1.9 James
7:55 PM | Posted by
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“I really don’t see what the big deal is.” Tom was peering suspiciously into his second mug of beer. “It’s not like anyone knows anything about you or Rose Hill or…” He trailed off flicking a small fly from the edge of his mug.
I looked at him. The loud pulsing sound of blood rushing in my ears almost drowned him out completely. Combined with the pounding in my chest, I could have almost been concerned for my health. My mind was still reeling. Add shallow breathing and I was lined up perfectly for an anxiety attack. The usual noises of the pub were even distant sounds. I drank the last of my beer and pushed the mug away.
“Two more.” Tom’s was already gesturing to the bartender. I didn’t put up a fight. “Who knows, it might be good for people to find out.” Tom’s eyes dropped to avoid the look he knew I was giving him. I directed my anger at his lowered eyelids. “I’m just saying…” He was mumbling now.
I took in one deep breath and let it out. It really wasn’t Tom’s fault. He was just trying to be a good friend.
My sigh seemed to break the tension and more beers arrived at the table. I was not sure how long we had been there, but the empty mugs seemed to have multiplied on the table in front of my eyes!
“Time to go mate.” Words I had never heard Tom utter at a pub. I was surprised to find out how unstable my chair was, as it seemed to wobble as I stood up. Well, attempted to stand. I felt Tom grab my arm and throw it over his shoulder before the fog enveloped my mind. And then… nothing.
*****
Alcohol had always had a funny effect on me. Instead of wanting to sleep off the hangover, I seemed to wake up earlier than usual. Much earlier. Not to say that I would be spared the usual side effects. But being up before the sun seemed to allow my eyes the chance to adjust before the world got painfully bright.
Today was no exception. My first conscious thought was that there must be a bear operating a chain saw in my room. As my thoughts gathered, I realized it wasn’t an extremely talented bear, but Tom blissfully unaware of the damage his snoring was causing.
With an audible groan, I hoisted myself out of bed to discover I was still fully dressed, minus shoes. Well at least I maintained my dignity. I suspect that may not entirely be true as I regard the furniture damage around me.
I slipped my jacket and shoes on and headed out of the stifling room, down the stairs out to the world outside.
The small coffee shop next door was just unlocking their doors. I walked in, ordered my coffee. Large coffee. And sat down in the corner. I was flipping though the paper on the table but none of the words were registering. I felt numb.
“Rough night?” I jumped in my seat and looked up to see the voice’s owner was standing not two feet from me. My already dry mouth felt like the desert as my stomach leapt to my throat. It was her!
It’s not like I hadn’t expected to run into her eventually. I had been scouring the market each evening after work, but somehow this was not how I had imagined it.
“Um.” Great start. Well at least there was something going on in my head! “Yes, well, it would seem I spent more time at the pub last night than I had planned.” That’s how it sounded in my head, anyway. From the expression on her face, I would say it was probably a lot less coherent.
She smiled and turned to collect her coffee from the counter and with a sidelong look in my direction, she walked out.
I slumped in my seat. Dejected, the negative thoughts started up in my head. What happened next was a surprise to me and to the voice that was still berating me. I suppose it could have been the hangover that compromised my common sense, but for whatever reason I found myself out of my seat and out the door to follow my future wife.
I was in shock to see how much ground she had gained in such little time. Considering how petite she was. I took long steps to catch up, not wanting to alarm her.
After all, the sun is barely up and here is this strange-looking hobo from the coffee shop running down the street after a woman he does not know, but is convinced he will marry.
I winced at the brutal honesty of that last thought. But before I could change my mind, she stopped and turned to look at me.
I stopped immediately, stuck my hands in my pockets and then walked up to her with what I hoped was a non-threatening smile on my face.
She looked… amused. One eyebrow arched as if to say well…?
“I realize how this must sound, but couldn’t let you go without asking your name.” Not bad, considering the situation.
She smiled. Paused. And then spoke. “Catherine. Now, am I free to go?” I realized she was making fun of me but I still winced.
“I cannot imagine a woman such as yourself ever being anything but free.” I winced again. That really was a poor choice of words. I decided to keep going and hoped that she didn’t notice. Both eyebrows went up that time. She noticed.
“I’m James.”
Keeping talking…
“I am still relatively new to town and you are one of the first people to engage me in conversation. Even if it was to point out the terrible state I’m in. I thought I would introduce myself…”
“I know who you are.” Catherine looked directly at me in a way that made me feel like we were standing eye-to-eye. Even I must have been close to a foot taller than her. “This is a small town, James. Everyone knows everyone else’s business.”
The panic I had felt the day before started to rise up again. Until she said “Eric had been talking of the craftsmen who were going to help him with the business for weeks prior to your arrival.” I exhaled audibly. She knew of James Tanner, the cabinetmaker from Peddington. Not James Shipley, the disappointment from Rose Hill.
I nodded in response to her explanation. “Well I hope to see you again, Catherine.” I manage to get these words out as she turned to leave.
Her last two words to me as she walked away lifted me up from the despair I was feeling over our terrible first encounter. I smiled to myself as I walked back to my room above the inn to scrub away 24 hours of sawdust, beer and beard. I played the words back to myself several times throughout the rest of the day.
You will.
