Page 35 of The Happiness Project

‘Don’t worry if you can’t,’ adds David hurriedly. ‘I know this is sudden and quite awkward. Neither of us knew we were coming here today to be set up and that’s not the reason I’m asking; I would appreciate having someone to eat with — bring your friend if you’d like.’

My throat has gone dry so I take a sip of cold coffee and look up at him, smiling.

‘My apologies,’ I say confidently. ‘You’re right, I wasn’t expecting this, but it would be lovely — so thank you, I’d love to come to supper.’

I hand David my number and he puts it into his phone then immediately messages me so that I have his. There will be no months of silence — we have each other’s contact details so if I don’t hear from him, it’ll be because he’s not interested.

‘Is there any day of the week that you can’t do?’ he asks. ‘I imagine you work a six-day week so can’t do a Friday night.’

‘As long as I don’t drink I can do any night, but Saturdays are better and I can’t do the fourteenth as I have Patty’s warm-up gig that night,’ I say.

‘Would it be too much if I came to see her?’ He seems quite keen.

I tell him he’s welcome but in the event of my mother or daughter also turning up, he must under no circumstance say he has come with me. I suggest he bring Sarah as his cover story and he agrees.

‘Well, I’m due at the golf course in a couple of hours so I’ll call you next week and hopefully we can get together before the fourteenth,’ he says, standing to leave. ‘It really was lovely meeting you. I’m going to have a smile on my face all day.’

He gives me a peck on the cheek, and as he turns to say goodbye to Sarah, I spot her and Patty peeking out from the kitchen, watching the two of us. I shake my head at Patty as she gives me a tiny round of applause with her fingertips.

‘Cake and a date,’ she exclaims, hugging me after David has left and she’s emerged from her hiding place. ‘A birthday can’t get better than that.’

Chapter Eighteen: Dinner for Two

‘I’ll say one thing for him,’ remarks Patty as I’m getting ready to go for an early doors supper with David. ‘He’s not slow on the invitations. How quickly did he call you after that tea shop date?’

‘Within forty-eight hours.’ I recall how relieved I was when he actually did.

‘And he’s going to cook for you?’ Patty continues.

‘That’s what he tells me.’

‘Is he good at proper cooking? You know, all that kneading and grinding stuff,’ asks Patty.

‘Patty.’ I give her one of my looks. ‘Stop it right now.’

‘I was just thinking that I hope he turns those hands to more pleasurable pursuits before long.’ She winks. ‘If you know what I mean.’

‘An alien who had never met an earthling would know what you mean. You’re not exactly subtle.’

‘As some of the Geordie crew members on the last cruise used to say, “Shy bairns get nowt.” I loved that expression; it could actually be my motto,’ says Patty.

‘I’m going to get you a T-shirt with it printed on.’ I give myself a final spray of perfume and usher her out of my room.

‘Do you think it might go anywhere?’ Patty continues as we walk downstairs.

‘I’ve met him once,’ I remind her. ‘He was nice company and he got in touch quickly, so we’ll see. I’ll give you a full report tonight.’

With that, I give her a little wave and head out to my car.

David has given me an address in Cheshire and as I drive out of Manchester, the houses become more spacious. I’ll be sticking to my one small glass of wine with whatever he has cooked and am happy about that — I don’t want to rush any potential relationship ever again. Patty would call this a fairly chaste courtship (if that’s what it is) but I’m not her. I probably would have been concerned about this if I hadn’t read the wise words of Richard Branson. My guru has advised me well on business matters this past year and I wasn’t sure whether he’d have anything to say on relationships but his blog does offer a little insight. He’s been with the same woman for forty-odd years, and recounts how it was love at first sight for him but that his wife wasn’t that keen initially. He persisted and little by little won her over. Richard said that relationships aren’t about the fireworks but the ongoing friendship and respect people have for each other. He advised being the best version of yourself to lift up your partner and this is what I’m trying to do. I figure that if David and I can become easy in each other’s company and with each other’s friends and family, then the romance will follow. That’s the theory anyway.

David takes my coat and leads the way into the kitchen; it is large and open plan with bi-fold doors that open out onto his garden. He’s not a gardener, so the space is laid to lawn with a small patio area bearing covered-up garden furniture at the end where it will catch the evening sun. It looks a lovely spot and I can’t help but wonder whether I’ll be coming here long enough to enjoy a glass of wine while embracing the final warm rays of a sunset. I’ll have to have progressed to staying over by then.

‘I thought we’d try a full-bodied Zut Alors, La Plume de Ma Tante,’ David says to me, taking a bottle of wine from the rack. Or at least that’s what it sounded like to me. I didn’t actually recognise the name David reeled off rapidly so can’t even begin to tell you —I smile as if I have a clue what he means. It’s not important anyway as he’s opened the oven door and this whole room smells instantly delicious.

‘I’ve made a bourguignon,’ he says, opening a casserole dish and taking out a spoonful which he lays to one side to let cool before putting the rest of the dish back in the oven and turning the heat down. ‘And I hope you don’t mind but I’ve invited over a friend and his wife — they’re golf buddies and dying to meet you.’

I’m not sure how I feel about this as I thought it was supposed to be a first date, but maybe he’s nervous too. Anyway, I’m quickly distracted as he blows on the spoon then holds it out towards me; I take a tiny piece of beef and my eyes roll in delight.

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