Seven Days(51)

For a long time he had thought that would never happen, and he didn’t want to put it in any jeopardy.

Pablo nudged him. ‘So what happened? You going to get back with her? She’s a looker, mate.’

James shook his head. ‘Nah. That’s all in the past. Thank God.’





2


The pub was packed. All the crowd was there. The ones who were off to university – James, Najla, Andy – those who had other plans – Toby, Heather, Mo – and others who James had known over the years.

James stood at the bar, trying to get the barman’s attention. The barman nodded at him.

‘Three pints of lager, two bitter, and two glasses of white wine, please,’ he said.

The barman put a tray on the bar. ‘You’ll need that,’ he said.

With the tray full, James made his way through the crowd, beer slopping out of the glasses as people jostled him.

When he got to the table he put the tray down and handed out the drinks. He’d had four pints and could feel the warm glow of the alcohol.

Najla took her wine. There was a girl sitting next to her who James didn’t recognize. She was wearing all black, and had a ring in her nose.

‘This is Vicki,’ Najla said. ‘She’s new in town. She just moved to Stockton Heath. She works at my place. Thought I’d invite her out to meet you lot. This is James.’

‘Nice to meet you,’ James said. ‘I would have got you a drink, if I’d known. I can go back to the bar and get you something?’

‘That’s OK,’ Vicki said. She had an accent which James couldn’t quite identify. Her eyes were very dark, which gave her an intense look. ‘I’ll get a drink in a bit. But thanks.’

James sat at the table. ‘Where are you from?’

‘Durham.’

‘You go to university there?’

She shook her head. ‘I’m from there. Left as soon as I could.’

‘You didn’t like it?’

She shrugged. ‘You could say that. And I got a job here.’

‘What do you do for work?’

‘Data scientist.’

‘Sounds impressive,’ James said. ‘Not that I know what it means.’

‘Me neither,’ Vicki said. ‘But they pay well.’

‘Next round on you, then,’ James said.

Vicki smiled. ‘Maybe.’

An hour later Vicki went to the bathroom. Najla sat beside him, grinning.

‘Well,’ she said. ‘You and Vicki seem to be getting on. I thought you might.’

‘She’s nice.’

Najla raised an eyebrow. ‘So? Summer fling?’

James shook his head. ‘Nah,’ he said. ‘No point. I’m off to Warwick soon.’

‘That leaves the whole of summer,’ Najla said. ‘And she’s very nice.’

‘Not my type,’ James said. ‘But thanks for thinking of me.’

‘So,’ Mo said. ‘Are we staying here or moving on? It’s ten now, so if we want to go somewhere else, we need to make a move.’

‘Where do you have in mind?’ Toby said. ‘Town? Go to a club?’

‘I can’t handle a club,’ Andy said. ‘Too much bother.’

‘Maybe another pub? The Lion?’ Mo said. ‘Or park here?’

‘Here’s good for me,’ James said. ‘But I’m easy.’

‘Let’s make up our minds,’ Mo said. ‘Stay or go?’

James was about to reply when he saw a tall, thin figure walking from the bathroom to the bar. It took him a moment to realize who it was. When he did, his stomach tightened.

It was Kevin.

Maggie’s old boyfriend.

He glanced at James, then paused. He nodded a greeting; James raised his hand.

Please, he thought, please move on. I don’t want to talk to you.

He had seen him on and off over the years, but they were not the same age and did not have the same friends.

And then, of course, there was the awkwardness. There had been rumours, for a while after Maggie’s disappearance, that Kevin had a hand in it. He was her boyfriend, after all, and in the absence of any other suspects he was as good a bet as anyone.

Kevin turned and walked towards him.

‘Hi, James,’ he said. ‘How’s it going?’ There was a hush around the table.

His voice brought it all back. High, thin, a little bit whiny: James had heard it over and over in the months following Maggie’s disappearance, and he didn’t want to hear it ever again.

‘Good,’ he said. ‘You?’

‘Not bad. Off to uni?’

James nodded. ‘After summer.’

‘I’m working at Dales’s. Laying bricks.’

‘Good for you.’

‘I’m engaged. Getting married in a few weeks.’

‘Oh,’ James said. ‘Congratulations.’

‘She’s here. Jenny. I’ll introduce you.’

Don’t, James thought. I want you to leave me alone.

‘Sure,’ he said.

Kevin walked over to the bar. There was a woman sitting alone, her back to them. He tapped her on the shoulder and said something, then she stood up.