John sat on his sofa, his eyes were pointed at the cricket match on the television but he wasn't watching it, he was thinking about what had happened. It had hit him hard when he found out that Jo was getting married and since the day he found out about it he had been working really hard to win Jo back, and he did, almost, but it backfired and blew up in his face. Was he really that self-involved that he honestly didn't believe that Jo could ever love anyone else? Did he believe that he was the only one for her when he regularly proved that she wasn't the only one for him?
His phone ringing finally roused him from his musings.
"John Deed" he said as way of an introduction.
"John, darling, it's George" said his ex-wife in her 'ever-so' posh accent "I was wondering whether you knew what day it was" John was confused, George had phoned him up to ask what day it was,
"Friday 30 June…why?" George sighed exasperatedly down the phone,
"Married for eighteen years and you still don't know what day my birthday is! Charming!"
"Happy Birthday," said John sincerely "what are you doing tonight then? I bet lover boy is taking you out for a 'romantic' dinner."
"Neil's in Dublin for a meeting, Charlie is at an all night sit-in and Daddy is at a judge's seminar, why else do you think I'd be calling you?"
"Maybe you remembered how good I am at…" George interrupted before John could finish his sentence,
"At what John?" she asked her tone daring John to say anything out of line,
"Celebrating," answered John his voice full of innocence "What did you think I was going to say?" he asked her his intentions purely mischievous.
"It doesn't matter"
"Are you sure you didn't remember anything else I'm good at?"
"Other than leading conversations down pointless ego trips, nope I don't remember any other 'talents." George knew John and she knew that if it was up to him they would sit here dodging each others questions, never saying what they meant and hoping that the other might just pick up on their actual meaning. George was getting slightly bored of the 'game' and if John wasn't going to grow up she might prefer birthday dinner on her own. Sensing George's growing annoyance, John thought it'd be advisable to just try and finish up this particular 'pointless ego trip'.
"Do you want me to pick you up about seven thirty?"
"Sounds like a brilliant plan to me; I'll see you then" Checking the clock in the hallway John realised that he had a couple hours before he had to get ready.
It had been a long time since George had been open to any advance by John and she was going to make it extremely clear about the fact she was indeed open to an advance tonight. Her dark blonde hair was flawlessly straight and her figure hugging black dress asserted her assets perfectly, she was going to leave nothing chance, not tonight. Holding her martini in one hand she looked at herself in one of the many floor length mirrors that adorned her room, it had been a while since she had made an effort of this kind and she was almost surprised at the results, her long slender legs, her impressive cleavage, her tiny waist, they were all as they were twenty years ago but then again, twenty years ago John had already left her for Jo. Dismissing the thought from her mind George preened in front of the mirror for a while until the doorbell rang signalling John's arrival. John was gob-smacked when he saw how gorgeous George looked, she always made an effort but tonight she looked fantastic. Accepting George's invite into the house John sat in the immaculately tidy lounge and sipped at the scotch she had poured him. As George had fumbled around in the drinks cabinet John tried to restrain himself from even looking at the derrière she so obviously flaunted his way. Standing up John moved to look out of the window at the passing traffic. Sipping again at the scotch John watched as the people wandered through life not knowing what the next day would contain or even if there would be a next day for definite.
He had zoned out as he watched the world tick over but he was brought back to reality by George's insistent question,
"Were you even bloody listening?" George looked at John's puzzled face, "I was trying to pay you a compliment and you stood there ignoring me"
"Well say it again and I shall listen intently,"
"I don't feel like paying compliments now, the moment has passed…" George was just being obtuse now but John was in too much of a good mood to care. He knew he should wait until they were at the restaurant but right now seem as good a time as any to give George her present. From the inside pocket of his jacket John pulled a small wrapped package. Crossing the room he handed it to George giving her a brief peck on the cheek,
"As it is your birthday, I thought I might as well bring a present," George looked thoroughly surprised, at John's thoughtfulness and also partly because of the electricity that coursed down her spine as a result of John's lips brushing her cheek.
Ripping away the paper George could see that it was a jewellery box and upon opening the box George saw the most exquisite string of pearls she had ever seen, they were completely white and perfectly formed. Taking the necklace from George, John put the pearls on her.
"They are perfect John, really, really perfect!" as soon as the clasp was done up George spun round and almost kissed John straight on the lips, stopping quickly, she kissed him on the cheek, blushing profusely at the 'almost' faux pas,
"I think that this is a good moment to head towards the restaurant don't you?" asked John, George nodded in agreement, linking her arm with John's as they walked out of the house to John's black convertible.
The meal was good; the wine better and the conversation sparkling. John sat marvelling at George's beauty as they talked of all things, from literature to gossip to politics,
"So has lover boy got any smart moves hidden up his sleeve then?" George looked at John pointedly,
"The very fact that I'm here with you and not my fiancé surely tells you that I am not interested in talking about Neil."
"Point taken," John looked deep into George's eyes as they glistened in the candlelight. He must have lost himself in the dark blue pools of her eyes because all of a sudden a voice at his shoulder piped up,
"Monsieur?" dessert had arrived and he hadn't even noticed.
As the deserts were finished and the bill paid, George and John started to make their way towards John's car,
"I've had a really nice evening John," said George sincerely
"Well if I'm not mistaken you remember my aptitude for celebrating don't you?"
John opened the door for George before walking around the car to get in. As they were about to set off George placed her hand on John's thigh and whispered in his ear,
"We could always carry the party on at my house if you wanted" John turned the key in the ignition and started the drive back to George's.