Writing prompt: Without meaning to …

Today’s writing prompt and my response.


Without meaning to, she’d arranged two dates for the same evening. Of course, her mind being in a constant anxious whirr of things to do, she hadn’t thought about it until the second ring of the doorbell.

She was in the kitchen pouring a glass of wine for the cute new guy from the office. Since his arrival there two weeks ago, he’d made sure he was in the same meetings, sat next to her, praised her insightful comments and generally let her know he’d like to be her friend. So how could she not say yes to his offer of a film and late supper at the Italian?

So here he was, draped across her sofa waiting for his wine before they caught a taxi to the local cinema.

And then the second ring of the door bell had brought with it a gasping understanding.

The new guy from her gym. Since his arrival there two weeks ago, he’d made sure he was in the same group workouts, that he used the exercise gear right next to hers, and had gone out of his way to praise her muscle tone, and generally let her know he’d like to be her friend. Now here he was, waiting for her slide her muscle tone into the passenger seat of his Audi sports car and be chauffeured away for dinner at a posh restaurant.

She froze, mid-pour. Bugger, bugger, bugger.

The work guy appeared in the kitchen at the third ring. ‘Someone at the door.’

She clunked the bottle to the counter top and made an insightful comment. ‘A delivery. Ignore it. They’ll leave it in the porch.’

The bell rang for the fourth time. She poured the wine, pretending nonchalance, already composing apologetic excuses about being caught up with work-related matters and no chance to call, so very sorry, let’s make another date …

Silence from the door. She breathed again, held the glass of wine out to the work-related matter, who took it and frowned. He peered over her shoulder to the kitchen window, the frown turning to a grin.

‘That delivery guy is great. Look there – he’s waving at you. Guess he wants to make really sure you get his parcel.’

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