Gravity

Chapter 8 - April 2019

"What the fuck did you just say?" An almost hysterical Joe asked the barman who was being far too friendly for his own good.

We had arrived at Stacy's chosen bar at the same time and found Evelyn waiting inside for us. Let me tell you, for someone that didn't want to be there, she'd sure dressed up nice! I'm pretty sure it was a new top that she was wearing but I can't be sure.

The bar was just a couple minutes walk away from Union Street, the busiest street in Aberdeen's city centre. We hadn't been here in years because when we used to go out regularly, it was a bit expensive and posh for us. Since we were last here, it had been bought over and re-branded as "The Spiritualist" and was now more of an upmarket cocktail bar. A far cry from the simple pubs we were used to drinking in. Nowadays we preferred a comfy seat and being able to hear one another over loud music and fancy drinks, but Stacy chose it so who was I to deny her this?

"I said we have IPA, craft beer, pale ale or lager," The smiling barman replied, oblivious to the fact that Joe was already pissed off with him after just thirty seconds.

"Speak English man! God damn it I just want a normal beer!" He yelled.

"Two lagers please," I smiled, squeezing in between the two to defuse the situation.

"Coming right up," The well dressed employee smiled. He was like one of those characters in a video game who only had a set amount of lines that he would say, regardless of the situation. We could have asked him to go and snort lines of cocaine on the kerb outside the police station and he would have probably said "Yes sir."

We got our mystery beers and joined Evie at the table she'd commandeered for us.

"I obviously don't know her at all but I'm still not surprised that Stacy chose this place," Evie said, sniggering at Joe's scowling face.

"I take it she doesn't know that it it's not really the same place that it was when she left for Glasgow?" He asked me, as if I would know.

"I didn't know it was a different place! So I wouldn't blame her for not knowing!" I laughed. "Every time I come into town, something's closed down and reopened as something else. It's impossible to keep track."

Looking around at the summery colours, fake trees and hanging lights, I realised just how not me this place was.

"Do you not think this bar looks like one of those places that the snobby people get their picture taken in for Instagram? Like you see that one picture of the night out and that's all?" Evie said, seemingly reading my mind.

"Definitely," I agreed.

"Do you think that actually happens?" Joe asked. "Like they come out, get a social media post and then leave. The night out is a lie!"

"It would be funny but I doubt it," I smirked.

Then, as if by magic, we heard a group of girls screaming and shouting. We looked over and saw them all snapping photos of each other with their complicated looking cocktails. Once done, as if we'd pre-arranged it, they got up and left, either to find another bar or to go home.

"But then again, I'm not that smart," I conceded.

Our laughter at this ridiculous situation was short lived though. Joe and I faced Evie and the wall behind her, so couldn't see anyone else coming into the bar. But when Evie suddenly stiffened and sat bolt upright, I just knew that Stacy had arrived. Turning round, my suspicions were confirmed. This was it.

She looked amazing in a short white dress and matching heels, she was showing plenty of her small frame. It may sound weird but it was definitely working for her. This was totally different the school uniform I'd always seen her wear when we were younger. He nose was exactly as I recalled but her green eyes were darker than I remembered. Topping the perfection off was shoulder length hair the colour of the darkest autumn leaf, letting me know that the shitty artificial lights at work were doing her a huge disservice.