by Sue Welford
At her gate, Marie handed him the helmet. ‘Want to come in?’
He shook his head. ‘No, thanks. I’ll toddle on home.’
Marie was looking at him shrewdly. ‘You seem really cheesed off, Drew.’ she said.
‘Yeah. Well, I’m sorry if I spoiled your evening.’
She shrugged. ‘You didn’t. But if ever you want to talk...’
Drew managed a grin. It seemed crazy, Skip’s little sister wanting to act as counsellor. Only she wasn’t his little sister any more. She had grown into a young woman. A pretty attractive one at that. Maybe that’s what he needed to get over Cindy? To take someone else out. Someone who was free and didn’t have a jealous boyfriend whose hobby was bullying people. He liked Marie a lot. Like her brother she had a good sense of humour. She might be just the tonic he needed.
‘Thanks, Marie,’ he said. ‘Look, I’m just going through a bit of a bad time at the moment, that’s all. I’ll get over it, don’t worry.’ He sounded more optimistic than he felt.
‘I hope so.’ Marie turned to go.
He put his hand on her arm. ‘Hey, maybe we could go out some time... just you and me?’
She smiled. ‘You’d have to cheer up a bit,’ she said.
‘I’ll try, I promise.’
‘OK,’ she said. ‘That would be great. Hey, are you going to the college disco on Friday?’
Drew hadn’t given it a thought. He vaguely remembered seeing a poster on the notice board. ‘Er.. yes, possibly ,’ he said.
‘I might see you there, then,’ Marie said.
‘Yeah,’ he said. ‘OK.’
He watched her walk up the path. Before she opened the front door she turned and waved. ‘See you,’ she called.
He stood there for a minute, staring at the closed door. Then he gunned the engine and headed home feeling more lonely and miserable than he had ever done in his life.
7
‘So, your dad will be out soon?’ Skip said.
‘Uh-huh.’ Drew sucked his Coke through a straw. It was Friday evening and the two boys were having a burger directly after college. ‘He told mum when she went to visit him. If his parole goes through he’ll be home the middle of next month.’
‘She must be pleased.’
‘Yes, she is.’ Drew remembered she had come back from the prison with a great big smile on her face. Drew had got mixed feelings. He was glad his dad was being released early but felt full of anxiety at the thought of having him around the house again. It would take some adjusting to, that was for sure.
‘You don’t look as if you are,’ Skip said.
Drew shrugged. ‘It’ll just seem strange, that’s all. I mean he’s been gone almost two years.’ He glanced at the clock. ‘Better get going,’ he said. ‘I’ve got to put in a couple of hours around the hotel before the disco.’ He had decided to go after all. It was no good moping around like a wet blanket. He had to get out and at least try to enjoy himself.
‘You haven’t given up heaving those weights around, have you?’ Skip asked after they had paid the bill and were on the way to the car park.
Drew shook his head. ‘No, but I’m thinking of trying to find somewhere else. Trouble is Max lets me train for free.’
‘Why leave then?’
‘Because I keep seeing Cindy there and it only causes hassel.’ He had already told Skip about the encounter with Carl.
They walked down the stairs. ‘You don’t have to talk to her.’
‘No, I know.’
‘What about Sunday?’ Skip asked. ‘Aren’t you supposed to be meeting her?’
‘Supposed to be,’ Drew said. ‘But I don’t think I’m going to turn up.’
Skip looked as if he didn’t believe him. ‘Yeah, I bet. You won’t be able to resist.’
Drew swallowed. Ever since the other night he had really made up his mind he would do everything to avoid seeing Cindy. It had been hard to refuse when she said she wanted to meet him. But, when he thought about it, it was a stupid idea. He had been influenced as usual by those blue eyes and the way she looked at him as if he was the only person in the universe. OK, so she might still be thinking about that kiss. But maybe she was regretting it. Maybe that’s what she wanted to talk about. After all, she was still going out with Carl wasn’t she so it couldn’t have meant that much to her.
Skip was regarding him shrewdly. ‘Well, I reckon you’d be doing the right thing.’
