Tied in Knots – Chapter 1

It was a Saturday and sunny so I was sitting on a park bench just chilling out. There were people walking past in both directions and I was summing them up. Couples, some with kids mostly. Either going to the shops or coming home. There was a nice buzz in the air. Just then I noticed a guy with a large dog, a German Shepard, walk past. He gave me the eye and I ignored him. Five minutes later he walked past me again. He slowed and his dog came up to me. “Hello boy” I said “aren’t you a handsome devil”. The guy sat down beside me. “Hi, I am Denis” he said “and my friend is Tiger”. I laughed “he doesn’t look like a tiger” I said “but he is a nice dog”.

I said “I am Willow. Do you use your dog to pick up women?” He just smiled. “I guess it is smart” I said “makes you seem nice and caring. Who do you borrow him from?” He looked a bit surprised. “No he is my dog. What do you mean?” he asked but I just said I was joking. “So how about I buy you a coffee?” he asked. It was close to lunch time so I suggested, if he was serious, he could buy me lunch. He jumped at the chance. Guys are such an easy touch. “OK” he said “you choose. Hamburgers maybe?” “You must be kidding. There is a nice restaurant down the street I like” I said “we will go there”. “Oh OK” he replied.

We had a nice meal and a wine. His “hamburger” offer was cheap. If he was going to chat me up he was going to do better than that. “What are your plans this afternoon?” he asked. “I have washing on the line and I have to do the ironing” I replied. He frowned. Obviously he was hoping to try to get something for the cost of lunch. “But I am free tonight” I added. His smile came back. “There is a nice pub on the other corner” he said “we could meet there if you like”. I could tell he was keen. “What time should I meet you there?” I asked. “Say 7” he replied “unless pub food is too low brow for you”. Obviously he was a bit miffed at the cost of lunch. “No that will be fine Denis” I said and said goodbye to him and Tiger then headed home. I didn’t have washing and ironing to do. I thought I would let him stew a little.

At home I rummaged through my clothes.