The Perfect Girlfriend(32)

I order several beers. I take one, hold it down low, whilst tipping the contents of the envelope into the bottle.

‘Can I have some glasses, please?’ I ask the barman.

He shakes his head questioningly.

‘Glasses, please. And . . .’ I scan the counter, ‘those too, please.’ I point to some chilli-coated nuts. ‘Five packets, please.’

He hands me four warm tumblers, fresh from the dishwasher, and then a small black tray.

I make my way back to Katie and the others before pouring a beer into the glass in front of her. I have to; I can hardly shake the bottle.

‘Sorry about what I said earlier,’ I say, handing her the beer. ‘Peace offering. I have a big mouth sometimes. I’m sure I’ve made a mistake.’

She hesitates, picks up the glass and raises it in a ‘cheers’ gesture.

I rip open the nuts and flatten out the foil packets. ‘Help yourselves,’ I say to everyone, but of course meaning Katie.

The potential flaw in my plan could be that the pills taste of something strong. Hopefully the nuts will mask anything untoward. Tom Jones belts out the chorus of ‘Delilah’. Several of our group join in, giggling, Katie included.

I smile and pretend to enjoy myself. I hope she falls off her stool. She looks so alert that I fear I may need even more of a helping hand, so I walk off and order some local rum shots.

‘Go on,’ I shout. ‘Last one to finish gets the next round.’

Most people, including Katie – phew – rise to the challenge.

‘You’re going for it tonight,’ says someone. ‘Win the lottery?’

I laugh politely, as though he has genuinely said something funny.

‘One, two, three . . .’ the group chorus.

It nearly makes me sick. ‘God, that’s hideous,’ I shout.

‘What is it?’ asks Kevin, coming into focus.

My eyes are watering. ‘Rum. No more for me.’

‘Lightweight,’ smiles Kevin.

He has nice, brown eyes which compliment his dark skin and cheeky smile.

I smile back before I look over at Katie. Finally, she is looking a little spaced out. ‘I might head back soon,’ I say to Kevin. I point at Katie. ‘She looks like she could do with a ride back too.’

‘I’ll join you. I wasn’t planning a very late night.’

I slink up to Katie. ‘Kevin and I are heading back. Do you fancy coming with us? You look tired.’

‘Tired?’ She looks confused. ‘No, no, I’m fine. You guys go. I’ll head back with some of the others later.’

‘I think you should come.’ I turn to Kevin. ‘Don’t you?’

He shrugs. ‘Up to the lady herself,’ he says.

I pull him to one side. ‘She looks a bit the worse for wear.’

‘Seems OK to me.’

Katie slides off her stool, leaning against the table for support. She drops her bag in the process. She struggles to retrieve her belongings: a hairbrush, some mints and a lipstick.

Kevin rushes over. He helps Katie upright.

I throw him an ‘I told you so’ look.

Outside, we hail a taxi. A proper one. A tuk-tuk might jerk her into full consciousness. During the ride, she leans her head against the window, eyes fluttering open, then shutting.

A doorman opens the back door after we pull up outside our hotel.

‘Help me get her to her room,’ I say to Kevin. ‘She looks like she could do with a good sleep.’

‘I’m fine,’ she mutters, but doesn’t complain when he puts his arm around her to assist.

‘What room are you in?’ he asks.

‘Um . . . seventeen . . . six . . . two.’ She yawns and frowns, as though in deep concentration. ‘One. Seven. Six. Two.’

By the time we reach her floor, she is practically sleepwalking. I ease her bag from her shoulder and search for her key. I slot it into the door and Kevin walks her to the bed. I remove her shoes. Kevin and I stand side by side, like concerned parents, looking at her.

‘Do you think she’s all right?’ I say.

‘Yeah. Probably just needs to sleep it off.’

‘Let’s put her in the recovery position, just in case.’

‘You think so?’

‘Yes. You’ll have to help me.’

Kevin grips her torso. I hold her legs and we roll her forwards, placing her arms in the correct position. She snores gently. Very ladylike.

‘Let’s go,’ he says.

I dim the lights, sliding her key card into my pocket as we leave. The door clicks shut behind us.

We wait for the lift.

‘Fancy a nightcap?’ says Kevin.

‘Thanks. Sorry, but I’m exhausted.’

‘Fair enough.’

The lift arrives. In another time and place, maybe. This is another one of the problems Nate causes for me. Kevin is nice and, let’s face it, why should Nate have all the fun? But, sadly, not only am I a one-man woman, I’m too busy. I have things to do.

His room is on the floor above mine, meaning he exits first.

‘Good night,’ we chorus.

The lift doors shut. They part on my floor but I stay put and wait for them to close again. I press floor seventeen. When the doors open, I check that the corridor is deserted. There’s no obvious CCTV. I slide Katie’s room key from my pocket. The lock indicates green. I am in.