The Eleventh Floor

by Shani Struthers

  “Is everyone done with dinner?” the ice queen shouted.

  David looked as surprised as Caroline. What was she up to? Rather than anyone rushing to answer her, a hush descended, knives, forks, and glasses held aloft.

  The lack of response didn’t deter Tallula at all. “I spy with my little eye… we have indeed finished. But the night’s still young. We’re still young.” Not quite daring to meet Althea’s eyes but clearly aiming her next words at her, she added, “Some of us, anyway.”

  With one finger she beckoned a waiter over. “We want music,” she announced, “and lower the lights, it’s too damn stark in here.” Re-addressing those in the room, she asked for everyone’s help in pushing back the tables. “Come on,” she urged, “this is supposed to be a ballroom, so let’s use it for what it was intended for. Let’s dance!”

  Around Caroline, people started to move, reluctantly at first but then with more conviction. By her side, letting others do all the work, Edward continued to sit with his legs crossed. From the look on his face, Caroline could see he approved of Tallula’s antics.

  “David?” she asked. “What do you think?”

  He shrugged, picked up his glass of wine, and drained the last of it. “We were saying something similar, weren’t we? About making the best of the situation. As for dancing, I’ve got two left feet, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to dance with you.”

  His words caused her to drain her wine too, which rather than slake any thirst, ignited one that was greater. “Okay, let’s do it,” she said, excitement growing. She could do with letting her hair down, having fun – even if it was at the behest of Tallula.

  It was wonderful to see such life in the room, to witness the dance floor being revealed for the first time in who knew how long; to hear the first strains of music bursting through the speakers. She’d been expecting something old-fashioned, something more suited to Althea’s generation, old classics to suit a classical room, but that wasn’t the case. This was a modern tune, one she was familiar with, but was struggling to place.

  David noticed her confusion. “It’s Lady Antebellum, Need You Now.”

  “Oh yeah, of course.” It was a song she loved. “I’m really going to enjoy tonight.”

  “Because it’s been so terrible up until now?”

  “No, not terrible, it’s been… interesting.”

  “You can say that again,” he replied.

  “One person in particular.”

  “And who might that be?”

  “The answer might surprise you.”

  “Only if it’s me. Is it?”

  She flashed him another coy smile. “That’d be telling.”

  As Lady Antebellum rushed headlong into another chorus, she had to admit, she might not like Tallula, but her enthusiasm to party was admirable. Even Althea, whom she expected to be furious at such proceedings, seemed resigned to it. Her table, already on the outskirts of the dance floor, remained where it was. She was sitting at it still, but she wasn’t glowering, she was merely… observing. On Jenna’s face, there was even a hint of a smile, going a long way to combat her plainness. Elspeth too was more enlivened – although whether that was a good thing or not, she didn’t know. She was a simmering volcano and therefore unpredictable.

  As the lights were lowered, Caroline spotted Tom. She hadn’t seen him since he’d showed David to his room on their first night here. He was looking relaxed, still in uniform, but not as buttoned up somehow. Raquel hadn’t joined them yet, but would she? Take up that offer of a glass of wine? Surely Althea wouldn’t protest, the girl must be allowed to have some fun too. As for the teen, what a shame if she was still locked in her room, she might have enjoyed this. Then again, if her parents were amongst several people who’d already taken to the dance floor, perhaps she’d find it more excruciating than ever!

  A hand came around her waist – it was David’s. “Come on,” he said, steering her towards the dance floor. “A dance and then another drink perhaps?”

  There was no perhaps about it, she wanted to dance, to drink, to be as close to him as possible. She’d have to watch it though, she was lightheaded already, staggering slightly as they joined the dancing couples, David steadying her, both of them giggling about it.

  Lady Antebellum gave way to Dolly Parton and Jolene – another favourite of hers. There was definitely a country edge to the music being played tonight.

