The rush of adrenaline makes me feel giddy. I can’t help but feel the excitement building as I sit in the same pub as them, watching from afar. They both have no idea I’m here, each too busy becoming so involved with one another.
Of course, I make sure I’m tucked in at the back of the room, in what I would describe as ‘dead corner’ because almost every drinker in this part of the pub is either approaching eighty years old or on their way out this evening, fitting in one last whisky before they cop it. I know, this is likely to make me stand out from the crowd a little more than I would if I were mixed in with people my own age, but to be honest, I like this corner of the pub. No one wants to bother me here, no one wants to talk to me or even make eye contact.
I hide behind my newspaper and peer out at them every so often. Greg makes for some romantic gesture, like rubbing Beth’s hand or her knee. I swallow down the fury I feel for Victoria right now and am only too glad I am protecting her from seeing how things are unfolding.
I can’t hear what they are saying, but whatever it is they are talking about, they’re in deep. Greg hasn’t taken his eyes off her the whole time they have been here.
I lift my newspaper again and glance over the words.
BREXIT.
RUSSIA.
TRUMP.
I can’t be bothered to read any of it at the best of times, but I pretend to take it in, to make it look as though I have submerged myself into the current news. I don’t look out of place in that sense, there are many men and women who share the same corner as me, reading their own newspapers.
I look up again and watch Greg get to his feet. He approaches the bar and is served quickly. He pays, returns to the table and places the drinks down in front of Beth before bending down to say something to her. Then he heads to the toilet.
I put my paper away and stand up before making my way over to her table. Beth looks up just at the point where I reach her.
‘Oh, hi,’ she says enthusiastically. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘Meeting friends, but I’ve come to the wrong bloody pub, haven’t I?’ I laugh, aware that I don’t have a lot of time. I can’t let Greg see me, otherwise he would know that Vic was onto him. Of course, we never got to meet, but I’m sure he would know me. The anticipation of him seeing me is exhilarating.
‘Oh, nightmare,’ Beth replies. ‘Would you like to join us?’
‘Us?’ I pretend to enquire.
‘I’m on that date I told you about, with Greg.’ She smiles. ‘I could introduce you.’
I smile and shake my head. ‘No, you don’t want me sitting here like a spare part. I need to make tracks and find out which pub I’m actually supposed to be at.’
Beth laughs and, out of the corner of my eye, I see the door to the male bathroom open.
‘I’ll see you tomorrow, for our trip to Helensburgh?’
‘Definitely,’ Beth says before taking a drink.
Greg emerges from the bathroom, glaring down at his phone. No doubt reassuring Vic that he will be home soon.
‘See you tomorrow as planned,’ I say before making a swift exit.
As I stand on the street outside, I feel another rush of adrenaline and I want to cry out with delight. I was so close to letting him catch me and I didn’t. He has absolutely no idea what he has let himself in for.
Neither has Beth, for that matter.