by Maria Realf
She knew what needed to be said:
Alex, this is a mistake.
Alex, I’m getting married.
Alex, I can’t do this.
She pulled her head back to look him in the eye. ‘Alex, I …’
He moved his face slowly towards hers until the tips of their noses were touching. His lips were so dangerously close that she could almost taste them. They stood like that for a second, and she wanted and hated him in equal measure.
‘Lizzie!’
The shrill voice cut through the summer air with a sharpness that surprised her. She had been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn’t noticed Megan emerging from the fire exit. ‘I think it’s time we were getting back to our hotel, don’t you?’ she snapped, pointedly ignoring Alex.
Lizzie jumped back from him, and as she broke contact all the electricity escaped into the ether. She did not say another word, but turned and fled in Megan’s direction, leaving him behind. There would be no romantic reunion now; no stolen kisses tonight or any other night.
Fate had spoken, and she knew better than to tempt fate twice.
12
3 April 2004
‘How long’s it been now?’ asked Connor, stubbing out his second cigarette. He rolled his eyes at Andi. ‘I can’t believe he didn’t put us on the guest list.’
‘You know he hates that kind of stuff,’ said Lizzie. ‘He thinks it’s pretentious.’ She squinted down at the watch she’d bought at the market last month, but it was hard to see the hands in the dark. If anything, they seemed to be going backwards. ‘I think we’ve been here about 20 minutes.’ She peered towards the front of the line. There were eight people still ahead of them. ‘It’s not normally this busy. Guess everyone’s out for the end of term.’
‘What’s the point of having a brother who works in a bar if he won’t get you VIP entry?’ he grumbled, as they shuffled forward two paces.
‘Never thought I’d say this, but for once I’m with Connor,’ smiled Andi. ‘You need to sort him out, Lizzie.’
They moved forward again, nearing the gatekeeper with the rope: a stocky man with a squished nose that had probably stepped into one brawl too many. He was clad in a white shirt and black suit, like he was guarding President Bartlet from The West Wing instead of the door at Ignition, though his trousers were slightly too short, revealing skull-covered socks. He let the group in front through and held up his hand.
‘Hang on a second,’ he said. His voice was softer than Lizzie was expecting, with a slight lisp. She noticed he was wearing metal braces, like the ones she’d had to wear in year ten. That stuck-up Penelope what’s-her-face used to tease her endlessly about them, until her parents caught her smoking pot and shipped her off to private school. ‘ID, please.’
Lizzie pulled out her NUS card and flashed it at him, cringing as usual at the sight of the unflattering photo, while Connor showed his driver’s licence and traipsed in behind her. Andi gave the bouncer a big smile and he waved her straight through, his eyes lingering on her V-neck top. Funny, Lizzie thought with a grin. When you’re a DD, no one cares much about ID.
As they made their way inside, the long-haired DJ in the corner launched into Britney Spears’s Toxic, his head nodding up and down in time to the beat. ‘Choon! I love this one,’ cried Andi.
Connor groaned and pretended to cover his ears with his hands. ‘It’s not going to be pop chicks and boy bands all night, is it?’
‘I hope so,’ said Lizzie.
‘Me too,’ smiled Andi, linking her arm through Lizzie’s.
‘If you two start dancing round your handbags, I’m off,’ said Connor. ‘I’m definitely going to need a drink.’
They made their way to the bar in search of Alex, squeezing past a group of girls who were hugging each other and generally getting in everyone’s way. He was mixing an order down the far end, flipping a silver cocktail shaker with impressive precision before pouring out its contents. He smiled when he saw Lizzie, and her insides flipped a little too. Watching him do his thing was a turn on, even if she couldn’t get her hands on him until after midnight.
‘Oi, barman!’ shouted Connor. The tall brunette beside him thought he was being serious and tutted. ‘It’s alright – he’s my boyfriend,’ he deadpanned. The girl didn’t reply and buried her nose in the cocktail list.
‘Hey,’ said Alex, coming over. ‘I thought you guys were never going to get here.’
‘We’ve been standing outside for ages,’ complained Andi. ‘These new heels are killing me. And I didn’t bring a coat.’
