But she’s not. Another couple of minutes pass. I sip my wine self-consciously and continue to people-watch. I’m not at all comfortable here. There’s a middle-aged woman dressed like a prostitute standing next to me, braying like a horse and talking fifteen to the dozen to a man half her age. The gallery is filled with people similar to them. And I don’t like it. I couldn’t stand being a part of this sort of crowd.
What am I thinking, wanting to be a photographer?
On impulse I pull out my mobile and check my texts. There’s nothing from Richard and I suddenly feel sad. I miss him. I wish I was at Nathan and Lucy’s right now.
Where the hell is Nicola?
I look up, irritated, and scan the room once more. I take a few steps away from my safe place and scan the second gallery up the stairs, searching for long blonde hair. I catch a glimpse of it, but unsure if it’s Nicola or not, don’t know if I should go and see. I hesitate for a moment as a fat bloke in a suit stumbles into me and glares at me rather than apologises. I storm up the stairs, feeling furious. That had better not be Nicola up there. If it is . . .
It is! It bloody well is! And she’s talking to Pier Frank. What a cow! I halt on the spot for a split-second, then she sees me and looks so elated as she motions me over that my irritation evaporates a little by the time I reach her.
‘Sorry,’ she whispers urgently in my ear. ‘He grabbed me on my way out of the loo. I thought you’d come to find me!’
‘I did,’ I say through clenched teeth.
‘Can I introduce you to my friend, Lily?’ Nicola says smoothly and I plaster a smile on my face as Pier turns his attention to me.
‘Hi,’ he says wryly as he offers his hand. ‘Are you having a nice time?’
‘Yes, thanks.’
‘It seems I’ve fucked up again, then.’
Several people around him laugh, but I’m failing to see what the joke is. I shift on my feet uncomfortably, but he is no longer paying any attention.
‘I’m going home,’ I say suddenly.
‘What? Why?’ Nicola looks horrified.
‘I blew out my boyfriend and his friends for this. I should be there with them.’
‘But we’ve only just met him!’
‘He’s a prick.’
‘Shhh! He’ll hear you.’
‘I don’t particularly care.’
‘He wasn’t really being mean, he just wants people to find his work disturbing.’
I give her a look.
‘I know you’re already said that,’ she continues desperately. ‘Please don’t go yet.’
My heart sinks. ‘Okay.’
So I stand there, like the yellow citrus fruit again, while Nicola and Pier’s cronies hang onto his every word, until my drink runs dry and I excuse myself to get another. When I return unhappily after ten minutes of waiting for the staff to find fresh glasses, Nicola is beaming like a beacon.
‘He’s asked me to go for a few drinks.’
‘Really?’ I try to look excited for her. ‘Just the two of you?’
‘No, with this lot, too, but hey ho.’ She looks delighted. ‘Will you come?’
‘No, thanks. I’d better head home.’
‘Okay.’
