I even showed him my press-cuttings file, which included the article about Dad’s (Un)Official Occupation Memorial. Of course the photo’s no good because Dad’s hiding his bad hand and squinting. Donnie joked that Dad looked like a war veteran himself, but Dad was just a baby in the War and, like Mum said, age didn’t matter.
Nic knew I went to see Donnie because I didn’t try to keep it a secret. I also wanted to show her that I had other friends. I told her about his wine cellar and video library, and fitness studio with its instruments of torture. I wasn’t trying to make her jealous but I (sort of) hoped she was. I thought it was funny that she’d be stuck in a shop all summer whereas I was going to get paid for having fun.
But I need to make it clear that I never invited Nic over. I’m sure I never did. And if I did, well, I didn’t mean to. Honestly and truthfully, it was the last thing I expected when she came barging through the door. It was a Saturday afternoon so she should’ve been working.
‘Hope I’m not interrupting,’ she smiled.
I was gob-smacked, as was Donnie, who eyed her rah-rah skirt and said nothing.
‘So! What are you two up to? Got anything good open? Come on, Golden Boy. You going to get us drunk?’
I felt so embarrassed. I didn’t want Donnie to think I’d been telling tales about him.
I asked Nic what she was doing here.
‘I missed you, that’s all. Can’t I stay?’ She turned back to Donnie. ‘You wouldn’t mind, would you?’
Donnie shook his head. ‘Of course I wouldn’t. It’s nice to see you again.’
His tone was very clipped and formal.
Nic wandered around the kitchen, picking up various utensils and putting them down in all the wrong places. ‘It’s a great pad. Perfect for a party.’ She parked herself on a bar stool and started swivelling round. ‘I really enjoyed the last one. When was that?’
Donnie smiled. ‘If I have another you’ll be the first to know about it.’
‘We could have one now!’ Nic stopped spinning and stared at him. ‘We could have cocktails.’
He nodded. ‘Help yourself. I’m sure you remember where everything is.’ His voice tailed off, and Nic lowered herself onto his lino and sauntered towards the door.
Once she was in the hall I told Donnie how sorry I was and crossed-my-heart that I’d never invited her over.
‘Don’t fret.’ He tilted his head back and rolled his eyes skywards. ‘Nicolette is hardly a girl one needs to ask.’
Before we could say anything else Nic had waltzed back in, twirling a little paper parasol between her fingers. She pointed the parasol at Donnie and speared him in the chest.
‘I need you to come and help. I can’t decide what to have and you’re much better at mixing things than me.’
Donnie looked at me. ‘Would you like that?’
I shrugged but also nodded.
Pretty soon we were back in the kitchen with various coloured potions and three types of rum. Donnie started chopping up strawberries and Nic and I sat there, eyeing each other. But after the first cocktail we relaxed, and after the second we were laughing. I suppose half of me was glad she was there. I thought it meant she cared. Then we started playing this game where Donnie would invent a cocktail that we’d have to name. I’ll admit it was a lot of fun. Nic told Donnie that he made the best cocktails ever and he was really pleased.
‘You know,’ he said, ‘this is better than a party because I haven’t had to invite my tedious neighbours when I know they’ll never ask me anywhere!’
Nic knocked back her drink. ‘It’s nice for us to have some grown-up company, too. I can see why Cat likes you so much, but you probably know she’s got a thing for older men.’
That sobered me up a bit.
‘Don’t be shy,’ Nic giggled. ‘Donnie approves, don’t you, Donnie? It’s like you once said to me, girls mature quicker than boys so it’s only right we don’t waste time on them.’
Donnie was crushing ice for our Fruity-Booty-Transgender-Sex-Fiend.
‘You are both very mature for your age. Did I really say that about boys and girls? I’m no expert. All I know is everyone’s different and they should take their time doing whatever it is they choose to do.’
Nic stood up and leaned over the breakfast bar.
‘You’re so wise. We could learn a lot from you, couldn’t we?’