‘Yeah, what’s that about?’ asked Connor. ‘Why can’t you get us VIP entry?’
‘I don’t agree with that crap,’ said Alex. ‘It should be first-come, first-served. When I get my own bar there’ll be no VIP treatment.’
‘Do us very unimportant people have to pour our own drinks as well?’
‘You might. Lizzie, you want a passionfruit mojito?’
‘Yes, please.’
‘Andi?’
‘Cosmo, ta.’
‘Could you two possibly order more girlie drinks?’ said Connor. ‘Why not get a sex on the beach? Throw in a strawberry daiquiri while you’re at it?’
‘We can have what we like, can’t we, Lizzie?’ said Andi.
‘Yeah. Anyway, what are you having that’s so manly?’ Lizzie laughed.
‘Easy. Pint of the usual.’
‘Sure you don’t want a strawberry daiquiri?’ teased Alex. ‘I’ll do you 2-for-1 …’
‘You could give me 10-for-1 and I still wouldn’t do it.’
Alex went off to make the drinks, returning a minute later. He set three plastic cups down on the bar.
‘What’s with those? Where’s the big boy glasses?’ asked Connor.
‘We don’t use them any more. They kept getting smashed.’ He grinned at Lizzie, and she blushed. Alex held out his hand. ‘With the family discount, that’ll be a fiver,’ he said to Connor, with a wink. ‘Call it 3-for-1.’
‘Cheers, bro.’
They picked up their drinks and scanned the room for a seat, heading for an empty table near the back. The surface was sticky, swimming with beer and a couple of soggy coasters, and the ashtray didn’t look like it had been emptied for a week. But at least they could hear themselves speak, away from the DJ who had now launched into a Busted track, much to the delight of the excitable girls still blocking the bar.
‘I feel like I’ve been here before, when Alex first moved down,’ said Connor. ‘Did it used to be called something else?’
‘Yeah, I think it was The Station. They changed it a while back. Caused a lot of confusion with freshers trying to find the actual train station.’
Connor laughed. ‘That’s so dumb. Sounds like something you’d do, Andi.’
His sister made a winding gesture and cranked up her middle finger. Then she caught sight of the slot machine by the wall. ‘Ooh, I like that one! Back in a mo.’ She hurried off in the direction of the flashing lights, rummaging around in her black clutch for some change.
‘We’ve lost her now,’ said Connor.
‘What? She just said she’ll be back in a minute.’
‘You wait. She’ll be on that thing half the night. Andi’s the queen of the fruities.’
Lizzie was intrigued. ‘Is she any good?’
‘Not bad, actually. Most of the time she walks away up. You should see her play pool, though. Proper little hustler.’
‘No way? Really?’
‘Really. I’ve had to stop playing her. It’s well embarrassing to get thrashed by your baby sister.’
Just then Alex came over and pulled up a chair. ‘How’s it going?’
‘Alright,’ said Connor. ‘I’m not sure about some of this music, though. Someone needs to have a quiet word with the DJ.’
‘I’m with you on that. But I think Lizzie might object.’ He squeezed her arm affectionately. ‘You look gorgeous.’
‘Why, thank you,’ said Connor,
and they all laughed. Lizzie was glad she’d made an effort tonight. She’d tried on several outfits before settling for a strappy pale pink dress, paired with some silver sandals she’d borrowed from Megan’s wardrobe while she was away for the Easter break.
‘What time are you done here?’ she asked Alex.
‘I’ll have to see,’ he said. ‘Joe might need a hand clearing up. It’s a big crowd tonight.’
‘At least we get to see you a bit,’ she said.
‘Yeah, but I’d rather be this side of the bar with you guys.’ The four of them had already spent a great afternoon chilling out and having an impromptu spring BBQ at the cottage. It had taken a while to get the cheap disposable kit going, and the first two sausages had made a bid for freedom by rolling off the end, but the rest had actually tasted alright once they got the hang of it.
It was rare to find a weekend they were all free these days, what with Connor’s frequently-shifting gym rota and Andi’s new job at the salon. Saturdays together were few and far between. But that was the great thing about brothers and sisters, Lizzie was beginning to realise. Even if you didn’t see them for a while, you just picked up right where you left off.
