Chapter 36
Tribute Madonna is now singing Like a Virgin.
Despite there not being a single one in the bar, everyone sings along full throttle – vocal cords lubricated by the choir members alcohol of choice.
Even the worst singers believe they’re now on the world stage with fake Madge.
Soumia has her hands in the air, her eyes closed, and every now and again lets out a Whoop!
Dave, acting prefect, reports what happened since Olly and I slipped away. ‘She’s had another cocktail and two green shots.’ He points at Nick. ‘Look at the state of him.’
Nick’s created a little circle and now has his own fans surrounding him cheering him on. Some of them are trying to copy his dance moves.
‘Lighten up, he’s just enjoying himself.’ Dave doesn’t like my response and goes to stand next to Jason who has his tongue down a pensioner’s throat. Seemingly he’s willing to do anything or anyone to get over Captain Skerrow.
Olly and I are both dance like no one’s watching, encouraging each other with exaggerated moves. I almost snort my drink as Olly breaks out the running man. I do the robot back at him.
‘Scream if you’d like one more,’ fake Madonna says. Pissed cheers encourage her to start an encore of Material Girl.
Someone’s pulling at my t-shirt.
‘Oh my god, babe.’ Alex is stood in front of me, which means, yep, there he is, by her side. Liam is back. ‘I can’t believe I’ve not seen you for months and now you’re always out.’
‘We’ve just come out for a dance. This is Olly, my…’ I’m not sure what to call him.
Olly interjects. ‘Boyfriend. I met you in Boston.’
I look at him and think I’m going to melt.
I repeat Olly’s words to Alex. ‘He’s my boyfriend.’
Liam steps forward. ‘Good to see you’ve moved on.’
‘There was nothing holding me back.’ He doesn’t need to know I spent the first month after he left on the floor waiting for him to come home.
‘Can I get you all a drink, show there’s no hard feelings?’ Liam asks.
‘We’re good thanks, we’re in rounds,’ Olly turns his back on Liam.
Alex tries to get Soumia’s attention. ‘How are you doing?’
Soumia looks at her and makes a snarling sound you’d hear from a cat just before it scratches your eyes out, then drops her head and goes back to dancing on her own.
Alex turns to me. ‘I honestly didn’t mean to cause any trouble posting those pics. I just didn’t think.’
‘I know you didn’t babe, but you did, and it cost Soumia a promotion.’
‘I’m so sorry, I was pissed.’
‘Don’t worry about it, it will sort itself out.’
Olly’s knocking back a Tequilla with Soumia. He’s bought them from the young man who walks around the pub selling shots to punters who’ve already drank enough.
Liam’s stood in front of me. I dreamed of this for so long, for him to be back. Now I’d do anything for him to disappear. I look at him and I don’t love him. I don’t hate him either. I feel nothing.
He shouts into my ear. ‘Can we talk?’
‘Really?’
‘Yes, just two minutes. Come on, I need a cig.’
I look at Olly. He’s busy propping Soumia up whilst they both attempt to dance under the influence.
I warn Liam. ‘Two minutes.’
Outside the bar there’s a couple of people already stood in a cloud of smoke, the smell is horrible. I take a step back from Liam whilst he sparks up to make sure none of the odour lingers on me.
‘Well?’ I ask.
‘That your new man?’ He takes a deep drag on his cigarette then blows smoke rings as he exhales.
‘It’s early days, but yes, we’re seeing how things go.’
‘He’s a bit good looking, isn’t it?’
‘What do you mean by that?’
‘Nothing, but men like that don’t normally go for men like you.’ There’s not a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
‘Men like me?’
‘You know, he’s muscled and tall.’ He takes a step towards me and squeezes my tummy.
‘And I’m short and fat?’
‘Not at all. You’re not quite in his league though, are you?’
Everything I used to find attractive about Liam has evaporated. His smile, his eyes, his hairy chest. They all belong to someone who I’d never want to touch me again.
‘We were in the same league when he just fucked me in the toilets,’ I snap back.
He ignores the information. ‘You know no one will love you like I did.’
‘I fucking hope not if that’s how you treat the people you love.’
Liam steps forward and strokes the side of my face. ‘I loved you. I still do.’
I can feel bile rising up my throat.
‘We were good together, Callum,’ he says. ‘We should give it another go.’
It’s everything I’ve wanted to hear him say, and for the slightest moment I think if we could go back. The sound of a pint glass smashing on the concrete brings me to my senses.
I realise I’ve been holding my tummy in since he patted it. ‘I’ve got to go back inside.’
‘Be careful.’ There’s a menace in his tone. I look at him. ‘Men like that, Olly. They’re always looking for something better. It won't be hard for him to find it.’
The heat from the sweaty bodies hits me as I open the doors and make my way back through the crowd. Soumia’s no longer being propped up but physically held up by Olly.
‘Babes, I’m very very drunk,’ she slurs.
Olly’s also wearing the effects of several shots across his face. ‘What did he want?’ He gestures at Liam, who’s back with Alex.
‘He was talking bollocks.’ I struggle to keep Soumia upright. ‘I’m going to have to get her home.’
‘I’ll give you a hand out to a cab.’ Olly puts Soumia’s arm around his shoulders and carries her outside.
I give a small wave to Nick and Dave to indicate we’re going. They acknowledge but don’t register. They’re too busy dancing to the DJ who has replaced Madonna with Whitney Houston’s Million Dollar Bill.
There’s a black cab parked at the end of the cobbles of Canal Street. I shout Radcliffe through the window, the driver nods to tell me he’s willing to go that far out of the city. Soumia falls onto the back seat of the cab.
‘Night then, handsome,’ Olly says, kissing me goodnight.
‘Sorry I’m not coming back to yours; I was looking forward to round two.’
‘Tomorrow?’
‘I’ll look forward to it. Go back in and join the others.’
‘Will do.’
Olly heads back to Via and I clip Soumia’s seatbelt around her.
The driver’s a fat middle-aged white man. A huge red nose which glows in the light of the taxi metre. ‘If she’s sick, you’re paying for a clean-up.’
‘No problem. She’ll be fine.’ I shout through the little gap in the Perspex screen, then threaten Soumia through gritted teeth, ‘If you’re sick, I’ll kill you.’
‘Should I take the Old Road or the New Road?’ The driver asks.
‘New, please.’
We pull off. Soumia already asleep against the window of the taxi. I sit back in my seat and reach over my shoulder for my seatbelt. My head turns as I reach for the buckle. There, stood outside Via, Liam is talking to Olly.