Chapter 18
18
VIPERS NIGHTCLUB, DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN
‘I shouldn’t have eaten so many burritos.’ Tony let out a belch, one hand on his chest.
‘You think?’ Oliver said. ‘I’d guess it was the two sides of fries that really did it.’
‘Why didn’t you stop me?’
‘Because both of us having heart attacks and going together might be kind of cool.’
Tony swiped a hand out, catching Oliver on the shoulder. ‘Asshole.’
Oliver smiled. The music in the club was thudding through his body, banging his ribcage, pulsing through every internal organ and he was relishing it. He wanted this buzz; he needed to be part of this life. People filled the dance floor, their bodies moving to the sounds of Bruno Mars and Jason Derulo, swirling under glitter balls and bright-white Christmas lights. Garlands decked the windows, tinsel hung from contemporary art on the walls, the holidays were coming and everyone here was hungry for it. Except him. Because he didn’t want anything to stop. He needed to be busy, vital, involved in the fabric of something, to stop himself from thinking too much. Like today, when he’d clicked on that website and given Clara the day off. Weak .
He put the bottle of beer to his mouth and let his eyes rove over the clientele. They were spoiled for choice here. There was a group of women to their right joining the dance floor. Despite the snow outside, they were dressed to impress in figure-fitting dresses that didn’t leave much to the imagination. The blonde of the party looked Oliver’s way, sending him a mere hint of a smile. He raised his beer bottle a little, just to show interest. She moved her hips in time to the next track as it came through the speakers and he admired what he saw. Tonight was going to be a good night. He could just feel it.
‘I’m seeing this,’ Tony said, nudging Oliver’s ribs with his elbow. ‘Why do they always notice you first?’
‘Don’t knock it. It means they get to notice you at all.’
‘Hey!’
‘Come on,’ Oliver said, stepping towards the group of ladies.
Dean Walker’s Apartment, Downtown Manhattan
‘Did you know that Central Park was originally opened in 1857?’
‘Did you know if you don’t put that guidebook down, I’m going to start eating your pizza,’ Hayley said, playfully.
They were sat around the large dining table eating pizza Vernon had made from scratch in about ten minutes. It was the most divine-tasting base Hayley had ever had and it seemed her brother’s partner was turning out to be a catch in every department. If only she could meet someone like that instead of being set upon by the likes of Greg.
Hayley drained the wine from her glass in one mouthful then took a look at her watch. It was almost ten o’clock and she couldn’t help feeling that Angel should really be in bed. It was the second late night in as many days and coupled with the jet lag, it didn’t bode well for tomorrow. She also had plans of her own for tonight. Plans that didn’t involve the company of a nine-year-old. Vipers nightclub.
‘What was your favourite animal at the zoo?’ Vernon asked, topping up Dean and Hayley’s wineglasses.
‘Oh I loved the sea lions,’ Angel announced. ‘Did you know that sea lions can stay under the water for up to forty minutes?’
‘I didn’t know that,’ Vernon answered.
‘The longer you know Angel, the greater your life’s knowledge will be, trust me,’ Hayley said, picking up a piece of pizza.
‘The only thing Mum is an expert on is EastEnders ,’ Angel piped up.
Hayley put a hand to her chest and looked shocked. ‘You’ve burned me! I also happen to be an expert on hits of the year 2000.’
‘That takes me back. 2000, pleather before it was pleather and Madonna’s “Music”,’ Dean said.
‘I concur. I graced a few dance floors to that one,’ Vernon joined in.
‘You never did!’ Dean said, smiling.
‘Just because we haven’t been out dancing yet doesn’t mean I can’t,’ Vernon said.
‘OK, Fred and Ginger, no spats at the dinner table,’ Hayley said.
‘Did you know Madonna is afraid of thunder?’ Angel said, sipping from her glass of Coke.
‘What? You’ve made that up,’ Hayley said.
Angel shook her head. ‘I read it somewhere.’
Hayley nudged Vernon’s arm. ‘See what I mean? Child genius.’
Angel smiled and looked at Dean. ‘We met Mr Meanie’s personal assistant today, Uncle Dean. ’
‘I’ve heard all about it,’ Dean replied.
‘And we really don’t need to hear any more,’ Hayley added. She screwed her face up at Angel, pushing her tongue forward in her mouth and jutting out her chin.
