Thanks once again for all reviews! There was a lot of interest in them about my - er, that is Naomi's - little rant about sexism in magic. One of my hopes with this story is to show you the world of magic as I see it, which of course has to include the bad side. Magic itself is not sexist, but so many magicians seem intent on making it so. I'm sure that it's the same in many other male-dominated fields. I love magic, but I have a real 'love/hate' relationship with magicians. Some of the nicest guys I know are magicians, but some quite frankly are wankers!
And I've long since had the opinion that there is something a little odd about the type of person that is drawn to magic as a hobby. (Yes, I do include myself in that!) The fact that it was JJ that was into magic in Skins is just another example of how well observed the show can be. I'll probably give more of my thoughts on that - through Naomi - later on.
This chapter goes out to Lazyboo, who's lovely comments last Sunday really made my day. If you aren't reading the excellent 'No Barrier' then quite frankly, I doubt your sanity.
Anyway, hope you enjoy!
Myrtle
Chapter Seven: Silence Is Easy
Naomi
I was really enjoying spending time with Emily. I was glad that she agreed to go on to a club, because it meant that our evening wasn't over just yet. I took her off The Strip to an area affectionately referred to as 'The Fruit Loop'. We made our way to a club that I have often been to. The place was already pretty busy when we got there. I watched as Emily took in her surroundings. There was a huge dance-floor, plenty of comfy seating areas, and an area with pool tables and arcade machines. There was also the omnipresent slot machines all along the bar. Emily studied the couples on the dance-floor, before turning towards me with a grin on her face.
"This is a gay club?" She asked. I nodded.
"Yeah. Since it's just the two of us, I thought we may as well come here. Come on, let's get some drinks." I grabbed her hand and led the way through the crowd to the bar. Once served, we leaned back against the bar, drinks in hand to survey our surroundings. We fell comfortably into conversation again. The more I got to know Emily, the easier I was finding it to talk to her. I just had to try and stop myself from rambling on in my usual way when she shows an interest in magic. When I get talking about magic, I have a habit of prattling on regardless, oblivious to any signs in my listener that I'm sending them to sleep. Emily did seem to be genuinely interested though, which I found endearing.
"Let's dance" said Emily suddenly, as we finished off our drinks.
"I'm not much of a dancer" I answered hesitantly.
"Rubbish. You danced with me before." Well, she certainly had me there. On our first night out with the twins, I had danced with Emily. I usually only dance when I've had plenty to drink, and even then not very often. Without alcohol, I feel too self-conscious to move the way that I should do. Emily sensed my hesitation. "How come someone who stands on stage for a living, is afraid to dance in a nightclub, when no-one's even watching you?" I shrugged.
"That's different" I told her. "When I'm on stage, I'm in control. I know what's going to happen."
"Ah, so you're a control freak eh?" She asked.
"No, I just..." Emily smiled broadly at me.
"Yeah, I've got the measure of you Naoms. Just let yourself relax, I won't let anything happen to you." She winked, and took my hand. I was surprised at the easy way that she let a nickname for me fall from her lips, and how nice I thought it sounded, so I momentarily forgot my resistance. Emily led me gently but firmly to the dance-floor. Fuck it. Emily was keen to dance, so I should put away my insecurities for her sake. Besides, I already had quite a bit of alcohol sloshing around in my system.
Somehow, dancing with Emily just felt effortless. Away from Katie's 'man-trap' approach, Emily danced with much more freedom, and much less affectation. Impelled by her example, I found myself really letting go and enjoying the moment. After a while, I noticed the approving looks flowing in our direction. I reminded myself that we were here because I wanted to make this Emily's night. I glanced around at the girls nearby, and saw that a very pretty brunette was blatantly checking Emily out. Since she was probably unsure if the two of us were a couple, I decided to give her a helping hand. I leaned closer and explained to Emily that she had attracted some interest. I nodded in the direction of the brunette. Emily glanced over, then seemed to hesitate. I guessed that she was probably a little rusty with the whole dating scene.
