Page 47 of Christmas off Script

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Without waiting for a reply, she turned and ran.

9

Striding up Park Street in Bristol, Leo checked his reflection in a shop window. Under the woollen coat were his smartest jeans and a tailored shirt, and his Converse trainers had been replaced by a pair of brown brogues. His outward appearance was date-ready, however, his mind was not. It was jumpy and irritable, as if itching powder had been sprinkled in his brain, stopping him from focusing on the evening ahead.

Why did you arrange this date so close to Christmas?

It’s still November.

Near enough.

And you didn’t know Oliver was going to dump Ella and kick her out of their house.

I should be back there with her.

And stand up—fuck! What’s her name again?

Stopping in a doorway, Leo pulled out his phone to check who he was meeting.

Ellie. Okay. Easy to remember. Ellie, Ellie, Ellie.

He kept repeating the name as he approached the entrance to the bar. A blonde woman was just ahead of him, and he instinctively held the door open for her.

‘Leo?’

He stared blankly at her for a second before realising she was his date for the evening.

‘Yes! Sorry, brain fart—I mean freeze. Ella? Right?’ He held out his hand. ‘Leo.’

She took it. ‘It’s actually Ellie.’

Fuck’s sake!‘Sorry. Please feel free to call me Leon, Lenny, or anything else that springs to mind.’

She smiled. ‘I think I can manage Leo.’

He held his free hand out and she passed through the door into the bar.

‘Ellie, Ellie, Ellie,’ he muttered under his breath.

She turned. ‘Is it that difficult to remember?’

Huh? Did I say that out loud?‘Um…’

‘Or are you a serial dater?’

He attempted a winning smile. ‘Not intentionally. Although I’ve had some exciting flings with Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies and Shredded Wheat.’

Ellie stared blankly at him.

‘Cereal dater? As in breakfast cereal?’

Shut up! You’re sounding like a spanner!

Ella would have loved that joke.

Yes, but she’s not here, is she? Ellie is. Ellie, Ellie, Ellie.

The restaurant manager approached them. ‘Good evening. Do you have a reservation?’

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