Part 2 Trucking Along
Posted: 25 May 2016, 10:35
2nd installment
Alec tried again to phone Bill; he was now becoming extremely cross as he did not have a clue as to what Bill was doing or why he wasn’t answering the phone. Just as he was about to give up he answered,
“Where the bl**dy hell have you been”? Shouted Alec, “I’ve been trying to get you for the past half hour”
“Sorry” replied Bill wincing as he moved the phone further away from his ear “Thought it would be best to take my break now rather than later on down the road”
“ Oh! So what exactly are your plans for the rest of the day then, a detour to Scarborough or why not even try Skeggy for some fish and chips for lunch before continuing your leisurely drive down to Newcastle-under-Lyme”?
Bill squirmed in his seat, “Look, I’ll get there as quick as I can Alec, I was just about to leave when you rang.”
“Right, soon as you are tipped ring me – and whatever you do don’t mention that you took a wrong turning, tell them you had a double blow-out.” Alec slammed the phone down just as Bill was about to reply. Wincing again Bill looked at his phone before putting it back to his ear.
“Alec?” Realising that Alec had hung up he drove out of the lorry park to join the A1.
Alec was just about to make himself a cup of tea when the phone rang “Fisher Haulage” he snapped.
“Oh dear, caught you at a bad time Alec?” It was Phil from an agency that the company uses for back- loads’, both have a good working relationship with each other and get on extremely well.
“Sorry Phil, been one of those days today, what can I do for you?” Phil asked Alec if he had any trucks that could pick up another load of soft drinks from Sidcup this afternoon for Tesco and Asda Nottingham.. Looking down at the task sheet saw that Richards’ lorry, although scheduled for a service tomorrow morning, could easily run across to Sidcup - do the delivery early next day and be back in the yard for the afternoon.
“Yes I can get one of them in for this afternoon for you Phil – no trouble at all.”
Alec then rang Richard. "Where are you?”
“Just waiting to tip Alec, shouldn’t be long - just got the forklift out, why, what’s up?”
“When you’ve tipped I want you to run across to Sidcup, you’re booked in for a load of soft drinks for delivery to two supermarkets in Nottingham then come back to the yard for your service in the afternoon.”
Richard’s heart started to thump, this, he did not want to hear. “But Alec, I’ve made arrangements - I’ve got to be in Lincoln tonight, I prom……” He stopped abruptly not wanting to let on it was a girl he has arranged a date with, he had pulled this stunt before and got caught out after another driver swapped loads thinking he was doing him a favour.
“Just what exactly have you got arranged?” replied Alec, for he was in no mood to be messed about.
Richard desperately tried to think of something that would sound genuine but was failing fast.
“Um……er.…..no….. no….nothing………nothing that can’t wait, its OK, I’ll sort it”.
“Well if it’s important and anything that I can do” Alec went on.
“No….no…. it’s alright…….I’ll give the surgery a ring and cancel it” was the first thing that came into Richards’ head.
“Have you a doctors’ appointment?”
“Uh…...yeah, but its’……it’s nothing…..…forgot to tell you on Friday that I was going…...doesn’t matter, only a minor thing”.
“Well, so long as your OK - I don’t want to be held responsible for you missing your appointment or falling ill unexpectantly – I can give the surgery a ring for you and tell them that you can’t make it and ask them to re-book you later in the week if its’ of any help”.
Richard started to feel that the hole he was digging for himself was getting larger and larger by the minute and very soon likely to collapse around him.
“No…. honestly……I can sort it whilst they’re tipping me……don’t worry……I’m OK”.
“Alright then, I’ll leave it to you – just give me a ring when you’re at Sidcup loaded and ready to roll so that I know how you’re doing”.
“OK” replied Richard. Alec put down the phone and shook his head. He’d got something planned other than the doctor he thought to himself, still, there were more important things to attend to than worry about what Richard was up to.
Richard was feeling as though he had been hit in the pit of the stomach by a cannon ball. On Saturday night he had been out with a few friends and going to a nightclub he met Rachel a slim, blue-eyed curvy-blonde who was as a nurse at the hospital. Their night spent together was by far the best he had experienced for some time and when it came to leaving he asked her if she would like to go out on Sunday but she declined as she was working the nightshift then off for two days after that but he could come over to her flat on Monday night. Richard agreed for he knew that he would be back in Lincoln Monday night for the service on his truck the next day.
