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He placed two shots on the table. ‘Fireballs. Courtesy of me.’
‘You’re out to cause trouble, Mr Carmichael.’
‘I would never,’ he replied, putting on a faux accent, full of sweetness and light. ‘Just good to see you having fun.’
She was having a good night. Jen couldn’t remember the last time she’d laughed like this.
She picked up the shot, raising it near eye level. ‘Here’s to good nights. Thanks, Kev!’
‘Wait, wait,’ Holly said, gently grabbing Jen’s wrist before she could down the shot. ‘Kev, will you take a photo of us?’
‘My pleasure,’ he replied, extending a hand as he waited to be passed a phone.
‘Better use yours,’ Holly said to Jen. ‘Then you can post it on your socials.’
Jen obliged and passed her phone to Kev, although she was still a bit confused about why they needed photographic evidence of the fireballs.
‘Say quack,’ Holly said, holding her glass up and beaming a smile at the camera.
Jen copied her pose before pulling a few faces while Kev snapped away.
He passed the phone back to Jen. ‘Have fun, ladies. And don’t forget, Jen, you promised me a proper catch-up. You’re not to leave it so long next time,’ he said with a rueful smile.
‘I won’t forget. Scout’s honour.’ It had been good catching up with him when he’d brought the chips out earlier. She would definitely be back soon. It was time to make new memories in Bar Orama; replace the bad with good.
With Kev gone, they clinked glasses for a final time, downing the spicy cinnamon booze.
‘Ooft, that’ll put hairs on your chest,’ Jen said, suppressing a cough. ‘Right, let’s look at these pics.’ She positioned the phone between them, scrolling through the photos.
‘They’re good but they’re not very. . .’ Holly said, trailing off.
Jen knew exactly what she meant. ‘Couple-y.’
‘Nope.’
‘This is never going to work, is it?’
‘Hey, now. Don’t give up too easily. We just need to work on this.’ Holly stood, with the slightest stagger, quickly joining Jen on her side of the booth and sitting so close their legs were touching. Jen’s heart picked up pace.
‘Why do we need photos, anyway?’
‘Because, have you not seen? Annie is reposting other couples’ photos on the business thingy’s stories. Debbie and Nick were yesterday. They were at home, watching a film or something.’
‘You’refuckingkiddingme,’ Jen said, the words coming out as one. ‘Debbie and Nick are in it to win it, aren’t they?’
‘If we want to have a chance, we’ve got to be out there too. Can’t have them hogging the limelight. People need to fall in love with us.’
‘So, what do you suggest?’
‘We need folk to believe we’re the real deal, which means giving them a little peek behind the scenes.’
‘Huh?’
Holly put her arm around Jen, her hand casually draped across her shoulder. ‘Now our photos will look legit.’
‘You really think putting your arms around me is going to seal the deal?’
‘No, this isn’t right,’ she admitted, taking her arm back. ‘But if you do this, and I hold the camera. . .’ she said, taking Jen’s closest arm and wrapping it around herself. ‘Right, you move, so I can lean into you.’
