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The first drops of rain hit the car's bonnet, and as he glanced at the text icon on the flashing screen of his weathered Razr, he knew he was being used.

The patter of raindrops grew heavier, and soon the hypnotic "whup-whup" of the windscreen wipers could be heard above the incessant rantings of the caller on BBC News' World Service. A hint of a smile played on his lips as he read the text. The game was on.

Just as London needed the rain to quench its worst drought in a decade, he needed a night out to quench a long spell of recovery from his last relationship. The problem was that this girl is currently IN a relationship, albeit a long distance one (ah, the ever intractable LDR)

The Sheep had been getting hints of discontent from her, so he decided to take the bait two weeks ago. He asked her out to the movies. She said yes despite not knowing whether it was a one-to-one date, but the Sheep proceeded to call up some friends to go along anyway.

Now it was her turn to ask the Sheep out, and it looked like it would just be the Sheep and her. Just the two of them. He had left the ball in her court to ask others out, but she either couldn't find anyone else willing to go or didn't want to. Either way, it was looking good for the Sheep.

However, in his heart, the Sheep wasn't sure if he wanted to pursue this. The fact that she was taken was one factor. But a second obstructive factor was that he was broke. Exam failure meant that he had to fork out a substantial amount of money to book a resit course for this June.

And finally, the Sheep did not know if this was just his hormones lusting for a good night out. She appeared willing or trusting enough. She gave the Sheep a lift home, stayed over, and shared the same bed with him. But this wasn't a movie, nothing happened, the Sheep remained gentlemanly throughout. Was she hoping for something more? Or was she just looking for a "good friend?"

The skies cleared the next morning, and as he waved goodbye to the girl, the Sheep knew he was being used. But did he care?