14 May 2012
I turn my head to him without taking it away from the wall, “I don’t know Cal, I’m just tired, it drains me working in there. Especially when I’ve got Felix being such a fucking asshole with all his friends, I don’t even get how people like that find each other, is there a wanker website or something?”
Caleb takes a large mouthful from his glass and frowns at me, “Holly, what is your problem with Felix? He hasn’t done anything to you personally that I can see and you can’t stop making him out to be the devil incarnate. If you hate it so much you could always just quit you know, I do have your number you don’t have to come to work to keep seeing me.”
“Don’t flatter yourself Caleb, I work there because I need the money that’s all.”
“Yeah but there’s plenty of other bars in London with much less, er I don’t know, colourful owners”
“Look I like working there okay, I’m just tired and stressed out.” I don’t want this conversation to go any further, not only because I know it would probably get back to Felix in one way or another but also because there are some things Caleb just shouldn’t know about me. I swing my legs around from the chair they were resting on and face Caleb properly propping my head onto my left palm. I smile at him and take up my glass and empty it, I sit there twirling the stem between my thumb and forefinger until Cal has the good sense to fill it up again. “So Caleb tell me why is it that we haven’t continued our little run in from the other week?” At least this should stop his asking me questions.
“Well it’s not easy to get away with anything at work with Felix around is it? Not to mention I thought maybe it was just the wine got the best of you, I didn’t want to force the issue.”
I laugh, at him rather than with him. “How long is it you’ve been working for Felix? And you still haven’t mastered the art of charm and deception, tut tut.”
“What do you mean?”
“Nevermind,” as well as tired I’m getting bored now, the more I talk to Cal the more I see he’s just like every other guy I meet, too willing to just get drunk to be able to talk someone even more drunk into bed with them. I finish my next glass quickly without saying much more to Caleb who still seems to be trying to work out if I’ve insulted him or not. “Cal listen I’m sorry but I’ve got to jump ship, I’m about to pass out I’m so tired.”
Cal gets up, “No hang on, wait a minute, Come on, at least finish the bottle with me, Holly.”
I’m already sliding my arms into my jacket, I’ve got no intention of staying any longer. “Cal! I’d love to, I would but it’s late I’ve been on my feet all day and I’m just not in the mood I’m sorry.” I stand up with my jacket fully on now and pick up my bag. “Another time maybe.” I lean over and give him a kiss on the cheek before turning and walking out of the place before he can put up any more of a protest. The air outside is beautiful and fresh, I can feel it go all the way into my lungs and then see it come back out again in a billowing white cloud. Unfortunately there’s nowhere to head now but home so I make my way down the road to head to the other side of Goodge Street station where I can catch a bus back to Angel. I just hope Mum’s asleep, after a night like this seeing half of London get drunk I don’t want to get home and have my own personal raging alcoholic telling me her about her endless woes and injustices. The pavements are fairly empty now, most of the suits have gone home so it’s just me and the taxi drivers, who are cruising by looking unsuccessfully for fares. As I pass the now locked entrance to the station I hear the loud tapping of shoes running along the concrete getting closer, I turn around just as the feet come to a stop in front of me.
Carlo stands there in front of me beaming his smile, the light from the lampposts reflecting off of his shaved head, he takes my hand in his a moment and catches his breath. “I went back to the bar but it’s all locked up, did Felix close up shop early or something? Anyway I came back to ask you if you fancied coming to mine for a drink?”
Daddy's Gone 4.1 • Opuss № I