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James shook his head. ‘Nah. That’s all in the past. Thank God.’
2
The pub was packed. All the crowd was there. The ones who were off to university – James, Najla, Andy – those who had other plans – Toby, Heather, Mo – and others who James had known over the years.
James stood at the bar, trying to get the barman’s attention. The barman nodded at him.
‘Three pints of lager, two bitter, and two glasses of white wine, please,’ he said.
The barman put a tray on the bar. ‘You’ll need that,’ he said.
With the tray full, James made his way through the crowd, beer slopping out of the glasses as people jostled him.
When he got to the table he put the tray down and handed out the drinks. He’d had four pints and could feel the warm glow of the alcohol.
Najla took her wine. There was a girl sitting next to her who James didn’t recognize. She was wearing all black, and had a ring in her nose.
‘This is Vicki,’ Najla said. ‘She’s new in town. She just moved to Stockton Heath. She works at my place. Thought I’d invite her out to meet you lot. This is James.’
‘Nice to meet you,’ James said. ‘I would have got you a drink, if I’d known. I can go back to the bar and get you something?’
‘That’s OK,’ Vicki said. She had an accent which James couldn’t quite identify. Her eyes were very dark, which gave her an intense look. ‘I’ll get a drink in a bit. But thanks.’
James sat at the table. ‘Where are you from?’
‘Durham.’
‘You go to university there?’
She shook her head. ‘I’m from there. Left as soon as I could.’
‘You didn’t like it?’
She shrugged. ‘You could say that. And I got a job here.’
‘What do you do for work?’
‘Data scientist.’
‘Sounds impressive,’ James said. ‘Not that I know what it means.’
‘Me neither,’ Vicki said. ‘But they pay well.’
‘Next round on you, then,’ James said.
Vicki smiled. ‘Maybe.’
An hour later Vicki went to the bathroom. Najla sat beside him, grinning.
‘Well,’ she said. ‘You and Vicki seem to be getting on. I thought you might.’
‘She’s nice.’
Najla raised an eyebrow. ‘So? Summer fling?’
James shook his head. ‘Nah,’ he said. ‘No point. I’m off to Warwick soon.’
‘That leaves the whole of summer,’ Najla said. ‘And she’s very nice.’
