Page 14 of Nick & Nora Martinis

“Don't get your knickers in a twist, we were just talking about nothing and then he just started asking questions, before I knew it I'd told him all about you, well us, and what fun we used to have. He asked if you had a boyfriend and it went from there. I don't know why you are upset by that, fuckin’ hell not long ago you were playing tonsil tennis when I walked out of the room,” she tells me, laughing.

“Not the point, I'm nervous about the opening and kissing him took my mind off it,” I snap. “I'm sorry, I do like him but I'm so glad you interrupted, or… fucking hell I've got to keep my mind clear.” I get up and go into the kitchen. I take a bottle of orange juice out of the fridge and two glasses out of the cupboard and walk back into the sitting room. I pass the glasses to Jay and pour the juice into them. “Anyway, I really thought you were pissed earlier,” I say and she starts to chuckle.

“Nope, never on rum, you know that, just playing my game though I was getting there, I think it was down to mixing them towards the end. I wanted to see what he would do, see I've told you this before. If they just put you to bed and leave you there, they’re worth keeping.”

“Yeah, you have and for the most part, it's true until it's not.” I reply.

“Owen the poor man, I couldn't make up my mind if he liked my kiss or not, I needed longer.”

“You're joking, aren't ya, he loved it. Left with a grin on his face. Anyway, now we've both settled what happened between you and Ian, I mean how many times, Jay?”

She sits looking at me, then takes a big gulp of her juice. “You got something stronger?” She moves position, putting her empty plate on the table, then moves back, curling her legs beneath her body. “Do you want me to do this now? I mean, I will tell you and give you all the in’s and out’s about Ian and I, but it's nearly ten o'clock.”

“I have all the time in the world for you. But if you don't want to, that's fine. I respect your wishes, but personally I think you should. Might help get it off your chest.”

“Okay, but before I start I want to get it out in one go so please don't interrupt me. I don't want to cry but I might, if you want to know anything after, ask then,” she mutters.

“Alright,” I say, bending forward and rubbing her leg. Sitting back I wait for Jayne to start.

She takes in a deep breath and exhales slowly, composing herself. “I told you about the other day, well this is the first time. I was working the afternoon shift at work like always, I started at midday. It was really slow, not many people were about for a Tuesday. My manager tells me I can go, as it's so quiet. I get my bag, all happy that I'm going early. Normally I finish at seven. Anyway, I get home at about five and walk into the dining room. As I drop my bag on the table I hear noises coming from the bedroom.”

“Oh fuck Jay, I'm so sorry.” She just looks at me, her eyes filling up, probably thinking about what happened. She's silent for a moment. Wiping the water from her eyes.

“He's not worth my fucking tears,” she says, pulling herself together.

“Darn right, no man is. I know you're hurt, you don't have to say no more.”

“It's fine, you're my best friend and I want to tell you. Well to be honest I just thought Ian was moving some stuff and that's why he was groaning. Anyway, I opened the bedroom door and gasped, then I just stood watching the man I love bang some fucking bitch in my bed. I don't think my mind could comprehend what was happening.”

I grab the box of tissues from the table, handing her one. She takes the box and places it on her lap.”I'll have a refill,” she says, knocking the remains of the orange juice back, and passing me her glass. I stand and grab the bottle, filling her glass up. I've not drunk any of mine.

“After I come to my senses, I do what any normal person does. I walk around the bed, my blood boiling. I see red and in a split second, I'm dragging her off of him, punching the fucking daylight out of her. Then I turn to him and punch him, while I'm going at Ian this bird is like 'Ian what's going on who is she?'. ‘Who am I?’, I scream at her. ‘I'm going to be your worst bastard nightmare.’ I pick up her clothes, open the window and chuck them out.”

“Good for you, what a wanker. And I liked him. I thought he was good for you. I'm so sorry Jay,” I tell her.

“Can you believe that he said I was being a drama queen and that I overreacted, and if I wanted to sleep with someone else I could and that he wouldn't mind.”

“No, he didn't.” What an absolute prick. No one deserves to be treated that way. Why the fuck would he say that to her?

“Yep he did, and I did think about it, but revenge is best served cold don't you think?” she says as she laughs and winks at me.

Chapter Eight

“Jayne, where have you been? It seems my staff today are doing disappearing acts. I've shitloads to do.” She holds her arms up and I notice the bags.

“Shopping, I needed new clothes,” she tells me nonchalantly.

“Why didn't you go first thing this morning?”

“I was going to but I overslept. I'll just drop these upstairs and I'll help you, give me a sec.”

She vanishes through the door. My nerves are kicking in. The doors open in less than an hour. I'm doing my final checks, going through my list of to-dos. Two minutes later she's back. “So the fruit has all been prepared, everything is in place, bar filled, ice filled, salt, sugar, fruit, brolly, cocktail sticks?” I ask Mary.

“Yes, yes, yes,” Mary replies. “Oh cherries, I don't remember seeing cherries,” she tells me.

“We have them, they arrived this morning, I've put them in the big fridge.” I turn to view the room, Owen and Rob walk in through the door, “Morning lads, you both ready to start your day?” I say with a big grin.

Jayne lets out a wolf-whistle, “You two scrub up nice in that uniform. You're going to have the women after you for sure.”

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