Twelve Days The Beginning - By Jade Reyner Page 0,38

heavy on the eyeliner so they were both inadvertently rocking a similar look.

Celeste was bouncing up and down on the seat beside, Elise bursting with excitement. She had met an old friend of hers in town after Elise had left to go to the hospital and he turned out to be one of the bouncers at Indigo. Celeste had worked her magic and he had agreed to get them a free pass and access to the VIP area. Celeste couldn’t stop telling Elise how lucky they were - a VIP pass meant free drinks and the best view in the house, not to mention, hot rich single men. Elise groaned at that part. The last thing she needed in her life right now was any more hot, rich and single men.

Chapter Eleven

True to his word, Celeste’s friend had left passes for them at the door and they were ushered into the club and straight to the VIP area. The club was large; situated on two floors with the lower floor consisting mainly of the dance floor and a few booths with a small bar in the corner, whilst the upper floor had seating areas, the main bar, and a gallery which allowed guests to view the dance floor below.

The VIP area was next to the gallery and had its own bar, booths with privacy screens and a full height glass panel looking down onto the dance floor. It had been designed to allow its members a full view of the rest of the club but also to give them privacy and some measure of tranquillity too. The instant they entered the area Elise fell in love with it, recognising it as a sanctuary from all the mayhem below.

Choosing an unoccupied booth, Celeste wasted no time in calling Amelia and Annabel for whom she had also secured VIP passes. They were on their way to pick up Olivia so Celeste told them where they were and said they would see them in a few.

A uniformed waiter arrived on silent feet and Elise giggled with the lavishness of it all as she ordered a glass of wine - her one allowance for the night. After that, she would be drinking water in deference to driving and for the first time she actually regretted her decision to drive.

Celeste ordered a fancy cocktail - some name that Elise had never heard of before - and then cheekily swatted the waiter’s backside as he walked off to get their drinks.

“’Leste! You’ll get us thrown out and we’ve only just arrived!” implored Elise, “Behave!”

“Nah! What’s the point of that?? Besides, we’re in the VIP area, I’m sure he’s used to a lot worse than a swat on his delectable derriere!” Both women giggled and then were silent for a moment, taking in their surroundings.

Up here secluded from general view, it was like being in another world and, although Elise could hear the music pumping down below, it was a revelation to be in a club without having to stand on top of someone and shout directly in their ear in order to communicate. You could tell how long it had been since she’d last been in a club. Back then, they had been more like mosh pits and general all-around scrums with absolutely no way you could talk to anyone – you just ended up gesticulating and hoping it made some kind of sense. She didn’t even realise that clubs had VIP areas or if maybe it was just this club. She was so out of touch she really didn’t have a clue.

Their drinks had arrived and they downed them in an unhealthy amount of time, keen to get out onto the dance floor although they had decided that they would wait until the others arrived. A loud squeal erupted from the doorway and they both simultaneously stretched out of their booth looking around to see Amelia, Annabel and Olivia arriving, eyes wide in total disbelief.

Spotting Elise and Celeste they hurried over, all three clearly bursting with undisguised excitement.

“Oh. My. God. Celeste. This is waaaay cool,” said Annabel, who had chosen a bright red off-the-shoulder number which highlighted her auburn hair. Looking at her now, Elise could see why Cole would want to hook up with her; she was absolutely stunning and had a figure to die for. Elise didn’t know her very well and despite being one of the more indiscreet members of staff, Elise had a feeling that they could become friends – eventually.