sorry,” Charlotte said. “It’s just that despite what I
say I do think that being in a happy, loving relationship is important.
Look at my mum and dad, they weren’t rich or anything when we were all growing
up, but look how happy they were, because they had each other. You think
about all the people that we know with plenty of money, big houses, fancy cars,
and everything. They are all single and as miserable as anything. Bets
and I included.”
Kerry laughed quietly and shook her head. “Charlotte you are
an old romantic. Perhaps the money and the career have just been your
substitutes for what you really want, do you think?” Kerry asked.
“Yes, I do. I think that they just helped to mend my
broken heart, but after hearing Grant’s name today I realised something; I hate
him. Do you know I’ve felt sick all day? I never thought that after all
these years that it would affect me like this.”
Kerry started to giggle. “Charlotte, he used to make
me want to puke all the time, so I wouldn’t worry about it. Do you want
another one?”
Charlotte nodded.
A couple of rounds later Kerry came running back from the
bar, spilling the drinks as she did so.
“Quick, look over there. Bets is in here with a
fella.”
Charlotte stood up quickly, almost toppling over the glasses
that Kerry had placed on the table. “Who is it?” she asked, standing on
tiptoe to see above the crowd.
“I don’t know. I just turned around, and there they
were. She simply smiled and turned her back to me, you know, like she
usually does.” Kerry, too small to see above everyone’s heads, sat back
down.
“Oh God, I can see them. Bloody hell I think it must
be that new lifeguard at the swimming pool. She told me last week that he
was quite fit.” Charlotte flopped into her seat.
“So he should be, if he’s a lifeguard,” muttered Kerry -
Charlotte groaned.
“Not that sort of fit! You know, phwoar fit.”
“Oh.” Light dawned on Kerry, who nodded, open mouthed.
“What does he look like anyway? She blocked my view pretty quickly when I was
at the bar.”
“Err, tall, blond, good body, from what I could see under
the t-shirt. I couldn’t really see his face, but Bets told me last week
that he looked a little like a blond Robbie Williams.”
“Not our type then, if he’s muscle bound, I mean.”
Charlotte laughed. “Are you trying to say we go for
weedy types?”
“No, Kelvin’s got good biceps, but he’s no Charles Atlas is
he?”
“Who?” Charlotte asked, puzzled.
“Charles Atlas…oh forget it,” Kerry could see from
Charlotte’s gormless expression that she didn’t have a clue what she was
talking about. “Let’s just say he’s not Arnie is he?”
“Oh, I see; no he isn’t is he.”
They continued talking for a while, until Bets approached
them.
“Hiya, are you two okay then?” Bets sat next to Kerry,
squeezing onto the edge of her stool.
“Yes we are what about you?” Charlotte winked at Bets.
“Oh, you want to know about Gary do you?” They both nodded
in unison. “Well he’s 24…" She paused due to the look of
astonishment on their faces. “Don’t be so narrow minded, why shouldn’t I
enjoy a younger man? As I said, he's twenty-four, and has been working at
the pool for two weeks. He's single, living with his mum and dad, and I’m going
to take him home now for what I hope will be wild, exciting sex.
Afterwards, I’ll give him a peck on the cheek, thank him for the multiple
orgasms that I’ve just had and tell him that I’ll see him around. Now
does that answer all your questions?”
Kerry and Charlotte nodded again. “Yes, I think
so,” said Charlotte, “but how did you manage to snare him in a pool full of old
women with flabby arms, doing aqua aerobics?”
“I think that you’ve answered your own question, don’t you?”
Bets replied, smiling. “I pretended that I was having trouble with my
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Letting Go 2: Stepping Stones