Moresome

My two blonde friends and I tumble out of the cab, still laughing about something I’m absolutely not repeating here. We quickly adjust our dresses, a check that we have everything and we head inside to find you.

You’ve chosen a corner booth. I spot you first and enjoy the smile spreading across your face as you realise we’ve arrived.

“There you are.”

I lean down to kiss you hello before making the introductions. There’s a brief shuffle of handbags and menus as we settle around you. You’ve suddenly got three women asking about your evening and debating cocktails.

Getting our three diaries to agree took some doing but looking at you now, I suspect you’re pleased you planned ahead.

We order small plates for the table and cocktails all round. I love this part, the finding out what makes you laugh and watching you relax into our company.

You’re doing admirably, although we’re hardly making it easy! One of my friends asks you a question just as I lean over to offer you a taste of my cocktail. You lose your thread and we all notice.

“Sorry. Were we distracting you? I’m not remotely sorry, obviously.

The plates gradually empty and another round arrives. The conversation becomes increasingly mischievous and you’re holding your own now. In fact, one particularly well-timed reply has all three of us laughing. You look rather pleased with yourself and rightly so.

By the time we leave, we’ve accumulated several jokes that make very little sense to anyone outside our table.

We walk back to the hotel arm in arm. We trail behind my two blonde friends, with their arms linked and hips swaying as they lean close to share a joke. I draw you a little closer, enjoying the view with you.

Up in your room, we find the champagne and begin the important business of choosing some music. Shoes are slipped off, glasses gathered and someone is already objecting to the first song.

I hand you a glass and sit beside you while the girls negotiate the playlist. For a moment, you look around the room with a wonderfully pleased expression.

I nudge you gently. “Taking it all in?”

You raise your glass and we gather for a toast. After all those messages and diary negotiations, here we finally are. The four of us, champagne in hand, with an evening ahead and nowhere else to be.

I’ve always had a soft spot for a little hedonism. Good food, even better company, champagne and a night of wild abandon. Judging by how comfortably you’ve settled in, I suspect we have that in common.

One of my friends reaches into her bag, bringing out a selection of toys that earns a raised eyebrow from you.

“I like to come prepared,” she says.

I catch your eye over my champagne. “You can see why we get along.”

“What else have you been planning?” you ask.

My friends exchange a knowing look.

“Oh, we’ve a few ideas.” I smile. “We’ll let you know when it’s your cue.”

Before you can ask anything else, a familiar song comes on. One of my friends takes my hand and pulls me up to dance. I reach back for yours.

“Come along, you.”