‘Back in Black’ was blaring so loud that Claire had to ask Adam to repeat himself. She’d never liked AC/DC very much, and here in a London restaurant she liked them even less. ‘How long?’ she asked.
‘Almost a year,’ Adam said and picked up his hamburger. He had been stationed in London that long and yet he had picked this place – he said it was his favorite – for them to meet and eat in. Claire looked around. Aside from a higher percentage of guys with military haircuts, this could be any place in New York. The menu featured steaks, burgers and buffalo chicken wings, the beers were all American, and the only tea was iced. Worst of all, it wasn’t easy to have a conversation above the music and the noise at the bar.
She had called him that morning, been relieved to reach him, and jumped when he offered to meet her for lunch. She had taken a lot of trouble with her hair and her makeup, not just because he was good-looking but also because she was hoping for a favor, or at least some information. It didn’t make her feel good, but she reasoned that she wasn’t using him. He was free to refuse help, and who knew? They might have something in common. But looking around again at his favorite spot she began to doubt it.
Claire picked at her salad. ‘Where do you live?’ she asked. She tried to sound casual but perhaps there was somewhere nearby where she could … The song ended and Claire was grateful to hear it replaced with a quieter (but equally American) Eagles number.
‘We’ve got military housing near the airport. It’s great over there. Good food, cheap movies and a PX that blows your mind. It’s cheaper than CostCo.’
Claire nodded and tried to keep anything but a positive expression on her face. NO way was she going to live on some army base with a giant discount Post Exchange. Better to be back in Tottenville. But he didn’t talk much about housing, though that was foremost in her thoughts. Instead Adam Tucker went on to tell her about the stereo, the Walkman and the laptop he’d bought at discounted prices. She tried to appear interested, but his enthusiastic simplicity made her suddenly miss Michael Wainwright. That wasn’t good. Corporal Adam Tucker was nice looking, friendly, and even sexually attractive. He was big, with broad shoulders, big hands and long legs. His blond hair, though cut too short, would be lovely if it was grown in. And he seemed to like her. There must be something there, she told herself, besides Budweiser and hamburgers.
‘How long are you going to stay on?’ he asked her. ‘Maybe I can get you into the PX.’
The PX wasn’t what she needed: she had to make some money, not spend it. ‘I’m not sure,’ she told him. ‘I’ve got a little job and I’m trying to make my money last as long as I can.’
‘Do you have a work visa?’ he asked.
‘I think I’m going to get one,’ she told him. If she was breaking the law, what would happen if she got caught?
‘Well, if you’re getting one you’re lucky. Pissed-off people are coming in and out all day over them. The Brits don’t want to give away jobs they can keep for themselves. How’s your salad?’
If she’d been interested in it before Claire had no appetite for her meal now. But she stabbed at a hard-boiled egg with a fork. ‘Really good.’
‘They got great ranch dressing here. You can’t get it anyplace else. Even the ranch at McDonald’s tastes funny,’ Adam said.
She nodded, though the last thing she would think of having here was a Happy Meal. How could she get him to talk a little more about a visa? She couldn’t just come out and ask him. ‘Who’s in charge of work visas?’ she asked.
He bit into his hamburger but answered her, his mouth half-full. ‘Oh, hell, there’s tons of paperwork. Best I can understand the company here writes a request that goes to the Limeys and then, if it’s approved, goes up to the third floor. Oh, man, I love the Clash. Isn’t this song bitchin’?’
Claire sighed. Despite the cute accent, the uniform and the good looks, Adam Tucker was as boring as the men that Tina tried to set her up with. A little different, but just as dull. And useless to her, except socially. Maybe she could date him. She told herself to try harder. ‘What’s your favorite place in London?’ she asked.
‘The PX,’ he said without even a moment’s hesitation.
‘Does that count as really London?’ she asked. ‘What do you like in the city?’
‘Well, the movies are good. I mean the Mel Gibson ones and The Matrix. And, of course, X2.’
‘What about English movies?’ Claire couldn’t help asking.
‘Which ones are English?’ he asked. ‘There was that one about servants and guests in some manor house and the guy, one of the servants, he came back to kill his daddy. But it wasn’t very good.’
‘Gosford Park?’ she asked. ‘I think that was made here but it was directed by Robert Altman, an American.’
‘Well, whatever it was, it was real boring. Even the murder was boring.’
Claire had loved it but said nothing. In fact, there was nothing more said until Adam finished his burger. ‘Want some dessert?’ he asked. ‘They have sundaes that kick ass. Oh, I’m sorry. They’re really good.’
Claire shook her head. She was afraid to tell him she had to get to work. Perhaps he would report her. ‘I have to get back. I have an appointment with a friend.’
‘Is it a boy friend?’
Claire shook her head. ‘An English lady. I promised I’d help her.’
‘Can I take you there?’
‘Oh, no. It’s a long trip on the underground.’
‘I don’t have anything else to do,’ he said and shrugged.
Though Claire didn’t want to tell him about work she didn’t want to hurt his feelings. She was such a chicken. That’s why she never went out with people: if she did and they didn’t like her she was hurt. If she did and she didn’t like them, they were hurt. ‘I just better go,’ she told him.
He insisted on walking her to the tube and then asked if he could see her again. She nodded. Then he asked if he could kiss her goodbye. She said yes again and was surprised when she liked his hands on her shoulders and his mouth against hers. It was just a pressing of lips, but there was something about his size that made his bent head and big arms very moving. He was sweet. ‘I’ll call you,’ she said. He smiled and waved as she walked down the stairs. When she turned her head he was still there, smiling and waving. Claire ducked into the underground station with relief and more than a little guilt.