You've given me rather a problem you see. Because I thought I was in love with a girl and then I met you and then you disappeared and I thought, lucky escape, and then you came back and now I'm definitely not in love with the girl and I'm sat'¦right opposite you. And don't get scared, I can see in your eyes you never thought like that about me but I just want to say that I'm a constructive person and I'm sure there must be some way to use this surge of energy you give me for better purposes.
Like what?
Well, I could write a book, or clean up after you or do you a favour now and again. Because I wouldn't mind see, because you give me this crazy feeling inside.
She stares over my shoulder and thinks for a while, well I guess there is something.
No maybe not.
What?
You see I'¦
What?
You can see she's settled on something when she looks me in the eye and says, There's this cupboard in the house that needs fixing.
And I know that's not what she really wants to say but I'd do anything for this girl, even wait years for her to pluck up the courage to ask the real question so I agree and she whisks me off back to her little apartment and shows me the unhinged cupboard door.
Whilst I'm up there fixing it back on I look at the tins and jars she stores up there, dog food although she hasn't got a dog, jams, pickles, she's a homely sort alright. And all the while I'm working she's pottering around the kitchen making up a pot of tea, smoking a cigarette and sometimes staring out the window. One time she does this and I am gazing at the back of her head, the way the hair falls into ringlets like plant tendrils and she turns sharply and catches me out. Makes me think there is some truth in women having a sixth sense for catching out creeps like me. She glares angrily back and I look humble.

A week goes by dampened by brandy and dry of work and with all that spare time and hangover I have a lot of time to prepare myself. A lot is expected of a man in my profession. A lot of thought goes into being the best you can be. So a week goes by and by the following Monday I have all the necessary ingredients delivered to my door. Tuesday morning at 9am my phone goes off,
David?
Nina?
Her voice sounds water-y, David can you come over.
I play innocent, why's that doll?
Because it's been a while, and the phone goes dead.
Funny lady.

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