The following day, Trisha woke up with the first light of dawn, feeling as though the day held promise. She hastily grabbed a croissant and coffee from the charming French Bakery down the street, her mind buzzing with anticipation for the day ahead.
Eager to soak in the beauty of London, she set off for a stroll along the River Thames, her starting point being the iconic London Eye. As she approached the London Eye, the sun cast a golden hue on the glistening waters of the Thames, and the bustling South Bank came alive with street performers, artists, and tourists snapping photos.
Trisha looked at the daunting queue at the London Eye; she hesitated momentarily, taking in the lively atmosphere around her. Opting not to wait, she continued on her way, meandering along the Thames, where the sound of lapping water and the distant laughter of children created a tranquil backdrop to her thoughts.
Just as she was soaking up the vibrant atmosphere of the bustling South Bank, her phone buzzed in her tote bag, interrupting her musings. Her heart skipped a beat when she glimpsed the caller ID.
“Hello,” Trisha answered, her voice blending surprise and curiosity.
“Hi, Trisha, it’s Sid. How are you?”
“I’m fine, thank you. How’s everything with April?”
“Oh, she’s doing wonderfully. She’s become an invaluable team member. She fits right in, works diligently, and has quite the fiery spirit,” Sid chuckled.
“That’s splendid to hear. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you ever require any assistance in the future.”
Clearing his throat, Sid continued, “Actually, I’m calling because I need two more people for a significant project we’re working on.”
“You’ve come to the right place. I’m currently on holiday, but I’ll contact Andy and ask him to contact you.”
“I’m sorry to disturb you during your vacation, Trisha.”
Her name coming out of his mouth made her heart race. “No worries at all. I’ll have Andy reach out to you.”
“Don’t concern yourself; I’ll contact him directly.”
“All right,” Trisha replied, unsure what else to say, resulting in a brief, awkward silence.
“Trisha, I had a wonderful time at the wedding.”
Blushing, Trisha responded, “I had a great time too.”
Clearing his throat again, Sid suggested, “We should have a business lunch when you get back.”
“Sure,” Trisha agreed.
“How long will you be on holiday?”
“Just a week; I’ll return to work next Monday.”
“Could we do lunch on Friday, then?”
Trisha felt a flutter in her stomach. “Sure, I don’t have any plans,” she replied confidently, a smile forming on her face.
“Well, that’s set then. See you next Friday,” Sid said.
“Yes, looking forward to it,” Trisha responded before ending the call.
Staring at her phone, Trisha wondered if she was dreaming. Had he just asked her out for lunch?
“It’s a business lunch, Trisha,” she reminded herself. “Don’t get your hopes up too high. He said so himself.”
Shaking off her surprise, Trisha continued her walk along the Thames, still flabbergasted by Sid’s unexpected call and the turn her holiday had taken.
https://www.bol.com/nl/nl/p/chai-and-marigolds/9200000102642740/