“This is not looking good, there has to be a way that I can get back tonight,” he mused trying to work out his driving hours. “Hmm, just over four hours used, stretch it to ten that would leave me just under six.”
At 10 o’ clock, he pulled out from the Garden Centre and drove to the M4. An hour into his journey he noticed that the traffic ahead was beginning to slow down to a crawl. All three lanes of the motorway were blocked and Richard started to become increasingly impatient as he slowly crawled along, the third lane of the motorway some distance ahead had been coned off for repairs. Now only about 500 yards away from the cones, cars were still coming past him and pulling in at the very last minute. This resulted in the lane that he was in coming to a stop every now and again. “B*gger this” he thought and pulled his lorry out and straddled both 2nd and third lane so that no other vehicle could pass. “That’ll stop ‘em from pushing in and holding me up” he muttered. Looking into his mirror, he could see one car trying to edge its’ way through the small gap that was left so he pulled over a bit more resulting in the other driver flashing his lights and gesticulating. Richard wound down his window and stuck up one finger in reply.
After a frustrating 45 minutes’ he was finally through and so was the driver of the car he had blocked. Coming alongside the cab of his lorry, he blasted his horn, Richard looked down and the other driver was now bent slightly forward and leant over to the left so as to see up to the cab of Richards’ Mercedes then, on seeing Richard looking down, gave him a number of ‘V’ signs before accelerating away at high speed. “B*st*rd” shouted Richard and flashed his lights back at him.
Twenty minutes further on he noticed blue flashing lights on the hard shoulder and on passing, a big smile came over his face when he noticed that it was the same car that he had the confrontation with earlier. The driver was just getting out from the back seat of the Police Traffic Car. He wisely resisted the temptation to sound his air horns on passing.
Three and a half hours after leaving the café, Bill arrived at his destination, the manager of the garden centre approached. “So you finally got here and about time, I’ve had to keep this car park clear of vehicles all morning, you were supposed to be here at nine o’ clock so it did not interfere with the parking for my customers”. He said angrily.
Bill could only apologise as he climbed out of the cab and remembering what Alec told him said he was sorry but had a blow out on the trailer tyres. Fortunately for Bill the manager was more concerned at off-loading the fertilizers and getting him off his car park that he did not notice the tyres on the trailer were all partly worn.
“Sam, get the forklift out and get on with tipping this load, I want this truck out of here sharpish.” Within an hour; Sam had offloaded the last of the pallets and Bill wheeled his 40ft artic out of the gates. After finding a suitable place to stop, he phoned Alec.
“What did they say when you got there?”
“Don’t ask, he wasn’t happy.”
“OK. Next question, how many hours driving do you have left?”
“About four if I push it to ten otherwise its only about three” replied Bill.
“Right get yourself up to Wrexham Industrial Estate to Atkins’ Foods and load up for Carlisle. You do know where Carlisle is don’t you”?
“Yes, as a matter of fact I do,” responded Bill indignantly who was now hoping that Alec would leave off with the sarcasm.
“Good, then I’ll be able to sleep peacefully tonight knowing that you won’t c*ck up! When you’ve tipped tomorrow, give me a call as I may have a return load for you.” On putting down the phone.
Richard arrived at Sidcup, it was now 1.45pm, it had taken him 3¾ hours to get there, longer than he had anticipated. On pulling into the loading bay, one of the employees came across.
“What load have you come for?”
“Nottingham” replied Richard,
“OK, won’t be long just got those two to finish off then we’ll get yours on”.
Richard breathed a sigh of relief. This was now beginning to look promising so setting his tachograph to rest he jumped out of the cab and pulled the curtains of the trailer back ready for loading. Within an hour and a half, his trailer had been loaded and he was on his way.
He knew that he would be expected to go up the M1 to Nottingham and also worked out that he would have to book off somewhere south of Northampton as he now had about 2 hours driving time left. However, he had no intentions of travelling that route for he was still determined to get home for his date.
Having made good time, he was now about ten miles south of Peterborough on the A1M and only one and a half hours from Lincoln, but he was beginning to run out of driving hours. As soon as he came to the end of the motorway, he pulled into the first available lay-by and on removing his tachograph disc put down Northampton just off the M1 as his booking off point.
He then moved the tachograph clock forward by 14 hours, so that it now read 07.30hrs. This was the time he had worked out that he would have to start tomorrow.
After putting in the next days’ disc, he continued driving, but this time keeping well within the speed limit.
