Part 23 (2/2)
”Yes he did! Yes he did! I dont mean he saved my life like he rescued me from death or anything. I mean that he rescued me in here.”
She pointed to her heart with a finger and kept stabbing herself as she laughed.
Mikes eyes looked everywhere but towards me and I sensed that he wished Sally would shut up.
”Dont you look around the place like that!” she barked at Mike. ”Youre one of lifes superheroes.”
Mike threw up a hand to discard her remark.
”I dont think Dave would see it like that...,” answered Mike. ”Come on Sal, sit down love and rejoin the party.”
”Sod Dave!” she said. ”He and his stinking brother can rot in h.e.l.l for all I care.”
This outburst and the mention of Daves name fired my curiosity but in my drunken state I was more interested in giving Sally some sisterly support.
”You leave 'er alone, you!” I said boldly. ”If she wants to praise you, let 'er!”
As Sally sat down, I stood up. Her boldness had made me bold and I wanted to say my piece as well. I wobbled momentarily as I raised my gla.s.s to John.
”This man,” I said looking at him.
I decided to mimic Sally so I feigned a stumble.
”This man saved my career!”
John smiled back and raised his gla.s.s to me in appreciation.
”Did he? Well, I never,” responded Sally. ”How dee do that?”
I was feeling liberated so I let my feelings spill out. As I spoke I looked deep into Johns eyes. I wanted him in no doubt how special he was to me.
”Well firstly, he helped me see something that I couldnt see. When he did that....(hic)....”
Everybody laughed as I struggled to articulate what I felt.
”....he stopped me causing this man...”
I quickly glanced at Mike before continuing ”...any more upset and pain.”
Mikes embarra.s.sed look left his face and was replaced by one of genuine surprise.
”I was about to do one of the most stupid things Id ever done, and I wouldve done so if my good friend John who I will now love forever.....,” as these words spilled out my hand instinctively moved to cover my mouth.
”Ah s.h.i.+t! What the h.e.l.l,” I said and then continued. ”This man.....this man....this man....”
As I stood there, the other three giggled away, but in my mind a whole world of understanding descended on me and I felt completely overwhelmed. Before I knew it there were tears in my eyes and I was struggling to talk. John noticed and started to get up but I put my hand up to stop him. I did not understand what was happening to me, but I knew that I had more to say so I gathered myself and started to find the words.
”....this man...,” as the words formed in my head a single tear started to roll down one of my cheeks.
”Penny,” said John, ”you dont have to say this.”
I looked at him and was overcome with such feelings of love and affection that I put my hand up again.
”John, I do. I do have to say it and I want these two to listen.”
He sat down again and with a resigned look, braced himself for what he thought I was going to say.
”....this man did more than save my career.”
”Penny!” John interrupted again. ”You dont have to. Really you dont.”
I laughed as I realised just how comfortable I suddenly felt.
”Shut up, you.....you.....a.r.s.ehole!” I said with a smile. ”Youve had this coming to you for a long time so dont spoil it.”
Sally and Mike were transfixed as they witnessed this intimate exchange.
”Since when did you two get so close?” asked Mike.
”You shut up too, you a.r.s.ehole, and Ill tell you!”
Sally creased up with laughter when I called Mike an a.r.s.ehole, and John gave a short chuckle and relaxed in his chair.
”You men, honestly! Never know when to shut up....”
As I spoke, I giggled at the comedy that was taking place.
”Right! This man...,” and this time I paused for effect more than anything else, ”taught me how to feel again.”
John obviously felt that I was going to tell him again how much I loved him, so this caught him by surprise.
”For the last 10 years, Ive known a series of jerks and losers and none of them ever made me actually want to know them. You John, you changed all that. I dont know how you did it but you made me take an interest in living again. I mean really living not just have a job and exist. Ive been a bad girl, me. Im the sort of person your mother warned you about. Good as gold at work, but a vixen at night who stalks and preys on vain and needy men to satisfy her own vanity and neediness. What Ive done while at conferences would fill the pages of a Jackie Collins novel! But you, John...”
I fixed my eyes and aggressively pointed my finger at him.
”...you made me want to behave!”
Sally and Mike creased up with laughter as I fired my double barrel. John looked less worried and began to take in what I was saying. I had them all where I wanted them now, so I continued with the performance and grew in confidence. As Mikes giggles subsided, the vixen started to return and my gaze left John and fixed on Mike. Mike starred back at me and for a few seconds we were transfixed by each other.
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