Free That Friday by Karl Jones Page B

how
much fun it could be.
     They continued like that for
a couple more games, with Tess claiming victory in their second game because
she had potted the black, even though she still had half her balls on the
table, not that Charlie cared. He was having too much fun, simply being near
her, to care about something like that.
    When they finished their third
game they decided it was enough.
    "What?" Charlie asked
when Tess took his hand and pulled him toward the chain at the side of the path
and the snow-covered grass on the other side of it.
    Tess smiled. "Come with
me," she said, tugging on his hand so he would follow as she stepped over
the chain and began walking through the snow. "I want a picture of us in
front of the sign." With her free hand she gestured to the sign for The
Dry Dock.
    Though he pretended to be
reluctant, and concerned about the snow soaking through his trainers, Charlie
liked the idea. His like of it was magnified by how keen she was to not only be
seen with him but to be photographed with him; it was so unlike the other women
he had been involved with. The number was small, he hadn't dated much over the
years, but they had all had one thing in common, and that was their reluctance
to admit they were seeing him.
    It had been hurtful that they were
all so unwilling to let anyone know they were involved; Tess' eagerness to show
the world they were together lifted his heart and he knew there was little he
wouldn't do to put a smile on her face. He wanted to put a smile on her face so
big it could never be removed.
    Though they both tried several
times, with a variety of different poses, they were unable to get the picture.
They got a number of pictures but couldn't manage to get the two of them and
the sign in at the same time.
    Finally, when they were frustrated
with their failed efforts, Tess approached a couple of girls who had just left
the bar. "Would you mind taking a picture of us under the sign?" she
asked, silently praying that the girl would say yes. She really wanted the
picture, but didn't fancy standing there for ages accosting every person that
came out until they got it.
    "Sure," the girl said,
taking the camera that was held out to her while her friend looked on, an
irritated expression on her face. "Where do you want the picture?"
she asked.
    It didn't take long to get the picture
Tess was after, much to her relief since by the time it was done Charlie was
shivering. "Thank you so much." She took the camera back and stuffed
it into her pocket, out of the way, before grabbing Charlie's hand.
    Together, they crossed the grass to
the pavement, where Tess took her hand from Charlie's so she could link her arm
in his as they made their way down the road. It was time for them to return to
the hotel; both of them had decided that, even if they hadn't said anything; it
was too cold for them to stay out any longer, without anything planned.

 
    *****
     
    They reached the hotel quickly,
the time taken up with more anecdotes from their past; they revealed little of
substance but were entertained nonetheless.
    "Would you like a
drink?" Charlie asked when they reached the lifts, which were right by the
bar. He was enjoying the evening far too much to want it to end, not that he
thought the evening would end just because they went up to their room. The
truth was , he didn't want her to think he was eager to
get her into bed; he wanted to enjoy their time together for as long as
possible. Their conversation was as precious to him as their embraces.
    Tess nodded. "Sure." She
wasn't fussed what they did just then, all that mattered to her was that whatever
they did do they did together.
    She followed as Charlie turned
away from the lifts to walk into the bar, where they scanned the selection of
drinks available. Nothing grabbed their attention, so they settled for vodka
and coke, as they had in The Dry Dock, though that time they went with doubles.
    With the bar empty, which
surprised them, they were able