The Hangover

by Emma Nichols

  ‘Bless you,’ he had said, not taking any notice of the value of the gift. She had nodded imperceptibly, aware of his eyes on her as she continued through to the park exit, saddened by his misfortune, and humbled by his grace.

  The short walk from the park to the hotel had been taken in deep reflection, the man’s face being familiar in some strange way. As Rosa approached the shiny-black double-door of the Georgian terraced townhouse, she hoped she had made the right decision. A gush of heat almost took her breath away as she stepped into the foyer and approached the reservation desk. Taking in the understatedly stylish décor, she smiled weakly.

  ‘Can I help you?’ The fresh-faced young woman, with rosy cheeks and long fair hair neatly tied back, appeared from a door behind the desk. Her open-collar white shirt with a, light blue and white, stripped neck scarf, reminded Rosa of an airline hostess.

  Rosa cleared her throat. ‘I’m looking for Ms. Adams, Ms. Eva Adams,’ she said, feeling the adrenaline lighting up her nervous system, and parching her mouth.

  The young girl, whose name badge read, Kirsty, studied the computer screen in front of her, eyeing Rosa curiously as she punched the keyboard. ‘Here we go,’ she said, picking up the phone. ‘Who shall I say?’ she asked, waiting for Rosa’s response.

  Rosa breathed deeply. ‘I’d like to surprise her,’ she said coyly. ‘She’s my girlfriend.’ Rosa blushed, and her eyelids fluttered slightly.

  Kirsty smiled, enjoying the idea of a secret liaison. She looked around the small space, calculating. ‘I shouldn’t really do this,’ she said, in something close to a whisper. ‘203, second floor on the left, it’s easy to find.’ Her eyes directed Rosa to the white door directly opposite the main entrance, leading to the lift.

  A wide grin spread across Rosa’s face and she released a long breath. ‘Thank you so much,’ she said. Kirsty smiled excitedly.

  Rosa’s heart was racing as the lift took the short rise to the second floor. By the time the doors opened, she was out of breath with the tightness in her chest and the pounding of her heart. She stepped into the short corridor, noting the brass numbers on the white painted doors. A light floral aroma filled the space, giving it a fresh, summery, feel. Standing outside room 203, she waited, listening. She couldn’t hear any sounds from inside the room. She raised her hand to knock on the door, then jumped out of her skin as the door to 201 opened suddenly. The invasion, assaulting the silence, caused her head to jerk violently towards the banging sound of the closing door. Her knees tried to buckle, and she was finding it hard to control the shaking in her legs. The resident from 201 had disappeared as quickly as he appeared. She placed her hand on the solid fire-door of Eva’s room for balance, closed her eyes, and focused on breathing deeply, urging her heart rate to slow. As her beat found its natural rhythm again, she stood to her full height, and banged as firmly as she could on the door with her knuckles. As she waited she could feel her pulse starting to race again. Excruciating. She waited. Banged again.

  After standing for several moments, the weight of disappointment started to infiltrate her senses, and her body slumped against the wall. She fought against the rising sadness and chastised herself for the foolish idea. One last time, she banged again, this time louder, and fuelled with desperation. Time seemed to stand still, as the rustling noises from within the room grew louder, making their way to the outside, and then Eva’s voice asking her to hang on. Rosa’s heart pounded at the sound of Eva’s warm tones, and she could barely stand still, knowing the door would click open at any second.

  It did.

  Eva’s eyes widened. She pulled the door fully open and stepped into the space, scanning the corridor, checking for nothing in particular; hoping she wasn’t seeing an illusion. She flicked her fingers through her hair and her head bowed, unable to control the smile, or the heat, that was slowly taking over her face.

  Rosa’s confidence peaked, as her desire for Eva to love her was confirmed by the look in Eva’s eyes, and her fidgeting feet. ‘Can I come in?’ she asked. Her voice was broken as she battled her instinct to pull Eva into her arms and kiss her with all the passion she possessed.

