Louise watched them both jealously, but it was the girl that was the focus of her attention. She was perfect, beautiful. Louise wished that she could see her wearing that blue dress. To be honest, she looked just as good in the jeans and cropped top she wore now. Louise kept staring at her bare midriff, fascinated by the sight of her skin.

The girl had now produced a pair of high heel shoes and matching handbag from another shopping bag. Both she and the man laughed.

It wasn't fair.

Louise Taylor had known since she was quite young that she was different. Not tremendously different, just different. She had always liked being with other girls rather than mixing with boys, and her best friends were really her best friends. Not that she acted any differently to any other girl. But that was when she was little, when the difference hadn't meant anything, when it just made her a little closer to her friends. No, it was when she got older that the problems started.

She didn't like boys. She couldn't help it, that was just the way she was. She didn't mind them, they were okay, really. And it wasn't as if she didn't have any male friends, she did, plenty in fact. It was just that they didn't do anything for her. The girl sitting at the far table did do something for her.

As soon as the girl had came into the restaurant and Louise had first seen her, Louise had begun to feel all pent up and filled with urgency, an urgency that kept trying to make her go and talk to the girl, to say hello, ask for the time, anything, just to get near to her. But of course she hadn't, and a few moments later the girl had gone to sit down with the man at that table.

Louise tried to tell herself that it was a good job that she hadn't approached her, that if she had, she would have just made a fool of herself. But inside she still felt that it was another chance lost, and it depressed her.

Why couldn't she do anything? Why was she always riveted to the spot?

Louise often felt depressed. It had started with puberty, of course. She had been at Manchester Grammar School for Girls in Fallowfield, and all through the last few years there her emotions had been in turmoil. That feeling of urgency had twisted her stomach into knots almost everyday. She had liked half a dozen girls there, but had always been too frightened to tell them exactly how she felt. But even though she never said or did anything, they all knew. Some would taunt her, and once she had been beaten up by two girls she hadn't even met before.

She couldn't complain. She was sure that other girls like her in other schools must have suffered far worse. But above everything was always this depression.

It had started as a distant fear, and slowly, as she grew up, it had grown with her. It was the fear that she would always be alone, that she would never find somebody beautiful to love who felt the same way as she did. And as her acceptance of this fear to be a reality slowly dawned on her, so her depression had deepened.

The girl at the far table had now produced a red suit from another shopping bag. Louise suddenly felt miserable. She got up from her table and walked out of the restaurant, heading for the escalator. Soon she was in Market Street. She walked around Lewis's into Mosely Street, slowly heading towards Oxford Street and the Universities further down on Oxford Road.

Manchester Metropolitan University was a new start, a new beginning. Nobody knew her there, and she could start afresh. She had even moved out of her parents house. They didn't put up much resistance. Her mother and father both loved her very much, even though they knew about her sexuality. Louise was sure that they didn't really understand how she felt, but they did their best, and they had accepted it. In a way she thought that her father was relieved. He often joked that at least he now didn't have to worry about her being made pregnant by some hairy git of a boy.

Her parents had helped her set up home in a flat in Sale. It was quite big, really. Three self contained rooms on the top floor. She didn't even have to share the bathroom or toilet. At the top of the stairs the front door opened directly onto her lounge, inside there was only a small alcove to hang up her hats and coats. The lounge itself was quite large. She had carefully arranged a sofa and chairs around the fireplace, their focus being the fire and the telly. There was a dining table and four chairs, and various cupboards and shelf units. On one side of the lounge were two windows overlooking the road outside, and at the back was a kitchen area with a cooker, fridge and a washer. On the other side of the lounge were the doors to two bedrooms and a bathroom. Both bedrooms were nice and roomy, and the bathroom had enough space for a bath and shower.

She and her mother had spent ages rearranging and buying more furniture, and her father had done most of the decorating and painting. Now everything was just how Louise wanted it. It was home, and it was all hers. At first she was really happy, but then she began to feel lonely. It was that same familiar feeling. Her environment had changed, but her dreams and her yearning hadn't.

Why couldn't she find anyone to love? Why couldn't she find someone to love her? What she wanted wasn't so unusual was it? Other people found partners. There were lots of beautiful women and handsome men all around, and they all seemed to manage alright, they all found one another.

Of course, there were plenty of gay bars in Manchester, and Louise had plucked up the courage to visit a few on Canal Street. She had quickly made new friends, and had got caught up in the circle they moved in. They were all very nice to her, like Dayna, and Sam, and some of them were even sexually interested in her. But Louise wasn't interested in them. She was polite and sometimes flattered, but she always said no.

Although she hated herself for identifying the stereotypes that straight people always put gay people into, she couldn't help it. But maybe that was because the thing about stereotypes was that they were often true. Well, at least some of the time. So Louise had gradually come to accept that lesbians seemed to fall into two main categories.

The first was predominantly short haired, with slightly male mannerisms, sometimes tattooed, and, occasionally, into body piercing. Although her hair was short, and she was a bit of a tough, Dayna drew the line at tattoos and body piercing. She said she didn't like the pain. Sam called her a whimp.

The second types were, well, pretty much invisible.

Louise fell into this latter category, and unfortunately, the kind of woman she liked also fell into this category. They were invisible because they didn't look or act in the way that straight people expected lesbians to look and act. In other words, they didn't fit the accepted stereotype. Instead they looked and acted just like any other women.

Louise had been very excited when she had met just such a woman in the circle of friends she had made. But Becky already had a partner, and Louise had soon found herself being propositioned and pursued by women who didn't excite her. Louise didn't want someone who fitted the obvious stereotype. She wanted someone like herself, someone who looked pretty and feminine.

Dayna called her a coward. She said she was too scared to admit what she was and to be herself. Maybe she was right.

By now, Louise had reached the Palace Theatre, and paused to glance at the posters by the entrance. They were full of happy faces, male and female. Next to them, reflected in the glass, was her own face and figure. Louise was five foot three, with curly shoulder length light brown hair and brown eyes. She had a slim, but shapely figure that was clearly visible in the jeans and tee- shirt she wore. She was nineteen. Louise stared at her reflection for a moment before walking on.

Louise was sure that she was pretty, a bit plain maybe, but still pretty. She certainly wasn't ugly. And she had been pursued by both male and female admirers before, so she couldn't be that bad. But they were always admirers that she didn't want, and had turned away. And whenever that happened she would often wonder if she was being too fussy. But why should she accept the advances of someone she didn't like just because they made them? She had to be happy, too, didn't she? It was only fair, wasn't it? So why couldn't she find somebody that she did like? Someone who she could love as well as being loved by?

Life wasn't fair.

By the time Louise reached the University, she was feeling really depressed. It was still the first year, and she had already made plenty of friends among the other students on her course. She had also quickly found out that none of them even remotely felt the same way she did. Although there were some lesbians on campus, including Sam, who was on another course, none of them felt the same way she did. And so far, she hadn't found anyone she fancied either, whether they were lesbian, or not.

Louise sighed. The image of the girl in Debenhams still stuck in her mind as she retrieved her bag from her locker and went to her next class.

She was the first to reach the classroom this afternoon, and had already arranged her books, notes and pens on the desk neatly in front of her by the time the rest of the class started to come in. She looked around at her class mates. They were a mixed bunch on the Degree course on Computer Graphics. There was Benjamin and Joshua who were both from Ghana, Jo and Chrissy who were both mad on boys and going to night clubs, and who both came from the same school, Mark, James, Nikki, Susan, and Jonathan who Louise didn't know very well, but were all very nice and polite, Jason, Anthony and Gavin, who was the joker in the class, always quick to make comments and cause general uproar, Paul, Sarah, Dawn, Rebecca and Angela.

Her closest friend was Angela. There wasn't anything going on between them, they were just friends. Angela had also been at school with Jo and Chrissy, and the three of them often went out clubbing together. She would try and persuade Louise to go with them, but so far Louise had declined.

Louise waved at Angela as she came in, and Angela hurried to sit next to her. Angela was the same age and height as Louise, with curly brown hair and brown eyes. She dumped her rucksack down on the desk and began pulling all her books out. As she spread them over the desk, she knocked Louise's carefully arranged books all out of place.

"You'll never guess!" she said hurriedly and excitedly.

"Guess what?" Louise replied as she tried to return her books into some semblance of order.

"Tori Canyon's turned up!"

"Tori who?" Louise stared at Angela with raised eyebrows. "What are you babbling on about? Have you, Jo and Chrissy been smoking funny cigarettes in the lunch hour again?"

"No, we haven't!" Angela looked slightly hurt. Then she smiled and nudged Louise. "Well, not this lunch time, anyway!"

As Angela laughed, Louise demanded, "Well who, or what, is Tori Canyon?"

Angela turned and pointed. "Her!"

Louise looked round to see another girl she hadn't seen before coming into the classroom. She was fairly tall, with tangled long blonde hair. She wore a pair of torn jeans with several holes in them, and a greyish looking sweat shirt that hung down over one shoulder. Her face was quite striking. She had a narrow jaw line with high cheekbones, and her nose and green eyes were perfect. She was definitely beautiful, but her expression and general demeanour was sullen. She walked into the classroom as if it was an execution cell. She kept her hands in her pockets as she dumped herself down at the back of the class and sat back, gazing around. Almost immediately, her feet began moving back and forth nervously under the desk.

As Louise stared at her in fascination, the girl saw her looking at her and immediately tilted her head to one side, crossed her eyes and made a face. Louise looked away in embarrassment.

Angela giggled. "She's a laugh, isn't she?" she whispered to Louise. "She went to the same school as me, Jo and Chrissy, but I haven't seen her since we left. If you think Jo and Chrissy are nutters, wait 'til you meet her!"

Louise peeped around again as the lecturer came in and the class started. She saw the look of recognition on the girl's face when Jo and Chrissy also looked round at her and waved. The sullen expression briefly left her face, allowing her beauty to show through as she sat forward over the desk and mouthed, "See you after," at her two old friends.

Gavin also saw the mouthed words and stuck his hand up. "Me too!" he said eagerly.

The girl held up her middle finger and replied with an angry expression, "Sit on it!"

Gavin pouted, and turned away pretending to cry.

The lecturer looked up at them both and said, "Quiet! We've got a lot of work to get through this afternoon, so lets get on with it. You...," he paused briefly to glance down at his class list, "...Victoria Kenyon, now that you've finally decided to turn up, you better get yourself sorted out. If you can't catch up on the work you've missed, you'll be referred. Got it?"

Victoria looked even more sullen. "Yes," she said, and after a long pause, "Sir."

"Then you had better find something to make notes with, hadn't you?"

The lecturer turned away and put his first transparency on the overhead projector. He had just started to talk when, before Louise knew what was happening, Angela reached over and grabbed a pen from her neat pile, tore some sheets of A4 paper from her pad, and quickly turned and reached out with them to Victoria.

As soon as Victoria saw Angela, her eyebrows went up and she whispered, "You, too? What is this, a bloody class reunion?"

"Sort of! Here, take these and get your head down!"

"Thanks, Angela. I'll pay you back later."

Angela shook her head and pointed at Louise. "Not me, her," she said.

Louise looked round, expecting to receive some abusive comment after her earlier stares, but was surprised when Victoria almost smiled and said, "Thanks." All Louise could do was smile back.

The lecture went on almost as usual after that. Gavin kept everyone awake by passing some silly comments like he always did, some of which were aimed at Victoria. She looked bored through out, and her only retort was to stick her tongue out at him.

Louise did her best to concentrate, watching the lecturer and taking notes without really listening. She felt hot and bothered, but she couldn't help it. She was getting that feeling of urgency again, she could already feel it tying her stomach into a knot.

Victoria.

Victoria was already with Jo and Chrissy, the three of them making plans for Friday night, when Angela introduced her to Louise after the lecture. Louise felt even more uneasy standing so close to her.

"I'll pay you back," Victoria said, stuffing the notes she had taken under her arm and handing Louise back her pen. "I've got all my stuff in the halls of residence where I'm staying."

"It's alright," Louise managed to say. Even Victoria's voice was attractive. "It's only some paper."

"Yeah, but I've got to catch up, so I needed them today."

Jo quickly butted in, pulling Victoria away. "Where have you been, Tori? Why didn't you turn up on the first day?" she asked.

"I was busy doing other things. I wouldn't have come today, but the registrar told me I had to start attending classes or flunk out."

"Don't you want your degree?" Jo then asked her. "You got three A's, and you finished top of our year. It would be silly not to do a degree after all that."

Victoria shrugged. "That's why I'm here."

"Are you still with Zach?" Chrissy wanted to know.

"Sometimes," was the almost too casual reply.

Then Angela remarked, "I thought you'd dumped him. It would be about time."

Victoria shrugged again, but didn't reply.

Louise stood by, watching but not really listening as the four of them went back to talking about going out in the evening. It was the first time Louise had been so close to Jo and Chrissy, and she took the opportunity to have a longer look at them. Jo was quite slim with long, light brown hair and brown eyes, while Chrissy was a bit more shapely, and she was the tallest. She had blue eyes and her jet black hair was held up with a plastic clip. Louise had noticed that she always kept her hair up like that. Both Chrissy and Jo were dressed in the usual baggy tee-shirts and jeans. They were both very pretty, but in the end, it was Victoria that Louise couldn't take her eyes off.

Even though she looked generally scruffy, Victoria was still quite remarkable. Her green eyes sparkled. In fact, all her features were so exquisite, her face could only be described as angelic. Her blonde hair was very long, reaching down to the small of her back. It was very shaggy and slightly matted in places, with lots of loose ends. Her sweat-shirt still hung over one shoulder, and Louise stared at Victoria's exposed neck and collar bone, admiring her smooth skin. She could see the strap of her bra over her shoulder, and as she looked down at the many holes in the sweat-shirt, she could just make out the edge of the white bra through one of them.

As she chatted with her friends, Victoria stood with her hands crammed into her pockets, pushing her jeans down slightly over her hips. Louise could just see her navel and a narrow band of skin under the tattered hem of her sweat-shirt. Louise kept her eyes on that bare skin, contemplating how beautiful Victoria's body was, before she suddenly looked up at Victoria's face and announced, "You can borrow my notes if you like."

