How to Catch Butterflies (18 page)

The place was packed, where Lucy had stationed them was a prime spot, not too close or far from the bar, pointing out the drinks being spilled upon departing the steady surface of the bar counter.

They could see everything that was going on there and they had all angles covered. It was a brilliant night; Lucy totally ignored the countless guys that came up from the footie team, to try.

It was like a ritual for them.
Bless them,
she laughed,
they never gave up
. Rebecca had her fair share too. They had drinks bought for them most of the night, from the same first bartender who seemed to have only eyes for Rebecca.

“Come on,” Lucy said. “We’re going for a walkthrough,” and they set off around the balcony that overviewed the dance floor.

As they walked Rebecca was amazed at the amount of male attention they were getting. She found herself mimicking Lucy, standing tall, confident.

Rebecca was looking around, when she caught the eye of a group of lad’s one of them approached.

Rebecca played nice trying to make idle chit chat, trying to be polite.

The guy must have used his best moves and lines which failed miserably, undeterred he hung round for ages still vying for their attention, then his friends joined him.

“Oh God Rebecca, now they’re all going to have a go. See this is what happens when you talk to drongo’s.” Lucy moved them to another spot.

“You see Rebecca,” she said leaning gracefully on the balustrade, “Think ...If you give these guys even the slightest hint that they may have a chance, they seize it and won’t let go or GO trust me. Men are hunters by nature”.

Rebecca nodded her head at Lucy’s statement

“You’ve been out of the ‘Game’ for a good while, so you’re an easy target remember Lions. They always go for the weak or sick. They’re easy to catch and won’t put up a fight; it’s the same with blokes. You talking to that guy gives him the idea that he has a chance, does he?” She asked.

“Goodness NO, no chance at all,” laughed Rebecca shocked at the thought.

“You may think I was rude, but I was just setting his expectations of ‘No chance whatsoever’. Think of what you learned, don’t expect much and you won’t be disappointed. But have high standards, I believe in ‘
start as you mean to go on’
. I have standards and they don’t drop believe me. Look at George, liar. He was married, I think that’s an important thing to tell someone you’re seeing, don’t you?” Rebecca agreed.

A succession of men approached them over the course of the night. Lucy ignored them all not even glancing in their direction.

The evening ended all too quickly and it was time to go. As they made their way out the door, Dave the doorman stopped Rebecca, smiling nicely at her before asking, “What’s your name sweetheart?” His voice was deep, but friendly.

“Rebecca,” she replied smiling.

“Lucy, Rebecca hope to see you ladies soon,” he said, having now removed his sunglasses giving them another playfully wink.

The girls walked home to Rebecca’s, laughing and joking all the way, both full of merriment.

“God those ‘flugal’s were lovely,” Rebecca said. “I can still taste them.” She giggled.

“Yes they can be very dangerous though, one too many of them and you’d be on your arse all right or the porcelain queen,” roared Lucy as they fell into Rebecca’s flat door.

“Shit, we have shopping in the morning,” she laughed.

It was just as they were going upstairs that the doorbell went startling them both,

“Who the fuck could that be, at this time.” Rebecca said as white as a sheet the colour having drained fast from her face.

They both backed down the stairs heading to the sitting room window, peering through the curtain, as the view they had looked directly at the front door. There was no-one there. Rebecca looked again at her watch, it was 1:30 a.m. She understood if that was the day, yes it could be kid’s messing around ringing doorbells but at this time of night?

Lucy could see this was freaking her out, she suggested that they go to bed and to forget about it. “It could be a drunk ringing the wrong doorbell.” she shrugged.

Both girls had sobered up now with the shock of the doorbell ringing, Rebecca knew bed was the best place for them and nodded heading up the stairs again with Lucy in tow.

It was 7am when the girls were awoken by the un-necessarily long doorbell ring, making them both bolt upright in the bed with fright.

“What the hell!” Rebecca yelled throwing on her dressing gown and heading down the stairs, somewhat boggy eyed. It was a few minutes before she returned ranting that
there was no-one there, and what the hell is going on?

Rebecca climbed back under the covers, trying to block out the morning sun. It was 9am when the doorbell went off again making a poor hung over Rebecca grabbed her dressing gown again, and head down the stairs.

When she returned this time she was spitting obscenities, climbing back into her warm patch and trying to fall back asleep. It was no use she was awake now, grabbing her dressing gown she headed down the stairs to make coffee. The aroma wafting upstairs awaking Lucy from her slumber.

