Hello ladies, how may I help you today?” A polite lady from behind the counter called over. Her jet black hair deemed even more dramatic than Lex’s, if that were even possible. It was darker than onyx, beautifully glossy. Her eyes framed in the same dark kohl, with bright red lipstick painted lips. He clothes edgy and bold.

“Hi,” I called over, “We would absolutely love some hot chocolate” I smiled.

“It’s her hen party, but I think the naked men are going to have to wait for a while” Lucy smirked.

“Take a seat, I’ll bring three Belgian hot chocolate’s over for you.”

We slipped into the blood red leather booth, all eagerly awaiting our dose of calorie intense chocolate.

“You are just joking about the naked men, aren’t you?” I questioned.

Lucy and Alexis glanced at each other, their reactions telling me all I needed to know.

“Yeah, um of course”, Alexis stuttered, “no nakedness whatsoever.”

“Yep, just a completely grown up, adult experience, involving nothing but fully clothed people this evening” Lucy added.

“Mmmmhhmmm” I hummed. “I believe you”.

“Three hot chocolate’s up” The raven haired woman said as she set them down on our walnut finished table.

“Thank you”

The hot chocolates were beautifully indulgent, finished with whipped cream, marshmallows and lashings of chocolate curls.

“So how are things going with Callum?” I asked.

“Really well, strangely enough, I actually trust him. I don’t really understand why I have been making an issue of the band for so long.” Her forehead pulled into a frown.

“Defence mechanism,” I countered.

“I suppose, just never realised how much more effort it takes worrying and stressing over the possibilities rather than just living each day in the moment.

Her words cut a certain truth with me.

“So, everything ready for the wedding”, Lex cautiously approached the subject.

“Yes all ready I think,” I didn’t actually have much knowledge on the wedding, “Vivienne has it all in hand I am sure”, I smiled, masking the awkward feeling of knowing so little about the biggest day of my life.

“That’s good, I suppose it’s nice not having to deal with the smaller things”, Lex offered, trying to diffuse some of the tension.

“Yeah, I suppose it is, it means I get to sit, sipping hot chocolate with my best girlies, preparing to not, see any nakedness of men tonight”, I winked.

“Amen” Lucy raised her hand.

We finished our drinks and settled the bill. As we wandered back to our hotel, the night sky had started its rapid descent. The pier was illuminated with brightly florescent lights. Contrasting so vividly against the backdrop of the sea.

* * *

“Slutty, or super slutty” Lucy asked whilst holding provocatively little slither of fabric in each hand.

“Oh definitely super slutty, how many times are we going to knock get to celebrate loosing Evie to matrimony.” Lex smiled.

“Hmm, maybe just slutty seen as we are going to do this at least once more.”

Lex burst into fits of laughter, Lucy soon joining her.

“Hey, what’s that meant to mean? I am so not getting married twice.” I laughed, “Well at least not for another twenty years, in which case your legs and boobs will be far too saggy to wear either of those whorish garments”. I smirked.

Alexis’ jaw dropped, pointing over at Lucy she shrieked “oooh she got you good. Perhaps just a little slutty tonight. You don’t want Travie having to fight his way back to you.”

After two hours, ten dress changes between us, we were finally ready. We walked out of the entrance of The Grand treading a very fine line to Pretty Woman.

“Right well let’s get this partay started”

We walked along the promenade before turning right into a slightly desolate street.

“Are you sure you know where we are going?” I asked hesitantly.

The street lamps worked intermittently, fire escapes and trash bins lined the road.

“Yes, it’s just up here”.

We walked a few yards further until we stopped at the front of a rundown building baring the name ‘Moonlight’.

As we walked through the bar it was surprisingly clean, edge and very, very camp. Hot pink and feathers were the featured fabric choice. Leather booths filled with an array of personalities, sailors, men in women’s clothing. Bright wigs, sequins and sparkles. It was positively perfect!

“A gay bar?”

“Hell yeah.”

We walked through the crowed until we met with a reserved table solely for us. Completed centred in front of the tiny stage.

“Last surprise”.

Lucy wandered off from us and walked onto the mini makeshift stage. Silent exchanges were made between her and the drag queen of the night. He passed her the microphone. Lucy waddled towards centre stage and cleared her voice. A deathly hush swept over the crowd.

