Olivia's shift had been a rather uneventful one- the squad was actually quiet for once. She had been clock watching ever since she had returned from her break. Olivia knew that she had to drop into the conversation about Brian tonight, but she didn't know how to, nor did she really want to either. She was 50 and she can choose her own man which did not include Brian. But why should she have to drop into the conversation with Peter about Brian- they weren't joined at the hip, and Olivia had only met him two days ago, so why was she worried about upsetting him?
Conflicted and immersed in her own thoughts, Olivia was wondering whether to cancel the whole 'not-date' completely, but as she opened her locker at the end of her shift, she saw she had a text from Peter.
HEY, I KNOW YOU'RE STILL AT WORK. I JUST FINISHED AND NOT A MOMENT TOO SOON. HAD THE DAY FROM HELL, THE ONLY THING THAT GOT ME THROUGH IT IS OUR DRINK TONIGHT. JUST LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU'VE FINISHED AND I'LL BE RIGHT OVER. Xxx
HEY. I JUST FINISHED. ARE YOU OKAY? BAD DAY HEY? Xxx
SEEM TO BE HAPPENING MORE AND MORE LATELY. ANYWAY, GLAD YOU'VE FINISHED. I'LL BE OVER IN ABOUT TEN MINUTES OKAY? Xxx
I'LL BE WAITING Xxx
GOOD TO HEAR. SEE YOU IN A WHILE THEN YES? Xxx
NOT IF I SEE YOU FIRST Xxx
Olivia smiled as she read Peter's last message- that was fast becoming the way they signed off from every message. Was it 'their thing?' Should they even be having 'a thing?' Olivia had been meaning to cancel tonight to make it easier on everyone, but somehow she couldn't. Peter had had a hard day and to be honest, Olivia wanted to forget about her dad and Brian for a while, and have some fun with a friend.
Because that's what they were. Friends.
Half an hour later, Olivia and Peter were huddled at a table in the bar Peter had insisted on buying a bottle of Shiraz for them to share, but he knew something was off. Olivia had said very little when he had met her outside the precient.
'Olivia, are you okay?'
'Hmmm…?'
'Are you okay, you've barely said two words since we got here.'
'It's nothing'
'Whatever it is, it's certainly not nothing. Come on, out with it'
'My dad
'Why? What's happened?'
'He's gave my number to someone I used to work with who I slept with once a long time ago and now we are meant to be going out on a date tomorrow night".
'Right, and you don't want to go?'
"No I don't but you wouldn't understand".
'You feel like you're life is running away with you, like you're in a bubble watching other people live their life to the full. Almost like you're treading water and you keep going under. Would I be right?'
'How… how did you know that is how I'm feeling?'
'Because, I've been there too. I still am there if I'm honest. My family pushed me into my career. I love it, don't get me wrong, but everything I do is too make them happy. One time I wish I could have the strength to do something I want"
Olivia was about to continue when her phone burst into life. Frowning, she answered it immediately
'Sorry I need to go back to work".
"go I understand how it goes I will see you later".
Later that evening, Peter was just heading to bed when his phone buzzed. It was Olivia.
HEY, I'M REALLY SORRY I CUT OUR DATE SHORT EARLIER. I PROMISE I WILL MAKE IT UP TOO YOU. I'VE GOT A PLAN. FANCY MEETING UP ON SATURDAY FOR SOME LUNCH? Xxx
OF COURSE I WOULD LOVE TO MEET FOR LUNCH ON SATURDAY, GOOD LUCK ON YOUR DATE TOMORROW. Xxx
I SO WISH I WASN'T GOING. THANKS. AND DON'T WORRY, I HAVE A PLAN. I'LL TEXT YOU TOMORROW, I'M HEADING TO BED. Xxx
GOODNIGHT OLIVIA Xxx
GOODNIGHT PETER Xxxx
Neither of them realising what Olivia had said in her first text message.
'Our Date'
COMMENTS AND REVIEWS ARE WELCOME
