Nothing Much to Report<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this story, Becky has been asked to meet up with Hugh. The occasion is a new take on a school reunion, instead of one date for the event, that some people may have already been busy, or unable to attend, -throughout the year, each committee member has to get one of the old girls, or boys, to invite someone that they can lord it over and report back to the committee. Members are encouraged to invite somebody that they were not friends with at school, which would make it easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Becky has to make their invitee someone that is an \u2018oik\u2019 and upset them three times. There is a camera hidden in the flowers on the table, which Hugh won\u2019t know about. Becky is a little nervous about her task and has not really enjoyed the cinema evenings nor the recordings that have been sent out to a select few that the main committee have chosen. She feels that they are disrespectful and unkind. She is going to see how this evening goes and then blow the whistle on the very rude group that run the committee currently. She has spoken to a few others, and they all feel the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hugh tidied his tie as he waited in line to be shown to his table. He was a little impressed that they were eating here. It was a three week wait for a table and even then, you were subject to being bumped if someone more desirable than you turned up on spec. It was unfair, but it made good headlines in the celebrity magazines. He was a little uncomfortable in the three-piece suit and the tie, but it was required, he had been told and he knew when he had to do his duty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ma\u00eetre\u2019 d sidled up to Hugh and beckoned for him to come with, to the table, Becky was sat up tall and looked amazing in a blue and silver dress with a low neckline showing off a dazzling sapphire necklace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She half rose to greet him with a kiss, \u201cOn both cheeks Hugh\u201d, she murmured in his ear. He grinned devilishly and pulled her gently towards him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd the best of all is three, for people you know well,\u201d he responded quietly to her chagrin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They both sat down, their little game of one upmanship paused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They perused the menu and ordered without hassle; he admired that she didn\u2019t spend 20 minutes looking at everything and then ordering what equated to dry toast and fungus. And that she understood the wine list, interpreting the smug way the wine was described.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She liked that he didn\u2019t pressurise her to have the most expensive item on the menu or impose his taste on her. And how he allowed her to choose her own wine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They were both grateful that they didn\u2019t have to order champagne, as neither enjoyed the taste, nor the cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI never see the point of paying the inflated cost for fizzy wine just because it was made in a particular part of France. I find the Brut disappointing, but truthfully, I am more than happy with Veuve Cliquot if champagne is called for.\u201d She said in a low voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He carried on from her conversation, \u201cIt\u2019s becoming ok to have a sparkling offering from a different country, Prosecco is a little sweet, but Cava is acceptable, at the medium to high price range, but ladies seem to think that you\u2019re a cheapskate if champagne is not what you order. But I feel that it is sleazy, offering someone champagne, just to impress them. Especially if you don\u2019t drink it yourself.\u201d He said. Then \u2013 \u201cI have an allergy to French wine, it\u2019s in the water apparently, but I usually steer clear of the grapes too, just in case. Even if they have been grown in South Africa, or America.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She smiled, saying, \u201cI can\u2019t bear Shiraz, the grapes are like raisins before they are even picked, shrivelled little fruit with no juice at all. And it always tastes like butter!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They laughed and Hugh congratulated himself. \u2018This is going well \u2013 I can\u2019t remember when I last felt so at ease with a girl.\u2019 He thought as he listened to a story that Becky told well about one of her employees and a problem he had with a wine supplier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Becky continued, \u201cHe thought he would be memorable to the young vintner, if he ordered the wine in the language of the country, in this case, Spanish. He ordered Trece, wanting 3 cases and was delivered 13.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It wasn\u2019t even prestigious enough to give to the companies we interact with. So, he ended up with 156 bottles \u2013 actually, no 12 more, because they gave him an additional case -like a baker\u2019s dozen, only a vintner\u2019s thirteen. And they didn\u2019t accept returns, so at every Christmas since, everybody he gives gifts to has received a bottle of Spanish wine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their starters came and they ate them quietly; she asked him if his was ok and he offered her a taste. It was strangely intimate, accepting a bit off of each other\u2019s fork, but they each raved over the other\u2019s choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They each poured water into a glass, \u201cto keep a clear head,\u201d said Hugh. \u201cTo pace ourselves,\u201d whispered Becky and they smiled again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their main course came and they felt easier swapping pieces of their meal with each other. Each decided that what they had was the best but agreed that they would not have been disappointed with the other dish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Becky began to feel a little on edge; she didn\u2019t expect Hugh to look so good. He was just a car salesman, while she was the CEO of a top performing recruitment company. When she had drawn his name in the stupid \u2018Check In\u2019 college reunion with a difference lottery, she was delighted, someone she could show up, or impress with her accomplishments and her savoir faire in the most popular \u2018hot restaurant\u2019 in town. Instead, she felt like the country hick out of her league and she didn\u2019t appreciate it. She immediately felt sorry for anyone that she had pulled this trick on previously. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the dessert menu came, she was stuck on which to choose. She pinched her lip as she read decadent description after another. Surely one must be a dud, she thought. Hugh cleared his throat and she looked up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShall we share half and half?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She smiled, not just her then. \u201cThere are so many and all sound so good!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The waiter stepped closer and in a low voice said, \u201cIf you are having difficulty choosing, we have been experimenting on offering a taste of each of them, as a solution. The cost is the same as the other desserts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Becky and Hugh nodded. \u201cYes fab,\u201d Becky enthused and Hugh murmured, \u201cOh yes\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While they were waiting, they both started to talk;<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe didn\u2018t get on\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t really think\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou go first,\u201d offered Hugh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was going to say that we weren\u2019t in the same groups at college, but I\u2019ve enjoyed tonight, even if we didn\u2019t have anything to talk about. We haven\u2019t sat in silence\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hugh agreed, \u201cWe also haven\u2019t had to reminisce about people we barely remember and would have kept in touch with if we liked them enough 10 years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He looked up at Becky and said, \u201cNo offense meant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She shook her head and chuckled, \u201cNone taken.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The waiter brought them their deserts and they ate them, awarding each one marks out of 10 and verbally deconstructing the pudding. Each one was as delicious as the menu had made them seem. They drafted out a review on Trip Advisor and giggled and laughed their way through deserts and coffee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo how about dinner next week?\u201d He said, \u201cI know this amazing little Indian restaurant in Netherborough. They treat the diners like family friends; I can really recommend it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat sounds great, I love Indian food and spent a month in India last year to celebrate my brother\u2019s wedding to Rani and get to know his in laws. So, lots to talk about!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They rose and gathered their coats, her handbag and (surreptitiously), the microphone from the flowers. Hugh didn\u2019t see it, but she would definitely tell him about it one day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Nothing Much to Report In this story, Becky has been asked to meet up with Hugh. The occasion is a new take on a school reunion, instead of one date for the event, that some people may have already been … Continue reading