‘You could say that. I’m actually going to buy my first house this year, the first of many.’
‘Congrats.’
‘Yeah, thanks,’ Sam said. ‘So, what do you do?’
Sally hesitated. ‘Well, I’ve just finished university,’ she replied. ‘I guess I don’t really know what I’m going to do. The last month has been a bit of a weird time for me.’
‘That’s difficult.’ Sam didn’t seem interested. ‘When you give me your email I can show you some tactics for the stock market so you won’t ever have to work.’
They pushed through the bar’s crowd until they arrived at a corner booth. Laid out across the cushioned seats was a handbag, someone's weak claim for the booth. Jim did not care. In one move he picked up the bag and dumped it on the floor, rejecting the claim. Sally winced, and Ashley giggled.
‘What if the bag’s owner comes?’ Sally asked. ‘What if they cause an argument?’ No one else cared.
‘Don’t worry about that, the booth’s ours now,’ Jim said as he motioned Ashley and Sally to the seats. ‘We’ll get the drinks, what do you guys want?’
Ashley replied quickly. ‘Vodka tonic, please.’ She smiled at Sam.
‘And you, Sally?’
Sally had started to leave the booth to get to the bar, squeezing around the table. ‘It’s okay, I can get my own drink,’ she replied. It’d feel like some kind of transaction if she let the men get her a drink like she owed them something. Sam and his endless discussion about money had made her feel a bit sick. She didn’t want to owe these two guys who worked in finance anything.
Jim stopped her by putting a hand on her shoulder. His strength forced her back down, his face a stern chunk of marble. ‘Hey, I’m your host tonight. Don’t bother about it, the drinks are on me, okay?’ he said.
She sat, avoiding his piercing eyes. Sally didn’t have to look at Ashley to be reminded of the confrontation outside the bar. The confrontation where she'd made the promise not to ruin the night. Don’t appear miserable, Sally. Hide your temper.
Ashley spoke up, ordering for her friend. ‘She’ll have the same as me.’
‘That’s great. We’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere,’ Jim said, gesturing for Sam to go with him.
The second their backs were turned, Ashley leaned over the booth table at Sally. ‘So?’ she asked in a conspirational tone. ‘What do you think of Sam?’
They had to shout over the music to be loud enough. Sally mouthed her words, overemphasising her lip movements.
‘Well, he clearly likes you,’ she said.
Ashley smiled, loving the gossip. ’And you don’t like him?’
‘He’s not exactly my type,’ Sally replied.
‘I thought so. So, you don’t fancy him?’
Sally shook her head. ‘Not really.’
‘Good. Hey, I just wanted to be certain.’
‘You’re crazy, Ashley. You can’t be stopped.’ Sally said. ‘But he definitely likes you.’
‘How do you know?’
‘Look at you, Ashley. Come on, as if there’d be any doubt. Anyone would be into you. I’m basically into you.’
Ashley smiled. ‘If you were a guy we’d already be married,’ she said.
‘That’s for certain,’ Sally replied. ‘And he asked me if you had a boyfriend.’
Ashley opened her mouth in exaggerated disbelief. ‘No way.’
‘Oh, yes.’
‘I’ll keep that in mind.’
‘Keep that in mind? You’re crazy.’
‘And, what about Jim?’ Ashley asked.
Sally leaned into the booth seat. The seat’s leather was hard against her back. ‘What about him?’
‘He hasn’t taken his eyes off you.’
Sally shrugged. ‘I don’t know about that.’
‘Come on. I’ve seen the way he’s been looking at you. You must’ve noticed it too.’
‘I’m not really into any of this,’ Sally said.
‘Come on and loosen up a little. He’s my cousin, but you have my permission,’ Ashley said. Sally rolled her eyes. ‘Let’s have some fun.’
Sally waved her hand around the busy bar. ‘This isn’t my idea of fun,’ she said. Too much noise, too many people. It was a scene she enjoyed once, at university, but not now.
‘At least pretend to have fun. Smile. Please. For me.’
‘I am, I know this is your night,’ Sally said.
Ashley craned her neck to see over Sally’s shoulder. ‘They’re coming back,’ she said.
