‘Well, have you?’
‘Have I what?’ He decided to play dumb.
‘A girlfriend.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘What’s the matter with you?’
‘Nothing’s the matter, Debbie, I’m just here having a quiet drink.’
‘You’re not invited to the wedding do then?’ She changed the subject as a group carrying brightly wrapped gifts and bound for the evening party passed by.
‘Yes, as a matter of fact I am.’
‘Honestly?’ She smirked, evidently not believing him.
‘Yes, honestly.’ He pulled the invitation from his back pocket and showed it to her.
She snatched it from him, studying it closely.
‘It says plus one here.’ She stabbed a sparkly acrylic nail at the card. ‘Same as mine. Well,’ she said, a self-satisfied smilesurfacing, ‘as we’re both on our own why don’t we hook up for the evening? Go together.’
‘I don’t think …’ he began, but she had already drained her Prosecco glass and hauled herself off the stool. ‘Come on, handsome,’ she said, tugging at his arm. ‘You won’t get a better offer this evening.’
He had no idea how much she’d had to drink before she’d arrived but her boisterous behaviour was beginning to attract attention.
Carl leaned over the bar. ‘You need to get her out of here, Luke,’ he hissed, nodding towards the group he had just served. They stood casting glances in their direction, their expressions a mixture of embarrassment and disapproval. ‘If Nathan walks in and sees this he won’t be pleased. This is a four star hotel, not the local Jug and Bottle.’
Luke sighed, finished his lager, and manoeuvred Debbie in the direction of the passageway that led to the function suite. At the end he could just make out the entrance and beyond, the pulsating lights of the disco. Hopefully, once inside he could lose her and she’d waste no time latching onto some other unfortunate victim. Debbie followed him quite happily, a smile on her face, no doubt under the impression she’d got her man and they were an item for the evening. Not if I can help it, he thought grimly.
The room was in semi-darkness and full of people. Some were dancing, the strobe above making their movements erratic as its white light moved over their bodies. Others were sitting at tables, chatting, some waiting for those congregating around the bar to return with drinks. He noticed the buffet set along one end of the room on a long table covered with a white cloth, the remaining tiers of the wedding cake seated in its centre.
‘More Prosecco, please,’ a whispery voice in his ear demanded, as her hand slipped over his wrist, ‘and make it roséthis time, will you?’ she slurred, then without warning let go of him. She almost fell, grabbing a nearby table and pushing herself upright, much to the surprise of those sitting there. ‘Little girls’ room.’ She hiccupped and waved a finger in the direction of the toilets before she stifled a giggle and disappeared.
Watching her leave, Luke realised it was the perfect time to abandon her and head for the door and home. About to leave, he ran into Kieran carrying a tray of drinks.
‘All right, Luke, mate?’ He looked around puzzled. ‘Going already? Past your bedtime, is it?’
‘No, I’ve only just arrived,’ Luke said, one eye on the door, anticipating Debbie’s return at any moment.
‘What’s up then?’
‘Debbie. She latched onto me in the lounge bar. She’s gone to powder her nose. She’s had a skin full already.’ He cupped Kieran’s shoulder and moved to one side. ‘I need to leave. Now.’
‘What?’ Kieran looked at him as if he was mad. ‘You mean you’re gonna let that daft bird ruin your evening? Tonya and Martyn will be real upset if they find you’ve left. Come with me,’ he gestured with his head towards the far corner, ‘there’s safety in numbers. She won’t bother you while you’re with us.’
Luke followed him over, feeling a complete prat. Did he honestly need this gang of young service technicians protecting him? Wasn’t he man enough to sort out one drunken female? Well yes, given a different place and time he would have been. But this was Tarwin House and Carl had only just reminded him of the kind of behaviour expected from customers. Better then to look like a limp-wristed idiot than to cope with another tongue-lashing from the assertive Ms T, who would more than likely turn up should any trouble occur.
Kieran set down the tray and began handing round the drinks. The small group greeted Luke like a long lost friend and,as they made room for him, Kieran returned to the bar to get him a beer.
He was still there when Debbie returned, anxiously scanning the room for him. Then with a shrug she joined the queue at the bar. Luke continued to watch her as she used her considerable weight to push her way to the front. Moments later she emerged with a glass and a wine bottle in her hands just as two of the girls from Sales arrived. The three of them embraced like old buddies, admiring each other’s dresses. Smiling, Debbie brandished the bottle at them and indicated an empty table. While she seated herself, the other two went to the bar for glasses.
‘I think you’re safe now,’ Kieran said with a grin as he returned with two beers, handing one to Luke. ‘She won’t bother you any more this evening.’
‘Let’s hope not,’ Luke said, raising his bottle and tapping it against the others.
The evening passed relatively quickly. The alcohol flowed, the boys became noisier, the laughter louder. Luke, keeping his own drinking to a sensible level, had been half listening to their conversations, not trusting Debbie to stay away from him. With almost an hour left before the night ended he watched her approach the DJ. He had been asking for guest requests and, climbing unsteadily onto his platform, she mouthed something, stepped down with a grin and made a grab for Tonya’s brother, Fergus, who had been standing nearby with a drink in his hand. Nothing, Luke decided, looked worse than an overweight woman who’d had too much to drink making a complete spectacle of herself. The poor lad stood no chance as she hauled him out onto the dance floor as the first strains of ‘Lady in Red’ drifted from the speakers. Fergus Brown was no lightweight but trying to manoeuvre Debbie, laughing and wriggling like an eel, around the floor while trying to avoid the other dancerssoon became impossible. Luke held his breath as the couple neared the buffet table. Debbie chose that moment to break free, drifting around, arms in the air, totally lost in another world as she immersed herself in the music. At first the other dancers managed to avoid her but, once she began wind-milling her arms, a collision seemed inevitable and when it came she lost her footing, tripped and crashed straight into one of the tables, sending food, plates, cutlery and glass everywhere.
The music stopped, the lights went up. Everyone came to a standstill, staring in disbelief.
‘Didn’t you just know she’d do that?’ Kieran rocked with laughter. ‘Look at her. What a state she’s in.’
