Three Men On Tour: 40

We didn’t know where to start, so we started in the first place we came to, which happened to be the lobby. The area was dark and deserted now, with even the lone drinker from the bar having long since passed out or gone to bed. I looked listlessly around at the trimmed velour and pot plants that had faded to monochrome in the darkness. She wasn’t there, and hadn’t been for some time, so I sent Harry out to check the car park while I stood and pondered what a mess I’d made of my life. I’d had a girl who I loved, who made even the most beautiful women fade into the background when she turned up in jeans and a t-shirt, and I’d taken her for granted, ignored her when we sat side by side watching mindless television programs every evening, assumed that I didn’t need her because she was always there.

When Harry came back in with a frown and a shake of his head, I began to realise that maybe she wouldn’t be.

“Don’t worry,“ said Harry. “We’ll find her.“ I caught his eye and saw that he was as worried as me.

“It’s fine,“ he protested at my expression. “All we need to do is remain calm and keep looking. I’m sure we between us we can manage to do the sensible thing.“

A look passed between us.

“Let’s get George,“ we both said together.

George took some time answering the door. When he did, he was in pyjamas and wearing a dressing gown. I half expected him to have a mug of cocoa in one hand, but what he did have was a table tennis bat which he lowered when he saw it was us.

“You startled me,“ he said coldly, “I thought it might be burglars. What do you want?“

“Ian’s fucked up,“ said Harry. “Alicia’s left him.“

George raised an eyebrow. “Well of course he has,“ said George and there was a hint of softening in his expression. “That was bound to happen. How has she managed to accomplish it without actually being present though. She never struck me as one to participate in ‘text dumping’.“

“She was here,“ explained Harry, “and, after a short conversation with Ian, she ran away.“

“He does have that effect,“ agreed George while I stared at the them with ‘I’m right here’ disbelief.

George looked thoughtful for about a minute. Then he harrumphed, and disappeared into his room.

“Oh,“ said Harry. He looked crestfallen. “I rather thought he might have…I mean I didn’t really…“

“Well,“ I said, still feeling sorry for myself, “maybe you shouldn’t have acted like such an arse in the dining room.“

“Me an arse?“ protested Harry. “It was George who made a fool of himself. I was just making a perfectly valid complaint about sticky toffee pudding. Well, if he doesn’t want to help then he can just as well…“

I never got to find out what he could just as well do. With that, the door opened and George emerged fully clothed.

“Right,“ he said. “Have we got a plan?“

George spluttered. I simply stood staring in open mouthed surprise.

“Didn’t think so,“ said George. “Well come on then. We’ve got a fiancée to find.“