Donna Joy Usher - Chanel 01 - Cocoa and Chanel by Donna Joy Usher

studied the photos of the dogs in the window and then took one of the business cards they had left in a holder out the front. Cocoa was going to need a grooming soon. His eyebrows were getting so long he could hardly see and his beard was matted.
    As I slid the card into my pocket I felt another piece of cardboard. I pulled it out and looked at it. Dazzle. The trauma of the day had driven Bruce’s club from my mind.
    I thought about going to the club; imagining the music flowing around me as I sipped a cocktail and forgot all about Inspector Ramy, and all of a sudden I wanted to go. I hadn’t been out forever, and I didn’t feel like doing any study that night. This would be just what the doctor ordered – if he was a cute single doctor. And better yet I had the perfect outfit; a little black dress Becky had given me as a going away present. My mind made up, Cocoa and I headed for home.

    ***

    A few hours later I hovered nervously outside Dazzle. It hadn’t been hard to find; the pink neon sign flashed and danced in the dark. ‘Come on Chanel,’ I said, ‘it’s just a club.’ Grasping the rail I descended carefully, making sure my fake Jimmy Choo shoes didn’t catch on the stairs, and then I entered Dazzle.
    There was music playing in the background, quiet enough that you could still have a conversation if you wanted. A large stage took up the entire far side of the club; the plush red curtain flowing to the floor. Small intimate tables were scattered around the rest of the room, their chairs positioned so each person could see the stage. Some of the tables were already occupied, the buzz of the conversation just audible over the music.
    I headed for the bar and slid onto one of the stools, making sure my dress was pulled down over my thighs; nothing like an eye-full of hail damage to put off a prospective date.
    Bruce was serving drinks at the other end of the bar. He bustled over to me, handing me a cocktail list.
    ‘Hi,’ I said, smiling at him.
    He stared at me for a full second before squealing, ‘Chanel, O M G girlfriend, you look amazing. Let me get a better look at you.’ He flapped his hands at me, urging me to stand up.
    I did, pirouetting on the spot before sitting back down; embarrassed but also secretly pleased to be getting some positive attention.
    ‘Glam baby glam. I love your hair like that.’
    I subconsciously patted my ponytail which was pulled up on top of my head. ‘Thanks. How’d your date go?
    He threw some ingredients in a blender, hit the switch for a few seconds and then emptied the contents into a glass which he deposited in front of me. Then he slithered out under a gap in the bar and took up a stool next to me. ‘Wonderful,’ he said, urging me with his hands to take a sip.
    I did. It was delicious. ‘What is this?’ I said, holding up the glass to stare at the contents.
    ‘House special, the Dazzle cocktail. You like?’
    ‘I think I’m in love. Now tell me about your date.’
    ‘Well he’s H O T which is always a good start. And he’s a doctor.’
    ‘Wow, a hot doctor. I’ve been looking for one of them.’
    ‘I’ll keep my eyes out for you, but they’re rare.’
    ‘Maybe I should start hanging out around the emergency department.’
    He let out a huge laugh, slapped me on the arm and then jumped off his stool. ‘Oops, got a customer.’
    The club was starting to get busier, about half of the tables were now full. I sipped my cocktail and people watched, noting that most of the couples appeared to be same sex. This was probably not the place I was going to meet the future Mr Smith. Hey, who was I kidding, I wasn’t really looking for the future Mr Smith; I was looking for some fun.
    The lights began to dim, the curtain rose, and I realised the show was starting. A long line of women were standing in a row, all of them tall and muscular. One of them moved to a microphone in the middle of the stage and started to sing; her deep voice soaring, her face