"Go over to her" I suggested. Emily frowned and seemed unsure of herself. "She's obviously really into you" I insisted. "At least give her a smile." As Emily turned back around to face the brunette, I suddenly remembered something. I placed a hand on her upper arm to stop her. "Remember your name is Katie" I told her firmly. Emily span back around and stared at me.
"What?"
"Tell her your name is Katie. We can't be too careful, remember?" That made Emily falter.
"But what if Katie finds out about this?"
"How will she?" I asked with a shrug. Emily was hardly likely to start bringing girls back to meet her twin. She looked like she had more to say, but the middle of a night club is hardly the place for such a conversation. She frowned, but turned to face the brunette. I slinked away from the dance-floor to leave them to it. I watched as the two of them moved closer and began the usual awkward attempts at conversation, over the noise of the music. Soon they were dancing together. I sighed to myself and headed to the bar for another drink. I ordered a shot of Tequila and turned back towards the dance-floor to watch Emily's progress. The brunette was clearly very keen. She slid her arms around Emily, pulling her closer. I threw the shot down my neck, glad of the burning sensation. It distracted me from another feeling, somewhere in the pit of my stomach, that I didn't want to enquire too deeply into.
Much later, and Emily and I were zooming back to the hotel in a taxi. We were both pretty well wasted by now - especially me. I had remained at the bar while Emily and the brunette danced together, trying not to watch them constantly, as they flirted and kissed. For once I didn't really feel like trying to pull for myself, so I had hung at the bar like a spare part, getting drunker and drunker, trying my hardest not to send jealous looks in Emily's direction.
"So, did you get her number?" I asked, trying to convince myself that I was simply being curious.
"Who, Chloe's? Yeah, we swapped numbers. She promised to call me tomorrow." I nodded and stared absently out of the window. "No action for you tonight?" Asked Emily with a smirk. "You usually seem to end up going home with someone."
I opened my mouth to say something, but instead I just shrugged. A part of me wanted to tell Emily the truth about me, but the fact that I felt that way scared the shit out of me.
"Not tonight" I said instead, trying my best to sound casual.
"What are you doing tomorrow?" Asked Emily. "It's your day off, right?"
"Yes. I was planning on just relaxing tomorrow. I'll probably spend the afternoon by the pool." I hesitated, knowing what I wanted to say next, but not quite sure if I should do. Oh, fuck it, where's the harm? "Fancy joining me?" I added. Emily nodded, and we arranged a time to meet at the hotel pool.
Soon we were back at the hotel. Our rooms were on the same floor, but along different corridors, so we parted company in the elevator lobby.
"Thanks for a great night" said Emily. She leaned closer and stretched up to press her lips gently to my cheek. As she pulled back, her body remained close to me. Her hand stayed where it had rested on my arm. For a moment I just stared at her. She licked her lips, and my eyes betrayed me by staring down at them. The air suddenly felt thick between us, as I raised my eyes back up to Emily's, before letting them fall again to those moistened lips.
"So goodnight then" said a voice from seemingly miles away. I was vaguely aware that the voice belonged to me. Emily gave me a small, uncertain smile.
"Goodnight" she muttered. With a little will power, I persuaded my legs to convey me away from Emily and back to my room. I shut the door hastily behind me, and sank down onto the bed, wondering what the fuck just happened. Alcohol, was the answer that I readily snatched onto. I wasn't thinking clearly because I was drunk, that's all. Sure, Emily is cute. Okay, so she's fucking gorgeous! But to consider some sort of fling with my new assistant's secret twin sister - who, incidentally, no-one knows is gay - is beyond stupid. Besides, I prefer the anonymity of never seeing someone again after I've... The idea of working with them every day is just ridiculous. I vowed to myself to keep Emily at arms length from now on.
After a lazy morning and a light lunch, I settled myself on a sun-lounger by the pool, in readiness for an even lazier afternoon. As I heard someone else step out onto the sun terrace, I turned slightly to see if it was Emily. A flash of red caught my eye.
"Oh, hi Katie. Have you seen..." My jaw dropped as I realised that it was Emily standing beside me, now sporting bright red hair. It suited her. I mean, it really suited her - even more so than it did Katie. The vibrant colour flattered her perfectly. She smiled a little self-consciously.
