I did not miss those kinds of arguments. Single life was so much simpler, in many ways. So much freedom. “Who’s up for dancing tonight?” I asked everyone, assuming the remainder of the group would be up for it.
Bouchra yawned. “You know, I think I’ve peaked. I need to go to sleep soon. All this sun, sea air, and booze is knocking me out.”
Kaira nodded, as if accepting her fate for the evening. They seemed to have a good dynamic between them.
“You have had a lot going on recently,” Rona added. “Maybe this is your nervous system finally calming down?”
“I think you’re right, Rona dude.” Bouchra took a small sip of her cocktail as if admitting defeat. “Maybe buying the house and moving in all while going for a promotion at work, going to therapy and trying to start a new workout routine alongside all that fucking meal prepping for the week got me in the end.”
The conversation turned towards the very sobering topic of how we all handle stress. Bouchra was a stress head with anxiety and control issues often leading to burnout. Kaira would shut down and isolate, internalising it all. Nell felt she handled stress okay, although on second thoughts she did compulsively snack on biscuits to handle things when shitgot real. Rona was prone to feeling stressed and didn’t think she was that good at handling it. She admitted she often got anxious and overwhelmed, although I couldn’t picture her like that. I said that my football days had helped me manage stress well. I’d seen a sports psychologist and had training with the marines as part of my time preparing for the World Cup with the England squad. I was cool under pressure and good in a crisis. Everyone else looked at me like they were both impressed and mildly irritated by my admission, although Rona just looked mostly impressed.
“I can imagine you being good in a crisis.” Rona was looking at me almost wistfully now, leaning forward, elbow on the table cupping her face with her hand.
Nell waved her hands around. “I said it before, Lily the hero. Can’t really believe you’re hanging out with us degenerates. It’s really cool, mate.”
I laughed. “Oh, you don’t really know me that well then. I’m just Lily from the block.”
“With a few million quid in the bank, no doubt!” Nell laughed now. “Sorry, I’m just teasing.”
“No, no. It’s true. Especially after the Pepsi ad.”
“Did you really meet David Beckham?” Kaira asked. “He was in the advert too, right?”
“He was. He was an absolute gent. I liked him. We basically all had a kickabout for a day. It was like the ball stuck to him. He brought two of his sons and they were really cool.”
“That’s amazing,” Kaira replied.
Bouchralaughed. “I’m not into football but I am happy you got to meet the dude and his family, Lily.”
Kaira and Bouchra left not long after that. More people were coming into the club and I swear they had turned the music up, making it harder to hear everyone.
Nell stood. “I’m going to head too. I’m meeting up with someone.”
“Who?” Rona asked.
“That girl I met the other night. You know the one I’ve been texting? She’s at the bar on the corner and I’m gonna meet her there now.”
“Awesome. Have fun.”
When everyone was gone, Rona and I looked at each other. She smiled as if she were a bit embarrassed it was just the two of us and how sensible we’d been all evening while attempting to do one of our challenges. Or something like that. I was clearly filling in a lot of blanks. I smiled at her. “Do you feel drunk?”
“Kind of. I mean, I’ve had a lot. But not really, no.”
“Then we should do shots!”
“Oh no.”
“Come on, we’re only young once and it is part of the challenge. I mean, I feel young but in reality, I’m thirty-nine. You know what I mean.”
She laughed, gently. “Okay then.”
I went to the bar and returned with two shots of tequila each, this time, making sure to not check anyone out. We downed them both. The pained face Rona made after hers was adorable.
“How about now? You feelin’ it?”
“Yes,” she screeched, touching my arm. “They’ve done the trick, I’m sure. I’ll not have any more tonight though. That’s me at my limit.”
“I hear you.” I leant towards her a little, feeling the alcohol loosen me up. So far I’d been more self-conscious in my movements around her.
