well over a decade since you left your teens behind.’
‘However’ – Charlie held up one finger – ‘whilst away from home it would be madness not to have one final fling… one last dropping of the boxers in order to indulge in some frantic no-strings steamy sex with someone I never have to see again.’
Ben tutted.
‘So you’re planning on pulling tonight?’
‘Of course. And so, my friend, are you.’
‘Oh no I’m not,’ said Ben resolutely.
‘Oh yes you are,’ said Charlie in a pantomime voice. ‘As you just pointed out, you’re single. Footloose and fancy free, mate. Make the most of it.’
‘I don’t want to. I’m using this time to reflect. To put an appropriate distance between Anna and–’
He abruptly shut up.
‘Who?’ Charlie pounced.
‘Never mind. You’ll find out. In another two or three months. I want to be sure nobody can ever point the finger and say, “Oh dear, that woman is Ben’s rebound.”’
‘Well until you’re officially hooked up with she-who-shall-not-be-named, can I suggest you pop into the men’s toilets, stick some money in the machine on the wall and treat yourself to a packet of rainbow condoms. You need to indulge in some uncomplicated pleasure.’
‘Like you?’
‘Like me,’ Charlie nodded, picking up his glass and draining it. ‘Fancy another?’
‘Go on then. You’ve twisted my arm.’
‘Back in a tick.’
Charlie walked over to the bar where a small group of women had congregated. One of them gave him the once over. Clearly she liked what she saw because Charlie clocked her nudging a little blonde number who had her back to him. As the woman whispered in her friend’s ear, Charlie smirked. God had bestowed him with both good looks and the gift of the gab. Maybe, in a bit, he’d chat this female up and see where it led. It would save him the bother of going on to the club in order to pull.
Whilst waiting for the barman, out of his peripheral vision Charlie watched, amused, as the woman finished whispering to her blonde girlfriend. She’d no doubt told her gal pal to subtly turn around and check out the handsome Adonis standing behind her. Three… two… one. Yup! As he’d suspected, Blondie was now swivelling her head to casually regard Charlie. He had trouble not laughing out loud. Women thought they were so discreet, but sometimes they couldn’t be more obvious.
Charlie let his gaze wander back to the woman who’d initially checked him out, and then lazily move on to Blondie. He wanted her to know he’d been studied and was perfectly up for taking it further. But before he could say anything, Blondie let out a squawk.
‘Charlie!’
Charlie jumped. Flipping heck. He’d seen this woman before. In fact, he’d seen all of her before. He’d picked her up the last time he’d been in Birmingham, what… two months ago? Yes. It was definitely her. He’d met her in the very club he’d been planning on going to later this evening. What was her name? Sandra? Sarah?’
‘Oh my God,’ Blondie shrieked. ‘I’m so glad to see you again.’
She tottered towards him and flung her arms around his waist.
‘Darling,’ said Charlie, returning the hug, while his brain scrambled for Blondie’s name.
The woman who’d given him the once-over was looking incredibly put out that Blondie had claimed Charlie for herself.
‘Aren’t you going to introduce us, Sophie?’ she grumbled.
Sophie! That’s right. If Charlie remembered correctly, Sophie was a recently separated secretary who’d temporarily moved in with her sister following a dispute over the marital home.
‘Listen, girls’ – Sophie turned to her group of friends – ‘me and this gorgeous guy have some serious catching up to do. You’ll have to carry on without me.’
Sophie turned back to Charlie.
‘Come on, handsome. Whatever plans you’ve made for this evening, cancel them. You’re taking me out to dinner.’
She looped an arm through his and led him towards the pub’s exit.
‘A night with you will be my pleasure,’ Charlie murmured.
Passing Ben, he gave a discreet shrug. Ben rolled his eyes and stood up. He’d have to get his own pint. Never mind, thought Charlie. Perhaps Ben would get lucky with Sophie’s pissed-off mate. He should at least try. Ben seriously needed to loosen up. Since meeting this secret woman, he’d turned into a boring old fart. I mean, who exactly was this female he kept referring to, and why was she so special? Whilst Ben hadn’t exactly been around the block like Charlie, there had been a time when his mate had been less stuffy. He’d been up for