Moving on to greener pastures!

It has been a week of dinner parties, birthdays and good old friends around for dinner; plus exercise, further connecting with the world and making more new friends! How lucky is that?

Life is full of wonderful surprises.  That is... if the surprises are what we choose to look for. I agree that some are more fortunate than others and that life is not fair. So what is the solution? Let's wallow in our sorrows or try and make the most of what we have? Well, I sure know my answer, let's simply enjoy the moments as and when they come.

It was six months after our first meeting when my producer 'friend' and I met up at our usual rendezvous at Soho house, together with other friends. I was accompanied by Shilda. We chatted to the boys at the bar, going through several cocktails and, as I could feel the sexual encounters with my 'friend' has come to an end, decided to leave with Shilda, to go and boogie in one of the latest 'in' nightclubs. As we walked in and started on the dance floor, I was approached by an Italian, in his thirties inviting me to join him on his trip to Venice.

'Yeah right... As though I would just jump on a plane and go to Venice - for the first time, I might add, with a total stranger who I hardly fancied anyway!' We shortly parted afterwards.

Shilda and I came back from the Ladies where the attendant, like most other attendants everywhere, had greeted me with a familiar smile.

"Long time no see," she had said.

I won't even attempt to remember her name! I always ask and have to re-ask several times over and still... I tend to suffer memory loss with names!  What can I say?!

Anyhow, as I was saying... I noticed a very good-looking 'guy' opposite the entrance, towards the end of the dark club scene, at a table with his male friends, chatting and... having a good time.

He was tall to medium height, with light-brown longish hair, a short beard and dressed in a cool manner; a dark velvet jacket and jeans and I would say... early thirties.

I turned to Shilda, directing my head towards where he was standing and said: "He's cute!  Think I'm going to have my first one-night stand tonight!"

"Oh really? A first?" Questioned Shilda.

"Yep. And guess what? You see the guy standing there? He's gonna be the One!" I said, very sure of myself!

"I would like to see that!" Was Shilda's 'good luck with you' answer.

It was towards the end of the evening, and the place was getting emptier as I sat on the lounge-like seating beside him, close enough to talk.

As he turned around to see me, I said: "I hope we're not intruding at your table!" With the cheekiest of smiles.

"Not at all," he said with a particular accent. I am a sucker for accents!

"Do you have a lighter?" I asked as I held a cigarette to my lips. I must add, I had no idea this was a typical 'chat up' line! I was married for so long!

"Sure."  He lit up my cigarette with a smile and a glance towards 'the' cleavage! A good sign. Then continued: "So, what's your name?"

"Haldita." I answered. "Yours?"

"Grant." He continued.

What? As in Cary Grant? I thought. One of my old-time favourites. But I was not going to confess to that! It would make me sound ancient! Ha-ha...

After some light chitter chatter for a few minutes, the conversation hotted up. So I then asked: "So... What's your fantasy?"

"MY fantasy?" he asked, pleasantly surprised!

"Yes... Your fantasy. Anything wrong with that question?" No stopping me now!

"Can I be very honest?"  he seemed ready.

I nodded with the biggest grin my chin could support.

"Well... I would take you back to my trendy pad, take your top off and nibble on your nipples!" He said this in such a cool manner that made me laugh... As a woman does!

He then continued: "So, what's your fantasy?"

"Well, I'll tell you mine after we've been through with yours!"

And on that note, while leaving, I simply turned around to wink at Shilda as she stood there watching me in a 'you did it girl' look of bemusement. 

Leaving Grant's hungry eyes still on an early spring sunny morning, walking by Regent's Park, was another one of the most liberating times of my life... This was about fun and freedom.

A week later, I texted him: "Just saw the movie 'How to Lose a Guy in ten days'... Guess I lost mine in one night!" lol

And he sent a very heart-warming message which was the end of Grant. Life goes on...

A memory that brings a smile to my face!