Lucy trudged down the stairs to Rebecca as Rebecca poured both of them a cup of coffee, both girls stood leaning against the kitchen counter sipping their cups.

Lucy spoke first. “So where do you want to go shopping?” she asked.

“I haven’t a clue,” laughed Rebecca. “As you know, I have no problem with buying suits. It’s the civilian clothes I have a problem with,” as they both burst out laughing.

They showered and dressed and off they went clothes shopping for the day to Muse on the infamous ‘Kings Road’.

When they returned just after 6pm, they were weighed down with bags full of clothes, as they girls emptied the contents onto Rebecca’s bed.

“Ohh love this!” Rebecca said hold up a long evening dress.

“I would never have bought these if it was left to me, and I love this top, and this one,” holding up a succession of tops.

Tired after their day of shopping, they settled in for the evening. Lucy produced a bottle Jack Daniels which was going to be their poison for the rest of the night.

Rebecca checked her phone...

”Nothing,” she said throwing it down on the couch beside her, looking rather forlorn. “He didn’t even call,” she protested.

Lucy sat down beside Rebecca and gave her a big hug. “Hun you said a really shitty thing. Once you say it, you can’t take it back. It’s out there forever.”

They lay back against the backrest of the couch, Rebecca’s head leaning on her shoulder.“I knew it was wrong as soon as I said it.” Rebecca slumped further into the couch. “I just can’t believe he did that,” she said.

Lucy looked at her. “What if you were pregnant? What would you have done?” she asked.

Rebecca thought for a moment before answering.

“I can’t even think like that Lucy. Everything about that situation is complicated. He’s my ex’s, ex best friend.” She groaned throwing her eyes up to heaven. “It’s all a horrible mess. I just can’t think about it.” Rebecca sighed starring into her glass.

“From what you told me, he seemed pretty happy with the idea of it,” said Lucy.

“Don’t Lucy, I can’t think like that. I mean, when you break it down I’ve only actually had a week single and Jason is only the second person I’ve ever slept with. I really don’t want to talk about it I have to keep strong just so I don’t start drunk dialing him,” she laughed.

“Don’t worry” Lucy said grabbing Rebecca’s hand “I’ll keep you busy,” Lucy said as she chucked her phone over onto the table.

It was nearly the end of the month, when they were out again on one of their frequent Saturday shopping trips. They were at a trendy bistro, having lunch sharing a small bottle of wine between them.

During lunch they chatted away about what they could be doing in the coming weeks. They had some brilliantly crazy nights, ranging from gig’s to clubs; now that they both were ‘
Young Free and Single’
.

The discussion came up about holidays. Rebecca had only ever been with her family or with David.

“Right that’s it, we’re doing Ibiza. There’s a new club opening up and I can get us in there. There are a few places we can stay at that are connected with my company that I can get dirty cheap for us.

It will only be flights and spends that we need really?” Lucy said.

“Hmmm that’s a great idea, when?” An eager Rebecca replied, nearly knocking the glass over as she clapped her hands.

“Oppsie,” they both laughed
.

“Right,” said Lucy. “Monday, I’ll get the schedule for Ibiza and we can book it straight away. What do you say? Yes?”

“Yes, let’s do it,” squealed Rebecca. “A girl’s holiday, can’t wait!”

They paid the bill and left full of plans on the new venture.

They headed back to the row of boutiques they had passed earlier on their way to the bistro. That’s when Rebecca stopped. She was looking at something. It was a jeweler’s who bought gold.

“Hold on a minute, I need to do something. You coming?” She asked having walked ahead of Lucy in the direction of the jewelers.

“What are you doing?” Lucy asked puzzled.

She hadn’t a clue what she was up to; she was left with no choice but to follow her into the store. As Rebecca opened the door the chimes went off, alerting the middle-aged man behind the counter, who suddenly stood up straight and greeted them with;

“And how can I help you lovely ladies today?”

Rebecca made for the counter, lifting her handbag on top of its glass display cabinet. She fished around in her bag and pulled out her purse, opening it, pulling out her engagement ring.

She looked at it, remembering the day five years ago when David had bought it and placed it on her finger. It hadn’t cost hundreds, or thousands, but she wore it with pride as though it did. She remembered the day all so well.

David didn’t have enough money on him at that time to buy it for her there and then; Jason had lent him the money. Her heart lurched; Jason again.