Sally sensed Jim’s giant physical presence by her side before she saw him. ‘Here we are,’ Jim said, appearing at the booth with Sam carrying drinks on a tray.
‘Wow. You guys were quick,’ Ashley remarked.
‘Jim knows how to get in front of a queue,’ Sam said as Jim handed out the glasses, resting them on the booth’s table.
Sally thanked him, but Jim didn’t acknowledge her. Instead, he raised his glass as soon as Sam sat down. A toast.
‘Here’s to catching up with my cousin,’ he said. He smiled at Sally. ‘And for making new friends.’
‘Yes,’ Ashley said.
‘Tell me about what you two have done since you’ve arrived,’ Jim said, sitting. His arms dug into Sally’s side. She tried to squirm from his elbows, but he didn’t notice. ‘Other than break my cousin’s phone.’
Sally opened her mouth to say something, but Ashley spoke for both of them. Her and Jim were the only ones talking, and Sally was secretly happy with that arrangement. She sat back and listened, sipping at her straw, keeping a tab on everyone's drink so she’d finish her own at the same time. She wasn’t going to be the odd one out.
She observed Sam react to Ashley as she recounted how she’d run late to the flight, and how Sally was the one who had to wake her. During the conversation Sam reminded Sally of a puppy, he agreed with whatever Jim said and responded with enthusiasm to the story. Ashley leaned towards him flirtatiously. She was playing with him like a toy. Ashley had always been good at this with boys. Especially boys like Sam.
He got the hint and began to respond. He held on to Ashley's arm, flirting back, stroking his fingers along her elbow.
Sally’s drink was nearly empty when Sam stood eagerly. ‘Let’s play pool,’ he said.
‘There’s a pool table in here?’ Ashley asked.
‘Sally and I saw some tables in the other room,’ Sam replied. ‘We should do it. Jim, what do you think?’
Jim glanced at Sally. ‘What do you say, Sally?’
‘If Sam wants to,’ she replied. ‘I might not play though.’
‘I will,’ Ashley said, rising from the seat. She glared at her friend, sending her a clear message. Don’t ruin the night. ‘I’m sure Sally will as well.’
Sally had no option. ’Let’s do it, then,’ she said, and she saw Ashley’s face light up. Keep her happy.
‘Perfect,’ Sam said. ‘Come on, let’s go.’
16
The game of pool was a disaster.
‘I knew we’d lose,’ Sally said as Jim fired the black ball into one of the side pockets, bouncing in with a satisfying clack. The group all stood around the pool table, cues in hands, as Jim raised his fist in triumph. Sam and Ashley were so close to each other. They were practically making out on the pool table.
‘That was fun though,’ Ashley interjected. She nudged Sam. ‘It was funny watching you play.’
‘Funny?’ Sam asked, himself sidling up against Ashley. ‘How? Did I look sexy?’
‘No. You were so intense and serious,’ Ashley said.
‘Did you like it though?’ he asked.
Ashley played with a strand of her hair. ‘Maybe.’
‘Well, Sally, it seems like you just had to try harder,’ Jim said.
Sally laid her pool cue back on the table in resignation. ‘I’d say we were doomed from the start.’
‘No you weren’t,’ Jim replied.
‘I knew it when we walked in. Whe
n we made the teams.’
‘You can’t blame me for that,’ Jim said. ‘Ashley and Sam were the ones who wanted it boys versus girls.’
‘And that’s when I knew we would lose.’
Jim smirked. ’Maybe going in with that attitude you were doomed from the start.’
‘What attitude?’
‘A loser’s attitude,’ Jim teased.
Sam perked up. ‘How about another game, then?’ he asked.
‘Sure,’ Ashley replied. She lightly hit the side of her pool cue on Sam’s arm, teasing. ‘And this time I’ll win.’
Giggling together, they barely heard Sally say, ‘I’ll leave you guys to it.’ She backed away from the pool table to stand next to the doorway leading to the bar.
‘Yeah, you two have fun. I’m happy to sit this one out,’ Jim said, also taking a step back. He was right next to Sally, his shoulder brushing against hers. The close proximity made Sally notice how much of a physical force Jim was. Tall and large. A cocktail of muscle and fat. His handshake had been weak, but his movements were direct and purposeful. A stiff but determined kind of energy, the kind of energy that frightened Sally, and his gaze was now spotlighted on her.
