A Spot Of Bother
Coffee Break Tale
Ican’t make it tonight,” Maria told Angela. “I’ve got a huge spot on my chin…” “You can’t cry off now!” Angela shrieked down the phone. “It’s not fair on Tom, the guy I’ve lined up for you.”
Angela, an avid fan of TV dating shows, worked at an agency that arranged blind dates. Maria, whose boyfriend had recently left her for a body-building blonde, was Angela’s prime customer.
So far, though, Maria hadn’t liked any of Angela’s choices.
First, there’d been Piers. A devoted angler, he’d shrouded Maria in waterproofs, parked her on a river bank and regaled her with stories of The One That Got Away.
Next came Denzil. He wore a smart pin-stripe suit and yakked into his mobile all night.
Mean Ian was next. A bag of crisps, a glass of cheap white in a dingy pub – what more could a girl want?
“OK, so the last three blokes were unsuitable, I agree – but you should give Tom a chance,” Angela advised. “He’s perfect for you. I’ve told him you’ll be wearing a blue scarf…”
Maria sighed as she ended the call. She didn’t have a blue scarf. She’d have to buy one so she could go on a date to please Angela. Still, at least she could use it to cover the spot on her chin.
Never mind recognising me by the scarf,” she muttered later, as she slapped on tinted concealer. “Angela should tell him to look for Zit Woman. I’m sure this spot has doubled in size.”
Maria arrived at The Red Lion to meet Tom. The pub was empty.
“What can I get you?” the barman asked cheerfully.
Maria wanted to leave while she could, to run away from another likely disaster. Real-life blind dates were nothing like the ones on TV. But now she was here, she may as well have a drink. The barman poured white wine. “On your own?” he asked as he screwed the cap back on the bottle.
“I’m supposed to meet a guy for a blind date,” Maria confided. “But I think I’ve been stood up.”
“He’s in the Gents.” The barman jerked his head towards the opposite end of the pub. “Oh, here he is…”
Maria clocked the tall, dark handsome man as he approached. He was gorgeous – what was the catch?
“Maria,” he said, acknowledging the scarf. The only blue one in the shop, it had cost a fortune and she couldn’t even use it to hide the spot because it made her itch.
“I’m Tom.” He held out his hand, smiled a devastating smile… and looked the other way.
The spot was hideous. She shouldn’t have come. Why wouldn’t Angela listen?
Drinks finished, they moved on to a restaurant. Tom had reserved a table.
Maria’s heart sank as she realised Angela was right. Tom was perfect. Generous with his cash, he hated fishing and ignored his mobile when it rang. They had so much in common – they hadn’t stopped talking all evening. Yet he kept averting his gaze to the left. In the Ladies, Maria texted Angela. Thanks. You found me a lovely man–but he won’t look at me because of the spot. Angela texted back, The spot will be gone soon. As will Tom, Maria replied.
It’s been a lovely evening,” Tom said on leaving the restaurant. “Can I walk you home or do you prefer a cab?”
“Let’s walk.” Maria decided that as she’d never see him again, she may as well make the most of his company. “What are you doing tomorrow?” “You want to see me again?” He squeezed her hand. “Yes. I feel like I’ve known you for ever. I hope you feel the same.” “But my spot…hasn’t it put you off?” “What spot?” They stopped walking and stood under a lamp post. “This little pimple on your chin? I hadn’t noticed it, until now.” He smiled. “I was so nervous about this date that I cut myself shaving – look at this huge gash on my cheek. I’ve been trying to hide it all night…”