“12:30 MacLaren’s Pub.”
I stared in wonder at the text message from an unknown number. My first reaction was to reply with ‘wrong number’ instead I decided to have some fun.
“What will be happening at 12:30 at MacLaren’s Pub?”
I wasn’t sure whether I’d get a reply, it took some time, but after a while my phone buzzed again.
“You know what’s going to happen, young lady. We agreed to meet at the pub, during your lunch-break, to discuss your behavior these pasts few days.”
Well, that didn’t explain much.
Again, I should’ve probably replied that this person had the wrong number. The intended recipient might be in some trouble? I shouldn’t make matters worse for them, but I just couldn’t help myself.
“At the pub?”
As I waited, I wondered. Who was this person texting to? What kind of relationship did you have with someone, that you’d meet at a pub to discuss their behavior? Certainly not a parent, you’d tell a child to come home, not meet at a pub. But who else would need to have their behavior “discussed”?
“Of course not. I’ll pick you up there and we’ll go somewhere more private together.”
I don’t know why I didn’t just end it right then. I guess I was just too curious to find out what was going on.
“All right, see you there.”
I arrived at the pub at twelve fifteen, to make sure I arrived before whomever had texted me. I sat down at a booth with a drink and kept my eyes on the door.
The pub was quite empty, not a lot of people came in for a drink this time of day.
At exactly twelve thirty a handsome looking man entered. He looked around as if he was looking for someone and then sat down at the bar.
He ordered a drink and picked up his phone.
Mine buzzed.
“Where are you?”
I didn’t answer him.
Five minutes passed.
“I won’t hold it against you if you’re late, but at least let me now or else you’re in even deeper trouble.”
I realized it was time to end my prank. I decided I didn’t want to get the other person, the one who these texts were meant for, in even more trouble.
Yet I couldn’t stop myself from being slightly cheeky still.
“I’m already here.”
The man looked around and I did my best not to look at him.
“I don’t see you. Are you at MacLarens?”
“Yes. I think you have the wrong number.”
The man looked around again and this time he noticed me looking at him.
I looked down at my drink, but from the corner of my eyes I saw him get up and approach me.
He sat down opposite me.
I smiled at him, not protesting his company even though there were plenty of empty booths for him to sit at.
He looked back at his phone.
“Is this you?”
***
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