‘You’re pretty upset about losing, huh?’ he asked her.
‘I’m not really,’ she replied.
‘You ever played pool before?’
‘A couple of times,’ Sally said. The last time she’d been at a pool table was in a pub on a night out at university, another one of those nights she’d drunk too much. ‘Once or twice.’
‘You looked like you’d done it before, but Ashley clearly hasn’t been around a pool table in her life. The way she nearly hit me in the head with her pool cue as we got started.’
‘You’d have to admit that was pretty funny,’ Sally said, laughing.
‘I nearly died.’
Sally surveyed how her friend was acting with Sam. Ashley was having a good night. She flirted and laughed. Aiming a ball at one of the table pockets, Sam slicked his sweaty hair back, and Ashley played with hers. With his back turned to her, Ashley scanned his body up and down. Sally recognised those signs. She knew her friend too well. Ashley fancied him, and Sally knew what’ll come next. She’d seen this all before. Ashley was an expert, and she always got what she wanted.
Tonight was the night to repay Ashley for everything she’d done for Sally in the last few weeks. But Sally didn’t want to be here. Sally wanted to be in bed, back at the hostel. Ashley’s words echoed in her head. Don’t ruin my night.
‘I’m off to the bathroom,’ Sally said to Jim.
He pointed at Sally’s empty glass resting on the side of the pool table. ’Do you want another drink?’ he asked her.
‘I’m okay, thanks,’ she replied. She didn’t want him to buy her another round. She already owed him for the drinks at the booth earlier. She also didn’t want to get drunk.
‘You sure?’ he asked.
‘I’m sure.’
‘But I’m going to the bar anyway, I can easily grab you one,’ Jim suggested.
‘I’m fine,’ she said, making a quick exit.
Sally could see that Ashley wanted Sam. She was envious of Ashley’s drive, the sense of certainty she had at the pool table, her confidence sidling up to Sam. Sally wished she had that determination to get what she wanted, that inner fire Ashley possessed. Even if it was only to get laid.
There was no queue for the bathroom. Sally was surprised, especially because the bar was so busy. Inside, in the sink next to the cubicles, she washed her hands. She rubbed the warm soap, her fingers slippery. Her face reflected in the mirror, the fluorescent lights above bore down heavy on her features. Sally shook her head and averted her sight. She didn’t need a mirror to feel bad about herself. Not now. She didn’t need to add it to the list of things bouncing about in her head.
‘I need a drink,’ she said to her reflection. She didn’t care about being drunk any more. And this time she was buying it.
The bar was still busy. She waited in line. People pushed in and jumped in front. No order. Sally tried to fight back and hold her place, but it was chaos. She wouldn’t be able to get to the front without barging through.
She managed to push to the counter. Her hands gripped the bar like she was holding on to the edge of a cliff. The bartender leaned over and tried to shout something in her ear she couldn’t make out, she assumed they were asking what she wanted.
‘Vodka and tonic.’ And then she remembered Ashley. ‘Actually, two of those, please.’
‘Singles or doubles?’
‘Better make them doubles,’ Sally replied. Yeah, she was going to get drunk. Fuck it.
The bartender nodded and turned around to make them.
Someone bumped into her from behind, and a spilt drink splashed her back. Sally turned to see who’d done it, but there were too many people. Great. She’ll have to deal with her stained clothes in the morning. At least they weren’t expensive. This was why she didn’t like crowded bars. This was why she wanted to be in bed at the hostel.
The bartender returned, placing the two drinks on the counter. Sally struggled to remove her card from her purse. It was stuck, and the darkness of the bar was not helping.
A voice echoed from over her shoulder. ‘I’ll get this,’ it said.
It was Jim. His hand stretched out with his card ready. The card machine pinged as the bartender lifted it over the counter, and Jim paid.
‘You didn’t have to do that,’ she said, but Jim didn’t reply. His face was a stone. Expressionless. As Sally fumbled with her card and re-clipped her purse he picked up the drinks and made his way towards the pool table, raising the glasses above his head to avoid any spillage. Sally followed, running to catch up, pushing her way through the busy bar queue.