There was a slight pause as Victoria and the other three girls all stared at her. Louise kept going. Now that she had started she wasn't going to give up, no matter how embarrassed she might feel. "If you want to catch up, like you said, you can borrow my notes. I've been to every class, I haven't missed a single one."

"Okay," Victoria replied. "I'll see you in the Library tomorrow, about ten. Is that alright?"

Louise nodded. "Yes, I'll be there."

"Okay."

Victoria moved off, still chatting to Jo and Chrissy. Louise was left with Angela. She breathed out slowly, surprised and excited by her own audacity. For once in her life she had acted instead of being frozen to the spot. She felt marvellous.

Angela smiled at her. "We're going out for a drink Friday night. Pub then club. Come with us Louise, it'll be a great laugh." She nudged Louise as she spoke. "You haven't seen Tori until you've seen her strutting her stuff on a dance floor! She'll cause havoc! Come on, what do you say? Or is there really something that exciting on telly?"

Louise stared at Angela for a moment, and with sudden determination, she said, "Alright, I will!"

They smiled at one another, and linked arms as they walked down the corridor together. As they walked along, Louise asked, "Tell me, Angela, why do you call her Tori Canyon? It doesn't sound very nice."

"It was Jo that gave her that nickname when we were at school. I think it was the name of some ship that sank years ago off the coast down south somewhere. And what with her name and everything it seemed to fit."

"Everything?"

"Well, you saw what Tori's like. She was the same at school. Always brainy and together when it comes to work, but everything else, including commonsence, and she's a complete wreck!"

Louise felt elated. For the first time in her life she had actually done something. She had seen somebody she liked, and actually spoken to them. Of course, she had to thank Angela for the introduction. If she hadn't gone to school with Victoria it might not have worked out so well. But it couldn't be better. Not only was she going to see Victoria in class, but she had already arranged to meet her on her own in the library tomorrow. And on Friday night she would be going out with her! Louise felt marvellous! It was like she was a different person.

Her change in mood must have been more obvious than even she could tell, because no sooner had she got back to her flat than her neighbour from the floor below came up to visit.

Louise opened the door when she heard the knock and said, brightly, "Hello, Rosie, how are you today?"

"Gosh! What a change!" Rosanna Williams replied in amazement as she followed Louise into her flat. "I thought I heard you pottering about and humming to yourself. I said to Dave, that can't be Louise, she sounds too happy! Dave suggested you had been replaced by a seed pod during the night. So what's happened? Have you won the lottery?"

"No! Much better than that!" Louise closed the door and added, "Do you want a cup of tea?"

"Only if it's accompanied by a good old chin wag!"

"I think I can manage that! Come on!" Louise led the way into the kitchen. And while Louise put the kettle on, Rosanna sat down at the kitchen table.

Rosanna and David Williams had been in the flat below since before Louise had moved in. Rosanna had liked Louise as soon as she saw her, and had quickly taken her under her wing. Louise had liked both Rosanna and David, and got on well with them. And when she told them about her sexual preferences, it hadn't made the slightest bit of difference.

Rosanna was thirty years old and four-foot-eleven at a stretch. Her husband was thirty-five and almost a foot taller. She worked part time in a nursery while David travelled around from building site to building site for the construction company he worked for. Because of David's job, they often moved around the country, never managing to put permanent roots down in any one place. This was the longest they had gone without moving for quite awhile. Louise would miss them terribly if they left.

Rosanna watched Louise intently as she made the tea and started to chat about her day. She had never seen her looking so happy and animated. There had to be only one reason for this change. As soon as they were both sat down at the kitchen table together, tea in hand, Rosanna spoke up.

"You've met someone, haven't you?" she asked, suddenly. "Come on! Who is it? Out with it!"

"God! Talk about cutting to the chase!" Louise said in surprise. "You don't waste any time, do you?"

"Not when it comes to good gossip!" Rosanna replied. "Who is she then?"

"Her name's Victoria. Victoria Kenyon."

"So what's she like?"

It was like opening the flood gates. Once Louise started talking, she couldn't stop. "Oh, she's beautiful, Rosie! A bit scruffy, but really beautiful! She's tall, and blonde. And she's got beautiful green eyes. At first I thought she wouldn't like me, but she was so nice and friendly! Not at all the way she first looked. She's even on the same course as me! You have to see her, Rosie! I like her lots! You'll like her too, I'm sure you will!"

Then Rosanna asked, "But is it serious?"

Louise immediately looked deflated, and sat back and hugged her mug of tea. "Well, I don't know yet...."

"Does she feel the same way you do?" Rosanna pressed.

"Rosie! Give me a chance! I only met her today!"

Rosanna held up her finger. "Exactly! But I know you! You'll already be happily living together in your own mind, even though you've only just met her! Why do you do this to yourself, Louise? It's not the first time!"

"I know! I know!" Louise admitted with a sheepish grin. Whenever she found someone she liked, it always started with a tremendous high like this only to end in the depths of depression once more when it didn't work out. "I can't help it, Rosie. It's not often that I meet someone I like, and when I do, I know I go off at the deep end. Yes, I am being premature, and I do hardly know her. And when I see her again tomorrow, it might all fizzle out. But at least for today, I'm happy, and excited. You can't begrudge me that."

"No, not so long as your eyes are open. I've seen you upset for long enough, Louise, it's about time you were happy. Any longer before a smile and your face would have cracked. But I don't want to see you let down again, either. I hope this girl is what you want her to be, but until you know for sure, come down off the ceiling, okay?"

Louise sighed. "Okay," she replied.

Louise was in the Library well before ten o'clock. But it was only when she got there that she realised that she and Victoria hadn't said exactly where they were going to meet in the Library, only that they would meet inside. She panicked straight away, and went around the whole Library twice to check that Victoria wasn't already there, waiting for her. She wasn't.

Satisfied at last that Victoria hadn't arrived yet, Louise settled herself down at a vacant table opposite the busy entrance. She unpacked all her files from her bag, and waited.

Half an hour went by, and there was still no sign of Victoria. As each minute had passed, Louise had become more and more anxious, until, finally, she couldn't stand it any more, and had to have another quick look around the Library just to make sure that they hadn't missed one another by some strange fluke. But no, Victoria definitely wasn't here. Louise went back to her place by the entrance and slumped down in her chair again. Almost immediately she began to fear that Victoria might have come in while she was looking around the Library for her. Now she hated herself for getting up to look around, while at the same time, she fought the urge to do exactly the same thing all over again.

Finally, when an hour had gone by, Louise reluctantly gave up. She had almost finished packing her things away when she heard some one say, "Not too late, am I?"

Louise turned to find Victoria standing right behind her, a rucksack slung over her shoulder. "No, I...I thought you weren't coming, that's all." Louise couldn't think of anything else to say. For some strange reason, she was sure she could smell something sickly sweet. Chocolate, maybe?

"I'll have to find my watch, but I just can't remember where I left it," Victoria was saying. She had instinctively put her hand over her bare wrist and was looking around as if searching for a clock. She saw one on the far wall and sighed. It was ten minutes passed eleven. "I never get anywhere on time." She turned back to Louise. "Look, if you've got somewhere to go, you go. But I'd still like to borrow your notes if you don't mind. I can give them back to you tomorrow."

Louise had been looking closely at Victoria while she was speaking. She still wore the same battered looking jeans and sweat-shirt that she had worn the day before. "No, I don't mind, you can still borrow them," she managed to reply. "And I don't have to go anywhere, so I can talk you through any of my notes that you don't understand."

"Fine! But lets go and sit somewhere away from this busy gangway." Victoria suddenly grabbed a surprised Louise and quickly led her to a different spot in the Library. Louise had to hastily grab her bag and last file as she was dragged away.

Victoria picked a much quieter spot well away from the entrance. It was near an open window down a dead end aisle between two rows of bookshelves. She emptied the contents of her rucksack on to the table and then dumped herself down on the chair. Louise sat next to her and unpacked in a much more sedate fashion. By the time she had finished, Victoria was already waiting, pen in hand.

"Right, pick a subject!" she announced.

Louise passed across one of her files. "Wouldn't it be easier to just photocopy it?" she asked.

"Nah! This way I'll remember it as I write it, and I won't have to read it again later." Victoria was already writing as she spoke.

"Do you have a photographic memory?"

"Something like that. But I only remember everything if I understand it."

"I wish I was that clever."

"It's not clever, it's just a knack." Victoria slid the file back towards Louise and asked, "What's that mean?"

They spent the next two hours together like that. Victoria writing away and occasionally asking questions, and Louise answering them as best she could. Most of the time they sat in silence, and Louise just watched Victoria. She watched the way Victoria seemed to concentrate so hard as she was writing, and the way she brushed her hair out of the way every so often, or at the way she swung her feet as she sat cross-legged, leaning on the table. Louise liked watching Victoria.

Then, in the middle of scribbling away, Victoria suddenly stopped, stood up, and leaned across Louise to close the window. "It's freezing in here," she muttered.

For a brief, few seconds, Victoria was very close, and as she stretched up to reach the catch on the window, her sweat-shirt rode up, and Louise found herself staring at her stomach. The sweet smell she had detected earlier was much stronger, and as Victoria sat down again, Louise couldn't help asking, "What's that smell?"

"Ice-cream sundae sort of smell?" Victoria suggested.

Louise nodded.

Victoria made a face. "I knew it wouldn't wash out! Chrissy sprayed me with one of those vanilla body sprays in Boots yesterday. Now I stink like a kiddies sweet shop! I could have bloody killed her!"

"It's probably still on your clothes," Louise said, and reached out to hesitantly pull on Victoria's sweat-shirt. "Anyway, I like vanilla," she added.

"It just makes me think of eating." Victoria suddenly stood up again. "That reminds me," she said as she quickly climbed on to her chair and stared across the Library. She began to wobble dangerously as she tried to stand on the tips of her toes on the chair, and Louise quickly stood up and grabbed her around the waist.

"Careful!" Louise exclaimed in a genuinely worried tone. "What are you doing?"

"Just checking the time!" Victoria said with a cheeky grin as she climbed down from the chair. "It's time for lunch!"

Louise realised that Victoria had been looking at the clock on the far wall. She glanced at her watch. They had a lecture in the afternoon, and it was already after one. Yes, it was time for lunch. "You could have asked me, you know," she said pointing at her watch. "It would have been a lot safer."

"Ah! But not as much fun! Come on! I'll buy you a burger!"

Victoria smiled at Louise again as she began to stuff her things back into her rucksack. Louise smiled back and began to pack her own books and files away. She was becoming very fond of that smile. It was the way Victoria pursed her lips and stared at you, her eyes and whole face presenting such a cheeky and mischievous expression. Yes, it was very endearing, that smile, and it made Louise's heart ache.

McDonald's was only a short walk down Oxford Street, and even though Louise was sure that they would be late for the afternoon lecture, she went without hesitation. Victoria chatted all the way, mainly because Louise kept asking her leading questions.

"How long have you known Chrissy and Jo, then?"

"Oh, I've known Jo since the second year at school," Victoria replied. "But me and Chrissy grew up together, we've always been close friends. I got to know Angie a bit later. We were all quite close at school, but it was always Chrissy who would get me out of trouble whenever I messed up."

"Are you always getting into trouble?"

"Yeah!" Victoria smiled mischievously. "It's another knack I've got!"

By the time they reached McDonald's, Louise had found out that Victoria was three months younger than her, that her mother still lived in Stretford where Victoria was born, that her father was dead, and that she hadn't been home for eight months.

"Why ever not?" Louise asked in surprise.

"We don't get on any more." Victoria's expression was sullen as she answered, very much like when Louise had first seen her. Louise was wise enough to recognise the warning, and decided not to press her on the subject any further.

She was thinking of something else to talk about when she saw Victoria's eyes narrow. She seemed to be staring at someone sitting down at one of the tables. But before Louise could turn to look, Victoria thrust her rucksack into her arms and said, "I'll be back in a minute," and walked away.

Louise watched as Victoria walked straight towards a scruffy looking young man sitting at a table with his arm around a pretty young woman who was drinking a milkshake. By the way the young woman was smartly dressed, she probably worked in one of the nearby offices. The young man saw Victoria as she approached. He took his arm from the woman's shoulder and sat back, smiling arrogantly.

"Hey, Tori!" he said. "Where've you been, girl?"

Victoria didn't say a word, she just snatched the milkshake from the surprised woman, dumped it's contents over her head, and then grabbed her by the hair, pulling her screaming over the table.

In a few seconds, bedlam erupted in the middle of McDonald's as red coated individuals ran to break up the fight. Louise stared in shock as fries and burgers flew in all directions as Victoria tried to murder the other woman, and the two of them rolled across the table and then fell on to the floor, screaming and pulling at one another's hair. People jumped out of the way to avoid the flailing arms and feet. Only the scruffy young man seemed unimpressed. He just sat back with that arrogant smile on his face, holding up his hands as if to say, "It's nothing to do with me."

Eventually the two women were separated, Victoria still kicking at her victim as she was dragged to the door and thrown out. A senior member of the staff tried to calm the other woman down. She was in a complete mess. Her hair was frizzed in all directions, her clothes were torn and pulled all out of place, her tights were laddered, she'd lost a shoe, and she was covered in milkshake and tomato stained fries.

"I want the police!" she cried. "That cow tried to kill me!"

Louise didn't wait any longer. Like the scruffy young man, she quickly left.

Louise found Victoria and the scruffy young man together by the side of Churchgate House. He was laughing while Victoria was still panting and out of breath from her brawl.

"Tori! Baby! What an entrance! It couldn't have been better!" He kept trying to put his arms around her, but Victoria kept pushing him away.

"Piss off!" she told him. "You did that on purpose!"

"Not me, baby! Honestly, Tori! Can I help it if the babes find me attractive? Come on. Let's go back to your flat. You know I love it when you get jealous!"

