Harry yanked his crisp white boxer shorts over his firm thighs. He’d really pushed the boat out with his underwear. Calvin Klein was an expensive make and a million miles away from the normal superstore brand he usually wore. Reaching over to the bedside cabinet he squirted his favourite aftershave ‘Joop’ all over his body, he smirked as he pulled the front of them open and sprayed his wedding tackle. This was his pulling juice, or so he thought. He’d often referred to his aftershave as a fanny magnet in the past and he was hoping tonight it worked its powers on his date with Amanda.
The bedroom door opened slowly and his sister Kerry was stood there with her hand fixed firmly on her waist. “Fuck me Harry, what’s all the aftershave about? It smells like a prostitute’s handbag in here.”
Harry chuckled and reached over for his new beige canvass pants. “It’s my pussy potion,” he sniggered.
Kerry walked inside the room and plonked down on the bed, she was studying her brother. Something had changed in him over the last few days and she wanted to get to the bottom of it, looping her hands behind her head she started to probe deeper. “Well, what’s her name then? Don’t lie, because I know you’re seeing someone. Even Jordan has said you’ve changed lately.”
Harry sat on the edge of the bed and started to put his trainers on, he twisted his head back towards her. “You two are up it if you think I’ve got a woman on the go. Let me tell you, it’s not through the lack of trying neither. I’ve got cock block at the moment.”
Kerry sat up and inhaled deeply. “What’s all the aftershave for then, and,” she grabbed his chin in her hands, “you’ve had a shave too.”
Harry pulled away from her and stood to his feet. “I’m going to see Amanda for your information. You know the girl from my therapy classes?”
Kerry’s face creased as she sat thinking. “You said she was a nutter, why are you going to see her?”
Harry tapped the side of his nose, he loved it that Kerry didn’t have a clue what was happening and he teased her further. “Ask no questions and I’ll tell you no lies.”
Kerry pounced on him and they were rolling about the bed giggling. “Orr come on Harry, tell me what’s going on. You know I love a bit of gossip?”
Harry poked his finger in her waist and made her scream out laughing. “No Kerry, there’s nothing to tell you. Honest! On my life, this girl is just helping me get back on my feet, that’s all.”
She broke away from him; it was so nice to see him smiling again. Her face suddenly dropped and she clenched her teeth tightly together. “You better not be meeting Jenny. I swear to you, if I find out you’ve been anywhere near that tramp you’re finished with me. Remember what that woman did to you!” she paced the bedroom floor panting for breath. “She’s a slapper, you need to keep well away from her. You could have been dead for all she cared, that woman is selfish.”
Harry’s face creased at the sides. Just the mention of this woman’s name sent shivers down his spine. “Are you right in the bleeding head Kerry?” he pointed his finger at her. “I’ve not seen Jenny for months. Thanks a lot for reminding me of her now. For fucks sake you’ve put me on a right downer.”
Kerry realised she was barking up the wrong tree and ran to his side, there was no way she wanted him to fall back into the black hole of despair that he’d just climbed out of, she back-pedalled. “I’m sorry, okay. I just had a bit of a magic moment and thought you were back with her that’s all. I’m sorry.”
Harry was on one and stood in the mirror with a sour expression. “Right, just leave me to get ready will you? I’m late as it is.”
Kerry dipped her head as she trudged from the bedroom, she stood at the door for a few seconds before she left, she seemed as though she was going to say something else but decided not to at the last minute. The door slammed shut, Harry was alone again. His chest was rising faster than normal and his nostrils were flaring. Kerry had definitely put him on a downer.
