‘Yes, and I love my mates dearly, but I’ve hit a wall and rather than jump about raving, I either want to sit here and cry like a baby or go back to the uncomfortable single bed in my hotel room and sleep like one.’
‘Choices, choices.’ Danny lit the ready-rolled cigarette. ‘If I told you that my partner had just told me they’ve been seeingsomeone else for three months and wondered if I’d consider an open relationship in order not to lose me, would that make you feel any better?’
‘Shit, I’m sorry, Danny. That sucks.’ Realising that her new companion’s cigarette was full of far more than tobacco, she took it from his hands. ‘Can I?’
Vic inhaled the fragrant smoke deeply and when she had stopped coughing, announced to the air, ‘God! Why can’t things be easy?’
‘Hell, lady. I’m the one who’s heartbroken.’
‘Yes, you are. Sorry, how selfish of me.’ Vic hiccupped again. ‘So, you’re not considering it, then? The open bit, I mean.’
‘No way. The trust has been broken already.’
Victoria turned to look at him. The distant thump of the nightclub’s music gave their conversation a rhythmic backdrop that was almost hypnotic. The copious drinks she had consumed turned her inhibition switch to green. ‘For what it’s worth, I think you’re a very handsome man, Danny, and your partner is a fool.’
Danny’s forehead wrinkled. ‘Didn’t someone once say, never kiss a fool or let a fool kiss you?’
‘Whoever that someone was, well, they were pretty smart.’ Vic furrowed her brow. ‘And who said anything about kissing?’ Putting her tongue inside her cheek, she started to laugh.
‘Nobody.’ Danny blew a plume of smoke into the sky. ‘But, if it’s time for unadulterated complimenting, you’re not so shabby yourself, Victoria Sharpe. Great dress, and love these shoes.’ He lifted Vic’s bare leg to take a closer look at her strappy heels, and began throwing exaggerated kisses up her thigh, making her screech with laughter. ‘Jesus! I’ve heard quieter seagulls.’ He took another toke of the sweet-smelling tobacco. ‘But now we’re both honorary members of the Brighton Beach Mutual Appreciation Society, why don’t you tell me why it is you want to cry like a baby?’
Suddenly, Vic heard a shout of ‘Sharpie!’ from the front of the nightclub and saw Mandy waving at her. ‘You all right, mate?’
‘Yes, fine,’ Vic called back. ‘I’ll be in in a minute. Just nabbing a fag off a handsome stranger.’
‘OK. See you in a bit.’ Mandy disappeared back inside.
‘Good mate you’ve got there.’
‘The best.’ Vic took another, much smaller drag of the joint, then blurted, ‘My mum’s an alcoholic. I feel I’m not following my passion, and I don’t even know if I want to have kids but if I don’t decide soon it will be too late. I’ve just found out my boyfriend is at another woman’s house, and for the first time ever in our relationship, I’m not sure if I trust him or not.’
‘Wow, right. Just the few things, then. Doesn’t trump me being cheated on, though.’ Danny took another long, slow drag and held it down for a few seconds.
‘You clearly didn’t major in empathy, did you?’ Vic put on an expression of fake disdain. ‘What do you do, anyway?’
Danny blew a plume of smoke skywards. ‘I have a gallery in The Lanes.’
Vic gasped. ‘Shut the fuck up! No way. That’s so cool. I’m a graphic designer, but my passion is illustrating, and I do the odd watercolour. Do you paint yourself?’
‘Yeah, mainly abstract, but I make most of my money from exhibiting and selling other local artists’ work,’ Danny replied proudly.
Vic’s face lit up. ‘Isn’t it just the best feeling when that urge to paint takes over and you find yourself creating something from way down inside you? I love it. I forget everything else that’s happening around me.’
‘Yes, I hear you totally’ – Danny nodded – ‘and when I’ve finished, I sometimes look back at what I’ve done and can’t believe it was me that it came out of.’
Vic opened her eyes and mouth wide. ‘Exactly! Exactlythat!’ She felt exhilarated at just the thought of it. ‘It’s great that you support other artists, too. I’d really love to come and have a nosy at your place. Are you open tomorrow?’
‘We only open Tuesday to Saturday in the winter. Here.’ He retrieved his wallet and handed her a card.
‘Danny Miller Arts,’ Vic read aloud. ‘That’s so cool. You really are living my dream.’
‘Then you must come down and show me your work. If you’re any good, I’ll exhibit it for you.’
‘Any good? You cheeky…’ It was her turn to punch him gently on the arm and they laughed together. Vic felt a sudden appreciation of the immediate connection between them. As they continued to pass the joint back and forth, their conversation meandered seamlessly through a myriad of topics, from childhood memories to dreams of the future. To relationships, and heartbreak and then to…
‘So,’ Danny said, his words slightly slurred, ‘what’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done sexually, then?’
Vic grinned. ‘Well, there was this one time on a beach…’ She leapt up. ‘Come on!’ She lifted his coat from her shoulders and threw it at him, then put her bag over her shoulder. ‘I’m high as a kite and hot as a… what can I be as hot as?’ she giggled.