When she came closer, Louise saw the scratches on Victoria's face, and the way her tee-shirt was now even more torn and dirty than before. "Are you alright?" she asked, real concern in her voice.

Both Victoria and the scruffy man turned to look at her, as if noticing her for the first time. Victoria was the first to speak.

"Oh, Louise! I'm sorry! I forgot about you!" she said in sudden embarrassment. "We didn't get anything to eat, and I bet we're late, aren't we?"

She sounded so upset that Louise would have forgiven her even if she had fed that other woman through a mincing machine.

"We are a bit. But it doesn't matter." Louise reached out to touch the scratches on Victoria's face, getting blood on her finger. "You better get those seen to. And that woman you attacked was talking about calling the police."

Victoria quickly wiped her face with her hands. "We better go," she said, and took her rucksack back from Louise. "Thanks, Louise. This is Zach. He's my boyfriend. Zach, this is Louise from Uni."

"Hi, Louise!" The arrogant smile had returned as Zach greeted her by pulling gently on her hair, before putting his arm around her shoulder, and leaning on her. "Hey, how about coming back to Victoria's flat with us? We can all get much better acquainted! How about it, babe?"

"No!" Louise said far too firmly, shaking him off. "We've got to go back to the University. We've got a lecture."

"I can't go like this," Victoria said, pulling a french-fry from her milkshake stained hair. "You go without me. I'll see you in class tomorrow." Victoria began to walk away with Zach.

"But what should I tell the lecturer?" Louise called after them.

"Tell Chrissy what happened. She'll know what to say," Victoria called back. "Now go on, or you'll be even more late."

Louise could only watch disappointedly as Victoria walked away with Zach. He glanced back with that smile again, putting his arm around Victoria's waist. Then his hand slipped down into her back pocket, squeezing her buttock.

Zach was just the kind of man that made Louise feel glad that she was a lesbian. She instinctively hated him.

"Get your hair cut!"

"Contrary to your opinion, having a short haircut and wearing short trousers is not going to solve my love life."

"It works for me!"

Louise shook her head in despair. "I'm not you, Dayna."

Louise had gone to visit Dayna after she had finished for the day at University. They were sitting on some cushions on the floor in the lounge of Dayna's flat, drinking coffee and talking. Dayna shared the flat with her partner, Sam. Dayna was twenty, slightly shorter than Louise, with short cropped black hair and blue eyes. She wore a shirt and waistcoat and overly long, baggy shorts. She worked in a bar in the evenings, which was where Louise had first met her.

As usual, the conversation had got round to sex. Sex was Dayna's favourite topic, second only to Louise's sex life.

Like Rosanna, Dayna was far too good at wheedling secrets out of Louise. Either that, or Louise was just hopeless at keeping secrets. Which ever was the case, it didn't take long before they got to Victoria, and Dayna had heard the whole gory story of what had happened that afternoon in McDonalds.

At first, Dayna had thought the whole escapade was a hoot.

"You should have sold tickets!" she said. "I would have paid to see that!"

But after Louise had explained her feelings for Victoria, Dayna wasn't so light-hearted.

"You're wasting your time," Dayna said as she lit a cigarette. "She's straight, you'll get nowhere."

"I don't know that."

"Yes you do. You said she had a boyfriend."

"Yes, but-"

"Lesbos don't have boyfriends!" Dayna insisted. "It's a fantasy, Lu! You'd be better off waiting for Becky to finish with Sal."

Louise shook her head in frustration. "Becky and Sal aren't going to split up, they've been together for years."

"Not if I have my way!"

Louise was suddenly side-tracked by Dayna's remark. "Are you still chasing Sal?"

"Yeah!" Dayna replied eagerly.

"But what about Sam?"

"I won't tell her if you don't!"

"You two-timing bitch! You're like a rabbit on steroids!"

"And you're a chicken on valium! Get your hair cut and come out with me and Sam! Come on! You'll love it, I promise you, you will!"

Dayna sounded very encouraging, but Louise still wasn't interested. "I am not getting my hair cut!" she insisted. "And if I went out on the tiles with you, I'd probably wake up in bed with you!"

Dayna smiled. "Well, you are a babe!"

Louise was reminded of Zach. "That's what he called me and Victoria. Babes. It's very demeaning."

"He's a man. Everything they say to women is demeaning!"

They both laughed.

There was a rattle at the door, and Sam came in. "Kick out whoever you've got in our bed, I'm home!" she called out from the hallway.

Louise laughed again.

Dayna smiled at her, mouthed, "She knows me too well!" and then called out to Sam, "It's Lu, we're both in the lounge, and we're disappointingly decent!"

Sam came in. "Hiya, Lu!" she said. She had been shopping, and put down her bags of groceries in the doorway. She was two years older than Dayna, tall and very slim. She took off her coat revealing a woolly jumper and jeans. Like Dayna, she had short cropped hair. As she went back into the hall to hang her coat up, Dayna stood up and went to meet her. She was about a foot shorter than Sam. They embraced and kissed very affectionately.

Sam smiled at Dayna. "So, have you been good today?"

"You'll be pleased to know that I haven't slept with a single other person."

They both came back into the lounge and Sam winked at Louise as she said to Dayna, "All turned you down, did they?"

Dayna made a face. "Rotter!"

They both laughed and kissed again. Louise felt jealous just watching them. For all her philandering ways, Dayna had been with Sam for nearly two years. That was probably due more to Sam's forgiving nature than to Dayna's failed attempts at fidelity. None-the-less, the two of them were still together. Whatever they had, it worked.

Dayna helped Sam to carry the shopping bags into the kitchen. Louise got up and followed them. She leaned against the door, sipped her coffee, and watched them as they began to unpack the bags and store everything away. Sam glanced at her and smiled.

"How are you getting on?"

"Alright," Louise replied.

"Have you come out at Uni yet?" The question came out of the blue, and Dayna looked closely at Louise when Sam asked it.

Louise immediately looked defensive. "No, I haven't seen any reason to."

"What about your friends? Haven't you told any of them yet?"

Louise shook her head.

"You are a coward, Lu!"

"I am not! I don't see why I have to proclaim my sexuality to all and sundry just because I'm a lesbian! Straights don't have to tell everybody they're straight! Why do I have to go round saying, 'Hello, my name's Louise, I'm a lesbian.' It's not fair, and it's sexist!"

Dayna held up her finger as she replied, "Me thinks the lady doth protest too much."

Louise made a face. "Smart arse!"

"You're just ashamed of admitting it," Dayna said. She wasn't joking anymore.

"Why are you pressuring me?" Louise said in anguish. "It's my choice! Leave me alone!" She went back into the lounge and threw herself down on the sofa, hugging her coffee mug.

Sam put down the cans she was holding and sighed. She gave Dayna a glance that said, "Stay here," and went back into the lounge after Louise. Louise looked really depressed. Sam sat down next to her on the sofa, and pulling her close, she hugged her. Louise rested her head on Sam's shoulder, and Sam stroked her hair.

"Look, Lu," Sam said as softly as she could. "Dayna's right, you'll have to tell people. If they can't accept it, then screw them! That neighbour of yours knows, she's alright about it. If your friends at Uni are real friends, then they'll be alright about it too. And you owe them the chance to prove it. So stop being a coward, and stop being ashamed of it. It's an insult to all of us you know. It's as if we have something to be ashamed of, and we don't. So get on with it. Or I'll put it on the Internet."

Louise was feeling so guilty that Sam's threat took a few moments to filter through. Then Louise looked up in horror. "You wouldn't!"

"Oh, Lu! You really are a scaredy cat!"

Louise looked annoyed at being so easily taken in. "I am not! And I wouldn't put it past you to do such a thing!"

"At least it would be out in the open."

"But it's my decision if I want to tell my friends at Uni!"

"Then tell them!"

Louise didn't reply. She stared down at her coffee. She still looked depressed and she was becoming tearful.

Sam continued to stroke Louise's hair. She could see that there was more to Louise's depression than just the argument of coming out or not. "Come on, what's the matter? Tell your Auntie Sam."

Dayna came back out of the kitchen and sat down opposite them. She put out her cigarette and said to Louise, "Tell Sam about Victoria."

Sam glanced at Dayna before looking closely at Louise. "Is that it?" she asked her. "Is it about this girl?"

Louise nodded. "I met her at Uni," she said in a subdued voice. "I really like her, Sam. You have to see her. She's gorgeous!"

Sam smiled at her. Then Dayna dropped the bomb-shell.

"But she's straight!" she pointed out.

Sam stared at the ceiling and sighed again. "Oh, Lu!" she exclaimed. "You are you're own worst enemy! You always have to reach for the impossible, don't you? Me and Dayna have introduced you to lots of girls, and you're never interested. But as soon as some high-heeled bimbo type passes your way, you swoon!"

Dayna said, "I told her it was a fantasy!"

Louise quickly looked up. "It's not a fantasy!"

"It is!" Dayna insisted. "They aren't like us and it's not going to happen!"

"Becky's like that! You said yourself she was a babe!" Louise could have bitten her tongue off as soon as she spoke.

Sam glanced at Dayna with a knowing look. "Oh, she is, is she?"

Dayna quickly dismissed it. "So I've looked and noticed, so what? You know me, Sam. Anyway, she is a babe. And if she and Sal break up, Louise can have a try! That's what I told her before!"

Sam laughed. "They won't break up. I already knew that you were interested in Sal. Like you said, I know you. But you haven't got a chance, Dayna! Becky and Sal are a great couple. They deserve to be together. And if you even try and split them up, I'll have you neutered!"

Dayna didn't look like the threat would put her off for an instant, but she said in a very pious voice, "As if I would do such a thing."

"Ha!"

Louise was staring into her coffee mug when she suddenly said, "Sal's exactly like me, and now that she's found Becky, she's very much in love with her. Every time I see them together I'm terribly jealous. Not because I want to steal Becky away from her, but because I want to have what she has. I want someone like Becky, but there aren't that many like her around. I know I'm being a fool, but I can't help it. It's the way I am."

There was a brief silence as Sam and Dayna exchanged glances. Then Dayna said, "I still think you're wasting your time."

"But I don't know that!" Louise exclaimed. "And I've got to try, haven't I? If I don't, I'll always hate myself!"

Sam kicked Dayna, producing a satisfying yelp. Then she said to Louise, "Never mind what Dayna says. If you like this girl, then ask her. But if you're going to do it, do it as yourself. And tell your friends first. That way if this girl should turn you down, at least you'll know that that's the worst thing she can do. Okay?"

Louise nodded. "Okay."

When Victoria didn't turn up for the next morning's class, Louise became very depressed. Angela couldn't fail to notice.

"It's that git, Zach," she told Louise. "I don't know what she sees in him. But whenever he turns up, she always ends up in some sort of trouble. I wish she'd drop him."

"But if she keeps missing lectures like this, she'll fail the course," Louise said in dismay. What she really wanted to say was that she would like Zach to be dropped from a great height over a shark infested sea, but she didn't.

"I know. That's why Chrissy and I are going to go round to her flat in the halls of residence this dinner time. Just to see if anything's wrong. Do you want to come?"

Louise was suddenly filled with wild thoughts. "Yes, I'll come with you," she said anxiously. "If that's alright with Chrissy."

"Chrissy won't mind. She needs all the help she can get."

Angela was right. Chrissy just smiled when she told her that Louise was coming too. "You'll wish you hadn't," she said.

Louise didn't realise exactly what she meant until they got to Victoria's flat. By then she was full of foreboding. Victoria was in, because they could hear her moaning, but she wouldn't, or couldn't open the door. Chrissy had to get a warden to bring a key. When they finally got inside, Louise was deeply shocked at what she saw.

Victoria was lying on the floor in some sort of drug, or alcohol induced stupor. She was hardly conscious, and she was dirty and smelly. At some point she had urinated on herself, and she was covered in dried vomit. The whole room stank, and there were empty half bottles of vodka littered all around.

The warden wanted to get a doctor. "No, it's alright," Chrissy told him. "I've done this before. She'll be fine, don't worry." As he beat a hasty retreat, Chrissy started to pick Victoria up and drag her towards the bathroom. "Angie, open all the windows. Louise, stop standing about gawping and help me get her into the shower."

The three of them held her under the cold running water, clothes and all. As Victoria slowly began to revive, Angela said sarcastically to Louise, "Aren't you glad you came?"

Louise could only smile weakly as she held on to Victoria's arm and squinted in the cold spray. She was glad she came. But she was also very sad. "What's the matter with her?" she asked.

"Too much booze," Chrissy replied. "She does this all the time. It's a real pain in the arse. Lets get these clothes off her."

By now, Victoria was almost fully awake. She began coughing and spitting, and started to resist when Chrissy pulled her jeans down. In return, Chrissy began to slap her.

"Pack it in you daft cow!" she said in a harsh voice. "Or we'll drop you in the bath and let you drown! I'm sick of having to clean you up all the time! Jo didn't even want to come!"

"Alright! Alright!" Victoria managed to reply, fending off Chrissy's blows. "I'm cold!"

Chrissy relented. "Turn the hot water on, Louise. Angie, get some towels."

Louise turned the hot water on, mesmerised by the sight of Victoria's naked body in the shower, her clothes and underwear down by her feet.

When Angela returned with some towels, Chrissy gave one to Louise. Victoria reached out for one, but Chrissy slapped her again, thrust a bottle of shower-gel into her hand and said, "You don't come out of there until we can't smell you coming!" Then Chrissy swept the shower curtain closed. "Come on, you two. We've got a room to clean up."

By the time Victoria emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a bathrobe, they were finished. They were all three sat on her chairs exhausted. They had cleaned practically everything in the room. And now they stared at her expectantly. Victoria looked very sheepish as she sat down on the side of her bed. Her feet were bare, and she said, "The carpet's damp."

Angela said, "Be thankful it's only water."

Chrissy was angry. "Is that all the thanks we get?" she shouted at Victoria. "Louise here hardly knows you, and she's been cleaning your shit up from off the floor! And is that all you can say? 'The carpet's wet'?"

