I hope you are still enjoying this, just a little warning I have never been in the Mint Leaf restaurant so if it is not like I describe and anyone has ever been I apologise I tried my best to research it!
Sandra left work at half past four the next day as did Gerry, leaving Brian and Jack to finish up which, given the circumstances they were fine with.
"Enjoy your date" Jack said to Sandra.
"Very funny" she scoffed as she left.
Back home she stared at her wardrobe blankly. Gerry refused to give Sandra a clear answer as to what type of show they were seeing so had had no clue as to what to wear. He told her that it was because it was a surprise, the real reason of course was Brian warned Gerry that seen as most woman enjoyed musicals Sandra probably wouldn't.
After much debate and looking at the clock which now said five to five she finally teamed up a knee length red cheesecloth skirt with a white laced top revealing slightly more cleavage than she had intended. Not that this would bother Gerry. She simply accessorised the outfit with a set of matching gold earrings, necklace which dropped down into a ruby studded flower shape pendant and a chunky gold bangle. She thought there was no point in going over the top as after all this wasn't a real date, she wasn't really sure what this actually was and what it was in aid of anymore. Though the competition thing was still on the top of her list even if Gerry had tried to convince her he was no longer taking part.
She traced the outline of her top and bottom eyelids with eyeliner and defined her eyes that little more with mascara, again being careful not to go over the top and then rolled her hair into slight but loose curls which gave her an almost Marilyn Monroe look.
Sandra Pullman could not tell you the last time she got all 'dolled up' for an evening out; even though she was clearly capable of doing so it wasn't really her thing. But she had rather enjoyed it tonight, even if it was only for the benefit of Gerry Standing.
Her doorbell rang at twenty five past five, five minutes early but Sandra was ready, she knew just how eager Gerry could be.
She opened it to find Gerry was very smartly dressed; he wore a grey suit, a white shirt and a pink tie, which to Sandra's surprise did not make him look in any way feminine, mind you Gerry Standing was in no way feminine.
"Sandra, looking radiant as ever"
"Thanks Gerry, my you can scrub up well when you want to, then"
"I like to think I scrub up well all the time" he answered back.
"I bet you do" she winked at him in that flirty way of hers.
"Any way madam you cab awaits" he said taking her land and leading her down the steps.
At around quarter to six the black cab arrived at The Mint Leaf Restaurant, Gerry was rather pleased with this discovery that he and Brian made yesterday as not only was it an Indian Restaurant which everyone knew was Sandra's favourite food but it claimed to be renowned for its cocktails. Making Gerry certain that this could be the place where he could convince Sandra he was husband material.
"Tickets to the West End you said, there was no mention of a swanky restaurant"
"Yeah well I thought you deserved a treat, that's all" he smiled doing his best to get her to believe him.
"Really Gerry"
"Yeah honest Guv, I thought if were goin' to the West End you have to indulge in that whole theatrical experience"
"If you say so Gerry, well I have to say I have always been meaning to sample the food here so now we are hear it would be a shame not to"
The restaurant was elegant and sophisticated inside. Before they sat down to eat their meals they both enjoyed a cocktail in the lounge area.
When they sat down for their meal Sandra had to laugh at the waiter who had placed them in the 'semi-private' part of the restaurant for a more romantic feel, she was tempted to tell the waiter that they were not on a date, but she doubted from the way they, in particular the way she was dressed that she wouldn't be believed. Unbeknown to her when Brian was asked if Mr Standing would like to be seated in this part of the restaurant he said absolutely.
Despite the false assumptions of her and Gerry it was a highly enjoyable dining experience, the food was exquisite, the wine was fantastic, the cocktails were out of this world and the atmosphere was somewhat enjoyable even if they were not in the part of the restaurant that buzzed with the atmosphere.
"Right, I better settle the bill and we better make a move its curtain up in twenty minutes" he said raising his hand to attract the attention of their waiter.
"Gerry, here" she said offering him a wad of notes "You've already bought the tickets"
He pushed her gesture away "No Sandra, it's my treat and besides an gentleman knew asks a lady to pay" he smiled.
"Okay I've had enough Gerry what's all this gentleman stuff you keep coming out with, what are you up to, just tell me, it's getting highly annoying"
"No, no"
"No, you are not up to something or no you won't tell me, only I know you Gerry Standing too well unfortunately and you are defiantly up to something"
"And what you've deducted this with your amazing police skills"
"No I've deducted that from spending too much time with you"
"Yeah and don't you love it" he laughed he had a feeling his plan was going okay, Sandra seemed to be enjoying herself, hopefully she would enjoy The Phantom of the Opera just as much.
