The air was cold as I stepped off the pub doorway and out of the loud and crowded pub. It was 5th November. 'Bon-fire night.' The weather was harsh & the rain was starting to get heavier.
Suddenly the music and noise got louder as the door swung open and there appeared my stupidly drunk friend, Jessica.
"Whooooo!" She yelled, linking her arm into mine, "Milly, man. Why aren't you drunkkkk?!"
I started walking, holding Jessica steady. "Because I'm designated driver, remember? And I've got work tomorrow."
Jessica snorted, "Mate, you need to stuff that job. All pompous & grand. Get a bar job like mine - you can get pissed ON the job!" She slurred.
I caught her eye and chuckled at her, still holding her steady. I would love to be more like Jessica. Gorgeous red hair, lovely green eyes & a personality that could draw anybody into conversation. I've seen her at work, sat on the edge of the bar watching whilst every man gives her the attention I craved.
I finished work at 8pm if I was lucky, sat at a desk typing minutes and answering phone calls for my pervert of a boss all day. If he's not luring at my breasts or making jokes about how my skirts aren't short enough, he might occasionally treat me like an actual woman and ask me to lunch; which of course I have to turn down.
"JESS.IC.AAARRR!" A male voice boomed through the empty streets followed by raucous laughter.
"C'mere girl!" Jessica was engulfed in huge male arms laughing her head off. He let her go and looked at his wristwatch. "Heading off home already, fuckin' lightweight?"
Jessica rolled her eyes and pointed her thumb at me, "Ehh, Milly has work tomorrow and she's driving me home." She swayed and I watched the males arm wrap around her waist.
"Come back with me - I'll make sure you get back safely! We're having a little after party at mine! Whoooo!"
Jessicas head flings back and her mouth is wide open laughing. I roll my eyes. Jessica steps towards me and I put my hands out to steady her. "Milly, babe, you don't mind do you?" She whined, her bottom lip out.
"I don't think it's a good idea, Jess. I don't know these people."
"No, but I do!" She cried, "I'll text you tomorrow I promise." She said, wandering off down the road with the lads.
I put my leather gloved hands in my coat pocket before heading in the direction of my car. You could see my breath in the cold night air. I sighed. Yep, I felt depressed. Why did Jessica always get the fun guys? Everybody wanted a piece of Jessica. Jessica, Jessica, Jessica!
I pulled my car keys from my bag & unlocked my car. The flashing light as it unlocked brought my attention to the yellow triangle stuck to my wheel.
"What?" I said, out loud. I grabbed the sides of the triangle and tried to pull it off. "FUCKING GREAT!" I yelled shaking my head and throwing my bag on the floor.
I sighed and blew my hair from my lips. Great, now my hair will have purple lipstick stuck on it. Can't get to work tomorrow and on top of that I'm out nearly £100.00.
Sighing I picked up my bag, sliding my lipstick in and picking my phone from the floor. I started heading towards the direction of the bus stop as I unlocked the screen and dialled 'Mum.'
No answer.
'Dad.'
No Answer.
I gave up and threw my phone in my bag & looked at the timetable sloppily glued onto the glass. Great, theres a bus in 30 minutes. I slouched on the cold bus stop bench and looked around at the empty street and thought about how eerie it is at night time. I'm in this town every day for lunch and it's always bustling with busy townspeople you almost don't realise life stops at night time.
"Milly?" I heard, pulling me from my train of thought. "Is that you?" Looking round, my eyes clapped onto this handsome man hanging from his car window. "My god, it really is!"
"Harry!" I laughed, "What're you doing here? I heard you moved to Wales?"
"I did, I did." He laughed, raising his lip. "Bit of a shit'ole. Back to visit the family though. You know what they're like with Bon-fire night. A must have piss-up!"
I smiled, taking in a moment to soak in what he looks like. Still the same Harry with insanely white teeth, blue eyes and waxed messy hair. "New car?" I asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
He nodded, "Yeah, bought it for the missus last year but the ungrateful sod didn't want this model."
"Wife?" I asked and he nodded. My heart sunk. My Harry was married. After all these years I don't know why I expected any different. Maybe I was just jealous that out of everybody - my life love was the worst. "Well, you best be getting out of this cold and back to your party." I laughed.
Harry smiled, and looked at his wristwatch. "Ahh, I got some time." He pointed to the bus stop. "Do you need a ride?"
"No, no!" I exclaimed, "I'll be fine."