Victoria put her hands over her ears. "Don't shout! I've got a headache!"

"You are a bloody headache!"

"Alright! I'm sorry!" Victoria's face suddenly screwed up and she began to cry. "I don't know why I do it!" she wailed. "I can't help it! Don't shout at me, Chrissy! You always shout at me!"

Louise couldn't resist. She went to her side and put her arm around her, and Victoria immediately rested her head on Louise's shoulder. "It's alright," Louise said comfortingly. "Don't cry." She began to stroke Victoria's damp hair.

Chrissy shook her head in dismay. "Oh, no you don't," she said, getting up. "You're not getting away with it that easy. Give me a hand, Angie!" She and Angela quickly went over to them both and dragged Louise away from Victoria. "Come on, you, lets get back to class."

"But we can't just leave her!" Louise protested.

"Oh, yes we can! It's the best thing for her, and for you! If we left you here, she'd have you cooking her dinner and her breakfast!"

Louise wanted to say that she wouldn't mind, that she would be happy to stay here with Victoria and do just that. But all she could do was look over her shoulder as Angela and Chrissy shoved her out the door.

"As for you," Chrissy called back through the door. "If you're not dressed and in class this afternoon, I'll tell the lecturer that you've dropped out! So be there!"

"Yes, mother!" Victoria called back, and before the door closed, Louise saw that mischievous grin once again.

On the way back to the University, Louise learned from Chrissy that Victoria often got into a far worse state than what she had witnessed today. And contrary to what Angela had said, it wasn't always to do with Zach.

"Basically, Vicky doesn't give a shit," Chrissy told her. "That's why she's always getting into fights and getting drunk."

"But it's Zach's fault," Angela insisted. "He eggs her on, and he gets her the booze. He likes getting her drunk."

"It's not that simple, Angie. Vicky started hitting the booze a long time before she met Zach. It got worse after her father died. You hardly knew her then. But I agree, Zach doesn't help."

Louise was terribly curious. "But she was fine at school?" she asked.

Chrissy shook her head. "Not near the end. She was already on the way down even then. She used to be great fun, but not any more. She never knows when to stop, and she keeps getting worse and worse. She better be alright when we go out tonight. This is the third time I've had to clean her up like that. One of these days she'll choke to death and do us all a favour."

Louise was surprised by her callousness. "I thought she was your friend. She told me you and her were very close."

"We are. I've known her since infants school, I grew up with her, and I worry about her. But there's only so many times you can clean someone's arse before the friendship begins to wear thin. Especially when they don't appreciate it. You'll see what I mean this afternoon. Vicky will turn up, bright and breezy, as if nothing had happened."

Louise began to realise that there was far more to Chrissy than just a girl who liked to go out clubbing. She had hardly known anything about her before, but now she had great respect for her.

"You must like Victoria a lot."

"Not as much as I used to." Chrissy then gave Louise a stern look. "Listen, Louise, I hardly know you, but you seem okay, so I'm giving you a friendly warning. Don't get drawn in by Vicky. She's a user. You're too soft, you won't be able to stand it, and she'll squish you. Okay?"

The warning was totally unexpected, and Louise felt her face going red. "Okay," she managed to say in a weak voice.

Chrissy went off to meet Jo and collect her things after that, and Louise was left in a whirl of emotions. As she and Angela walked towards their lockers to get their bags, Louise turned to her.

"Do you think I should stay away from Victoria, too?" she asked Angela.

"No!" Angela replied firmly. "If you ask me, Tori would be far better off with a friend like you than she is with that scumbag, Zach! So don't listen to Chrissy. Tori needs someone sensible for a friend, so if you want to be friends with her, you go get her. But being friends with her won't be easy! Like Chrissy said, if you're not careful, Tori will have you making her breakfast each morning!"

As they recovered their bags from their lockers and headed back to class, Louise looked closely at Angela. Some of the things she had said could have had more than one meaning. Did she know? But how could she know? Was it that obvious? Louise thought about what Sam had told her. But even the thought of telling Angela made her feel ashamed. She quickly shrugged the feeling off. Sam was right, there was no reason to feel that way. Angela was her best friend at Uni, she had a right to know. And if she was a true friend, she would be alright about it. Like Sam had said, it wasn't fair keeping it from her. But was now the right time to tell her?

While Louise was confused about whether or not to tell Angela, the moment passed, and it was too late. They had reached the class and Jo and Chrissy were already there. They started to chat with Angela, and a moment later everyone else started to turn up for the afternoon class. And right on cue, just as the lecturer had started talking, Victoria turned up.

Louise stared at her in surprise. She was wearing a far less tatty and much cleaner pair of jeans, and a Calvin Klein tee- shirt that had absolutely no extra holes. Her blonde hair was all fluffy and shiny, and fell over her shoulders like a mane. She was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and as Louise stared at her, Victoria gave her that grin, and winked.

Victoria was now fully equipped with pens, paper and files, which she pulled out of a new looking hold-all. She sat behind Louise and Angela, and all through the lecture, Louise was conscious of her presence. She could smell the shower-gel. It made Louise smile. This must be the first time that she had seen Victoria when she was clean.

After the lecture, Louise couldn't help being amazed. "How do you do it?" she asked Victoria. "How can you be in such a mess one minute, and look so wonderful the next?"

Louise realised almost immediately she had spoken that her choice of words could have been better. But Victoria didn't seem to notice. She smiled brightly. "Practice!"

Jo and Chrissy came over, and Chrissy still looked upset.

"You better be good tonight," she said to Victoria.

"I'm always good!" Victoria replied mischievously.

"You know what I mean!" Chrissy's words were unexpectedly harsh. "If you mess up again, if you get us into trouble, I'm finished with you!"

Victoria looked genuinely hurt. "Oh, Chrissy! Don't say that!"

"I mean it! You always mess everything up! We want to have a good time tonight. Even Louise is coming. So behave! Remember it was Jo that asked you, not me! If it was my choice I'd leave you behind!"

"Why are you being rotten to me?"

"Because I know you too well! Jo and Angie might still think it's fun, but I can see through your little games! And I don't think it's funny at all!"

There was an uncomfortable silence. Then Jo said, "Oh stop fighting you two. You're making a scene! If you're going to be like this tonight we might aswell all go to the library and revise all night!"

"Yeah! Pack it in!" Angela added.

Victoria smiled half-heartedly at Chrissy. She held up her hand as if swearing an oath and said, "I promise to be good, alright?"

Louise could have hugged her right then and there, but all Chrissy did was shrug.

"Huh! We'll see!" she said, and walked away.

Jo shook her head in exasperation and hurried after her.

Victoria turned to Angela and Louise and said, "I better go after her, too. Chrissy will calm down by tonight. I'll get round her, you'll see. I always do!" She quickly stuffed all her things back into her hold-all, said, "I'll see you both tonight!" then before Louise could say anything, she hurried off aswell.

The rest of the class soon dispersed, and once again Louise was left alone with Angela as they packed away their things. After what Chrissy had said, Louise was having second thoughts about their evening out.

"Will everything be alright tonight?" she asked Angela.

"Yes, don't worry! Tori's right. By tonight, Chrissy will be fine, you'll see!" Angela saw the expression on Louise's face and became more serious. "You are still coming, aren't you?"

Louise had to think for a moment before replying. There was so much going on in her mind, it was all too confusing. But there was one thing she had to get out of the way before tonight. And now that they were alone in the empty classroom, Louise knew that she wouldn't get a better chance.

"Angie," Louise began slowly. "You know how you've asked me to go out with you, Chrissy and Jo before, and I've always said no?"

"Yeah? So? You're a stick in the mud, so what?"

"It's not as simple as that. There's a reason why I always said no. And before I decide to come tonight, there's something I have to tell you."

"You're a dyke," Angela said very bluntly.

Louise stared at her, eyes wide. "You know?" she whispered.

"Of course I know! I'm not stupid! Look, Louise, it doesn't bother me. I know you don't fancy me, I've seen how you go all gooey-eyed whenever you see Tori to know that! And I think you're okay! I like you. And Jo and Chrissy will get to like you too, if you let them. All you have to remember is that the three of us are all into boys, so if that doesn't bother you, I don't see why your idea of an ideal date should bother us. Okay?"

Louise was completely stunned. But she wasn't to be so easily convinced. "You can't be so sure they won't be upset. People take things differently-" Louise stopped abruptly when all of Angela's words finally sunk in. "What do you mean, I go gooey-eyed over Tori- I mean Victoria! Oh God!" She held her hands over her face to hide her embarrassment. "Is it that obvious?"

Angela began laughing. "It's as clear as day -to me, anyway! I think it's cute!"

"Oh, no! I feel so embarrassed!"

Angela continued to laugh as she pulled Louise's hands from in front of her face. "It's not that bad," she said. "I'm sure I'm the only one that's noticed. Anyway, it's Tori you have to tell, not me!"

Louise stared at Angela in despair. "But what happens if I tell her and she hates me for it? I like her lots, Angie! You said so yourself, I go all gooey-eyed! I'm a fool I know, but if I tell her, and she hates me, I'll feel awful!"

"She won't hate you! She might be a wreck most of the time, but Tori's not like that! You'll see tonight. And if you tell her and she does say no, then you'll get over it. So stop worrying."

"How can you be so confident? And why are you almost pushing me into this?"

"Because Zach's a scumbag!" Angela looked as if just saying his name brought a bad taste to her mouth. "I hate him. Everybody hates him. Only Tori likes him, and that's only because he gets her the booze when she needs it. He's slowly turning her into an alcoholic. He's always getting her drunk and in a mess. I think he likes it that way. If you can get rid of him, you'll be the best thing that's happened to Tori in years! So, are you coming, or not?"

Louise didn't hesitate. "What time are we meeting?"

"Are you really sure about this?" Rosanna asked as Louise looked at herself in the mirror.

"No," Louise admitted. "But I'm going anyway!"

Rosanna had helped Louise with her hair and then waited while she got dressed. Louise was wearing almost sheer tights, heels, and a low cut, sleeveless blue dress that stopped just above the knee. Her hair was up, and with her make-up carefully applied and a couple of items of favourite jewellery to set it all off, Louise was all ready.

Rosanna sighed. "Well, I hope she likes you. Because if she doesn't, all the boys will be queuing up to take her place."

"Rosie!" Louise exclaimed, not impressed with the idea.

"It's true! You look really lovely. It's such a waste!"

"Stop it! You'll be telling me your cousin's such a nice boy next, and setting up the introductions!"

"I would if I had a decent cousin!"

"You know how I feel," Louise said more seriously as she turned towards Rosanna.

"I know! But you can't blame me for trying! But you do look lovely!"

They smiled at one another. There was the sound of a car horn.

"That's my taxi!" Louise said. She grabbed her coat and put it on. "Will you lock up after me?"

"Yes, don't worry! And don't forget your bag!"

"Oh, yes!" Louise quickly picked up her handbag.

Rosanna hugged her when they got to the door. "Be good," she said. "And remember, you're much better than all them sluts!"

"Rosie! You're terrible!"

Louise made her way down-stairs and trotted to the front door. In a few moments she was in the taxi and on her way.

Louise was smiling and full of anticipation all the way to town. But nagging inside, she was just as anxious as always. Would Victoria like her? Would she even be interested? Would she even turn up? Or would Victoria hate her? That thought worried her the most. She hardly knew Victoria, and the only things she did know about her suggested that she was straight. The more she thought about it, the more Louise realised that this was all a mistake. She was going to make a fool of herself, she knew it. But she couldn't stop herself.

Louise had promised herself one thing. No matter what happened tonight, she was going to tell Victoria her feelings. Sam had been right. Everything had to be out in the open. Angela already knew, and they were still friends. And Louise couldn't be more happier about it. She felt relieved, and more relaxed. Victoria had to be next. And if Victoria hated her, then that would be that. At least it would all be over with.

The taxi dropped her off in Piccadilly, and Louise made her way to Edward's Bar. She could see through the large windows that it was already full. It didn't take long for Louise to realise that she was over dressed. If a gnat had sneezed in the bar, the blast would have unclothed most of the girls there. Yes, there were a few dressed like herself, but the vast majority appeared to have come out in their nighties, or worse, their underwear. There was a lot of skin and legs in sight. Louise sighed. At least she would be in for a good view. She went inside.

It was hot and very noisy in the bar. There was music, and the babble of many people talking and laughing. It was also full of smoke. It caught at the back of Louise's throat and stung her eyes. It made her realise just how long it had been since she had been out on the town like this.

She spotted Jo first. Like all the other girls in the place, she was scantily clad in a low cut and extremely short dress. She was chatting and laughing with a young man by the bar. Then Louise noticed Chrissy standing with another man nearby. Her hair was down and she was wearing tight silvery pants and a very small top. The outfit revealed an awful lot of her stomach and chest, but at least she was wearing a jacket that protected her back and shoulders. Compared to the other girls in the bar, the overall effect was very sophisticated and grown up.

The man with Chrissy seemed to be trying to chat her up. Chrissy didn't look impressed, she kept shaking her head. Her hair was thick and wavy, and Louise couldn't help staring at her. She hadn't realised at Uni just how beautiful Chrissy was. But Chrissy always wore such baggy outfits, it wasn't surprising, really. Louise was just admiring her shapely body and legs when Chrissy turned away from the man she was talking to, saw her and waved. Louise waved back and quickly hurried forward. The man moved away, looking disappointed.

"Hi! You made it, then?" Chrissy said with a smile.

"Yes! But I don't half feel old!"

"Oh, I know! It's terrible to think like that when we're only just old enough to vote, isn't it? But I'm sure the average age of the girls in here must be sixteen!"

Jo turned and stopped chatting with the young man she was with just long enough to say, "You're only as old as the boy you feel!"

Both Louise and Chrissy groaned, and Chrissy said, "Now that's dead old!" She pointed to the bar and asked Louise, "Do you want a drink?"

Louise nodded. And the young man with Jo quickly said, "I'll get these!"

