Page 35 of Knights Game

“All right, frostbite then.”

She rolls her eyes. “It’s not that cold. Besides, you’ve got a jacket and long sleeves.”

“Of mesh, Katy, not wool. You can’t class it as a layer.”

“I can. It’s a layer.” I pull my top open and thrust my chest out to her, demonstrating how thin it is. The sheer material covers the top part of the dress, and underneath is a low V neck, black short dress. I look slutty.

Hot, but slutty. And I have zero shame in it. I feel good.

I look good.

“This is not a layer. Look, you can see my nipples through it.”

She laughs, pushing me. I wobble and giggle.

“Ladies.” A huge man appears on my right, unclipping the rope that separates us from the rest of the pavement. “Can you come with me?”

“You got us in trouble because they thought you were flashing your tits at their poor patrons,” Katy says, laughing, but follows the bald bouncer out of the queue. We head into the reception area, the warmth of the club hits me like a humid summer’s day. The bouncer checks our coats in, and leads us to the desk, we hang onto each other, giggling, the whole way.

“Guests of Mr Rook,” the bouncer says.

The hostess smiles and nods then picks up something from behind the desk. “Here are two VIP tickets. You have some credit on those that can be used at the bar. VIP is through the back stairs. Have a great evening.” She passes us two black plastic cards, with scripted gold writing.

“Ooh, fancy,” Katy says, looking at the card.

I open my black sparkling clutch and pop the card in. “Who the hell is Mr Rook?” I ask.

Katy shrugs. “They sometimes do that, if they’re lacking a certain clientele. They’ll hook them out of the queue.”

“We’re not hookers,” I say loudly, the brain to mouth filter completely gone.

“They know that.” Katy laughs. “Don’t look so terrified.”

We cross through an intimate bar area and follow the beat of the music, heading into a larger room with a dance floor, and another large bar on the back wall.

I’m excited.

It’s an odd feeling; I don’t usually go out, I don’t usually drink, I don’t usually dance in public. But here I am letting Katy lead me through the throngs of people. I’m warm from the alcohol, and I feel safe knowing that Katy has my back. She has made sure I know what to do if I lose her.

Heads turn our way.

“Own it,” she whispers in my ear, feeling my discomfort.

“This is so not me,” I whisper back, tugging at the dress, desperately trying not to fall over and make a twat of myself.

“So, wear a mask tonight, Layla. No one knows you here, you can be anyone you want to be.”

“That’s what you do?” I ask as she pulls out the black VIP card and leans forward, her cleavage on show, as she tries to make eye contact with a server.

“Yeah, it’s fun.” She glances at me, then turns her attention back to the bar. “I always stick to my name, but I change my occupation. Flirt enough to get a drink, but make sure you’re there when they buy it, or you order, and they pay. Never accept a drink off a random.”

“I’ve been out before, Katy.” I shake my head. “Besides, we don’t need to flirt to get a drink, we just use the card.”

“I know you have. I just want you to have fun.”

Because tomorrow, when I face the cold light of day, I have some serious things to do. But tonight, I’m burying my head in the sand. I’m manifesting positive thoughts though. Or so I’ve been told to by Katy. To be honest I’m just drinking.

Maybe tonight I won’t be Layla Johnson who has no money, is alone and has had to put her life on hold. No, tonight I’m a medical student who likes to have fun and is caring for her grandad.

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