Page 10 of Nick & Nora Martinis

“Just what I thought, I need this like I need a hole in the head, whoopie,” I say sarcastically. “Jayne, I don't have a day or two.”

“Good job I'm here to help then,” she says with a smile, as she bumps my arm with hers. “Come on, have a bit of faith. I'll bring you some salt water to gargle, and some honey and lemon, drink that and you'll be alright.”

“I know, I don't know if I have any honey.”

“I'll improvise.”

“Thank you, but there's so much to do. I think it will be too much for you to take on alone, what time is it?”

“Just after 9, why you gotta be somewhere?” Jayne asks as she stands up. “I've got this, stop worrying.”

“No, well yes, in the bar, would you do me a favour? Will you call all the people I've given a job to, and ask them to come in this afternoon, say around two pm please?”

“Sure, but how do I know who that is?”

“If you look at the applications I've put a yes at the top of the ones I want.”

“Oh, that's clever. I can do that, anything else?”

“No, no tar. I'm going back to sleep for a bit. If you need to go out, the spare keys are in the kitchen drawer. And I gave you the code last night.”

Jay smiles at me as she turns and starts to walk towards the door. “Yes, I remember the code. Jayne leaves me for a minute then walks back in with a glass of water.

“Here go gargle, I'll be back momentarily with your drink.” I do the salt water and then I get back into bed. Jayne comes back into the bedroom, passing me the warm mug. I start to sip the contents. It feels lovely as it hits the back of my throat.

“How's it taste?”

“Umm it's so soothing. It's got a bit of a kick to it.”

“Good, right I'm going down to the bar, I found your list so I'll follow what's on there,” she tells me as she walks out of the room.

After I finish my mug I pull the quilt up around me and fall fast asleep.

I wake with a start, feeling a little better. I get up and make my way into the living room. I can't see Jay anywhere. Knocking on her bedroom door, I wait for an answer, nothing. I walk away and head into the kitchenette to make myself a cuppa tea. I look up at the clock on the wall.

“No,” I say out loud. “Five past four, I've slept the day away.” I make my drink and turn and lean against the kitchen unit while I drink it. Feeling a little better but grubby, sweaty and smelly, I decided to go have a shower.

The hot water runs all over me as I wash myself. After I've done my hair I turn the dial in decrements, sending the cold water over my body, revitalising me, making me feel a little better and refreshed. I turn the shower off and wrap a towel around my head then put one around my body.

I stand at the sink and look in the vanity mirror. My eyes don't look as red and I'm not aching as much. I take another two tablets and head back into my bedroom.

I go in search of something to wear, pulling out a white flowery flowing long top, with a cardigan and a pair of leggings. I place it all on the bed. I open my underwear drawer and find a black pair of knickers and a white bra. As I sit on the edge of the bed drying myself before getting dressed, it comes to me. “Oh my fuckin’ god” I stand up holding the towel and run round the bed to retrieve my phone, hitting the button to call Jayne.

“Hello, sleepy head” Jayne says down the phone all chirpy. I can hear talking in the background.

“Where the fuck are you? Why didn't you wake me if you were going out? I had the newbies in at two, you knew this.”

“Chill, it's all under control. I'm down in the bar. Trust me, have I ever let you down? Don't answer that.” She starts to giggle

“Are they still here?” I say, snapping and in a panic. “I'll be down in five minutes.” I pull the phone from my ear and end the call, tossing it on the bed and getting dressed. As I'm walking out of my bedroom and heading to the front door I run a brush through my hair, putting it up into a messy bun. Once done I throw the brush on the sofa and out the door I go.

As I get to the bottom of the stairs I lose my balance and fall into the crates that are stacked there, making a loud bang.”Oh for fuck’s sake,” I say to myself. As I try to scramble out of the mess, I hear the doors open and before I know it I'm being pulled up. I stare into his piercing blue-grey eyes, he's looking straight back into mine, deep into my eyes like he's searching for something, but what I've no idea. I feel a spark - does he?

“Rob,” I say, all whispery.

“Abigail.”

The way he says my full name gives me all the feels, and butterflies in my stomach. I go to pull away from him but he pulls me back towards him. Our lips are millimetres apart. I can feel his breath on my mouth, it smells all minty.

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