Faced with the reality of having to say something to Sally, Colin found himself lost for words. Having that pesky journalist Matt standing in the vicinity did not aide matters either. Colin was overcome by selfconsciousness, aware of the wilting bunch of carnations in his hand and the inadequacy of his presence. His palms were sweaty and he could feel the colour rising in his face. He knew his ears were starting to turn red and could see Sally and Matt staring at them.
"Hi," he muttered, and made himself smile. Sally just looked at him, her unwavering gaze making him feel even more embarassed. Shit, he suddenly thought, was something going on with her and Matt? Was he interrupting an intimate get-together? His mind tried to recollect how she had left the volunteer centre earlier that evening and whether there had been some silent communication between her and Matt he was unaware of. Perception was not his forte.
"S-s-s-sorry," he stammered, "I am imposing." And he turned to leave, carnations still clutched firmly in his hand.
"Don't be ridiculous," Sally 's voice broke her silence. "I have no idea why he is here either."
Colin turned back. Sally's gaze was still firmly on his ears, but Matt was now staring at her, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
"I told you why," he said.
"Sure, you said you followed me."
"I did."
"At his request," she said, pointing at Colin.
"My request?" Colin asked. He looked at Matt. What the hell was going on here?
"Yeah, he was worried about you."
Colin looked at Matt. "I was?" he asked. "Why?"
Matt rolled his eyes. "Be-cause," he stressed, "you said you thought she was upset and I should keep an eye on her, just in case_"
"Just in case what?" Sally interrupted.
"Dunno, just in case."
"I did something stupid?"
"Yeah, I guess."
"I am an adult you know. I don't exactly need looking after." Sally's headache was retuning once more.
"Excuse me," Colin put his hand holding the wilting carnations up between them. "I did not say to follow her. I said, if I recall correctly, 'I hope she is ok, she looks a bit stressed out', and you replied 'She's fine' or something similar, and then left as well." Colin emphasised the 'as well', as if this exonerated him from any wrong-doing.
Sally's gaze moved from one man to the other. Her temples throbbed. She closed her eyes and addressed Colin.
"Why are you here?"
"Oh, um, well, I thought, well, I wondered, mmm, err, dinner. Yes, would you join me for dinner? At my mother's?"
"Hey," chipped in Matt, "Can't turn down a proposal like that!" He started to laugh.
Sally opened her eyes and looked at Matt, now doubled over with laughter that had set off a coughing fit, and then back at Colin. She took a deep breath and exhaled, trying to expel some of the pounding in her head. Look at him, she thought, standing there with those ridiculous flowers in his hand. What on earth was he thinking? He cut a pretty pathetic picture, red ears notwithstanding.
"Sure," she answered. "I'd love to."