Amanda clipped the last piece of her hair up and stood back from the mirror admiring herself. She didn’t look like the same woman, she was stunning. Her make-up was gentle and not over the top, she hated caking her face in products, she liked the natural look. Less was more she always said, and she was right, she looked amazing. Twisting her head over to the white wardrobe at the side of her she stood up and walked over to the black dress that was hung up there. Stroking her hand over it slowly she bent her head into it and inhaled the scent. The last time she’d worn this little number was with Paul, her eyes closed slowly. She was remembering their time together. Eyes open, she slowly lifted the dress from the hanger, it was time to get ready. Harry would be here soon and she’d not done half the things that she wanted to do before her guest arrived. With a quick squirt of fragrance she slipped her red shoes onto her feet. One last look into the mirror and Amanda left the room.
The living room was dimly lit with burning candles, it looked romantic and the perfect setting for a intimate first date. Amanda froze as her eyes shot to the back of the room. Paul’s photograph was there staring at her. Her jaw dropped as she sprinted over to it. Lifting the photo frame in her hands she held it to her heart. “Paul, this isn’t what you think. I’m just helping a friend out that’s all. I will never love anyone like I love you. This is just,” she tilted her head to the side and chewed on the side of her lip. “It’s just me trying to move on I suppose.” As if the photo frame was burning her fingers she quickly placed it back on the cabinet. This time though she made sure it faced the wrong way. There was no way she wanted her deceased partner’s eyes on her when she was with Harry. There was a knock at the door. “Hold on, will you. I’m coming,” she shrieked at the top of her voice. Amanda hurried into the hallway and opened the door, she was angry. “Bleeding hell, you knock like I owe you some money.”
Harry smiled and pulled out a bunch of flowers from behind his back. “Ta-dah,” he was waiting for her reaction. Amanda ignored him and walked straight back into the front room. Harry followed her, once he’d closed the front door and coughed to clear his throat. “Don’t tell me I’ve brought the wrong bleeding flowers? I thought all you women liked flowers and all that?”
Amanda knew she’d overreacted and tried to make amends. “Give them here while I put them into some water before they snuff it. Thanks Harry, they’re beautiful.” She left the room and walked into the kitchen. Harry shot his eyes around the room and he was impressed, he jerked his head forward slowly. Amanda had made a big effort in setting a romantic scene. Checking she wasn’t watching him he held his hand up to his mouth and tested his breath. Nodding his head slowly he was pleased he’d passed, his breath was fresh. Amanda came back into the room holding two glasses and a bottle of white wine. “Here, make yourself useful and pour us both a drink while I put some music on.”
Harry obeyed her and sat down on the sofa. As she walked passed him she sniffed hard. “Bloody hell, have you had a bath in aftershave or what?”
His face was going redder by the second; he was out of his comfort zone. “No, you cheeky get I haven’t. I only put a few squirts on. It’s just strong stuff that’s all.”
Amanda carried on walking to the stereo. “You can say that again. I can taste it at the back of my throat,” she exaggerated a cough and banged her clenched fist onto her chest.
Harry shook his head and tried to ignore her, but she was making him laugh. A “Dido” song called, “White Flag” started playing in the background. It wasn’t loud; it was just playing softly. Amanda sat down and looked Harry straight in the eyes. “I’ve made us something to eat. I hope you like fish?”
Harry’s jaw dropped. He wasn’t a fussy eater or anything, but fish, he just couldn’t stomach it. Playing frantically with his fingertips he dropped the bombshell on her. “I don’t like fish love. I’ve not eaten it since junior school. Honest, ask anyone who knows me. I’m not lying”
Amanda was in a panic. She hadn’t planned on making anything else. “What are we going to do then? It’s what I’ve made for us?”
Harry reached his hand over to her and patted her knees slowly. “We can have a takeaway. I’ll pay for it of course.”
Amanda seemed to relax, the problem was solved. Harry rubbed the bottom of his stomach. “We can have a curry if you want, that’s if you don’t mind a bit of ring sting in the morning?”
Amanda roared laughing and licked her lips slowly. “I’m fine with a curry. To tell you the truth I’ve not had one in ages. Well, since Paul was here.”
Harry raised his eyes to the ceiling, he was sick to death of hearing this man’s name. Amanda watched him closely and she could have kicked herself for speaking about Paul. She tried to make light of the matter. “Right, if I say Paul’s name again tonight, just hit me.”
