The Promise You Made by A J McDine

Author:A J McDine [McDine, A J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cherry Tree Publishing
Published: 2021-11-18T16:00:00+00:00

‘Jules and Danny are on a booze run. They won’t be long,’ John said as he pushed open the door to the flat.

‘I’m a bit early,’ I admitted. ‘But I thought I could help with nibbles and things.’

‘No nibbles tonight. It’s strictly alcohol only.’

I plonked my handbag on the kitchen counter next to a couple of packets of plastic glasses and some cocktail umbrellas. ‘Are many coming?’

‘About thirty if everyone shows. A few nerds and some traders from my place, some of Danny’s workmates and clients at the gym, and some people from Juliet’s new work. She said something about her old school crowd dropping in later, too.’

I groaned inwardly. I’d met a few of Juliet’s school friends while we were at uni. They all had swishy hair, white teeth, braying voices and a propensity to look right through me as if I was invisible.

‘I assume the bag means you’re staying the night?’ John asked.

For a moment, I was filled with doubt. Juliet hadn’t actually offered to put me up, but surely she wasn’t expecting me to catch the last train home on my own? It would be full of sleazebags and drunks. I told myself not to be so stupid. This was Juliet we were talking about. My best friend. Of course she wasn’t.

‘Yes, I’m staying,’ I said. ‘She mentioned something about a box room?’

‘It’s full of Danny’s crap, but I’m sure we can squeeze you in.’

John led me up a second flight of stairs. ‘My room’s on the right and yours is here,’ he said, opening a door to his left. ‘It’s supposed to be Danny’s, but he shares Juliet’s, obviously.’

‘Obviously,’ I said, gritting my teeth.

Danny’s room was kitted out as a home gym, with a rowing machine, workout bench, freestanding punch bag and an array of barbells and dumbbells. A sink was tucked behind the door and the single bed was almost hidden under a pile of sports clothes and kit bags, a couple of pairs of boxing gloves and a stack of bodybuilding magazines. I shuffled around the clutter on the floor to the sash window. It looked out over a vast red-bricked block of flats.

‘That’s Dolphin Square,’ John said, joining me. ‘It’s art deco. Quite famous. Here’s an interesting fact: Oswald Mosley and Christine Keeler both lived there.’

‘Not at the same time, I hope,’ I said, tugging the window open to rid the room of the sour smell of Danny’s stale sweat.

‘Fortunately not. Look, I need to pop out for half an hour. Will you be all right on your own?’

‘Of course.’

‘The bathroom’s next to Juliet and Danny’s room if you want to freshen up. Won’t be long.’

I waited until I heard the door to the flat close, then opened my case and took out the black velvet dress I’d ordered from Kays for tonight’s party. I’d chosen it partly because the model wearing it had the same shade of red hair as me and partly because even I knew every girl needed a little black dress.

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