Continuing the exploits of Philip Maynard.
Again, this story is based on real events. In order to understand this character a little better I would suggest you read 'Confessions of a Nightclub Manager – Sophie' first.
Part 2 – Emergency Services
The night was in full swing as Philip walked back to the front door of the club. Outside he surveyed the usual scene of partygoers coming and going. There was a slight chill in the air as autumn was really started to kick in. He turned his attention to a small group of guys trying to convince Sam, the Head Doorman, that one of their number wasn't drunk and that he would be fine inside the venue. Sam towered over the men and was explaining calmly that there simply was no way that he would be coming into the club tonight. All pretty normal stuff then.
"Allo, allo, what 'ave we here then?" Said a female voice behind him in a classic London Bobby accent. Philip recognised the voice through the impression and turned smiling. There in front of him was Joanne, a local Police Officer, on night shift and checking in at the club with her male colleague, who started talking to one of the doormen. She was a very attractive girl in her early twenties with huge green eyes and a wonderful smile. Her brown hair was pulled up into a pony tail and she wore her hat/helmet with the peak slightly forward.
He had seen a few attractive female officers but the uniform really wasn't that flattering. Somehow Jo managed to look good in even the most 'practical' of uniforms. She was wearing a stab vest with her equipment slung around her hips in what Philip called her 'batman utility belt'. They had been acquainted for about a year and shared a relationship based around taunting and teasing, normally Philip referring to her some kind of superwoman and her to him as a sleazy nightclub manager.
"Bashed anyone with your truncheon lately?" He enquired with a grin.
"No, have you?" She retorted.
"Nobody worthy of a bash for a while now."
"Really? I didn't think you night club types were too picky about who you bashed."
"Erm, I'm not that kind of boy!" Philip replied.
They smiled. She just looked like a pretty girl dressed up as a copper when she smiled but he had seen her in action and she really knew how to handle herself.
"Can I ask a favour?" She enquired.
"Sure, anything for you officer."
"Vanessa and I finally have a Saturday off at the same time and we really need a night out. Could we be your guests tomorrow night?"
"Of course, my pleasure. Starsky and Hutch off on the same night eh? Can't wait." He replied with a wink.
Vanessa was her friend, colleague and housemate. It was rare that their shifts gave them the same Saturday off and invariably, when they did, the girls would come to the club and Philip would look after them. It wasn't just because they were local police officers but also because when they were out they were great fun and they looked fantastic.
Vanessa was a good-looking girl, about the same age as Jo with shorter hi-lighted brown hair and the most amazing backside Philip had ever seen. He was always joking that the police must have had to tailor her work trousers.
They talked for a few minutes longer mainly about the goings on in the town and work related things before Jo responded to her radio.
"Right, got to go. I'll see you tomorrow then?" Said Jo.
"OK, be safe and remember to duck."
"Quack!" Came the response.
He watched her walk off and thought to himself that tomorrow night could be quite good fun. He had always regarded her as a friend and although they teased eachother he had never really considered taking it further. Maybe it was for two reasons. Firstly, he had normally had other love interests and secondly, one or both of them were always working. They had never been together in a fully social situation. The question of whether they were attracted to each other sprang into his mind. He dismissed it as just a bit of fun. He was sure if he did make a move on her she would turn him down.
II
It was Saturday night; Philip had put Jo and Vanessa on the guest list and set up a tab under his name on the VIP bar. As the night progressed he asked Sam if the girls had arrived. He answered that they had arrived sometime ago so Philip went to the VIP lounge to see if they were there.
Sure enough, there they were sat at one of the tables surveying the crowd in the club below them. They always dressed up when they came to the club, a complete contrast to the way he normally saw them. Jo's hair was down and she was wearing a little black dress, Vanessa was wearing a kind of purple leopard print chiffon number with an all-in-one black shorts and top combo. She had curled her hair slightly.
"Hey ladies, you look fantastic as usual." He said approaching them.
The girls both said hello and Jo motioned to him to sit down by patting her hand on the empty seat next to her.
"Thanks for looking after us, we really appreciate it." Said Jo as she sat down.
"It's an absolute pleasure, anything for my favourite coppers. How are you Vanessa?" He enquired.
"I'm really well thank you. It's nice to be out, it's been weeks since we last managed to come out together."
"Well, you're here now. So what's the order of the night then? Quiet drink, raving or wild manhunt?" They both laughed.
"I think it'll probably be a fairly sedate social night tonight, a 'manhunt' here is a bit awkward given that one or both of us will be on duty outside next week." Jo said picking up her glass and sipping from the straw.
"You'll have to be the male company tonight." Said Vanessa.
"Ah ha. I can sit with you for a while but I have to get on soon."
The conversation continued with pleasant general banter. Philip detected a slightly different atmosphere to normal especially with Jo. Normally, they would take the piss out of each other like a pair of kids but tonight she seemed a little more flirty and complimentary. Vanessa too kept touching her hair and adjusting her clothes. 'What's going on here?' He thought to himself. Maybe, being out of uniform they could afford to be a little more relaxed, perhaps that was it.
Eventually, he excused himself and went off to check around the club leaving the girls and promising to come back later when he was free.
He did a lap of the club, looking over the bars, checking in with Tim the DJ and Sam on the front door where he stood for a while chatting to the doormen. He spoke to his Deputy Manager Rob for a while discussing a couple of issues before returning to the girls after about an hour.
They were still sat at the same table chatting and laughing. Philip grabbed a water form the bar and walked over to them. He gestured to the seat he had previously been sitting in.
"May I?"
"Of course handsome." Said Vanessa. Handsome? She had never said anything like that before.
"What's the matter?" He asked.