  ‘Sure.’ Eva stepped back, her eyes still avoiding the contact she wanted to make. Her heartbeat had shifted from the relaxed state of a few moments ago, resting on her bed plugged into her headphones, to the fierce pounding that had ignited the neurons in every cell in her body in a matter of seconds. The cause of that shift moved slowly into the room, and placed an overnight bag on the table opposite the bed. Eva watched every muscle carry out the simple operation, transfixed by the beautiful woman. The fizzing sensation in her stomach had sent a chain of messages around her body, all saying the same thing. The fire burned deeply, and she had no intention of allowing it to fizzle out. Rosa turned, and Eva had already closed the space between them. Her irises had darkened, and they were fixed intently on Rosa. Neither of them could be sure whose sharp intake of breath came first, or whose lips were responsible for connecting them again. And it didn’t matter. The exquisite touch carried such urgency and passion that neither woman needed to breathe.

  Rosa groaned as their teeth clashed and their tongues delved, reacquainting them, and more. Something intangible passed between them, then again maybe it had never really left. Rosa’s hands fingered frantically through Eva’s hair, pulling her closer, unable to get enough, wanting more. She had missed the taste of Eva; the sensual and intimate feeling that opened her heart with the quality of her kiss. She’d never felt it with anyone else. There was a raw essence to it that created a feeling of vulnerability, at the same time as being overcome with passion and lust. And, love.

  Eva reached up and cupped Rosa’s face, allowing her to disconnect from the kiss whilst keeping Rosa close. ‘I’ve missed you,’ she croaked, pressing her forehead against Rosa’s, allowing her eyes to close as the scent of Rosa tantalised her senses. She felt like home and there was comfort in that. But, more than that, ‘I love you,’ Eva said.

  Rosa pulled back, so she could make eye contact. She hadn’t expected to see the tears falling down Eva’s face. She brushed them away, running a thumb across Eva’s swollen lips. Rosa bit down on her bottom lip, holding back, giving Eva time; giving them both time. ‘I love you,’ she said, softly.

  The words drove Eva’s eyes to lock on and Rosa gasped. Eva too, felt the sharp pain shoot through her, settling as a warm feeling in her heart. She kissed the thumb that was brushing her lips, and kissed the palm tenderly before taking Rosa’s hand in her own and pressing it to her heart. Moving her other arm around Rosa’s waist she pulled her close. ‘Feel this?’ she said. Rosa could feel Eva’s heart thumping, in rhythm with her own.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘This belongs to you. You make this want to beat.’ Eva said.

  Rosa froze as the responsibility implied in the statement hit her in the solar plexus. How could she have doubted Eva’s love for her? As she looked into Eva’s impassioned eyes, it dawned on her. Eva seemed stronger in some way. She couldn’t identify what it was, but it was exceptionally alluring, and driving her sex crazy with desire. She moved her hand a fraction, her fingers brushing across Eva’s erect nipple. Heat rose to her cheeks, and the blaze in her lower region intensified at the feeling of the tight bud against her fingers.

  Eva groaned at the pulsing sensation shooting between her nipple and her clit. With the concentration of energy driving all conscious thought from her mind, her hands set to work. There was no time for finesse; this feeling was raw, fierce and in need of satiating. Clothes lay where they fell, as Eva manoeuvred Rosa to the bed, their mouths desperately searching, probing. Eva groaned as she entered Rosa, totally absorbed in the feeling of soft flesh, yielding effortlessly to her inquisitive fingers. She needed to penetrate Rosa deeper. She needed to delve into her soul.

  Rosa cried out, as the exquisite sensation started to build, causing her hips to rise, craving more. She could feel herself opening to Eva’s touch, but she wanted to feel
her lover too. Suddenly thrashing wildly, Eva backed off in surprise, far enough for Rosa to slide down the bed and find the heat she sought. As she penetrated Eva again and again, Eva collapsed under the flood of sensation coursing through her.

  Eva’s mouth captured Rosa’s breast, causing her to writhe beneath her, but the steady rhythmical thrusts into her own sex were causing Eva to lose the relationship between her mind and body. She struggled to coordinate her hands and mouth as wave after wave flooded her system and rendered her motionless. The flaming intensified, and Eva screamed out as the orgasm peaked and her hips bucked against the strong fingers inside her. ‘Fuck!’ she screamed repeatedly, while her body continued to reel from the aftershocks. Opening her eyes, she locked on to Rosa’s dark stare, her fingers resuming their place inside the beautiful woman lying beneath her.

