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The doorman nods, his eyes dragging appreciatively over us and as Cecilia drops him a wink, I try to hide behind her, desperate not to draw attention to myself.
My friend hails a passing yellow cab and as it screeches to a stop, I am grateful to jump inside, away from the curious gaze of the doorman and anyone else who may be watching.
I realize I’m being irrational, but it’s as if I am being watched. It’s probably just my guilty conscience, but it’s surrounding me.
“Where to?” The driver says with a sigh and Cecilia yells, “Gyration, baby.”
He rolls his eyes as we giggle on the back seat like two kids from high school and as we speed off into the night, I try to get my mind back on track.
I am a strong woman. I can do this.
Cecilia chats for the entire journey and only a few well-placed responses convince her I’m part of the conversation. I’m not. I couldn’t tell you what we spoke of because I’m conscious of the interested gaze of the cab driver in the rear-view mirror.
He must be fifty years old, give or take a year, which makes me wonder if he’s been sent to spy on me. It’s making me nervous because there is an expression in his eye that’s unsettling.
I’m happy when we pull up outside the club and Cecilia hands him the fare with a generous tip.
However, when I leave, his eyes follow me, almost as if he knows a secret concerning me. His expression is of interest filled with remorse and I don’t know what the hell that could mean.
As we turn our back on the cab, I stare with dismay at the line snaking around the corner of the building and say with a sigh, “Are you kidding me? This is a disaster.”
I shiver in my thin dress as I contemplate hours of lining up for a club I’m not even bothered about, and Cecilia nods. “I know, mad, isn’t it? This place is super cool and sexy, and everyone wants to be seen here.”
“Why don’t we go somewhere else? Wait for it to be less cool and attractive.”
“Girl, are you kidding me?” She rolls her eyes.
“This is your birthday, and you deserve the best. Leave it with me.”
I stand awkwardly as she wiggles her way to the front and whispers something in the ear of the doorman, who immediately gives me a dose of post-traumatic stress when I note the black suit he is wearing and the dark shade covering his eyes.
A man walks past and whistles, causing me to jump, and he leers, “How much do you charge?”
I turn to tell him exactly what I think of that remark when Cecilia shouts, “Over here, babe.”
I turn and note the disgruntled faces of the waiting line as the doorman parts the rope and beckons us inside. Feeling the hostility directed our way, I dive past the angry line and as I fall into step beside my friend, I whisper, “How did you manage that?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know. At first, he was ‘no can do under any circumstances’ and then he stopped and adjusted his earpiece. The next thing I knew he said gruffly, Okay, grab your friend, you’re in.”
“Really!” I’m shocked and stare around me nervously, doubting it’s because of anything other than my guilty conscience.
“Who cares? We’re in, so what’s the problem?”
She links her arm with mine and we head down a mirrored corridor to a booth at the side and as we reach the window, the cashier smiles. “Welcome to Gyration.”
Cecilia reaches into her purse and the cashier shakes her head.
“Complimentary, ladies. Enjoy your evening.”
My skin prickles as if a thousand razors are dragging across it as I sense we’re about to walk into a situation I really should be running from but Cecilia whoops with delight and grabs my arm, “Wow, they must have heard it’s your birthday.”
The cashier smiles with interest and pushes two lanyards our way.
“Here. You have exclusive access to the VIP area. Go through the double doors and head up the staircase. You will need these to swipe for access.”
She laughs at the shock on our faces and winks. “It’s all complimentary up there. Prepare for the night of your lives.”
Before I can react, Cecilia grabs my hand and almost runs to the double doors and I attempt to pull on the brakes, causing her to say with surprise, “What?”
