Toni’s Blog

Any man would be a fool to pass up a woman like Amanda.  I certainly couldn't.  Now all I had to do was make her see exactly why I wanted her...

The windows of the flat opposite were in darkness.  My watch told me it was almost 6.30.  She was late tonight.  Normally she was home soon after six.  She'd get off the bus at the corner and reach her flat four minutes later.

"What's made you late tonight, Amanda Bennett?" I said to my empty flat.  "It's not like you at all."

I put my binoculars on the window ledge and sat down in the armchair by the window to wait for her.  Ripples of excitement ran through me as I thought of Amanda.  This was to be a very special night - although she didn't know it yet.  I smiled into the darkness, wondering what her reaction would be when she found the package I'd left at her flat...

As luck would have it I didn't have long to wait.  A few minutes later her living room windows flooded with light.  I grabbed the binoculars and watched anxiously as she opened the envelope and took out the contents.  She stood perfectly still as she studied each photograph carefully and then read the note.  It was short and to the point.  Where to meet me and when.

She looked perplexed for a moment, then she frowned and tapped the photos with her finger.  I held my breath.  Her response was very important.  The success of my plan depended on her total co-operation.  She flicked through the photos again before she put everything back in the envelope and threw it on the coffee table.

I smiled to myself.  If things worked out right she'd be leaving the flat in about two hours time.  I kept watching her as she took her coat into the bedroom then came back through the living room on her way to the kitchen.  She paused at the coffee table for a moment and looked down at the envelope.  Her expression was thoughtful but told me nothing, and as the kitchen door closed behind her she was lost to view.

Again I settled back in the armchair to wait.  I guessed Amanda would be making herself a light meal.  Both our flats had the same sort of layout, and I knew she always ate in the kitchen if she didn't have guests.  In fact I knew practically everything there was to know about Amanda Bennett...

I'd fallen in love with her the moment I'd seen her.  It had been raining hard.  One of those deceptive spring days when the morning sun promises a warm summer day, but afternoon showers tell you it's still spring.

The rain had started as I left work and by the time I got to the bus stop I was soaked.  Amanda was near the front of the queue.  Her raincoat had saved her from most of it, but her hair was drenched and her suede shoes were discoloured by the rain.

When the bus arrived she got on quickly and went straight to the only seat right at the back.  I couldn't take my eyes off her.  She was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen.  Not even the rain could hide her loveliness.  Eventually I got a seat and it was all I could do to stop myself turning round to stare at her.

The bus arrived at my usual stop but I didn't move.  We were almost at the end of the route when I caught a whiff of expensive perfume and Amanda passed my seat.  I let a few other people get off after her then I followed.  That evening I found out her name and where she lived.

Next morning I caught an earlier bus to work and waited in a shop doorway until Amanda arrived.  She was with another girl and as they laughed and talked neither of them noticed me behind them.

I was very pleased with how much I'd found out in a few hours.  Yet armed with all this knowledge I was no nearer getting to know Amanda.  I didn't see her at the bus stop again, but I refused to give up hope.  How to meet her, that was the problem.

My chance came as I was glancing through the evening paper.  There was a flat going in the same block as Amanda's.  It would mean forking out more in rent and bus fares to work, but it was a sacrifice worth making.  So I took it as an omen when I found my new home overlooked hers.

Life took on a new meaning for me.  I'd had my fair share of girlfriends.  A couple of them had been pretty serious and I'd had high hopes of settling down, becoming a family man.  Only there'd always been something missing.  When the first rush of love had turned into a comfortable habit the relationship would somehow lose it's appeal.  The spark would dim, the excitement become less intense.  And then it was over.

I was quite happy to admit the fault was usually mine.  Maybe I wasn't the type to settle down with one person for life.  Or perhaps I just hadn't met the woman who could keep the spark alive.

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