Easy As Falling Off A Bike.
by Angharad.
part 42

Simon paid the bill and escorted me back to his Volvo, it was much cooler and I shivered a little. I didn't really have a suitable coat or wrap to go with the dress, so I had to put up with it.

"You're shivering," observed Simon.

"It's cooler than I expected," I said feeling rather stupid.

"Come on let's get you home and into the warm again," he unlocked the car with the remote and I got in. "It takes a few minutes for the heater to work, works off the engine heat, radiator that sort of thing."

I knew perfectly well how most car heaters worked, but I kept quiet, he was after all talking to a dumb girl as far as he was concerned. A couple of minutes later I felt my seat getting warm, it felt nice. I looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"Seat warmers, remember it's a Scandinavian designed car, they're a bit quicker than the heater. Is that okay?"

"Lovely thanks," I replied as my nether regions began to defrost.

"I've got a blanket in the back somewhere if you want it?"

"No, I'm fine honestly Simon." In my twisted little mind, blankets equated with beds and I didn't want to go there. I mean, blankets and bikes? Remember I don't own a car.

I held on to my rose, it would be a keepsake for a few days. The heater started blasting out warm air and I relaxed in my seat. It hadn't been as disastrous as I had feared, in fact some of it had been fun.

I wished I'd asked for a doggy bag, my leftovers would have warmed up nicely in the microwave tomorrow. My parents always insisted I clear my plate before leaving the table, and I always had to ask to leave. I got around it by asking Mum to give me smaller portions. She thought I was mad, but agreed. She thought boys were always hungry, I was but not on the scale she imagined. My father had a big appetite, so not following his example felt good. However, not eating everything made me feel naughty.

I was running these thoughts through my head when Simon spoke and almost made me jump, "I've quite enjoyed myself tonight, we should do this again."

I was miles away, and answered without processing what he said until after my mouth had betrayed me. "Yes okay," I said not thinking about what he'd actually said.

"Next week then? I think they have some sort of barn dance over Havant way, how'd you fancy that?"

"A barn dance?" I squeaked as if he had just suggested alligator wrestling.

"Yes, a barn dance, you know square dancing and stuff to country or folky type music."

"I've never been to one," I gasped.

"Well now's your chance. I'll firm up on the details and get back to you. Stella has your number I think?"

I nodded in a sort of daze. A barn dance! My God, what do I wear and more importantly what do I do? I hadn't been to any sort of dance since highschool and I didn't get to dance with anyone then. To me dances were just bad memories of being a wallflower and a male wallflower has no future whatsoever.

"They're good fun, they have a caller who tells you what to do in the dances, you'll enjoy it."

I was still reeling and feeling very negative. My confidence had received a small boost but he had overwhelmed it. "I don't know Simon, I'm not into dancing." Which was true, as a dancer, I made an excellent cyclist.

"Give Stella a tinkle, she'll talk you through it."

"But I haven't got anything to wear to a dance."

"Talk to Stella, she's got a credit card of mine, go and buy something at the weekend."

The weekend was tomorrow! I shivered again, but not with the cold. "I can't do that Simon," I complained indignantly.

"Which, calling Stella or going shopping?"

"Both, either, oh I don't know."

Next thing I know he's on his mobile as we pull up outside my room, "Stella, I'm with Cathy I want to take her to the barn dance next week and she's worried she hasn't got anything to wear, can you take her shopping tomorrow? Yes alright, usual terms you parasite! Great, I'll tell her. Fine, see you later."

He switched off his hands-free in-car phone, bloody show-off and turned to face me. "Stella will be collecting you about nine tomorrow, feel free to buy everything you need for the dance."

"I'm not going," I said.

"Yes you are, you'll enjoy it."

"Simon, it's kind of you to ask and even kinder to offer to buy me an outfit, but I can't accept it and I won't go to the dance with you, I don't want to."

"So that's it then?" he said.

"I'm afraid so," I said with a tinge of regret. "Thank you for a pleasant evening."

"Don't I at least get a goodbye kiss?" he said looking at me with spaniel eyes.

I humphed, then relented, "Okay," I leant forward to peck his cheek and he turned full face and kissed me on the lips, his arm coming around behind me.

I had closed my eyes, I don't know why, so it completely surprised me. I went to pull away but the shock caused me to freeze, well that's what I think happened. Then he kissed me again and I remained frozen except for my treacherous mouth, which pursed its lips and let him kiss me for a third time.

"Goodnight Cathy," he said quietly from somewhere far away.

"What, oh, yeah good erm night Simon."

I got out of his car clutching my bag and my rose, my legs were trembling and I felt completely disoriented. He tooted and drove off.