Not wanting to get bogged down in this conversation she said "What was that about making a move" looking at her watch immediately after.
"Yeah, good thinking Guv just let me straighten up"
The night air was crisp and fresh and Sandra and Gerry enjoyed a brisk walk to Her Majesty's Theatre not that Sandra knew this was their destination.
"Gerry, you never said what is it we are going to see" she asked as he hurried her past almost every theatre in the West End.
"That" he said pointing to the poster advertising the musical right outside Her Majesty's.
"Oh, no, Gerry I hate bloody musicals"
Dam looks like Brian was right, though he had also ensured Gerry it was romantic in parts so it would still fit in with his plan.
"Have you ever seen it" he asked
"No of course not, Gerry I have told you I don't do musicals and I didn't think they were your thing either" she said turning away.
"You know me Sandra a man of culture and Guv I have the tickets now and they are not bad seats either, c'mon let's try it"
"Gerry" she groaned.
"Guv it's meant to be one of the best musical's in the world, you should be lucky I didn't take you to see Le Miserables you would have wanted to slit your throat right after"
"I happen to actually like Le Miserables it's the only musical I happen to like"
She didn't say anything back to that comment.
"Yeah no wonder you like it" he scoffed "Sandra we are here now, I tell ya what I will make you a deal, if by the end of the first act you are not enjoying it we shall go"
She thought about it, Gerry was clearly trying hard and he had gone to a lot of effort and she knew full well if she shoved it back in his face work would be a bit awkward tomorrow.
"Fine, but if I'm not enjoying it by the interval we leave"
"Absolutely" he said linking his arm in hers and they crossed the road and entered the small and once again intimate building.
Gerry showed the usher their tickets with pride as he had a beautiful woman on his arm.
"Just upstairs to your left Sir, Madam, I hope you enjoy the show"
"Thank you" Sandra said letting Gerry lead her to their seats.
Once they arrived upstairs a female usher took their tickets "If you would like to follow me" she said opening a door on the left "Enjoy the show" she smiled.
Sandra walked inside expecting to walk down the aisle to find her allocated seat but instead she had walked into a box.
"What do ya think" Gerry smiled satisfied with his choice as when the woman on the ticket hotline asked him if he would like to sit in the middle of the stalls near the front, where the chandelier fell across the audience he kindly declined knowing Sandra would not take to that. So the kind woman offered him a box instead which he thought was perfect.
"Well I think it's a bit too far away from the stage"
"Nonsense Sandra these are the best seats in the house and besides you don't want the chandelier falling on you"
"Does it do that, no your right I don't want that and I guess when we leave at the end of the first act"
"If we leave at the end of the first act" he corrected
"We won't disturb anyone"
Throughout the first act Gerry kept turning to face Sandra who was absorbed in the complicated love story between Christine Daaé, Raoul and the Phantom. She even cried in places.
When the curtain fell and the end of the first act Gerry pretended he had not notice Sandra's involvement of the play.
"C'mon then" he said standing up.
"No" she said grabbing his hand to pull him back down "not just yet" she said looking at him.
"You're enjoying this" he smirked he did love it when he was right and she was wrong.
"Maybe, just a little" she said.
"Do you want a drink or an ice cream" he kindly asked
"I wouldn't say no to a glass of wine" she said.
By the end of the play Sandra was fully absorbed by it all, the effects, the costume, the acting, the plot and even the singing.
Walking out of the box and down the red carpeted stairs of the theatre she was smiling.
"That was good I enjoyed that" Gerry said hoping to engage Sandra in conversation about the show before he asked her that all important question "What did you think".
"Yeah it was good"
He looked at her in that way to say she was not giving him the truth.
"Alright it was more than good, it was fantastic actually, thank you Gerry I had a wonderful time"
"Yes, ha ha and Brian said I should have taken you to the opera" he muttered to himself, or at least he thought.
"Brian! Gerry did you and Brian arrange this" she asked letting go of his hand.
Oh no he thought "er no, when I told him he said I should have taken you to the opera instead" he was kind of telling the truth there.
"Oh" she said as they left the theatre and waited for the taxi.
"Guv, can I ask you something"
"Yeah sure, go ahead"
"Sandra will you marry me then"
Hope it is still okay! Love Gee xx