Curiosity.

That’s the secret ingredient to a fulfilling life. Sure it can lead to some uncomfortable places and experiences, but every now and again you strike gold.

Just as that throwaway gem of a thought passes, the rumblings of a hungry belly bring you to a stop outside of a nicely decorated restaurant.

Olfactory heaven floats on the wind into your nostrils, taunting your unfed belly with the promise of freshly cooked seasonal food.

Since it’s payday and it’s been a good month, why not you think, glancing at your reflection in the gleaming window. Lucky to have picked an accidentally appropriate outfit for work. A little bit fancy for the office and just enough for this place.

Long, flowing Shiraz red with white polka dots. Friendly, cute and confident you think before walking in.

Everything is so nicely done, from the contrast of the beechwood floors to the luscious dark walls. Dark and yet welcoming enough to touch, and so you lightly rub the black wallpaper as you walk through the entrance hall. It’s made of velvet, a thick velvet that feels soft against your fingertips. Perfection!

Not only does it give a certain plush look, you notice that sound has a different quality here. Due to the absorbant thick velvet greedily soaking up both light and sound into its shimmering sponginess.

“Hello madam, may I take your name”

You slowly came back to your senses it seems, just as a trailing fingertip leaves the velvet wallpaper. You ball your hand into a gentle fist, capturing the soft sensation.

“Yes, I, I don’t have a reservation, I’m just passing on the way home” you say still in the velvet moment”.

The waiter must have noticed because he says “it’s real velvet, made from silk. Not this partly or wholly synthetic modern stuff”.

You exchange a knowing smile with him. Inducted into the little velvet club.

“We are fully booked for dinner tonight, but we have a lovely tapas section near the main bar if that suits you?”

Already committed you agree and he leads you through the restaurant, past the small bar and main dining section. You stop at a table close to the main bar, where he hands you both a drinks and a tapas menu.

There’s a man sitting two tables over and he looks as though he had the same idea. Dressed a little too nicely for the office and just about right for this place.

He doesn’t hesitate once the waiter hands you a menu, knowing that you’ll also be eating alone. In one movement he picks up his leather laptop bag and pulls his jacket from the back of his chair walking over to you.

“Do you mind?”

“Aahhh no, go ahead” you say.

“I’m Mark, here for a bite to eat on the way home”.

“Me too, I’m Victoria” you say smiling.

You also can’t help but think that the polka dot dress suddenly seems a bit childish. And you look down at it flowing from your midriff to the beechwood floor.

“You look great” Mark says looking directly at you. He puts his hand on yours for the extra reassurance and the warmth of his skin comforts you. His relatively soft skin and the warm smooth metal on his ring finger. A minor detail.

There is no end to this man’s eyes you think trying to remain composed as the depth of both his eyes and voice conspire to relieve you of your good senses, like two evil little elves trying to steal your underwear. Then he flashes a smile revealing perfectly straight white teeth over lightly stubbled smooth skin. The elves may well be victorious.

You only came for a bite to eat you think as the air swirls around you. The night has been so satisfying to your senses and you have yet to eat or drink a single thing.

But it’s no huge surprise. Your first date night since the end of the pandemic, since the baby was born. All that time stuck in the house, living working and existing together unromantically in a pile of paperwork and nappies.

This is the perfect end, or the perfect beginning.