Baby Be Mine

as she goes to a well-known picture-agency website. Images start to fill the screen. I peer closely, trying to hunt out Joseph.
    ‘Him,’ I say with a start. ‘Can you enlarge it?’
    She does, but it’s not Joseph.
    ‘No,’ I reply.
    ‘Are you looking for anyone in particular?’ she asks with curiosity.
    ‘Just a guy I met last night.’ I try to keep a straight face, but fail.
    ‘Ooh,’ she says with a smirk. ‘You kept this quiet this morning. Tell me all about it.’
    ‘It was nothing,’ I reply, before having a brainwave. ‘Check out the imdb!’
    The Internet Movie Database lists practically every movie, director and actor there is. We look up the name of the film and scroll down the cast list. A ‘Joseph’ appears near the bottom.
    ‘That one!’ I say excitedly. She clicks on his name and his page comes up.
    ‘Joseph Strike,’ she reads. ‘Sexy.’
    His cast shot is a snapshot of him on a nondescript red carpet. He looks very much like he did last night in a slim-fitting dark suit and a white shirt. Phwoar.
    ‘Did you get his number?’ Lena asks.
    ‘Yes. And he’s got mine.’
    ‘Are you going to call him?’
    ‘No!’ I reply, aghast. ‘He’ll call me if he wants to.’
    She shakes her head at me. ‘It doesn’t work like that anymore.’
    ‘How would you know?’ I ask teasingly.
    ‘I just do,’ she replies.
    ‘No. I’m waiting,’ I say firmly.
    ‘Waiting for what?’
    I jump out of my seat at the sound of Johnny’s voice.
    ‘Where did you come from?’ My heart is hammering.
    ‘Waiting for what?’ he asks again, ignoring my question.
    I ignore his. ‘You’re always appearing out of nowhere and scaring me.’ Two can play at that game.
    ‘No, I’m not,’ he scoffs, coming into the room. ‘Who’s the dude?’
    Lena answers for me.
    ‘Some guy Meg met last night,’ she says with a knowing look. ‘She was telling me all about it.’
    ‘Tell us both,’ Johnny says, sitting down on another chair and giving me a penetrating stare.
    ‘Like I told Lena, it was nothing.’
    ‘Yet here you are, checking him out on the internet.’ He leans in closer and reads the text. ‘Trained in martial arts. Nice,’ he adds sarcastically. ‘Did he show you any of his moves?’
    ‘Hopefully he will when we next meet,’ I reply sweetly, disliking his tone.
    ‘You’re going on a date?’ His eyes widen and he leans back in his chair.
    ‘Why is that so surprising?’
    ‘Didn’t figure you for such an easy lay.’
    ‘I am not an easy lay!’
    ‘Take it outside, guys,’ Lena interrupts.
    Johnny shrugs, then gets to his feet and walks out of the office.
    ‘Bastard!’ I spit.
    ‘He’s just jealous,’ Lena says casually.
    ‘No, he’s not,’ I reply. ‘He’s just a wanker.’
    ‘So,’ she says, smiling at me expectantly. ‘You’re going on a date, are you?’
    ‘Bloody well better be now,’ I mutter.
    ‘You should call him,’ she reiterates.
    ‘Damn you!’ I exclaim, brandishing my finger in her direction. She smirks. I snatch up my phone from the desk and give her a look, then go upstairs to my bedroom.
    I stare down at his number. Should I? Light-bulb moment: I could text him!
    No. Coward’s way out and then I could be waiting forever for him to reply. Bugger it. I press dial and wait for it to start ringing. I’ve been through much worse than this. If he isn’t interested in the cold light of day, who cares?
    He answers almost immediately.
    ‘Meg.’ I can tell he’s smiling. ‘You called me.’
    ‘You gave me your number,’ I reply flippantly.
    ‘How are your feet?’
    ‘My feet?’ My brow furrows, then it clicks. ‘Oh! They’re not too bad. They thank you for being concerned for their welfare.’
    ‘Tell them they’re very welcome.’
    ‘I’ll pass that on.’
    He chuckles. ‘So, are you free this afternoon?’
    ‘This afternoon?’ I ask in shock. ‘I only saw you last night!’
    ‘Why wait?’
    ‘So keen? You weren’t even the one who called me.’
    ‘Would you believe me if I told you I had my phone in my hand and was about to press dial?’
    ‘No.’
    ‘Guess I have to earn your trust.’
    I hesitate, then tell him straight because I can’t be bothered to play games: ‘I can’t meet you this afternoon. I have to look after my son.’
    ‘Bring him.’
    ‘Bring him?’
    ‘That’s what I said.’
    I sigh. Surely it’s too soon to be introducing the family. Could I ask Johnny to look after him? Erm . . .
    ‘I’ll