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‘I bet,’ he replies, although I’m not sure what he means by that. ‘Has anyone ever told you that you look like Margot Robbie?’
I snort. Oh, wow, he isn’t joking. He might not be joking but he definitely can’t be serious.
‘Never,’ I reply simply.
‘Come on, it’s almost starting time,’ Leila insists.
I’m not really sure what we’re waiting for until it happens. The lights drop to nothing, plunging us into darkness for what is probably only a couple of seconds, but feels like much longer. My senses are heightened. Rocco must only shift on his feet but as his arm brushes mine, it feels almost electric.
The lights come back on but in a completely different way. So different the place doesn’t even resemble the room we were in a few seconds ago. Now I understand the disco part of disco bowling. It’s a full-on party. Dancing colourful lights, a disco ball, and now the music is pumping. The mood has totally shifted into something way more fun. I’m so glad I stayed.
As ‘Believe’ by Cher fades in, I feel a warm wave of comfort wash over me. This disco might be just what I need tonight.
‘Are you on my team?’ Tobias asks me.
‘She wants to be with Rocco,’ Leila tells him.
Everyone is having to raise their voices now that the music is playing but there’s something extra in Tobias and Leila’s exchange, a look between them perhaps.
‘No worries, we’ll thrash them,’ he reassures her.
I sidle up to Rocco.
‘I don’t really know what I’m doing, to be honest,’ I confess. ‘And I’m up first.’
‘I’m not that competitive,’ he replies. ‘Just pick up a ball, roll it down the middle, and knock over as many pins as you can.’
There’s a really comforting casualness to Rocco. I like it. It somehow makes me feel more laidback, just by being in his orbit.
‘Come on then, Billie,’ Leila calls out. ‘Show us what you can do.’
I select a sparkly pink ball from the rack.
‘That’s a kids’ ball,’ she sings, lightly teasing me.
I put it back down and pick up a yellow one. It’s much heavier, so I cradle it with my other hand as I approach the lane.
For a moment, I just stare at it.
‘How do you do the sides?’ I call back.
‘What do you mean?’ Tobias asks.
‘The sides,’ I say again, not that it makes it any clearer. ‘The things that stop it going down the sides.’
‘Ahh, the bumpers,’ Rocco says, helping me out.
Leila practically cackles.
‘They really are for kids,’ she calls back. ‘Go on, you’ll be fine.’
I take a deep breath as I step up to the line. I swing the ball backwards and then launch it down the lane. I don’t think it’s much surprise to anyone when the ball veers left into the gutter and promptly disappears.
‘Oh, hard luck,’ Leila calls out.
Rocco grabs a ball and joins me.
‘Do you want to watch me? I don’t have many skills, but I can pass them on to you, if you like?’