‘So what’s the plan for tomorrow?’ asked Alex.
‘Dunno. I was thinking maybe we could try out that karting track after lunch?’ suggested Connor.
‘Sounds good to me,’ said Lizzie. ‘We could race boys vs. girls?’
‘Now that sounds like fighting talk,’ replied Alex, playfully wrapping his arm around her neck. ‘But I’m up for it if you are.’
‘Me too,’ said Connor. ‘I’ve seen Andi’s driving …’ He glanced in his sister’s direction, just in time to witness the fruit machine start spitting out pound coins. ‘Looks like she’s on another winning streak.’
‘Already?’ said Alex. ‘She cleaned us out last time.’ He looked at his watch and stood up. ‘Anyway, I’d better get back to it. Do you guys want another drink?’
‘Same again, please,’ said Lizzie. ‘And a strawberry daiquiri for Connor.’
‘Oh, she’s all chat tonight,’ said Connor, nudging her with his elbow. ‘But can she back it up in a kart? That’s what I want to know.’
‘It’s a good job none of you are at all competitive,’ said Alex. ‘But I’ll grab you another round of drinks.’
‘On you?’ Connor pushed his luck.
‘Alright, I’ll get this one.’
‘Thanks. If Andi’s quids in on the fruity she can get the rest …’
Alex made his way back to the bar, collecting empty cups from the surrounding tables as he went. The DJ turned the cheese up to full fondue and started playing Peter Andre’s Mysterious Girl. ‘I bet you like this, don’t you?’ said Connor, lighting up a cigarette. ‘I’ve got you pegged as a Peter Andre fan.’
‘Actually, I did used to have a poster of him in my bedroom,’ smiled Lizzie. ‘And I voted for him in the jungle.’
‘Get out of here,’ he teased, pushing her chair away. ‘I can’t sit with you now.’
‘So what are you into?’ asked Lizzie. ‘Trance? Rock? Enya?’
‘Anything that’s not pop,’ he said, blowing smoke across the table.
‘You sound like Alex,’ she replied. ‘But I know the truth. He’s got an S Club single at home and everything.’
Connor shook his head. ‘He’s been hanging out with you too much. I need to tell him—’
He broke off as Andi gave a sudden shout. ‘Hey, back off, arsehole,’ she warned a tall guy with a scruffy goatee and wandering hands. ‘I’m playing here!’
‘You’re alright, daaarlin,’ he slurred loudly. ‘I’m just trying to help you.’
‘What, by groping my bum? No thanks.’
Connor slowly stubbed out his cigarette, scraped back his chair and got up. Lizzie frowned. I hope this doesn’t kick off. She watched him march over to where his sister was standing.
‘Everything alright here?’ he asked.
‘Yeah,’ said the bloke. He looked agitated, like a wild animal about to bite. ‘We’re just making convershashion.’
‘Yeah, well, go make it someplace else,’ said Connor, clenching his fists. The tattoos on his arm seemed to bulge angrily. ‘She doesn’t want to talk to you.’
‘It’s OK, Connor,’ said Andi, holding up her right palm. ‘I’ve got this.’
‘What are you, like, her boyfriend?’ sneered the guy.
‘No,’ said Connor.
‘Well, then, wassit to you?’
‘I’m her brother,’ said Connor, looking like he might explode at any second. ‘And you need to get out of here. Now.’
Lizzie rose and looked around the bar. Alex was nowhere to be seen. Just walk away, she willed the drunk. Say you’re sorry and move on.
But he didn’t.
‘I’m not going anywhere,’ he shouted. ‘Piss off and mind your own.’
Connor was livid now, she could tell. ‘What did you say?’
‘I said piss off!’ He shoved Connor hard. Any hope of the night ending peacefully made an exit through the fire escape. Word of the commotion began to ripple around the bar, as people backed off and gave the two men room.
Connor was almost red with rage. He let loose with a right hook to the guy’s jaw, causing him to stumble. For a second the bloke looked stunned, then he hurled himself at Connor and the two of them began to fight it out.
‘Connor, stop!’ screamed Andi. ‘He’s not worth it!’
