Your Turn Next

“It’s nearly midnight and I can’t believe you’re still waiting by the phone”, Ashley’s best friend Kate admonished her.
“I’m younger than you thanks, mum. And our last date went really well, remember? He sent flowers the next day. How many guys do that?”
“Not many. Maybe that should have tipped you off.”
“So, we’re dumping people with flowers now?” "Ashley’s heart sank with the realisation that what she thought was a token of affection was in fact a goodbye.
“I’m so sorry babe”, Kate said softly into the phone. “He would have driven you mad anyway. Wasn’t there some food he doesn’t eat?” Kate continued looking for a way to reassure her friend.
Ashley laughed loudly, “Yes, you’re right. That’s so funny. He doesn’t eat soup. Not because of the taste. Because of the
consistency. He’s happy to eat thick soup and stews and casseroles. It’s the strangest thing. No soup”.
“Well maybe this is for the best then. You can keep eating all the soup and consommé you want”. “You know I love consommé”.
“Aren’t you going to ask why I rang?” Kate prompted.
Oh My God”, Ashley squealed, “Mark finally proposed?”
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Kate replied, mirroring Ashley’s excitement. “It was so romantic too. Down on one knee. The whole works. I felt like a princess”.
“Yass! You are a princess! Congratulations Kate. I am so excited for you both. Do you want me to come over? Haha sorry I mean I guess Mark is over tonight. Is he there now? I should let you go”.
“Thanks, yes, he is staying over tonight. It is wonderful. We’ll have to catch up soon”.
 “Yes, real soon. I need to see that bling. Goodnight, babe. Thanks for checking in on me”.

When Ashley woke and looked at her phone the next morning there were two missed messages from Kate sent five minutes after the end of their
phone call the night before. The first was an image. That’s why you shouldn’t drink gin on your own, Ashley admonished herself as she waited for the image to download. The photo featured, of course, Kate’s engagement ring placed snugly on her finger. The text message that followed it read, “Your turn next”.
“Thanks babe”, Ashley muttered under her breath not thankful for the reminder that among her small circle of close friends she was now the only one who was not yet married or engaged.
Ashley dutifully typed out a text message: “Sorry I missed this last night babe. The G&T Fairy must have put me on the expressway to
forty winks. Lol. How about brunch at Southbank tomorrow? I want to see your engagement ring up close”.
The reply came more quickly than Ashley had expected.
“Sure, Ash sounds great. I’ll pack a picnic. We can meet at the usual place”.
“Our Jacaranda tree? Sounds perfect”. Ashley replied.

“I can always rely on my favourite skinny brunette for a token supply of orange juice”, Kate called out as she saw Ashley approaching their designated meeting spot.
“Maybe you can cut me some slack if I’m your favourite skinny brunette”, Ashley said, handing Kate a large takeaway drink container filled with orange juice before sitting down on a wide expanse of jacaranda flowers and slurping her own.
“Show me the bling babe”, Ashley said, getting straight to the point.
Kate thrust out her hand and Ashley leaned in to make sure she got a good look, “That’s not a ring, that’s a rock!” she exclaimed in mock jest. “Mark doesn’t do things by halves does he?”
“When has he ever. Remember my 30th? Now are you going to help me eat all this food?” Kate asked, as she began unpacking the picnic hamper with a selection of cold meats, cheeses, tomato, lettuce, crackers, pate, bread rolls, a bottle of champagne and two plastic champagne glasses.
“And you wonder why I only ever bring orange juice”, said Ashley as she began to assemble a bread roll on a plastic plate on the ground in front of her.
“You’ll be grazing on the leftovers all week", she concluded.
“Not if Mark has anything to do with it”, Kate responded.
“Why am I not surprised”, asked Ashley. “We’re supposed to be celebrating you here babe so hold these glasses while I open the champagne, since it’s not your strong point”.
Kate did as she was told and held two plastic glasses while Ashley opened the cool champagne bottle and filled both glasses, allowing
them to raise the glasses together before taking a small taste.
“Cheers to you and Mark”, said Ashley happily.
“Cheers Ashley. Thank you for your kind wishes”, Kate replied.
“So, Mark got down on one knee when he proposed?” asked Ashley.
“Yes, he did. I thought I told you last night. It was so romantic. I’m going to cry if I have to give you a blow-by-blow description”, replied Kate.
“Okay okay. If you start crying, I’m liable to start crying too and I’ve done enough crying lately. Besides this is supposed to be a celebration”, Ashley decided.
“Yes, you’re right Ash. It’s a celebration for me and a new start for you as well”, Kate reminded her friend, “no more dead-end relationships that fizzle out after a couple of dates”.
“I’m trying my best”, Ashley felt on the defensive and treated herself to the remaining pate.
“I know you are. But I look at your past relationships and see someone who tends to get in the way of a good thing”.
“Hmm, well that’s one perspective”, began Ashley as she refilled her glass, “You could also say that I have made some bad choices”.
“Then it might be time to make better ones”, Kate offered.
“Point taken babe”, Ashley replied, less than enthusiastically.
“Good. Now let’s get all of this packed up”, Kate said and finished her champagne. Ashley also quickly finished her glass of champagne and
began helping pack the picnic goods back into the basket.
“I’ll be in touch soon Ash. Take care”.
“You too Kate. Don’t knock out some small child with that rock on your finger”, Ashley laughed.
“I won’t. I promise. Seeya”.
“Seeya babe”.
They both headed their separate ways.
 