"I figured since I'm officially Katie now when I'm out and about, I'd better at least look like her."
I nodded, staring stupidly at her, before finding my tongue.
"Yeah, Emily, it looks... it looks great" I stammered out. She smiled warmly back at me and dropped her bag down onto the sun-lounger next to mine. For a second, I wondered how we were ever going to fool people that the two twins were just one person. I had taken one proper look at Emily with red hair, and known instantly that it was her. How was a full theatre of people supposed to be fooled? Then I remembered that it wouldn't be the same. The audience in the theatre wouldn't know that there was two of them, like I did. Also, with stage make-up on they would look more alike than ever. As these thoughts passed through my mind, I found myself still watching Emily as she stripped off her outer layer of jeans and a t-shirt, to reveal a blue bikini underneath. Unconsciously, my eyes trailed over every inch of her now revealed skin, all thoughts of the show vanishing in a flash. I had to remind myself to keep breathing in and out. The sun felt so much hotter than it had done a second ago, as my eyes came to rest on Emily's toned midriff. I gasped inadvertently at the sight of her pierced belly-button, a small, silver ornament dangling there. A soft chuckle from Emily alerted me that my staring hadn't gone unnoticed. I hastily snatched up my book as I felt a blush creeping over my face. Emily moved her bag to the ground, and stretched out across her sun-lounger.
"Thanks again for last night" she said. "You'll have to let me return the favour sometime."
"Of course" I answered with a smile, whilst steadfastly staring at my book. "There are plenty of amazing shows to see in Vegas."
"Do you think ours will match up to them?"
I shrugged.
"I really hope so. If we put the work in, I think it will do."
Further conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Cook.
"Ah, two of my favourite ladies!" He declared as he walked over to us, his arms stretched wide in greeting. His eyes raked approvingly over Emily, taking in her red hair, and every inch of her figure, without any attempt at being subtle. "Looking good, red! I like it!" He told her with a nod of his head. Emily simply smiled at him. "So, did you two ladies have fun last night?" We both told him that we'd had a good time. "You should come out with me, next time Emily" Cook announced. "I could really show you a good time." He wiggled his eyebrows to emphasise his point.
"Yeah, maybe" answered Emily disinterestedly. A phone began ringing, and Emily immediately started hunting through her bag for it. She located her phone, and I watched as a grin slid across her face as she checked the display. She made her excuses, and hurried away from us both as she answered it. Cook sank dejectedly down onto her empty lounger.
"I'm not getting anywhere with either of the twins!" He declared unhappily.
"You're wasting your time with Emily" I told him, without even thinking about what I was saying. Cook picked up on it straight away.
"How come?" He asked.
"I just don't think you're her type" I answered quickly, immediately trying to back-track. It was too late though, Cook was already on to my little slip.
"Are you telling me she bats for the other side?" He asked, his delight at this news evident in his voice.
"You can't say anything, okay?" I insisted with a little sigh. "She's not out yet, and definitely not to Katie." Cook held his hands up.
"Don't worry Blondie, I won't say anything." His eyes crossed to the other side of the pool, where Emily was currently talking on her phone. "At least that's one mystery solved." I chuckled at Cook's unflappable confidence that every straight woman must want to fuck him. Inadvertently, my eyes drifted across to Emily too. I watched her as she played absently with her hair, giggling flirtatiously into her phone. Cook saw where my gaze lay. "Oh, fucking hell, Blondie! Don't tell me you've tapped that already!"
I tore my eyes away from Emily, and frowned at him.
"Don't be ridiculous! She's not my type" I lied smoothly. "Besides, we're going to be working together now, I'm hardly going to fuck her!"
Cook snorted at my words.
"Don't tell me we can't fuck the staff, now!" I arched an eyebrow at him. I knew fine well that I could never impose such a rule on Cook. He was determined to at least try to shag every 'fit' woman that crossed his path.
"I thought you'd struck out with Katie?" I asked pointedly. Cook sighed dramatically.
"She's not a muff-muncher as well, is she?"
"I really don't think so, Cook."
