The Book Of Love. By � Jax Ferguson. James pushed at the glass door and entered the restaurant. He looked around but couldn�t see her. A Waiter came over to him. �Can I help you Sir?� He asked. �I�ve booked a table for two at 6 �o� clock�� James was going to say more but he was interrupted. �Just a minute, Sir.� The Waiter pulled a Palm Computer out of jacket pocket and began pressing buttons on it. �This really is a posh place here. I hope it isn�t going to cost much.� James thought, as he watched the Waiter press a series of buttons. The Waiter smiled at James as he put the handheld computer back in his pocket. �If you would like to follow me, Mr Bennett, I�ll show you to your table.� They walked across the large dining room weaving between crowded tables all the way to a vacant one by the front window. �I�m afraid your Friend hasn�t arrived yet Sir. When she comes, I shall show her the way.� The waiter said. James ordered a small gin and tonic and looked out of the window, watching the people go by. Then when he got bored with that, he started watching the other Diners. He tried guessing their personalities by their body language. After watching a jovial man bellow at a joke told by one of his friends, James looked up and saw the waiter coming over again but this time Laura was with him. �Sorry I�m a few minutes late. But I had to stay a bit longer at the office after my last client.� Laura said as she sat down. �Do you want to order now, Sir? Madam?� The headwaiter asked. Laura looked at James who shook his head. �No, not yet. In a few minutes though.� �Yes sir. Just call me when you are ready.� The Waiter walked away to facilitate at another table. �Call you on your mobile phone, I presume.� James thought. Then he said out loud: �Laura, this Restaurant is dead posh. How much is this costing?� Laura had picked up a menu and had nearly decided on a starter when James spoke. Now she lowered it smiled. �When your book hits the shops, we�ll be able to eat breakfast and lunch here as well everyday.� �You really think it�ll be a bestseller?� James asked, knowing that he didn�t. �Of course it will. You�ll see.� James looked at his own menu. He decided to have Prawn Cocktail for starters and Chicken Curry for the main course. He flagged down the waiter as he left a nearby table and gave his order. �Laura?� James asked. �I think I�ll have Prawn Cocktail as well and Spaghetti Bolognese.� She still studied the menu for a moment then confirmed that that was what she was having. �And a wine, Sir?� �Chardonnay?� James asked Laura. �Yes, I like Chardonnay.� The Waiter walked away to the kitchens with their order. �How big will the print run be, for my book?� James asked a few minutes later. I�m not supposed to tell you yet, but it�ll be about 90,000 copies. They haven�t finally decided yet.� A Waiter came over to them carrying a tray. �Your Prawn Cocktails, Sir, Madam. Your main course will be brought to you shortly.� The Waiter put the cocktails on the table and walked away. When they had finished the food, James ordered another bottle of wine. �I want to write another book, but I don�t know what about though. I�ve been reading the newspapers seeing if there�s an idea there, but I can�t find one. I use to be so full of ideas, but not now.� James exclaimed as he filled up the two glasses. �Why don�t you write about two people who fall in love over dinner in a restaurant?� �I don�t write about myself, usually.� James said. This made Laura blush. �Isn�t about time that you did?� She said when she had recovered. James sipped his drink then said: �I suppose so.� Then he leant over the table and kissed her� *** James sat at his desk and stared blankly at his computer screen. He was writing about their dinner in the restaurant as a short story, but was stuck. He stared out of his study window for a moment and watched two great tits chase each other from branch to branch on a tree in his garden. He wanted to see Laura again soon. He picked up his phone & dialled her number. It rang a couple of times & then she answered. �Hello. Laura Brown Literary Agents Ltd.� �Hi Laura, it�s James�� �Hi James! Do you want to know something new about your book?� She asked before he could carry on. �Why don�t we have lunch in a French caf� in town? I�ll tell you about it then?� She took the words out of his mouth. �Yeah, ok!� James smiled to himself. �Good, see you at one in the Le Zipp��! Did you want to ask something?� She said remembering that he had phoned up for something. �Umm, nothing. I�ll see you at lunchtime.� *** The street was busy with people trying to find lunch before they went back to their offices, for the afternoon. A great crowd of Secretaries pushed James down the street towards the Bakers like he was a bit of flotsam on a stormy ocean. Eventually he managed to break through & get caught in another crowd of office workers coming out of the bakers. He broke rank & dived into the Caf� before another wave could sweep him past the place again. He looked around & saw Laura standing at the end of a queue waiting to be served. He stood behind her & said hello. �There you are! I saw you go past a few minutes ago & I thought you didn�t know where this caf� was.� �I do. It used to be a butchers & a greengrocers here, before they converted the two shops. I�m on time though.� James said as he tapped his watch. They ordered something to eat & found a vacant table. � Guess when your book is coming out!� She exclaimed as soon as they sat down. She carried on when James shrugged. �A couple of weeks before Christmas! It�ll be challenging for the Christmas Bestseller spot!� � Oh good! It�ll come out sooner than I expected!� James beamed. �How is the book doing?� Laura inquired. �Ok. I started it this morning. I want to ask you something. I should of asked you last night, but�� James broke off as he willed himself to say it. �What?� Laura leaned over the table. �Will you marry me?� He blurted out. He waited for her reaction. He couldn�t have misunderstood what happened last night, could he? Laura smiled at him & took his hand. �Yes. But when the book comes out.� The End.
Links to other sites on the Web
