by Daisy Burton
Sal took a step back and a deep breath. Doug was next to her, but didn’t try to stop her from doing anything. She threw the door open and stormed in, slamming the door behind her. At least, she tried to slam it, but it had a closing mechanism and she almost dislocated her shoulder mid-slam. The pain and embarrassment from that only added to her anger.
“Hello, Maire,” she said as steadily as she could, but it was obvious that her voice was trembling.
Standing with her hands on her hips, Sal looked at the woman who turned around in surprise at the kerfuffle. She was short and couldn’t be more than a size 8, but she had wildly outsized, almost obscene, breasts for her frame. The bright yellow chiffon dress she was wearing barely disguised her tiny waist and full hips. Her long, dark hair cascaded down her back and contrasted beautifully against the yellow, framing a young but heavily made-up face. The bright pink lipstick, blusher, green eyeshadow and black eyeliner all emphasising her big green eyes and long black eyelashes. Her rosebud mouth pulled into a sneer as she realised who was talking to her. In contrast to Sal, Maire’s voice wasn’t trembling in the slightest.
“Oh,” she laughed. “It’s you, is it? Well, you’re taller than I imagined.” Maire had a strong southern Irish lilt to her voice and she was sporting an expression of barely-disguised disgust.
That superior attitude made Sal feel about five inches tall, as it was intended to, but Sal wasn’t going to be worn down by this over-painted floozy.
“What do you want? Why are you here?” Sal snarled.
“Here? Here at the party the guys are throwing for all their support teams?” Maire smirked as she sashayed up to Sal, brazenly holding eye contact. “Here in a big building with hundreds of other people? How do you mean, ‘here’?”
Maire was being obtuse, gesticulating around the room with the hand that wasn’t holding pineapple, as she spoke.
Sal’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t answer. What the hell did Marsh see in her? She was the exact opposite of Sal in almost every way, barring age.
Maire was quite clearly feeling in control. “I’m allowed to be here. I’m Marsh’s girlfriend, y’know. Sure, you don’t know me, but I know ALL about you.”
Sal found her voice. “Oh really? I’d be interested to know what Marsh thinks of that. And I doubt you know much about me.”
“You’re 30, a 34B cup, your mom died two years ago, you’ve a younger sister called Mel who’s a pain in the ass. You’re not keen on sex, like it all vanilla and missionary. Boring as all hell. You’ve completely ignored your man for the past few months, and even more since Jessie had her operation. You’ve put your friend before a fantastic man, you luder!” she snorted. “Still, he’s mine now.”
Sal felt as if all colour had drained from her face. She didn’t know until later that ‘luder’ was an Irish term for idiot and in German (according to Doug) it meant bitch. Either way, it was an insult. That awful sinking feeling she’d had in her guts when she’d first seen their messages, returned.
He’s told her all that about me. Vanilla? He thinks I’m boring?
Unthinking, Sal reached her arm back and slapped Maire around the face as hard as she could.
Man, that felt good.
Sal was congratulating herself when she heard “Bitch!” and a ringing slap landed on her own cheek.
Before she knew it, a handful of her hair had been grabbed and yanked. She screamed out and returned the favour, as hard as she could. Doug ran in, but by then, they were full-on fighting – hair-pulling, shin-kicking wrestling.
“For goodness sake,” he yelled, trying his best to get in between them. “STOP IT!”
Doug was six-foot-tall, solid and pretty muscular so he managed to push them apart for long enough for them to come to their senses. Maire attempted to arrange her hair back into shape, and Sal was nursing her throbbing cheek, her tousled hair covering her face. Doug checked out the red mark on Sal’s face and scowled at Maire.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he hissed.
“Me? Sure, she attacked me first! I’m just here to spend New Year’s Eve with my man.”
Doug grabbed Sal before she could launch herself onto Maire again. “Come on, Sal, the music’s stopped, the boys will be here any second. You’re wasting your time on a cheap tart.”
He put his arm around her to usher her through the door, staring daggers at Maire as he turned. She smiled sarcastically back at him. She had no shame.
