Memphis Wills wants out of Whitehaven, the tiny village she's lived in her whole life. So aged sixteen she leaves for college in the city and never looks back.
Until five years later when she finally wises up and leaves her dirt bag boyfriend. Fee...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Two for one ends at six so we need to get there for at least five-thirty, got it?"
I nod even though no-one else is in the room with me.
"Memphis?" Mel asks. "You there?"
"Yeah. Five-thirty at Jukes." I store the hoover back in the cupboard under the stairs and grab for the duster on the sideboard with the hand that's not holding my phone to my ear. "Dress code?" I ask as an afterthought. "Like jeans and a nice top or?"
"Dress up," Mel replies. "Lover boy's not going to be there, but you need to show him what he's missing."
I grin. "I need this girls night. It's been way too long."
Mel laughs. "Well you've been attached to Jerri for the past six months, so it's been hard to get you on your own."
I tuck my hair behind my ear, feeling like a bad friend as I set to work trying to dust the china ornaments displayed on the shelf in front of me with only one hand. I should have set my phone on speaker mode.
"Right I'll let you go. I'm going to attempt to curl my hair. Wish me luck."
"Luck," I reply. "I'll see you later."
I stow my phone in my pocket, glancing at the time on the clock above the fireplace. It's gold and made of metal, delicate leaves surrounding the outside. The hands read four o'clock.
I swear under my breath, suddenly wondering if I'm going to be done cleaning all of the clients knick-knacks quickly enough to leave me time to change and look hot for the pictures Mel will no doubt post all over Instagram for Jerri to drool over.
I work faster than I probably should around all of this china and glass, but I make it out by quarter to five. Our apartment is only two stops on the bus, but I risk going on foot, knowing how unreliable public transport can be.
The May sun is making me sweat as I fast walk down the street and I wish I'd left my coat at home, but the rain clouds this morning had made me cautious.
I'm running across a zebra crossing when I spot him. Them. Jerri's crappy red car is parked half on, half off the pavement a little way up the road but I can see them well enough. Jerri's arms are around a brunette that isn't me and my heart squeezes in my chest making it hard to breathe when she pushes her lips to his. I stop, clutching my side like I'm winded.
I'd forgiven him for the kiss with the Spanish girl when we'd only just got together but seeing his hands on someone that isn't me makes my legs feel like jelly. I tear my eyes away from them to check my watch. It's five o'clock and although Juke's is only a two-minute walk away from our apartment I don't want to be late. Not when I've been neglecting Mel and Remy for a guy who clearly isn't that interested in me.
It's Five-twenty when I get back to my room, shouting a quick 'sorry' to Mel and Remy who are waiting on the sofa. I'm like a hurricane getting ready, brushing out the knots in my hair and spritzing perfume at the same time. I know I can do my lipstick when I get there so I grab for the first nice outfit I can find, pulling on a pair of faux-leather trousers and a leopard print cropped shirt. Jerri always says how sexy animal print looks on me and I hope he meant it. I want him to feel like he's missing out.
