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The Mighty Boosh

A month later, and it was like Holly had always been there. Holly's worries seemed to have disappeared after her friend called her to say that she'd also left Newcastle, and her evil boyfriend.

She'd just fitted into the ways of the three men and the gorilla easily. Bollo - devoted to Naboo and fond of Vince - had become quite fond of Holly too. Naboo, Holly had found, was quite quite and left to his own devices but he was a nice enough guy - so long as you didn't touch his stuff.

Sharing Vince's room proved quite easy when she wanted someone to talk to at night, or she wanted to nick some of this clothes - although it meant that their clothes were mixed up and it was hard to tell whom some of the things belonged to anyway.

Working in the shop was fun too. She was in the shop right now, sitting on the edge of the counter swinging her legs back and forth and waiting for a customer. She watched as Vince customised a pair of boots with sequins, and Howard rearranged the jazz records. It was easy to pass all day with the two men. Then all evening.

Vince, of course, she got on well with anyway and could easily spend a day with. And she was getting to know Howard a lot more too.

He wasn't as loud and confident as herself or Vince. He didn't understand the need to accessorize everything. He thought Holly watched a load of rubbish on the t.v, and on the outside they had nothing in common. Then she got to know him, and he was smart, rather funny, and sweet. They could sit for ages just talking, whilst Vince was doing other stuff. Of course, he was hopeless and awkward, but surely friends could overlook that?

Although, she couldn't help wondering if he was only nice to her because Vince was his best friend.

***

Howard was rearranging the jazz records whilst they waited for a customer. Vince was messing about with some glitter or something, and Holly was sitting on the counter - a spot which had quickly become her favourite.

Howard's eyes kept flitting across the room and resting on Holly for a few moments.

Where he'd initially thought that Holly was just like Vince, but after spending a month with her, he noticed if you payed close enough attention - which Howard did - she was actually quite different.

For one, she'd dyed her hair a warm brown now, having decided that black made her look even paler than she actually was. Her eyes may be identical to Vince's, but Howard couldn't help but think that there was a different shine to them. She didn't have the same smile either - he was sure that whilst Vince's smile was sunny and nice enough, Holly's shone, and lit up the room.

And whilst Vince was very vain, Holly wasn't so much. Sure she cared about her appearance, but she wasn't quite as obsessive as her brother. She wasn't as shallow either, he thought; at least, she didn't nag him about what he wore, and she didn't nag at him to find a girlfriend like Vince did.

She had a softer side than Vince did too, he thought. Vince glossed over it when Howard was down, but Holly smiled that warm smile, made him a drink and asked him what was wrong.

Whatever he thought about her, he was sure that Holly would be a perfect fit for him - he was dark, brooding and poetic; she was warm, bright and eternally happy.

' Hey Howard,' Vince said from across the shop,' is everything set for tonight? ' Tonight they had a gig at the Velvet Onion, and were looking forward to it - they loved the Velvet Onion.

Howard didn't look up, instead just going,' Hmmm. '

' You picked up the costumes from the dry cleaners, right? ' Vince added.

That made him look up,' What? That was your job! You always look after the clothes. '

' You said you'd do it,' moaned Vince,' dry cleaner'll be closing in an hour. '

Howard gritted his teeth in annoyance, ' That's not my problem. It was your job, Sir! '

' Was not! '

'It was, I know it! '

' Howard! Don't argue, juust go! '

' You go! '

Holly broke the tension by bursting into laughter.

' What? ' the two men demanded in unison.

She grinned cheekily,' I picked it up yesterday - my jacket was in there anyway, so I got your stuff while I was there. I knew Vince would forget - yes Vince it was your job. '

' Oh, now that you mention it, it was meant to be me,' Vince nodded,' Oh well cheers, sis. What would we do without her, eh Howard? '

Howard gave Holly a weak smile,' We'd be lost. '

' You're coming to the Velvet Onion tonight, right? ' Vince asked her happily.

' Course I am,' she told her brother with cheer,' I wouldn't miss it - I haven't seen you two play together before, have I? Got to support my boys, haven't I? '

It took Howard almost a full minute to register what she'd said. My Boys. Vince was her brother, he was just her friend. But she'd called him hers.

Woah now he told himself you're reading too much into it - it was just a passing comment

***

Later that night, Holly found herself sat at a table in the middle of the Velvet Onion along with Naboo and Bollo.

The club was filled with young-ish people mostly, and they were all dressed in wild, outlandish clothes and had brightly coloured hair. They were cheering and calling out for the 'Mighty Boosh' - apparently what Vince and Howard had called themselves.

' Are they any good? ' Holly asked Naboo.

Naboo shrugged,' They're alright, I guess. Can't really remember. Had a bit too much of Leroy's gear last time I came to watch them.'

The lights went down, and the spotlight rose over the stage, illuminating Vince at the microphone and Howard behind a huge keyboard, also with a microphone. They were dressed in silver sailor suits and were singing their future sailor set whiuch they'd tried to do once before, but failed thanks to the stupid Lance Dior and Harold Boon.

They weren't on stage for too long but their set was successful. They had a new edge which Holly hadn't seen many people do before, and everyone in the crowd was loving it.

When they were done she cheered and clapped loudly. Howard accepting the applause for only a few moments before leaving the stage, wheras Vince stayed a while longer cheering back and shouting out to the crowd.

Holly beamed when Howard approached she, Naboo and Bollo, and she found herself standing up to greet him

' What did you think? ' he asked. He seemed to be asking them all, but his eyes were fixed solely on Holly.

' That was so cool,' she grinned,' you were really good - well done! '

Howard was suprised when she threw herself forwards and hugged him in congratulation

' Woah there, Sunshine kid,' he laughed.

' Sunshine,' she said against him, as if testing it out,' I quite like it. ' Howard was suprised suprised she was hugging him again, mostly. After the day she'd arrived, she'd never hugged him. She'd touch his arm lightly sometimes when they were talking, but she'd not hugged him again.

At first, he was just standing there, like he had done the other time, but then Bollo grunted behind Holly's back and stuck out his arms, miming hugging someone. Howard got the message, and looked down at the girl with her arms around him, slowly lifting his own arms and encircling her waist. He rested his chin on the top of her head and decided that her hair had quite a nice smell to it.

Holly pulled away after what she deemed to be a suitable amount of time and though Howard lifted his chin from her head, his arms remained. Holly looked down at the hands holding her hips and looked pointedly at Howard.

Howard smiled at her and she couldn't help but smile back, but he didn't get her message and was still holding her.

' Um ... Howard? ' she asked, looking at his hands again.

This time he groaned,' Oh right ... um, sorry, I was just - I was miles away,' he told her, letting go at once.

She shrugged,' Not that I minded much, but I could just do with a drink. '

He stared after her as she went to the bar - Not that she minded much - was she trying to tell him something? No, she was just being friendly. Wasn't she? She had to be - she'd hardly be interested in him, after all.

She's going to think I'm an idiot if I don't stop getting all shy and awkward around her.

Holly leant against the bar, waiting for the barman to get to her. God, why did she have to keep making these little comments to him - Sunshine, yeah I quite like that. Not that I mind much. God, he's gonna think that I like him. Which I don't. Do I? Don' t be stupid - course I don't. Not that it matters anyway.

He's gonna think I'm an idiot if I keeping mkaing my stupid little comments and then dashing off to do somthing else.