Man for a Year: June - Later Friday Night...
"Emma!" Mary's voice flew across the people at the bar and in a few seconds later, the voice's owner was there as well.
"How's the Latin lover?" She added when she finally managed to sidle over to Emma.
"At the bar." Emma replied, then: "And he's not Latin, he's a Londoner."
"Shame. But apart from that?"
"Let's say he's not going to set the world of high-art ablaze with his witty conversation."
"I'm surprised you expected him to!" Mary laughed. "He works in the kitchen at Charlie Green's!" She added.
"I know. He looks good though, I'll give him that. And if he shapes up tonight, who knows?"
"He might get seconds?"
"He may at that." Emma agreed. "So, where have you and Sarah vanished off to? I was looking for you just before we came over for a drink."
"Sarah bumped into her brother and some of his mates, we're hanging with them at the moment, over the back there to the right of the DJ."
"Isn't her brother the fireman?"
"Yes."
"So, found a squeeze for the night then? I know you're always hankering after Sarah's brother."
"No, sadly." Mary replied. "He's with his girlfriend, and he's out with all his rugby mates tonight, not another fireman in sight!"
"I think rugby players come in a close second to fireman, you know."
"Yeah, but they're all into stupid drinking games at the moment. The only way I'd stand a chance at this is if I was another beer-swilling geezer or a bottle of fucking vodka! Hey, isn't that Jane, your neighbour, over there?"
"God, no!" Emma cried, pulling Mary between her and Jane. "Don't let her see me, I couldn't cope with it all tonight, not when I'm working on Eduardo!"
"Why, what's happened?"
"You know that guy she was seeing, you know, the young one?"
"Oh yeah, lucky cow."
"Well not so lucky now." Emma told her. "She went out the other night and caught him with his tongue down some girl's throat. Turns out he's been two-timing her right from the start!"
"Didn't she loan him money?" Mary asked.
"And paid for virtually everything he owns. I didn't want to tell her so, but you could see it coming. She was just a meal ticket for him."
"Why you avoiding her then?"
"I'm not avoiding her! Oh, Ok, maybe I am. I got the entire story, tears and all, when I got back from work tonight. That's why I was late to the meal. I just don't want to have to go through it all again - especially with Eduardo here. He wouldn't be able to cope with a conversation that long and I'd lose him!" Emma replied.
"Hah." Mary laughed. "Shame about Jane though. She thought that this one was it, didn't she?"
"She thinks they are all it!" Emma answered. "I tell her that the young ones are a waste, her other friends tell her the same, but she just feels flattered by them and before you know it she's back in the same boat again."
"She did say the sex was good with this one, though."
"Frantic, is what she actually said." Emma smiled. "Mind you, he's only just out of his school uniform, so I'm not surprised."
"Hah!" Mary laughed. "But then, when you're not getting any, even frantic sex is better than nothing!"
"Then you had better get back to your beer-swilling rugby players. Convince them there are better things to do with their time - you know!"
"Yeah, right!" Mary smiled. "This lot are tighter than a badger's arse! Even the mighty Sarah can't crack them. She's been left talking to her brother's girlfriend."
"Mary, I'm surprised at you." Emma said. "Are you giving up already?"
"Only on round one." Mary smiled. "Round two - I'll let you know, I've just seen my cousin with an interesting group of men. Catch you later!"
And before Emma could reply Mary had merged back into the crowd of people at the edge of the bar queue. She turned to watch the crowd and sway with the music.
She'd been coming to this club for years, but it still called her back, again and again, despite other clubs springing up in town from time to time.
She felt an arm around her waist, and a light kiss was planted on her neck.
"Boy." She smiled. "I always know when it's you."
"Shame." He answered. "Where's Eduardo, you haven't eaten him up already have you?"
"He's getting me a drink - been gone for ages, mind. Where are you off to? I wasn't expecting you down for another hour or so."
"Hot date, with a promise of something more if I'm a good boy." Boy smiled. "We're off to Romero's - it's cosier than this place. You around tomorrow?"
"No, meeting mum for an early lunch. Dad's down at the cottage getting it ready for the summer. When do you start work tomorrow?"
"Three, but I'll get their earlier - need some lunch!"
"Boy! You have got to look after your money better! It's only the second week of the month!"
"Hey, I pay my rent and pay my bills. This month I just had more to pay out, I got bored last month and hit one of my cards hard."
"I could do with some of that myself." Emma mused. "Maybe tomorrow. Where's lover-boy then?"
"He's getting his jacket, I'm meeting him outside... now, actually."
"OK, have fun and I'll speak to you Sunday, OK?"
"Sunday." Boy agreed.
A quick kiss and he too vanished into the crowd.
"Drinks." Eduardo announced behind her. She turned and accepted the glass.
"Sorry it took so long." He told her, "I think half the staff are on break."
"Boy said something about a private party upstairs, they're probably all there."
"Didn't know there was an upstairs." Eduardo said, looking up into the vaulted ceiling.
"Yeah, it's not huge, 100 people maybe. Boy's brother uses it for his cronies or rents it out. Anyway, I need to dance, and you are going to take me. Come on!" She grabbed his hand and this time she melted into the crowd.