over to Abbey, hugging her tightly - and Nathan and Liam glance up from dividing out numerous lines of cocaine on the coffee table.
“Christ Abs… you look like walking Viagra…!” Liam winks.
“How charming… thanks Liam…” She quips, hugging them both as she sits down.
“You do look amazing…” Lucy agrees… “Those shoes look pretty high though, I hope they aren’t going to stop you dancing because it is on tonight…!” She laughs, shaking her arms from side to side.
Abbey giggles at Lucy as she launches into one of her super excited outbursts, chatting about how great the night is going to be and how much fun they will have at this new club, which she describes as ‘like the best club ever’. The only time she stops talking is when she takes a sip of her drink or has another line.
Just like the previous weekend they all make Abbey feel completely welcome and her nerves soon vanish. She finds herself marvelling again at what a close knit group they are and she feels incredibly lucky to be a part of it. She is beyond grateful that they have welcomed her into the fold so willingly. It is just what she needs; a fun night out with no drama, to let loose and enjoy herself with friends, but no matter how hard she tries she can’t seem to switch off completely or forget about her problems at home. The resentment she feels towards Peter and the detachment she feels from her mum is slowly starting to eat away at her. Things have gotten so much worse recently and she is constantly playing it over and over in her mind - wishing there was a way to resolve the tension, but knowing there is nothing she can do as long as her family refuse to face up to their pain and acknowledge their grief. Until they open up about Ryan and remember him the way that he deserves to be remembered, they are never going to see eye to eye.
“Just got off the phone to a mate, he says the club is packed…” Tom returns from the kitchen with his phone in his hand… “It’s gonna be mint…!”
“I hope we don’t have to queue for ages…” Sophie muses.
“Course not, Alex got us guest list…!” Tom laughs, incensed at the thought.
As Darren changes CD, the others gather around the coffee table, preparing to play what sounds like a rather complicated drinking game. When the music kicks in, they cheer in approval at Darren’s choice and start singing along to the track, albeit loudly and rather out of tune. Abbey uses the opportunity to lean towards Lucy, ensuring that only she can hear.
“Where is Alex…?” She asks, as casually as she can manage.
“Work… but he should be back anytime soon…” Lucy doesn’t bat an eyelid at Abbey’s question and she is left wondering again what Alex does for a living that causes him to be out so late.
Another hour or so passes and the several Sambuca shots that Abbey has drunk start to take effect. It turns out she isn’t very good at drinking games. Feeling tipsy she begins to lighten up a little, but the buzz she is feeling still isn’t enough to completely dispel her worries and her brain is working overtime. Why can’t she just relax and enjoy herself?
“Here he is…!” Tom shouts over the music… “Busy night son?!” Abbey looks up from the CD case she is studying and sees Alex standing in the doorway; their eyes meet for a brief moment before he steps forward and slaps hands with the lads. He looks even more appealing than the first time she laid eyes on him – if that is even possible.
He is wearing dark blue jeans and a black shirt that fits his frame perfectly. The sleeves are rolled up to his elbows and the top two buttons are undone, showing a slight glimpse of his sculpted chest and the chain of his rosary beads. ‘Don’t go bright red, don’t go bright red…’ Abbey chants, over and over in her mind. The butterflies in her stomach return and a rush of adrenaline shoots through her body. She can’t believe that just been in the same room as him
“Christ Abs… you look like walking Viagra…!” Liam winks.
“How charming… thanks Liam…” She quips, hugging them both as she sits down.
“You do look amazing…” Lucy agrees… “Those shoes look pretty high though, I hope they aren’t going to stop you dancing because it is on tonight…!” She laughs, shaking her arms from side to side.
Abbey giggles at Lucy as she launches into one of her super excited outbursts, chatting about how great the night is going to be and how much fun they will have at this new club, which she describes as ‘like the best club ever’. The only time she stops talking is when she takes a sip of her drink or has another line.
Just like the previous weekend they all make Abbey feel completely welcome and her nerves soon vanish. She finds herself marvelling again at what a close knit group they are and she feels incredibly lucky to be a part of it. She is beyond grateful that they have welcomed her into the fold so willingly. It is just what she needs; a fun night out with no drama, to let loose and enjoy herself with friends, but no matter how hard she tries she can’t seem to switch off completely or forget about her problems at home. The resentment she feels towards Peter and the detachment she feels from her mum is slowly starting to eat away at her. Things have gotten so much worse recently and she is constantly playing it over and over in her mind - wishing there was a way to resolve the tension, but knowing there is nothing she can do as long as her family refuse to face up to their pain and acknowledge their grief. Until they open up about Ryan and remember him the way that he deserves to be remembered, they are never going to see eye to eye.
“Just got off the phone to a mate, he says the club is packed…” Tom returns from the kitchen with his phone in his hand… “It’s gonna be mint…!”
“I hope we don’t have to queue for ages…” Sophie muses.
“Course not, Alex got us guest list…!” Tom laughs, incensed at the thought.
As Darren changes CD, the others gather around the coffee table, preparing to play what sounds like a rather complicated drinking game. When the music kicks in, they cheer in approval at Darren’s choice and start singing along to the track, albeit loudly and rather out of tune. Abbey uses the opportunity to lean towards Lucy, ensuring that only she can hear.
“Where is Alex…?” She asks, as casually as she can manage.
“Work… but he should be back anytime soon…” Lucy doesn’t bat an eyelid at Abbey’s question and she is left wondering again what Alex does for a living that causes him to be out so late.
Another hour or so passes and the several Sambuca shots that Abbey has drunk start to take effect. It turns out she isn’t very good at drinking games. Feeling tipsy she begins to lighten up a little, but the buzz she is feeling still isn’t enough to completely dispel her worries and her brain is working overtime. Why can’t she just relax and enjoy herself?
“Here he is…!” Tom shouts over the music… “Busy night son?!” Abbey looks up from the CD case she is studying and sees Alex standing in the doorway; their eyes meet for a brief moment before he steps forward and slaps hands with the lads. He looks even more appealing than the first time she laid eyes on him – if that is even possible.
He is wearing dark blue jeans and a black shirt that fits his frame perfectly. The sleeves are rolled up to his elbows and the top two buttons are undone, showing a slight glimpse of his sculpted chest and the chain of his rosary beads. ‘Don’t go bright red, don’t go bright red…’ Abbey chants, over and over in her mind. The butterflies in her stomach return and a rush of adrenaline shoots through her body. She can’t believe that just been in the same room as him
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