Chapter Six
October 2014, Canterbury, Kent England
Every surface in Molly’s bedroom was covered in clothes and make-up, but for once, she was ignoring the mess. She was having fun. As she slid the long black wig onto her head, she giggled at Saskia, who had somehow transformed her long blonde hair into short black hair, with a very convincing wig. Her sister was putting the skills she’d learnt on her performing arts degree to good use.
‘Mole,’ Saskia said, ‘try not to smudge your make-up.’ She finished adjusting her own wig and came over to Molly, helping her to get hers in the right place.
Molly looked at herself in the mirror, and gasped. ‘Oh my God! You can’t even tell that it’s me. I look totally different.’ Saskia had whitened Molly’s already pale skin, drawn delicate flicks of black eyeliner over her eyelids, and coated her lips in bright red lipstick.
‘That’s why I like acting. You can be whoever you like.’ Saskia adjusted her black bow tie.
‘I wouldn’t have guessed you’d go for Gomez and Morticia Addams, but then I can never guess what’s on your mind.’ Molly blotted her lips on a tissue.
‘I like it that way.’ Saskia smoothed Molly’s wig. ‘It gives an air of mystery.’
Molly sipped the last of her drink, making sure not to smudge her lipstick. ‘You can say that again.’ She looked at Saskia, who was slipping on a velvet smoking jacket. ‘You make quite a handsome man.’
Saskia cackled. ‘It’ll be a brave guy that hits on me tonight.’
‘It will. Now can you help me into this dress?’ Molly held out the skin-tight black dress that Saskia had hired for her. The sleeves tapered to a point and the back was scandalously low, with a short, flowing train.
‘Of course, come here,’ Saskia said, stuffing the cigar she was holding into her mouth.
Molly lifted her arms and Saskia helped her in, squeezing the tight fabric over her head and down her body.
‘Hold on, Mole.’ Saskia put the cigar in her pocket and picked up her phone. ‘Pose for me, caramia.’
Molly burst out laughing and picked up the silk rose that Saskia had got for her, clutching it to her chest, and staring moodily into the camera. ‘That any good?’
‘Oh yes.’ Saskia showed Molly the photo. ‘Now put your arms around me and gaze longingly into my eyes.’
Just as Saskia took the photo, the doorbell rang.
‘Oh shit, the taxi’s here already,’ Saskia said, grabbing her patent leather brogues and putting them on. ‘We’ve got to go.’
Molly nodded and followed her down the stairs, then put on the scarlet stilettos that she had borrowed from Saskia. They were far too high for her, but the dress was too long without them and the last thing she wanted to do was to fall over in it.
Before Saskia opened the door, she turned to Molly. ‘Mole, if you need to leave at any point, you say, and we go. Got it?’
‘Got it.’ Molly nodded.
Strangely, in her costume, she felt braver. Tonight, she was someone else. She started to understand why Saskia loved acting so much. ‘I need to get back out there. I can’t hide in this house every night. I need to remind myself that I’m not going to get mugged every time I go out in the dark.’
‘Of course you won’t. Stick with me and you will be just fine.’ Saskia gave her a salute and opened the front door.
***
Molly was drunk. More drunk than she had been in a long time. It hadn’t been her idea to do shots, but she was enjoying herself. Her arm was wrapped around Liz, and the two were singing at the top of their voices. Liz was Molly’s sensible friend. They’d met at high school, where they were the studious ones, who always got their homework done.
Liz pulled Molly towards her, twirling her under her arm.
Molly laughed, stumbling over the hem of her dress. ‘Ugh, not so fast,’ she said. ‘The room is spinning.’
Liz shook her head. ‘Your sister’s a bad influence.’ She adjusted her witch’s hat, and smoothed down her long purple wig, which concealed her natural dark hair. She was also wearing a long black dress, but hers was velvet and less revealing.
‘What are you talking about?’ Saskia wobbled over to Liz. ‘I’m a great influence.’
Jess, Saskia’s best friend let out a loud cackle. ‘No, you’re not,’ she said.
‘You’re a fine one to talk about bad influences,’ Saskia retorted.
Jess folded her arms. ‘We’re both as bad as each other.’ She put her arm around Saskia.
Molly laughed. ‘She’s right,’ she said to Saskia. ‘You guys egg each other on.’
‘Thank you,’ Jess said.
Her pink hair was pulled into bunches on the side of her head, and she wore a nurse’s white dress, splattered with fake blood. She and Saskia had dated for a while and had somehow stayed the best of friends after they broke up. They either flirted with each other, or bickered, and the more they drank, the worse it got.Jess was a radio DJ, and equally outgoing, and fiery as Saskia, which often resulted in arguments between them.
