Page 17 of The Vow We Made
“You know what sweetie, it’s time we found the girls.” I wrap my arms around her shoulder in a bid to guide her away.
“But I’m having a lovely time—”
“I know you are darling, but we really should go. It’s late,” I encourage, finally getting her to head in the direction of the dance floor.
“Are we dancing now? I love to dance!” Somehow setting herself free from my grip, Faith turns in circles reminiscent of a dog chasing its tail, and then she stops abruptly. “I was enjoying my chat with what’s his face. Perhaps he’d like to have a dance too!” she hollers. I notice her new friend has already made a run for it but she continues to seek him out while her arms wave in the air. It’s time to get her out of here, so I grab her hand mid swing. She’s a slippery fish with a tendency to wander when she’s had a drink, but I can’t afford to lose her.
I scan the club while I hold Faith’s hand as tight as I can. With the other hand, I angle my little bag and manage to get my phone out then text the girls using my thumb. I can’t afford to let go of her. While I wait for a reply, I frantically head to the loo in search of the girls while pulling Faith along with me. After a fruitless search and waiting in line for ten minutes because madam then needed to pee, we search the dance floor again. They are nowhere to be seen and once we’ve tried the downstairs bar, I decide it’s time we called it a night.
I want to let Aiden know we’re going so we head back upstairs to find him. Faith is now practically on her knees and given half the chance, would sleep where she stood. I’ve managed to drag her to the top of the staircase but I have to rise up on my tiptoes to get a good look around the room. I wish I hadn’t because all the hopes I’d pinned on Aiden James disappear before my eyes.
His height makes him easy to spot and at first, I don’t see who he’s animatedly telling his story to. It’s not until a cute mousey blonde gives him a slap to the chest then cuddles into his side do I realise what is going on. My stomach takes a nose dive when I catch him in my sight. I can’t get over how quickly he’s moved on from me to her. I wasn’t gone more than half an hour, I’m sure, yet there he is. Will wasn’t kidding when he said Aiden didn’t get as far as asking for names and I wonder if he’s remembered mine, orme,at all. I close my eyes and roll my lips together. A new man who promises the stars but delivers little more than a telescope, I can do without and if there is one person for everyone, it means my turn was taken and wasted the day I met my husband, Andy.
“Put it down to experience Vickie,” I mutter under my breath.
“What was that?” Faith asks in a drunken slur.
“Nothing sweetie.” I take the opportunity to check my phone but there are no new messages from anyone. I’m done with tonight, so while I balance Faith against the wall, I text again to let the girls know I'm taking our drunken friend home. I can't physically hold her up much longer and now Aiden's made other plans for his evening, I have no reason to try and give him my number.
I wrap Faith’s arm around my neck, taking her full weight, while I manoeuvre both of us down the stairs. She’s a good head smaller than me and we just don’t fit together.
I’m thankful when a familiar voice calls from the stair below, “Alright there, girl? Need a hand?”
“Am I pleased to see you, yes please,” I accept in desperation. Faith doesn’t realise it, but she’s relying on me to get her down these stairs and it could end in disaster if I don’t take Aiden’s brother up on his offer.
Will takes her arm on the other side. “Well hello there,” Faith pipes up.
“Hello yourself,” Will winks with a grin.
“Cut it out you two.” I half smile. “Faith, this is Will and he’s helping us out not chatting you up.”
As if her head were a lead weight, Faith smiles towards him briefly. “Shame that,” is all she says before her chin drops to her chest.
“Oh Christ, I’m sorry, Will. She’s normally the sensible one,” I tell him while her unconscious body hangs between us.
“Don’t you worry love, I’ve seen much worse.” I pity him if that’s true.
We make it to the exit without any incidents and a very nice doorman helps with the double doors. The fresh night air hits me full in the face. I hope it might do something to sober Faith too, but there’s no doubt, she is well and truly smashed and beyond help of any kind.
“I don’t know what’s got into her but she’ll have to come back to mine. I can’t risk leaving her in this state,” I tell Will.
“That’s probably not a bad idea. Now let’s get you girls a taxi.”
“I’ll be fine from here,” I insist. “I can get an Uber.”
“Don’t be daft.” With his other hand, he pulls his mobile from his pocket and expertly finds the number he needs. He’s quiet when he places it to his ear until, “Mate, it’s me. Pick up at Critique’s bar.” He’s silent again before, “Cheers.” That’s the extent of his conversation and I worry about the kind of taxi he’s ordered. Thankfully, when the black cab pulls up by the kerbside, I know we’re safe.
Will helps Faith into the back seat then I slide in next to my propped-up friend. Selfishly, I'm disappointed my night has come to an end and I certainly didn't think it would be Will I'd be kissing on the cheek. I thank him once we're safely inside the taxi and as it happens, I didn't need to worry. It's apparent Will knows the driver well by their loud and familiar exchange.
“Jesus Will, I’ve told you, no more pissed women in my cab,” the driver shouts from the front.
“Simmer down, she’s alright,” Will rolls his eyes and the cabbie asks me,
“How many has she had?”
“Hardly any, just tired.” I give a confident smile and bat my eyes toward Will, who raises a knowing brow. I’m only bending the truth a little bit.
“Just make sure she isn’t sick,” the driver groans back. I can’t guarantee that won’t happen and avoid his eyes, choosing to focus solely on Will. “You’re a star. Thanks so much for this.”
