Siobhan stayed in her room the rest of the day, watching crappy Saturday daytime TV, wishing the time away waiting for the time she could return to the safety of the University lectures where she could re-focus her attentions. She found a can of warm diet coke in her suitcase and that was all she managed to eat or drink for the entire day.
The time came when she had to leave the security and privacy of her room and head downstairs. It was 4pm and she had chosen her moment when she thought she had heard a total of four, or was it three, clicks of the front door locking shut. All her housemates must have left.
Siobhan put on a roll neck jumper and stepped into a pair of jeans and crept downstairs. The house was still unfamiliar, so unlike a home, as if she was a visitor in someone else's house. She entered the kitchen and opened the fridge door to find something to eat.
"Oh there you are love, I thought you must have disappeared back to, where was it, Brighton."
Siobhan froze at the sound of Carly's unmistakable Essex accent. She put on the best most confident smile she could muster and turned round.
"Guildford," she said with a slight croak in her voice "Guildford," she repeated more clearly.
"Oh yes, that was it, Guildford." "How are you hun, you look quite washed out, like you seen a ghost or something".
"I'm fine thanks," Siobhan lied.
"Cool," Carly said as if she had no recollection of what happened just a few hours before. "Did you enjoy the party last night, good wasn't it?"
"Yes, I had a great..."
"Hey, I know," Carly interrupted, "why don't you come out with us tonight? Some of us are going into town. We can show you round some of Southampton hotspots."
"Er, I'm not sure. I'm feeling a bit hungover and got to prepare for first full day at Uni on Monday"
"Sorry, but I'm not to take no for an answer you are coming out with us, it will give us chance to get to know each other even better."
Siobhan wondered what she meant by that comment but Carly's warm and big brown eyes were a difficult combination to resist. A combination, Siobhan thought, many a man had found hard to resist based on the evidence she had seen.
"Oh, go on then," Siobhan said her mouth breaking out into a genuine smile this time "I didn't get chance to talk to everyone last night so would be good to meet you all properly."
"Exactly, and you never know, you might get chance to see me with my clothes on this time," Carly giggled.
Siobhan suddenly felt self-conscious again. "Um, actually, I don't think I have anything to wear. I've only got a few casual outfits to last me the week until my mum and dad bring the rest of my clothes down next weekend."
"Even better," Cark said, "Get upstairs put your face on and we're going shopping."
Before Siobhan could object, Carly skipped out of the room singing Pretty Woman out loud.
......
It was five miles into Southampton town centre but, instead of getting the bus, a taxi was waiting outside the house for the two girls.
"I'm not sure I can afford to take a taxi," Siobhan protested.
"Nonsense, this is my treat anyway. I don't want to hear any complaints this afternoon." "I like you Siobhan and this is your welcome present so no more whinging, ok?"
"Ok," Siobhan said as she climbed into the back of the taxi.
Carly turned to Siobhan and gave another warm smile and placed her hand on Siobhan's leg. Siobhan wouldn't ever dream of being so tactile with a virtual stranger.
Ten minutes later the taxi turned into a side street off the main shopping high street and the girls got out of the cab and Carly leaned into the driver to give him a crisp twenty pound note and a smile. Her generous cleavage clearly visible due to the low cut top and balcony bra that Carly was wearing.
"Keep the change," Carly said to the driver who appeared transfixed on staring at Carly's bosom as he took the money opened mouthed.
"Carly!" Siobhan exclaimed "Why did you do that? That was way too much for the fare."
"Shh, I said no whinging, ok."
Siobhan pressed a finger to her own lips, "That's the last time, promise," she said.
Carly hooked her own into Siobhan's and the two of them waltzed quickly down the street with an air of confidence completely alien to Siobhan.
Carly paused outside a small independent shop and Siobhan looked up at the shop sign that said in bright pink lettering 'La Boutique'.