At last ‘A life’
By Julie D Cole
Chapter 22 Another Fun Night

‘Please call me if you can — I need to talk to you’.

I had to go downstairs to the bathroom and there were 2 girls chatting as I went inside. I was a little hesitant at first but since I was a bit uncomfortable I decided I had no choice. It was impossible to go into a mens bathroom these days dressed as I was and luckily so far I didn’t have any adverse reaction but I’d still had a few quizzical looks. Nevertheless I was feeling more confident each day..

I touched up my make-up and the two girls watched me hardly talking and were obviously either suspicious or they were waiting for me to leave so they could continue..
Outside the bathroom I decided to call Sally even though the signal wasn’t great downstairs..

I managed to speak to her even though I lost her a couple of times.She told me that she didn’t want to return to the flat tonight and see Jessica when she’d been out drinking with me because she expected her to be funny with her.. Sallys friend was going to let her stay with her but she had let her down and decided to go out with other friends and so I think that Sally hoped she could stay at my house..

Sally was tearful and upset and she was talking about taking a train home to her mother but it was too far and she’d not be able to go to work tomorrow if she did.
I told her to get some overnight things and then go to my house and I’d call Julie and get back as soon as I could.

She feigned resistance for a while but then I said I’d call Julie to meet her so she accepted.We wer lucky since Julie said she’d go back home from her boyfriends house and look after her until I got there . She is a great sister..

I called mum who was calm and collected and just said to leave it with her and no problem to help. She said not to rush if Julie was going home.
I went back to the bar and by now a decision had been made to stay in the wine bar to watch a singer and to order some tapas. I agreed but then no point for me to argue anyway since I had no idea about City Centre venues since I never went out in town much before. It was all fairly new to me.

I had to make a selection from the menu like everybody else and then we’d all share. I selected spicy prawns in garlic sauce and everybody laughed saying ‘no kissing tonight then Chrissy?’ My nickname was beginning to spread.

Jessica ordered some house white wine and 2 bottles of house red wine. I was sure now that she wanted everybody to get drunk and that she might focus on me. I took care to drink a lot of water but my wine glass seemed to be permanently full.

The food kept coming and we all shared what was on the plates. There wasn’t much that I didn’t like if anything. I wished I’d done this before and couldn’t wait to introduce Julie and her boyfriend to this bar.

The singer/keyboard player arrived and started to chat us up. The bar was starting to fill since it was now 7-30pm. I was feeling a little bit drunk so I thought that I might go shortly. Jessica was now sitting with me and had swopped seats. She said that this evening was a special treat from her and that she would pay for me as a thank you for supporting her. On the contrary I felt like pushing her off her stool since she had taken advantage of me and stolen the job that I expected to have.

She was touching my knee and said she was surprised how beautiful I was these days. I wasn’t sure if she was serious or not but she said that she hoped we could be good friends. I asked ‘What about Mary Jo and Sally?’ ‘Aren’t they your friends anymore?’ Why are you being so awful to Sally?

She just smirked and denied that she was being awful and just said that Sally had become boring since her boyfriend had beaten her up. She said she would prefer if I was sharing the flat and that it was available if I was interested. I just said ‘How could you think that I’d see a friend evicted for me? What type of person do you think I am.

She just laughed and said ‘I don’t know anymore. I used to know you were boring and quiet. Maybe if you took a share of my flat then I could find out.’

I just gave her a look of disgust and she stopped smiling. ‘I don’t like your sense of humour these days Jessica. It’s not very funny and you should be careful who you upset..’ Jessica just said I should be more grown up and that life was too short to worry about feelings.

Anne sensed she should come over and said that we should stop arguing and relax because the singer was about to start.

We sat back in our seats and as soon as he started to sing the whole bar paid attention. He was good. Lisa and Liz decided he was like one of Westlife singers. They said ‘you know the little one’ . I had no idea who they meant.

They pretended to swoon and that they’d fallen in love with him and were going to get his autograph and nominate him for Xfactor. We were all laughing by now and the singer was smiling across at them.

Some couples came into the bar soon most tables were full. It was a good atmosphere and the owner must have been very pleased. So Anne ordered some more food selecting a seafood paella that we would share during the singers break. Then Jessica ordered some more expensive Spanish red wine to accompany it with extra glasses for 2 guys on the next table who had started flirting with her. She liked to be the centre of attention and to look like she was the boss treating her employees.

Anne whispered that she wasn’t staying much longer because she had to get home and did I want to leave with her. I was grateful since Jessica was becoming too much but I needed to time my exit for when the singer came on again later.

When the paella arrived it was soon devoured and the 2 guys moved in a bit and tried some. They were still focused more on Jessica and by now Jane had joined them. I was surprised since she was supposed to be married soon and I wouldn’t expect that she showed interest.

Jessica looked across at me and then asked me to meet her new friends Adam and Sam. I shook hands with Adam and he commented that I looked different to the others and looked like I was a Manager. Jessica gave me a really dirty look and I blushed. I said that I’d been to a meeting in the afternoon and had to dress more smart than usual but thanks for the nice complement. Jessica said that I had been the office junior working for her until recently and that she’d promoted me and taught me how to improve my appearance.

I couldn’t believe my own ears. They said they were going into town later if we all wanted to go and I smiled but didn’t answer. Jessica said it was a great idea so they assumed we all said yes. Sam put his arm around my waist but I tried to wriggle free. I didn’t want to be rude but I was not happy to get involved and I felt I should try to leave if I could when Anne was ready.
The singer started aga

in so that was our chance so Anne and I whispered to Lisa that we were going and we sneaked out whilst Jessica was chatting away to adam. She was trying to arrange something so I felt we should escape quickly.

I said thanks to Anne as we left together and she was going for a bus but I needed to go through the precinct to the taxi stand so we kissed and left in opposite directions.
As I walked I realized that I might have been too brave since walking alone in the city at 9pm wasn’t so easy as it was in daylight and a few people were walking between pubs and bars. I tried to hurry but walking in a skirt and heels wasn’t easy for me. I had to take smaller steps and my feet were aching as well. As I looked in the shop windows I could see my reflection.

I looked OK and felt really feminine. I enjoyed the feel of the cold air around my legs but really I had no time to dally since I wanted to get home to see Sally.
As I approached the taxi stand there was a gang of lads congregated who were drinking cans of lager. I thought ‘Just my luck’ I hesitated and thought to turn towards the railway station to go to another rank. As I tried to cross the road one of them shouted a remark to me and I was starting to get nervous. He said ‘Hey look it’s Nancy Taylor.’ What’s ‘she doing in town? On the game?’ Ahh it was all I needed. I knew who it was from my taxi ride home.

They circled me and one of them pulled my bag from my shoulder. Another flicked up my skirt and said ‘nice legs dear. How about your bum? Let’s have a look.’ He pushed me backwards towards a signpost and I hit my head. Then he lifted my coat and I tried to hold my skirt as tightly as I could. I managed to get my bag but the strap broke and then so did the heel of my shoe. One guy came towards me for a kiss and I pushed him backwards so he fell over. They started to come towards me again and I wanted to scream. I looked around for help but nobody wanted to know. I hit out with my bag and they were laughing at me.

Then there was a loud revving sound and a horn blasted and car headlights shone into all our faces.

The passenger door opened for me and I looked inside to see who it was……..