‘Isn’t that a form of swearing in America?’ Angel asked loudly.
‘So what did you think of the offices?’ Dean asked.
‘It’s massive! How many floors does it have?’ Angel asked.
‘You mean you don’t know?’ Hayley teased.
‘Eighty. And it’s quite a workout if you take the stairs,’ Dean answered.
‘Do you have to rehydrate at the top?’ Angel held her empty glass aloft. ‘Can I have some more Coke?’
‘I’ll get you some,’ Vernon said, rising from his chair.
‘Oh, Angel, go with him. He has trouble with the ice machine,’ Dean encouraged.
‘OK. Vern, can we let Randy out of the spare bedroom when we’ve finished eating?’ Angel asked as she got up.
‘As long as you keep him away from the cushions,’ Dean answered.
‘There we go,’ Vernon said. ‘As long as he stays away from the precious fripperies.’
Hayley couldn’t help smiling. The two men sounded like an old married couple. It was nice. She hadn’t seen Dean this happy or settled before. She waited for Angel to make it to the kitchen area then put a hand on Dean’s arm.
‘So could you watch Angel for me tonight? So I can go to Vipers and ask if anyone remembers Michel?’ Hayley’s heart jumped into her throat. ‘It is still there, isn’t it?’
‘Yeah, it’s still there but…’ Dean started.
‘I know Vernon is here and everything, but it’s late; she’ll be asleep the second her head hits the pillow, I promise.’
Despite having no luck in the gallery today, her stomach was fizzing with anticipation about visiting Vipers. The place she’d met Angel’s father. There was a chance, maybe a small chance, that he might even be there. Just because ten years might have gone by didn’t mean everything had changed.
Dean looked over at Vernon and Angel laughing as crushed iced spurted out from the refrigerator.
‘See, she’s being a doll and Vernon likes her and I finally got her to part with the dreadful Christmas book she made us read every December.’
‘I don’t have a problem with minding Angel, Hay; I’m just worried about you. I know you’re doing this for Angel but are you really ready for it?’ Dean asked.
Hayley sucked in a giant breath. She was trying to do everything but think about whether she was ready for it or not. She just had to be. This wasn’t about her.
‘I don’t know. I wasn’t ready for the end of Spooks but I had to deal with it all the same.’
Dean was looking at her, seemingly scrutinising every nuance. She tried another smile and picked up her wine glass, sipping at the contents.
‘I don’t think you should go there on your own,’ Dean said.
‘I promise I won’t go off with any suspicious-looking characters and come back pregnant.’ Hayley held her hand up like she was committing to the Girl Guide promise.
‘That isn’t funny.’
‘No, I know but I am doing it for Angel.’ She sighed. ‘I have no secret yearning to see Michel again.’
Now Dean was eyeing her with suspicion.
‘Why are you looking at me like that?’
He sighed. ‘Well, how many boyfriends have you had since Michel?’
‘Come on, I’ve got a nine-year-old daughter.’ She looked over to the kitchen. Vernon and Angel were making artwork out of the glass of Coke with a paper umbrella, straws and fruit.
‘So there’s been nobody?’
‘I’m not particularly comfortable having this conversation with my brother.’
‘Hayley…’
‘There’s been a few, OK. A couple of dinners and a couple of nights at their places.’ Her mind went to Greg. ‘A desperate colleague who wanted to iron out my creases and so much more.’
‘What?’
Hayley sighed. ‘There’s been no one special enough to meet Angel.’
‘Because?’
‘Not because I still hold out hope of reuniting with someone I knew for half an evening, one night and half a morning ten years ago.’ She huffed out a breath and dug her fork into a baby tomato.
‘Listen, don’t get me wrong, I think you’re right about focusing on Angel but—’ Dean began.
‘Look what Vernon made me!’ Angel held aloft the fluted glass of Coke festooned with every embellishment imaginable. Saved by the bell – read Coke.
‘We thought it went with Uncle Dean’s cushions,’ Vernon remarked, retaking his seat.
‘Funny guy,’ Dean said, a smile at his lips.
‘Do you like it, Mum?’ Angel asked, sitting back down and showing Hayley her glass.
‘I think it looks worthy of a nightclub,’ she answered, defiant eyes shifting to Dean.