Harry rubbed his knuckles onto her head and chuckled loudly. “Thank God you said that. I couldn’t stand another night listening to you ramble on about St Paul all bleeding night again.”
With the ice broken the date began. Harry looked at Amanda and for the first time tonight he realised how much of an effort she’d made to impress him in her appearance. “You scrub up well love. I’ve never noticed it before but your eyes are blue aren’t they?”
Amanda shied away and held her hand over them. “Come to bed eyes the boys used to call them when I was younger.”
He threw the cream fluffy cushion at her and watching her trying to duck away from it. “Get a grip will you, they’re more like don’t come near me eyes.”
Amanda looked serious, was she that cold towards people these days? She sat sulking staring at the floor; his words had obviously hit a nerve. Harry eventually ordered the food and they both sat talking. With a shy look on his face Harry whispered in a low voice. “So, am I doing all right at this dating game or what?” he nudged her playfully.
Amanda’s eyes were wide open; she’d forgotten why he was even there. It all felt so natural. Flicking her hair back she swallowed hard. “Yes, you’re doing alright I suppose. A bit full of yourself, but I can teach you to curb that. The flowers were a good gesture too, so you’ll earn a few brownie points off them when you finally go out on a date.”
Harry was frustrated and sat cracking his knuckles. “I should know how to treat a woman though shouldn’t I? I’m not that bad of a person am I?”
“No, you’re lovely,” she whispered as she wriggled about in her chair. “You just need to be polished up that’s all.”
Harry kicked his shoes off, they were strangling his feet. “Can I put my feet up? I wouldn’t do this on a proper date, but we’re like old friends aren’t we?”
Amanda nodded and watched him sprawl out on the sofa. It was good to have a man about the house again. “Come and get on here with me Amanda, we can have a little chat until the food arrives. Let me peck your head for some tips on women and what they really like.” Her feet seemed to have a mind of their own, without her knowing it they led her straight to his side. He pulled her by the arm next to him before she had chance to change her mind. “I’ll move over and you can start talking. This can be the therapy sofa.” He was chuckling loudly as Amanda lay down next to him, she didn’t look comfortable and she was edgy, fidgeting. Harry turned to face her; she could feel his warm breath on her cheeks. This was the closest she’d been to a man in a long time. Eyes locked they held a look at each other that seemed to last forever. “Am I expected to kiss on my first date or what?”
Amanda stuttered and seemed lost for words. “I think you’ll know when the moment is right for a kiss. You can’t just expect it at the end of the night, it has to come naturally. You need to touch her face slowly and stroke your fingers across her cheeks like this.” Her chest was rising faster than normal and her eyelids flickered as she continued caressing him. “Then, you’ll know by her reaction if she wants to kiss you or not.”
Harry knew he shouldn’t have but he tried the move on Amanda. “Do you mean like this?” Something was happening to the couple and their lips were moving towards each other as if by magic. Loud knocking at the door filled the room. The moment was gone and Harry jumped up rubbing his hands together. “That will be the takeaway,” he dug his hand in his pocket and pulled out a crumpled ten pound note. “You get the plates out and I’ll go and pay for it,” he softy patted her shoulder. “Come on, move your arse slug, I’m starving.” Amanda seemed in a deep trance. Harry pushed her shoulder again that seemed to make her come back to the real world.
Amanda and Harry sat scranning their food. Harry was eating greedily and he’d forgotten he was on a date, he was a right pig. Curry sauce dribbled down the side of his mouth and every now and then he belched out loud. Amanda was nibbling on a Nan bread, every now and then she dipped it into the curry sauce. Eating in front of her first date was always a nightmare and it was something she’d always struggled with in the past. Harry sat back in the chair and undid the top button of his pants. His small gut hung freely and it made Amanda blush. She could see a sprinkle of dark hairs leading up from his belly button and she had to force herself not to keep looking. The food was gone and Harry sparked a cig up. Once he’d necked the last gulp of his Tango orange drink, he let out a loud burp and he seemed contented. Amanda shoved her plate to the corner of the table. This was the biggest meal she’d eaten in a long time, usually she would just pick at food, she’d never had a big appetite, unlike Harry.
