-Well, We're Not Alone Now-

"Leather jacket, collor popped like antenna,

Never knowing when to stop,

Sunglasses indoors, par for the course"

-17th December 2011-

The glass seemed to fall in slow motion, the smash drowned out by the noise of the pub. It shattered into a ridiculous amount of pieces on the stone floor. It was the usual situation; drunk men and women writhing around with no spatial awareness whatsoever. Arms, arses and legs flying everywhere, knocking everything over in their unstable paths. I couldn't condemn them though, as I had been doing the very same thing the night before and had paid for it this morning. And here I was again, not even drinking this time, just simply people watching.

When I realised that no one was going to clear up the glass, or had even noticed it's demise, I grabbed my bag and rose from my seat. Walking over to where I had glimpsed a dust pan and brush earlier, because I am just one of those girls who notices that stuff, wedged up behind a chair, next to a green door that said 'Staff Only'. Pushing past the sweaty bodies, I cast a sly glance at one of the men who were sitting at the bar, shades covering what I knew to be beautiful brown eyes. He was hunched over his drink, brown partly slicked back hair glowing in the dim lights. I wouldn't say I was the sort of girl who would freak out if a 'celebrity' suddenly walked into a bar I was inhabiting, however I am not ashamed to admit that I am definitely the sort of girl who walks past them a few times just so I can make sure they are actually real and not a figment of my imagination. Hence my helpfulness in cleaning up the glass. The route to collect the dust pan and brush took me right past the bar where Alex Turner, lead singer of the Arctic Monkeys, was sitting.

As I glided back, or at least I hoped it looked like I was gliding, I took another glance at Alex to see he had taken off his shades and was staring moodily at the drinks on the other side of the bar, rubbing his bottom lip. No one should be allowed to look that damn good. Quick as I could, I brushed up the glass, shoving many a sticky body away from the sparkling pile of sharpness as I did so. Did I mention that these people have no awareness of their own bodies, let alone somebody trying to clear up the glass? I think I did.

Nervously, I made my way to the bar, trying not to be shoved over by the dancers. Seeing that a stool next to Alex had just been vacated by some girl who had been trying to chat him up, I headed for it. I admired her nerve, for if anybody had any sensibility they could see that this man didn't wished to be approached. However at this point in the evening sensibility had deserted the girl, and it seemed me also. Since sensibility had left me, I was left to try and act cool. This was something that I found hard to do, as I was someone who succumbed to being extremely quiet when faced with someone I didn't know. I assure you there is a difference between being cool and aloof, and just being quiet and withdrawn.

This being my usual alcoholic haunt I was known to the staff here and to my relief my favourite barman, Sid, was at the counter sliding Alex some dark looking drink. Many a time he had saved me from unwanted advances, given me some what interesting advice and had generally been someone who you could have a good laugh with. Looking up, wiping his slightly greasy floppy hair out of his eyes, he saw me and smiled, then frowned when he saw what I was carrying. This movement and interesting facial expressions made Alex turn his head and look at me. My face became hot, I was too nervous to meet his eyes, so I stayed looking at Sid. Sliding onto the barstool next to Alex, I thrust the dust pan and brush towards the small barman's waiting hands.

"What the hell happened?" Sid shouted over the noise of the music and conversation that suddenly seemed to have risen all around the bar.

"A lady's drunk ass decided that it didn't like the drink, so it hit it!" I shouted back lamely, tucking a stray wisp of hair behind my ear.

Hearing a chuckle over the din, I turned my head to see Alex watching me, a smile playing on his lips. I gave a quick smile back, before turning towards the now exasperated barman.

"That's the fifth glass tonight."Sid grumbled, snatching the pan from the wooden bar top and shoving it into some unknown place beneath.

Smiling at me, Sid said "I suppose you deserve a free drink for clearing it up."

"That would be lovely, thank you. I'll have a Dandelion and Burdock please hun" I said.

Laying my head to rest on my hands, I yawned. I was so exhausted these days, the intense training I was doing for our new show was insane. Well I suppose that's what you expect from the National School for Circus Arts. "No Pain, No Gain!" was our motto.

Escaping from my sleep deprived thoughts, I smiled at Sid when he put the drink next to my head, my favourite blue coloured straw pointing skywards. Condensation dripped down the bottle, leaving silvery snail marks down the side; I dragged my finger across the glass, enjoying the cool feeling against my burning finger. Nothing's better than a Dandelion and Burdock when one feels exhausted and you're in an overheated pub. Fact.

I lifted my head, leaning on my elbows, I bent over and wrapped my lips around the straw taking a delightfully bubbly mouthful. As the fizzy drink trickled down my throat I became aware of Sid talking me.

"Not much of them left now," he said, indicating the bottle of deliciousness "Everybody wants Lemonade these days, we've been wondering if we should bother getting anymore next time an order is due."

I gasped. "Lemonade is completely overrated." I said, sitting up straight "The distinguished and unique taste of Dandelion and Burdock trumps the too sweet sugariness of Lemonade any day. It's an old classic in my family. If you get rid of it I won't come here anymore." I pointed threateningly at him.

He put up his hands in mock defence against my anguished outburst. "I know that and I agree, it's just that we have to cater to the customer's needs and we can't afford to pay for a drink that nobody is going to buy anymore. I'll try and persuade the boss to keep buying it in. God know's I don't want to lose you, you're the only good thing that happens here on a Saturday night." He gave an embarrassed shrug and turned to comply with some shouting customer's demands.

