Getting a Life Read Free Page 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