Dog Racing
"I can't believe how big this place is", Lucy was surprised by the scale of the greyhound stadium.
"It seats five thousand people apparently, although I've never seen anything like that number of people here".
"So, what's the best way of approaching this? I've no idea what I'm doing".
"Well, I suggest you set a maximum amount you want spend on bets, and stick to it. Secondly, read the booklet, take note of the previous form of the dogs and the odds, don't just choose them because you like the name".
"Okay. Do you think twenty pounds is enough?"
"Yes, it should be. The good thing about dog racing is they let you place fairly small bets".
"How do you put bets on?"
"Someone comes around with a little machine that prints of your betting slip. It's really easy. Do you want something to eat?"
"What do they do?"
"It's certainly not fine dining, but they do a decent sausage batch and the jacket potatoes are nice. They've got burgers, chips, you know that sort of thing".
"I'll have a jacket potato. With cheese and beans if they've got it".
"Good choice, that's what I was going to have. I'll go and order..."
...
A little later...
"Come on! Run faster you mangy little git!", Lee was yelling fruitlessly, starting to get annoyed now. So far he hadn't won a penny, unlike Lucy.
"Yes, yes! That's it, only a few metres to go now, yessssss! Lee, I won again!", Lucy enthused. This was the four race, and so far she'd won something on every one.
"I noticed, well done. How many wins is that so far?"
"Four out of four. I'm twenty pounds up now! It's beginners luck though, and I'm sure you'll win something in a minute", Lucy added, not wanting to sound too smug.
"Maybe, but as long as you're having fun, that's the main thing".
Lucy was enjoying herself, more than she ever thought she would, and Lee was loving seeing her let go and have a good time.
"I am, this is brilliant fun, why have you never taken me here before?"
"You turned your nose up when I suggested it remember".
"Well, I was wrong and I don't mind admitting it".
"Can you say that again while I record it on my phone? Or maybe write it down on this programme. I'm not sure I've ever heard you say you were wrong before".
Lucy chose not to bite to Lee's comment, as it was obvious he was just teasing.
"Oi, cheeky. You know that's not true. What do you reckon for the next race? Look, Lee, there's one call Blackpool Bobby', surely that's a sign.
"I don't know, reading this he hasn't won a race all season".
"I know but the name, after what we were talking about earlier. I've just got a feeling".
"Then you should go with it. It's your money, and since you're up so far I suppose you haven't got anything to lose".
Lucy decided to risk putting ten pounds on the dog to win. Lee thought she was mad, but kept his thoughts to himself. Lucy's instincts had all been right so far after all. And since she was currently the one on a winning streak he wasn't really in a position to give advice.
She stood nervously as the race started, fingers crossed. If Blackpool Bobby won she would win a hundred pounds, so there was a lot riding on this race.
Before the race started one of the dogs decided to go to the toilet just short of the starting line.
"Oh no, is that my dog? Is he doing a poo?", Lucy asked, unimpressed.
"Yes it is, they do that sometimes. Some people say that's a good luck. It might be a sign of excitement, which is good, and when they start the race he'll be lighter after all".
"Oh yeah, good point".
During the race Lucy ended up holding on to Lee and watching with one eye as she buried her head in his arm. It wasn't looking good at first, then half way into the race her dog suddenly started to move forward then away from the rest of the runners.
She removed her head from Lee's arm then stood up straight, beginning to jump up and down on the spot with nerves and excitement. A few seconds later Blackpool Bobby crossed the line, just ahead of the dog that had been hot on its heals for most of the race.
"Oh my God, He won, I won, I can't believe it!", Lucy, without even thinking, pulled Lee into a celebratory hug, and he allowed his arms to wrap around her, relaxing into the embrace.
They seemed reluctant to let go of each other, and only parted when a group of people trying to get past them said 'excuse me' quite loudly.
Lee felt a bit awkward then. He didn't want Lucy to think he hadn't wanted let go of her. Not that she had shown any sign of wanting to let go of him.
"So, erm...what are you going to with your winnings?"
"I could put the money towards our trip to Blackpool. It only seems fitting".
"You're still up for that then?"
"Definitely".
"Great".
Lee didn't really know what else to say, and there were a few moments of silence between them, their eyes searching each other's. Lucy felt compelled to speak,
"So, I think I'm going to leave it there, I'm not going to put any more bets on. I'm £110 up, and I want it to stay that way".
