Chapter 2 - Brunch

My head is pounding as I walk through my local area, it used to be a small area, however developers had thought that Kingswood was a desirable area and continued building new home after new home. I can’t complain too much. It’s become a self sufficient area, local shops, bars, restaurants, schools and even a health centre.

What I care about now though is the lovely little cafe/restaurant that I’m heading to. The Village Green. They have a lovely breakfast and lunch menu. Just what I need, along with a drink to wash down some ibuprofen to ease this headache.

I check my phone and see several messages from the girls. Laura, Ellie, Pavan and Katie are already there, having driven rather than walked. I don’t know how they dared, I must be at least three times over the legal drink drive limit still.

Unless they didn’t put as much away as I did. There are messages from Heidi and Shelly saying they can’t make brunch, but let’s do drinks and takeaway tonight as they have to hear about my morning.

I reply saying that I’m up for takeaway and drinks tonight and then pocket my phone. Just as I arrive at The Village Green. I open the door and walk in. A waitress approaches me just as I spot Laura, Ellie, Pavan and Katie. “I’m joining that table” I say pointing to where the girls are sitting.

The waitress smiles and takes my drink order saying she’ll be across shortly to take our food order.

“Here’s Miss Walk of Shame. So was he hot?” Pavan greets me. Pavan isthe newest member to our group. Having moved to Hull, UK from India to study at the university of Hull. She has a silky caramel complexion, long straight black hair, wide brown eyes and stands at 5 foot and a peanut and has the most beautiful figure. Add that to being the sweetest person I have ever met and she’s just too perfect to be allowed.

“Never mind hot, was he good? I need all the juicy details” Ellie pipes in. Ellie is outgoing and a little boisterous, some would say an intimidating personality, but once you get to know her; she has a heart of gold and will help anyone. She’s 5ft6 and a beautiful curvy size 14. She has a slender face, a button nose and her hair is currently a vibrant pink.

“Well, good morning to you ladies too” I smile, taking a seat at the table. “Well I hate to burst the bubble, but despite him being naked in my bed, we didn’t actually sleep together. So no walk of shame” I add.

“Wait? What? He was naked in your bed and you didn’t sleep together. Are you sure? Is his cock broken?” Laura asks. Laura, my partner in crime. We’ve been friends for 10years. She’s five foot five, athletic, blonde and gorgeous. Seriously guys. If carlsberg did friends and all. My group are the winning combination.

“Well given the eye full I got this morning, I would definitely know if we had” I tell them, holding my hands out, indicating he is huge. This makes the group laugh out loud.

“So why didn’t you sleep with him?” Katie asks. Ah Katie. The bronzed goddess. She’s tall at five foot 11, slim body and slim face, a straight nose, deep blue eyes and shoulder length blonde hair.

“Well apparently I tried to. But because I was so wasted he didn’t want me to think he’d taken advantage so he turned me down and just cuddled me apparently. I mean what guy turns down no strings sex?” I ask, face palming myself. Am I such a mess that he didn’t want me?

“I think it’s sweet. He has respect for women. He wants to appreciate you. I think” Pavan says, ever the optimistic.

“Well when I woke him, we had a coffee and walked to the station. We made some general chit chat while walking. He said he put his number in my phone last night and to call or text him if I want to meet for dinner. Does that mean he’s happy to have a one night stand. If I am not wasted, if I am sober?” I wonder aloud.

“No, I think he would have said hook up if he wanted a one night stand. Maybe he likes you and wants to get to know you” Ellie chimes in.

“Excuse me, are you ready to order ladies” our waitress asks. Her name badge says she’s called Louise. She’s new here, she hasn’t served us before.

“Could I have the Eggs Benedict please?” I request.

“Same for me please” Ellie says.

“I will have the same but please hold off on the meat” Laura adds.

“I will have a full English please” Katie speaks up.

“Ok, so three Eggs Benedict, one without meat and a full English. Will that be all?” Louise asks us.

“For food yes thank you. Could we also have one of the new smoothies please, one of each so we can all try them” I add.

Louise nods and leaves our table.

“So are you going to call him?” Katie asks me.

“I don’t think so. What do I say? Thank you for sleeping naked with me, how about we do it again. So what else did we do last night? Seeing as I’m the only one with no recollection” I grumble.

“How about we save that and Mr in your bed for our takeaway when we are all together” Ellie teases.

We eat our brunch, chatting about work and family. As usual the food is amazing, and really helps the hangover. When we have finished we make plans to meet at 6pm for takeaway and wine at mine. We tip our waitress Louise, hug and say ‘bye for now’.

Well only seven ish hours until I find out what the hell happened last night

* * * * * * * * * * *

Now some may say I’ve made no effort, but knowing my friends, they will rock up in the same attire. What are friends for after all? Wearing my new Harry Potter pyjamas, with the quote exceptionally ordinary from Luna Lovegood, I tie my hair up into a messy bun.

Then I make my way to the kitchen to get out wine glasses, plates, knives and forks so that we’re ready for when the takeaway arrives. I place them on the coffee table and switch the radio on low. Then I sit and wait for my girls, prepared to find out how I embarrassed myself last night and also dish the dirt on Mr no name in my bed.

Mr no name who now has a name, Mark. Mark who seems like a respectful, kind and funny guy. Mark who wants to take me out for dinner to get to know me. Mark who is painfully handsome, with the body of a god and just appears to be too good to be true.

Mark, the man who has occupied my thoughts all damn day. Mark. Mark. Mark. Uhhh the girls need to hurry up and get here so that I can get him out of my head, at least until I have to spill the dirt anyway.

I hear the familiar sound of the door handle jiggling, followed by a rat-a-tat-tat knock on my door. Opening the door I see that Heidi is the first to arrive. “Glad to see you are finally being sensible and locking your door. I was beginning to worry that one day I’d come to find you had been murdered”, she states, being as dramatic as ever.

“I only ever have it unlocked when I know that people are coming.” I argue back.

“That’s besides the point. It could happen you know. I see it in the news regularly. Is anyone else here yet?”

“No. You’re the first, come have some wine”, I tell her. Letting her lead the way to my living room.

We’re sat huddled around my coffee tables eating domino's pizza and drinking wine. “It started with those damn shoes. You know the ones that you just needed so badly…” Heidi begins.

Ahh the shoes that ruined everything, the night comes flooding back to me…..