Page 11 of Love Me Till Wednesday

He looked pleased to see her. ‘I was beginning to think you weren't coming.’

‘I lost track of time - I'm sorry. Thank you for waiting.’

‘What’ll you have to drink?’

‘G&T, lemon, no ice. What are you having? I’ll get these.‘

‘No, you won’t. You can get the next round,’ he said.

Old school gentleman, then. Hardly surprising considering how attentive he’d been earlier. But that wasn’t the point of them meeting here.

‘I’m supposed to be buying you a drink to say thank you,’ she said.

‘It’s ok. I wasn’t expecting one.’ Nick turned to the barman and placed their order. ‘Shall we sit over there?’ he asked, nodding towards an empty booth in the corner. ‘We’ll be less visible.’

‘Ashamed to be seen with me?’ Lisa joked.

‘No,’ Nick laughed. ‘I thought you’d appreciate some privacy, that’s all.’

He picked up their drinks and led the way across the room. He had a presence about him - the crowd seemed to part in front of him magically. When they reached the booth, he set their glasses down on the table and slid onto one of the battered leather seats.

‘How did you know I was in the lift earlier?’ Lisa asked as she sat on the seat opposite him.

‘I was walking past when that bloke went inside. I didn’t like the look of him so I pressed the button.’

‘You’re a good judge of character,’ Lisa said. ‘Dougie’s our manager. He’s not to be trusted with anything.’

‘So why do you let him manage you?’

‘Because he was the only one who had any faith in us when we were nothing. And we were naive at the start. We’d have signed anything to get a record deal.’

‘Has he tried it on with you before?’

’No, but I had a feeling he might. I’ve managed to avoid being alone with him until tonight.’

‘So what are you going to do about it?’

‘I haven’t decided yet. I’ve got quite a few things to work out how to deal with after this evening’s events.’

Stupid thing to say, Lisa. He’s going to ask what else is bothering you now! Change the subject.’You know a lot about me already. Tell me about you.’

‘There’s not much to know. I’m studying drama and earning a few quid helping out in hotels to supplement my student loan.’

That explained his presence. She could easily imagine him commanding an audience’s attention on stage. ‘Where’s home?’ she asked.

‘Here now. I can’t go back to my mum’s. There’s no room. I have five younger siblings. Sometimes, I wonder if anyone’s noticed I’ve gone.’ He chuckled.

Lisa was sure she’d notice if he’d left her.Don’t start thinking like that! This is a ‘thank you’ drink and nothing more, remember.‘I can’t imagine being part of a big family. I have one older brother, that’s all.’

‘I bet it makes life a lot less chaotic.’

Lisa tried to visualise her mother coping with six kids in the neat bay-windowed 1930s semi-detached house that she grew up in, with its immaculate garden and pristine furnishings. ‘Yeah. It was all very staid and boring, which is probably why I’m here now. The predictability of suburban life is not for me.’

‘Something else we have in common.’

Curious. ‘What else have we got in common then?’

‘I’m from Birmingham too. Selly Oak.’

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