“They were on two for one,” Jon said.
I finished the one I was drinking, unsure how I’d missed the happy hour adverts. Already the alcohol was having an effect and I felt light headed and slightly tingly. “I’m not sure I need another. This one’s going to my head.”
He smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ll look after you. By the time you get to the hotel you’ll feel fine. It’s probably the heat today and the extra time you spent waiting for the tube.”
My phone vibrated on the table. I checked it and saw a text from Eli.
Eli:Shall I walk round to meet you part way? Turn on Find a Friend on your phone. I could do with some air and I need to get cash out.
“Who’s that?” Jon said.
“None of your business,” I said, the words sounding slurry. “It’s just my business.” I wasn’t making much sense.
Me:I think I’ve turned it on. You always turn me on.
I pressed send and stood up, my knees buckling.
“Is she okay?” I heard someone say.
“I’m fine,” I said, but didn’t hear the words. Everything around me was blurry and loud, people’s voices were indecipherable and I put a hand on the table to steady myself.
“You know,” I said to Jon. “Taylor Swift is amazing. She’s such a hero. I think the media slates her far too much.” I carried on garbling away, talking, saying words I wasn’t aware of.
“Is she okay, mate?” One of the bouncers on the door said.
“She will be,” Jon said. “I’ll get her home. Think she’s had a bit too much to drink this afternoon when she was having lunch with her friends.”
I shook my head to deny this but the movement seemed odd and I couldn’t get my words out.
“Good thing you’ve got your boyfriend with you, isn’t it, love?” the bouncer said. I realised Jon’s arm was around my waist. “Maybe being a lady who lunches isn’t a great idea. It won’t be in the morning.”
My feet were moving but I wasn’t sure how and my steps were shuffles. Jon propelled me down the road, making comments but I wasn’t sure what they were and I couldn’t remember when I tried to think.
Then we were at the hotel and inside, the wires hanging from the walls after the first fix and a distinct smell of wet plaster permeating the air. I sank to my knees and my body hit the floor like a broken puppet’s. My fingers were wrapped around my phone, gripping it tightly. Jon wasn’t there although I was aware of footsteps when I tried to listen and focus on the noises around me. I moved my arm with my phone in that hand and tried to drag it to me, angling my thumb so I could unlock it.
I knew I wasn’t drunk. My understanding was fragmented and I couldn’t remember the entire walk from the bar to the hotel. I was aware of feeling scared and not being able to move much but this wasn’t alcohol. I’d been spiked.
My thumb just about moved on to the green phone button, pulling up my favourites. Max was at the top of the list and I hit it, hearing the dialling tone. I prayed he’d hear it above the noise wherever he was, but this was my brother and he would hear it, he had always had that sixth sense when one of us was in a mess and although I didn’t know why I was in a mess right now, I knew that’s where I was.
“Ava?” I heard his voice. “Ava?”
“Max…” I said loudly, slurred. “Max!”
The footsteps came closer. Jon.
“Ava? Where are you? Fuck. Are you okay?” I heard background noise. “We’re coming.”
Eli. Eli knew where I was.
“Why are you phoning your brother?” Jon said, crouching down next to me. “Why the fuck are you phoning him?”
I turned my head. “Did you put something in my drink?” My phone hit the floor. My limbs were paralysed completely now. There was no way I could shift.
“No, Ava. You just drank too much. I’m going to look after you.” I tried to focus my eyes on his and saw he had a blanket and pillow.
My body wanted to convulse but it wouldn’t shift. I heard myself whimper. “They know where I am. They’re on their way.”
“The door’s locked, babe. They’re going to struggle to get in, if they know where you are.” His voice was calm and controlled. “And what are you going to say? You know as well as I do you’ve been wanting this with me for months.”