‘What? Not turning up?’
‘Uh-huh. Look, Drew, Cindy’s really turning out to be bad news. She’s stringing you along. One minute she says she’s crazy about Hickson. Then she kisses you like there’s no tomorrow. Next minute she’s asking to meet you. What’s she up to?’
Drew shrugged. ‘No idea.’
‘Have you ever thought that maybe she really wants Hickson to know.’
Drew frowned. ‘What are you on about?’
‘Don’t you think it’s just possible she’s found out he might be been two-timing her?’
‘How?’
‘Well, you know how rumours get around. She’s bound to hear about it sooner or later.’
‘So what’s that got to do with meeting me?’
Skip shrugged. ‘Maybe she wants to pump you for information? She’s seen you with Marie. Perhaps she’s found out the other girl goes to the same school. She might even want to make Carl jealous?’
‘Skip, she isn’t like that? Anyway, your imagination’s running away with you as usual. She just wants to talk about something.’
‘Maybe that’s what she wants to talk about. Anyway, how do you know she isn’t like that?’
‘I just know, that’s all.’
Skip sighed. ‘Well, it’s up to you, old mate. But if you ask me, not turning up to meet her would be the most sensible thing you’ve done in years.’
‘Who’s side are you on?’ Drew asked.
‘Your’s.’ Skip looked at him. ‘Look, old mate. There’s nothing I’d like better than to see you get the girl of your dreams. But I just don’t reckon she thinks of you in that way.’
‘Yeah, well you’re probably right. It would be crazy to go and meet her. As far as I’m concerned the less I see of her, the better.’
And he meant it.
Later, when he’d thought about it some more, he reckoned Skip could be right. What was Cindy up to? Perhaps she was stringing him along. Since that night in the gym she must know how he felt about her. And her response to that kiss... he still couldn’t forget it. But maybe she had been faking. Just using him. Some girls were like that. Using one guy to make another jealous. But Cindy....? He really couldn’t believe she would do a thing like that. Maybe he had misjudged her. The more he thought about it, the more he decided it could be true.
The disco was in full swing by the time Drew arrived. He had been late leaving work and by the time he had showered and changed it was almost ten o’clock.
He put his jacket and helmet in the cloakroom and headed for the hall. On the way he saw Carl Hickson standing by one of the corridor fire exits talking to someone. His heart sunk. Carl and Cindy were the last people he wanted to see. He’d been stupid not to realise they’d be there. He almost turned and went back the way he had come. Then he took a deep breath. He’d be bound to bump into them again sooner or later. At the gym, at college. He had to face them some time. Now seemed as good a time as any.
When he got closer, he saw the girl wasn’t Cindy at all. She was a shorter, blonde girl of about sixteen. More Marie’s age than Cindy’s. Carl was leaning with one elbow against the wall, looking down at her. Drew saw him touch a lock of her hair and say something in her ear. He felt a sudden flare of anger. Cindy could be visiting her mum in hospital while Carl was flirting around with someone else. If it was the girl from Marie’s school it looked as if that gossip might be true. Didn’t the guy ever think of anyone but himself?
Luckily, a crowd of people began pushing past Drew and he went along with them into the hall. Out of th
e corner of his eye he saw Carl and the girl part company. She went over to talk to a couple of friends and Carl headed off towards the main doors.
The place was packed. Not only were most of the people from Drew’s year there, it seemed half the young people of the town had turned up.
As usual, the different college groups weren’t mixing. All the guys and girls from the technical blocks were on one side of the room, the students from the academic faculty on the other.
Drew stood on tiptoe and spotted Skip and a few of their friends propping up the bar. He pushed his way across the dance floor. The sooner he got out of the crush, the better. He nodded to one or two people he knew then arrived to slap Skip on the back.
‘You made it.’ Skip gave him a broad grin.
‘No, I’m just a cardboard cut out.’ Drew sounded a lot more cheerful than he felt.
‘I’d almost given you up.’
‘Sorry, I was late getting off work.’
He bought a Coke and stood watching the dancers. He recognised one or two girls he’d been at school with. Even an old flame, dancing with a guy in baggy trousers and a vest.
