I was going to write something different for today’s blog, but then at lunch time whilst I was innocently pursuing another burger on #harrietsburgerhunt, I was met with a rather handsome looking irishman who I think was trying to hit on me!
This might not sound very exciting to most of you, but it’s the first time that’s it’s happened to me and I’m utterly shocked by it. Not in a bad way, but still shocked non the less. My friends are constantly telling me that guys “check” me out all the time, but I’ve never noticed it. I think I’m too naive in the ways of modern courtship.
Anyway, so it starts with me getting lost. I think a lot of love-related things happen when I make mistakes. I was on my way to Chinatown from Soho, and I stopped by this shop wondering what it sold because there was no sign. There were a bunch of guys inside, and someone came out and asked if I needed help. They seemed pretty annoyed I was staring at their patrons. Turns out it’s a cigar smoking place and promptly hurried away. Worried that the weird guy would be watching me walk away (and judging me) I took a left turn instead of going straight on. This led me past mostly office buildings and another building that had no name. Only this one had normal people eating burgers in it.
You know me and burgers. I’m on the hunt for London’s yummiest burgers! So I decided to go in since it looked busy. In fact, it was packed. There was only one spot left for me, and I sat down with the menu. Across from me was this guy playing on his phone. Our tables were next to each other but the way they were positioned made it seem like we were simply sat across from each other at a rather long table. He looked up and we made eye contact.
I never understand what to do when people make eye contact with you. I hurriedly looked at my own phone, but I have this rule not to look at my phone when sat down eating. I see too many people do this. Even when they’re with dates. So when I eat, I try not to look at my phone. So I pretend to look at it then stop because it looks ridiculous. The waiter comes over anyway and I order a cheeseburger and lemonade. Then I try to look around the place, but I have to pretty much look at the guy sat directly in front of me anytime I do this.
He’s keeping on his phone, but obviously it would be weird if he didn’t look up occasionally and so we end up making repeated awkward eye contact. One one such occasion he decides to break the silence by saying
“It kind of looks like we’re sat at the same table. We should just push them together” and laughs. He’s very handsome. And tall. And has muscles. Geezus. I’m sort of staring and then manage to squick out,
“No thanks!” and hurriedly look back down at my useless phone. I then realise that this was very rude of me, so I look back up and he’s on his phone, but I decide to try and be less rude anyway. Anyway, this is how our conversation went.
“You’re from Ireland right? You have a nice accent.”
“Yeah. And you’re from the north right?”
“Oh! Yes I am. No one’s been able to tell that from my accent before.”
“Ah, no, I’m an actor so I’m used to listening closely to accents.”
“Oh you’re an actor? Is that fun?” I’ve never understood acting but hey ho.
“Yeah, I love it. I’m actually in the theatre production down the road. We have a showing tonight, you should come see it.”
Then my burger comes and we eat mostly in silence except to compliment the rosemary chips and burger relish. Then he finishes first and pays for his meal. And asks for a pen. Before i know it, I have his name, his phone number and his email address on the back of a napkin.
“Give me a shout if you want to come watch the show.” he winks and then leaves.
I actually finished but didn’t want to walk out as soon as he had, so I play around with my straw. I pay the bill and the waiter also winks at me, and says he wishes hot irishmen would give him their number. I also forgot his number was on the napkin later than day when I spilt coffee on my friend, and so I may never “shout out” to Mr Irish actor. Unless I go to his show I guess…?
On a side note. Honest Burger was a very very good burger, and I’ll probably go again. For the burger. And rosemary chips.