As I turned around from the bar to return to the table with the drinks, though, I noticed that she was no longer in her seat. Her book was still on the table, so I assumed she had gone to the toilet. Five minutes later, she hadn’t returned, and I wondered if she had maybe gone outside for a cigarette so I made my way out of the entrance to check. She wasn’t there, and the Wally bike was gone. I was devastated. I went back to my seat and finished my pint while going over and over our various conversations. What could I have done to upset her? I couldn’t pinpoint a moment or any words that would have given her qualms. Then again, maybe it wasn’t something I’d said or done – maybe she was just out of my league. After all, that had been my first instinct, and you should always pay serious attention to that. She had left her book on the table, however – perhaps as a farewell gift to me? It was open and face down on the table. I picked it up and on the open page she had circled the words ‘Maybe the ducks knew the secret of the cave’. On the top of the page she had written, ‘You won’t be disappointed – ha!’ I popped the book into my briefcase and left the pub.

Walking home, it began to rain, and the pavements gave off the smell of pancake batter. I felt dreary and electrified at the same time. I’d met this incredible girl and I was buzzing at that achievement, yet here I was, no further forward and walking alone to my poxy flat. As I entered my estate, I stopped at the play area to see if my bushy-tailed mate was around. I couldn’t see him, but I could hear something scrutting around in the leaves beyond the trunk of a large beech tree. I had a quick chat into the darkness.

‘Alright, Gary. On your own again, mate?’ I asked on behalf of my hidden friend.

‘Yeah, looks that way. I met a girl, though, and I really like her.’

‘Did you get her number or arrange to see her again?’

‘No, she kind of disappeared on me.’

‘Walked out on you by the sounds of it. Strikes me you want to think around that and ask what it is you’re doing wrong.’

‘I didn’t do anything wrong, except, you know, maybe not looking the part… I thought you said that things were looking up for me?’

‘They are, Gary, but you don’t make it easy. You need to believe in yourself a bit more, think about the positives you possess. Will you think around that for more than a moment?’

‘Yeah, I will. How’s it going with you?’

‘Sweet as a nut. Goodnight.’

‘Goodnight.’

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