As the song finished, Molly dragged her friends over to the bar, ordering them all bottles of water, handing them out like the mother hen she was. ‘Drink this,’ she said. ‘You’ll thank me tomorrow.’
Liz laughed. ‘Molly, I’m not drinking. I’m driving you all home, remember?’
‘Ah yes,’ Molly said, giggling. She looked at Liz’s bottle of water. It’s important to stay hyderatated.’
‘Do you mean hydrated?’ Liz asked, stifling a giggle.
‘Yes, that too,’ Molly said, before taking the cap off her bottle and guzzling it.
‘How do you manage to remember to do this, even when you’re this drunk?’ Saskia slurred.
‘I don’t know, it’s like a reflex.’ Molly shrugged.
‘Are you OK?’ Saskia put her arm around her sister.
‘I’m fine, just a bit drunk!’ Molly shouted over the music. ‘Who’s playing tonight? I’ve loved their entire set.’
‘No idea,’ Jess replied, ‘but I want their set list.’
The music changed from drum and bass to remixes of some of the 90’s hip hop classics that they’d grown up with. As they danced in front of the DJ booth, Molly did a double take. Was that Chris behind the decks? She tried to focus but it was too dark to pick out his features. Her head felt fuzzy, and she felt like she was either going to burst into laughter or tears. Closing her eyes, as the bright lights streamed over her body, she forgot her fears. Flanked by her friends, and in her disguise, she felt safe, and for the first time in a while, brave.
When she came out of the ladies bathroom a while later, her eyes locked onto someone sitting on a stool at the bar. Chris. She turned to Saskia, who was beside her, hoping she hadn’t seen him. They were both far too drunk to talk to him right now. It was too late though; Saskia had followed her gaze.
‘Mole!’ Saskia bellowed. ‘It’s Chris.’ She pointed at him, before bursting out laughing.
Molly put her hand over Saskia’s mouth. ‘Don’t come over,’ she said to her, ‘unless I look like I’m embarrassing myself, in which case, promise you’ll drag me away from him.’
‘I don’t make promises, Mole, you know that,’ Saskia replied, before smoothing Molly’s hair. ‘Go get him, tiger.’
***
‘Hello…’ Chris stared blankly at the woman in front of him. She’d just said hello to him, but he had no idea who she was. She had long black hair, a white face and deep, blood red lipstick. Not only was she ridiculously sexy in her tight black dress, but she knew his name.
‘Chris, it’s me, Molly.’ Molly burst out laughing.
‘Shit! Molly? I didn’t recognise you.’ Chris gulped. The dress clung to every curve, and she was taller than usual, her eyes almost level with his. ‘I would never have guessed it was you.’
Molly twirled. ‘Pretty weird, huh? I keep jumping when I see myself in the mirror.’ She moved closer to him, wobbling slightly in her heels. ‘Was that you I saw up there on the stage?’
He nodded and took her arm to steady her. ‘It was me.’ His heart started pounding faster as she gripped onto his arm. Her glacial blue eyes sparkled under the bright lights, and he wondered how he was going to be able to let her go. ‘I’m not the famous one, though. My cousin Alex is Celestial, I don’t know if you’ve heard of him?’
Her eyes widened. ‘No way!’ she said, laughing. ‘I love him. He’s amazing.’ She frowned at him. ‘What about you? Have I heard of you? What’s your stage name?’
‘Sub Zero,’ he replied. ‘I doubt you would have heard of me. I’ve not been doing it as long as Alex.’ He smiled as Alex walked over. ‘Oh, there he is. Alex, come and meet one of your adoring fans.’
He relinquished his grip on her arm as Alex joined them.
Alex smiled at Molly and raised an eyebrow. ‘Nice to meet you…uh Morticia.’
‘This is Molly. We met on the commute,’ Chris said to Alex. He hadn’t told Alex about Molly, as his cousin was incredibly perceptive, and he was afraid Alex would know that he had feelings for her.
‘I’m just fangirling right now,’ she said, smiling at Alex. ‘I love your remixes. They’re so good.’ She pulled out her phone. ‘I’ve got your Nero and Wilkinson remixes on one of my playlists.’
‘Ah, wow.’ Alex replied. ‘You’ve made my night. Tonight’s our first night here. I don’t do live sets very often.’ He looked up at the stage, where another DJ had taken over. ‘I loved it, but I’m glad it’s over.’
‘Well, it was…phenomenal.’ Molly said. She ran her eyes over Alex’s jacket, which was embroidered with silver skulls.. ‘I love your jacket,’ she said. ‘Spooky.’
Chris felt a pang of jealousy. Alex was taller than him, with dark hair and a general air of mystery which seemed to have a magnetic effect, drawing women to him. Molly laughed at something Alex said, and Chris brought himself out of his thoughts to concentrate on the conversation.
