Playing Irish

by Brooke Harris

  16

  The rest of the day passed in a blur of incessant email checking. She still hadn’t heard from Nathan, and she felt beyond bad, but that feeling struggled to compete with her nervous excitement about seeing Julian later. She’d visited the bathroom more often than she could count after excessive coffee consumption and checked her watch so much she almost gave her wrist repetitive strain injury.

  At a minute shy of five o’clock, she powered down her PC and dashed to the bathroom one last time. She visited the mirror every time she passed, gradually becoming more content with her reflection. She patted down stray strands of hair and sleeked them back into her precision bun, adding just enough lip-gloss to give her lips a noticeable hint of colour. Her tummy felt like an entire swim team were battling it out for gold inside her. She couldn’t decide if she was hugely excited or gigantically nervous about her evening with Julian. Whatever she was, she’d definitely never felt like this before.

  She glanced out the window. Commuters were starting to pour onto the street below. She cracked her neck, tossed her bag onto her shoulder, and forgot about her enemy, the mirror. She didn’t want to keep Shelly waiting.

  Shelly was already in reception when Eva got there. Shelly had changed into skinny jeans and an oversized blouse. Eva almost didn’t recognise her. She kissed the air at each of Shelly’s cheeks, and Shelly giggled like a schoolgirl.

  ‘What?’ Eva said, raising her shoulders.

  ‘Nothing. It’s just you’re so sweet.’

  ‘I am?’

  ‘Yeah. You know… the whole mwah, mwah thing? We don’t really do that in Ireland.’

  Eva blushed.

  ‘No, no it’s nice,’ Shelly said. ‘We just usually hug or something here, you know?’

  ‘I can do hugs.’

  ‘I’m sure you can.’ Shelly laughed rather loudly as she nudged her shoulder against Eva’s.

  ‘Sorry. I’m not very good at this blend in thing,’ Eva explained. ‘Still learning your culture.’

  ‘Well, first things first. Let’s Irish you up a bit.’

  Eva’s forehead stiffened.

  ‘Don’t look so worried, Eva. It’s just a drink. Let’s grab a quick one before we hit the shops?’

  Eva exhaled deeply. A drink sounded fabulous. She copied Shelly and knocked shoulders again. Shelly clapped her hands just once and rubbed them together. ‘That’s the spirit. Come on.’

  Eva glanced back at the stairs leading to the sixth-floor office. ‘What about the others?’

  ‘What about them?’ Shelly said, scrunching her nose. ‘Thought it would be nicer just the two of us. They can catch up later.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘For what? Shelly shrugged her shoulders. ‘We’ve all been the new girl, Eva. It’s always a bit shitty at the start, but you’ll be fine once you settle in. It’s actually a pretty great place to work.’

  Eva’s nose twitched.

  ‘Hey, there’s perks with most jobs. Some come with health insurance. Mine? Well, I get to orgasm twice before breakfast.’

  Eva shook her head, no longer surprised. She grabbed Shelly’s hand. ‘Let’s get going. I want to hear about what else you do before your cereal.’

  Shelly led the way down the busy cobbled streets around Temple Bar. Tourists and teenagers were scattered around all, enjoying the lazy summer evening. Music filtered out from the pubs onto the street. Tin whistles, bodhráns and clapping of hands promised a good time was being had by all inside. Eva felt a tingle of excitement rush down her spine. Shelly walked fast and Eva struggled to keep up, all while taking in the sights of terraced buildings on the pedestrianized streets of the winsome city.

  ‘You have been here before, haven’t you?’ Shelly asked, looking at Eva as they burrowed their way through a group of chanting rugby players dancing in the street.

  Eva shook her head.

  ‘Fuck. How long have you been in Dublin?’

  ‘A few months.’

  Shelly’s eyes opened so wide, her forehead wrinkled like a wrung out dishcloth. ‘Jesus Christ, this is going to take more work than I thought. You have a lot to learn.’

  Eva nodded. It was all rather overwhelming, but the laughter and music lured her forward.

  ‘This must all be a little boring for you?’

  ‘Boring?’

  ‘Compared to life in New Jersey, I mean.’

  Eva shrugged. ‘It’s different. Definitely different.’

  ‘Different is good,’ Shelly said. ‘What you need is a taste of the real Dublin. And Dublin men, too, of course.’