Just after the last turn off for Grantham, he pulled into a large lay-by that was separated from the carriageway by a verge with trees and shrubs giving complete privacy from the dual carriageway; a snack bar was to the right and as he entered two lorries were parked nearby. Richard removed the fuse to the tachograph clock so that on returning the next day all he would have to do is replace the fuse - continue driving - and hopefully no one should be any of the wiser of what he had done.
He called up on the CB asking if any “Breakers northbound” would be able to give him a lift. It wasn’t long before another trucker obliged. Ensuring that he had a spare tachograph with him, he climbed aboard and was pleased to find out that the driver was making to Langworth situated north of Lincoln which meant that he would home and dry very shortly and on his way to a promise!
By eight thirty after a mad frantic dash to get washed and changed Richard was knocking on the door of Rachel’s’ flat, there was no response. Knocking again but this time louder he breathed a sigh of relief as the door opened.
“Hi Rachel – hope I’m not late, got slightly held up on my way over.” Rachel smiled on letting him in she was wearing just a dressing gown with a towel covering her hair. “ Just as well I’ve only just come out of the shower. Make yourself comfortable,” pointing the way to the living room.
“Tea or coffee?” she enquired.
“Coffee please, white, two sugars”.
Entering the room, he walked straight to the sofa on sitting down he felt as though he was going to be swallowed up inside as his body sunk into the soft material. Two armchairs opposite faced the sofa at slight angles, in the centre and at arms’ length stood a small wooden coffee table. In the corner next to the curtained window was a television with a music centre close by, a tall lamp stood next to the sofa with a cream lamp- shade covering the bulb that cast a soft warm glow across the room.
Richard started to feel very comfortable for this was in contrast, a far cry from his bed-sit situated about a fifteen-minute walk from the City Centre. Most of it was sparsely furnished with just a wardrobe, set of drawers and small bedside table. Another table only just big enough for 2 people to eat from stood in the centre of the room with two upright wooden chairs placed next to it. A small gas cooker sat to the side of the bay window and opposite a small sink attached to the wall. A single bed occupied the other side of the room.
With the warmth from the central heating, the soft glow from the light and the comfort of the sofa Richards’ eyelids began to feel heavy and slowly started to close.
“Hope you don’t mind drinking from a mug,” quickly he opened his eyes and sat up straight taking hold of it.
“No – that’s fine, much prefer mugs to cups. Nice place you have,” he added.
“Thanks.”
She stood looking at him for a few seconds as Richard took a sip before deciding that it would have to cool slightly.
“Take your time, I’ll just go and get dressed,” she said.
He began to ponder how he would make the next move. So far, she’d just had a shower, - answered the door in her dressing gown and told to make himself comfortable. ‘Looking good’ he thought.
Fifteen minutes elapsed before Rachel shouted from the bedroom “Won’t be long, then we can go.” He felt a bit confused for he was fully expecting or at least hoping for a comfortable night in, especially after the way last Saturday went!
“I thought we might stay in tonight and get to know each other a bit more” he said. There was a slight pause.
“Pardon, I’m sorry - didn’t hear what you said,” replied Rachel as she walked in to the living room.
He took one look at her and his pulse was sent racing. Her blonde hair flowed down to her shoulders; her sparkling blue eyes looked at him in a way that made him feel weak at the knees. She wore a skimpy white blouse with the ends tied together just above the navel and below; her black slacks clung tightly to her hips.
All thoughts of staying in disappeared from Richards’ mind. After all - the night was still young!
“Where to?” After recovering his composure,
“Wouldn’t mind going into town for a couple of quiet drinks as it won’t be busy tonight” she replied.
On entering one of the many pubs located in the City Centre Rachel spotted one of her friends out with her boyfriend.
“Come on, we’ll join Samantha and her boyfriend Simon, known them for years – great company - you’ll like them.”
They both went across and sat down at the table with Rachel giving the customary introductions. Richard began to feel slightly disappointed as he thought that it would be just the two of them tonight with hopefully, an early retirement afterwards. The drinks continued to flow freely and every now and again Rachel would lean across and briefly rest her head on his shoulder as she laughed.
Simon looked at his watch then across to Rachel. “How about all of us going across to Sammy’s’?”
Richard took one look at his watch. It was eleven o’clock; his heart missed a beat as he was hoping that Rachel would call it a night and invite him back to her flat.