  Rosa’s eyes remained open, her teeth biting down on her lower lip, completely entranced by the tingling warmth building at Eva’s deft touch. The scream that emanated was of a lower pitch, guttural, and it resonated with something deep inside Eva. That same shooting pain she experienced earlier penetrated her heart again and settled, with glowing warmth. She lowered herself onto Rosa. Rosa’s residual shocks continued to play out on the leg Eva had resting between her thighs.

  Rosa wrapped her arms around Eva and held her tightly, their bodies connected along their length. ‘Want to talk?’ Rosa asked.

  ‘In the morning,’ Eva responded, snuggling into Rosa’s breast. ‘I haven’t finished with you yet,’ she growled.

  24.

  Eva stepped out of the bathroom, tiptoed across the room, and threw on her jeans, t-shirt and jumper. She scribbled a note and left it on the bedside table. It was still early, and she didn’t want to disturb Rosa. She took stock of the wavy mass of hair and distinctive Italian features, and smiled. The void had been filled, and she hoped it would be a permanent feeling. They would talk later. But for now, she had work to do. Pulling on her coat she closed the door quietly behind her. She walked on air, from the hotel down to Marble Arch, collecting the boys’ early morning drinks from Caffe Nero’s as she passed by. As she approached Ed, he looked uncharacteristically downcast. He sat, running his fingers rhythmically through Marco’s scraggly coat, his eyes fixed longingly on his scruffy companion. She handed him the cup with his name on it. ‘Everything okay?’ she asked, sensing things weren’t at all okay. She placed the bag of croissants on the floor beside him, Marco’s nose twitching at the scent drifting past him. Her heart was beginning to race with her thoughts latching onto Ed’s concerned features.

  ‘Old Jaffi,’ he said in a whisper, cupping the drink, and sipping from it before he continued. Eva’s heart skipped a beat. ‘Ambulance took him away last night.’

  ‘What happened?’ Eva’s genuine concern for the old man she’d come to know appeared in the lines that had formed on her face.

  ‘Dunno. No one’s said nothing,’ Ed said looking up, his eyes glistening from his own disconcerting thoughts.

  ‘Where’re George and Phil?’ Eva asked, her eyes scanning the still dark street, trying to spot their silhouettes near the lampposts.

  ‘Phil’s pitched over there.’ He pointed down the road leading to the park. ‘And George’s gone over Peckham way for a bit.’

  ‘Oh.’ Eva’s voice betrayed her surprise. They hadn’t said anything about moving on, but then she guessed they probably never did. She plonked herself down next to the young boy feeling as deserted as he must have felt, and sipped at George’s latte, grimacing as the thick sticky drink worked its way slowly down her throat, leaving a film of grease on her tongue. She winced. ‘What about you?’ she asked.

  ‘What?’

  ‘What will you do?’

  Ed scanned the street, up and down, and sighed. His long blonde hair was as straggly as his dog’s. He had a strong jaw line, and beneath the scruffy, worn out clothes, laid a toned, athletic form. ‘Nothin,’ He sipped from the cup in his hands. Marco didn’t even twitch, and remained curled up at his side. Eva watched the pair with interest. She wanted to ask questions, but didn’t have the courage to broach a personal topic with this stranger. She sat for a while, reluctantly finishing the milky coffee, staring out at the early morning passers-by.

  ‘I’ll see if I can find out where Jaffi is,’ she said. Ed nodded and reached inside the bag for the food. ‘I’ll pop back later.’ Eva stood, leaving Phil’s tea for Ed to drink.

  ‘Thanks for breakfast,’ he responded, but Eva was out of earshot, buried in the noise of the early morning traffic.

  *

  Eva crossed the wooden floor of the hotel sitting room and beamed a smile at Rosa resting on the deep-set couch. The heat from the fire created a soft glow in her cheeks, deepening her naturally tanned skin. ‘Hi.’ The movie of their night together filtered through her mind as she locked onto Rosa’s gaze. Rosa noted the time on the clock above the fireplace. Eva had returned as she said she would, 11am on the dot.

  Rosa reached up, grabbed Eva’s hand, and pulled her down. Rosa jolted slightly as the cold lips met her warm skin. ‘Hi,’ she said, clearing her throat. She cupped Eva’s chilled cheeks in her warm hands.

  A hungry moan escaped, before Eva silenced herself by taking Rosa’s mouth with her own. The soft warmth of Rosa’s lips had already triggered heat in other areas of her body. She pulled back. ‘Have you had breakfast?’ she asked.

