Chapter 9
Kenny grinned. He wasn't grinning at anyone in particular and was therefore looking somewhat vacant.
He and Kelly had talked late into the night after she finished work. Mick had left them to it and they walked to an all-night coffee shop close by, oblivious to the patrons that breezed in and out during their time there. They had even made the astonishing discovery their paths had crossed in Norbridge years earlier. Kenny, who had once struggled with the concept of fate and destiny, was astounded.
"I suppose it was meant to be," he said. "Finding you yet again, I mean."
"I think so too," she said. "D'you know what else I think was meant to be?"
"What?" asked Kenny. Kelly smiled.
"You kissing me."
"Oh! Right!" said Kenny, blushing. "Well, who am I to go against fate and destiny when they've worked so hard to get us back together?"
"Exactly," smiled Kelly. "So stop wasting time. You're angering the gods."
She leant forward as Kenny did the same and they kissed, much to the whooped delight of a young man with green hair and a nose ring.
There had been more kissing later as he walked her back to her room at the backpacker's hotel and it was the particular recollection of the last one which was making him grin at that particular time.
Reviewing the whole night again in luxurious detail, Kenny realised he had, once again, neglected to get any of her contact details.
"Not to worry," he thought. "I'll pop down there after work and catch up with her again."
The thought of seeing her prompted the return of the grin and it was another full five minutes before he got back down to something resembling work. Unfortunately, his mind wasn't exactly on the job.
The Member for Ramsay went on to state that the Salisbury council was kelly kelly kelly kelly.
Chuckling to himself, Kenny pressed backspace to erase his trance-like typing.
"Kenny!" Mick propped himself up on the wall of Kenny's cubicle. "Still with us, mate?"
"Mick!" Kenny beamed. "Hey, have I thanked you for taking me out last night?"
"Only a hundred times," Mick smiled back. "You're a sly dog, you are!"
"What do you mean?" Kenny tried to wipe the smile from his face.
"I point out the hottest chick to ever grace the bar of that place, and you not only chat her up but have a mysterious connection going back years involving wrong numbers and aunties and have her eating out of your hand," Mick shook his head. "And here I was thinking you were the shy, retiring type!"
Kenny stretched. "Well, Mick, you've either got it or you don't. I'd be happy to give you a few pointers!"
Mick scoffed good-naturedly. "So what happens now? Are you going down there straight after work? Or is that a stupid question?"
"The stupidest," agreed Kenny. "I swear, someone has set that clock back."
"Go now!" said Mick. "You can't let work get in the way of true love!"
"Oh, I couldn't possibly . . ." said Sensible Kenny.
"Course you can. I'll cover you," replied Mick.
Sensible Kenny realised he was fighting a losing battle and shut up. Lovestruck Kenny winked at Mick.
"I owe you one," he said as he hurriedly shut down his computer and gathered his things.
"One! You owe me half a dozen for that girl!" Mick called to his departing back. Kenny waved over his shoulder as a response and jauntily pressed the lift call button.