The Long Dream Read Free Page B

ready to get involved with another man, and did I really want to anyway?
    I asked myself that question a thousand times over the next few days, contemplating what he'd said. It had been nearly seventeen years since I'd dated anyone, so I felt very nervous about it. Still, I had a few days to think about it over the weekend, which I did and in fact I could hardly think of anything else.
    On Monday, I thought I would ask one of my colleagues, Tom, about Steve as he was also a member of the squash club. I knocked on his door and went into his office during a break.
    "Tom, have you got a moment?"
    "Sure," he said, looking slightly surprised.
    I pulled over a chair and sat down opposite him. "I wondered if you could tell me a bit more about Steve as I know you play squash with him at the club."
    "Yes," he nodded, "I do know him quite well. He's a great guy."
    "Do you know if he's married or got any children?"
    "No, he's never been married or had any children. He's had various girlfriends and lived with a woman for a couple of years and although it hadn't worked out, they'd stayed friends. I haven't heard a bad word about him and I've always found him great fun to be with and totally down to earth. Why do you ask?"
    "Well I met him at the pub the other day and he asked for my number so I thought I would check him out before I went any further."
    We talked for a few minutes more and then I returned to my desk feeling pleased. It seemed he really was a genuinely nice guy and my first impression about him had been right.
    As it turned out, Sophie, our receptionist, was off sick with flu and Jeff, one of the legal clerks, had gone on holiday for a week to Spain, so it was suggested that we put off going to the pub until they got back. I didn't let on to anyone, but this was a huge help to me and I now had more breathing space to think about the situation with Steve.
    Life went on as usual during that period and Ben had his friends round on his birthday for a sleepover and we had a big pizza delivery. They had a great time watching videos and playing with all their gadgets. When I asked the kids about possibly getting together with Steve I was surprised how laid back about it they were. I was so proud of them putting me first and thinking of my happiness.
    The following day was parents' evening at the school. Jamie's best subject was French, and Ben's was art, but they were both sporty and loved football and swimming. I was very pleased with their progress, in spite of the absence of their father, and felt very proud of how well they were coping.
    ***
    One week later, both Sophie and Jeff were back at work, and we were due to go for our regular drink that lunchtime. I was a bit apprehensive as we set off, but I thought I'd just go with the flow, and see what happened. There was always the possibility that Steve had changed his mind or just forgotten about it, so I thought what will be, will be.
    I was quite excited at the prospect of seeing him again, and hoped no one noticed I had taken a little bit more care over my appearance that day. I had a new outfit on and shoes and had visited the hairdressers the previous day, so I felt quietly confident, but nervous, as we walked into the pub.
    He was there, looking tanned and fit as he smiled and waved. He immediately got up and dashed over to us. We all got our drinks and went to sit down in the usual corner.
    "It's great to see you again, I missed you last week," he said.
    I raised my eyebrows and smiled at him. "Two of my colleagues were away so we were a bit busy and couldn't come."
    He laughed. "Oh, I see. I thought you were trying to avoid me."
    "No it's true, I wouldn't do a thing like that," I said reassuringly.
    He leant back in his chair and relaxed. "Well it's great that you're here now."
    "So what have you been up to then?" I asked.
    "I've been down to the farm looking after the horses and I wondered if you'd like to come with me this weekend. We could go for a nice long ride."
    I