Font Size:

?Festive-themed contest

‘Tom!’ Carly was carrying a big plate of chips, which she set down inthe middle of the table. Maybe there was a mystery shopper among us.

She gave him a tight hug as I had another go at mastering the beer mat flip.

‘Haven’t seen you in yonks!’ Carly continued. ‘We weren’t expecting to see you tonight?’

‘Well, I saw your WhatsApp message and thought I might as well call in since it’s on my way home. Can’t stay long, though.’

‘Amazing! And look who it is!’ Carly gestured towards me as if I was a speedboat prize onBullseye.

‘Hey again, Mally.’

I glanced up for as brief a moment as possible and flashed a smile. ‘Hey, Tom.’

‘Oh yeah, I forgot you two had your own little reunion in the Morrison’s car park last night.’

‘Tesco,’ we replied in unison and caught each other’s eye as we did so. We both looked away quickly.

‘Yeah, my mum said she saw you at the checkout, Milly,’ said Gemma. ‘Said it looked like you’d seen a ghost!’

Amy hissed ‘Shh’ in Gemma’s direction.

‘Shit, sorry. I didn’t mean it like that,’ Gemma mumbled, blushing.

This was all getting way too awkward. There was only one thing for it: more alcohol. I stood up to make my way to the bar.

‘Anyone need a drink?’ I asked. Hopefully the slurring was just in my head.

Darren held aloft his half-empty pint glass and wiggled it in my direction, without smiling.

‘I’ll give you a hand, Mally,’ said Tom.

I smiled with gratitude – probably my most genuine smile ever since Darren had arrived – hoping that Tom’s offer of help meant there was a chance we could put the tension at the end of last night behind us.

‘Thanks, Tom. Drink?’

‘Sure. Just a Coke, please – like I said, I’m on my way home so need to drive in a bit.’

‘A Coke and another bottle of Prosecco please, Becky,’ I said. ‘Oh, and a pint of whatever Ryan’s mate’s having.’

We stood at the bar in silence while Becky poured the drinks. Tom tapped the bar nervously with his fingers while lightly bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet.

‘Here you go, you two! Shall I add them to your tab, Mally?’

‘Perfect, thanks.’

Becky walked to the other end of the bar to serve another customer.

‘Cheers.’ We clinked glasses, formally.

‘Yeah, cheers. Thanks for the drink,’ he said.

‘It’s the least I could do after your help yesterday.’

‘Honestly, it was no bother.’

More sips, more silence. Argh, the cringe.