Almost Official

by Ruby Reade

  Instead of walking to Jen’s car with Pete, he makes his way over to his own car. I let out a breath and smile. Number one, he can't have seen me fall into the back, number two, he isn't coming tonight and number three, I don't even have to speak to him. Result.

  'Yeah course mate, just meet us there.' Pete shouts over, half hanging out of the door.

  'Why the hell did you ask Kev?' Jen demands as soon as he shuts the door.

  'Babe I was going to be the only bloke there, and he's one of my mates. I can't just ignore him because of.' He nods in my direction. 'Anyway, you girls can sit and chat and me and him can have a couple of games of pool.' He shrugs. I can see he can't work out what the fuss is all about.

  'Fine.' She lets him off, I watch her roll her eyes and smile at him.

  This is what we have come to, me and Kevin, the broken couple. We are the ones that cause awkwardness, dramas and complications when everyone wants to get together. I slump down into my seat. Fingers crossed he behaves like an adult for once.

  'Hey, I forgot we need to pick up Drew on the way.' Pete ruins everything with that one sentence. I could cope just about with Kev there. But Drew as well? All that shopping and new hair cut was pointless. I close my eyes and try to pretend it isn't happening.

  'Babe? Did you hear me?' He asks Jen when there is no response.

  'Of course, I heard you. I am not deaf. I just love the way you offer out my driving services, I get more business from you than a local taxi firm.' She rants hitting the steering wheel. 'And you were never going to be the only bloke there if Drew was already coming.' She catches him out.

  'Please don't be annoyed with me Jen, I just want to have a good night too.' He pleads putting his hands together, pouts his lips and gives the worst puppy dog eyes I have seen.

  'I'm not, I just want to get there and not spend all night driving around.' She sighs rubbing both eyes with one hand.

  'Can I just say I'm annoyed?' I say leaning forward between the two front seats.

  'It's okay Luce, I have sorted it and they will both be on best behaviour and leave you alone. They are under strict instructions.' He assures me looking smug. I roll my eyes at him as he is about as forceful as bunch of dandelion seeds in the breeze.

  'Alright, alright, let's get it over with and see how we get on. Any remark out of place or snide comment then I am going home.' I inform them and sit back in my seat folding my arms. What a nightmare. We pull up outside Drew's house and I already wish it was the end of the night.

  Chapter 30

  Kevin

  Waiting in The Dogs, I get the first round in and make a start on my beer. I might have been better off with a double whiskey for a bit of Dutch courage. Looking at the pint glass already half empty, there might be time for that as well anyway.

  Pete walks through the doors as I look up from my glass and I wave him over. He is closely followed by Jen and Drew, but no Lucy.

  'I got a round in, sorry Drew, didn't realise you was coming.' I apologise and turn away leaving him to get his own drink.

  'That's alright mate, I'll just have the spare one.' He says picking up Lucy's Prosecco and taking a mouthful before I can turn around.

  'No worries.' I smile and grit my teeth. 'I know you like to pick up other people's stuff.' I raise my eyebrows and cold shoulder him.

  During the exchange Jen has grabbed her drink and vanished into the toilets no doubt, that’s where women always seem to go, and Pete has disappeared over to the fruit machines and left us to it.

  I watch Lucy outside finishing off a fag through the foggy window.

  'Don't worry I'm sure she won't be here too long. She gets bored easily.' Drew says in my ear and I can smell the alcohol surrounding him. This isn't his first drink of the day. I see Lucy make her way towards the door. I move to walk towards her when Drew grabs my arm. 'She will hurt you again, it's what she does.' Drew warns before letting go and lurching off. Sounds like Pete was right when he said that his strop last night had sent him over the edge.

  Hopefully Lucy is pissed off with him as well and I can make my move. I nod to myself finally feeling it coming back together in my mind. Also, I can relax knowing that this isn't the sort of place where Amy might just turn up because you can't meet the "right" people, whoever they are?

