I wanted to try a NY story line with Nikki in a stronger role. Hopefully you'll like it. Lots of angst to start with…but I'm not ruling out a happy ending. Each chapter title is a song title, some have more bearing on the story than others so keep YouTube handy, some are a little obscure. Thanks to Charlotte who inadvertently inspired the idea.


Chapter One Our Day Will Come

Harry could feel the warmth of the sun through his light summer sweater, but it wasn't the strength of the sun on that early July afternoon that was causing the excessive amount of perspiration he could feel across his shoulders and under his arms. He had a heavy feeling in his stomach that was nothing to do with the nibbles he'd had during lunch either. He rather suspected it was more to do with the task he had set himself for later that day. The one he'd been putting off for days now.

The one causing his insides to knot with pain.

The one he knew had to be done.

It was the right thing to do.

It didn't make it any easier though.

The after graduation staff party had seemed the best time. He'd only found out for definite less than a week ago and this party always allowed them a chance to unwind, relax a little, it would be the perfect time to tell her. Harry particularly liked the stealth aspect to this party. The lecturers and professors slowly drifted away from the parents and their proud offspring after the interminable boredom of the name calling, hand shaking and ubiquitous mortar board throwing photos. The staff then waited squirrelled away in offices and labs until the coast was clear and the last graduate had cleared off, leaving the campus quiet and empty and then they would return from their hiding places; pull out the rest of the nibbles, restock the beer tent and get down to some serious partying.

It had been the Lyell Centre's turn to make sure the party went with a swing. All the departments were supposed to take turns but Nikki with her usual alacrity had made such a success of a Christmas party one year, Harry suspected that their turn came round rather quicker than most. Leo was no use; he was still lost in whatever depression had gripped him over the last few months. So Harry had found a 'gourmet' hot dog seller and Nikki had gone to find a student band. The band had to be good, and had to be willing to keep the gig secret. He didn't fancy her chances much but then this was Nikki. You only had to tell her the task was impossible and she'd go into overdrive until she'd accomplished whatever challenge it was.

He could see the group of students setting up on the makeshift stage, there was a keyboard, double bass, guitar, a saxophone and a number of other black instrument boxes. Nikki had been very quiet about the type of band they were, she had in fact been very secretive. The only thing she had said was that it wasn't 'thrash metal or garage.' He hadn't pushed her because he was worried that he might not understand what type of band it was if she actually did tell him and anyway he was keeping his own secrets; so this kind of made them equal. But neither of their secrets would be secrets much longer.

He felt his stomach lurch again and his head begin to throb. He'd wanted to be able to enjoy this party one last time; that had been naïve, he suspected.

There were more people milling around now, certainly more he recognised and a line was forming at his hot dog stand which went some way to calming his nerves. The band began to play and to his surprise they were rather good. But then on consideration, was he really surprised? They played some old swing numbers and one he recognised as an Amy Winehouse song and Adele maybe. There was certainly nothing the old farts on the governing body and faculty heads could complain about. It all sounded to him like tunes that would make the Radio 2 playlist. Trust Nikki, she had done it again.

He wandered over to have a closer look, there was a girl playing the guitar and singing, another on the double bass and then three lads playing a selection of brass instruments, saxophone and keyboard. They really were very good; the lead singer had a beautiful voice not quite the depth of Amy Winehouse's but this girl looked an awful lot healthier; he wondered where Nikki had found them. Usually the science geeks at LSSE didn't really do music, or if they did it was in a mathematical and precise way. This group had a great stage presence and a playful vibrant dynamic between the members. He was so intent on mentally speculating which ones were or had been sleeping with each other that he failed to notice someone come up and stand so close behind him he felt their breath on his neck before he even realised there was anyone there. The he heard a voice in his ear.

"They're good aren't they?"

Nikki was so close to him, he couldn't turn his head to answer her without knocking her over so he settled for nodding.

"Will you dance with me later?" she asked.

He had to pull away then, instantly missing the feel of her face in his neck and look at her.

"There's going to be dancing?" he asked; his eyes wide in mock horror.

"Of course, this is a swing band Harry, there HAS to be dancing!" and with that she lifted his hand in hers and twirled herself beneath it.

"Are you dancing?" she demanded.

"Are you asking?" he countered.

"Of course, I'm asking," she smiled. "I'm asking everyone." Harry felt his stomach knot again.

"Of course, I'll dance with you," he replied and pulled her lightly into a dance hold, before taking a couple of steps and releasing her. "I just have to catch up with Matthew from neuroscience for a minute."

"Later then," she smiled.

"Later," he replied.

"Promise?" she asked.

"Would I let you down?" he turned rapidly away. He didn't want to see her reaction to that one, nor did he want her to see his as he hurried over to Matthew.

The band were playing a catchy number he vaguely recognised from somewhere and heard these words as he weaved in and out of the party guests:

'I'm in a little bit of trouble

And I'm in real deep

From the beginning to the end

He was no more than a friend to me.'

"Matthew!" he called to take his mind of the song.


Our Day Will Come: Amy Winehouse