This has been on my mind for a few days now, but due to working twelve hour shifts i've been exhausted and almost zombie like!
Really hope you enjoy this,
Jacob and Connie.
"So Mrs B – Beauchamp, I hope you like champagne" Jacob was prompted to correct himself by a raised eyebrow from his companion who sat opposite him at the table, her lips pursed slightly as her eyes watched his every move.
Jacob couldn't actually believe that the clinical lead agreed to a 'date'. Even though he acted ridiculously self assured around her, in reality he knew she was way out of his league. She was quite clearly more used to a lavish lifestyle. The ritz for lunch, Michelin star restaurant for dinner. He was punching well above his weight. He felt his confidence ebb away slightly as he quickly glanced around the small Italian he had picked out. It was his favourite little hideaway, but somehow he just knew that the yellowed wallpaper and the peeling plaster board was not impressing her.
"Champagne is wonderful, although I doubt it is something you particularly enjoy. I guess you are more of a beer man?" Connie enquired as she rested her chin in her hand and smiled ever so slightly at the man before her.
"This night is about you Mrs B, I want to make you feel special" Jacob said graciously as he failed to tear his eyes away from the gorgeous brunette. Her eyes sparkled as they reflected the flame of the candle that sat in the middle of the table.
"If that's the case then..." Connie started before beckoning for a waiter and gaining the attention of a young Italian boy that lent against the bar in the corner of the restaurant. The young man immediately jumped into action, grabbing his notepad from where it lay on the bar.
"What can I get you?" He asked brightly as he looked between the pair briefly before fixing his eyes on Connie.
"We'll start off with the drinks, so two bottles of... is Stella Artois ok with you?" Connie asked Jacob as she looked up from the drinks menu. Jacob looked surprised but nodded.
"Yes two Stella Artois. I'm still undessicive about the food so could you possibly come back?" Connie asked as she places the drinks menu back. The waiter nodded before heading back to the bar for the two beers.
"Connie..." Jacob started. Connie looked him in the eye and knew immediately what he was about to say. She sighed before folding her arms against the table and leaning in close.
"I grew up in Peckham Nurse masters. I'm not a stranger to beer. In fact Champagne was more of my ex – husbands thing. Spent much of my university years sipping on champagne whilst pretending to be mildly interested in Michaels middle aged surgeon colleagues" Connie revealed. Jacob looked surprised at the revelation. He had never suspected that Connie wasn't a member of the 'I was born into money' club. He had just assumed that her parents were millionaires somewhere and that she had been born with a silver spoon in her mouth.
"You seem shocked" Connie stated bluntly.
"Well yeah! You're Connie Beauchamp! You sound... so well spoken for a Peckham girl!" Jacob laughed.
"Ah, well that is also my Ex – husbands doing. I was only 18 when we met. We were married by the time I was 20. I just wanted to fit in with his family. They were great snobs. His Mother was forever on at me for a grandchild" Connie sighed.
"They must have been over the moon when you had Grace though" Jacob spoke naively. There was an awkward silence before Connie finally spoke.
"Michael isn't Graces Father, which is a godsend, although I would never let Sam know that" Connie laughed awkwardly.
"Ah you not a fan of your baby daddy then?" Jacob joked as the waiter re appeared and placed a bottle in front of each of them. They both thanked the waiter before declaring they needed more time to order. Jacob looked back to Connie expectantly, awaiting her answer. He watched as she took a swig from the bottle. She clearly hand anticipated his questioning.
"He's a good man. I know he adores Grace. If anything he's just a pain in the arse. An inconvenience" She stated.
"Like most exes then" Jacob added sarcastically. Connie cleared her throat before tucking her hair over her left shoulder.
"Anyway enough of my Exes. I want to learn more about you" Connie steered the conversation. Jacob flashed a toothy grin before looking around to check his surroundings.
"Come on…" He motioned as he held out his hand across the table whilst standing up. Connie raised her eyebrow momentarily, suspicious of his behaviour. Jacob inwardly sighed before leaning over Connie's shoulder, his breath tickling at her ear.
"You want to learn more about me... Take my hand" Jacob stepped back and watched Connie comprehend the situation. She looked torn for several seconds before deciding to go against her common sense and taking hold of Jacob's hand.
"Run…" Jacob whispered as he and Connie began to make their way towards the waiter who stood patiently at the bar, he smiled as the couple walked past, expecting the pair to be nipping outside for a cigarette or a spot of fresh air before their dinner. Instead though, Jacob tugged at Connie's hand, the woman still slightly hesitant. As she realised they were doing a runner she grabbed the bottle of champagne from the table before the pair sprinted off out of the restaurant.
The waiter made to make a dash for them but by the time he weaved his way through the vast amount of tables, the pair had disappeared from sight. Little did he know that the pair stood round the side of the restraint, both puffing and panting. Jacob looked to Connie and began to chuckle as he noticed the bottle of champagne that Connie was clutching hold of.
"You Mrs B, are quite something"