No Time Like The Present
Coffee Break Tale
Debbie had a new man. You’d think that would be a good thing, but although I could hear Slade telling us everybody was having fun, Debbie didn’t look so sure.
“Do I get him a Christmas present or not?” she asked.
“Well…” I gazed at the swirl of whipped cream on my hot chocolate. “Do you want to buy him something?”
“Of course I do – but only if he gets me something.” “Why wouldn’t he?” “We’ve only just got together. In fact, it’s not even formal yet.” “Formal?” “He hasn’t actually asked me yet.” She twisted a coal black curl around her finger. I envied those curls. Despite years of crimping, my hair stayed unapologetically straight. Much like my way of tackling life’s problems. Debbie preferred to circle around an issue. “Asked you what?” “Out!” They’d been glued to each other every time I’d seen them. “How old are you?” I said. She waved her spoon in the air. How had she managed to finish her cream? “You don’t understand what it’s like, Tracy. Christmas is the most awkward time to get together with someone!”
“Oh, thanks.” I rescued a dollop of cream before it sank without trace and concentrated on licking the spoon clean, looking anywhere but at Debbie before I throttled her. “A week ago you were crowing about having someone to smooch on New Year’s Eve.” I scooped up another spoonful.
“I’m sorry,” she relented. Then spoiled it by adding, “It’s that awkward time. If I don’t buy him something and he gives me a gift, I’ll look mean, but if I do and he doesn’t, I’ll look too keen.”
By gazing over her shoulder I’d accidentally been staring right into the hazel eyes of the man at the next table. I flushed as I realised I was licking my spoon. I turned back to Debbie. “Is he getting you anything?” “I don’t know!” she wailed. I took a deep breath and regretfully stirred the remaining traces of cream into the chocolate. “Have you tried actually talking to him?”
The man on the next table winked at me, and I realised I was staring over her shoulder again. I dragged my attention back to Debbie. “I can’t do that!” When had my best friend turned into a snivelling mess over a man – and why hadn’t I noticed?
Ignoring the rather charming-looking man at the next table, I grabbed her phone and tapped in a message before handing it back. “There,” I said. “My early Christmas present to you!”
It read: Dear Gavin, Is there anything in particular you’d like for Christmas? And by the way, Tracy wants to know if she can call you my boyfriend yet. xxx
“Tracy! How could you! Maybe he hasn’t got it yet. Can you retrieve texts?” She jabbed buttons frantically.
I couldn’t resist checking to see how Charming Man was taking this. He applauded silently. Suddenly Debbie’s phone beeped. “Oh no, it’s Gavin,” she yelped. “Oh my! Yes! Thank you, Tracy!” She flung her arms around me, spilling my poor, lukewarm chocolate across the table.
“I take it that’s a ‘yes’ then? Did he say what he wants for Christmas?”
She turned bright red and refused to tell me. Then her phone beeped again.
“That’s Gavin again. D’you mind if I rush off? Catch you later, bestest friend.”
With a flurry she was gone, leaving me staring at the ruins of our table. “Can I get you another drink?” Charming Man from the next table slid into her place and smiled at me... just as Mariah Carey started warbling All I Want For Christmas...