  Lucy walks inside. I pull up the picture I took from the other day. I can't wait to see her face when she sees it. She waves but doesn't make eye contact. I see Drew roll his eyes and face back to the bar which suits me perfectly.

  Jen walks over to meet her halfway raising her glass at me in thanks as she goes. I watch as they both hug and walk over to the booth.

  'You down here all-night love?' The barmaid leans over the bar and stops Drew mid-sentence to ask me. I love it.

  'Yeah darling.' I reply grinning my most charming smile. Happy with my answer she winks at me and ignores Drew before heading off to the other end of the bar to serve someone else. 'See she likes me, so maybe you should have a crack at her once I've finished.' I say to Drew and raise my eyebrow.

  'Fuck off.' Is all I get before he lurches over in Pete's direction. I pick up my drink and follow him. I am actually enjoying tonight a hell of a lot more than I thought possible.

  After ten minutes of watching Pete and Drew wank over how great fruit machines are, I am bored shitless. I look over to girls and watch them all huddled over in deep discussion. That has got to be more interesting than this. I slowly make my way over.

  'Ladies.' I say raising my drink.

  'Hey.' They all say in unison but don't make any room for me.

  'Do you mind if I sit down? Those two bore offs are driving me mad.' I ask.

  'You could go over and chat to the barmaid. I'm sure she will hold your interest better.' Lucy says staring into my eyes, and I grin. So, she was watching me then. Things are looking in my favour.

  I smile at her. 'Now why would I do that? I haven't said more than five words to her, and then it was to order the drinks. Anyway, I came over to see you didn't I?' I ask. She can't argue with that even though I can see she wants to.

  She pulls a face instead and makes a scene of making room for me.

  'This is nice.' I say wedged between Jen and Lucy not exactly comfortable, and with no elbow space whatsoever. I turn and signal to Jen that I want her to vanish for a minute. It would have been easier to learn Morse code and let her know with that. After much wiggling of eyebrows and head shaking, she finally gets it.

  'I, uhm, I'm just going to check on Pete for a minute.' She says and rushes off without waiting for a reply.

  'So, what do you want then? To wind me up over earlier. Or to let me know just how fantastic you and Amy are getting along? Or just to give me shit in general?' She asks staring across the room rather than looking at me.

  'No. Don't be silly, none of the above. I wanted to talk to you, that's all. What's wrong with that?’ I ask. Before she gets a chance to reply, the others walk back over. I clench my fists under the table. Is it too much to ask for five fucking minutes?

  I take a deep breath as they all squeeze into the opposite side of the booth. Drew looks at me and smiles. I know it was him who suggested coming over to sit down. Even when we were mates, he would do anything if he thought it would stitch me up where women are concerned.

  'Come on boys, let's go and play some pool and leave the girls in peace.' Pete tells us rather than asking. I don't know if it's because he read the situation bubbling between me and Drew or if Jen gave him a look. Either way, it gets him away from Lucy and stops him polluting her mind against me anymore than it already is.

  Me and Pete draw the longest straws to play first. I watch him setting the table and ignore Drew making a song and dance of picking a cue.

  'Mate, seriously. They are all the same. Just take one.' I say when I can't stand it any longer. 'I don't know what the problem is. It's not even your turn yet, and you can take the one of the loser anyway so just put them down.' I want to throw my pint, including the
glass, at his head.

  'Piss off you prick. What's it got to do with you anyway. Concentrate on what you're doing, not me. Why don't you just do one and go and chat up that barmaid. God you are fucking irritating. Always walking around and acting like your god’s gift. Well go and prove what a player you are.' He goads me. I look over to check on the girls who are wrapped into a deep conversation and not paying us any attention.

  'Oh don't you worry about my pulling ability. It's yours that is in question.' I say to wind him up.

  'Drew can you go and get a round in on me mate so we can get this game rolling?' Pete stops what he is doing and hands him some money. I take a breather glad he has gone for minute.

  'Sorry Kev. He said he wouldn't start. I guess it was just wishful thinking on my part.' Pete apologises before leaning over the table to break.