“Hi everyone, guys girls, and everyone in between”. Laughter and clapping came from the audience.

“I am here with my very best girlfriends in the world tonight, because one of them, is getting MARRIED”. More cheering erupted. “Evie, has been my best friend since school, and now she is marrying a well of businessman” Lucy exaggerated her point by turning her nose up.

“Sounds like a tosser” Someone called out.

“Not far from the truth”, Lucy jokingly remarked. “So anyway, this rich business man is going to get my bestie for the rest of eternity, so for one last night we are going to celebrate her singledom with style, class and a lotta alcohol.” More cheers rang through the crowd.

“So to make this night even more special we have a few surprises for you Evie. Now I know you haven’t see Sienna for three years because she passed up the chance to stay in England for hot-shotting it to the sunny Florida Keys but for one night only, she has trading all of that in to spend the night in a Brighton Gay Bar with us.” She paused, and Sienna joined her on stage, her auburn hair still perfectly straight, framing her ever so gently sun kissed complexion.

“So I bet you are all wondering what any of this has to do with you, well, without further a do, I present to you…. the DREAMBOYS”.

Lucy and Sienna departed the stage and came towards us. I immediately jumped up and took Sienna into my arms.

“I can’t believe you are here”, I whispered to her.

“Of course I am, like I would miss your highly tacky hen night or your beautiful wedding.”

“You’re here for the wedding?” I questioned.

“Of course”.

Music started to bellow through the speakers and we pulled apart. My eyes widened at the spectacle in front of us.

“This is the non-naked part of the evening”. Lucy whispered into my ear.

The dream boys were hilariously good at being not-naked. Their bodies were groomed to precision, yet my mind could not help but wander to Connor, how his body felt on mine. All of my energy and happiness was being tainted by thoughts and longing of Connor. My lame excuses to dodge alcohol were failing, and I had enough of the night in its entirety.

“Hey Luce, I’m not feeling so good, I’m going to go back to the hotel.”

“Seriously? Oh no, what’s wrong?” Her eyes could not hide the disappointment.

“I just feel really nauseous, I am so sorry but I will end up throwing up if I don’t get back.”

“Okay, let’s go”.

“No you stay, don’t ruin your night”.

“I’m coming with you, don’t be silly, I have seen enough willy to last me a life time”.

“You and me both”.

We said our goodbyes to Sienna and Alexis’ they were going to stay and crash in Sienna’s room. The night could not have ended soon enough for me.

As I slipped into bed I longed to close my eyes and dream of his touch. It was the only time I had to relive being with him.

“Night Luce”

“Night Evie”

Chapter 20

The morning sun light was jarring. As I pulled myself into a seated position a wave of nausea consumed me. I dragged the bed sheets away from my body. Running as fast as possible to the bathroom, before spilling everything I had into the basin. I crawled to the side of the bath crouched over praying for a surge of energy to help me get to my feet. A light tapping sounded at the bathroom door.

“You okay?”, Lucy croaked.

“Just about”. The door opened and Lucy looked down at me, shocked.

“What the fuck? What the fuck happened to you Evie?” Lucy looked furious.

“What? What are you gawping at?”

“Your face Evie, your fucking bruised face” her stare intensified. I could feel her eyes contemplating every scenario that my bruised jaw may have arisen from.

Shit. “Oh…I… I fell. down the stairs.” I stuttered unnaturally.

“Don’t lie to me Evie. That is not from a fall”. The bruising was isolated to one area. Lucy wasn’t naive.

I could only nod.

“He did this to you?”

I nodded once more.

“I’m gonna fucking kill him, you can’t marry him Evie. He is a psychopath”.

“No Lucy, It wasn’t like that, please don’t do this, not here.”

“What was it like then? He accidently slipped, tripped and punched your jaw? Yeah I can see how plausible that excuse is going to be.” Sarcasm exuded from her lips.

I climbed to my feet, “I’m pregnant Lucy”.

“Pregnant?”

“Pregnant”.

“I am begging you, please don’t tell anyone else. Please.”

“What the hell? Does Henry know you’re pregnant?”

“He does now, but not when he hit me.” I quickly interjected. “He wouldn’t have done it if he knew.” I paused trying to control the strained whimper that caused my voice to break.