Ashley’s phone rang. She stopped typing and answered it.
“You better not be at work", Kate said.
“It’s only 7.30", Ashley replied defensively.
“You’re not getting paid for being at work at 7.30, are you?”
“No, but..” Ashley began before she was interrupted.
“No excuses Ash. I’ve got two words for you: blind date", Kate said.
“Tell me more babe", Ashley replied, eagerly.
“It’s all set. I found the perfect guy for you. I’ve even booked a table at that place you love on Howard Smith Wharves. Saturday night at 7”.
“Ooh thanks babe. Greca is the best", cooed Ashley.
“You can thank me by having a great time", Kate replied.

At a quarter to six on Saturday night there was a rapid series of three loud knocks on the door of Ashley’s apartment.
“Doesn’t security pay attention to you anymore?” Ashley asked as she opened the door, revealing Kate, who was wearing a figure-hugging black dress and knee-high leather boots.
“I told them I was your stylist”, Kate joked.
“I guess my make-up artist is running late then”, Ashley laughed.
“I guess so”.
“It’s a good thing I organised the catering”, said Ashley moving towards the fridge. Kate followed her and took up position on a stool on the other side of an island bench which was decorated with small plates of snacks and chips. Ashley passed two champagne glasses from the fridge to Kate, which Kate placed on the bench.
“Cheers”, said Ashley, raising her glass towards Kate.
“Cheers and good luck”, replied Kate, raising her glass to meet Ashley’s. Both took a small sip.
“Properly chilled champagne makes such a difference, don’t you think?” asked Kate. “And nice touch with the glasses”.
“Thanks babe. I learned from the best”, said Ashley.
“Ooh, I love this song”, Kate cooed, “who is it?”
“Wait, by Troye Sivan and Gordi”, Ashley answered. “Isn’t it gorgeous?”
“All the gorgeous. Play it again”, replied Kate.
During the second rendition of Wait, Ashley finished her first glass of champagne and started on her second. Kate, meanwhile, hadn’t quite finished her first glass.
“So, who’s this guy you’ve set me up with?” Ashley asked.
“Oh Andrew, he’s a friend of Mark’s”, Kate began, as Ashley scrolled through her playlist. “He ticks all the boxes, so to speak, so you don’t have to worry about anything. Just relax and have a good time,” Kate explained.
“Thanks babe, I appreciate you”, replied Ashley.
Ashley looked at her watch and said, “Time’s getting away on me, I better get changed. Back in a minute babe”.
“Sure thing”, Kate replied. Ashley disappeared into her bedroom and reappeared wearing a black vest over a red lacy bra, a leather mini skirt, and black heels.
“We better get going. I booked an Uber for 6:30", said Kate as Ashley returned to the living area.
“Trust you to have every single detail covered”, Ashley said, picking up her bag from the coffee table and following Kate out the door.
They took the lift down 10 floors to ground level before waiting out the out the front of the apartment building.
“You’re walking to yours from Greca, right?” Ashley asked Kate.
“I thought it went without saying”, Kate replied.

