Page 62 of Twilight at Croftwood Library
They all sat down and studied the menu.
‘Is anyone else drinking wine?’ asked Tom.
‘I’d love a glass of red,’ said Lois. ‘Shall we get a bottle?’
‘Not for me and Steph. We’re on the brew.’ Max raised his pint to Tom.
‘Thanks, Tom, I will have wine actually,’ said Steph, throwing Max a dirty look that he didn’t see.
Lois knew something was up. Steph never drank wine; she was a beer and spirits person so she was sharing the wine purely to be argumentative. Maybe it was over between Steph and Max, but Steph hadn’t got around to telling him and maybe hadn’t realised herself yet.
‘I like your jacket, Tom,’ said Steph leaning towards him as she spoke. ‘It looks vintage.’
‘I picked it up from a flea market in Germany.’
‘Not a biker though, are you mate?’ Max chipped in.
‘I don’t have a bike at the moment, no. I think I’m going to have the chicken fajitas. How about you, Lois?’
‘That sounds good. Me too.’
Once the food arrived, Lois was relieved for the lull in conversation. Tom was having trouble saying anything without an immediate put-down from Max following even the most innocent remark and it might have been awkward, but he was oblivious to everything apart from Steph and the more Steph drank, the more she directed all of her conversation and all of her eye-contact towards Tom. They had an easiness between them, punctuated only by Tom looking guiltily at Lois now and again.
‘Twos to the loos?’ she asked Steph once they’d finished their main courses.
Steph looked surprised but followed Lois to the ladies.
‘What’s going on with you and Max?’ she asked. ‘You’ve hardly managed to be civil to him all evening.’
Steph looked sheepish. ‘Is it that obvious?’
‘Apparently not to him but I think everyone else at the table can probably tell. You need to tell him, Steph.’
‘I know,’ she sighed. ‘I just…god, Lois. I think I like Tom. I know I set him up with you and I’m so sorry but when I saw him tonight, he looks hot, not like a teacher at all and I’ve always liked him, I just thought he was too nerdy for me.’
Lois laughed. ‘I don’t fancy Tom, it’s fine.’ If anything, it had made her realise that just going out with any nice guy wasn’t going to work for her. No-one was going to match up to Oliver. ‘And I agree, you two are getting on like a house on fire but one thing at a time. You need to finish it with Max. Basically, at the moment you’re on a date with two men.’
Steph looked shocked for a second. ‘You’re right. I’m such an idiot. What am I doing? I never should have bought Max tonight. I can’t stand the sight of him, to be honest, but I couldn’t see a way out.’
This was typical Steph behaviour. She always carried on with relationships well beyond the point that they were over as if she was hoping she might miraculously stop thinking the guy was a total idiot and everything would be great. It never was. Lois had lost count of the times she’d pointed out to Steph that the end was nigh.
‘Look, we need to call it a night. Tom and I will leave, and you need to talk to Max.’
‘Okay. So, I should break up with him tonight?’
‘Yes! You just said you like Tom. What are you worried about? He’s not violent or anything is he?’
‘No, but I think he’ll be quite cross.’
‘Do it somewhere in town then. Don’t take him back to yours or go to his. Are you going to be okay, or do you want us to wait somewhere until you’ve done it?’
‘Would you? Maybe you and Tom could go for a drink, and I’ll meet you there once… you know.’
Lois and Steph arranged where to meet then went back to the table where Lois asked for the bill.
‘Christ, I haven’t finished my pint yet, love,’ said Max, making Lois cringe. How her best friend could choose such uncouth men, she had no idea. Still, at least Tom seemed to be normal. If he felt the same way, Steph would at least have a fighting chance of having a good relationship for a change.
‘Sorry, I have an early start tomorrow.’ She looked at Tom and widened her eyes, urging him to go along with her.