  Shelly tilted her head toward the group of rugby players who grew ever louder.

  Eva pulled a face and stuck her tongue out just a little. Ugh, no. There was only one Dublin man she was interested in. That reminded her - she still needed to tell Shelly that she had to rush off.

  ‘Relax, Eva. It’ll be fun. I promise. One drink now, but how about we come back later?’

  ‘About later…’ Eva began, seizing the opportunity to explain before she chickened out.

  ‘Oh, my God, two-for-one on cocktails. We’re so going in,’ Shelly suddenly squealed, pointing excitedly to a street sign.

  She grabbed Eva’s hand and dragged her inside.

  An hour or so later, Eva and Shelly tumbled back onto the street, giggling.

  ‘One cocktail my ass,’ Eva said, slapping Shelly giddily on the shoulder. Not about anything in particular but Eva had to admit that three cocktails in that space of time had the ability to make everything and anything seem funny.

  Shelly waved back at the group of fifteen or so guys huddled around a table far too small for their party.

  ‘I hope they’re still here when we come back.’ She looked like she was ready to burst with excitement.

  Eva pulled a face and shook her head.

  ‘Oh, come on. Don’t try to pretend you didn’t enjoy those free drinks as much as I did. I saw your face, you loved it.’

  Eva had to admit, it was very flattering to be told she was gorgeous and have men insist she drink the alcohol they bought for her. But she didn’t fool herself that their intention was anything more than a Neanderthal urge to get into her panties.

  ‘They just wanted to sleep with you, you know?’ Eva said.

  ‘Hell, yeah. And you, too,’ Shelly said. ‘I had my eye on the guy with the black spiky hair. He was delicious.’

  ‘Wasn’t he the groom-to-be?’ Eva said, disgusted at Shelly’s choice.

  ‘Oh, shit. Was he? Ha, trust me to pick the spoken-for one. Ah, well, plenty more fish and all that.’

  Eva wrinkled her nose and shook her head. Shelly seemed disappointed with her reaction.

  ‘Let your hair down, Eva. What have you got to lose?’

  My pride, dignity, self-respect, Eva thought. But she didn’t say anything. She just smiled as she looked around the ever-busying streets. Shelly wasn’t the exception, Eva was. Girls everywhere wore their skirts too short and heels too high. They flirted with strangers and drank an off-the-scale amount of alcohol. It was life in the fast lane. But Eva was still on a learner’s permit. Shelly fit in like a contented piece of the jigsaw as Eva stuck out like jagged rock. The thoughts of coming back later made her feel cheap and uncomfortable.

  ‘Eva, we’re just two single girls out for a good time. It’s just harmless fun.’ Shelly’s justification wasn’t putting Eva at any more ease.

  ‘Unless, of course, you have someone you’re not telling me about.’ Shelly stopped and looked Eva in the eye.

  ‘It’s complicated,’ Eva said, the words tumbling from her mouth before she had time to stop them.

  A splash of intrigue darted across Shelly’s face. ‘Spill the gossip.’

  ‘There’s just this guy. I don’t even really know him, actually. But he’s all I can think about.’

  Shelly nodded, her wide-eyed expression begging for more information.

  ‘Is he someone from back home?’ Shelly asked, pointin
g into the distance as if New Jersey could be spotted at the tip of her finger.

  Eva snorted sheepishly. ‘Oh, God, no. He’s Irish.’

  ‘Is he hot?’

  Eva nodded rapidly.

  Shelly laughed. ‘Then what’s complicated about that?’

  ‘It’s just how we met.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Well, it was a bit unconventional…and I’m not sure what it all even is.’

  ‘No one knows stuff like that at the start. You just have to go with the flow.’

  Shelly’s advice was sweet, and Eva knew she was trying to be a good friend, but her reassurance fell short of making Eva feel any less weird about the situation.

  ‘Have you fucked yet?’

  ‘Shelly!’ Eva squeaked, her voice painfully high-pitched.

  ‘What? It’s just a question. Is he any good?’

  Eva’s cheeks turned bright fuchsia, and she knew her stinging face gave Shelly the answer.

  ‘I don’t see the problem,’ Shelly said with a shrug of her shoulder.