At 6:55 Ashley walked into Greca. It was instantly familiar to her: the sights, the smells, the decoration, even some of the staff. Every detail served to increase her level of comfort, and most importantly, tonight of all nights, her confidence.
“Jameson. Table for two”. Ashley gave her details to the dark-haired young woman who greeted her on arrival. She was immediately directed towards a private table where a dark-haired man with dark brown eyes was already sitting. He stood up as Ashley approached the table and pulled her chair out from the table.
Gentleman. Tick.
“I’m Andrew. Nice to meet you”, he said in an intoxicating European accent she couldn’t quite pick.
“Don’t screw it up", the words popped out of Ashley’s mouth like a bad dream. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to say that out loud. I’m Ashley.
Nice to meet you Andrew”.
“That’s ok”, he replied. “A little bird told me you aren’t so great at dates”.
“Hmm, I hope the little bird had some nicer things to say”, Ashley countered.
“This is true. And she was not wrong. You are a very beautiful woman", Andrew replied.
Thankyou Andrew. You’re very handsome”, Ashley said enthusiastically.
“Thanks. I can’t believe I’ve never been here before”, he replied.
“So, you’re new to Brisbane then?” Ashley asked.
“No. I’ve lived here all my life”.
“And you’ve never been to Greca before?” Ashley asked bemused.
“That’s what I’m saying”, Andrew replied. “Water?”, he asked, indicating the carafe on the table.
“Yes please”, Ashley replied, and waited as he filled her glass.
They were interrupted by a waiter who handed each of them a menu.
“Can you believe Andrew here has lived in Brisbane his entire life and this is the first time he has eaten at Greca. Unbelievable right?” Ashley said to the waiter. The waiter shrugged his shoulders in response.
“Hopefully it won’t be the last. A negroni for you, Ashley?” the waiter asked.
“Thanks”, she replied.
“And for you, Andrew?”
“Two negronis please”, Andrew replied.
“Any recommendations?” Andrew asked, “since you’re the expert when it comes to this place”.
Ashley laughed in embarrassment.
“Thank you, I think. Since you ask, I can tell you the servings are pretty big so you can share a meal easily”, Ashley explained.
“Perhaps I should just leave it in your capable hands”, Andrew ventured.
“In that case is there anything on the menu you wouldn’t eat?” Ashley asked.
“Not that I can see”, Andrew replied after quickly scanning the menu.
“Awesome”, replied Ashley.
The waiter returned to their table with their drinks.
“We’ve decided we’ll share the oven baked lamb shoulder”, Ashley volunteered.
“Excellent choice. Will you be needing any starters tonight?”
“Grilled Pita with Tzatziki and Taramasalata please”, she answered.
“Another excellent choice. I will be back soon with your bread and dips”, the waiter said.
“What’s on your mind?” Andrew asked.
“To be honest, I still can’t believe what I said when I met you. It was the worst possible way to meet someone”, Ashley answered.
“I don’t mind. We’re here to have fun. Have a drink, eat some delicious Greek food at a restaurant I’ve never been to before. What a discovery!” Andrew enthused.
“I’m glad you're enjoying it”, Ashley said with genuine happiness.
“It’s very Brisbane, very Greca”, Andrew replied casting his hands widely to indicate the location.
“Very Greca?” Ashley repeated as if not quite understanding.
“You know, refreshing. It fits in with the whole Mediterranean vibe they have going here- the food, the waterfront, the humidity. You feel as though you could be on the Greek islands”, Andrew explained.
“That’s an interesting way to think about it”, Ashley said.
“It’s just how I think about it. I feel like I’m doing more than my fair share of talking. Maybe I should ask some questions?”
“Maybe you should”, Ashley answered.
The conversation was interrupted by their waiter arriving with Pita bread and dips which were placed in the middle of the table.
“More drinks?” The waiter asked, picking up the empty glasses.
“Two more negronis please”, Andrew replied.
“Always a gentleman”, Ashley noted.
“Always”, Andrew replied.
I heard that you work as a Personal Assistant. Do you enjoy your job?” Andrew asked.
“You heard right. I do enjoy my job. I wouldn’t be there if I didn’t. Do you enjoy your job?” Ashley asked.
“I work as a Project Manager at QUT. I enjoy my job very much”, Andrew answered.
By the time the waiter returned with their drinks Ashley’s mouth was unusually dry and she wondered if it was because she had eaten more Pita bread than usual or if it had something to do with her nervous energy. She inhaled the negroni and had ordered a third before Andrew was even halfway through his second.
“I’m just going to the ladies. Back in a minute”, Ashley said.
“And leaving me to eat the rest of this?” Andrew asked.
“You’ve been doing a pretty good job so far”, Ashley said, standing up.
Andrew laughed.