“Yeah, sounds a great idea doesn’t it Richard?”
Richard was trying to think hard and fast for one; he still had to get out to his truck in the morning and two, his plans for tonight appeared to be dissolving quicker than sugar in boiling water.
“Well....... I don’t know" he said looking at Rachel and for once he was lost for an excuse.
"Don’t worry, if you don’t want to come you don’t have to I can get a taxis back later.”
“Um……..OK…. I’ll come….after all, I wouldn’t want to leave you on your own.”
Richard started to drink Coca-Cola immediately on their arrival at Sammy’s’ for obvious reasons – one was that he had to drive the next day and two, if his luck still held, he would ensure that he did not suffer from the dreaded droops!
As the evening progressed into the early hours the music slowed, on the dance floor Rachel clung to Richard, her head pressed against his, her arms wrapped tightly round him, her body pressed firmly against him as they swayed in time to the rhythm of the music.
All too soon the time came to leave as the club only remained open until one in the morning due to Mondays usually being quiet. Rachel bade farewell to Samantha and Simon by giving them both a kiss on their cheeks. Samantha returned the compliment to Richard before they left in a taxi.
“I’ve really enjoyed myself tonight.” Said Rachel
“Yes, so have I,” Replied Richard looking into her eyes. Their heads moved slowly towards each other until their lips touched, his tongue began to dart inside her mouth then retreated; he repeated this a number of times as Rachel responded passionately edging her body closer to his with sexy rhythmic movements.
Slowly he pulled away and said quietly. “Come on, lets’ go”.
She gazed dreamily into his eyes; her arms draped over his shoulders with her fingers massaging the back of his neck.
“Do you know what?” she purred in a soft sexy voice
This is it he thought excitedly………his heart pounded as he waited eagerly for her to continue
“I could do with a kebab!”
Richard opened the door to his bed-sit and made straight for the bed, sitting down on the edge of it he was feeling extremely frustrated after all, he had done everything to get back last night and for what?........................ A flamin' kebab!
Now all he had to show for his effort was a near empty wallet.
Reaching across for the alarm clock he sat staring at it, the time now was ten past two he has been up for nearly 24 hours, was feeling extremely tired and beginning to wish that he had not bothered to come back.
Alec tried again to phone Bill; he was now becoming extremely cross as he did not have a clue as to what Bill was doing or why he wasn’t answering the phone. Just as he was about to give up he answered,
“Where the bl**dy hell have you been”? Shouted Alec, “I’ve been trying to get you for the past half hour”
“Sorry” replied Bill wincing as he moved the phone further away from his ear “Thought it would be best to take my break now rather than later on down the road”
“ Oh! So what exactly are your plans for the rest of the day then, a detour to Scarborough or why not even try Skeggy for some fish and chips for lunch before continuing your leisurely drive down to Newcastle-under-Lyme”?
Bill squirmed in his seat, “Look, I’ll get there as quick as I can Alec, I was just about to leave when you rang.”
“Right, soon as you are tipped ring me – and whatever you do don’t mention that you took a wrong turning, tell them you had a double blow-out.” Alec slammed the phone down just as Bill was about to reply. Wincing again Bill looked at his phone before putting it back to his ear.
“Alec?” Realising that Alec had hung up he drove out of the lorry park to join the A1.
Alec was just about to make himself a cup of tea when the phone rang “Fisher Haulage” he snapped.
“Oh dear, caught you at a bad time Alec?” It was Phil from an agency that the company uses for back- loads’, both have a good working relationship with each other and get on extremely well.
“Sorry Phil, been one of those days today, what can I do for you?” Phil asked Alec if he had any trucks that could pick up another load of soft drinks from Sidcup this afternoon for Tesco and Asda Nottingham.. Looking down at the task sheet saw that Richards’ lorry, although scheduled for a service tomorrow morning, could easily run across to Sidcup - do the delivery early next day and be back in the yard for the afternoon.
“Yes I can get one of them in for this afternoon for you Phil – no trouble at all.”
Alec then rang Richard. "Where are you?”
“Just waiting to tip Alec, shouldn’t be long - just got the forklift out, why, what’s up?”
“When you’ve tipped I want you to run across to Sidcup, you’re booked in for a load of soft drinks for delivery to two supermarkets in Nottingham then come back to the yard for your service in the afternoon.”