  ‘It’s just…’ Eva paused. She trusted Shelly. She liked her, and she really needed a friend so why was it so difficult for her to talk about stuff like this? ‘There’s this other guy…’

  Eva closed her eyes, anticipating a disgusted reaction from Shelly. She didn’t expect to hear laughing. She opened her eyes to find Shelly giddy and smiling.

  Shelly swished her hip and knocked her shoulder against Eva’s. ‘Bit of a dark horse, aren’t you?’

  Evas hands flew to cover her mouth. ‘Oh, Jesus, no. It’s not like that. I’m not stringing them along or anything.’

  Shelly stopped laughing. ‘You don’t have to explain to me, Eva. I get it.’

  ‘You do?’ Eva exhaled sharply. She had no idea why she was so hot and bothered. Maybe it was the alcohol making her emotional.

  ‘I’m not really in a position to judge. I’m banging my boss ten times sideways, but all I really want is a steady relationship with a guy who doesn’t care if my underwear matches or not, or care if I want to wear fluffy slippers around the house all day.’

  ‘But you’re always so glam and fabulous…’

  ‘And it’s bloody exhausting.’

  Eva wasn’t too sure what to do, but she thought Shelly looked like she needed a hug. She reached her arms around her new friend and was glad when Shelly grabbed on tight and hugged her back.

  Two passing teenagers wolf whistled and shouted, ‘Lesbians.’

  Eva and Shelly dropped their arms and almost doubled over laughing.

  17

  Eva paused outside the long, linear store. It was, of course, much smaller than the stores she frequented in Manhattan, but equally as alluring and radiant. It didn’t take a genius to tell it was the crème de la crème of Dublin City Centre shopping. Eva whispered the store name to herself as she read the attractive black letters on the creamy grey wall of the stunning Georgian building. She’d heard the girls in work brag about their Saturdays shopping there as if it were shoe and handbag heaven at credit card crippling prices. She looked her outfit up and down, feeling far too dowdily dressed to go inside. For the second time today, she was uncomfortable about what she was wearing. It was an unfamiliar and bloody horrible feeling.

  ‘Do we have to start here?’ Eva asked, taking a step backwards to take in a better view of the large building.

  The tall, double doors of beautiful, frosted glass with gold trim and ebony casing screamed opulence and Eva couldn’t shake how overly aware of class she felt. She took a second step back, almost stumbling, but grabbed Shelly’s arm for support. She hoped if she protested enough, Shelly would abandon the pretentious idea and they could go somewhere a little, well, a lot cheaper.

  ‘I can’t afford most of the stuff in here, either,’ Shelly admitted.

  Eva sighed. She knew Shelly was lying to try to make her feel better. Perhaps Shelly forgot that she had already admitted to earning exuberant sums as PA and cock rubber to Mr. Doe.

  ‘This place gives me fab ideas. I make my own dresses, you know,’ Shelly said, pointing toward a beautifully dressed mannequin in one of the many display windows.

  ‘Wow.’ Eva took yet another step back, but this time, she wasn’t trying to distance herself, it was just a natural reaction to get a better view of her friend who had so many exciting layers to her. She would never have thought…

  ‘What are we waiting for, then? C’mon.’ Eva grabbed Shelly’s hand and marched forward. She even managed a wave at the concierge who welcomed them with a beckoning nod.

  Smells of floral perfumes and expensive make-up delighted the girls as they stepped inside. Counters and displays of all the most sought after brands of skincare occupied the floor, staffed by pretty young women eager to make a sale. Shelly confidently held out her wrist to test the latest designer fragrance. She sniffed slowly and then shook her head.

  ‘Oh no, not for me, I’m afraid,’ Shelly said in an outrageously posh accent that made Eva giggle.

  ‘You weren’t really going to buy that stuff, were you?’ Eva asked as soon as they were out of earshot.

  ‘Hell, no.’ Shelly smiled. ‘But they don’t know that, and it’s fun to pretend.’ Her voice returned to its usual tone.

  Eva's eyes sparkled as she tried to pluck up the courage to pretend, too.

  ‘Anyway, that stuff smelled like sweaty arse crack compared to the perfume Mr. Doe gives us,’ Shelly said.

  ‘Us?’ Eva asked, wondering if he had more than one secretary.

