“I’m starving,” Sheila declared.
“Me too,” Amanda agreed. “Want to find a traditional Irish pub?”
“Sure, I could use a drink.”
They asked at the front desk and were directed to a nearby pub that they were assured offered amazing food as well as beer. They arrived and were seated at a table not far from the bar.
After they placed their drink orders, Sheila began flirting from across the room with a young man at the bar. He was tall with brown hair and brown eyes.
“He has a friend,” Sheila playfully informed Amanda as she continued trading glances with him.
“I’m not sure I want to pick up a strange man in a bar while I’m traveling in a foreign country,” Amanda half-joked.
“You worry too much,” Sheila replied. “Besides, they’re coming over anyway.”
The two men came to their table and asked if they could join them. Sheila said yes, and their table for 2 became a table for 4. Amanda tried to be polite and keep up with conversation while Sheila shamelessly flirted with both men. Amanda was actually a little surprised by Sheila’s behavior since she didn’t act quite that brazen back home. She’s always been somewhat of a flirt but this was a bit much, even for her. Amanda hoped this wasn’t a prelude for the next 20 days to come.
The men were polite and respectful but Amanda got the feeling they wanted more than she was willing to give and hoped she would be able to extricate herself and Sheila before things got awkward. To Amanda’s relief they merely exchanged contact information before parting ways.
The next day they toured the sights in the city. They planned to rent a car the following day to visit some spots further away. Amanda was thoroughly enjoying her time in spite of Sheila’s overly flirtatious behavior that continued after the pub. If Amanda didn’t know better she would think Sheila was hunting for a husband.
Sheila went through men like Kleenex. Rarely did a relationship last longer than 6 months. She always found some reason that she didn’t want to continue. A few times her reasons were legitimate but oftentimes it was over something trivial. Many times it was simply because she found someone new.
Amanda didn’t want 20 relationships, just one good one. She sometimes found herself feeling jealous over the attention Sheila would get. She couldn’t understand how Sheila could go through 4 boyfriends in a year while she wasn’t even able to snag one. It didn’t seem fair that Sheila could waste so many opportunities while she herself had none. But between working like a dog and caring for her mother, Amanda didn’t have much time to meet new people. She also wasn’t the type to flirt and unlike Sheila, had some basic standards. So while she may have been jealous of the quantity of guys willing to date Sheila, she wouldn’t have wanted any of them.
The next few days in Ireland were everything Amanda had hoped they would be with the exception of Sheila’s vivacious behavior around every man she came into contact with. Amanda just tried to ignore it and have a good time. That became harder to do after they arrived in Scotland.
Within hours of checking into their hotel, Sheila met a handsome man named Gavin who she became rather enamored with when she learned he was somewhat wealthy and single. He offered to show them around Scotland and Sheila readily accepted without even asking Amanda.
At first Amanda thought it wasn’t a bad idea. He was local and willing to bring them wherever they wanted to go. He agreed to pick them up in the morning and the day started out well. They had breakfast at a terrific local diner. Gavin insisted on paying. He then drove them to Edinburgh Castle and paid for their tickets. Amanda was simply awestruck by the historic fortress. She was delighted to be there and kept wishing her mother could see it. She took tons of pictures. As the day progressed, Sheila and Gavin began to grow more and more affectionate and Amanda couldn’t help but groan inside when she looked at them. She began to wish they hadn’t met him as she started to feel like a third wheel. By the end of the day, Sheila and Gavin were completely engrossed with each other.
As they rounded dinner time, Gavin recommended a restaurant. Amanda was hungry so she agreed but hoped they would be able to part ways soon. Gavin and Sheila sat on one side of the table. They were so involved in their conversation with each other that Amanda very well could have not even been there and they wouldn’t have noticed.
Gavin had his arm around Sheila, who was practically sitting in his lap she was so close. The sight of them made Amanda feel nauseated. She didn’t understand how Sheila could be so free with someone she just met. The food was good at any rate and Amanda tried to enjoy it and ignore the craziness happening across from her.
After dinner Amanda said she was tired, hoping Sheila would take that as her cue to break off from Gavin.
“Would you like me to take you back to your hotel?” Gavin asked her.
“That would be great. Thank you.” Amanda smiled appreciatively.
“We can stay out longer, though,” Sheila suggested to Gavin.
“I would love that,” he agreed.
Amanda felt deflated. This was supposed to be her vacation, not her chaperoning two teenagers. And while she didn’t want to be around the lovesick couple she didn’t feel comfortable leaving Sheila alone with a complete stranger.
“Where is the ladies room?” Amanda asked. Gavin directed her to the restrooms and then she looked at Sheila and said, “You coming?”
“Yeah, sure,” she replied and got up to accompany her.
Amanda tried to gather her words as she washed her hands in the sink and Sheila