Amanda reached for a cig from the packet and lit it slowly. Blowing the smoke from her mouth she spoke with a serious tone. “If Jenny came back to you, would you have her back in your life?”
Harry was thinking, tapping his fingers on the side of the chair he answered her. “I probably would you know. I feel like she is my life and without her I feel numb inside if you know what I mean.”
Amanda delved deeper. “What, even though she left you for another man, you would forgive her and welcome her back with open arms?”
Harry dipped his head low; he was ashamed of the answer he’d just given. He didn’t want to come across as desperate, but if the truth was known that’s what he was. “Obviously not with open arms,” he stuttered. “We’d probably have a lot of talking to do first, but for the sake of the kids I would try and forgive her and make a go of it.”
Amanda wasn’t happy; she sat forward in her seat, teeth clenched tightly together. “Why go back just for the kids? Can you put your hand on your heart and say when you were with Jenny you loved her with all your heart, I mean, you never cheated, or wanted something different?”
Harry blew a laboured breath; Amanda was doing his head in. “Can we not talk about Jenny anymore? This is a date and I want to wipe her right out of my mind. I thought you were going to help me get back on my feet not bloody put me back down on the floor.”
He was right and Amanda knew that she’d overstepped the mark. She reached over to him and stroked his hand. “I’m sorry; I just get carried away sometimes. Just tell me to mind my own business in future.”
Harry smirked and shook his head. “Right you’re forgiven. What’s next on my dating lesson?” He’d taken her by surprise; she’d not really planned anything and just expected to sit talking all night. Harry jumped up from his seat. “Have you got any playing cards, we can play strip poker if you want?”
He was staring at Amanda waiting for an answer. “Piss off, I’m not getting my kit off just so you can perv at me. My body is sacred and I don’t show it off to anyone.”
“You’re such a prude Amanda, just live a little ay? We might even have a bit of fun when you let your hair down a bit.” She went bright red and hated that he’d called her a prude. She sat thinking for a few minutes and the corners of her moth started to rise. “Right, come on then, I’ll play, but no funny business. I mean, once you see my mint body you’ll probably want to dive all over me.”
Harry was holding the lower part of his stomach laughing. “Get over yourself will you? I’ve seen loads of women’s bodies and you don’t have anything I’ve not seen before, so sit down and let’s start the game.”
Harry sat wearing only his shirt and his boxer shorts. Amanda was wearing a red bra and white lacy knickers. She hated that she didn’t have matching underwear on, but the wine seemed to have taken away any embarrassment she was going through. The empty bottles of wine were scattered about the floor and they both were well and truly pissed. They were wobbling about as they sat next to each other. Harry dealt the hand of cards and placed them flat on the table. “Get ready to get naked,” he chuckled. “I hope you’ve sorted your monkey fluff out and all that?” She rolled her eyes and licked her lips slowly.
“Don’t you worry about me Harry; it’s you who should be shitting yourself, nipper nob.” They both looked at their cards at the same time and fear set in his eyes. His jaw dropped as his eyes focused on the playing cards. Amanda quickly revealed a pair of aces; she slammed them on the table and punched her clenched fist into the air. “Check them out Harry. Come on; let’s see what you’ve got. Not that it matters now because you’re never going to beat my hand anyway,” she waved her hand up and down in front of him. “So come on, stand up and let’s see you strip off, bollock naked I want you.”
Harry screwed his face up; he was always a sore loser. “Okay, okay, you win. I’m not arsed about showing my tackle off. Prepare yourself then,” he sniggered. Standing to his feet he slid his boxer shorts down over his thighs. Amanda didn’t know where to look. With a grin on her face she stared down in between his legs. Her cheeks were bright red. “I thought you said you couldn’t get a hard on?” she covered her mouth and giggled.
