A few hours, and several drinks later, most of the party had gone home, leaving Harry, Charlie, Maggie and Selena.
Maggie looked at her watch, "I'd better go now guys, I'm in early tomorrow."
Harry stood up, "OK, I'll get you a cab." He got his mobile out of his pocket and dialled the number of a local taxi firm.
"Thanks Harry, I'll just nip to the ladies'."
"OK."
Maggie returned from the toilets to Selena and Charlie and picked up her coat and bag.
"Harry's outside waiting for your cab, he said he wanted some fresh air." Selena informed her.
"Thanks love. See you both tomorrow."
"Bye."
"Yeah,
bye Maggie."
She made her way to the door and met Harry outside, waiting on the corner of the street.
"Hey. How long did they say it'd be?"
"Not long, between five and ten minutes."
"Ooh, that's quick."
"Yeah."
They stood in silence for a couple of minutes. "Good night, wasn't it?" Harry remarked.
"Yeah, yeah, it was great."
"You look like you enjoyed it." He said, laughing at her slightly dishevelled appearance.
"Are you trying to suggest that I am drunk, Doctor Harper?"
"No, no. Certainly not!" They both laughed.
Harry turned to face her dead on, "You know what? I never received a birthday kiss from you."
"You didn't? Oh, I do apologise."
Maggie leaned forward to give him a peck on the cheek. But he placed his hand under her chin and tilted her face toward his and kissed her.
To his surprise - and hers - she kissed him back, and neither one pulled away until her taxi arrived.
"Well," she said blushing, "that'll be for me." She walked towards the cab and got in.
Harry cleared his throat, "Ok then, I'll er, see you tomorrow."
She wound down the window, "Alright love, enjoy the rest of the evening."
"Oh I will now." He winked at her, and they both giggled, slightly embarrassed, as the taxi pulled away from the kerb and disappeared round the corner. He turned and walked the short distance back towards the pub, unaware that moments before, his encounter with Maggie had had an audience.