Bastard

“Where were you tonight?” Her voice wavers.

I know she’ll believe any excuse I trot out, but I can’t be bothered to think of one. I stare at her and shrug.

“We were supposed to go out.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“I waited for two hours. What happened?”

I shrug again. “Something just came up.”

“Why are you smiling? Is it funny?”

I shake my head and try not to laugh. I look up and see the tears have started already. For Christ’s sake woman, get a grip.

“Will you just tell me what happened?”

“You don’t want to know.”

“I do. Tell me. Please.”

“Alright, if you insist. I was waiting at the bus stop. This girl turned up. She was really fucking fit, amazing tits. We started talking, had a few laughs, turns out she works at Krazy Kids, that kids’ soft play place on the high street, had just finished work, closing up, had the keys, so we went back there and I fucked her in the ball pool. It was brilliant. Best sex I’ve had in weeks. So now you know. You happy now? You want to hear what she did to me on the trampoline?”

“Why are you being so horrible? I lo–. I really like you.”

“Well, more fool you then.”

“Is this...?” She’s really blubbering now, snot dripping off her nose, a right state. “Is this it then?”

“Well, yeah, looks like it, doesn’t it?” No, we’re going to get fucking married, what do you think? Stupid cow.

She’s just standing there sniffing. I gesture at the door and flick the TV on. She finally gets the message and leaves.

There’s nothing on and I’m bored. It’s still early, not even nine and I’m in watching shit telly. I call Theresa. Thank fuck, she’s in. Of course I can come over.

It’s less than ten minutes’ walk. Very convenient for nights like this is Theresa. She answers the door and beckons me in. We both know why I’m here so we head straight into her bedroom.

It’s good, as it always is. Can always count on Theresa for a nice, reliable shag, no strings attached.

I light up a cigarette and offer her one. I smoke without speaking, and stare up at the ceiling. I feel pretty good. I glance over at Theresa. She pulls on the cigarette, then exhales slowly, smoke drifts lazily from her lips. She catches me looking at her and raises an eyebrow.

“You’re beautiful,” I say. What the fuck? What am I doing? Jesus. “I don’t know why I said that, sorry.” I try to laugh but there’s a sudden lump in my throat and my whole body is shaking. “I’m sorry,” I say again but it comes out as a gasp, and there’s tears pouring down my face. I ball my fists into my eyes and then I feel her arms around me.

I try to push her away but she pulls me gently down, holding my head to her breast and stroking my hair. She tells me it’s okay, that I’m going to be okay.

I wish I believed her.