Then the music changed and the strobe lights stopped flashing. One single globe spun above the floor. It sent whirling, starry patterns across the faces and bodies of the dancers. A few wandered off to sit down, but most found a partner. Soon the floor was covered with couples swaying to the soft rhythm of the music.
Drew heard a voice at his elbow.
‘Hi, Drew.’
He looked down to see Marie gazing at him. He felt again that flicker of surprise that Marie had turned into such a great looking girl.
‘Want to dance?’ she said.
‘Er... yeah, sure.’ He put his can on the bar.
He took her hand and led her on to the floor. The song had changed again. Something smooth and slow, a tune Drew recognised but couldn’t put a name to. He put his hands on Marie’s slender waist. She lifted her arms up round his neck and smiled up at him.
‘You feeling any better?’ she asked.
‘Yeah,’ he fibbed. ‘Better now I’ve seen you.’
She looked as if she didn’t believe him. ‘Yes, I bet.’
‘Honestly,’ he said, meaning it. Marie looked even more attractive than she had done when they went to the pub. She wore a tight fitting black dress way above her knees. Her hair was long and loose. She smiled up at him then wriggled her shoulders and folded her body into his. Drew closed his eyes and swayed to the gentle rhythm of the song. He held Marie tightly. Her fingers moved softly, stroking the back of his neck between his hair and the collar of his shirt. Then she ran her hands down over his shoulders and down the muscles of his back. It felt good, made him relax. He was amazed at the amount of tension he was carrying. He could hear Marie humming along to the music. He buried his face in her soft hair. It smelt good, a hint of musk in her shampoo. He couldn’t help it but he began to wonder what it might be like to dance with Cindy this way. To feel her pressed up against him. To feel the softness of her hair against his face...
He opened his eyes suddenly. He’d had an odd feeling someone was staring at him.
There was a couple next to them, squashed in so close the boy almost trod on Drew’s foot.
Drew felt a stab of irritation when he realised who it was. Carl and Cindy.... And Cindy was staring at him over Carl’s shoulder. So she was here after all. He wondered where she had been while Carl was with the other girl.
When their eyes met, she smiled quickly and mouthed ‘Hi’ at him.
‘Hi,’ he mouthed back. He hoped Marie wouldn’t notice how fast his heart had begun to beat.
Cindy smiled again then quickly dropped her eyes. Carl turned to see who she had spoken to. She said something in his ear and steered him quickly away. He turned and glared at Drew. Drew ignored him and once again buried his face in Marie’s hair.
Marie had been watching. ‘Who was that?’
‘Oh... no-one, a friend from college, that’s all. Her name’s Cindy.’
‘She was that one at the pub the other night.’
‘Yeah, that’s right.’ Drew tried to sound casual.
‘Who’s the hunky guy?’
‘Her boyfriend. Carl Hickson.’
‘I’ve seen him hanging around the school gates,’ Marie said. ‘I thought he went out with someone in the sixth form but it’s not that girl.’
‘Yeah, I’d heard,’ Drew said bitterly. ‘He’s not exactly famous for being true to one person.’
Marie leaned back and stared him in the face. ‘You sound as if you’re jealous.’
‘Rubbish,’ Drew pulled her close again. ‘She’s just a friend, that’s all. I don’t like seeing people being messed around.’
‘You’re an old softie,’ Marie said with a giggle.
‘That’s me,’ he said, managing a grin.
He closed his eyes again and tried to concentrate on the music.
When the dance ended he took Marie back to the bar. He finished his drink and turned, leaning his elbows on the counter. In spite of himself, his eyes scanned the dance floor looking for Cindy and Carl. He just couldn’t help it.
He caught sight of them at last. They were standing with a crowd of friends by the door. Then Cindy said something to Carl and disappeared outside.
Suddenly Drew knew he had to talk to her. He had to tell her he’d decided it would be a really stupid idea for them to meet on Sunday.
The music had started up again by now and the floor was crowded again. Carl was no-where to be seen. Then Drew caught sight of him dancing with the girl he had seen him with earlier. Hopefully he would be occupied for a while.
