Go to The Coffee Corner for take-out on way to shop tomorrow to check out the manager, Stéphan Marcell
Message Stevie Barnes, Steve Berry, Ste Parker, Steve Masterson and Stephen Fitzpatrick
Arrange dates with one or more of the above
Get very drunk tonight. And probably tomorrow night too
Buy bacon for sarnies on Sunday morning. Buy ketchup for Clare
Clare grabbed the list and marched into the kitchen. I followed her and watched as she stuck it to the middle of the fridge with some magnets. ‘This is your rulebook,’ she said. ‘You do not, under any circumstances, deviate from the list. You’re allowed to add new Stevens but you donotcorrespond with or meet anyone who is not called Steven or some variation of. Agreed?’
‘Agreed.’
‘It’s now eight-forty-five. I already look gorgeous but you seriously need to whack some make-up on as we’re off out to meet your man Dr Who.’
My pulse quickened. Was I ready for this? ‘You don’t think it’s too late to go out?’
‘You were the one who wanted to wait. Don’t you dare think of bottling it now.’
‘But—’
‘But nothing. Look, you, there’s no need to be nervous. Auntie Clare’s with you every step of the way. If he’s grim, we’ll leave. If he’s gorgeous, we’ll stay and I’ll help you clinch the deal.’
I smiled gratefully. ‘Okay. Steve Dennison, here we come.’
‘You have an absolute maximum of fifteen minutes to get ready. We need to be in our first pub by quarter past.’
‘I love it when you’re masterful.’ I winked at her as I headed for the stairs.
20
‘I spy a Dalek.’ Clare nodded towards the group of men crowded near the bar of The Old Theatre.It was the third pub we’d tried but there was no way the group could be missed. Steve was easy to spot amongst them, thanks to the scarf and wig. ‘What’s the plan?’
‘We’ll get a drink then do a spot of person watching. See what he’s like and, if he seems okay, follow him to the next pub and introduce ourselves.’
Like any stag do, the group attracted lots of female attention.
