Beth giggled – an actual giggle – and Kieran’s stomach did a ridiculous little flip. ‘Tempting,’ she said, ‘but I’d like to keep my job.’
Ed called the room to order and switched on his microphone. ‘Right, folks. We’re keeping it short and sweet.’
‘A bit like me,’ heckled Janette.
Pens and paper at the ready, the teams huddled together as Ed announced round one, related to pop and rock anthems.
‘Question one. Who had a 1977 hit with the albumRumours?’
‘Easy peasy,’ announced Wilma.
‘Keep your voice down,’ hissed Jinnie. ‘You don’t want to give the answer away.’
Wilma scribbled on the paper, then fixed Jinnie with a stare. ‘I’m old, pet, not stupid.’
Kieran concentrated, forcing himself to focus on the quiz. He caught Alison writingFleetwood Mac.
‘OK,’ said Ed, ‘is everyone ready? Next question. In what year did ABBA win Eurovision with “Waterloo”?’
At Kieran’s table, Alison frowned, counted with her fingers, then wrote1974.
As the quiz continued, the contestants got rowdier as they downed beers and wine.
At Jo and Harvey’s table, a debate raged over the identity of a yellow arcade character.
‘I’m sure it’s Mario,’ said Harvey, under his breath.
‘Lucky I didn’t marry you for your brains,’ Jo retorted, writing downPac-Man.
Ed moved on. ‘TV and Film. Who shot J.R. in the TV showDallas?’
A low rumble of disquiet echoed around the room.
‘Wasn’t it his brother, Bobby?’
‘No, it was definitely a woman. Sue Ellen. She had plenty of reasons to shoot the slimy bastard.’
‘Wait! I think it was the wee blonde one. Remember, Terry Wogan on the radio called her The Poison Dwarf.’
‘Time’s up,’ called Ed. ‘This one seems to have slipped in under the radar. I think it’s from the nineties but never mind. Brain cells at the ready.’
Kieran turned instinctively and spotted Beth walking in with a tray of pork pies.
‘Who voiced the Genie in Disney’s 1992 animated filmAladdin?’
She froze. The tray tipped. Her entire body listed sideways.
Kieran sprang up and took the tray before it upended. He set it on an empty table and slipped an arm around Beth’s shoulders, surprised by how unsteady she felt. ‘Sit down,’ he urged quietly.
Across the room, faces showed concern. Jo’s hand clutched her throat; Sam’s eyes narrowed, with a gleam of something like recognition. Wilma looked spooked. Jinnie’s fists clenched.
Angela hurried over with a glass of water. ‘Beth, you’re as white as a sheet. Do you need me to call a doctor?’
Beth took a sip, her hand shaking. ‘No need. I’m fine.’
She wasn’t fine: anyone could see that. Kieran raised his hand. ‘Maybe let’s take a break?’
A tipsy chap leapt up. ‘Charades? Have we moved to charades?’