Jo glared at him, stroking his face with her fingers. "Oh, I see! One girl not good enough for you, now? You want all three, do you?"

"I only offered to buy them a drink!" he protested.

Chrissy said, "Leave the poor man alone! If he wants to throw his money about, let him! Mine's a vodka and tonic!"

The man turned to Louise, waiting for her to state her choice. For a moment she didn't respond, temporarily distracted by Jo's long blue fingernails. Then she realised and quickly said, "Oh, just an orange juice for me!"

Jo raised her eyebrows and exclaimed, "Wow! There's going to be no holding you back tonight!"

Louise felt embarrassed, but then Chrissy said, "If she says she wants an orange juice, then get her an orange juice! We're going to find a table."

As Jo and the young man ordered the drinks, Chrissy led Louise away to find an empty table.

They had to push their way through the crush of people, and they hadn't got far when three young men got in their way. One of them stepped in front of Chrissy, held out his arms, and exclaimed, "Gosh! It's an angel come down from heaven! Save me!"

"Gosh!" Chrissy replied. "It's cliche dug up from my school days!" and pushed passed him.

Everyone around laughed, and the young man clutched at his heart and staggered.

There was hardly any free tables left. But then a group got up from one almost right next to them and moved away, and Chrissy pounced on it. There were several empty glasses on the table, and Chrissy moved them to one side as she and Louise sat down.

Louise stared at Chrissy in admiration. "I don't know how you can think of something to say like that so quickly."

"Vicky and I used to practice put downs all the time. It keeps the lads on their toes!"

That reminded Louise, and she suddenly felt anxious. "Where is Victoria? And Angie? Are they not coming?"

"Oh, they're already here!" Chrissy replied. "They both went to the toilet together just before you came in. Some poor lad probably had the audacity to proposition them on the way, and Vicky's put downs are far worse than mine!"

"Is she alright? I mean is she behaving alright?"

Chrissy shrugged, her smile fading a little. "So far. But the night is young, as they say."

Louise then asked, "Who's Jo's friend?"

"Oh, yes, we didn't do the introductions thing, did we? Well, his name's Max. He's been Jo's boyfriend for the last two weeks. He's got a brother and some mates coming to meet him here tonight. I think they are under some illusion that we are all going to pair off together. Fat chance!"

Louise was pleased to hear Chrissy's firm dismissal of the idea, but she wondered why. "Aren't you interested, then?"

Chrissy shook her head. "I want somebody older, wiser, and much richer!"

Jo and Max then appeared. They weren't alone. There were three other men with them.

As Max handed out the drinks, Jo said to Chrissy, "Thanks for telling us where you were! We could have been wandering around for hours!"

"With your bat-like ears, you'd have found us sooner or later!"

Jo put her hands on her hips and said, "Well, thank you!"

Max then made the introductions. His brother was called Scott. He was twenty-two, and three years older than Max. He was also the tallest at just under six foot. Both brothers had fair hair, blue eyes and were obviously quite fit. They looked very much alike, too, with the same strong features and square jaw-line.

Max's two friends were John and Andy. John had brown hair and eyes, with a thin, wiry body. It made him look taller than he actually was. Andy was quite the opposite. He obviously liked his food. Although he wasn't fat yet, he was well on his way. With jet black hair and brown eyes, he was also the shortest of the group.

As Max introduced them to Louise and they each shook her hand and said hello, she was instantly given a quick glimpse into their characters. Max was easy going, casual and polite. Scott was very focused, he hardly took his eyes of Chrissy the whole time. John was very intense. Louise felt that he was trying to read her mind as he stared right into her eyes. Like Max, Andy was very casual, and he also seemed to have a constantly happy disposition.

As soon as the introductions were over, Scott made an immediate move on Chrissy. Sitting down next to her he said, "Where have you been all my life, gorgeous?"

Chrissy looked disdainfully at him and replied, "Boiling an egg."

"Ouch!"

Max laughed. "I told you not to bother! Unless you've got a Porsche or a Mercedes, you've no chance!"

Chrissy looked offended. "Are you suggesting that I can be bought?" She spoke very harshly, and the smiles faded from everyone's lips.

"No..." Max began hesitantly, then he looked up and stared.

Like everyone else, Louise followed his gaze, and found herself staring at Victoria and Angela, or more correctly, at Victoria's body.

Victoria was wearing an even smaller and far more flimsier top than Chrissy wore, and unlike Chrissy, she wasn't wearing a bra underneath it. She was also wearing a skirt that could only be considered to be a skirt because it was too wide to be a belt. Although it was slung low around her hips, it was far too short, but it still had a dart revealing even more thigh. Both skirt and top were a sparkling gold, as were her sling-back heels. With her long blonde hair all fluffed out, the whole effect was Hollywood Hooker Barbie.

The last time Louise had seen so much of Victoria's body, she was naked and wet in the shower.

In comparison, Angela was dressed almost conservatively. She wore a short, blue skirt, a white blouse, and a blue waistcoat. Like Louise, she was wearing sheer tights and heels. She also had a jacket, which she held over her arm.

While Scott, John and Andy stared at Victoria in what could only be described as lust, she stared back at them in what could only be described as distaste.

"I see we've been invaded," she said in a grim voice.

Jo quickly introduced them. "It's alright Tori! Put your claws away! This is Scott, Max's brother, and his mates, John and Andy, from work. Boys, meet Tori and Angie!"

Victoria's expression softened, and she grinned. "That's alright then!"

Scott immediately stood up, and Victoria sat down next to Chrissy. She didn't say thank you to Scott, or even acknowledge him. He sat next to her on the other side, shoving John out of the way.

Angela smiled at Louise and came to sit next to her. Jo sat on Max's knee to make room for her. Everyone was now squeezed in at the little table.

"Are you glad you came?" Angela asked Louise.

Louise nodded. "So far!"

Victoria noticed Louise for the first time and immediately looked startled. "Louise! I didn't recognise you! Don't you look nice!" She reached across the table and touched Louise's hair.

Louise felt embarrassed and exhilarated all at once. "You look amazing! I don't think I'd have the courage to dress like that!"

"Oh, I don't care what people think!"

Chrissy said, "I think we can gather that."

Victoria turned to her. "Don't pick on me, Chrissy! I haven't done anything wrong!"

"Yet!"

Then Jo said, "Will you two stop bickering! Are we going to have fun tonight, or not?"

"Fun!" Victoria said with a grin.

Max hugged Jo in his arms and announced, "Well, lads, now that we're all set up, what do you think?"

Scott eyed Chrissy and Victoria next to him and said, "I think I've died and gone to heaven!"

John stared at Louise and said, "I like mine!"

Andy was looking at both Louise and Angela when he said, "I like mine and yours!"

And Chrissy said, "Are you talking about us, or your dicks?"

They stayed for over an hour in Edward's Bar before they decided to move on. By then they had consumed a few rounds of drinks and had begun to relax in one another's company. Even Chrissy had mellowed. She even smiled at one or two of Scott's jokes.

At first, Scott tried to chat up both Chrissy and Victoria. But as the drinks went down, Victoria's put down's became more and more caustic. She may have been beautiful, and almost undressed, but Scott was soon put off by her biting remarks. That pleased Louise. She had begun to fear that Victoria would be whisked away from her by this handsome young man. She needn't have worried. Victoria's body may have been a temporary distraction, but it was Chrissy that Scott was really interested in.

Louise had to admit that Scott was persistent and actually quite charming. And he really worked hard with Chrissy. But although Chrissy seemed to have warmed to him a little, Louise could see by the look in her eye that Scott was going to be disappointed.

Louise had done her best to keep to the orange juice, but when Victoria kept egging her on to drink something stronger, she finally gave in. And by the time they left the table, she had drank two vodkas, and was beginning to feel a little tipsy. Victoria, however, seemed to be none the worst for wear, even though she had drunk far more than the rest of them.

The bar was now absolutely heaving with people, and they had to run the gauntlet of groping hands on their way out. Victoria got most of the attention. Her response was to kick or claw at her attackers, sometimes drawing blood, but nearly always hitting the target. The verbal abuse she got as a result didn't seem to phase her. It was as if she enjoyed it. Even when one of the women in the bar hurled abuse at her, calling her a slut, Victoria just smiled.

Louise was fascinated by it all. Then she suddenly felt someone grab her bottom, and the surprise caused her to jump and squeak, and she immediately went bright red. It was the first time that she was thankful for the presence of Max, Scott and their friends. They did a lot to fend off most of the attacks.

They were nearly at the door when Chrissy got grabbed for the second time, and Scott lost his temper. He turned and pushed her assailant away and the result was a lot of jostling and shouting. The girls quickly headed for the street with John and Andy while Max stayed to help his brother.

Chrissy wasn't impressed by the heroics. "Look at them huffing and puffing at each other!" she said as they waited outside. "They're like pigeons in Piccadilly Gardens!"

Jo defended her boyfriend's brother. "Scott was only trying to look after you! Why do you have to be so rotten to him? Scott's alright!"

"I don't care if Scott's alright! He's not my boyfriend, and I don't need looking after!"

Victoria grinned mischievously and asked Chrissy, "Are you still looking for Richard Gere?"

Chrissy turned to her, snapped, "Shut up!" and walked away.

Victoria laughed. After what Chrissy had told her, Louise understood her meaning. But Chrissy wasn't the only one pursuing a fantasy. Louise stood next to Victoria, watching her laugh and filled with yearning.

Max and Scott came out of the bar. Scott looked upset to see Chrissy walking away, and quickly gave chase. They all followed after him.

When they crossed Portland Street, they had to run to avoid the traffic. Jo lingered behind. Louise thought she was going to get run over, but Jo just laughed as all the cars honked their horns at her. She was obviously feeling the effects of all those vodkas, and Max had to pull her out of the way.

"Are you mad!" he said, shaking her.

"I'm just having fun!" she replied, still laughing and slurring her words. "Anyway, I can't run fast in these heels..." as she spoke, she took them off and carried them in one hand. Max held her other hand and pulled her along. She trotted after him, bare foot.

They caught up with Chrissy and Scott. Scott was doing his best to get back into Chrissy's good books, but with only partial success.

"I'm sorry! I lost my temper, that's all! I was trying to protect you!" He kept trying to hold on to her arm, but Chrissy kept fending him off.

"I don't need protecting!" she replied. "I'm not a baby!"

All the time they argued, Louise noticed how Victoria watched them so intently, her eyes narrow, and her expression hard. It was as if she was jealous. But why would that be?

Then Jo called out, "Oh, give him a break, Chrissy! Scott's the best lad to come your way in ages!"

Chrissy turned to her in annoyance. "Shut it, you! You make me sound like a nun! And he is not the best lad to come my way!"

"Yes he is! You're just too fussy!"

"I am not fussy!"

"Prove it, then!"

Chrissy stared at her, but didn't reply.

And Angela said, "Yeah, Chrissy! Prove it!"

Chrissy became conscious of everyone staring at her and quickly relented. She looked at Scott, took a deep breath, sighed, said, "Oh, come on, then!" and walked away.

Scott followed her. As he walked along, he turned, put his hands together in supplication, and mouthed, "Thank you!"

As they walked across Piccadilly Gardens, Louise tried to keep close to Victoria, while John was obviously trying to keep close to her. He kept coming between them, trying to shepherd her away. Louise resisted, and looked to Victoria for support, but Victoria was too busy staring after Chrissy and Scott to notice.

John talked to Louise constantly, asking her where she worked, or where she lived, or if she was seeing anyone. Gradually he got round to asking her out. She said no, and tried to put him off, but he wouldn't give up. He kept asking why not, and Louise wasn't sure if it was the drink speaking or the glimpse of Angela's cheeky grin, but she suddenly announced in a very loud voice, "Because I'm a lesbian! Alright?"

Everyone laughed, and Angela almost had a fit. Even Louise saw the funny side. But it finally put John off, and he moved away.

Her outburst also had an unexpected effect on Victoria. She was shaken from her fixation on Chrissy and Scott and quickly came over. She put her arm around Louise's shoulder, and hugging her close, she whispered, "Nice one, Louise! You're learning!" Then she raised her head, grinned, and stuck her tongue out at John.

Victoria showed no intention of moving away, so Louise seized the opportunity to put her arm around her waist. Victoria didn't seem to mind, and they carried on walking like that. Louise held onto her, pressing the palm of her hand against Victoria's stomach, feeling her skin and the muscles beneath moving as she walked along. Louise was ecstatic. Things couldn't have been going better.

They headed down Market Street towards Deansgate. Chrissy and Scott were in the lead, followed by Louise and Victoria, Jo and Max, and Angela and Andy, who had also seemed to pair up. Only John was now on his own. He walked along despondently with Angela and Andy.

Halfway across St Ann's Square they passed a group of boys heading in the other direction. One or two of the boys still held glasses of beer they had brought with them from the last pub or bar they had visited. Victoria's brief outfit instantly caught their attention, and they all whistled at her and called out lewd comments as they went passed.

Victoria didn't turn a hair, but Louise had mixed feelings. On the one hand she felt proud that she was the one with the subject of their admiration, that she was the one with her arm around Victoria. And on the other hand she felt a little scared but very jealous and possessive. She wanted them to go away and leave her and Victoria alone.

Then one of the boys called out, "You've got great legs, baby! I bet they're long enough to wrap all the way round me!"

Louise was expecting the usual put down, but instead Victoria stopped, drawing them both to a halt. And looking over her shoulder, she said in a very seductive voice, "They're longer than you think. They go all the way down to the ground-" as she spoke, she slowly lowered her hand until it almost reached her knee, then she raised it back up again, "-and all the way up to heaven." When her hand reached her skirt, she flicked it up, giving the boy a quick glimpse of her bare buttock.

Victoria then led Louise away to a roar of approval from all the boys. Louise glanced over her shoulder, and saw one of the boys choke on his beer and spit it out.

Deansgate was the sight of several other bars. They visited each in turn, hanging about among the tables and chairs outside the bars on the pavement. It was still early September, and the evening was mild and pleasant, and the whole of the top of Deansgate was filled with young people roaming around. It was like the corridor inside one huge bar. Passing cars hooted at all the scantily clad girls, and people milled about, going from one bar to another, or heading off to one of the nearby clubs.

