This is Part 8 of Vix's story. Best enjoyed after reading parts 1 to 7, so that you know the background.
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'Don't look now,' I murmured in Roo's ear, 'but Olivia is over there.'
'Whaat?' she hissed giving a sidelong glance, 'THE Olivia?'
'Yes, THE Olivia.'
'What, what?' said Mads.
'Olivia is over there.'
'What, THE Olivia...?'
Jemma and Nikki were nonplussed. They knew nothing about Olivia, and we weren't about to start explaining at this point. 'Let's just say I have history with her,' I said, cryptically.
We were all casting furtive glances in their direction now, and they had definitely noticed us, though I don't think Olivia had recognised me... yet.
'Oh Christ, not more fuckin dykes,' said Nikki, rolling her eyes, but Mads slapped her down sharply.
'Nikki, that's out of order and you know it. If you can't be civil you should just shut it. How much have you had to drink?' Nikki just turned towards the bar with a sulky face.
'Which one is she?' said Jemma.
'The bustier one with the darker hair,' I said, glancing wistfully at her.
'She looks old enough to be your mum,' said Jem, and there was a derisory snort from Nikki, who still had her back to us.
I suddenly didn't like this situation at all. I had a slew of bewildering emotions assaulting me; I was unnerved by suddenly encountering Olivia again, annoyed at both Nikki's crass vulgarity, and at Jemma's needless highlighting of Olivia's age, embarrassed by my peculiar past being thrown into the spotlight again, and torn between trying to remain unrecognised, and wanting to say hello, to show off my friends, and especially my lover. I actually felt faint.
Of course, Roo, my wonderful Roo, came to my rescue. 'Don't panic, jo, let's just say hello. It's no big deal, and Mads and I want to meet her, even if these two social cripples don't.' She nodded at Jemma and Nikki with a smirk.
Her easy confidence and her blunt, matter of fact way of diffusing the tension instantly calmed me, and Jemma said 'Hey, less of that, Roo. Of course I want to meet her. C'mon Nik,' and Nikki reluctantly turned to join us. Roo, effortlessly, had banished the slight antagonism that was growing, and restored a semblance of harmony between us all. The five of us walked over to Olivia and her friend together.
They looked a little apprehensive, or bemused, as we approached - I'm sure they didn't know why we had suddenly decided to bear down upon them -- and I was full of fear and trepidation. I had no idea how rigid Olivia would be regarding our not seeing each other again, so I wasn't sure how she'd react. Maybe she'd blank me? I didn't think I could bear that.
As we drew close, to my great relief and delight, she suddenly said, 'Vix? Is that you?' and I smiled nervously. She put down her drink and hugged me, saying 'Wow you look great.' It was so cathartic to have her hold me again; to feel her soft, warm body against me and to smell her oh-so-evocative scent. I had to fight back tears but I managed to compose myself.
'Hi Olivia, it's great to see you. These are my friends, Jemma, Nikki, Mads, and my girlfriend, Roo.' They all did dainty handshakes and Olivia's eyes shone as she looked at Roo, while Roo looked at her with a certain fascination.
'Oh, where are my manners? This is my partner, Ellie.'
Ellie smiled and shook our hands, but she only spoke to me, at first. 'Hello Vix, Olivia has spoken about you. It's nice to meet you.' She was extraordinarily good-looking, with dazzling bright blue eyes, and a smile that could charm the coldest heart. Even Nikki was beaming now.
'I assume these girls are your band, Vix,' said Olivia. 'Did you enjoy the gig?'
'Yeah, it was brill. Were you there?'
'Yep. Ellie is a big fan of rock, and especially The Darkness.'
'You should come to see us,' I burst out, without really thinking about it. 'We're doing our first gig at the Magna Carta next month.'
Before she could answer, we were interrupted by a geezer in the doorway shouting 'Taxi for Girling. Taxi for Ellie Girling.'
'Got to go,' said Olivia, and they downed the remains of their drinks. 'Lovely to meet you, girls,' then, to me, 'Message me about the gig,' and she blew me a kiss as they exited.
Oddly, I felt abandoned, again, after they'd gone, and Roo, always attentive, must have seen the look on my face. 'Well, I'm guessing that was all a bit of a shock, huh?' and she put her arm around me. All four of them were looking at me for a reaction.
Mads was typically frank and forthright; 'It's always a bummer, meeting an ex, no matter how it goes. Fuck, she's impressive though. Both of them, actually.'