They were almost out of the room, when Bud, Marsh, and the others came through the other door. Marsh’s face dropped, followed quickly by a confused expression, then concern and then fury.
“What the fuck…?” Marsh looked directly at Maire.
“Hello, sexy.” Maire purred, flouncing over to him. “I thought I’d surprise you so we can see in the new millennium together.” Smiling, she draped herself around his neck to firmly plant her flag.
Marsh flashed a fierce look at her, and pushed her unceremoniously off him, looking over at Sal.
“Sal… I-I…” he stuttered.
“Marshie?” Maire pouted. “Come on, you said you wanted out. Here’s your chance. I’m here! Look… all yours.” She flashed a length of shapely, tanned thigh by hoisting up the delicate knee-length dress. Marsh didn’t even glance at her.
“What, Marsh? What?” Sal stood hands on hips again, with a pinkened cheek and watering, fiery eyes. She marched up to him. “You want out?! Are you going to say nothing’s going on?”
“Well, I…look, she’s only a groupie.” He looked at Maire, then back in Sal’s direction, avoiding direct eye contact. “No. I guess not.”
Doug ushered Sal out of the room, while Maire stared at Marsh.
“So, a groupie, am I? Maire hissed as she straightened her dress. “Do you fuck all your groupies?”
Marsh ignored her, thankful that apparently Sal and Doug hadn’t heard her, and walked out after them. He left Maire glancing around at the gathered crowd looking decidedly sullen.
“Sal… please.” Marsh reached ahead and touched her shoulder.
She stopped dead and turned around to face the man who had betrayed her so completely.
“You swore you’d never do it,” she managed through gritted teeth. To her annoyance, her chin started to wobble and her eyes were streaming, despite her desperate attempts to stop them. “You promised me you’d be faithful so many times,” she snapped. “You told her I didn’t like sex? That I’m boring? I didn’t realise I was such a shit girlfriend.”
Marsh’s lips pursed as he realised that he’d been stitched up, but he reached to try to put his arm around her. “Oh, Sal, you’re not shit. I’m sorry. She means nothing, ignore her. She just a bitch.”
“Not enough of a bitch that you could resist her though, eh. You should have ignored her, Marsh. I didn’t realise I was so tedious in bed. You haven’t complained before! I TRUSTED you.” Her voice was getting louder to match her pain.
“I swear to you on the girls’ lives, I haven’t slept with her. It’s you that I want. I didn’t mean any of the stuff I said to her. I don’t know what came over me. Please, Sal…”
She wasn’t sure if his pleading eyes were genuine. She didn’t trust her own judgement any more.
“Fuck off, Marsh,” she spat, as she walked out.
11
Doug caught up with Sal as she stormed towards the hotel entrance.
“Sallie! Wait, please,” he spluttered, breathlessly. “Where are you going? How’re you getting home?”
That’s a point.
She wasn’t entirely sure where she was going, or how she’d get there, but she wanted to get as far away from Maire, Marsh, and her comprehensive humiliation as possible. She looked in the main hall where the DJ had retaken his place. She could easily spot Jess’s enthusiastic dancing, and Adam, now wearing a party hat, was shuffling around with his head down in a half-dance next to her. Both of them were oblivious to what had just happened, and she didn’t want t
o spoil their big Millennium Midnight Moment.
Sal looked behind, but to her disgust Marsh hadn’t followed her, so she stood looking at the main feature clock with Doug in the empty hallway. It was 11.23pm.
“Come on, you,” Doug said, putting a friendly hand on her shoulder. “Let’s get you out of here. You got everything?”
She had her handbag with her keys and mobile in it. Her overnight bag was in Jess’s room but it didn’t contain anything she desperately needed.
“Yes… but… midnight? I don’t want you to miss the celebrations because of me.” She felt miserable enough as it was, without adding guilt to the mix for ruining such a kind man’s big night of celebration.
“I’m fine, don’t worry about me.” Doug said firmly, taking charge and leading her outside as Sal began to wilt. “Sod midnight,” he muttered, ushering her to his car, their breath now visible.
