Buses were unable to run on schedule and cars were abandoned everywhere, as
drivers struggled to find grip, particularly going uphill.  The gritters had
been out, but too late, so their efforts were ineffectual.  Gill finally made
it to work, an hour and a half late, only to find she was the only person in
the office.  There was a voicemail from Janice, saying she had had to turn
back, as the weather was too bad and had caused the motorway to close.  Both Amanda
and Angus had left messages saying they were on their way in, but would be
late.

Gill made a few calls to clients to arrange meetings for the
following week, but after being told three times that the people she sought
hadn’t made it into work, she gave up.  She was half way through answering
e-mails, when Angus showed up, apologetic.  Gill waved away his apology, saying
it was hardly his fault and asked if he would like some tea.  He looked
frozen.  The temperature was -10C, unusually cold for the central belt.  In
December, it often reached -2C, but rarely dipped below -4C.  The departure
from the norm could be felt and Gill turned the heating up as high as it would
go.  She only hoped the pipes wouldn’t freeze and burst.  Amanda arrived soon
afterwards, out of breath and blue with cold.  After fuelling her with coffee,
Gill returned to her office and tried to rid herself of memories of Anton, by
burying herself in her work.

It was no use.  By lunchtime she had achieved little.  Her
thoughts kept straying to Anton and why he had seemed so pleased to see her. 
She kept asking herself the same questions over and over.  She was driving
herself mad.  Before she could change her mind, Gill dug out his card and
dialled his number.  She hadn’t even decided what she was going to say.

He answered on the third ring, ‘Gill!’ the joy in Anton’s
voice was clear.  ‘I’m so happy you called.’

‘Anton, I don’t know what this is about, but if you want one
more chance to talk to me, meet me tomorrow.’

‘Of course.  Where?  When?’

It was too painful to meet anywhere associated with their
dates, so after thinking for a minute, Gill said, ‘Meet me at the bar inside
Central Station at seven o’clock.’

‘OK…’

‘I have to go,’ and Gill hung up.  She was shaking and felt
physically sick.  Finally she was going to find out why he had never called her
again.  Although angry at him, she also felt a sense of relief.  At least she
would finally have that oh-so-important closure.

Gill tried too hard that night with Liam.  He had definitely noticed
something was up.  She had never refused intimacy with him, but she found it
hard to act naturally around him.  She felt as if she was being unfaithful,
just by seeing Anton tomorrow.