Louise quickly lost her hold on Victoria. As soon as they reached the first bar, Victoria had dived inside, leaving Louise behind. Chrissy and Scott also disappeared, as did Max and Jo. Louise tagged along with Angela and Andy, conscious of John watching her suspiciously. But soon, even he disappeared.

Louise stayed with Angela and Andy. They seemed to be getting on well together. Andy wasn't Mr Universe, but he was very polite, charming and attentive to Angela, and it was obvious to Louise that Angela liked the attention. He was also very polite to Louise, and always bought her a drink when he bought one for himself and Angela. Without Victoria's bad influence, Louise was able to stick to orange juice or Coke, and she soon began to feel a little more clear-headed.

As they moved from bar to bar, Louise caught the occasional glimpse of Victoria. She was with a different boy each time, and the alcohol she had consumed was beginning to have an effect. She never stopped to talk to Louise, she just waved, grinned, and dived into the next bar.

When Louise next saw Chrissy and Scott, Chrissy looked decidedly unhappy about something. She seemed to be ignoring Scott, who was now with Max and Jo. He didn't look too pleased either. Louise asked Chrissy what was wrong.

"The usual!" Chrissy snapped, and quickly disappeared into the next bar before Louise could question her further. Scott was quick to follow after her.

Louise would have spoken to Jo and Max, but they, too, hurriedly disappeared into the bar. Louise returned to Angela and Andy.

"What do you think is the matter?" Louise asked Angela.

"It'll probably be something to do with Tori," Angela replied with a shrug. "She's had a skin-full, and what inhibitions she has will have gone by now. If she causes trouble, I don't think we will get to a club tonight. I'm sorry, Louise, but it looks like you've wasted your time tonight."

Angela was right. The evening was beginning to go sour, Louise could feel it in her bones. She was beginning to feel depressed, when there was the sound of shouting and glasses breaking somewhere inside the bar.

Everyone began to stare into the interior of the bar, and Angela quickly muttered, "Oh-oh...."

It wasn't long before Chrissy emerged dragging Victoria with her. Chrissy looked very angry, and she was pulling Victoria along very roughly. When they reached the pavement, Chrissy swung Victoria around and pushed her away from the bar. She used quite a lot of force, and Victoria tottered quickly forward on her heels, fell over a chair and sprawled on the floor.

Louise instantly rushed forward to help her. She was shocked and embarrassed, and very worried about Victoria, but Chrissy was still angry. She ignored the gathering crowd and stood over Victoria, shouting at her.

"You can't leave it alone, can you? You have to get drunk and ruin everything! I warned you! I told you not to piss about, but you just couldn't help yourself, could you?"

Victoria pouted as Louise held her in her arms. "I'm only having a bit of fun, Chrissy! I didn't mean it! Really I didn't! Don't hate me!"

"It's not fun! It's malicious! And hurtful! And I've had enough of it, and you!"

Louise couldn't help defending Victoria. "Don't be so hard on her, Chrissy."

"Don't interfere!" Chrissy snapped at Louise. "You don't know what she's like!"

"But what's she done?"

"Got Scott into a fight by causing trouble like usual! She's always stirring it! She's a pain in the arse!" Then Chrissy turned back to Victoria and shouted, "You're a slut, Victoria Kenyon! A slut!"

Victoria immediately responded. "And you're a stuck up cow!"

"Slag!"

"Bitch!"

"Ah, go back to Zach! Maybe you're drunk enough to let him shag you now!"

Victoria scrambled to her feet and dived at Chrissy, screaming, "Shut up! Shut up!"

The crowd cheered at the start of the fight, but Chrissy was stronger and far less drunk, and there was little more than a quick scuffle before Victoria ended up on the floor again. It was all a bit of an anti-climax.

"That's where you belong!" Chrissy told her. "In the gutter!"

"Bitch!" Victoria wailed as Louise went to her aid for a second time.

Jo and Max emerged from the bar. "What's going on?" Max asked.

"Ah, get lost, the lot of you!" Chrissy replied and stormed off.

Victoria climbed to her feet. She was suddenly tearful. Louise hung on to her as she staggered after Chrissy.

"Chrissy! Don't go! I didn't mean it!" she begged.

"Drop dead!" Chrissy called back.

Scott now appeared. He looked dishevelled and he was covered in beer. He was also just as angry as Chrissy. He went straight to Victoria, grabbed her and demanded, "What's the matter with you? Do you hate me, or what?"

Victoria shrugged him off, her face twisted in anger. "Chrissy doesn't need you! You only want to get in her knickers! Why don't you get lost!"

Scott didn't reply. He just slapped Victoria and she fell over again. The crowd cheered as Scott hurried after Chrissy.

Louise went to help Victoria for a third time, and Jo, Max, Angela and Andy all gathered round. The five of them quickly got Victoria back on her feet again. They moved away from the bar, heading down Deansgate. They left the crowd and the bar behind them, the fight already forgotten.

Louise had her arm around Victoria again, helping her as she staggered along. She had lost one shoe somewhere back at the bar, and one side of her face was now bright red. Angela and Andy both looked worried, while Jo kept pestering Victoria about what had happened.

"What did you do this time?" Jo asked her.

"I didn't do anything!" Victoria moaned.

"Were you stirring it with Chrissy and Scott?"

Victoria's expression turned nasty again. "He's a shit! Pawing all over her! He wouldn't leave her alone!"

Max was instantly offended. "That's my brother you're talking about! I'm not standing for this! Let's go home, Jo!" He tried to pull Jo away, but she resisted.

"I'm not going yet, it's too early! I want to go to a club!"

"I'm not going anywhere with her!" Max said.

"Well, you go home then! I want to have some fun!"

And Victoria added, "Yeah! Piss off like your brother!"

Louise was shocked. "Victoria!"

Max grabbed hold of Jo's arm. "Are you coming, or not?"

"No!" Jo said, and pulled her arm free.

"Stuff you, then!" Max told her. He turned and walked away.

Victoria said, "Good riddance!" She pulled free of Louise and looped arms with Jo. "Come on, Jo! Who needs men? At least the two of us can have a laugh!"

"Yeah! Bugger them!"

The two of them staggered off, stopping only briefly for Victoria to reach down and remove her remaining shoe. She tossed it over her shoulder and it landed in the road and was instantly crushed by a passing bus.

Louise was now on her own. Angela came to stand next to her.

"Me and Andy are going for a pizza," she said. "We've had enough booze for one night. Do you want to come?"

And Andy added, "You'd be very welcome. It's no problem."

Louise looked at Jo and Victoria. Both of them were laughing and singing as they walked along together, arms linked and shoe-less. She sighed and shook her head in dismay.

"No, I better stay with them," she replied.

"Are you sure?" Angela looked concerned. "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea."

Louise caught her meaning. "It's alright," she said. "I'll be fine, Angie! And somebody ought to keep an eye on those two!"

"Alright then. But you take care. Phone me tomorrow so that I know you are alright, okay? And I'll see you at Uni on Monday."

Louise nodded, and Angela gave her a peck on the cheek before she and Andy headed for Pizza Hut.

Louise smiled and then hurried after Jo and Victoria. When she caught up with them, she quickly linked arms with Victoria.

Victoria looked up at her and grinned. "It's Louise!" she called out. "Look, Jo! Now we're three!"

Jo looked across and said, "Where's Angie?"

"She's gone for a pizza with Andy," Louise said.

"Gone for a pizza? Whimps!" Jo exclaimed. "No stamina!"

"Maybe we should call it a night, too," Louise suggested.

"Nah!" Victoria said. "It's too early!"

"But you don't look too well."

"I wanna dance! I want to go to a club with you and Jo! And I want to go now!"

"Yeah!" Jo agreed. "Let's party!"

"But what about Angela and Andy?"

"Oh, forget them!" Victoria said. "Forget all of them! I know just the place! Come on!"

Scott caught up with Chrissy on King Street.

"Hold on a minute!" he called out as he ran up to her. "It wasn't my fault!"

Chrissy stopped and spun round to face him. "It was your fault!" she said, angrily. "You didn't have to fight with that lad! You could have walked away! But you just had to show everybody how macho you were!"

"He was trying to chat you up!"

"And so have you! All fucking night!"

"But I thought we were passed all that!" Scott pleaded. "I like you Chrissy, and I want to see you again!"

"Well I'll take my knickers off! What a surprise!" was the tart reply. "I suppose that's alright then! Because all the other lads were only interested in my body, while you obviously only want to get to know me for my mind!"

Scott looked hurt. "Alright, so I'm normal. I have to admit that when I first saw you, and when that Victoria turned up later, I thought all my Christmas's had come at once. Yeah, it was lust at first sight. But there was something else about you, and I think I saw it right away." He paused to take a deep breath before plunging on.

"You're a real beauty, Chrissy. Real classy. But you're smart, too. And you're more grown up and together than any of the girls I've ever met. They're all like Jo and Victoria, just air heads who think larking about is all that life has to offer. You've gone way past all that. Max was right. He might have said it wrong, but you're damn difficult to get to know. I've tried hard all night, and I'm not giving up now. I like you, Chrissy. I like you lots. And I don't think I could find anyone else better if I spent the whole of the rest of my life looking." He suddenly held up his hands in front of her. They were trembling. "Just look at me! I'm shaking all over because I'm so nervous of losing you! Come on Chrissy! I'm pouring my heart out here! Give a poor dumb guy a chance will you!"

Chrissy stared at him, as she had stared at him all the while he was talking. She looked stunned, and her anger had quickly faded. Finally she sighed, and shaking her head, she said sadly, "It won't work." Then she turned and walked away.

Scott hurried after her and began to walk alongside her. "Why not? We were doing alright until Victoria interfered. You would think she was jealous by the way she kept trying to split us up."

"It's nothing to do with her!" Chrissy said in annoyance. She began to hurry down King Street towards Cross Street.

Scott kept up with her. He looked across at her as they walked along. He looked at her face, and at the way it was framed by her long, jet black hair. Even with an angry expression she was still very beautiful. And she had a beautiful body too. He looked at her stomach and navel, and at the way her chest bounced as she walked briskly along. He couldn't lose her, not now.

"Then why won't it work?" he said.

"Just because!"

"You do like me, I know you do!" Scott insisted. "If you didn't you'd just come straight out and say so! You're damn quick with the put downs, but not once tonight have you told me to my face to get lost. So you must be interested!"

"Don't push your luck!" Chrissy warned him.

"Why don't you want to give it a try? What's wrong with me?"

"Just leave it!"

"So you're telling me Max was right after all? My wallet isn't big enough for you, is that it? But maybe you just can't say it to my face!"

"Alright! So I'm selfish!" Chrissy exclaimed emotionally. "So what if I want something better than a council house, six kids and a husband that's in the pub all night? Why shouldn't I be selfish? Why should I live out my life as Mrs Average-and-ever- so-fucking-normal just because everybody else wants me to?"

"It doesn't have to be like that!" Scott argued. "And what's wrong with getting married and having kids? Don't you want to have kids?"

Chrissy shouted him down. "I want something better! I want a bit of money behind me! I want a big house by a beach with lots of sunshine! And I want to live my life instead of having to work through it!"

They reached Cross Street, and Chrissy ran across with out waiting for Scott. She kept running when she reached the other side. Scott chased after her, catching up with her again outside Georgio Armani's, and pulling her to a stop. To his surprise, she looked tearful.

Scott realised that things were getting out of hand. He tried to calm Chrissy down. "Everybody has a dream like that. But it's just a dream. You have to live in reality, Chrissy. Dreams cost money, and not many people make enough of it in their lives to make their dreams come true."

Chrissy was still worked up. "It's not a dream!" she insisted, rubbing at her eyes. "I'm going to make it happen! And if I can't get it on my own, then I'll fucking marry it! And nobody has the right to tell me I can't do it!"

Scott was appalled. "You can't base a relationship on money!"

"Oh yes I bloody can!" Chrissy laughed humourlessly. "Men do it all the time! They get rich, ditch the old wife, and marry a blonde bimbo with no brains and big tits! So why should I lose out just because I'm a brunette with brains? I look just as good, and I can do far better things with the money than they do!"

"But what about love?"

"Why is it that men only ever talk about love when they want you to give up everything you want to do and do what they want to do? Love! Ha! The only things you men love are beer, football and sex! And if you're lucky, you can get all that at the pub while the wife's at home looking after the kids!" Chrissy waved her hands dismissively. "No way is that for me! My mum is as smart as hell, but she has no life! I am not going the same way!"

Chrissy turned and walked away and Scott followed alongside her again. He tried a different approach.

"Alright, you want something more out of life. I can understand that. But there has to be a better way than marrying someone for their money. Why don't you become a model? You're miles more beautiful than some of the ones I've seen on telly."

Chrissy shook her head. "I've tried that! I freeze up in front of the camera. Anyway, I'm not a stick insect, so the only work I could get was with my tits hanging out, and I wasn't getting into any of that!"

"So what are you doing at University?"

"Computer Graphics. If I can't work in front of the camera, I'll work behind it."

"Well, that's good isn't it?"

Chrissy didn't answer his question. Instead she asked one of her own. "How much do you earn, Scott?" The question came out of the blue, and her words were harsh and abrupt.

Scott shrugged. "With overtime and the shift pay, about eighteen to twenty thousand a year. It's good money, but it's hard work."

"You work in the same factory as your brother, don't you?"

"Yes."

"So what do you want in life?"

"You!" Scott said instantly.

"Don't piss me about! You know what I meant!" Chrissy told him. She stopped walking and turned to face him. "Where are you going, Scott? Do you have a dream? Or are you going to be working in that factory until you drop?"

"I guess I hadn't thought about it," Scott replied sadly. He knew what was coming and he was resigned to the inevitable.