Without thinking, Lizzie tried to intervene, grabbing hold of the drunk’s arm. He lashed out blindly, clocking her in the face so hard she lost her balance. She staggered back, her leg catching on one of the chairs, and went sprawling to the ground, her front tooth cutting into her lower lip as she crashed down. The coppery taste of blood began to build up in her mouth.
The two men were still locked in battle, knocking over chairs and drinks and anything in their path. Connor landed a clean punch and his opponent backed off momentarily, then surged forwards with so much force that the pair of them smashed through a wooden table.
‘Connor!’ cried Andi. ‘Don’t all stand there – someone get the bouncer!’
Connor picked himself up first. He had a cut above his head that was bleeding into his right eye, and his lower shirt buttons were ripped. He looked pumped as he surveyed the carnage around them.
His back was still turned when the guy jumped up, brandishing a broken table leg like a weapon.
‘Connor, watch it!’ Lizzie screamed. She had barely got the words out before a figure suddenly appeared out of nowhere and rugby tackled the lout to the ground.
Alex?
Before she could even blink, he’d disarmed the assailant and pinned him down, knocking the table leg out of reach. The man swore and struggled, his head banging against the sticky, wet floor, but Alex pressed his knee firmly into his back and refused to budge. Seconds later, the stocky bouncer muscled in and hauled the guy to his feet.
‘Right, you, out – now,’ he said, dragging him towards the exit. ‘You’re barred. If I see you round here again I’ll be calling the police.’ He turned his head and nodded at Connor. ‘And don’t you go nowhere, neither. I’ll be having a word with you.’
Connor dusted himself down, his mask of bravado firmly painted back on to his face. ‘Can you believe that?’ he said to Alex. ‘That beardy prick’s lucky I didn’t kill him.’ He patted him on the shoulder. ‘Nice one, bro.’ But Alex wasn’t paying attention. He looked down at Lizzie, still dazed on the floor. Her mouth was beginning to throb.
‘Are you alright?’ he asked, helping her to her feet. He brushed her hair back from her face so he could take a closer look, wiping the blood off with a napkin.
‘She’s OK,’ said Connor. ‘Aren’t you, Lizzie?’
‘Well, I’ll live,’ she said, nursing her jaw. No thanks to you. Some blood had splashed down her dress, and she noticed that one of her straps had broken. ‘But I’m going to have a nice fat lip. And I’
m pretty sure this dress is ruined.’
‘Yeah, you got a bit caught in the crossfire there. Sorry.’
Alex rounded on him, his eyes flashing. ‘You should be, you know that? It’s not funny. Someone could’ve got seriously hurt.’
Connor looked surprised. ‘The guy was hassling Andi. What was I supposed to do? Just sit back and watch?’
‘I could have handled him,’ Andi mumbled, looking embarrassed. ‘I wasn’t exactly in danger.’
‘Oh, so now I’m the dick?’ said Connor, miffed.
‘No one’s saying that,’ said Alex. ‘But you can’t get into a fight with every drunk you don’t like in a bar. One of these days you’ll wind up in hospital. Or jail.’
‘But—’
‘No buts. Remember that biker in Sydney? I can’t always watch your back.’
‘I don’t need you watching my back,’ shouted Connor. ‘I can take care of myself.’
‘You need to take care of your temper,’ said Alex.
‘Back off, Alex. I don’t need another mum. You used to be on my side.’
‘I’m still on your side. I’m just looking out for you.’
Connor softened slightly. ‘Alright,’ he said gruffly. ‘But I was only doing the same thing for Andi.’ His right eye was already beginning to swell. It was bound to be a nasty shiner by the time he went to work on Monday. ‘Look, I think I’m going to bail. I’ll see you back at home.’
‘I’ll come with you,’ said Andi, grabbing her bag from the top of the fruit machine.
‘Do you want me to stay?’ Lizzie asked Alex. ‘I could help you clear up.’
‘I’ll be OK. How’s your face?’
‘A bit sore,’ she admitted. ‘But it’ll be fine.’
‘Maybe you should head back with those guys, get some ice on it,’ he said. ‘Hopefully they can make it home without getting into any more trouble.’
‘Alright,’ agreed Lizzie. ‘I’ll see you back there.’
He kissed her forehead tenderly, avoiding her swollen lip.