Once they’d settled in his car, he started the engine so the heater would eventually take the edge off the cold air.
“Where to now, m’lady?” he whispered with a half-smile.
“I… don’t know…” she managed before she promptly burst into tears. The whole evening had finally caught up with her and even the most basic questions were overwhelming. She couldn’t go home yet, not like this. It was Marsh’s house anyway, and what if he had taken her there?
“I’ll drive around for a bit then,” Doug reasoned. “We can decide as we go - unless you want to sit here for a while?”
“No…. please, go anywhere. Just make it away from this place.”
She found a tissue in her clutch bag and wiped her face, smudging her mascara and wiping away the bit of eyeliner that was left. She yelped when she wiped the part where the smack had landed. That smack that had felt more like a punch, and it was exceptionally painful now. The cold air and tears had made her nose run, so she blew it loudly. Doug smiled gently as he drove out of the car park.
*****
The distant lake was shimmering gently in the moonlight through the trees, and it was only just visible from the car park. If she hadn’t been so upset, it would have been one of those picture-perfect moments that seemingly only appear in films. It was the obvious place for them to go, when Sal thought about it. It was only a couple of miles away from the party and as well as being beautiful, it was likely to be abandoned tonight. Doug looked at his watch and announced that it was 11.46pm. Not much left of the year, century or millennium.
Sal wanted to be as dignified as possible, but her head was foggy. She glanced over to see Doug silently watching her. He was obviously concerned for her and she couldn’t get over how kind he was being. The world was partying and here he was, sitting in the cold and murky darkness with her.
“I feel awful taking you from the party,” she said. “You should be celebrating with the others. The millennium won’t happen again and you’re missing it for me. I’m so sorry, Doug.”
“Honestly? I couldn’t give a damn about the celebrations, sweets. I’m glad to see the back of an awful year, and I’m much more interested in making sure you’re okay. I don’t know what’s come over Marsh, he’s acting like a real idiot. He could’ve handled it so much better. I really thought he would have followed us.”
“Yeah, well,” sighed Sal. “I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t been there. If I’d have found her with no warning ...”
She looked at him through watery eyes, with mascara streaked cheeks. He looked down at his lap, where one finger was picking at his thumb, and smiled a shy, lop-sided smile.
“You’re a lovely woman, y’know, and you helped me more than you know when Annika left me. I’m so glad to be able to return the favour now. You sure as hell don’t deserve all this.” He looked at her cheek with a wince. “That’s going to be a real shiner. Was it just a slap? She’s got a proper left hook on her – it looks like it’s going to bruise.”
Sal reached up and touched her cheekbone, where Maire had hit her, and it felt hot and sore. She wracked her brains to try to remember any time when she’d been particularly helpful to Doug, but she couldn’t recall.
He’d been a mess when his marriage broke up; she and Marsh had invited him round to stay and for dinner a few times, but that was it. She’d popped round to his with the odd casserole to make sure he was eating, as she would do for any of their friends. But this was different and far in excess of anything she had done; he was giving up the biggest night of forever and a massive party, just to look after her. She felt wretched and selfish for wrecking his evening.
He reached over as if he could read her thoughts, he rested his arm on the console between them, took her hand and squeezed it as he looked out towards the lake.
“Fancy a walk? It’s nearly midnight. Might see some fireworks from the open space by the lake, but it’s up to you.”
It was the very least she could do in the circumstances, even in her ridiculous shoes.
“Yes, of course. Let’s do it.”
As she got out of the car, the air hit her like a breezeblock to the face. She huddled, putting her arms around her body in an effort to protect it from the cold.
Doug went to the boot, found a big, thick, fleecy jacket and wrapped it around her. She slipped her hand into his and they set off slowly, with Sal wobbling on her stiletto heels.
As they approached the lake, he took off his digital watch and kept the face lit, within sight. He found a wooden bench, which he wiped with his hand to make sure it wasn’t too wet from the drizzle earlier, and they sat down.
“Two minutes to midnight!” he announced.