"No, I guess you hadn't," Chrissy replied sternly. "And that's why it won't work. Because while your happy woman is looking after the kids, doing the dusting and going out to work, you'll be in bed. And while she's at home, feeding and putting the kids to bed and doing the rest of the housework, you'll be at work on shifts. By the time you both reach forty, she'll be at the bingo and addicted to soaps, while you'll be just another over-weight beer belly at the bar. Not very close to my dream, is it? In fact it's not a very good scenario for any kind of relationship, is it, Scott? But you haven't bothered to think that far ahead, have you? But I have.

"Yes, you're right. I do like you, Scott. You're tall, you look pretty fit, and you can handle yourself, a bit too much for my liking, but I'll put that down to enthusiasm. You're good looking too, and you have the sweetest eyes. And you're pretty charming when you want to be. Jo was right, you are the best man to come my way in ages. She knows my type, the devious cow! And that's probably why she invited you tonight. She probably has visions of double weddings with her best friend and her future hubby's brother. But it's not going to happen, because even though I like you, you're everything I'm trying to avoid. You're a trap, Scott, nicely presented but still a trap. And if I let you, you'll snare me and squeeze the life out of me. Call me selfish, call me mercenary, call me a bitch, even. But I am not going to let that happen.

"Earlier you said I hadn't told you to get lost straight out. Well, I wanted to, but after what you said to me I couldn't. And thinking about it even made me cry. But that's all part of the trap. That's why it's so deadly. I know I might regret this later, and I'll probably cry buckets, but now I am going to tell you. And I mean it. Get lost, Scott."

Chrissy turned and walked away again, and this time Scott didn't follow her. He just stood in the middle of King Street watching her walk away.

42nd Street was a club like any other in Manchester. It was just off Deansgate, and the entrance led down into the club which was in the basement of an old textile warehouse. Most of the old warehouses in Manchester had long been converted into offices, and those that hadn't were now being converted into hotels or apartment blocks.

It cost a fortune to get in, and Louise had to pay for Victoria. Inside, the place was packed and the music was very loud. As soon as they were in, Jo headed for the bar while Victoria headed for the dance floor. At first, Louise went with her, but as soon as she saw Victoria dance, she quickly retreated to join Jo at the bar.

Louise quickly realised what Angela had meant about Victoria 'strutting her stuff' on the dance floor. When judges talked about dressing and behaving provocatively, they were talking about Victoria. There was no denying that Victoria did what she did on purpose. She would deliberately pick out groups of boys and dance among them. She would dance very suggestively, moving from one boy to the other, letting them dance close to her. The boys would cheer her every move, whistling in appreciation. Every so often she would move against one of them and let him touch and even grope her. Then she would get a few drinks out of him, and just when he thought he was in, she would move back to one of the other boys, or even head for another group entirely.

Jo handed Louise a drink. Louise took a gulp of it without looking as she stared at Victoria in fascination. It was vodka and orange, and it made her gasp.

"I thought I said orange juice," she said hoarsely to Jo.

"It is orange juice!"

"But there's something in it!"

"So? Live a little!" Jo indicated Victoria. "She's a one, isn't she?"

"She's going to get into trouble."

"That's half the fun! Come on!"

Jo dragged Louise onto the dance floor. Jo was a good dancer, and Louise prided herself in the fact that she was good too, but in comparison to Victoria, they were both amateurs.

It wasn't long before they caught the attention of some boys on the dance floor. Jo responded, smiling and laughing, but Louise retreated back to the bar. She could have had a good time, if it wasn't for two things: She wasn't interested in the boys who approached her, and the fact that she was always keeping an eye on Victoria. Louise hadn't thought it possible, but her behaviour was getting worse.

Victoria wasn't just picking on groups of boys on their own any more. Now she was deliberately dancing near a girl with her boyfriend, distracting him until the girl would get angry and the arguments would start. Victoria would then move quickly away, leaving a trail of angry girls and ex-boyfriends with slapped faces behind her.

Louise got more and more worried as the shouts and arguments started on the dance floor. But Victoria didn't seem to care. Finally, Louise could stand it no longer and she went to Victoria and grabbed her arm, pulling her towards the bar.

Victoria was having none of it. She resisted, and a tug-of-war with her arm developed.

"What are you doing? Leave me alone!" She spoke with a slur, she was hot and sweaty, and her breath stank of alcohol.

"You've had too much to drink! You have to stop this!" Louise insisted, pulling harder. "Come back to the bar with me!"

"No! I wanna dance! I want the boys to see what they can't have! Get off me!" She broke free and went back to the dance floor.

"But what you're doing is dangerous!" Louise called after her. It was no use. Victoria was already dancing close to another girl and her boyfriend.

Louise went to find Jo. But Jo was in the arms of another boy, they were kissing passionately, and the boy had his hand up Jo's short dress.

Louise backed away. She didn't know what to do. Victoria's behaviour was bound to cause a backlash, and it wouldn't be long in coming. She returned to the dance floor, but Victoria was now no where to be seen. In desperation, Louise went back to Jo and pulled her away from the boy.

Jo was surprised by the intrusion, she was also heavily drunk. "Wha- What's-a-matter?"

"I can't find Victoria!" Louise had to shout over the noise of the music. "Have you seen her?" She knew as soon as she spoke that it was a daft question, but she was worried sick.

Jo shook her head in annoyance. "No, I haven't bloody seen her! She's probably having a piss!"

"I hadn't thought of that! I'll go and check!"

"Yeah! You do that!"

As Louise hurried away, Jo muttered, "Daft cow..." Then she turned back to the boy she was with and said with a smile, "Now, where were we?"

As Louise approached the girls toilets, she knew she was heading in the right direction. There were several girls gathered around the door, and Louise could hear the shouts from inside. She pushed through the girls, seeing their faces filled with a mixture of delight and anger. Inside the toilets there was a circle of girls all shouting and screaming. Louise joined the circle and looked down in horror.

There were three girls pinning a fourth girl to the floor. Two of them seemed to be sitting on top of their victim, holding her wrists and punching her repeatedly in the stomach. The third girl was kneeling across her chest, banging her head up and down on the floor. All Louise could see of their victim was her legs sticking out, kicking and waving around. The girl had bare feet, and even she couldn't see her face, Louise knew instantly that it was Victoria.

As she watched, mesmerised by the whole seen, one of the other girls in the circle suddenly darted forward, grabbed Victoria's long hair, and began to tug on it.

Louise looked around in panic. There were too many girls, what could she do? And then she saw a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher hanging on the wall. She grabbed it, pulled out the pin and fired it at the girls.

The result was instantaneous.

As soon as the ice cold carbon dioxide hit all that hot, sweaty, and bare skin, there were screams of terror and a stampede for the exit. Two girls were bowled over, and one of them was trampled in the rush.

Only one of the three girls attacking Victoria was reluctant to leave, but a blast from the extinguisher right up her skirt sent her howling after the rest. The toilets were suddenly empty.

Louise threw down the extinguisher, grabbed a very battered looking Victoria, and half dragged her and half carried her to the door. As soon as they were back in the main part of the club, Louise hoisted Victoria up and headed for the exit.

There were a few cat-calls and comments from some of the girls they passed, but no one stopped them or attacked them. Victoria could hardly walk. She leaned heavily on Louise, holding on to her tightly. She was doubled up in pain, her head down, and dragging her feet. She kept trying to arrange her inadequate skirt and top, pulling them back into place. Louise still had her jacket, and although Victoria was all wet from the water (or worse) on the floor of the toilets, Louise covered her with it.

When they reached the street, the cool night air was an instant relief from the hot smoky interior of the club. Louise breathed in deeply, calming down from the shock of what had happened and what she had done.

Victoria threw up.

Louise held on to her, holding Victoria's damp and untidy long hair out of the way as she leaned against the wall, retching.

Then a voice behind them said, "I thought it was you."

Louise looked round expecting to be attacked. But it was Jo. She was hand in hand with the boy she had been kissing. Louise sighed with relief. "You frightened the life out of me!"

Jo smiled. "I see you found her then. Me and Mike are going for a curry, do you want to come?"

Victoria retched even louder. Louise stroked her back and said, "I think we'll give it a miss."

"Suit yourself. See ya! Come on, Mike!"

Mike smiled drunkenly, and the two of them wandered off.

Victoria finally stopped retching. She remained doubled up, her hands pressed against the wall and her head down. She was panting loudly. Louise bent down next to her, trying to see her face.

"Are you alright?" she asked her.

"No....," Victoria gasped. "I don't feel very well.....my tummy hurts.....and my head hurts....."

"I'm not surprised. You've been beaten up. Do you want me to get an ambulance?"

"No!" Victoria said more strongly.

"Are you sure? There's blood in your hair. You might be hurt!"

Victoria straightened up. "I said no!" she snapped. And then she swayed, staggered, and fell into Louise's arms.

Louise got a quick glimpse at Victoria's face before she fell forward. Her nose was bleeding, she had a split lip, there was a long scratch down one cheek, and her right eye was already swelling. Louise couldn't help crying. She held on to Victoria tightly.

"Oh, Vicky! What do you want me to do?"

"Take me home," Victoria gasped.

Chrissy crossed over into Spring Gardens at the end of King Street and walked quickly towards Fountain Street. She wasn't thinking about where she was going. Her conversation with Scott was still fresh in her mind and she was already feeling the first pangs of guilt and remorse.

Why had she done it? Scott was alright. He was nice, he liked her, and he had done his best to please her all night. She had thrown it all back in his face. She had practically called him a loser. But she had to, didn't she? If she had let herself fall in love with him she would have ended up living the very kind of life she despised. But she had liked him. And he knew it, the sod. No, better to kill it, stifle it, right at the beginning, before it was too late.

Chrissy was walking past the Athenaeum when several young men all emerged from the entrance at once. They were rowdy and boisterous, and very drunk. They all cheered as soon as they saw her, and two of them lunged at her, grabbing her.

Chrissy had been deep in thought and was taken by surprise. She was quickly surrounded, and she felt their hands on her body and in her hair. She panicked. She smacked and kicked at them, broke away, and ran. With a shout they chased after her.

Chrissy ran across the road just outside Rosie's Bar and was halfway across when her heel broke and she stumbled. She didn't even feel the taxi hit her.

It was her own fault, really. Her heels were much too high to be running in, and she should have waited for a longer gap in the stream of cars and taxis before trying to cross the road. But the men were chasing her, and she had only had the time for a quick glance. She had seen a gap in the traffic and she had thought she could get across in time. Then her heel broke.

Why did fate conspire against you? Why did her heel have to break at that moment? Why was everything trying to destroy you from the moment you were born?

All these thoughts passed through her mind as she lay in the road almost under the front wheels of the black cab. She could smell rubber tyres and diesel. She opened her eyes and looked up at some men pushing and shoving each other. She could hear them shouting. Why did men always have to show off like that? She stared at them. Most of them were young men in shirt sleeves, but the two men doing all the shouting looked older, and one of them wore an expensive looking coat.

All of a sudden, Chrissy realised that she was lying on the ground in the middle of the road. She remembered what had happened, and why, and she scrambled angrily to her feet.

Taking off her broken shoe, Chrissy screamed at the young men in shirt sleeves, "You bastards! You could have got me killed!" and threw it at them. Then she staggered and fell across the bonnet of the taxi.

The shoe bounced off one man's head, and with a yelp he fell over. All the young men cheered, grabbed their fallen comrade, and ran off. The taxi driver ran after them, but they were much too fast on their feet and he quickly gave up the chase.

"Bloody maniacs!" he shouted. "I'll have the law on to you!" He shook his fist at them, and then snatched up Chrissy's shoe and began to walk back with it.

The man in the expensive coat had quickly gone to Chrissy and helped her off the bonnet of the taxi. She was very unsteady on her feet, and he had to hold onto her to stop her falling over.

"Are you alright, my dear?" he said with much concern.

"Do I look alright?" Chrissy snapped. "My jacket and trousers are ruined! My stupid shoe's broken! My side hurts! My bum hurts! Of course I'm not bloody well alright! I've been knocked down by a taxi!" As she spoke, she got more and more emotional, and finally burst into tears.

The man took off his coat, draped it around Chrissy's shoulders and hugged her close.

"There, there. You just cry it out," he told her in a soft voice. "You're probably still a little shocked. Take it easy now. You shouldn't really have stood up so quickly."

Chrissy rested her head on his shoulder and cried and cried. She put on a really good performance, bawling her eyes out. The man held her in his arms, waiting patiently.

There was the sound of horns as the traffic held up by the accident began to get impatient. The taxi driver waved at the cars behind.

"Alright! Keep your hair on!" he shouted at them. Then he came over to the man with Chrissy, handed him her broken shoe, and said, "We're going to have to go, mate, we're blocking the road."

"Yes, of course," he replied, and he began to walk Chrissy to the door of the taxi. She limped ungracefully on one shoe.

Chrissy's sobs quickly subsided as she found herself being put inside the cab. "No!" she said a little scared. "I want to go home!"

"And so you shall," the man said with a pleasant smile. "But first, I think we should go by way of the nearest Accident and Emergency ward. Please, share my taxi. It seems only fair after you flagged it down in such an unusual manner."

His smile was so disarming that Chrissy let herself be put inside. The man sat next to her and closed the door.

"A & E at Manchester Royal," he told the driver, and the taxi sped off.

The man handed Chrissy a very clean and neatly folded white handkerchief. "My name is Adam Campbell," he said. "And you are?"

Chrissy wiped her tear-stained face and blew her snotty nose. "Chrissy Davis," she replied nasally.

"Did you know those boys?"

"Not bloody likely!"

"Why were you running from them?"

"They were just drunk and they grabbed me when I was walking past."

"You were alone?"

Chrissy nodded and handed Adam back his handkerchief. He took it without hesitation and stuffed it in his pocket.

"Why -if you don't mind me asking- was such a beautiful young woman as yourself walking the streets on your own?"

Chrissy pointed out the girls wondering about outside as the taxi drove down Princess Street. "What's so unusual?" she said.

"Do you have no companion?"

She shook her head.