He pushed his way towards the door. He was still a few metres away from the entrance to the girl’s cloakroom when he saw Cindy come out. Instead of going back inside she slipped out through the swing doors.
Drew ran out after her.
It was a calm, moonlit night. The dark sky was clear and dotted with a million twinkling stars.
She was sitting on the wall of the fountain in the middle of the flood-lit quadrangle. She was gazing into the water. Her hair was loose and wild. She wore tight black leggins with Doc Marten boots, a white shirt with a short, studded black leather jacket. Her skin glowed in the lights from the lamps. Drew saw her lift her face to the breeze and close her eyes. He watched her for a moment, his heart thudding. She looked so beautiful he felt a lump come to his throat. Then, knowing time was short, he softly called her name.
‘Cindy.’
She turned swiftly at the sound of his voice. A quick smile lit up her face. Then she grew serious. She glanced over to the door then back at Drew. Closer now, he could see she had shadows of tiredness beneath her eyes
‘Drew you shouldn’t be here... Carl might..’
‘It’s OK, he’s dancing with someone.’
She frowned suspiciously. ‘Oh...? Who?’
‘I don’t know,’ Drew said quickly. If Cindy hadn’t heard the rumours about Carl then he didn’t want to be the one to tell her. ‘Some kid from the High School. Cindy.. look I wanted to talk to you.’
She got down off the wall and stood facing him. Her eyes were glittering with starlight. ‘I think we’d better leave it until Sunday, Drew.’
‘But...’
‘Look, Drew,’ she interrupted. ‘Carl was hopping mad you gave me a lift on your bike. And his Dad told him we were together the night of the fire so if he sees us here together...’
‘Yes,’ he interrupted. ‘I know.’
She frowned. ‘How do you know?’
He told her about his encounter with Carl at the pub.
She looked horrified. Her hand flew to her mouth and her eyes filled with moisture. ‘Oh, Drew. I’m really sorry.’
He shrugged. ‘It was no big deal.’ He didn’t want her to know how angry he had been. How determined he was not ever to have anything to do with her again. It would seem stupid anyway... here he was, not able to take his eyes off her.
.. all his resolutions crumbled away into dust.
‘You know, he could make things really tough for you at work if he wanted to.’ she was saying. ‘I really don’t want that to happen. I’ve told him he’s crazy... that we’re just friends.. he won’t listen to me. He just says a load of rotten things about you...’
Drew frowned. ‘What does he say about me?’
‘Oh.. you know... about your dad and stuff.’
His nostrils flared with anger. ‘Yeah, well he would, wouldn’t he.’
She glanced at him then looked down, fiddling with one of the silver studs on her jacket. ‘That doesn’t make any difference to me, Drew. You know that.’
‘Yeah,’ he said bitterly. ‘Well, thanks for the vote of confidence, Cindy.’
She put her hand out then withdrew it just as quickly. ‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered.
Drew ran his hands through his hair. This wasn’t what he meant to talk to her about at all. He had wanted to tell her he’d decided not to see her on Sunday. That it was a stupid idea... that there would be no point. And he wanted to ask her if she was still thinking about that kiss... if she really meant it when she responded with such passion. But somehow they had only ended up talking about Carl and he had ended up getting angry again.
‘Look,’ she said. ‘I’ll see you on Sunday.’
He was just about to tell her he’d decided not to go anyway when the door opened and one of her friends called out across the quadrangle.
‘Cindy... Carl’s looking for you
‘Just coming.’ She threw him a quick, desperate glance. ‘Drew... I’ve got to go.’
Her shoulder brushed his as she walked past him and back into the college. He sat down on the wall. He leaned forward and put his hands on his knees. He stared down at his feet. Why the hell had he ended up losing his temper? It really wasn’t her fault. It was him who had messed the whole thing up . The last thing he wanted was for Cindy to have a harder time than she was having already. His chest rose in a deep sigh. The stupid thing was he would have settled for her friendship if he couldn’t have anything else. Life was really unfair sometimes.