Sal felt him put his arm around her and pull her close to keep warm. She rested her head on his shoulder as she looked over the dark water, reflecting the moon that was being obscured by the odd cloud. It was so peaceful…
BANG! A bright light in the near distance shook her out of her thoughts. BANG! PZZZZZZZ…
“Happy New Year, Sal,” Doug grinned down at her, keeping her head resting on his chest.
She lifted her head and smiled at him. “Happy Year 2000, Doug.”
It sounded weird to say that, but she planted a kiss on his cheek anyway and gave him a long hug. She figured that the year 2000 couldn’t be any worse than 1999.
The fireworks were incredible and they were in the perfect position to see them; they couldn’t have been more than a mile or two away.
So many unhappy people are making resolutions right at this moment, hoping to change their lives, Sal pondered. She’d been perfectly happy with what she thought was her idyllic life, up until a little while ago, but apparently it hadn’t been real. She didn’t want to think about it, so she hung on to Doug’s arm as they sat in the cold, watching the display. No resolutions for her.
Eventually, as they made their way back to the car, it started to drizzle again. She was grateful it had held off until then and she huddled closer to Doug until they reached the shelter of his Vectra. It was a dark blue beauty, and he was obviously proud of it because it was pristine inside and out and it had that ‘new car’ smell that some people seem to love. She hadn’t noticed that before.
“So, where am I taking you, then?”
He sounded slightly hesitant at having to broach the subject, but Sal realised she had to go somewhere.
“I know this sounds stupid, but I can’t stand the thought of him taking her to our home. I figure that he can’t do that if I’m there.”
“To be fair, I don’t think he’ll be spending any time with her after that palaver earlier, and I sure as hell won’t let him bring her back to mine. But I can take you home, of course. I’ll drive you wherever you want to go.”
“Yeah… home, I think. Oh god!” Sal had a horrible thought. “Jess and Adam won’t know where I am. They’ve been so kind, I can’t just disappear, they’ll worry.”
“No problem, I’ll go back to the party after I’ve dropped you off, and let them know you’re safe.” His voice was so reassuring that she relaxed a littl
e as he started the engine.
As they approached the home she shared with Marsh and Lawrence, she could see that the living room and main bedroom lights were switched on. She was certain she’d turned them off when she left, so he was obviously back. A lump in her throat reminded her of how awful this was, and how much worse it could get, but she had to go in and face him.
“Here we are,” Doug announced. “Do you want me to come in with you? Make sure everything’s as it should be?”
“Yes, please. Is that okay with you? Only for a minute. In case…” She swallowed hard and rubbed the top of her arm with the opposite hand, as she always did when she was nervous.
As her key turned in the front door, she heard thundering steps on the stairs. They were so loud they startled her.
“SALLIE?!” Marsh all but yelled.
Sal looked around from the front doorway, scanning everything she could see. There was no sign of anyone else. She marched in, closely followed by Doug. Her bravado was in full swing, fuelled by humiliation, indignant fury and jealousy.
“Where is she?” Sal got in first, before Marsh could say another word. “Is she here? If she is, I swear…”
“Of course not,” Marsh interrupted as he watched her search the downstairs. He seemed incredulous – almost offended – at the idea. “I’d never dream of bringing her here, Sal. What do you think I am?”
Marsh was slightly slurring his words and it was clear he’d been drinking heavily. Sal swept through the kitchen, the utility room, the downstairs bathroom, the dining room and back to the living room. No sign of anyone.
“Do you seriously want me to answer that?” she barked, on her way upstairs. “I have no idea what you’d consider to be reasonable now.”
She could hear the two men talking downstairs as she marched around the bedrooms.
“What are you doing here?” Marsh levelled at Doug, the friend who had taken him in when he’d needed somewhere.
“Stop being a dickhead, Marsh,” Doug rallied. He wasn’t going to stand for his friend’s appalling behaviour. “For Christ’s sake, you’re drunk. You’ve broken her heart and you seriously think I’d take advantage of such a lovely woman in this situation? Sit down and shut up.”