After a sharp argument with Lucy, Glen felt a sting of guilt. Hed just finalized his divorce, and though Lucy was a colleague, their relationship was far from the calm he pretended to have. Lucy was flighty, always finding a reason to argue.
I could have let this go, but Im fed up with Lucys whims, he muttered, driving his sedan home through the rainslick streets of London. If it had been a private spat, that would be one thing, but she flung the fit in front of the whole office, and everyone laughed. They all wondered how I ever fell for her. Good thing I deleted her number.
That night, Glen tried to unwind. He ate a simple supper, lounged on the sofa, thumbed at his phone, and glanced at the television. An uneasy feeling settled in his chest.
Harriet was already halfasleep when her phone buzzed. An unknown number called, and she answered in a drowsy voice.
Yes?
Hey, a strangers male voice said, still angry?
No, Harriet replied, halfawake, realizing the voice wasnt hers. What do you want?
Sorry, I snapped. Its ugly to start a scene in front of everybody, and Im annoyed too. I deleted your number straight away, but I remember it by heart. Let me come over.
Now? Harriet glanced at the clock; it was just after midnight.
She was desperate for sleep and didnt want to waste time explaining the wrong number. She simply said, Come, then, before hanging up. She smiled at the thought that the caller might have been heading to his own girlfriend, and drifted back to sleep.
In the morning, Harriet finished her coffee, rinsed the mug, and tucked it away. Her phone rang again.
Oh God, who could be calling so early? Ive got to get to work She noticed the same unfamiliar number that had rang the night before.
Hello, the same voice greeted.
Hello.
My girl kicked me out and slammed the door in my face last night, he said cheerfully.
And youre not upset? Harriet laughed, the tension breaking.
Exactly, he replied. But now, as a decent gentleman, you owe me moral compensation.
She burst out laughing, then asked, Me? What does that even mean? You should have remembered the number better.
Why didnt you tell me it was a mistake? he asked.
Because I wanted to sleep. Proper people dont disturb their partners at night.
I might agree, but you owe me a date, he said.
Thats a bit much, Harriet replied, amused.
Why not? We met by chance last night, didnt we?
We didnt, he countered.
Then Im Glen. And you are?
Harriet, she said automatically.
Lovely name, Glen chuckled. How about we meet at The Lucky Café at six this evening?
Good heavens, you havent even seen my face and youre already making plans Im probably a dreadful old hag.
You sound young and beautiful, he laughed. Im in the prime of my life, too. Im actually a bit of a psychic, I see everything I already like you.
Harriet laughed again.
Why ask my name then?
Even psychics mess up. So, the date? Ill be at Lucky.
Im not meeting you. Youre too cocky, she snapped.
Not trying to persuade, just strongly recommend. Youve got the whole evening.
Harriet drove to the office, bewildered. What was that all about?
The whole day she was a hamster on a wheel, shuffling paperwork as the office prepared for an audit. At thirtythree, shed been divorced for two years. No children; her exhusband never wanted any, even when she pressed. When her younger sister visited with twin toddlers, her husband stormed out, returned angry, and shouted, I cant stand these noisy little things. Tell your sister not to come when Im home. They split without regret.
Back at work, there was no time to think about Glens midnight call. She never took such encounters seriously, especially blind dates.
Harriet, bring me the file you showed me yesterday, her boss called from the doorway, eyes scanning the hallway. Im having doubts
Harriet was regarded as reliable, so the manager piled on tasks, promising a generous bonus. Some female colleagues whispered envy:
Whats she doing that makes our boss, Boris, push her so hard? Were not stupid He even lines up bonuses for her.
Rita, the most vocal, complained, and Tim, the offices unofficial mediator, replied:
Envy is a nasty thing, Rita. You cant calculate anything perfectly. Our boss sees straight through everyones capabilities.
Ah, and you think youre special? The lights shining on you now?
Tim never argued with the women; he just explained things fairly.
When the day finally ended, Harriet exhaled, relieved at the productivity. She got into her car, drove to the parking lot, and, without really meaning to, turned toward The Lucky Café and stopped.
She watched people drift in and out, and near the entrance stood a young man with a bouquet of white roses, halfturned as if waiting for her on the pavement.
He finally faced her, and Harriets breath caught.
Its Glen, my first love! she gasped.
She never saw him again after that.
In school, Glen had been a popular lad in Year 12, while Harriet was in Year 9. Many girls adored him, but he never noticed Harriet because she was younger. He hung out with Liza, the arrogant daughter of the town mayor, who bullied other pupils.
Harriet later mused, I wonder if hes waiting for someone else. I dont even remember his voice. He went to university and left town. I never saw him again. She glanced around the café, curious about who he might be waiting for.
Glen spun his head, clearly waiting for someone, tension evident. Harriet stepped out of her car and approached. When he saw her, his smile broadened.
No mistake, he thought, shes exactly who I imagined.
He handed her the roses.
Harriet, these are for you.
How do you know its me? And that I love white roses?
I pictured you exactly, and strangely you remind me of someone, Harriet laughed. The roses? Pure intuition, I chose white without hesitation.
You remind me of someone, too. I know youre Glen, we went to the same school, I was younger. You never gave me a glance back then.
Harriet, you were our schools top volleyball star. I remember your serves, never missed a point. You were smallmeaning youngerbut I admired you. Your long, lean legs were always there, he said, recalling her from those games.
They lingered at the café until late, then drove off in separate cars, agreeing to meet again the next evening. Their meetings continued, and they both regretted the years lost.
Six months later they married, and a year after that a bright baby girl arrived, followed by a son. They were happy, often reminiscing about school days. That fateful nighttime call had sparked a blinddate romance, even though they had known each other long ago. Life had scattered them, but destiny always finds a way.
