The way we...

Last Friday I got a call from Tequila Guy.

I got to work at around 10:30am. The traffic was bad, the weather was hot and I was miserable. New Guy gave me a huge smile when I walked into the office. He looked pointedly at the clock. I plonked myself down and removed my sunglasses. Ouch! the light hurt my eyes.

New Guy looked concerned. He asked me if I was okay. I told him that I'm prone to headaches and I just need a few hours without annoying human contact.

At around 11 I got a text on my phone.

I know I said I wouldn't call when I get to London so I thought I'd text. Are you free tonight?

Tequila Guy! I knew he couldn't come all the way to England and not contact me. I felt a wave of excitement. I quickly text back.

Where are you?

By the Natural History Museum...

Stay there. I'll be there in an hour.

I left work. I briefly told New Guy that I needed to sort something out. He assumed it was important and he wished me luck with whatever it was.

I met Tequila Guy outside the V&A. We hugged tightly. It had been so long since we'd seen each other. We laughed as we looked at each other. Observing changes. Seeing familiar expressions. God, I missed him.

We chatted easily together. Just like we always have. We walked around for hours. Catching up on each other lives. Playfully cracking jokes. Neither of us could stop smiling.

We finally stopped at a bar. We ordered drinks and sat quietly at a table outside. For some reason there was an awkward silence. As I struggled to think of something to say I reached into my bag for my emergency cigarette. I pulled out a slightly wonky Silk Cut and thumbled around for a lighter. Tequila Guy leaned over and pulled the cigarette from my lips.

"They're bad for you."

He squashed it into an ashtray. We both stared at the ashtray for a while, not knowing what to say.

"Elise."

"Yes?"

He looked away.

"Nothing."

I focused my attention on my straw. I stirred it around and poked the pieces of lime in my glass. I wanted to run away. I never in my wildest dreams thought that Tequila Guy and I would struggle to speak.

"Are you happy?"

I looked up into his gorgeous face. The light from the sun caught the yellowish green flecks in his golden eyes.

"Yes. I'm very happy. Are you?"

"Yes."

We smiled. Almost a sad smile. I went back to playing with my straw.

"You love him a lot don't you?"

I nodded. I do love Solicitor. I love the way he holds me close in his sleep. The way he wraps his arms around my waist when I'm trying to cook, deliberately distracting me. I even love the way we argue. So passionately. Each of us so certain that we are right.

Tequila Guy finished his Carlsberg. I gulped the rest of my Pimms and we began walking. I linked my arm with his and we walked in silence for a while.

"Do you love her?"

"Yes I do."

"Tell me what you love."

We talked for hours. Just walking. Tequila Guy told me what he loves about Tina. The way she bites her bottom lip when she's nervous. The way she holds his hand when he's driving. I told him what I love about Solicitor.

I called Solicitor a few hours later and told him that I was bringing an old friend to dinner. We decided to invite a few more people and have a barbecue.

I got so excited. I've never had a barbecue with Solicitor before. I dragged Tequila Guy around Tesco picking up meat, salad and the all important alcohol. I couldn't stop talking as I hurried up and down the isles in no particular order. Tequila Guy laughed at me.

"You're cute."

"Be careful... I have chicken and I'm not afraid to use it."

I waved the bag of chicken quarters at him before dumping it into the trolley.

"I love you."

I smiled back at him.

"I love you too."