Harry dropped his head and smiled. “Well, fuck a duck. My beast is alive again.” Realising he was now stood in front of her with a boner on he covered his penis with both hands and pulled his boxers back up with speed. “Sorry about that, I don’t know what’s come over me.”
Amanda’s face changed and she was no longer laughing. Standing to her feet she walked to where he was stood and kissed him passionately. This was so out of the blue that Harry was shocked. Their bodies locked together and without another word spoken they started to make love as their hot sticky bodies fell onto the sofa.
Harry and Amanda lay next to each other, their bodies entwined. His hand stroked the side of her head, slowly he kissed her again. “Where did all that come from then,” he whispered.
Amanda hid her face away in his chest and a tear rolled down her cheek. “I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “I think I just got caught up in the moment and well,” she paused. “I’ve not had sex in a very long time.”
Harry smiled to himself. “Well, I’ve not had a hard-on in a long time either, so you’ve done me a favour.”
Amanda was white, she’d made a mistake and hated that she’d had sex with Harry. Rolling over him she grabbed her clothing off the floor. “I think you need to go now.”
Harry looked at her, he didn’t know if she was being serious or not. “Amanda, don’t be going all snide on me now. We just got caught up in the moment that’s all. It’s not a hanging offence is it?”
She was having none of it, she threw his pants and shirt at him. “Just go home will you. This should have never happened.”
Harry growled as he watched her walk over to the back of the room. He watched her pick up the photograph of Paul and clutched it close to her chest. Once he was ready, he trudged to her side and draped his hand over her shoulder. “Why are you doing this to yourself Amanda? It’s like you think you don’t deserve any happiness in your life anymore. Give yourself a break will you?”
She snapped and turned to face him. Her eyes were nearly popping out of their sockets. “I was supposed to be showing you how to date a woman. Not bleeding having sex with you myself. God above, I bet you think I’m a right slapper now don’t you?”
Harry giggled; he was nervous and didn’t know how to answer her. “I think you’re lovely Amanda. You’re probably just what I need in my life at the moment.”
She walked away from him still avoiding any eye contact. “I’ve let Paul down big time. He’s not even cold yet and I’m sleeping about with other men, what would his family think if they ever got wind of this?”
“See what I mean Amanda, this is about you, not everyone else. You’ve cried enough tears over Paul; it’s time to move on. Me and you could have something special here if you just gave it chance.”
Amanda froze where she stood and goose pimples appeared on her arm. Was Harry saying he wanted to see her again? She’d never planned for this to happen and tried to turn him down. “It is what it is Harry. One drunken leg-over doesn’t make us lovers. You don’t need someone like me in your life. I’m damaged goods, go and find someone who will make you happy. You’ve said yourself that I’m a nutter.”
Harry ragged his fingers through his hair. This was all happening way too fast and his head was all over the place. Did he even like Amanda? Until now he just saw her as a friend, well, an attractive friend. Plonking down on the chair he dipped his head low and cupped his hands together. Staring at the floor he spoke softly. “If you want to date me, then let’s do it. I think you’re lovely and if the truth was known I always thought you were out of my league,” he looked sincere. “That’s why I never made a move on you. And,” he looked at her directly in her eyes. “My nob’s been out of action for months so I’ve not even thought about having sex with anyone else. This just happened and I for one don’t regret a minute of it. In fact, it was brilliant.”
Amanda blushed, she was lost for words and couldn’t look at him. Harry stood up and walked towards her. “This could be fate, we could have been meant to meet each other, who knows?” He leant in and touched her red cherry lips with his fingertip. “Let’s give it a go, nobody will ever know. We’ll just keep it on the back burner until you’re ready.” They shared a passionate kiss and before long Harry led her to the bedroom. Before they left she ran back into the front room and blew the candles out, she didn’t look at Paul’s photo once.