Richard’s heart started to thump, this, he did not want to hear. “But Alec, I’ve made arrangements - I’ve got to be in Lincoln tonight, I prom……” He stopped abruptly not wanting to let on it was a girl he has arranged a date with, he had pulled this stunt before and got caught out after another driver swapped loads thinking he was doing him a favour.
“Just what exactly have you got arranged?” replied Alec, for he was in no mood to be messed about.
Richard desperately tried to think of something that would sound genuine but was failing fast.
“Um……er.…..no….. no….nothing………nothing that can’t wait, its OK, I’ll sort it”.
“Well if it’s important and anything that I can do” Alec went on.
“No….no…. it’s alright…….I’ll give the surgery a ring and cancel it” was the first thing that came into Richards’ head.
“Have you a doctors’ appointment?”
“Uh…...yeah, but its’……it’s nothing…..…forgot to tell you on Friday that I was going…...doesn’t matter, only a minor thing”.
“Well, so long as your OK - I don’t want to be held responsible for you missing your appointment or falling ill unexpectantly – I can give the surgery a ring for you and tell them that you can’t make it and ask them to re-book you later in the week if its’ of any help”.
Richard started to feel that the hole he was digging for himself was getting larger and larger by the minute and very soon likely to collapse around him.
“No…. honestly……I can sort it whilst they’re tipping me……don’t worry……I’m OK”.
“Alright then, I’ll leave it to you – just give me a ring when you’re at Sidcup loaded and ready to roll so that I know how you’re doing”.
“OK” replied Richard. Alec put down the phone and shook his head. He’d got something planned other than the doctor he thought to himself, still, there were more important things to attend to than worry about what Richard was up to.
Richard was feeling as though he had been hit in the pit of the stomach by a cannon ball. On Saturday night he had been out with a few friends and going to a nightclub he met Rachel a slim, blue-eyed curvy-blonde who was as a nurse at the hospital. Their night spent together was by far the best he had experienced for some time and when it came to leaving he asked her if she would like to go out on Sunday but she declined as she was working the nightshift then off for two days after that but he could come over to her flat on Monday night. Richard agreed for he knew that he would be back in Lincoln Monday night for the service on his truck the next day.
“This is not looking good, there has to be a way that I can get back tonight,” he mused trying to work out his driving hours. “Hmm, just over four hours used, stretch it to ten that would leave me just under six.”
At 10 o’ clock, he pulled out from the Garden Centre and drove to the M4. An hour into his journey he noticed that the traffic ahead was beginning to slow down to a crawl. All three lanes of the motorway were blocked and Richard started to become increasingly impatient as he slowly crawled along, the third lane of the motorway some distance ahead had been coned off for repairs. Now only about 500 yards away from the cones, cars were still coming past him and pulling in at the very last minute. This resulted in the lane that he was in coming to a stop every now and again. “B*gger this” he thought and pulled his lorry out and straddled both 2nd and third lane so that no other vehicle could pass. “That’ll stop ‘em from pushing in and holding me up” he muttered. Looking into his mirror, he could see one car trying to edge its’ way through the small gap that was left so he pulled over a bit more resulting in the other driver flashing his lights and gesticulating. Richard wound down his window and stuck up one finger in reply.
After a frustrating 45 minutes’ he was finally through and so was the driver of the car he had blocked. Coming alongside the cab of his lorry, he blasted his horn, Richard looked down and the other driver was now bent slightly forward and leant over to the left so as to see up to the cab of Richards’ Mercedes then, on seeing Richard looking down, gave him a number of ‘V’ signs before accelerating away at high speed. “B*st*rd” shouted Richard and flashed his lights back at him.
Twenty minutes further on he noticed blue flashing lights on the hard shoulder and on passing, a big smile came over his face when he noticed that it was the same car that he had the confrontation with earlier. The driver was just getting out from the back seat of the Police Traffic Car. He wisely resisted the temptation to sound his air horns on passing.
Three and a half hours after leaving the café, Bill arrived at his destination, the manager of the garden centre approached. “So you finally got here and about time, I’ve had to keep this car park clear of vehicles all morning, you were supposed to be here at nine o’ clock so it did not interfere with the parking for my customers”. He said angrily.
Bill could only apologise as he climbed out of the cab and remembering what Alec told him said he was sorry but had a blow out on the trailer tyres. Fortunately for Bill the manager was more concerned at off-loading the fertilizers and getting him off his car park that he did not notice the tyres on the trailer were all partly worn.
