A Nice Drive

Was this the perfect opportunity to talk to the man of her dreams?

- Steve Beresford

Me! I’ll do it! Me, me, me! Let me!’

That’s what she wanted to be shouting. She was on the verge of jumping up and down and waving her hand in the air, like some over-eager schoolgirl trying to get the teacher’s attention.

But of course that was school. This was work. And Cathy was 37, not 11.

Much more civilised and much less child-like.

And so when the question was asked, Cathy simply said, ‘I suppose I could do it. I’m actually a bit busy, but I can probably catch up.’ Like she’d do it, but only if forced, if her arm were twisted, if absolutely no one else wanted to…

The question, rewinding slightly, was simply: ‘Anybody fancy taking him?’

Fancy being the key word here, obviously.

Dan Hodge was one of the sales managers. The new one and Cathy fancied him. Oh yes, indeed.

They had exchanged words when passing – the majority of which in the beginning had been ‘Hello’ or ‘Good morning’, or some variation on the theme – before they had progressed to enjoy a few proper conversations too. But even then, they mostly spoke about invoices. Other things were said. The weather was commented upon. The television was discussed, along with the ongoing roadworks outside. But nothing really important.

From what Cathy had heard and seen, however, Dan seemed lovely. His telephone manner was the perfect blend of charming and down-toearth and it made her want to know him better.

And then, almost like a miracle, she’d come into work to discover that Dan’s car was in the garage because the ignition kept shutting down. She’d overheard him talking on the phone to the people at the garage and it sounded as if he'd be without his car for at least a couple of days.

Dan had come to work on the train that morning.