Emily followed Effy to the table that Katie had claimed a few minutes earlier. She set her pint down, and watched Effy do the same with hers and Katie's. Katie had already set her sight on someone across the dance floor; a young guy, about 25 he looked. She was smiling at him, flipping her hair and making prolonged eye contact. Emily ignored her and drank her pint quickly, while she tried to keep a conversation with Effy. It was difficult.
Effy had never been much of a talker. She preferred to observe people. It was a lot easier getting to know somebody through watching them than it was speaking to them. In conversation, people always try to big themselves up – make themselves look better. But when being watched, she could learn a lot more. For example, with Emily. She could describe how she felt about Naomi in as much detail as she could. But seeing the way her eyes lit up and the awkward twitching at just the mention of Naomi's name could show Effy a lot more.
The uncomfortable silence between her and a person was sometimes enough to drive them away. Another positive. Effy wanted nothing to do with somebody who couldn't stand ten seconds without having to speak. Except in the case of Katie Fitch, who's first response was so entertaining that she felt they'd get along. "Fucking hell, maybe you should take a picture, it would last longer. I've got a twin who's a dyke, if that's what you're into."
Although they could have easily started up a conversation about something, it would probably be completely irrelevant to their situation. Emily and Effy both knew it was much easier just to let Katie talk continuously, until they were all drunk enough that it was acceptable to stop talking completely and dance.
Emily drank her drink a little quicker than usual, as Katie continued to list the endless guys that 'wanted some Fitch'. Effy didn't choose to catch up. Instead, she drank her drink slower than she normally would. Emily was looking for a reason to go back to the bar, and Effy didn't want to interrupt that.
"I'm going to get another drink," Emily said as she finished the final drags of her pint. She looked at her watch again. She had ten minutes. "Anyone want anything?"
The others shook their heads, as Emily stood up. She swayed a little, feeling the effects of the alcohol kick in strongly. She composed herself, adjusting her hair and dress, as she walked over to the bar, which was now a lot less busy; most of the queue had been served, and had made their way over to the dance floor. She was served quickly. The beautiful blonde who hadn't left her mind all day approached her with a grin. "Hello stranger. What do you fancy?"
'You.' She didn't say that. Instead, she replaced her thoughts with "I'll take a double vodka and coke please." Immediately after asking, she regretted not speaking her mind – even if her mind was drunk, and feeling very dirty.
"Would you like anything else with that?" Naomi asked professionally, but with a mischievous smile.
Confidence filled Emily. She paused for a moment, before deciding to be risky. A cheeky grin spread across her face. "I wouldn't mind a kiss."
"I'll have to charge extra for that." Naomi said, adding a cheeky wink. 'Don't be too forward.' Naomi repeated this to herself. 'Don't be too forward. Don't be too forward.'
"Oh. Then no thanks, not worth it." Emily said with a smirk. Naomi opened her mouth in shock, but an unmistakable smile played at her lips. "Oh, go on then." Emily licked her lips quickly as she leaned across the bar and closed her eyes, kissing Naomi softly; tenderly. She pulled away, her dark eyes locked with Naomi's sharp blue ones, before she bit her lip playfully and averted her gaze to the blonde's lips again. "Yeah, okay. I guess I'd pay extra for that," Emily added, her head spinning and a smile spread across her face. She handed a £10 note to Naomi, who looked down at it before holding her hands up in rejection.
"This one's on me." Naomi said. She leaned over the counter again, holding her hand up and cupping Emily's ear as though she was telling her a secret. "Hopefully you'll be on me later, too." 'What happened to not being too forward?' Her brain 'd whispered it softly, flirtatiously, and Emily's heart started to race. She could already feel herself getting hot and wet; her knees felt a little weak and buckled at the thought that she could be witnessing the beautiful Naomi Campbell completely naked, writhing at Emily's touch. Emily closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath to control herself. The blonde smiled, relieved, and knowing exactly what effect she had on the redhead, before raising her eyebrows and smiling an infectious smile. "Who's next?" She said, continuing to serve, as Emily took a seat on a recently deserted bar stool, watching Naomi work.
"I'll have what she had!" A man said, who had clearly witnessed the whole conversation and kiss they'd previously had; he looked about fifty, and seemed very drunk. Naomi's eyes widened in shock, and Emily couldn't hold back a laugh, before standing up again and interrupting the conversation.