  ‘Yeah, you know at Christmas and stuff. Didn’t you get one? I think there was wine this year, too, or maybe that was the year before…anyway, it’s nice, isn’t it?’

  Eva shrugged her shoulders. She’d gotten a Christmas bauble with the company logo on it, but definitely nothing as impressive as perfume.

  ‘He likes to spoil his employees. Well, the female ones, at least.’

  ‘Isn’t that totally sexist,’ Eva snapped, jealousy hanging unintentionally on her words. Where in the hell were her perfume and wine? How could she not have known about this before now? She’d been working there at least three months before Christmas. Was she that un-noticeable that even the biggest womaniser in the world had failed to detect her?

  Shelly scrunched her nose and shook her head. ‘You won’t hear any complaints from the girls, Eva. It’s just him being appreciative.’

  Eva rolled her eyes. Shelly would have to work harder than that to convince her Mr. Doe was anything more than a power abusing dick. But Eva didn’t say anything. The last thing she wanted to think about right now was work.

  Eva closed her eyes and conjured an image of her credit card that had barely seen the light of day since she left the States. She needed a killer dress for this bloody ball, and this seemed like the perfect place to get it.

  ‘Will you help me pick a dress?’ Eva mumbled, oddly more nervous about Shelly’s extrovert taste than about the small fortune she envisaged she would have to spend.

  Shelly beamed, clutching Eva’s hand and racing up the escalator toward evening wear. ‘I thought you’d never ask.’

  The girls were greeted by two security guards at the top, both a little overweight, with very serious faces. ‘I’m sorry ladies; this floor is closed to a private customer,’ the shorter of the two said as he stepped forward a little and pointed back downstairs.

  ‘What? You can’t do that. That’s stupid,’ Shelly argued.

  Eva nodded her agreement, although she wasn’t actually brave enough to say anything.

  ‘I’m sorry, ma’am, but I’m not at liberty to discuss this. Really, you need to go back downstairs now.’

  His lips moved, but the rest of his face and body remained statue-like. It was really rather impressive, Eva thought.

  Shelly continued to argue, but Eva placed her hand on her shoulder and smiled. ‘C’mon. It’s not worth it. We’ll go somewhere else.’

  ‘But what about your dress…’ Shelly looked s
o deflated.

  ‘You’ll just have to make me one.’ Eva smirked, only half joking.

  ‘You’re on,’ Shelly said, perking up instantly.

  Back downstairs, the girls were just about to look at some shoes that had caught their eye when the smaller security guard descended behind them. Eva’s eyes rounded like two pennies and she forced a large lump of air down her throat. She hadn’t done anything wrong but the sight of a uniform directing his attention at her was nerve rackingly familiar. She’d had the authorities all too often on her doorstep growing up.

  The security guard tapped Eva gently on the shoulder. ‘Your presence is requested upstairs, ma’am,’ he said, stepping back to glide his arm through the air to lead the way.

  Eva’s forehead stiffened. ‘Excuse me?’ Her eyes darted to Shelly, but she looked equally as confused.

  ‘Mr. Harte was adamant. He would like you to join him,’ the security guard explained.

  Eva’s hand flew to her face and nervous bubbles popped inside her stomach. Julian was here? He was shopping? Shopping with the whole floor reserved just for him. Fuck.

  Shelly was practically dancing on the spot with excitement. She didn’t speak, but her expression screamed at Eva to seize the opportunity. Eva guessed Shelly had put two and two together after their earlier conversation and added it up to equal Mr. Hot. Eva smiled and accepted Shelly’s silent advice.

  ‘Carpe diem,’ Shelly said, adding her signature wink.

  ‘I won’t be long, I promise,’ Eva said.

  ‘Erm, take your time,’ Shelly insisted. ‘Savour every moment, okay?’

  ‘This way please,’ the security guard said, leading the way as if Eva couldn’t navigate her way toward the escalator by herself.

  Eva looked back at Shelly for one last top up of courage. Shelly was nodding with her thumb placed to her ear and her little finger at her mouth. ‘Phone me,’ she mouthed.

  18

  Julian came into view as Eva neared the top of the escalator. He reached his hand out to her, and she clasped it tightly.

  ‘Follow me, Ms. Andrews?’ He smirked before leaning close to kiss her cheek.