‘It’s my nod to a Halloween costume,’ Alex replied. ‘My girlfriend embroidered the skulls onto this jacket for me.’
‘Alex is too cool for fancy dress,’ Chris said, raising an eyebrow.
‘Where’s your costume?’ Molly asked Chris.
‘Playing live makes me nervous enough. I couldn’t face doing it in a costume,’ he replied. ‘Although at least if I was shit, no one would know who I was.’ He laughed and gestured to his black long sleeved shirt and jeans. ‘I’m wearing all black, that’s about as fancy as I get.’
He looked up as Alex’s girlfriend, Kate, dressed in a black catsuit and velvet cat ears walked over, wrapping herself around Alex. He nodded to Molly. ‘As you can see, Kate isn’t afraid to get dressed up.’
‘Any excuse,’ Kate said, kissing Alex on the cheek. ‘Banging set, guys.’ She turned to Molly. ‘I love your costume! Chris, who is this beautiful woman? Is she with you?’
Chris sucked in a breath. ‘This is my friend Molly. We catch the train together.’ He took a deep breath. He loved Kate, but sometimes she had no filter. ‘Molly, this is Kate, Alex’s girlfriend.’
‘So good to meet you,’ Molly smiled at Kate. ‘I love your outfit.’
‘Thanks,’ Kate replied. ‘It’s fine until you have to go to the bathroom.’ She laughed, making Molly laugh too.
Chris’s jaw dropped as someone walked up to Molly and slid an arm around her.
‘Loved your set, Chris.’ She turned to Kate and Alex. ‘Who are you two?’
‘Is that Saskia?’ Chris burst out laughing.
‘Call me Gomez.’ Saskia smirked at Chris, then gave Molly a look
that he couldn’t interpret.
‘This is Alex, my cousin, and his girlfriend, Kate,’ he said. ‘You liked the music tonight then?’
‘Definitely,’ Saskia said and Molly, leaning on Saskia, nodded.
Scott, who was behind the bar, nodded to Molly and Saskia. ‘Can I get you guys a drink?’
‘No thank you,’ Molly said. ‘We’re just leaving.’
‘Molly, Saskia, this is my brother, Scott,’ Chris said, noticing that Saskia and Scott were gazing at each other.
‘Hi there,’ Saskia said, smiling at Scott. ‘I’m Saskia.’
Scott studied her face. ‘Hi Saskia. Your make-up is really good.’
‘Thank you, I’m an actress, so I’ve got a little bit of experience with stage make-up. I don’t usually look like this,’ Saskia replied, blushing.
‘The moustache suits you,’ Scott replied drily.
‘Thank you,’ Saskia smiled. ‘You’re cute.’
Chris rolled his eyes. Typical. He and Molly had been talking to each other for what felt like weeks, and he hadn’t even asked for her number. Scott had only just met Saskia, but she was clearly already enamoured with him. He let out a long exhale and turned back to Molly, who was trying to climb onto the stool next to him. He held out his hand and she took it, sliding onto the stool.
‘Thanks,’ she said. ‘These heels are a nightmare.’ She looked up at the stage and wrinkled her nose. ‘I don’t love these guys. You were so much better.’ Her eyes met his. ‘It’s so good to see you.’
Her eyes were glazed. His chest tightened.
‘Are you alright, Molly? Have you guys been drinking tonight?’ He glanced at Saskia, who was laughing hysterically at whatever Scott was saying.
‘We might have had a few drinks,’ Molly replied. ‘You are so beautiful, Chris. Do you know that?’ She squeezed his hand tightly, her scarlet nails pressing into his skin.
‘You’re beautiful too, Molly,’ he said. The feel of her hand gripping his made his heart pound faster, but she was drunk, and that worried him. How are you guys getting home?’
‘We have a designated driver, don’t worry. My friend Liz will take us all home. She’s used to it.’ Molly waved to a woman in a witch’s costume, who walked over to them.
‘Is this guy bothering you, Molly?’ The woman folded her arms and narrowed her eyes.
‘No, silly,’ Molly replied, giggling. ‘This is Chris. You know, my train buddy.’
‘Right.’ Liz nodded. ‘Cake boy.’
Chris snorted with laughter. ‘Cake boy?’
‘Yeah, you protect Moll, and she brings you cake,’ Liz replied. ‘Lovely to meet you.’
‘Same.’ Chris smiled at Liz. ‘I hear you’re the one that’s got to get this lot home tonight.’
‘Yep. That’s the plan. They’re all staying at Molly’s so I’ll just open the door and throw them in. They can fend for themselves.’ Liz rolled her eyes.
Chris laughed. ‘Good luck.’
‘We have to go,’ Molly said to Chris. ‘It was so good seeing you.’ She planted a scarlet kiss on his cheek.
