Skins: Endgame

Chapter 4

Later that afternoon, Effy continued on with her usual routine. The current item on the agenda, was a simple walk. She chose a nearby park, always a favourite of hers. It was the perfect way to do such an exercise: the scenery was breathtaking and you noticed something new every day.

She was resting on a park bench when an all too familiar figure approached from behind.

"Here she is," Cook took a seat next to her and got out a cigarette. He and Effy had went through an uncountable number of cigarettes together, so as he was about to offer her one, he was surprised to hear her reaction

"It's not good for you, that."

Cook looked stumped.

"That has never bothered you before Ef. Go on" He tried to offer it again but Effy didn't even hear him.

"You know, I walk through this park every day. I've never noticed there's a pond here. Can you believe that? Every day for years. And then today, bam. Like it came out of nowhere."

"What the fuck are you on about?" Cook wasn't sure exactly what to expect, but it sure wasn't anything like this. Freddie had already explained that she had chosen to dump him again for what sounded like strange reasons, like she wasn't even acting in the right frame of mind. Cook had spent long hours with Effy and instantly suspected drugs. He now knew he was way off on that. "Yeah yeah, I know, "piss off" and all that."

"What?" Effy looked blankly back at him.

"Listen," said Cook, "I got a call from your man. He's all in a tizzy. So I thought I'd come and hear your side of the story, like."

Cook was desperate to get a proper explanation for her behaviour by this point, but it was going to be harder than it looked.

"I'm sorry, I don't understand," said Effy.

Cook was beginning to lose patience but kept his cool. "Come on, Eff."

"Eff? Who's Eff?" Replied Effy.

Cook had now decided "fuck it" and decided to go along with the idea of playing the game by her rules. "Yeah, of course, sorry. You're not Effy. I've mistaken you for someone else."

Effy smiled slightly, "Looks like it."

"So what is your name?" Asked Cook?

"Elizabeth," stated Effy.

Cook shook hands with her. "Elizabeth, nice to meet you. I'm James. Now why don't we go and have a drink?"

Later that night, the two of them found a local club called Grand Central and decided to make a night out of it. By their standards on alcohol, things were pretty tame. Effy no longer consumed lots of it, opting only for small beverages in small quantities. Even Cook seemed tame, although he was still worried for Effy and was focusing his attention on her.

After a casual dance together on the dance floor with a few guys, they found some luxurious sofas in a lower area of the club and took a seat. To Cook, even in this nightclub: One of Effy's best environments for having a good night, she seemed to be far more restrained.

"I wouldn't normally go for a drink, let alone a dance with someone I've just met," stated Effy without warning.

"Yeah?" Enquired Cook, "So why did you?"

She turned to look at him. "You seem nice."

"I am nice," He quickly drowned the remainder of his drink. "So, what are we doing next, mystery girl?" he gestured towards the guys they had just been dancing with. "Another dance with Mikey, David and Ben?"

Effy had a mischievous look in her eyes. "Something bad."

Cook let out a big grin. This was more like the Effy he knew!

"You've come to the right man."