Ashley sat down in one of the stalls and fished her phone out of her handbag. Predictably, there was a message from Kate which read, “How’s it going?” Ashley stared at the message for a few seconds and contemplated her reply, “Where did you find him babe? He’s all the gorgeous xo”.
When Ashley returned, the plates had been cleared from the table.
“I hope you don’t mind, I said we were finished with the dips”, Andrew said.
“I had more than enough Pita”, Ashley responded.
“So did I”, said Andrew, “And there was still so much left over. Greca by name, Greek by nature this place”, he added.
“What’s not too like?” Ashley reflected.
“Since I’m the one paying, I think I’ll wait until the bill comes before making any judgements”, Andrew countered.
“We wouldn’t want to get ahead of ourselves, would we?” Ashley responded.
“It all depends on the subject matter in my opinion. Would it be getting ahead of ourselves to talk about swapping phone numbers?” Andrew asked.
“Sounds like a plan to me”.
“Now I have your number I need to visit the bathroom, if you’ll excuse me”, Andrew said, getting up from the table.
 
“Sorry I took so long Ashley. I ran into an old friend of mine, he says he comes here almost every week…but he likes to talk and once he gets started, well you know…Anyway I am sorry”, Andrew explained when he finally returned.
“No problem, I ordered drinks. I hope you don’t mind”, Ashley replied.
“Not at all”.
Their waiter arrived with the main course: oven baked lamb shoulder and accompaniments which sat on a large plate between them. Andrew and
Ashley were also given smaller individual plates.
“I will be back with your drinks in a moment”, said the waiter.
“Ladies first”, Andrew said, pushing the main plate towards Ashley.
“Thankyou”, Ashley replied. She began serving herself from the main plate before pushing it back towards the centre of the table.
“Thanks”, Andrew said. “You cut through that like butter. So tender”.
“You always get perfectly cooked meat here”, Ashley observed.
“I’m sure you do”, Andrew replied, and took a sip of his negroni which had just arrived.
“Wouldn’t it be quicker to put the whole thing on your plate, instead of cutting off delicate slices?” Ashley laughed.
“Of course, it would, but I’m not planning on chewing the bone afterwards”, Andrew explained.
“They might put it in a doggy bag for you if you ask nicely so you can do it in the privacy of your home”, Ashley suggested.
“Is that what you do?” Andrew asked.
“No”, Ashley replied. “How could I eat all of that?”
“How could I? Or are you suggesting we take the leftovers back to my place?” Andrew asked.
“That’s not what I was saying”, Ashley managed to say through her laughter.
“It sure sounded like you were looking for an invitation to my apartment”, Andrew volunteered and took a large sip of negroni.
“Now who is getting ahead of themselves?”, Ashley teased.
“I’m not the one who mentioned the privacy of my home. If that’s not some kind of attempt to get an invitation I don’t know what is”, Andrew said.
“Um, I’m a little disturbed that you hear the phrase doggy bag and hear a pickup line”, Ashley countered.
“To be fair I think that says more about how your mind works than anything else”, Andrew replied.
“I’m so full. I hope you don’t mind if we skip dessert?” Ashley asked noticing a waiter hovering nearby.
“Nice change of subject”, Andrew laughed. “But I couldn’t agree more”.
 
“So can you give your judgement now?” Ashley asked as they stepped outside.
“5 stars. The restaurant was wonderful. The food was delicious. And you are like a bottle of fine wine. The perfect accompaniment”.
Before she could decide if this was an insult or a compliment Andrew surprised Ashley with a lengthy embrace and a kiss on both cheeks.
“It was wonderful meeting you. I’ll be in touch soon”, Andrew said, as they parted ways.