  Edward and Tallula were smooching on the dance floor as opposed to dancing, Tallula grinding her hips against his, her lips nuzzling at his neck. Commitment-phobe or not, he was clearly enjoying her efforts. They looked exquisite together, she thought, making her wonder what she and David looked like too. Did they suit each other half as much?

  The smell of him close up was nothing like the one she’d experienced with Edward. Certainly he had a scent that was unique to him but it was intoxicating rather than repellent – soap and water, and a hint of musk that stirred something deep within.

  “Sorry, so sorry!”

  It was Marilyn and John, bumping into them slightly. They’d also started dancing – not the dirty dancing of Edward and Tallula, or the slightly more restrained dancing that she and David were indulging in, but sweet and old-fashioned, John holding her at arm’s length in a sort of waltzing stance. There was nothing romantic about it, but neither did either of them intend there to be, Caroline guessed. They were simply two lonely people reaching out to each other during a time of need. Seeing that Marilyn had managed to coax shy John into enjoying himself just a fraction, choked her slightly. She barely knew them, barely knew David, but there was something in each of them that struck a chord.

  Something in Althea too, and Elspeth…

  “Hey, what’s that tear doing on your cheek?” David whispered into her ear.

  She was surprised. “Is there? Oh, I didn’t realise. I’m not sad, not at all. I’m happy.” A realisation that oddly made her feel like crying more.

  “Good, because I want you to be happy, Caroline.” David’s eyes were every bit as penetrating as Edward’s, but with one difference, they didn’t make her flinch. “But there’s something that’s upsetting you, I know there is, despite how you try and hide it.”

  “My parents,” she whispered, not bothering to hide it anymore.

  “They’re dead aren’t they? What happened? Was it recent?”

  “It’s… yeah… recent enough.”

  “I’m sorry. What can I do, Caroline? How can I help?”

  “Just do what you’re doing, continue to hold me.”

  David was only too happy to oblige, his grip becoming tighter.

  Another song came on – Hotel California by The Eagles – she couldn’t believe it, it was another firm favourite. Out of the corner of her eye she could see that Elspeth had risen to her feet upon hearing the first familiar beats of such an iconic song, swaying some more as the drum beat kicked in, as much as Caroline was swaying in David’s arms.

  If wine was a drug than the song was too. Everything about the evening was intoxicating. She let her head fall back upon her shoulders, knowing that David would hold her steady, losing herself in the haunting lyrics, comparing herself to the hapless traveller in the song, both of them strangers in a strange place, but she was getting used to her surroundings at least, and to the people. No longer feeling isolated, but a part of something.

  Bringing her head forward, she laid it against his chest.

  “Oh, David.” Her words were barely audible, but he must have heard, as he responded by brushing his lips against her hair. A travelling salesman, the son of a preacher man; like Edward, he was every cliché in the book, but he was also strong and kind-hearted, refusing to judge anyone, doing what he could to make things better.

  “Caroline.” He was murmuring her name too, and still she kept her eyes closed, whilst The Eagles played on, wanting to prolong this moment, to make it last forever. Perhaps her mother had felt the same in her father’s arms. Perhaps they’d even da
nced here, on this very spot. She wanted to remember them, but she also wanted to forget. That was their time and this was hers. It was happening at last.

  “Sorry.”

  The second apology when it came, forced her to open her eyes. It was not as genuine as Marilyn’s had been. If anything there was cold amusement in it.

  It was Edward. She should have guessed. “We were dancing with our eyes closed too.”

  “It doesn’t matt—” David began but Edward cut him short.

  “You look gorgeous tonight.” His focus was entirely on Caroline. “What do they say? The belle of the ball.” His tongue flicking out, he ran it across his lips, slowly, pointedly.

  Inhaling, Caroline cast a quick glance at Tallula. Did she know that Edward had kissed her? David certainly didn’t. And that’s how she wanted it to stay. Tallula, however, was a blank canvass, deliberately concealing any emotions.

  “As I said,” David reiterated, “it doesn’t matter. We’ll just… move away.”

