Chapter Text
After a particularly hectic day at the studio, Bridget, Cathy and Miranda made plans for after work. They met at The Hide Bar, near London Bridge. After dinner, they moved to a high top and ordered drinks. Chatting amicably about their co-workers, both girls were surprised when Cathy announced that she and Richard Finch had been shagging.
"Was this before or after 'I see guinea pigs on skateboards?'" asked Miranda, only to be hit on the arm by Cathy.
"And when did this start??" said Bridget incredulously.
"Well, if you must know, it only happened recently, after new management. I think these young ones really threw him for a loop. Truth be told, I feel it took him down a notch."
"Not that he didn't need it," muttered Bridget, under her breath.
Just then, Miranda heard Bridget exclaim, "Oh fuck!"
Eyes wide, both girls looked to where Bridget's gaze was focused.
"What, who?!" asked Cathy.
"It's Mark," said Bridget.
"Mark, from the Christening, Mark?" asked Miranda.
"Yes, one and the same."
"I'll call him over. Have you seen him since?"
"No...and no!" Bridget exclaimed.
Miranda looked at her with a quizzical face. "And why not?"
"I may not have told you everything from that night..."
"Ooh-kay, and what part did you leave out?"
Bridget looked sheepish and said, "I may have left prior to Mark waking the next morning."
"What?? Why didn't you tell me this before?" exclaimed Miranda.
"It's complicated," she replied, while looking away from Miranda's eyes.
"Try me," Miranda retorted, as she took a long drink of her cocktail.
"When we shagged that night, several times, by the way," she confided with a smile, "he was newly separated, technically still married. I broke it off with him previously due to his work schedule and to jump back into that, and with him not yet divorced...I panicked."
"Bridget, he'd been married for 5 years and was newly separated, wasn't the Christening a 'just for now' anyway?" stated Miranda.
Seeing the look on Bridget's face, Cathy exclaimed, "Do you still love him then??"
"I think I'll always love him. Unfortunately, love has nothing to do with it," said Bridget.
Just then, Jeremy walked towards their table, on his way to the loo.
"Bridget!" he said as he gave her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Just out with some mates from Chambers," indicating the group standing at the bar. "And what brings you here?," This as he turned expectantly towards Cathy and Miranda.
Same old Jeremy thought Bridget, as she introduced both of her girlfriends. After introductions, Jeremy departed for the loo but on his way back, stopped again and called to Mark at the bar, motioning for him to join he, Bridget and the other two girls. As Mark walked towards them, Bridget felt her heart racing.
Well, this is awkward she thought, while putting on her most convincing smile.
"Bridget, hello," he said, meeting her gaze straight on, then turning to introduce himself to the others. "Mark Darcy, and you are?" he asked, extending a hand first to Cathy and then Miranda. After more introductions and small talk, Bridget felt herself again becoming overwhelmed with emotion.
Damn it, she thought, I can't even be in Mark's presence without completely turning to mush.
Rather than embarrass herself further, she suddenly looked at the calendar on her phone and excused herself quickly by saying that she was late to meet a friend. She then exited the bar, while hailing a taxi as she rushes out the door.
Covering smoothly for her friend, Miranda said to Cathy "Crikey, I was supposed to remind her to leave at 8:00".
As the two girls got up and quickly followed Bridget out the door, Jeremy commented to Mark, "What got into Bridge? She ran like a scalded cat when you came over. Have you not seen her since Jude and Gile's Christening?"
"No, this is actually the first I've spoken to her since. I seem to be persona non grata where she's concerned."
"Mark, you haven't called her now that you're a free man again?!"
"Well, technically speaking, I'm not quite free yet."
"Details mate, details," said Jeremy with a laugh.