"'Cause I'm just not getting anywhere. She keeps asking me questions about 'Mr Tomone'." He said the name with a childish tone, indicating his dislike of Katie's interest. "I mean, what's he got that I haven't?"
"Money" I answered simply. "That's what Katie seems to be interested in. Maybe you should tell her about your inheritance? You might get somewhere then." Cook nodded thoughtfully at my suggestion, not put off in the slightest by the inference that Katie was a gold digger.
Emily walked back across to us, a smile fixed firmly on her face. She dropped her phone into her bag.
"Someone's making you smile, red" said Cook as he rose from the lounger. Emily blushed.
"Emily met someone last night" I told Cook, before instantly regretting it.
"Is she fit?" He asked. "'Cause if you feel like making up a threesome, just say the words!" If it was possible, Emily's blush deepened further.
"Cook!" I chided, throwing a punch at his arm. "He won't say anything" I insisted to Emily. "Will you?" I said with emphasis. Cook shook his head.
"Nah, babe. My lips are sealed." He mimed zipping his lips, locking them shut and throwing away the key. "I'm off for a pint." With that, he walked away from the terrace. Emily sat back down next to me.
"I'm sorry" I told her. "I didn't tell him exactly, he just guessed. He really won't say anything to Katie though." Emily smiled.
"Yeah, you magicians seem to be good at keeping secrets" she said with a smirk. I wondered what she meant by that, but then I remembered a more pressing question.
"Was that Chloe on the phone?" I asked, trying hard not to use the same childish tone of voice on her name that Cook just used.
"Yeah, we're going to spend time together tomorrow, if I can get away from Katie." She sighed, before adding: "I mean, the real Katie."
I felt a little guilty at her tone of voice. I had seen enough of the twin's relationship to know already that Emily would be the one to suffer, due to that particular clause in their contract. I vowed to myself to try and make things as easy as possible on Emily, if I found that Katie was forcing her to stay out of sight for more than her fair share.
"So what are you going to tell her?" I asked. I figured that Katie would invariably want to know where Emily was going, if she was heading out without her twin. Emily looked suddenly unsure of herself.
"I don't know, but I'll have to think of something." She stared off absently across the pool. "Unless I can sneak out without seeing her" she added.
"Wouldn't it be easier to just tell her the truth?" I asked gently. Emily shook her head.
"What, 'hey Katie, Naomi and I went to a gay club last night, and now I've got a hot date with a gorgeous girl'? I don't think so!"
I Tried to ignore Emily's description of Chloe as 'gorgeous'. And the fact that she referred to their meeting as a 'hot date'.
"Well, why not?" I asked. "She didn't bat an eyelid when she found out I like girls. Well, hardly batted an eyelid." Emily sighed.
"You're not related to her though. She thinks it reflects on her somehow, how I live my life."
I let out a little snort at that.
"Emily, you are your own person! Katie should just want you to be happy."
Emily shook her head sadly.
"She does want that, but she..."
"She wants you to be happy as long as it's 'normal', is that it?" I placed air quotes with my fingers around the word normal.
"No, it's not like that." Emily lapsed into silence, and seemed agitated.
"Emily, you shouldn't give a fuck what she thinks."
"But she's my sister" she argued.
"Yeah, your sister, not your keeper. Listen, I know what it's like to live under someone else's opinion of you. You can't live like that, it's..." I let out a breath of air and threw myself back against my lounger. An unsteady mix of emotions washed through me. I was straying into territory that I much preferred to keep to myself. Thankfully, Emily didn't notice my disquietude, due to her own feelings.
"I will tell her" she said resignedly. "But I need some more time, that's all." I didn't argue any further. I could see that Emily was really finding it difficult to even think about coming out to her family. I hoped for her own sake that she would find the strength to do it soon. I could see that hiding such a big part of herself away like that was squashing her confidence, and stopping her from reaching her full potential.
Sometimes it's funny how your own story gets away from you - there is some stuff in this chapter that I didn't think we'd be reaching just yet. But I'm not one for endless rewrites, so we'll just have to trust that it will work out okay in the end.
Let me know what you think!