‘Hey,’ she called out. ‘I’ll withdraw some cash and pay you for those.’
‘No need,’ Jim said over his shoulder, arriving at the side of the pool table.
‘Really, Jim, I want to.’
Jim leaned against the table. ‘I said, don’t worry about it.’ His tone was firm and unwavering. Sally frowned and picked up her drink.
‘Well, thanks,’ she said.
‘You’re welcome,’ he replied. ‘You’re having a good time?’ It was more of an aggressive statement than a question.
Sally remembered what Ashley had said earlier. Don’t ruin my night.
‘Yeah, I am having a good time,’ she said. Jim put his drink down and folded his arms. He studied Sally’s face, not speaking. Sally began to feel uncomfortable. ‘What?’
‘You don’t remember me, do you?’
‘Remember you?’
‘Oh, you don’t,’ he chuckled. ‘I was here thinking you did. You’ve been giving me odd stares all night, so I thought you might’ve remembered us meeting.’
‘I haven’t been giving you odd stares,’ Sally replied, shaking her head. ‘What do you mean, remember? Do we know each other?’
‘To be honest, I thought Ashley would’ve, but it seems she didn’t. When she mentioned that her friend would be coming tonight, I didn’t think it’ll be you.’
‘I’m sorry, but you’ve lost me,’ Sally said. ‘Where do we know each other from?’
Jim was enjoying teasing Sally. ‘Come on, don’t you remember the party?’
‘What party?’
‘Remember? We must’ve been around seventeen,’ Jim said. ‘So, that was what, six or seven years ago? There was a party at Ashley’s house, and I was over visiting her for, like, a week. It was the start of my school summer holidays and I’d just flown over. I was staying at her house, and I came down during the night. Ashley introduced me to a lot of her friends, and I strongly recall you being there.’
‘I don’t remember it.’
‘You sure? There were a lot of people there,’ Sam said, gulping his drink. The ice clinked in his glass. ‘But I remember you.’
She tried to reach back in her mind to that party. She’d
been to a few at Ashley’s house as a teenager. More than a few. But she wasn’t sure she remembered anything at all, especially not Jim. She did drink a lot, though. Especially back then. Most of those parties were now a blackened haze in the back of her memory. She didn’t even want to remember them. Or the way she’d acted when she was that inebriated.
Had she really met Jim before?
His eyes were on Sally’s, expecting her to say something. ‘I honestly don’t remember,’ she said.
‘Well, that’s mean,’ Jim grabbed her shoulder. ‘Because I really remember you,’ he said as his fingers squeezed into her skin.
And then there was a scream from the pool table.
17
Sally and Jim both turned. The scream had come from Ashley. Sally’s heart leapt, but it wasn’t anything to panic over. Ashley was bounding over, her face gleaming with pride. ‘Yes. I got three balls down in one shot,’ she cried out, triumphant.
Sam bounced up right behind her. ‘She might’ve been able to do that,’ he said. ‘But the game’s not over yet.’
‘Yeah? You think so? You watch.’ Ashley gave Sam a playful slap and marched around to the other side of the table to line up her next shot, Sam pursuing.
Jim was still hanging on to Sally’s shoulder, not moving. Sally forced a smile. She had to be polite, and she didn’t want to make a scene. She didn't want to ruin her friend’s night. She couldn’t shrug him off.
‘Hey,’ Jim said, tightening his grip. ‘You need to relax, Sally.’
‘Relax?’
‘I can feel it,’ he said, nodding at his hand on her shoulder. ‘Hey, I’m your host. Smile and have a good time. You can do that, can you?’
His touch burned into her skin. He was crossing a line. She had to say something, but the words retreated from her mouth. The promise she’d made to Ashley, that was paramount.
‘I am relaxed,’ she replied.
‘You honestly don’t feel like it. How about a massage?’ Jim asked, his fingers digging into her shoulder, already massaging.
‘I’m okay, thanks.’
He took his hand off her and nodded towards the pool table. ‘Those two are getting along, aren’t they?’
The Busker: A gripping psychological thriller Page 9