Page 36 of The 3am Shattered Mums' Club

‘Oh yes… yes… absholulee… This is Pauline, by the way.’

The woman looked at Mel. ‘It’s Doreen, actually. Hello.’

‘Hi,’ Mel said.

‘Your friend is very sweet. Her boys sound lovely.’ Doreen smiled.

‘Oh yes, yes they are,’ Mel agreed.

‘Twins are such a blessing.’

‘They are. It was lovely to meet you.’ Mel began to navigate Aisha towards the toilets.

‘Bye, Pauline,’ Aisha called over her shoulder.

Outside in the foyer, it was a lot cooler, and Mel felt some relief that soon they would be on their way home. She began to steer Aisha towards the sign for the ladies’.

‘Ladies, off to the ladies’?’ came a voice from behind that Mel had hoped she wouldn’t have to hear for the rest of the night, or indeed, her life.

Mel looked over her shoulder. Jeff was standing two feet behind them.

Mel ignored him and, holding on to Aisha’s arm – she was now actually holding her up –continued to walk on. Suddenly, Jeff was in front of them.

‘Woah, your friend looks a little worse for wear here.’ He reached out and went to grab Aisha’s arm. Mel shoved his hand away

‘Don’t you touch her!’ she hissed. Jeff stood back and raised his hands, but with a smug smile across his face. Aisha released herself from Mel’s grip and began to focus on the man in front of her.

‘It’s Jeff… Mel, looks ish Jeff.’

‘I was going to see if you needed any help, maybe ordering a cab. But I see you have your bodyguard with you,’ Jeff said in a snidey tone.

‘He loves elephants soooooo much,’ Aisha said and stumbled forward through the toilet door. Mel followed behind.

‘Hey, don’t I know you?’ Jeff said just as Mel was about to follow Aisha through the door.

‘Yes, I’m Sophy’s friend. Sophy, your girlfriend?’

‘Yes, I know who my girlfriend is, thanks.’ Jeff laughed.

‘Do you?’ Mel said and went into the toilet, closing the door behind her.

Aisha was already inside the cubicle, singing softly to herself.

‘Shit, shit, shit,’ Mel hissed. This was bad news. She had meant to stay perfectly cool, and not let on to Jeff. But she had fucked it up. Jeff was sure to mention to Sophy how she had just acted towards him and if Sophy was half the woman Mel thought she was, then she would definitely say something to Mel when they saw one another next.

‘Shit, shit, shit,’ Mel hissed again.

‘Ishhaaat you, Mel?’ Aisha slurred from behind the cubicle.

‘Yes, I’m here. I’m just getting us that Uber.’

‘Good… cosh I feel—’

But Mel didn’t hear any words after that, just a loud retching and then the sound of heavy liquid hitting a toilet pan.

17

AISHA

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