Pistol

Chapter Six

Cass snapped her fingers in front of Steph's face. "Earth to Steph. Anyone home?"

She looked back to her friend, unaware until then that she'd lost herself to another daydream. "Yeah, sorry."

"Did you hear any of what I said?"

She gave Cass a sheepish grin.

"Didn't think so. I asked where you wanted to go tonight?"

No hesitation. "I thought we could go to the same place as we did Friday."

"You want to see that Irish hottie again, don't you." Cass slapped both hands on the café table, and leant into the conversation.

Steph hadn't mentioned a single detail about the fact she'd already seen him since their last night out. Maybe her silence on the matter was due to the shame at what he coaxed her into doing? Maybe it was that she wanted to keep him her secret? "So what if I do?"

"You hussy."

Steph poked her tongue out at Cass, and earnt a giggle in response.

"What if we see those jerks again though?" Cass's face fell.

"I get the impression we won't."

"What makes you say that?"

"Instinct?" Truthfully, she had seen the look on Pete's face as he stood at the foot of her bed, and in all honesty it had scared her a little. Because in that ruthless expression, was a hint of a man who would do whatever he wanted, to whomever he wanted.

"I guess. Even if we do—" Cass flicked her straw. "—I reckon they'd be more put out than us."

"True that." She laughed. "So when do you want to meet up? And your place or mine?"

Cass pulled her phone from where her bag sat next to her on the seat. "Um, eight again? Gives you four hours to get home and eat, then meet at mine?"

"Sure."

"Think you can do it by then?"

"Hardy-ha-ha."

"Last day of the year, huh?" Cass twirled the nearly empty glass of juice.

"I don't know why you get so whimsical about it," Steph replied as she slumped into the seat. "It's just another day."

"Hush your mouth! It's not 'just another day'. It's the promise of a new year, and new beginnings; a chance to leave the disappointments of the previous year behind and start anew. Re-invent yourself."

Steph raised an eyebrow, and sat forward again. "You do realise people will still know it's you tomorrow? Life won't be that different?"

"Stop being such a downer, babe." Cass frowned. "Tell you what. I dare you, Miss Routine-is-my-life, to make a resolution when you get home. And it better be a bloody good one, because I want you to tell it to me when you get to mine tonight, so I can be sure you keep it."

Steph waved her off with a flick of the hand, and downed the last of her Latte. "Fine. Deal."

****

Pete racked the short glasses with his eyes glazed over, his thoughts a million miles away. He hadn't quite expected what Derek gave him when the old guy said he had news for him. Certainly anything but that.

Janie pushed through the door from the staffroom, and eyed his slow progress. "Got problems on your mind?"

He glared at the short woman, and continued with his work, albeit a little faster. "Mind yer fuckin' business, Girlie."