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She didn’t have the heart to tell him this was the wrong tree to bark up.
‘Mmh?’ she asked, taking a sip of the vodka and coke Gabriel had got them on arrival. It was cheap booze and tasted like absolute arse. She didn’t really want any more alcohol, but it was nice to have the plastic cup as a prop, something to keep her hands busy.
‘I said, where do you work?’ he repeated, pushing his rimless glasses back into position.
‘Oh, right, sorry. I’m a delivery driver, for a local shop.’
‘What one?’
Are you meant to give real information to strangers? Her mind was too focused on the scene in front of her to concoct a lie. ‘Taylor’s Deli. Opposite the Co-op.’
‘Ah, nice. I know the one. So—’
Holly tuned him out again. Jen and the tattooed woman shared a laugh. Jen leaned back, a hand on her face like she was exaggerating embarrassment, before composing herself. Was that Jen’s type? Tattooed women who wouldn’t be out of place on the cover ofDivamagazine? Tattoos weren’t really Holly’s thing, but she did have a small one, at the bottom of her ribs. It was meant to be a heart, but over time it had started to resemble more of a shrivelled raisin. That’s what happens when a group of art students get hold of a tattoo gun at a degree show after-party. Thankfully, she’d got off lightly, and it was easily hidden. Unlike Kerry, who would forever have a childlike cat on her calf.
‘How do you know Gabriel?’ Holly’s would-be-suitor asked. Maybe for the second time. Holly shook her thoughts free, aware she was coming across as rude.
‘My friend knows him.’
‘The blonde woman from the cocktail shop?’
‘That’s the one. What about you?’ Holly took another sip and scrunched her face in disgust. Prop or not, she didn’t want it. She leaned over the sofa’s edge and tucked it away from unwitting feet.
‘We work together in Langside Library.’
‘That must be fun.’ Her tone was flat but friendly; it was the best she could muster.
‘It can be. People think libraries are stuffy places, but it’s like any work: it is what you make of it.’
‘True that.’ Holly shifted her skirt, moving the slit to the side so her knee was no longer showing. She wanted to be at home, in her pyjamas, far away from here and this droll conversation. And hot tattoo woman.
Jen was still wrapped in animated conversation. If Holly called an Uber now she could be home in ten minutes.
Holly cut the guy off, no clue what he was saying. ‘Listen, I don’t feel all that great. I’m going to go.’
She stood before he had a chance to change her mind, ignoring his quiet protests before he said goodbye. Jen didn’t even clock her before she was nearly standing on the happy couple’s toes. Her face fell as she saw Holly, the atmosphere between them as heavy as lead.
‘I don’t feel that great – I’m going to get an Uber,’ Holly said, hands gripped around the strap of her bag.
Jen’s eyes widened as her face dropped further. She stood, reaching for one of Holly’s hands. Holly held her grip, unwavering. ‘What? No. Can I get you something?’
‘No, really, it’s fine. I just need some air and my bed. I’ll see you tomorrow.’
She turned on her heel, her departure not up for discussion. Jen jogged after her, like a wounded puppy, cutting her off in the hall.
‘Have I done something?’
‘What? No?’ Holly replied, shaking her head as she tried to sound believable. ‘It’s just there’s too many people in there and I needed space.’
Jen nodded, her eyes unblinking. ‘Can we just have a moment, before you go?’
‘Sure.’ Holly replied, rooted to the spot.
‘Not here. Somewhere quieter.’ Jen reached for Holly’s hand again and this time she relented.
‘Where are you taking me?’ she asked as Jen led them up the close stairs.
‘Your tour guide strikes again.’ Jen beamed a grin at Holly as they continued upwards. Their footsteps echoed on the concrete floor, the sound of the party becoming a distant memory.