  “Move away?” Edward repeated, and it was clear from his attitude that he didn’t like David either, the animosity between them real not imagined and growing in strength. “On the contrary… David, is it? I think you’ve been hogging Caroline too long. Shall we swap?”

  There was a slight reaction from Tallula this time: the tiniest of jerks. As for Caroline, she was dumbfounded. The way he’d suggested they swapped partners made them sound like chattels rather than human beings. David clearly thought the same.

  “I think it’s best we carry on the way we were,” he answered.

  “Or we could ask the lady?” Edward suggested slyly.

  Sighing, David turned to Caroline. “Do you…?” His voice tailed off.

  ‘I… erm…” She was at a loss for words too. So easily her happiness had been spiked.

  David’s gaze was gentle. “Caroline, it’s fine. If you don’t want—”

  “Go ahead.” It was Tallula, her voice tight as she stepped aside. The song had changed again, a song she didn’t recognise this time, something much slower, much lazier, that would give Edward a chance to pull her into his arms too. Almost as if he’d planned it…

  People were beginning to look at them; she could sense it, all eyes on the four people standing on the dance floor, wondering if there was a problem. Even she didn’t know the answer to that. It felt like Edward was being very obvious but then she was drunker than she realised, the wine much stronger than she was used to.

  “Just the one dance,” she said to both David and Edward. Did she really sound as slurred as she thought she did? She was beginning to feel dizzy too, a feeling that only intensified as Edward wasted no time in getting their dance underway. He whisked her away from David, from Tallula, leaving the pair of them standing, staring after them perhaps, although she didn’t know for sure, because Edward had turned her back to them.

  She sniffed, curious to see if there was that stench again but the only scent she could detect was aftershave, a spicy smell that reminded her of the interior of a church. It was another mockery. There was nothing sacred about Edward.

  The beat picking up, he started to whirl her around. He was a good mover, agile, but the spinning she could do without, it was scrambling her brain further.

  “Edward, stop.”

  Because he didn’t respond, she questioned if she’d said the words or simply thought them. Perhaps the latter, hence why he was ignoring her.

  “Edward, please, can you stop?”

  She’d definitely said that and loudly too, but still he didn’t take any notice.

  The room – it was as though it had no axis and it was spinning with her, faster and faster, a merry-go round. The furniture, the people blurring into one, mere shapes again, like the shapes in her dream, the ones with no faces, no features at all, all of them caught on the ride, finding it as impossible as she did to step off.

  “Edward!”

  What the hell was wrong with him?

  “Edward!” It wasn’t as if the music was that loud. “For fuck’s sake, Edward!” He was going to be sorry if he continued, very sorry. She’d be sick, all over him and his fancy, close-fitting suit. And she wouldn’t feel sorry about it. He’d deserve it. Oh God, why wasn’t he listening to her? “Edward, please.” This time her words were punctuated with a sob. She couldn’t take anymore; she couldn’t. “Edward.” She tried to push against him but his grasp was too tight, nonetheless she made fists with her hands, ready to beat at his chest.

  “Edward!” It wasn’t her who was pleading with him this time it was someone else. And no, he wasn’t pleading, he was demanding. “Let go of her. Now!”

  Afterwards, she wasn’t sure who was at fault – Edward for being lost in the music, just as she’d been minutes before, or her own? Perhaps she should have tried harder to push him away, made him see what he was doing, how ill he was making her feel. Whoever’s fault it was, the fun was over. As David grabbed Edward, tore him off Caroline, the music came to an abrupt halt, their animosity finally bearing fruit.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Caroline had to retreat in order to avoid being caught in the crossfire. In place of the music was a collective gasp as onlookers were left in no doubt that there was indeed a problem.

  David must have noticed she was in trouble and decided to take matters into his own hands. If Edward was not going to let her go, he’d damned well make him. Retaliating, Edward had lunged at David, causing him to lose his footing and tumble to the ground.