  ‘Some. You?’

  ‘Kind of,’ Eva said, not meaning to be evasive. She swivelled around and sat down on the couch, next to Rosa.

  ‘Want to tell me about it?’ Rosa asked in a serious tone.

  Eva nodded then began to speak.

  By the time she had finished Rosa had stopped trying to hold back the tears and let them flow. Tears of joy, merged with tears carrying the deepest sense of grief, as Eva explained all that had happened and all that she had discovered in the last few weeks. ‘I’m so sorry,’ Rosa said, rubbing her thumb over the hand she was holding. Eva shrugged trying to shake off the truth, but her eyes were glassy. She pulled Rosa into her arms and held her tightly.

  ‘I don’t know where else to look?’ Eva confessed, kissing the top of Rosa’s head that was resting in her shoulder.

  Rosa pulled away and sat upright. ‘I’ve got to head back first thing tomorrow, but I can help.’ Eva traced the fine features of Rosa’s face with a tender touch that connected them both. ‘Do you have a picture?’ she asked, suddenly filled with a sense of purpose.

  Eva pulled out the image and handed it over. Rosa’s hand cupped her mouth. Eva’s eyes dropped to Rosa’s fingers wrapped around the image. She had been shocked too when Mitch had given her the pictures. ‘You look… so, similar,’ Rosa said, her eyes scanning repeatedly between the photo and Eva. Eva released the breath she had been holding, pleased that Rosa hadn’t negatively judged the man’s shoddy appearance. Rosa traced the printed features with her index finger, as if trying to connect to some energetic source that would reunite this man with his daughter. Whether it was her mind playing tricks on her, or her overwhelming desire to help Eva, something about the man she had passed on her walk from the station to the hotel niggled at the back of her mind. There must be hundreds of men sleeping rough, and many more places Eva’s father might have moved on to. She studied the picture again, imagining what his voice might sound like, trying to compare it with the timbre of the man in the park. When she looked back towards Eva, she was convinced it was David Adams. ‘I think I saw this man last night.’

  Eva’s eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. ‘What? Where?’

  ‘Hyde Park. He was sitting on a bench. I gave him some money,’ she said, as Eva jumped to her feet and pulled Rosa with her. Rosa could feel the twisting in her gut and hoped that she wasn’t wrong.

  ‘You coming with me?’ Eva asked, holding Rosa’s hand firmly.

  ‘Would you like…?’ The firm kiss to her lips gave her the answer. ‘I need to get my coat,’ Rosa said, when she came up fo
r air.

  ‘Sure,’ Eva said, marching out of the room, and heading for the lift.

  Eva took Rosa’s hand and they walked down the main road, through the Queen Elizabeth gates into Hyde Park. The vast green space, carrying its barren winter coat, was more open, and breezier than the streets, and wouldn’t offer much respite from the gripping weather. Eva strained to take in every slight movement as her eyes scrutinised the area. She increased her pace, hoping every step would bring her closer to him: to her father, David Adams.

  ‘This seat,’ Rosa said, pointing to the empty bench on the edge of the lake, within direct sight of the Serpentine Bridge. The seat was empty and there was no sign of the life that had sat there the previous afternoon.

  Rosa could feel Eva’s despondence and pulled her closer, as they continued walking arm in arm. They followed the lake around to the bridge, grabbing a snack and coffee from the café stand. They ate as they walked, crossed the bridge and headed towards Victoria Gate and back around the outer edge of the park. They circled the route again, taking alternative paths, leading in the same direction, ending at the Queen Elizabeth Gates. By the fourth time around, night was drawing in and the temperature had dropped significantly. Eva’s expression weighed heavily in her feet as they trudged their way back up the road.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Rosa said, Eva’s sadness ripping through her heart as if it were her own.

  ‘I just need to grab some drinks,’ Eva said, diving into Nero’s. Rosa followed her, grateful for the sudden injection of warmth. ‘I’ve been getting the guys drinks and food this last week,’ she said, by way of explanation. Rosa frowned, not wanting to point out the obvious question of what would happen when Eva was no longer there? ‘I know,’ Eva said. ‘I don’t know what I’ll do when I leave,’ she said, answering the unasked question.

  ‘It’s okay,’ Rosa responded, squeezing Eva’s arm reassuringly. ‘We’ll work something out,’ she said, without knowing what that might be.