Page 43 of Sassy & Sixty

Rosie began to weave her way through the crowd, her confidence growing with each step. She could do this. She was a mature, sophisticated woman who-

"Rosie? Is that you?"

She froze. She knew that voice. Turning slowly, she came face to face with Derek, her estranged husband, looking as surprised to see her as she was to see him.

"Derek," she managed, her voice unnaturally high. "What a... surprise."

Derek smiled, that familiar grin that used to make her knees weak. She didn’t feel the same about it now, it certainly didn’t make her weak, but it made her feel warm and comforted. There was no doubt that Derek’s familiarity was reassuring It was just badly timed. "It's good to see you," he said, taking a step closer. "You look wonderful."

"Ah, yes, well," Rosie stammered, acutely aware of Mike watching from across the room. "Lovely to see you, too.”

She turned to flee, only to find her escape route blocked by a group of rowdy football fans who'd just entered. Trapped between her past and her potential future, Rosie did the only thing she could think of - she ducked behind the bar.

"Can I help you?" the startled bartender yelped.

"Sorry. I’m having a bit of an emergency," Rosie hissed, crouching down among the kegs. "I'll explain later. Just... pretend I'm not here."

The bartender, a young man who looked like he'd seen his fair share of odd behaviour from the pub's patrons, shrugged and went back to pulling pints.

Rosie peered out from her hiding spot, assessing the situation. Derek was looking around in confusion, while Mike was half-rising from his seat, a concerned expression on his face. Presumably wondering how the women he’d just watched walking across the bar had now disappeared into thin air.

This was not how she'd envisioned her evening going.

"Rough night?" asked the barman, casually sliding her a glass of wine.

Rosie accepted it gratefully. "You have no idea," she sighed, taking a long sip. "I’m on a date with a man I’ve just met, and my husband is in the bar."

“Your husband?”

“Yes – but not like that. We’ve been separated for years.”

“Ah, I see.”

From the other side of the bar, Rosie could hear football songs being sung. off-key lines about never walking alone, and lions on shirts were being belted out across the crowded bar.

“I’m not sure what to do…” she said to the young barman.

“What do you want to do?” he asked, crouching down next to her.

“Well, that’s the problem,” she said, sitting back on an old crate. “Part of me wants to go back to Derek because I understand that. Life is easier with someone you’ve known forever, but once that person lets you down it can be hard.”

“So, your husband let you down?”

“He had an affair. With someone I know.”

“Christ. That’s awful. Forget about him and go for the new guy.”

“Yes, I know – that’s what all my friends are saying, but we’ve got a daughter and two little granddaughters, and a lifetime of living together.”

“Granddaughters?” said the barman. “How can you have granddaughters? You look about my age.”

The barman looked about 30.

“That’s very kind,” she said. “But I think we both know that I’m about twice your age.”

“I don’t know about that. I was thinking how attractive you were.”

Rosie felt her cheeks colouring. Was he flirting with her?

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