Eyes continuing to assess the room, I glanced up at the mezzanine, but even that seemed pretty empty. Then, just as I’d begun to relax, thinking that she hadn’t arrived and I wasn’t late, up popped this perfectly petite coiffed brunette head that had to be….

“What the…???”

Mid-thought, I was thrown sidewards with a thump by an, as yet unknown force, and slammed arse-first into the brick wall.

“Ouch!”

Catching my breath for long enough to look up at my assailant, I ogled at a plethora of cleavage that was, quite literally, in my face: okay, I was definitely dead and in Heaven. Several bejewelled hands grabbed hold of my various limbs and pulled me to my feet, as I was confronted with the sight of several blondes, their cleavage packed tightly into (quite obviously fake) nurses’ uniforms.

“Sorry, love,” one of them screeched at me, “we’ve ‘ad a few too many! Eh girls?”

The rest of the Angels [well, what else would you call a collection of nurses?] giggled then, to my utter disappointment, turned on their stiletto heels and swayed off into the night. Composure entirely out of kilter at the sight of so much cleavage, and the hint of the (barely) hidden pleasures under their incredibly short dresses, I stepped back onto the street, letting the night air cool my burning cheeks. Honestly! I really am a sucker for a nice pair of… ‘ahem.

“Come on Sam!”

Snapping myself out of the Holby Titty daydream, I stepped forward into the noise of the cavernous lounge. Another quick glance around the room confirmed that Cat was at a table a few yards from the bar. Biting the bullet again, I decided on a speedy entrance, jogging up the steps towards her booth in an effort to appear casual and smooth, and was about to offer a humorous explanation of my lateness when…

“…remember to call me in half an hour and, if she’s a moose, I’ll make my excuses and leave.”

Cat’s head tilted slightly to reveal a mobile to her ear. I froze, for a split-second not sure I’d heard correctly – did she say moose? Me? As if! Grinning at the idea there was someone out there worse at making dating entrances than me, I quickly interrupted her before she had time to say anything worse:

“Hi…”

Turning her head instantly at the sound of my words, she stared up at me with those beautiful, dusky eyes full of confusion.

“…you’re Cat?”

“Err, yes.”

The confusion turned to sheer panic, her voise breathlessly betraying her embarrassment at being caught in the act. She was gorgeous, even in this predicament. Poor girl… I chuckled inside – I was late and, given my past dating disasters, I could hardly judge. Still, she had called me a moose: she deserved a little playful teasing.

“Sorry I’m late. Can I get you another?” my lips twitched as I tried, vainly, to keep my nonchalant expression.

Visibly shaken, she gasped her reply, guiltily looking at me again with those divine eyes. Oh God! She was so fun to tease! I rolled my eyes in mock-offence:

“Unless you want to make your excuses and leave?”

Again breathlessly answering, “Yes,” she instantly realised her error, that I might think she wanted me to leave, and quickly back-tracked:

” I mean yes to another drink, not that I want you to leave.” Cat gulped as she tried to dig herself out of the deepest hole, which had me nearly in fits. “Can I have a white wine, thanks?”

Finally unable to control myself, I grinned widely and walked to the bar, leaving Cat to her embarrassment, and I shook my head at the ridiculousness of it all. She really was as bad as me! The rest of the date would either end in blissful (and mutual) pleasure or crash and burn, with one of us making a quick exit from the ladies.

I hoped it was the former…