She Loves You

Liam took a gulp of his beer and sighed. He placed the glass on the bar-top in front of him. He caught the barman’s eye and ordered a whiskey chaser. As he poured his drink, Liam continued telling him and anyone else within earshot, how he had split up with his girlfriend.

‘I’ve blown it. We’ve not been getting on well recently. We’ve been arguing a lot. I’ve not helped matters. I’ve been drinking a lot.’ Liam admitted.

‘Like you are now?’ The barman asked with a smile.

‘Just like this.’ Liam said, raising his glass. ‘I just miss her, you know?’

Several drinks later, Liam had progressed from telling everyone around him how he had lost his love, to sitting quietly, going over everything, things that had gone wrong, things he could and should have done differently.

He heard someone call his name. His friend Tommy took the stool next to him.

‘Are you okay, mate? You look awful.’ Tommy said, concern on his face.

‘I feel worse than I look. Did you hear that me and Michelle have broken up?’ Liam asked.

‘Yeah, I heard.’ Tommy said before ordering a pint of beer.

As he sipped his pint, Tommy spoke.

‘I saw her yesterday.’

‘You saw Michelle?’ Liam asked.

‘Yes.’ Tommy nodded.

‘Did you speak to her? How was she? Did she mention me?’

‘You’re still the one she’s thinking of. She told me to give you a message.’ Tommy said.

‘She told you what to say?’

‘She did indeed.’ He nodded.

‘Well? Go on, tell me.’

‘She loves you.’

Liam punched the air, as though his beloved Manchester United had just scored in a cup final. As the barman passed, Liam called out, repeating Tommy’s message that she loved him. The barman smiled politely and continued serving customers.

Liam took a long swig of his beer, nodding to himself. Perhaps everything was not lost. As if reading his mind, Tommy leaned in and placed an arm around his shoulder.

‘She’s still annoyed with you. You really hurt her, mate. She almost lost it. She knows you’re a nice guy deep down, that you wouldn’t do anything to deliberately hurt her.’ Tommy said.

‘Never, mate. Never.’ Liam sighed.

‘You’ve got a lot of bridges to build. You should give her a call. Phone her up and apologise.’

‘I dunno if I’m ready to beg for her to take me back.’ Liam said.

‘That’s just pride talking. Apologise to her. Yeah?’ Tommy insisted.

‘Yeah, you’re right. Liam agreed. In fact, I’m gonna do it now.’

‘Good man.’ Tommy patted him on the back.

Liam reached for his mobile phone and headed for the door, to call her from the quiet of the street outside. As he neared the door, he paused and half-turned.

‘And that’s definitely what she said?’ He asked.

‘She says she loves you.’