"Sorry mate, that blonde's reserved for me. But nice try." She looked at Naomi, who verbally said nothing, but gave Emily a look. 'Thank you.' Emily smiled back at her, knowing that if she wasn't at work Naomi would probably have had the guy on the floor apologising by now. But she didn't want Naomi to get into any trouble with Paul.
"Aww come on, I'll give both of you a go. I don't mind sharing my toys." The man continued, Emily finding this comment less humorous, and more sickening.
"Unfortunately, I don't share though." Emily stood up to him, ignoring the nauseating wink he gave her as he spoke. He stepped closer to her, the music loud and blocking out most of the noise around her. However it wasn't loud enough to deafen the drunk man's heavy breathing, and she could still smell the stench of whisky and beer on his breath.
He stepped forward, Emily refusing to step back and seem weaker or vulnerable. Naomi watched carefully, trying to serve drinks without taking her eyes off the situation, while people around the bar yelled abuse at her for not serving quick enough. "Come on baby. Loosen up." The man lowered his hand, wrapping it around Emily's waist and sliding it down.
"I suggest you take your hand away right now, mate." She said calmly. Her request was ignored. The man sneered at her, lowering his hand further and squeezing Emily's backside. Naomi looked over, seeing what was happening, and immediately started to yell at him.
"Get off her you fucking perve!" she yelled from the other side of the bar, knocking off a glass as she did so. A few of the younger people waiting to be served jeered at her, in an attempt to embarrass her. Emily stayed calm.
"Naomi, it's okay. I know what to do." She smiled at Naomi, who felt surprisingly comforted, even though the man was still standing opposite her, groping the beautiful redhead who'd been on her lips just moments ago. Emily turned back to the man, staring him down. "I did warn you" she said, her voice laced with a venom that was extremely rare in this Fitch. Within seconds, Emily had clenched her fist and swung wildly at the man, who was clearly taken back at her feistiness. He received a harsh blow to the nose, causing a stream of red blood to run down his face and collect in his lips and the corners of his mouth. He stumbled backwards into a wall, taking a moment to pull himself back onto his feet, so he could support himself, before wiping his nose with the back of his hand. The man stared Emily down, who stood her ground, only averting her gaze briefly to wink reassuringly at a shocked Naomi.
He walked up to Emily, feeling slightly more intimidated but trying hard not to show it. "Shame baby. It would have been fun." He said bravely, before heading towards the exit. Mistake. Within seconds, he'd received another blow, this time in an area that Emily wouldn't have dreamed of going near. However it wasn't Emily who had thrown this one. He yelled out in pain, clutching his groin as his eyes welled up. "What the fuck? Who the fuck do you think you are you little cunt?" He spat, angrily, blood running down his face as he held his crotch.
"I'm Katie fucking Fitch, who the fuck are you!" Katie spat straight back, matching his tone. "Don't go near my sister or her girlfriend again you creep, or I'll touch you in your special region again. And I don't play nice when I'm pissed off."
"What's going on?" Paul's voice bellowed through the now quieter pub as he came through the staff door. The music was still blasting, but the attention of a number of customers was focused on the situation by the bar. The elder twin and the man shared a look, both clearly still angry, as Naomi and a few witnesses briefly explained what had happened. "Naomi, take Emily and Katie into the back room, check you're all alright. And you-" Paul looked at the man, who was still sitting on the floor, blood still streaming down his face "-if you're not too embarrassed to come back as it is, you're barred. Get the fuck out of my pub."
Within seconds two bouncers had barged into the pub and pulled the man to his feet, dragging him out of the door.
AN: Shit is going down in The Old Palace! Due to the interest in Effy I've been seeing, I thought I'd take a bit of a dip into her mind. Hope you enjoyed the slight detour.
I'm sorry this chapter is quite delayed, I've been spending some time with a rather wonderful lady and my mind and hands have been preoccupied... Texting her of course, don't be so dirty minded!
Usual thanks go out to readers and reviews, old and new, I do so love you all, and am running out of ways to thank you. But I really, thank you still, your interest in this whole ordeal really makes me grin! :)
Next chapter will be up as soon as possible, lovely people.