“Sam, get the forklift out and get on with tipping this load, I want this truck out of here sharpish.” Within an hour; Sam had offloaded the last of the pallets and Bill wheeled his 40ft artic out of the gates. After finding a suitable place to stop, he phoned Alec.
“What did they say when you got there?”
“Don’t ask, he wasn’t happy.”
“OK. Next question, how many hours driving do you have left?”
“About four if I push it to ten otherwise its only about three” replied Bill.
“Right get yourself up to Wrexham Industrial Estate to Atkins’ Foods and load up for Carlisle. You do know where Carlisle is don’t you”?
“Yes, as a matter of fact I do,” responded Bill indignantly who was now hoping that Alec would leave off with the sarcasm.
“Good, then I’ll be able to sleep peacefully tonight knowing that you won’t c*ck up! When you’ve tipped tomorrow, give me a call as I may have a return load for you.” On putting down the phone.
Richard arrived at Sidcup, it was now 1.45pm, it had taken him 3¾ hours to get there, longer than he had anticipated. On pulling into the loading bay, one of the employees came across.
“What load have you come for?”
“Nottingham” replied Richard,
“OK, won’t be long just got those two to finish off then we’ll get yours on”.
Richard breathed a sigh of relief. This was now beginning to look promising so setting his tachograph to rest he jumped out of the cab and pulled the curtains of the trailer back ready for loading. Within an hour and a half, his trailer had been loaded and he was on his way.
He knew that he would be expected to go up the M1 to Nottingham and also worked out that he would have to book off somewhere south of Northampton as he now had about 2 hours driving time left. However, he had no intentions of travelling that route for he was still determined to get home for his date.
Having made good time, he was now about ten miles south of Peterborough on the A1M and only one and a half hours from Lincoln, but he was beginning to run out of driving hours. As soon as he came to the end of the motorway, he pulled into the first available lay-by and on removing his tachograph disc put down Northampton just off the M1 as his booking off point.
He then moved the tachograph clock forward by 14 hours, so that it now read 07.30hrs. This was the time he had worked out that he would have to start tomorrow.
After putting in the next days’ disc, he continued driving, but this time keeping well within the speed limit.
Just after the last turn off for Grantham, he pulled into a large lay-by that was separated from the carriageway by a verge with trees and shrubs giving complete privacy from the dual carriageway; a snack bar was to the right and as he entered two lorries were parked nearby. Richard removed the fuse to the tachograph clock so that on returning the next day all he would have to do is replace the fuse - continue driving - and hopefully no one should be any of the wiser of what he had done.
He called up on the CB asking if any “Breakers northbound” would be able to give him a lift. It wasn’t long before another trucker obliged. Ensuring that he had a spare tachograph with him, he climbed aboard and was pleased to find out that the driver was making to Langworth situated north of Lincoln which meant that he would home and dry very shortly and on his way to a promise!
By eight thirty after a mad frantic dash to get washed and changed Richard was knocking on the door of Rachel’s’ flat, there was no response. Knocking again but this time louder he breathed a sigh of relief as the door opened.
“Hi Rachel – hope I’m not late, got slightly held up on my way over.” Rachel smiled on letting him in she was wearing just a dressing gown with a towel covering her hair. “ Just as well I’ve only just come out of the shower. Make yourself comfortable,” pointing the way to the living room.
“Tea or coffee?” she enquired.
“Coffee please, white, two sugars”.
Entering the room, he walked straight to the sofa on sitting down he felt as though he was going to be swallowed up inside as his body sunk into the soft material. Two armchairs opposite faced the sofa at slight angles, in the centre and at arms’ length stood a small wooden coffee table. In the corner next to the curtained window was a television with a music centre close by, a tall lamp stood next to the sofa with a cream lamp- shade covering the bulb that cast a soft warm glow across the room.
Richard started to feel very comfortable for this was in contrast, a far cry from his bed-sit situated about a fifteen-minute walk from the City Centre. Most of it was sparsely furnished with just a wardrobe, set of drawers and small bedside table. Another table only just big enough for 2 people to eat from stood in the centre of the room with two upright wooden chairs placed next to it. A small gas cooker sat to the side of the bay window and opposite a small sink attached to the wall. A single bed occupied the other side of the room.
With the warmth from the central heating, the soft glow from the light and the comfort of the sofa Richards’ eyelids began to feel heavy and slowly started to close.
