They stayed there until the band finished thoroughly enjoying the evening then on Lily’s invitation joined her party visiting another bar in the same complex. It turned out that Evan actually owned both the restaurant and the other bar.
They got talking. The ladies in one group and the gents in another. Kate had briefed Kerry earlier about the Dinner dance the shopping centre was holding next weekend in honour of the new owners. All stores had a ‘table’ at the function. Kate and Tom would be attending as would Lily and Edward the guests of honour. It was Lily who proposed to Kerry that the band they had just listened to should be some of the entertainment that night as the previously booked band had only recently cancelled. Kate gave a discrete nod so Kerry ran with it. "That's a great idea. They were very good"
The men’s conversation was more centred around football. It turned out the Bill’s firm was a sponsor of Tom and Michael’s beloved Tigers. Bill had a corporate box and invited Michael and Tom to attend as his guests. He said “I would even be able to get you into the dressing room post match”
Tom reluctantly had to say he couldn’t attend “As Kate has a big function on that night, she has been organising for months. I’d be divorced if I pulled out”
“Well that doesn’t stop you coming Michael. Bring that lovely wife of yours. She seems to be getting on well with Margie. We could make it a whole evening. Attend the presidents dinner pre-game. What do you say?”
“Try and keep me away. I think Kerry would be delighted as well she is also a big fan of the Tigers”
Tom was very envious. Much as he enjoyed going out with Kate he knew she would be busy working on that particular evening. He would just be there to be her arm ornament on entry and would barely see her once the function got underway as she would be running around making sure everything was functioning properly. He would much rather be attending the football.
After a nightcap they said their goodbyes to their newfound friends and Michael drove the party home.