  'Hey, I only agreed to come to try and sort some stuff out with Luke.' I shrug at him.

  'Cheers I'm touched.' He grabs at his heart and then laughs at me.

  'You know what I mean.' I step back and give him space to move around the table.

  'So, what's up with Luke? I haven't seen him in ages. He isn't answering any calls apart from to tell me he is doing stuff with Kate.'

  'I know all about it. I live with them, and yet I barely see them, so you have no chance. I always feel like I'm intruding. It's so uncomfortable and I know she wants me out of there, but I can't go back to Drew's and I can't face going home. I'm stuck being a gooseberry for now.' I say, planning my next shot.

  'Hey. Watch it.' Drew yelps, drinks sliding around the tray when I launch a ball off the table in his direction. It was an accident but I know he thinks I did it on purpose. They say there are no accidents so maybe my evil subconscious took over?

  Pete stands there with his mouth open.

  'Oops?' I say shrugging at Pete. 'I'm off for a fag anyway.' I reassure Drew and pat him on his head, grabbing my drink as I dodge past him. That will piss him off I smile to myself.

  I'm almost at the door when Lucy comes out of the toilet and nearly bumps into me. 'Fag?' I ask. She nods and takes one. She mumbles 'cheers,' as she steps out of the main doors.

  After we have stood there in silence for a minute, I try to break the ice.

  'About us.' I jump straight in knowing I don't have much time.

  'We've both made some mistakes and I think maybe we weren't clear about what we actually wanted, I know you have taken what I said at the beginning to heart, but after two years I thought we were solid, you know? Then I found out about you and Matt and bam it hit me in the nuts. I was pissed off, I was very fucking pissed off, but I hold my hands up and admit I should have talked to you not started off with some other bird.' I stop and watch her slowly inhaling and exhaling not giving anything away. She isn't saying anything so this could be a good sign. At least she isn't objecting so far.

  'You see the thing is, I had to go out with her a few times to know she just isn't you. Because I…' my phone starts ringing stopping my flow. I look into her eyes and know better than to answer it. My phone stops ringing, taking the decision out of my hands.

  'What do you mean you had to go out with her? Are you sure that's not her ringing now?' She asks raising her eyebrows at me. Her face blank so I can't read it.

  'Yes. I had to. That is what I want to talk to you about.' My phone interrupts again forcing me to groan. I grab it from my pocket to silence it, but my Dad's name flashing stops me immediately. I quickly answer hoping he is going to answer my prayers and Amy can jog on.

  'Dad.' I answer. I mouth 'sorry' to Lucy, but she just shrugs and walks back inside. She probably thinks I'm avoiding the conversation, but she has no idea that this call is the answer to us working everything out for once.

  'Right. I'm back now and need to see you tonight.' He tells me.

  'Tonight?' He sounds like he is in a car. What could be so important he needs to see me rather than tell me over the phone or wait until tomorrow? Maybe he has finally been paid from Amy's dad? Or he could have a big contract secured, god knows we could do with that right now.

  'Yes tonight. I'll meet you at the office in ten.' He says, disconnecting without saying bye.

  I poke my head through the door and wave my hands in everyone's direction.

  'I have got to go and meet my Dad. He just got back.' I shout over.

  'Ah that is a shame mate don't worry about us.' Drew says smiling at me and then at Lucy. Prick.

  'See you later mate.' Pete calls out.

  'Bye.' From Lucy and Jen at the same time. I haven't got time to explain to the girls what is up. Hopefully Lucy doesn't think I'm off meeting her, but I'll have to worry about that later.

  I jog back to my car and feel the couple of pints working their way down to my legs. I jump into the car and gun the engine excited to find out what he has sorted. I knew he would sort it out I just wish it hadn't taken so long.

  ***

  I finally make it the office after fifteen minutes and see my dad's car already parked up. He is sitting inside with the lights on, so I run over and jump into the passenger side.

  'Dad?' I ask when he doesn't look at me. He keeps staring at the steering wheel.

  'So?' I prompt him again.

