Page 58 of Our Secrets and Lies

Dylan made his way towards the kitchen, nodding to a few of the kids from school. He found Taylor perched on the edge of the marble counter, in a very tight mini-dress. She was surrounded by guys and girls all cheering as she threw back a Jägermeister shot. When she saw Dylan, her face lit up. ‘Hey, you, come here.’ She held out her hand and pulled Dylan towards her.She handed him a shot. ‘Party time!’

Dylan hesitated. ‘I don’t really drink.’

‘Come on, it’s a party, for God’s sake.’

He smiled at her. ‘What the hell?’ He knocked it back.

The others whooped and cheered him on.

‘Can you help me down?’ Taylor asked.

Dylan held out his arms and she swung into them. He put her down but kept his arms around her.

Taylor leant into him. ‘Strong arms, I likethat,’ she said, and stumbled on her high heels. Dylan steadied her. She reached for his hand and pulled him towards the lounge where people were dancing in very dim light.

‘Come on.’ She pulled Dylan into the dark room. A disco ball bounced coloured lights around the ceiling. She wrapped her arms around his neck and snaked her body into his. He held her tight. Then he pulled her head up gentlywith his hand and pressed his lips to hers. She opened her mouth and let him in.

Kelly turned her back to the mirror and swivelled her head to check her bum.

Shannon sighed. ‘For God’s sake, you look amazing. Stop obsessing about your bum. It’s half the size of mine.’

‘Are the jeans too tight?’

‘For the millionth time, no! You look amazing. He’s going to hop on you when he sees you.’

Kellybit her nail. ‘He’s just so gorgeous and I know loads of girls fancy him. I can’t believe he likes me.’

‘He’s mad about you. I saw the way he looked at you last week in the park. He couldn’t take his eyes off you.’

Kelly grinned. ‘Really?’

Shannon was glad to see her smiling. She’d been so miserable since she’d gone to stupid St Jude’s. ‘Yes, really. Now, come on. We have to get past your psychomother. She’s better than the CIA at sniffing out lies. If she suspects anything, she’ll probably waterboard me to ’fess up.’

Kelly giggled as she put on her leather jacket. She had one last look in the mirror. Shannon was right, she did look good – as good as she ever could. If Sean didn’t fancy her, there was nothing more she could do.

They popped their heads into the lounge, where Lucy andBilly were watching TV.

‘We’re off to the cinema,’ Kelly said.

Lucy looked round. ‘Okay. Now, I want you straight home afterwards. No later than eleven and make sure you get the bus home together. It’s dangerous on your own.’

‘Don’t worry, Lucy. I’ll glue myself to her,’ Shannon said.

‘Have you enough money?’ Billy asked.

‘Yes, thanks, Granddad.’

‘Here, take a few quid for sweets.’ He handedKelly ten euros.

‘No, honestly, it’s fine.’

‘Take it, you’re a great girl. You deserve a night out.’

‘She’d love to, thanks, Billy.’ Shannon took the money and shoved it into Kelly’s hand.

‘Will there be any boys?’ Billy winked.

‘You never mentioned boys.’ Lucy looked at Kelly.

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