"That's sensible. In that case, you can pick my dogs for me seeing as you seem to have a natural instinct for backing the winners. I'm determined to come away from this evening with more money than I brought out with me".
"Okay, but promise you won't moan at me if they don't win. My luck's bound to run out eventually".
"I promise, and I'll risk it. Who'd have thought that you who once scoffed at the idea of dog racing would be giving me tips?"
"Me for one. Today's been full of surprises".
"In a good way I hope?".
"Definitely in a good way", Lucy replied, smiling at Lee.
...
Back at the flat...
Lucy handed Lee a cup of tea and sat down on the sofa next to him.
"I was just looking online, I can get tennis tickets for the last Friday of the tournament, they're a bit more expensive but at least we might get to see some matches. You never know, the weather might be better by then".
"I'll pay towards it then".
"But it was supposed to be my treat".
"I know but it was me who put the idea of going to Wimbledon in your head in the first place. Don't argue with me, just let me pay my share".
"Lucy!"
"I said don't argue with me!".
"Okay, you can pay your share if you insist. But I'll buy the strawberries and cream".
"Deal. So, what did you think to the gallery? You seemed to be enjoying yourself. Would you go an art exhibition again?"
"Yes, I would actually. I enjoyed it".
"Next time promise you'll try not to make anyone cry though".
"That wasn't my fault. You told me I should be completely honest about what I thought of all the artwork, and I thought that particular piece was awful. I didn't know the man standing next to me was the artist did I? If he's going to stand there while people look at his work he should expect to hear criticism. Anyway, I said sorry to him, and remember what I said earlier, I'm new to the whole culture thing, so don't judge me".
"I'm not, I promise. Though surely even you must admit that asking whether chimps had done the painting was an insult too far".
"Fair enough, but again, in my defence, I wasn't expecting the artist to be in earshot".
"That painting, if you could call it that, was dreadful though wasn't it?"
"God, yes. I'm sure I did better paintings myself at primary school".
"It was basically just a couple of splashes of paint on a canvas wasn't it. I have to say I've seen quite a lot of modern art like that and I just don't get it".
"If that's all it takes to get shown in a gallery then I think I need to sell the ice cream van and set up as an artist. What do you reckon?"
"Maybe don't do anything too hasty. I'd miss my free ice creams".
"Oh alright then. So, what about you, would you go to the dog racing again?
"Of course I would. I can't wait to go again. I can see why you like it now".
"I'm pleased you liked it but should I be concerned by this, is this the start of a downwards spiral into gambling addiction?".
"No, I'm not suggesting we go back tomorrow or anything. I just mean...next time you want to go, that maybe I might like to come with you, that's all".
"Okay".
"Lee?"
"Yes?"
"I just wanted you to to know that...although we only got to see ten minutes of tennis this morning, that I had a really good time today. The art exhibition and the dogs, I had fun, so thanks".
"Me too. Does that mean you'll go on another date with me?"
Lee was fairly sure he knew the answer to this question, after all Lucy had agreed to go for a weekend away with him at some point in the future. However, she might have meant as just friends, so he had to be certain.
"Of course it does. I'd love to".
Lee and Lucy were so close to each other now, and the atmosphere around them was getting so intense again it was almost suffocating. You could have cut the sexual tension with a knife.
"How about the cinema? We could get a 2 for 1 deal on Wednesday evening", Lucy spoke, breaking the moment. She wanted to kiss Lee so much right now, but he didn't seem to be willing to make the first move and she didn't have the courage to.
Lee seemed to start to breathing again, and managed to find his voice,
"Sounds great. I tell you what. I'll let you choose the film".
"Or we could agree on one we both want to see".
"Nice idea but there's only one problem with that, given the usual difference in our taste in films we'd probably end up having to postpone the date until next year".
"I don't know, I think today has proven our taste in things we enjoy is closer than we thought".
"That's true. The Fast and the Furious 5 it is then", Lee said, chuckling as he spoke.
"Perhaps we'll talk about this in the morning. I'm a bit tired".
"Oh...okay", Lee said, hoping he hadn't made one sarcastic remark too far.
"Goodnight Lee", Lucy whispered, kissing him on the cheek and letting her lips linger there long enough to make Lee shiver.
"Goodnight Luce", he croaked as she moved away and got up from the sofa, and he couldn't stop grinning as he watched her walk towards her bedroom and close her door behind her. Things were finally looking up for him. It was looking more likely than ever that his dreams would finally become a reality...
Next chapter: the cinema