‘Yeah. And she did.’
Astounded, she slowly shakes her head. She really never understood the relationship I have with my mum. Must be nice to be loved unconditionally.
‘Well, hun, it’s a good job you’ve got good taste in friends. And shoes,’ she says, pointing down to my Vampanado’s.
Yeah, I’ve got them on again. I think it’s called shoe lust. I glance down at my bondage high heels. They do look fab with these black cigarette pants, if I do say so myself.
‘I do hope I picked a good one this time, bloke I mean.’
‘A good looking one, for sure. Speaking of that spectacular looking specimen, where did you say he’s gone?’ She turns her attention back to her hair.
‘Riyadh.’ I sigh, readjusting the straps on my vertiginous shoes.
‘You don’t have to worry about him there. Pulling in Saudi must be like a lucky dip. For blokes, anyway. What do you think?’ She stands, smoothing the hem of her dress against her long thighs.
‘You mean ‘cos the women all cover?’
‘That’s just the start of it. Well?’
‘What?’
‘Focus, hun.’ She indicates her dress with a hand. ‘Does this say sophisticated and flirty or for fifty Euro’s y’can come in my bum?’
I’m just gobsmacked. Or maybe her gob justneedsa smack.
‘Grab seats at the bar?’ Niamh suggests as we enter the darkened area and sitting would be fantastic. These shoes weren’t really made for walking, and the further away I am from the dance floor, the better as far as I’m concerned. Dancing is bad enough, but dancing in these shoes? Not if I can help it.
‘Yeah, I’m easy.’
‘That’s how you bag a rich man, is it?’ she guffaws, her hand on my shoulder. ‘Spread your love around!
‘Thanks.’
‘Sorry, babes.’ Her mouth becomes a small moue. Mine, meanwhile, probably looks more like a cat’s bum. ‘You know I’m only having a laugh. That and I’m jealous of all the action you’ve been getting, of course.’
Her words settle in my stomach like a cold stone. ‘You think maybe that’s all this is for him?’ I catch the bartender’s eye, masking my concern by ordering two beers. ‘A casual hook-up?’
‘Chance would be a fine thing,’ she says reaching for her bottle. ‘Right now, I’d settle for uncomplicated, if there is such a thing.’
‘We were talking about me, not you.’
‘I can’t catch a feckin’ break. It’s like the world’s conspiring against me or something!’ One hand on the neck of her bottle, the other weaves her frustration in the air. ‘First Rob’s all over me, but now... I don’t understand.’ Shoulders sinking, she swallows a mouthful of her beer. ‘Sorry. You. If you’re asking are his motives that transparent, you’re asking the wrong person. I can tell you what I see, if it’ll help.’
‘Can’t hurt,’ I mumble.
‘He seems a bit besotted. And then there’s all the time he spends with you. He’s obviously dead keen.’ Then she slides me a sly smile. ‘Could be he’s just imagining you in those knickers, mind.’
The music seems to have increased around us, so slowly it’s barely noticeable, until you try to have a conversation. Relaxed and enjoying our girls’ night, we move away from the bar onto a quieter table, each with a cocktail in hand.
‘That guy over there’s giving you the eye.’ Niamh giggles. ‘Don’t turn ‘round!’
‘What do you expect?’ I say, resist the urge to turn further. ‘You saylook.I askwhere.’
‘I thought you were all loved-up?’
‘I am!’
‘ ‘Cos you’ve only got eyes forKai.’ With a quick vomit inducing finger mime, she stares blatantly over my shoulder. ‘He’s not bad looking. Shame his pal has a head like a half chewed toffee.’
