The Hunted by P.R. Black

Author:P.R. Black [Black, P.R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781800249394
Publisher: Head of Zeus

23

Leah wrinkled her nose as the viscous liqueur punched her in the palate. ‘Jägerbombs. Yeah, I remember now,’ she said, coughing. ‘I’ve had these before. Last works night out I went on. My opinion has not changed.’

She laid the shot glass down on the table and pinched her nose. There was still most of the shot left. No chance, Leah thought. No more of that. If I do, snap of the fingers and it’ll be tomorrow morning.

Toni sniffed at her own drink, then drained most of it, smartly. She didn’t wince as Leah had, but smacked her lips, then said: ‘I’m getting tones of shame and lairiness, with just a hint of fuck-you.’

‘Yeah, that’ll be about right,’ said Debs, downing her own. She was steaming drunk now, playing pinball with the edge of the couch, the table, and any other vertical plane within her vicinity. The sly look on her face that usually foretold some malicious comment was now a constant on her flushed face, her rounded corners and soft edges puffy and bloated. She never was a good drunk, Leah thought. Not that she knew many who qualified for that status. ‘They have a bit of a belt to them. Hey. Mousie, you’re a bit down in the dumps. Fancy a livener?’

Mouse shook her head. ‘I think I might head to bed soon, you know.’

‘Look, if you’re up the duff, just tell us,’ Debs said. ‘Never mind the suspense. Out with it.’

‘I’m not up the duff,’ Mouse said, calmly.

‘She’s blushing! You’ve actually blossomed into a terrible liar.’ Debs hiccupped. ‘I like that, though. It’s very becoming. Better to play the cherry-cheeked ingenue, than… than… What’s the word?’

‘An arsehole,’ Toni said.

Debs winked at her. ‘If you’re in the family way, Mouse, that just leaves me and Toni as the only free citizens left in the group. Fair play to Shell – dearly departed – she popped those three out fast enough with old Ewan. Kapow. I lost count; I couldn’t keep up. I always need to ask one of you guys what I need to put on the Christmas cards. Hughey, Smoothie and Phooey. Huey, Dewey and Louie. Eggsy, Oestrie, Flappsy. Epidurus, Suture and Queefie. She must’ve taken to it… Being Keith Cheggers. Some birds do that, I guess. Then Leah, of course.’ She paused. ‘Anyway, Toni, not fancy it?’

‘I think you’ve had enough to drink, Debs,’ Toni said.

‘That’s a fair shout. But… why so defensive? Your man firing blanks, then? Or have you got your fallopian tubes in a twist?’

Leah opened her mouth to speak, but Mouse stood up. The way she started forward, it looked for an instant as if she was actually going to hit Debs. ‘I know you like a laugh,’ Mouse said, ‘and I know you like to shock people. But I think you need to be dialling it down, now.’

‘Jesus. I’m intrigued. When did you become a tough guy, Mouse?’

‘About the same time you became a comedian.’ Mouse returned to her seat and folded her arms.

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