  'Sorry to drag you out tonight but I needed to do this now.' He says still not looking at me. I twist around to get a better look at him.

  'What's that?' I ask and point to a brown envelope in his lap.

  'This,' he says picking it up and finally turning to me, 'is the end to something and the beginning to something new.' He isn't smiling and I am in no mood for riddles. I instantly know he is going to fold the business. We are going to be bankrupt and have nothing. I'll have to sell my car and move back home. They might have to sell their home. Where are we going to live? I can feel my chest pounding.

  He hands me the envelope and I stare at it not wanting to open it. I know this is not good news and wish he had waited until tomorrow or next week.

  'Open it.' He instructs focusing on the steering wheel again.

  I pull the papers out, taking my time. I turn them over. This can't be right? I start leafing through the documents faster. I feel sick and angry. I want to fucking kill him. I can't believe what I am reading.

  'Are you fucking serious?' I shout turning back to him. 'Are you doing this for that little tart you have been shacked up with whilst I have been slogging my guts out for the business?' I throw the papers back at him.

  'What does mum say about all this shit? How can you divorce her now after everything you have put her through?' I carry on shouting at him. My chest is heaving.

  'That's the thing son. She doesn't know yet. I know you will break it to her the right way. I'm going back to the hotel now and going to lay low for a while, but I've always got my phone if you need me.' He drops the bombshell and then tries to reassure me.

  'You're pathetic.' I tell him and get out of the car. I lean back in the window, 'All your life you have made people do your dirty work. I don't need you for anything.' I say and shake my head. He passes me the envelope without a word. I snatch it and walk away.

  Now I am lumbered with letting my beautiful mother know that her twat of a husband wants to divorce her. I hate life.

  Chapter 31

  Lucy

  I resist the urge to run and lock myself in the toilet when Nigel walks through the door.

  'Hey Lucy, how is everything going today?' The slimy toad asks.

  I can't believe I ever fell for his non-existent charm. He isn't even that good looking. There is nothing like finding out someone has a fiancée to change your point of view.

  'Fine thank you.' I answer, hardly moving my mouth. I still have to be polite because I need the money. When I find another job, I will be straight onto his fiancée and let her know exactly what kind of guy she is planning on marrying.

  'Good, good. Miranda? Is she doing okay?' He asks trying to have a conversation without making any eye contact.

  'Great.
Everything is great.' I say trying to will him into leaving, but like all men he doesn't take the hint.

  'In about ten minutes we need to have a little chat.' Oh shit. The last time I heard that line it was from the devil himself and I ended up without a job.

  I have seriously got to stop sleeping with my bosses, it's not a great career plan.

  I'm sure I am overreacting. And if I'm not, I can just explain the situation and work something out.

  Fingers crossed he is more reasonable than Satan.

  'What does Nigel want?' Miranda asks popping up from nowhere. I jump and throw half of my mug of hot chocolate everywhere.

  'Oh nothing, just a chat about how everything is going.' I say as if it's nothing. I'm sure it isn't anything important.

  'Make sure you keep your bum on the chair.' She whispers and winks at me. I just smile at her as she goes off to try and hurry along a group of The Students. She might have a point if I’m wrong and he wants to talk about the unmentionable.

  ***

  'You're firing me?' This cannot be happening. What is wrong with these men?

  'The thing is Lucy, it's a bit difficult for me.' Difficult? How can this be difficult for you? I stare at him, mouth open, waiting for an explanation.

  'So, you're going to fire me even though I have done nothing wrong?' I ask when he doesn't carry on. Arsehole.

  'Look, don't make this situation anymore awkward than it has to be. I thought you knew I had a fiancée and that you understood everything.'

  'Oh don’t worry. I understand everything now.'

  'Don't be like that.'

  'Like what exactly? Pissed off? Upset? Or are you scared I might start crying or something? You know, really make a scene?'

  'I didn't mean it like that. I told her about you, I had to. Obviously, she wants you out of here and I have to respect that.'

  'You told her? What is wrong with you?'

  'Listen, I really like you but, you know how this has to go.'