  “Leave him!” Caroline was horrified at what was unfolding, her nausea forgotten as she screamed at them, terrified that Edward would do David some serious damage. Again, Edward ignored her, and threw himself on top of David instead; the look in his eyes – one of pure hatred – nothing less than spine-chilling.

  How could this have happened? How could the night have turned so sour?

  The lights, on full now instead of dimmed, flickered in time with their movements, briefly capturing Caroline’s attention. That’s all they needed: a power cut.

  Whilst on his back, David raised his arms to protect his face. She looked wildly around; someone had to do something, anyone. Thankfully, David managed to reverse his fortunes. He pushed Edward off, and clambered to his feet, the shirt he was wearing pulled slightly to one side, a button torn open.

  “You bastard,” he growled. “Come on, get up. If you want a fight, I’ll give it to you.”

  “David, no,” Caroline begged, returning to his side.

  Tallula sauntered over to Edward too. “You’re not going to let him get away with that, are you?” she said, lending him a hand to get up.

  Caroline’s jaw dropped. “Get away with what? Your boyfriend started all this!”

  “Caroline,” warned David, one hand reaching out to her, the other wiping at the sweat on his face. “Just let me deal with this madman.”

  She shook her head. “No, David, I’m the reason this has happened.” Turning to face Edward again, he was back on his feet, his blond hair not so coiffured, having fallen into a middle parting, revealing a slight bald patch, a sight she found almost as shocking as what was unfolding, that he wasn’t so perfect after all. “Back the hell off.”

  Edward snarled, a feral gesture that left her consumed with fear again. “Get out of my way,” he said. “No one lays their hands on me.”

  “You’re supposed to be the manager of this hotel!” she bellowed. “Act like one!”

  “The manager?” he repeated, as if this was news to him. “I said get out of my way.”

  “Caroline,” David was urging her too. “You really do need to move.”

  “There’s no way. Edward, if you want to get to David again, you’ll have to come through me.”

  Tallula sniggered, gave a little shrug, causing hatred to surge in Caroline too. She was enjoying this spectacle, the little bitch! She wanted them to hurt each other.

  “You’re despicable.” Caroline spat the words at her.

  “And you
’re a fool,” Tallula retorted. “A blind fool. Have you told your boyfriend about Edward, by the way, about being together in his room, about kissing him?”

  “What?” Caroline didn’t realise how much she’d been dreading this being revealed, until now. “He’s not my boyfriend…” Damn! Why had she kick-started her denial with that? What was wrong with her? She turned to face David. “I didn’t kiss him. Well, I did, but it wasn’t like that, I didn’t want him to kiss me.” It was a blatant lie; she had wanted Edward, initially. For a brief moment he’d seemed like the answer to everything. “David…?”

  Before he had a chance to respond, Tallula jumped in again.

  “You’re so confused, aren’t you, Caroline? Who should you pick? Which one excites you more? It must be fun having two men fighting over you. Does it happen very often?”

  At boiling point, Caroline took a step forward. Never having been violent before, she felt an urge to be. Striking this woman – this hard-hearted, trouble-making, arrogant excuse for a woman – would give her the greatest of pleasures.

  “Caroline…” David stepped forward too. “Caroline, no!”

  She hadn’t realised she’d raised her arm, but she had, because David had hold of it, preventing her from raising it further.

  “But, David, what she’s saying—”

  “It doesn’t matter about that.”

  But it did, she knew it did. He’d hate her for kissing Edward, wouldn’t he? She’d hate it if he’d been messing with Tallula, this man who was just a friend.

  “David…” she tried again.

  “Leave it.”

  Tallula was clearly finding Caroline’s discomfort – her anger – oh so hysterical. Edward too. She half expected them to start whooping with delight, as mad as Elspeth. Gradually she registered that someone was making a noise, but it wasn’t either of them, and it wasn’t whooping. It was a strange sort of noise, eerie and high-pitched, a keening.

  All heads turned towards Elspeth. She was still swaying, but not to the beat, in an abject state of distress.