chapter 2

Thursday at 8 quickly rolled around and Andrew was eagerly awaiting his “not a date” with Ellen. He was stood waiting outside the bowling alley when Ellen finally arrived at 20 past, making no excuses or offering any apologies for running late, not that it mattered to Andrew. He was just happy that she had turned up. Ellen on the other hand wouldn’t have missed this for the world, she was finally going to get this little creep to leave her alone by absolutely thrashing him into humiliation.

Andrew went up to the counter to check in and claim his pre-booked lane, turning briefly to ask Ellen what size shoes she required.

“Bought my own” she replied, patting the holdall that she had slung over her shoulder.

“Of course,” smiled Andrew



Once they had been allocated a lane, they made their way over and quickly changed their footwear. Ellen also attached her wrist guard and removed her ball from its bag, it was clear that she was taking this very seriously as she walked off to polish her ball. When she returned Andrew had a gift for her.

“I know this isn’t a date or anything but I had these made to mark the occasion” he smiled as he presented her with her very own personalized bowling shirt in a lurid teal with violet trim. It had her name embroidered on the left breast and both of their names and the date embroidered on the back.

“You really shouldn’t have” she smiled through gritted teeth as he slipped on a matching garment.

“Nonsense, it’s the least I could do after you finally agreed to see me outside of work” he said as he chivalrously helped Ellen to don the awful apparel.

Ellen was embarrassed by the thoughtful gift and took solace in the fact that there were no regulars in that night that might recognise her.

“Not to worry” she thought as she set about entering their names into the scoreboard “He’ll get his just desserts for making me wear such a hideous thing.”



“Ooh you go by Ell when you bowl do you?” remarked Andrew as he noticed what she had entered for their names.

“Yup, you know why that is Andy?” she asked as she grabbed her purple, glitter ball from the rack.

She didn’t give him time to answer before scoring her first strike of the evening.

“It’s because I give ‘em hell!”