Just the Three of Us: Chapter 4

"Alright then, you lot, stop being silly, "said Graham in his Colonel voice. "Especially you Mikey Meow."

Mike grinned, then yowled like a cat once more.

"C'mon puss," coaxed TJ. "Puss puss puss...let's leave these ladies be now 'fore you start purring.

A blush flashed 'cross Mike's face, then he nodded silently, following the rest of the lads. When they were gone, Carol turned to Julia. "So...how is he then?"

"How is who then?"

Connie appeared then, a curious expression on her face.

"What's going on?"

"I think I'm about to get pumped for information," said Julia.

"About what?"

Julia glanced across the room. "About him," she said softly.

"Ooh! I was wondering things as well."

Julia flushed.

"So what's he like then?"

"Allie? Not you too!"

"We might be old marrieds compared to you chickie, but still like to gossip," laughed Allison. "So spill."

"Lovely," said Julia, a dreamy expression on her face. "Eric's smashing...absolutely.." she paused, sighed a bit, then said; "MARVELOUS."

"Do you love him?"

"Yeah," said Julia bashfully. "I think I do. He told me he loved me. We've been spot on ever since the first day. Totally spot on. He's so kind and considerate, a perfect gentleman. And the most FABULOUS kisser."

"Yeah?" said Connie.

"Yeahhhh..." sighed Julia.

"John's the same. It took a bit getting used to 'cause he's a tall one. I met him one day, when he was pretending to be French or some rubbish. Met Gray and John the same day actually. Gray caught me giggling and pointed me out to 'im. We hit it off immediate."

"Eric and I met the first day I was 'ere in London. I was sitting out on the pavement just feeling sorry for meself. Then there he was. He actually sat there and listened to me, listened to my troubles. I fell for 'im when he hugged me," said Julia. "Smashing hugger. Even when I cried on him, he didn't go yuck and shoosh me off. He just held me. I felt so safe then. It was like in the films.. guy and girl see each other and BANG, you know?"

"I met TJ at Oxford, he was an English major, real poetic bloke, and I was in biochem, total lab rat," said Allie. "One day, a mate of mine told me about this play called Hang Down Your Head and Die, and said it was in the main yard of school, I should come see. So I headed down, dead curious, 'specially of the title being like it was. It was a wild thing that show was, then TJ did this bit where he was a mime. Mimed being boxed in, in a cage like an animal. It was believable. Totally believable. I think he caught me watching him as he did his bit, prowling around like this dangerous thing. Those eyes just zeroed in. And they never left."

The other three women nodded.

"Eric and I...we actually get each other, you know? Understand things. The first night we talked for like hours and hours."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah...did some other things..then went to sleep."

"Cheeky girl! So you did it then?"

"Not IT no. He said he'd wait for me."

"Did he?"

"Aye," said Julia softly. " 'Twas a surprise. And a relief. Only thing is, I think another bloke likes me."

"Who?"

"I think Mike does," she whispered. "I get this really odd feeling round him. I like him too, but I just like him as a friend, see? I don't wanna hurt his feelings, he's such a sweet sweet man. And such a cute one too..it wouldn't be fair, you know, to lead 'im on. I mean Eric's the one that has me heart and all, he's the one that I love."

Carol nodded silently.

"I just, I dunno what to do, girls. Any advice?"