“Hope you don’t mind drinking from a mug,” quickly he opened his eyes and sat up straight taking hold of it.
“No – that’s fine, much prefer mugs to cups. Nice place you have,” he added.
“Thanks.”
She stood looking at him for a few seconds as Richard took a sip before deciding that it would have to cool slightly.
“Take your time, I’ll just go and get dressed,” she said.
He began to ponder how he would make the next move. So far, she’d just had a shower, - answered the door in her dressing gown and told to make himself comfortable. ‘Looking good’ he thought.
Fifteen minutes elapsed before Rachel shouted from the bedroom “Won’t be long, then we can go.” He felt a bit confused for he was fully expecting or at least hoping for a comfortable night in, especially after the way last Saturday went!
“I thought we might stay in tonight and get to know each other a bit more” he said. There was a slight pause.
“Pardon, I’m sorry - didn’t hear what you said,” replied Rachel as she walked in to the living room.
He took one look at her and his pulse was sent racing. Her blonde hair flowed down to her shoulders; her sparkling blue eyes looked at him in a way that made him feel weak at the knees. She wore a skimpy white blouse with the ends tied together just above the navel and below; her black slacks clung tightly to her hips.
All thoughts of staying in disappeared from Richards’ mind. After all - the night was still young!
“Where to?” After recovering his composure,
“Wouldn’t mind going into town for a couple of quiet drinks as it won’t be busy tonight” she replied.
On entering one of the many pubs located in the City Centre Rachel spotted one of her friends out with her boyfriend.
“Come on, we’ll join Samantha and her boyfriend Simon, known them for years – great company - you’ll like them.”
They both went across and sat down at the table with Rachel giving the customary introductions. Richard began to feel slightly disappointed as he thought that it would be just the two of them tonight with hopefully, an early retirement afterwards. The drinks continued to flow freely and every now and again Rachel would lean across and briefly rest her head on his shoulder as she laughed.
Simon looked at his watch then across to Rachel. “How about all of us going across to Sammy’s’?”
Richard took one look at his watch. It was eleven o’clock; his heart missed a beat as he was hoping that Rachel would call it a night and invite him back to her flat.
“Yeah, sounds a great idea doesn’t it Richard?”
Richard was trying to think hard and fast for one; he still had to get out to his truck in the morning and two, his plans for tonight appeared to be dissolving quicker than sugar in boiling water.
“Well....... I don’t know" he said looking at Rachel and for once he was lost for an excuse.
"Don’t worry, if you don’t want to come you don’t have to I can get a taxis back later.”
“Um……..OK…. I’ll come….after all, I wouldn’t want to leave you on your own.”
Richard started to drink Coca-Cola immediately on their arrival at Sammy’s’ for obvious reasons – one was that he had to drive the next day and two, if his luck still held, he would ensure that he did not suffer from the dreaded droops!
As the evening progressed into the early hours the music slowed, on the dance floor Rachel clung to Richard, her head pressed against his, her arms wrapped tightly round him, her body pressed firmly against him as they swayed in time to the rhythm of the music.
All too soon the time came to leave as the club only remained open until one in the morning due to Mondays usually being quiet. Rachel bade farewell to Samantha and Simon by giving them both a kiss on their cheeks. Samantha returned the compliment to Richard before they left in a taxi.
“I’ve really enjoyed myself tonight.” Said Rachel
“Yes, so have I,” Replied Richard looking into her eyes. Their heads moved slowly towards each other until their lips touched, his tongue began to dart inside her mouth then retreated; he repeated this a number of times as Rachel responded passionately edging her body closer to his with sexy rhythmic movements.
Slowly he pulled away and said quietly. “Come on, lets’ go”.
She gazed dreamily into his eyes; her arms draped over his shoulders with her fingers massaging the back of his neck.
“Do you know what?” she purred in a soft sexy voice
This is it he thought excitedly………his heart pounded as he waited eagerly for her to continue
“I could do with a kebab!”
Richard opened the door to his bed-sit and made straight for the bed, sitting down on the edge of it he was feeling extremely frustrated after all, he had done everything to get back last night and for what?........................ A flamin' kebab!
Now all he had to show for his effort was a near empty wallet.
Reaching across for the alarm clock he sat staring at it, the time now was ten past two he has been up for nearly 24 hours, was feeling extremely tired and beginning to wish that he had not bothered to come back.
In some ways it will all seem a bit of a waste of time should nothing come of it.