Girl A by Dan Scottow (easy books to read in english .TXT) 📕

swig. The liquid felt hot as it flowed down her gullet. She winced, downing another couple of swigs, then handed the flask back to Mikey, who did the same. He tucked it into the waist band of his jeans.

The queue moved fast, and before too long they were inside the venue.

It was dark and loud. As they made their way to the bar, the whisky began to go to Beth’s head. The pounding bass coursed through her, moving her body with the beat.

‘What are you drinking?’ she bellowed over the music, leaning in close to Mikey’s ear.

‘Surprise me!’ he shouted back, moving his face closer to her skin. His lips brushed against her ear and she stifled a grin.

Beth ordered two beers, handing one to Mikey. They pushed through the heaving crowd towards the stage. She removed her jacket and saw Mikey staring at her.

‘You look great!’

She smiled again, and as the whisky took effect, the catastrophic events of the last twenty-four hours started to ebb away.

The image of Cooper’s mutilated carcase flashed into her mind, and she screwed her eyes shut.

A warm hand on her arm drew her back to the room. She found Mikey staring at her.

‘You okay?’ he asked.

She nodded, starting to dance again. As more people filled the space, Mikey was shoved closer to her. He danced beside her, his body bumping against her now and then.

And she liked it.

She drained her beer, dropping the empty bottle onto the dance floor. It clattered against her feet and spun off across the concrete. Mikey handed Beth the flask again. She took a large gulp of the liquid. It burned, the way whisky always did, but she didn’t care anymore. Reaching one hand up, she weaved her fingers into her hair, swaying back and forth to the music.

The band arrived on stage, and the crowd exploded into a cacophony of screams and whistles.

Beth turned towards the action as a drumbeat filled the room, accompanied by synthesisers and guitars, and a soothing, melodic vocal. Her body pulsated, as she lost herself in the rhythm.

A couple of songs in, she became aware of Mikey’s crotch pressing up against her. She continued to dance. His hands played briefly on her hips, then he pulled away. Beth danced backwards, pushing her bottom into his groin. His hands appeared on her hips once more, firmer this time. More confident. His fingers slid up her skin, under her T-shirt and brushed against her bare stomach. Beth’s whole body tingled. Electricity sparked in her brain.

She pivoted, they were face to face, and Mikey looked into her eyes. He cocked his head, and then he was on her. His lips locked on hers, his tongue in her mouth. He tasted of beer and whisky. Beth’s head swam in the excitement. She felt as though she could swallow him whole as he probed her with his tongue.

In that moment, Beth felt more alive, more turned on than she had in years.

And then she pushed him away. He looked confused, a little hurt.

‘I’m sorry!’ Beth shouted. ‘I can’t.’ And she weaved through the throng of hedonistic revellers, leaving Mikey on the dance floor. The music filled her ears, and she realised she really didn’t want to be there.

As she reached the door of the venue, she felt a hand on her shoulder.

‘Beth, wait!’

She spun around. Mikey was behind her.

‘Let me go, Mikey, please.’

‘I’m sorry, I thought you wanted to. I didn’t mean to offend you.’

Beth stepped out into the evening air and shivered. She pulled her jacket from around her waist and slipped it onto her goosebump-covered arms. Mikey followed.

‘You didn’t offend me. It’s not your fault.’

‘Then what’s wrong? I don’t understand.’

‘You’re married. I’m married.’

He shrugged. ‘We’re both adults.’

‘No. I don’t do… this!’ Beth gestured with both hands towards Mikey. ‘I should never have come here with you tonight. I had a shitty day, and I didn’t want to be alone. I apologise for leading you on. It was unfair of me.’

Mikey reached his hand out, placing it on Beth’s shoulder.

‘It’s cool. Don’t worry.’ He squeezed gently. ‘I get it.’

‘Listen, you go back inside. No point you missing the gig because of me. I’ll walk into town and grab a taxi.’

He frowned. ‘Are you sure? I don’t like you being on your own. You seem upset.’

‘I’m a big girl, Mikey, but thanks.’

As Beth walked away, he called after her.

‘Text me and let me know you get home okay?’

She held up her hand to acknowledge she had heard but didn’t turn around.

35

Walking along the promenade towards the pier, Beth hugged her arms around her body. The sea breeze hit her face, her hair blowing behind her.

She looked out to the black mass of sea, a couple of tiny white dots of light; some fishing boats, the only thing visible for miles.

She regretted her jacket choice, as she picked up the pace, and hoped she wouldn’t have to walk all the way to the train station to find a taxi.

She stumbled a little, drunker than she had realised.

The sound of her high heels on the pavement rang in her ears, as laughter and distant shouts echoed all around.

Youngsters out on a Saturday night as the summer drifted away.

She cursed under her breath as she remembered the kiss; screwing her eyes shut, she shook her head.

She’d never cheated on Charlie.

It was only a kiss, but it was enough.

A betrayal.

She pictured Charlie in a small flat in the town centre, with their children.

For a split second she thought about walking there and ringing the buzzer. Demanding that he speak to her.

Then she realised she was drunk, probably reeking of whisky, and dressed up to the nines.

Not a good idea. Especially if Peter and Daisy saw her. It wasn’t late, they would still be up.

Beth couldn’t believe she had allowed herself to be so stupid. A lifetime of being cool, calm and considered was now escaping her.

She had been reckless. That hadn’t happened for a long time.

As Beth marched past the arches,