Out of Towners by Dan Tunstall Read Free Book Online Page B

drugs.
    Bev gives me another unfocussed smile. She leans in again.
    â€œYou’re a good-looking boy,” she whispers. “How about coming back to the chalet with me?”
    I open and shut my mouth, but no words come out. In a way I’m flattered. But I’m terrified too. Bev would eat me alive. I snatch another glance at Robbie, just as he looks my way. The bastard is laughing so hard he’s almost bent double.
    â€œNah. I’d better stay with my mates,” I croak.
    Bev isn’t put off.
    â€œDon’t be shy,” she says.
    Bev has let go of my arse now and she’s fumbling around with my hands. I look down to see what she’s up to. She’s got a pair of plastic handcuffs covered in pink furry stuff. One end is attached to her wrist. She’s trying to attach the other end to me.
    I step back and pull my hands out of the way. The song is almost finished, so I make a break for it. George and Robbie have had the same idea. We all leg it towards our table, expecting to see Dylan. But Dylan isn’t there. I look back across at the dance floor. Bev doesn’t seem to be too bothered I’ve done a runner. She’s already latched onto one of the Leicester Boys Tony Curtis was giving a shout out to earlier. A big fat chap in a white cap-sleeve T-shirt with grey panels under the armpits to show off the sweatstains. They’re grinding away to Unchained Melody .
    George blows out a huge breath.
    â€œBloody hell,” he says.
    I know how he feels.
    â€œI’ve never been so scared,” I say.
    Robbie strokes his chin.
    â€œI don’t know what’s up with you two. I was getting into that.”
    We all crack up.
    When we’ve been sitting down for a couple of minutes, I start looking around for Dylan. I’m assuming he must have gone to the toilet. But if that’s where he’s been, he’s had a busy time. Because he’s heading over here now, and he’s not on his own. He’s with a gorgeous Asian girl. She looks like one of the classy Townies at school. She’s in a little black dress and ballet pumps. She’s got silky shoulder-length hair, a flawless complexion and a gold stud in her nose. She’s so pretty, she doesn’t look real.
    Dylan’s grinning like he’s won the Lottery. He pulls a spare chair across to our table and motions for the Asian girl to sit down.
    â€œBoys,” he says. “This is Nikita. Nikita, this is Chris, Robbie and George.”
    Nikita smiles and we all nod our heads like the dog in the Churchill Insurance adverts, lost for words.
    Robbie’s the first to snap out of it.
    â€œAlright Nikita?” he says. “You here on your own?”
    â€œNo,” Nikita says. She’s got a slight London accent. “I’m here with my friends Steph and Gemma. They’re just coming.”
    I look over in the direction Nikita’s facing. Two girls are cutting across from the bar, bottles in hands. One is tall with sandy-coloured, slightly wavy hair. She’s in a purple blouse and a pair of skinny jeans. She’s not bad looking, but she’s a bit straight. Not my type. I can’t see the other girl yet. She’s a pace or two behind the tall one. But as they move closer, I get my first proper look at her. My jaw drops open. She’s incredible.
    My brain is processing information super-fast. About five-three. Rolling Stones T-shirt and black jeans. Nice skin. Wide mouth. Perfect teeth. Shiny brown hair, loosely tied up. Beautiful without even trying. Something in her body language says she’s the boss of her gang. Don’t know what it is. It’s the way she carries herself. Inner confidence.
    I swing into action, grabbing two extra seats and sliding them across. The girls are here now, and they both nod at me as they see what I’m doing. I catch the smaller girl’s eye and my heart leaps.
    I sit back down, trying not to stare. I hope my