‘See you on Monday,’ he replied, breathing in her sweet coconut scent. As she turned away from him, the low cut back of her dress revealed a tattoo across her shoulder blade. In fine black lines, it was a galleon, sailing through choppy water. It was exactly how he felt about tonight.
***
The following morning, Chris lay in bed replaying the previous night. The nerves that had plagued him before his DJ set had disappeared once it had started, replaced by adrenaline. The best part of the night had been seeing Molly in her costume. She’d told him he was beautiful, then disappeared, leaving him with nothing but a glimpse of her tattoo.
A knock at his bedroom door interrupted his thoughts.
‘Come in!’ he shouted.
Morning mate.’ Scott opened the door and walked in, wearing a hoodie and a pair of checked pyjama bottoms. He put a cup of coffee on Chris’s bedside table.
‘Thanks, mate,’ Chris said and picked up the coffee, taking a large gulp. ‘I needed that.’
‘What’s up?’ Scott sat down on the armchair next to Chris’s bed, drinking his own coffee.
‘Last night.’ Chris shook his head. ‘I’m so confused.’
‘You smashed it.’ Scott nodded approvingly. ‘The crowd loved it. You guys had more bootlegs than a noughties jeans factory.’
‘Nice reference.’ Chris laughed. ‘The set was great. It’s just everything else that was confusing.’
‘I see what you mean about Molly. She’s hot. Did you get her number?’ Scott asked.
‘No mate, she was drunk.’ Chris put his coffee down on his bedside table and ran his hands through his hair. ‘She told me I was beautiful. That’s not normal behaviour for her. I wasn’t going to take advantage of her. You didn’t waste your time with Saskia though.’
‘Saskia.’ Scott shook his head. ‘Even dressed like Gomez Addams, she was stunning.’
Chris glowered at Scott. ‘Don’t fuck around with her, Scott. Do not pull your hot barman shit with her.’
Scott shook his head. ‘I did try. But she called me right out on it. I’ve asked her out. On a date.’
Chris groaned. ‘You don’t do relationships.’
‘I might for her; she’s something else. I couldn’t really see her face, but I know she’s hot, and she’s so funny.’ Scott took a sip of his coffee. ‘What are you going to do about Molly?’
‘I don’t know,’ Chris replied. ‘I’ve been out of the game so long that I don’t know the rules.’
‘Time to start playing, my friend.’ Scott stood up. ‘Get up and get yourself showered. We’re going to Mum and Dad’s for breakfast.’
***
Molly opened her eyes and groaned. Her head was pounding, and the light streaming in from the open curtains hurt her eyes. She was in her own bed, but she wasn’t alone. And her roommate was messy. Her bedside table was covered in an assortment of random items. A black wig, a pint of water, half a lemon, and a half eaten packet of gummy bears.
‘Is it morning already?’ Saskia croaked as she opened her eyes.
‘Saskia,’ Molly hissed. ‘I kissed him.’
‘What?’ Saskia mumbled, rubbing her eyes. She was still wearing the frilled shirt from the night before, and the sleeve flopped over her face.
‘I kissed Chris last night. Oh shit, this is bad.’ Molly lay back on the pillow.
‘You kissed him on the cheek!’ Saskia retorted. ‘What’s wrong with that?’
‘I’ve never done that before; he’ll think it was weird.’ She covered her face with her hands.
‘Can you noisy bitches keep it down?’ Jess stumbled into the room, her pink hair sticking up.
‘Morning, love.’ Saskia smiled at Jess. ‘Molly, shove over. Make room.’
Molly frowned as it all came back to her. After they’d got back from the bar last night, Saskia had offered Jess her bed, so Molly had let Saskia share hers. And Saskia being Saskia, had got into bed with a bag of sweets at two a.m. They’d obviously both fallen asleep before they could take Molly’s pre-emptive hangover cure of painkillers, water and lemon. That would explain why she felt so awful. She shuffled over, and Jess, still in her nurse’s outfit, climbed into the bed next to Saskia.
‘Well, this is cosy.’ Jess shut her eyes. ‘Three pissheads in a bed.’
‘Don’t lump me in with you two.’ Molly sat up, regretting it instantly as her head started swimming. ‘I’ve not been that drunk for ages.’
Jess shrugged. ‘It’s a normal Saturday night for us.’
‘Ignore her.’ Saskia said to Jess. ‘She’s just mad at herself because she kissed her “friend” last night.’ She turned to Molly. ‘Mole, you can’t hide it. I could feel the chemistry between you.’
‘But…I can’t have feelings for him,’ Molly said in a croaky voice. ‘I feel so embarrassed.’
‘He did not look like he was complaining.’ Saskia started giggling.
‘This is some dramatic love triangle shit,’ Jess said. ‘And I’m totally here for it.’