Saturday evening
Lee and Tim were in the bar.
"How's the clean-up going?"
"Quicker than we thought actually, we should be able to move back in soon".
"That's good. I bet you can't wait to get back".
"Yeah, no offense but we miss having our own space. Four's a crowd and all that".
Lee nodded. Little did Tim know just how much he understood that.
"How are things with Daisy now?". Lee knew Tim's time in Germany had taken its toll on their relationship, that's why he'd come back. It'd taken them a while to get back to where they were when he left.
"Things are great, stronger than ever I'd say. In fact, one of the reasons I wanted us to come here tonight is to tell you…", Tim hesitated, not convinced of his friend's ability to keep a secret.
"Tell me what?"
"Will you promise not to say anything? Not even to Lucy?"
"Yes, I promise".
"I'm thinking of asking Daisy to marry me".
"Tim! That's brilliant. You should go for it, it's about time".
Tim was surprised by Lee's reaction, and waited for the sarcastic remark to follow. It never came.
"You really think I should go for it?"
"Of course. You love each other, you make each other happy. It's the obvious thing to do".
Lee's mind started to wander to Lucy then. He'd been thinking more and more lately about how much he wanted to marry her, but was worried it was too soon to propose. After all, their family and friends didn't even know they were going out together yet.
"Wow, Lee. When did you get so grown up? I expected a lecture on the benefits of being single and the dangers of commitment".
"Well…a person can change their views can't they? If you love someone and want to spend the rest of your life with them then…settling down must be a good thing right?". Lee stopped then, realising he sounded so uncharacteristically soppy that Tim would start to suspect something in a minute. He was already staring at Lee curiously.
"Lee, are you hiding something from me?"
"W..what makes you say that?".
"It's just…since I got back to England you seem different"
"Different?"
"Yeah, sort of happier… more cheerful…content. And now this change in attitude. Have you met someone?"
"What?" Lee was panicking now. He wanted to share his happiness with his best friend, but he couldn't tell him the truth right now.
"You've just got that look about you. I can always tell when you're seeing someone, and I haven't seen that look for years but…"
"Okay, yes I am". Lee blurted out the words, not sure how he was going to continue.
"You've got a girlfriend? How long have you been with her?"
"A few months".
"Months? That's already a long-term relationship for you. Why didn't you tell me?"
"I don't know"
"Is there something wrong with her? Has she been in prison or something? Is she even a woman?"
"Yes, Tim, she's a woman. A very pretty one at that. It's early days, I didn't want to jinx things"
"Come on then...who is she? What's her name? What's she like?"
"Erm, her name's…Lisa, and she's amazing, kind, clever, beautiful". Lee hated lying to Tim, although a most of what he was saying was true. It was mainly the name he'd changed.
"Really? How did you pull her? Is she blind? Or did you get her off one of those Thai websites?"
"Hey! I don't know but for some reason she finds me attractive. I got lucky".
"Where did you meet her?"
"Erm, I just saw her around, and we got talking".
"When can I meet her then?"
"Soon".
"Has Lucy met her?"
"Yep". God, how was he going to get Tim off the subject? This was massively awkward.
"And does she like her?"
"Yep".
"Does Lisa mind that you live with a woman, and that you're so close. Abnormally close for just friends in my opinion".
"She doesn't mind".
"Is it serious?"
"Yes. I love her. She's special. She's the one, Tim". Lee was talking about Lucy now of course, he wanted to shout from the rooftops how he felt about her.
"Wow, Lee!"
"What?"
"It's just, I thought…"
"What did you think?"
"Nothing. I'm pleased for you".
Tim was still very surprised, having thought Lee was too obsessed with fancying Lucy to actually go out with someone else. And to hear Lee say he was in love. He never thought he'd see the day.
They returned to their beers, drinking in silence for a minute or two before Lee changed the subject. All of the time there was something bugging Tim, something in the back of his mind. Why did he still have the feeling Lee was hiding something?