Hard Decisions by Elaine © 2020

"Thanks once again," I said and walked round to the driver's door. I got in and heard him walk off as I picked up a wet wipe to clean the dirt from my hands. I was just about to start the car, when suddenly there was a knock at the window and I looked up to see that it was his face smiling back at me.

I wound down my window and asked, "hello again, did you forget something?"

"I was wondering," as he gulped for air, I could sense he was nervous. I understood that feeling quite well, so I smiled at him to encourage him to continue. "I was wondering," he repeated, "I was wondering if you would like to go out tonight for a drink." He finally blurted out what I knew he wanted to say when we were walking to the car.

A guy I hardly knew was asking me out on a date. I was extremely flattered and before I had even thought about it, the word "yes" just popped out. I’m not sure if I really wanted to say yes, but I did. Perhaps it was a way of showing my gratitude.

We swapped mobile telephone numbers and I said goodbye. I felt warm inside. He was really nice, and it seemed he liked me too. This was a big step for me, as I felt sure that I would always find it difficult to start up relationships. I watched him go over to his Land Rover Discovery and drive off with a smile on his face and a cheery wave goodbye.

I drove to Yvonne's in a state of shock. I could hardly remember a moment of the drive to her salon, because I just kept thinking of him. This was madness and it would never work and I’d no reason to think otherwise.

As I entered the salon and took a seat, Yvonne came bounding up to me full of enthusiasm at seeing me. "You look radiant Julie have you won the lottery, or have you just won a date with someone like Sir Sean Connery?"

"Not a date with 007 but a date with a gallant knight," I replied taking up my usual position at the hair-washing basin. She wrapped a waterproof smock around me and I sat down.

"Well don’t stop now! Spill the beans!" she commanded as she started to wash my hair. I told her all about what had happened, and she gushed, "Oh Julie that's great news, there's nothing like a surprise date to boost a girl's confidence."