Putting the straw back in my mouth, I chewed on it, brooding. When I had calmed back down, I became aware of the stare against the side of my head. Turning, I met the chocolate swirls of Alex Turner's eyes as they bored into my slightly intoxicated skull.

"Sup?" I said, trying not to blush when he smiled.

He shyly turned his body fully towards mine. "Oh you know, in a bar, in London, on my own, on a Saturday night."

I smiled and positioned my arm on the bar so I could lean my head comfortably on my hand. "Well if it helps, I too am in a bar, in London, on my own, on a Saturday night." I gave a small shrug and took another pull of my drink. As an afterthought, lifting my brows in suggestion, I added "And now we can be alone together...in a bar…in London...on a Saturday night." I gave a small wink. What the hell was I doing? Just drive him away with your perfetic attemps at flirting. I silently groaned.

To my relief he chuckled, saying "Yeah, seems like that."

He turned away to capture his drink in his strong and elegant hands. Those hands. How many times had I marvelled at them as they played a soul stirring riff, expressed discomfort and delight. Those hands that I had never before thought to witness this close up. Half a metre to be exact. I watched as he brought the drink to his lips, then placed it back down again.

He repositioned himself back towards me and held out his hand. "Alex, nice to meet you Darlin.'"

I'm not ashamed to say that my hand was in his, quick as a flash, his smooth skin sliding against mine. Dirty thoughts flooded my mind. Mentally pulling myself back to the present I smiled and looked him in the eye. "Rhea, it's lovely to meet you too."

And we talked. We talked about over rated drinks, music, seasons and about the pros and cons of split second decisions. What we didn't talk about was what he did. Never once did he mention that he was in one of the biggest British Rock and Roll bands of the last 10 years. I found this refreshing, warming to him even more. There is always a slight fear that when you meet an Idol they're going to ruin the very image of themselves. The one you have painstakingly built to fill up your fantasies and adventures when life is dull. Alex defiantly destroyed much of the image I wasn't really aware I had of him, but he did it in such gentle and interesting ways that all I could do was step back and enjoy the ride.

The differences about his character were interesting and captivating. His voice sounded different, more flowing and silky to how it sounded when recorded. Another beautiful something that I found was his laugh, how his eyes lit up and creased was enchanting. No camera had ever been able to fully capture the full transformation of his face when he laughed. I would say it was like the sun coming out from behind the clouds, but his un-laughing face does not resemble clouds, and his smile most certainly does not look like the sun. It was something else entirely, something I couldn't quite put my finger on.

After a while I excused myself to the bathroom, needing to pee as I had consumed a rather large amount of drinks this evening. Some of which I might add, Alex had bought me.

After doing my business, I washed my hands, then rested them on the sticky light blue counter and inspected myself in the grimy mirror. My cheeks were flushed from the heat and my blue eyes sparkled. My blondish hair was in complete disarray, it had been raining when I arrived at the pub, making it fluff up. I had hastily put it in a messy bun, however stray hair had managed to escape, curling around my ears and face. I admit that I loved my body, it was toned after many hours of hard training that I had endured since I was thirteen years old and had began my circus training. My breasts were on the large side, having gotten my mother's genes and my hair had a slight curl in it when left to itself. I knew I was good looking, I saw the way men and women looked at me, however my confidence wasn't that great. I knew my ears stuck out and I had a rather large nose. When I was twelve I had decided to get a nose piercing with my mother, the result was quite lovely. It took your attention away from the beak and to the shining blue ring which sparkled in the light.

I dismissed these musings and made my way out of the toilets, back to where Alex was resting his dark jean clad legs on my seat, making sure that nobody nicked it. He was leaning over his phone, typing away. How had I become so lucky? I still couldn't quite get my head around him taking notice in me, even if it was just for a chat. He removed his legs as I approached. Casting him a quick smile, I pulled my bag off from the floor and searched for my phone, suddenly becoming aware of how long I had been in the pub for. The bright screen lit up, illuminating my face in what was probably a very unflattering way. I sighed in resignation when I saw the time, having arrived here at 8:00pm, I had been here for a good four and half hours, it was now 12:32pm. Putting my phone back, l looked up at Alex who had been watching the whole time with his careful eyes.

Disappointed, I sighed and said "I am really sorry, I'm going to have to leave. It's getting quite late and as you probably know, London gets a bit dangerous"

"Oh, ok then." he said, a slight frown marring his sun kissed face. I smiled sadly, an experience from the first time I moved up over a year ago had haunted me to this day, making me ever aware of the dangers of drunk men on the streets.

I got off my stool, putting my bag over my shoulder, suddenly awkward, I wasn't really sure what to say. Smiling again, I gave a sad chuckle and then blurted out "It's times like this I wish I was famous so I could have a bodyguard or something. Or a boyfriend..." Embarrassed at what he thought I might be hinting, I looked at the floor. "Well bye, it was nice meeting you." He was quiet and still, so I took it as my time to leave. As I turned and headed to the door I felt a warm strong hand gently grab my shoulder and turn me around.

He smiled his lovely enduring smile and said "Just wait a minute. I'll walk you to wherever you're goin', it can't be that far an' I have nothin' better to do than sit 'ere an' mope." With that he walked back to the bar, grabbed his expensive, but well-worn leather jacket, and returned to me.

"Oh what a way to begin it all…"