Her Handsome Frog.

Friday morning, and the sun had already risen, as Charlene tapped gently on Bindi-Lou's half-open bedroom door. Bindi-Lou was softly snoring, sprawled across her bed, oblivious to the rays of sun peeping through the curtains. Charlene was nearly late for work, but had noticed that Bindi-Lou was too, she was supposed to be compiling a big project.

"Bindi, you've slept in again, can I come in? Do you want a cup of tea before I get to work? It's past eight o'clock. "

Bindi-Lou emerged from under her bedcovers which were in total disarray. She blinked from all the makeup plastered and smeared into her panda eyes.."What? I feel like a zombie,...Have you got a hangover cure? How can you always look so perfect? Eight o'clock is too early!"

Charlene was used to these comments, it was all quite normal for Bindi-Lou.

"It's part of my job, to look professional. Like my new business suit, do think this skirt is too long? Bindi, look at this disaster! Your room is a disgrace, what did you get up to last night?"

Bindi-Lou looked blank, then said, "I can't remember. I went clubbing, then it's all a blur."

Charlene wrinkled her nose, "It stinks. Gee, there's cigarette butts overflowing. Didn't know you smoked, all of a sudden."

Bindi laughed at this, "Neither did I!"

Charlene came a bit closer to the bedside table, commenting, "There's strange drinks in all these glasses. Look, that one's tipped over on the carpet. That'll need cleaning. But, Bindi-Lou, what are all these tablets next to your bed. You do look dreadful, what are you on? Did you take drugs last night?" Charlene was very suspicious.

"I don't know, the whole night is very blurry, " Bindi-Lou said, as she tried to sit up, nearly fainting. Her skin tone was sheet white.

Charlene sat down to hear the gossip. "Was it a man? Are you okay? Did you bring home a frog or a toad? What did he do to you?" She was very concerned, in case Bindi-Lou's drink had been spiked. She laid her hand on her flatmate's shoulder, really trying to check her pupils, see if they were normal.

"I have no idea," Bindi-Lou gulped,and groaned. She was now sitting up in bed, holding her head in her hands.

Just then, the front doorbell rang. Both the girls were startled. Charlene reacted, panicking. "It might be the police, after these drugs!"

Bindi-Lou whispered, "Oh no, could be the drug squad. Quick! I'll hide the pills, you answer the door, and stall!"

Charlene handed her her gown, saying, "You best put some clothes on, cover up those nudie rudies. "

"Yeah, right," Bindi-Lou muttered, swaying in her robe, staggering round her bedroom, as Charlene left to answer the insistent door bell. The bell chimed again.

Bindi-Lou scooped up the strange tablets, and hid them inside some knickers in her drawer. She might have got herself into a real mess here. She called to Charlene, "Hey, who's at the front door?What are you so happy about? We're both late as it is!"

From the front room, there was the sound of muted laughter, and a pleasant conversation. Then Charlene entered Bindi-Lou's bedroom. Trailing behind her was an archetypal tall, dark, smiling and very handsome stranger. Bindi-Lou stared as she asked, "Who's he?" She forced a weak grin.

Charlene did the introductions, bit late really. "This is Angus. Your handsome frog has turned up again. He says his name is Angus. You two met at the nightclub last night, and you brought him back here for a few drinks. "

Angus smiled again, " Yes, I'm Angus. Don't you know me? You certainly recognised me last night."

Bindi-Lou's face brightened, then blushed. "We were at Uni together, a hundred years ago. Guess I can't handle my grog like I used to!" She was trying for more weak grins.

Charlene did not want to be their third wheel, so said, "Here, I'll empty these ashtrays. Angus must be the mystery smoker."

"Are you working today, Bindi-Lou? I can pick you up in three hours for lunch. Great day for dining al fresco in town. Okay?" Angus was asking.

Bindi-Lou said, "Yeah, thanks, lunch would be lovely. Tell me, did you leave anything behind last night? My brain's still a bit foggy."

Angus told her, "Yes, you know I am a biochemist. I had a few drinks too, and misplaced the new antiobiotics I am developing. They're samples for my new boss. I dropped them here, and put them on the bedside table."

Bindi-Lou responded, "I am so relieved. I thought I must have brought home a real toad. Give me a couple of hours to clean my room, and sober up. Here's your antibiotics. I thought you were the drug squad at the door."

Angus only laughed, saying happily, "Nah, this is mutual fun. See you at 11:30, okay. This is going to be great, trust the magic!"

Bindi-Lou giggled and waved him on his way, "Till later." Then she stared at her slightly trashed bedroom, cluttered with glasses and the lingering aroma of his cigarettes. She supposed she could change some things.

Flinging open the window in the mild morning, she told herself,

"Great. Now I'll have to clean up this room, even with this hangover. Self-inflicted, I guess.' She sighed dramatically.

Just then, Charlene returned to their flat, eager to hear the latest. "What's his story? Are you golng to lunch with him?"

Bindi-Lou looked instantly happier, "Yes, doing lunch. What's with you? I thought you were late for work. Angus is an old mate of mine, from Uni. He's been divorced. It's only by chance that we bumped into each other at the club last night. Did we celebrate, catching up again!"

Charlene picked up the glasses, still half full, then located an empty bottle under Bindi-Lou's bed. "I phoned work to say I was taking the morning off for a health issue. Now we'll tidy up. You need clean sheets too. What are you going to wear?"

Bindi-Lou replied, "Clothes, I guess. That would be a start!"

Both the girls sat down on the bed, and laughed. Charlene was suddenly misty-eyed, thinking of this potential romance for her flatmate. Maybe she should go clubbing more herself.

"How romantic," she told Bindi-Lou, "this might be a fairy tale ending, with a handsome frog. He is cute, ask him if I can meet his brothers."

Now, to this day, Bindi-Lou's story with Angus is still unfolding. Trust the magic, even on a Friday.