Page 31 of Nick & Nora Martinis

“It's all good, though you have been a bit off the last few days. I just put it down to tonight and what's going to happen.”

“Yeah, you're probably right.”

I pick my cup up just as Paul enters the bar. He places the bag on the bar. “There you go ladies, burgers as ordered.”

“Cheers Paul, how much do I owe you?”

“It’s on me. I'm just going to get changed if that's ok, Abi?”

“Of course you can.”

He smiles. As he turns to walk away, Jayne shouts after him, "If you want a hand with anything, then I'm your girl."

He looks over his shoulder, chuckling.

I turn back to see Owen shotting daggers to both Paul and Jayne. Mental note to self: ask Jay what's going on.

“We got burgers,” I shout out to the staff behind the bar, shaking the bag. As I pull one out and hold it up, I say: “Two at a time out back while eating, okay.” I unwrap mine as I walk to the door, I take a bite. The taste and smell for some reason are overwhelming, making me feel nauseous. Just as I get to the door, Paul walks through it.

“You okay Ab?”

“Yeah I'm fine.” I look at him, pushing the bag and my bitten burger at him, then make a dash through the door and up the stairs, holding my mouth. I just make it to the loo when the contents of my stomach reveal themselves.

I sit on the floor hugging the toilet, wondering why I'm like this. I've only had toast this morning, no alcohol, so I don't know why. I hear Rob calling me. I stand up and swill my mouth out.

“Baby are you okay?” he asks as he walks into the bathroom. “Is this because of what we are going to do tonight? If it's making you like this then I won't do it.” Walking towards me, he pulls me into his arms. “You know I'm not going anywhere.”

“No. It's not that. I was okay until I went to eat that burger, my stomach did a somersault and that was it.”

He moved slightly, lifting my head up. “You look really pale, you're sure you're okay?”

I nod my head then rest it on his chest.

“Just give me a moment and I'll be alright, and as for tonight, I'm really looking forward to it.”

“As long as you're sure.”

“I am.” I move back, stretch up and give him a peck on the check. “Come on, time to go.” I go to pull away from him but he pulls me back.

“What the hell was that?”

“A kiss, you don't want my nasty breath anywhere near you.”

“There's nothing nasty about you or your breath.” He pulls me in for a full-blown kiss.

Walking down the stairs, the smell of burger fills my nostrils, making me retch.

Rob looks at me, “You sure you're alright?”

“It's the smell,” I say, heaving again. He just looks at me as I walk into the bar and take my seat back next to Jayne. He goes back behind the bar and says something to Owen.

“You look like shit.”

“Thanks, and here I was thinking I looked like a million quid,” I say to Jayne, sarcastically.

Sniggering, she says, “What's up with you, you worried about later?”

“No, not at all. Rob asked me the same question. I have reservations but nothing that would make me sick with worry.I feel okay now, maybe it was something I ate yesterday. I just don't know.”

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