Chim - Traffic

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

"Babe, come on, the taxi is going to be here any second!" I shout up the stairs.

"Coming!"

I pull out my small compact mirror, pursing my lips and checking my gloss again. I'm distracted by Cheryl coming down the stairs slowly, holding the hem of her dress up, careful not to slip. The gown she had chosen just a few days previously is floor length, satin midnight blue and strapless. Her hair is done up in a bun, wispy curls framing her perfectly made-up face, her ears sparkling with the diamond studs I had gifted her with for the previous Christmas. She smiles at me, and I've never seen her look so beautiful.

"What do you think?"

"I think I should take you back upstairs, because as good as that dress looks on you, I'm intrigued to see how it looks on the floor." She giggles as we hear the car beep outside, winking and pulling me by the hand out of the door.

"Later baby."

***

Sarah, Nadine, Cheryl and I pull up outside Nicola's house, and the red head comes out of her door, giving us a small wave as she locks her door.

We greet her with a loud chorus of happy birthday as she climbs into the car, laughing loudly. "So, is anyone telling me where we're going?"

"Nope, you'll see when we get there." Nadine answers, grinning.

We weave through the streets of London, laughing and joking with each other. Time passes quickly and soon enough we are pulling up in front of the Royal Opera House, practically glowing with excitement. "Are we really going to the opera?!"

"Nah, we're just here to look at the building."

"Shut up Sarah! And hurry up, get out, I need to pee!"

"Geez Chezza, I was joking, calm down. Kimmie, control your woman!"

"Will all of you hurry up? It's freezing out here!"

We enter the large entrance hall, gazing around in wonder at the ornate decoration. An usher approaches us, I hand over the pre-booked tickets and he guides us to the auditorium. After he ensures that we are seated in the correct seats, he leaves, and we begin talking amongst ourselves as the room starts to fill. Not long after the lights are dimmed, a hush falls over the audience and the orchestra starts to play as a spotlight falls on the stage. Enraptured, we watch, moving to a different world, the actors taking us with them.

The show is over far too quickly, and as we stand to give the ovation, we are all on the verge of tears, dabbing at our eyes quickly with tissues produced from Nadine's purse. The five of us journey upstairs to the champagne bar, ordering two bottles of champagne between us and dinner. The price is quite eye watering, and I offer to cover them as an early Christmas present, especially since it was Cheryl's idea to come. They thank me, and Cheryl takes my hand, kissing me lightly. We eat and drink slowly, enjoying the night and discussing the show. As Nicola consults the dessert menu I signal the waiter stood nearby, who reappears moments later carrying a birthday cake complete with burning candles, and we launch into our second round of happy birthday that night, several people around us even joining in. Nicola takes the knife the waiter is holding out for her, cutting the cake as we cheer. Sarah takes her glass, lifting it up.

"To Nicola. Happy birthday beautiful. Here's to many more. Cheers!" We repeat the last word of her small speech loudly, taking another sip of champagne.

***

It's finally Friday, an inset day, and having done all my paperwork during the week purposely to have this day off, I fall back to sleep after Cheryl leaves for work at six, not rising again until almost ten thirty. The prefect way, in my opinion, to start October half term. I check my messages as I trudge downstairs, finding two waiting for me.