Page 28 of Prove You Wrong

‘Well, there was a drinks stand and I thought they might have gone to get a beer or mulled wine for the display or whatever … ’ She keeps losing confidence in the story. I think I know where it’s going, but I need to hear my friend say it.

‘And?!’

‘As I got closer to the drinks stall, I noticed they had this logo hanging up. The same logo as on the sign.’ She points into the darkness at the sign for the Inn. ‘The same logo that was on the hot zombie’s polo shirt. And then the hot zombie was behind the stall, but … ’

‘But he didn’t look like a zombie?’

‘No. He just looked hot.’

‘So, did you speak to him?’

‘Kinda. Yes. No … ’

‘Josie! This is killing me.’

‘I flirted a bit.’ Josie shrugs. ‘Ordered a mulled wine. Went off to find the gang.’ She fidgets in her seat before continuing. ‘He came and found me during the display.’ A huge grin starts to split her face. ‘Kissed the shit out of me in the dark and left me with a fucking massive love bite and a demand to come and find him here. Thank God it’s scarf season.’

‘So, now you’re going to find him, huh?’ I nod knowingly.

Josie squeals, burying her face in her hands. ‘Ells, I’ve never been so turned on in my life. Spilt all my drink, too.’

‘Then why are we sitting out here? Let’s get in there!’

‘I’m nervous.’ She straightens up.‘Now he’ll see me in the cold light of day. No costumes, no cover ups. What if he changes his mind?’

‘Josie, you are beautiful. Let’s face our fears and get in there. We’ll have a fun night raising money for charity if nothing else.’

As we climb out of Helena, Josie says, ‘Wait. You said faceourfears.’

‘I may have got more than I bargained for when I came back into the pub the other night.’ I lean on the car roof. ‘Not sure how seeing Nate, again, is going to play out.’

‘Nate?’

‘The bartender.’ I give a shy smile.

‘Why do I feel like there’s more to this story?’

I think about telling her. Confessing everything that happened, everything that I’m feeling. But I know she’d encourage me to follow my bliss, or some other crap, that would inevitably lead to putting Chloe at risk.

So I don’t.

I tramp it all down with everything else that may threaten my hard-fought-for status quo.

‘There can’t be any more to this story.’ I slam the car door with a finality and we head inside.

I cast my gaze around the busy pub. There’s a couple leaning on the bar, right where Nate had me, and I feel myself blush. The second barman from the other night is serving drinks, but no sign of Nate. A funny combination of relief and disappointment washes through me.

‘We’re late. There’s no tables left.’ Josie sighs but then suddenly grabs my arm. ‘Ohh, there’s a spot at the bar over there, let’s go.’

She herds me to the far end of the bar to a couple of stools. Far, far away from the scene of the crime. We get ourselves settled on the seats and try to catch the attention of the bartender.

Before too long there’s a crackle over some speakers. A cheesy voice starts, testing the sound, and welcoming everyone to the quiz. ‘Thanks for joining us tonight to raise money for Oldton Park Hospital’s ITU and the UKBB, causes very special to our hearts here at The Bull Inn.’

‘What’s the charity?’ I whisper to Josie’s ear.

She shrugs. ‘The local hospital, I think.’

‘My assistant will be around shortly to collect your entry fees and hand out your quiz papers, so make sure you have full glasses and empty bladders. We’ll be starting in five minutes.’

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