Competition

Three

I woke up the next morning with a sore throat, a headache and no memory of the night before.

'How are you feeling?' asked my friend Beatrice as she sat down next to me on the couch with a steaming mug of coffee.

'Not so good,' I croaked accepting the mug and taking a first wincing sip. 'This is hot.'

'That's because I just made it,' Beatrice replied sitting back. 'Did you have fun last night?'

'If I could remember it,' I replied sitting back as well. 'I should think I must've done.'

Beatrice laughed.

'Fill me in,' I said taking another sip. 'If I'll be the gossip of the town then I need to know what for.'

Beatrice laughed again as she fixed herself underneath the knitted blanket that lay over my lap. 'We went out for dinner,' she started. 'Then we went out for a few drinks. One thing led to another and we all got a little tipsy.'

'A little tipsy?' I mocked. 'Oh please.'

'We got very drunk and irresponsible,' Beatrice corrected giggling. 'You were having fun with a random Francis.'

'Francis? Seriously?'

Beatrice shrugged. 'I guess so.'

'Where is everyone else?' I asked.

'Ava is in the bathroom throwing up, Martha is sleeping in the bedroom and Cleo had to leave early,' Beatrice replied. 'And we are sitting here.'

I nodded as I drank my hot coffee.

'What are your plans for today?' Beatrice asked.

'Writing,' I replied. 'Lots to get done before next Tuesday. I might go shopping later.'

'I think you should give Francis a call,' said Beatrice looking at me.

'I don't think so Bea,' I replied. 'I don't want to see someone whose first impressions of me were me drunk and acting disorderly. I'd never be able to look him in the eye. Ever.'

Beatrice laughed shaking her head. 'You are rather paranoid,' she laughed. 'It'll be fine. Besides, you weren't drunk when you met him.'

'Really?' I said unconvinced. 'I doubt that.'

Beatrice shrugged. 'Suit yourself. You'll be the one missing out.'

I snorted. 'That'll be very unlikely.'

'Oh please Cilla,' replied Beatrice. 'You're single and thirty. You'll end up alone soon. Who wants that?'

I rolled my eyes.

'Well,' she sighed. 'Each to their own.'

Ava came down to the living and slumped in a velvet armchair. 'I am pooped,' she announced. 'What the hell.'

'There's some aspirin in the kitchen,' I said. 'You might want to take the whole thing. You look terrible.'

'Thanks,' Ava nodded. 'Just what I need.'

'Are you going to work today?' Beatrice asked.

'Not a chance in hell,' Ava laughed. 'I'm taking the week off.'

I laughed.

'Is Martha still sleeping?' asked Ava.

'Yeah,' Beatrice nodded. 'She went right out as soon as her head hit the pillow.'

'I'm going to make breakfast,' said Ava getting up. 'Who wants what and what do you have?'

'You'll have to look around,' I replied scratching my head. 'I can't remember.'