"Good. I too am alone. It has it's advantages. I do as I like without having to consult a partner whose wishes may clash with my own. I have only myself to please, and my money is my own to waste or invest. But there are also disadvantages. My bed is empty at night, there is no one to share the ups and downs life has to offer, and I dine alone."

Chrissy stared at Adam as he sat back in the seat and sighed. He was older than her, maybe in his late thirties or early forties. His hair was brown and neatly cut, he was generally well groomed, and his light grey suit looked expensive. He had a square face and hard features, but his expression was soft. There was a faraway look in his blue eyes as he continued.

"This evening the meal was excellent, the wine superb, but the company was non-existent. And later, no one shared my delight and pain at the hands of the roulette wheel. No, solitude requires a cold heart, and I fear mine is too warm."

Chrissy tilted her head to one side, narrowed her eyes and said, "Are you chatting me up?"

The taxi came to an abrupt halt with a squeal of brakes. "We're here, mate!" the driver said, twisting round in his seat.

"Good." Adam leaned forward. "Please wait for us. Has the clock been on since we left the Casino?"

"You bet it has."

"Then leave it on until we return." Adam reached in his pocket for his wallet, took out a ten pound note, and handed it to the driver. "Take this as a deposit. Get yourself a hot drink. We maybe some time."

The taxi driver smiled. "I'll be here, mate! Don't you worry!"

Adam helped Chrissy out of the cab. She limped on one shoe as before, so Adam quickly retrieved her broken shoe from the seat of the taxi. Chrissy stared at it. Without a heel she would end up limping just as badly as before. She gave up on the whole idea. With a sigh she took off her good shoe and threw both shoes back into the taxi.

Standing on bare feet, Chrissy had shrank four inches. It made Adam smile.

"You are now my height," he said.

"You owe me a new pair," she told him, prodding him with her finger.

"I will be more than happy to oblige, and you may choose the most expensive pair you can find."

"I might just do that!" Chrissy replied.

Adam took her arm and they went into the A & E department together.

Inside was the usual Friday night crowd. Drunks with bloody handkerchiefs pressed to an assortment of head wounds and broken noses filled the waiting room. They were all ages and sexes, but predominantly young and male.

Chrissy registered with the nurse at reception and then waited with the rest of them. She took a while to settle, as sitting down caused her obvious discomfort. She finally managed it with the help of Adam's coat as extra padding. Adam sat down beside her.

Chrissy pointed at his folded up coat. "You don't mind, do you?" she asked him.

"No, of course not. I'm glad that you find it of some use."

Chrissy looked across at him. "You didn't answer my question."

"What question?"

"In the taxi? About chatting me up?"

"Ah! Yes," he said, remembering.

"Well?"

He seemed thoughtful for a moment. "I have," he began, "never been very successful at 'chatting up' the fairer sex. Mainly because they no longer seem to be as fair as they once were. The nineties woman is harshly independent, aggressive, and often abusive when approached in a clumsy manner. However, I am well off, and so this has a certain advantage. But this advantage brings with it a slightly different aspect to any relationship."

"Are you trying to tell me that you're hopeless with women, and that the only women who like you, do so for your money?"

He nodded, slowly at first, and then more briskly. "I suppose I am."

"Then why didn't you just say so? Gosh! You don't half spin things out! No wonder you're hopeless with women! By the time you've finished chatting them up, they're married with three kids!"

Adam nodded again. "I think that did happen once."

Chrissy laughed and Adam smiled broadly.

"Ah! The sun has risen!" he exclaimed. "I knew you were beautiful, but your expression has been dismal for so long, that I thought the accident had permanently set your features in a frown!"

"There you go again!" Chrissy said.

"I cannot help myself. I have always been-" he paused, thinking of the right words, "-a bit long winded. The result of a public school education. But please, don't let this put you off." He paused again, looking closely at Chrissy. "You were right, of course. I was, as you said, trying to 'chat you up'. I am only human after all, and I couldn't let this opportunity pass without making some effort. I hope I did not offend you."

Chrissy smiled. "No. As chat ups go, your's was pretty unusual. Do you often knock girls down just so that you can pick them up?"

"No. But the idea has it's merits."

"Have you no shame?" she said, mockingly.

"Needs must. Now, to business. Dine with me tomorrow night. If you are well, that is."

Chrissy was unsure. She shook her head. "I don't know. I feel so embarrassed. I made such a fool of myself before, shouting and swearing at those lads."

"This matters nothing. You were in shock. All of it is wiped from my mind. We will meet tomorrow night as if we had first met. We will be on level terms. There is no need to answer me now. I will wait here with you until you have seen the doctor and have returned. Then I will take you home." He raised his hand at the first sign of Chrissy's protests. "Please! No arguments! This is for my benefit, I assure you. I would not be able to sleep a wink tonight without being sure that you were safe and sound. And when I have taken you safely to your door, then you can tell me your answer."

Louise was surprised to find that it was already after one thirty in the morning. She hadn't noticed the time go by so quickly. She flagged down a black cab on Deansgate. When the taxi driver saw the state of Victoria, he was reluctant to let her and Louise into his cab.

"I don't want her throwing up inside," he said rather sternly. "I've had enough of you girls. You're worse than the lads. You have a belly full, jig around all night, and then you throw it up everywhere."

Louise told him that Victoria had already done just that, and that his cab interior was now quite safe. He let them in, more because of Louise's obvious state of sobriety than because of her argument.

"Where to?" he asked when they were inside.

Louise gave her address in Sale. The words just came out of her mouth on their own. But what else could she do? She couldn't just dump Victoria at her flat in the student's residences and leave. And Victoria had said to take her home. If she had meant her own flat she would have said so when she heard Louise talking to the driver, wouldn't she? Louise convinced herself that she was doing the right thing. Victoria didn't look at all well, and at least this way she could keep an eye on her and see that she was alright.

All the way back to Sale, Victoria sat in Louise's arms, leaning into her. She breathed loudly and held on to her stomach with both hands. One of her legs was drawn up across Louise's lap and her head was resting on Louise's shoulder. In response, Louise hugged her and stroked her head.

Victoria was still wrapped in Louise's jacket, which covered her from neck to hip. But all of her legs were still in view. Louise caught sight of the taxi driver's eyes in the mirror. He kept glancing at Victoria's exposed legs. She reached down and placed her hand on Victoria's thigh, drawing it towards her a little more, and covering as much of Victoria's leg as she could with her arm. The driver didn't look again.

When they got to Sale, Louise couldn't get Victoria out of the cab. She seemed to be unconscious, and Louise struggled trying to lift her. Victoria had turned into an immense dead weight. At first the taxi driver just watched Louise struggle, but then he relented.

"Here, I'll do it," he said pulling Louise out of the way. He reached inside the cab, grabbed Victoria and put her over his shoulder, fireman fashion. Then he backed out of the cab, straightened up and closed the door. "Alright, lead the way."

Louise opened the front door and led him upstairs to her flat. She was embarrassed but thankful. There would have been no way that she would have been able to get Victoria up the stairs on her own. Not without waking the whole house, anyway.

The driver dumped Victoria down on the sofa. Louise's jacket opened to reveal what Victoria wasn't wearing underneath, and Louise quickly covered her again. She paid the driver and tipped him heavily. He grunted.

"My daughter's your age," he muttered. "You all frighten the life out of me." Then he turned and left.

Louise stood at the top of the stairs and waited until she heard him close the front door, then she hurried back inside her flat, closed the door and leaned on it.

She sighed with a great whoosh, relaxing at last. She put her bag down on the side table and stared at Victoria, sprawled on the sofa in front of her. She was snoring.

Louise went over to her, snatched away her jacket and stared at Victoria. She had meant to feast her eyes on Victoria's exposed body, but instead she saw the purple and yellow bruising that had already come up on her stomach and around her navel, and she was instantly overcome with guilt and worry. They weren't the only damage either.

Now that they were in proper light, Louise could see several more bruises and many cuts and scratches. The scratches were all over her body. Some of them might have been caused when she was on the floor in the toilets of the disco, but most of them were definitely caused by finger nails. Her attackers had clawed at her as well as punched her, and Victoria was covered in a thin pink film where the blood had mixed with the sweat and water. Along with the split lip, bloody nose and black eye, Victoria was a complete mess.

Tearfully, Louise quickly undressed, then she dragged Victoria unceremoniously to the bathroom and into the shower. She got in with her, hoisted her up, and turned on the water.

Victoria started to wake up when the water hit her. She seemed to revive slightly, opening her eyes and looking around. She saw Louise in the shower with her, but didn't say anything. She just closed her eyes again, and tilted her head back, letting the water wash over her face and her hair. Louise let go of her, and Victoria managed to stay on her feet, her hands braced against the sides of the shower cubicle.

Louise quickly undressed her, tossing the soggy clothes out of the shower behind her. She turned the shower head to one side, grabbed the shower-gel, and began to gently soap Victoria's body.

Victoria didn't resist or protest as Louise washed her. She just stood in the shower with her hands pressed against the sides and her eyes shut.

Louise soaped her all over, and then quickly did the same to herself. When she was all finished, she reached up and redirected the shower head downwards again and began to rinse off. Then she pulled Victoria gently forward and rinsed her off too. As the hot water washed all the soap away, Victoria finally took her hands off the sides of the shower cubicle and rested them on Louise's shoulders, leaning against her. Louise slipped her arms around her and pulled her closer, and Victoria slowly lowered her head onto Louise's shoulder. They stood together under the water like that for a little while, letting it wash over them and warm them.

It should have been a fantasy come true for Louise. But instead it was all very confusing. Here she was, actually standing in the shower with the woman she loved. She could feel Victoria's body pressed close to hers. And yet her emotions were all confused. Soaping Victoria's body should have been highly arousing, but every cut and bruise she found made her more sad, and in the end she felt like crying. She remembered how Victoria looked when she had first seen her in Edward's Bar. She had such beautiful skin, and now it was all battered and bruised.

And even worse, she hadn't had the chance to tell Victoria her true feelings. Yes, she had blurted it out in the street, but Victoria had thought it was just a ploy to get rid of John. She didn't really believe it, and she certainly didn't know how Louise felt about her. And Victoria herself was so confusing.

Why was she so jealous of Scott? She had deliberately tried to split him and Chrissy up. And what did Chrissy mean about Victoria having to be drunk before she would let Zach sleep with her? And why did Victoria behave the way she did at the club? It was so destructive.

Louise didn't know what to do. Part of her wanted Victoria now. She wanted to kiss her, and caress her, and love her all night. But another part of her wanted to mother Victoria, to look after her and make what ever was wrong with her all better. And still another part of her was frightened of the consequences if she did make her feelings known and Victoria should reject her.

In the end, Louise turned off the water and helped Victoria out of the shower. She quickly wrapped her in a big towel and got another one to wrap her wet hair. She let Victoria lean against her shoulder while she grabbed her bathrobe, slipped it on, and got another towel for her own hair.

Louise then walked Victoria all the way to the bedroom, where she sat her down on the bed. Not once had Victoria opened her eyes since that brief moment in the shower, and when Louise let go of her, she waited a moment to see if she would fall over. Victoria swayed, but stayed upright.

Louise backed slowly away, tying up her bathrobe as she went. As soon as she was out the bedroom door, she ran back to the bathroom, tying her hair up in the towel on the way. There she picked up Victoria's clothes, before running into the lounge to retrieve her own clothes. She spotted her slippers on the way and quickly put them on. After that she ran into the kitchen, opened the washing machine, and stuffed everything inside. Finally, she ran back to the bathroom for her first aid kit. She hoped there was enough plasters and antiseptic ointment inside. She opened it to check as she returned to the bedroom.

When she got there it was to find Victoria lying on her side on the bed. She was still wrapped in the towels and her legs were drawn up against her stomach. She was breathing deeply.

Louise put the first aid kit down on the bed and slowly rolled Victoria onto her back. She pulled her legs straight, examining each one carefully, and then checking her feet. There were a few scratches on Victoria's legs, but they weren't deep. Louise put some antiseptic on them anyway. It was best to be safe, she had been lying on the floor in the toilets after all.

Louise worked her way higher, slowly unwrapping the towel as she went. There was a deeper cut near the top of Victoria's thigh, and another on her hip. Louise put plasters and antiseptic on both of them. She had completely unravelled the towel, exposing all of Victoria's body, when she finally lost control.

There was a scratch across Victoria's stomach, it crossed her navel, and as Louise traced it with her finger she could stand it no longer. She dropped the tube of antiseptic, lowered her head and kissed Victoria's bruised and scratched stomach. She kissed her again and again, slowly working her way downwards, her lips moving softly over the damaged skin.

When Louise finally reached her goal, Victoria slowly began to respond. Her breath came more quickly and she began to tug at the sheets, twisting them around in her hands. Then she drew her legs up slightly, arching her back. And turning her head to one side, she murmured softly, "Don't hurt me, daddy...."

By the time Chrissy heard her name being called, and got up to follow the nurse down a corridor and into a cubicle, she and Adam had spent several hours sitting and talking together. Adam had got her several cups of coffee from the machine, and Chrissy was beginning to feel very sober.

They had talked about many things, not always agreeing, and Chrissy had enjoyed the debates. At no time did Adam ever treat her in a patronising way, despite the obvious age difference. He was thirty-nine and unmarried. They were the first things she had found out.

When Chrissy came back to the waiting room she looked a lot better. She was cleaner and brighter, and the only sign of treatment was a bandage wrapped tightly around her midriff.

Adam was still waiting for her. He got up to greet her and looked very concerned when he saw the bandage.

"What did they say? Are you alright? No bones broken? No concussion?"

"I'm fine! A few bruised ribs, that's all. They said I won't feel anything until tomorrow because of all the vodka I've drank, but then I'll have a whopping headache and a bruise on my bum the size of Japan."

"Ah! A small price to pay for such a violent encounter!" He draped his coat around her shoulders again, took her hand, and said, "Come, your four wheeled assailant awaits you!"

The taxi driver was sleeping in his cab when Adam knocked on the window. He stirred and rubbed his eyes. "Where to now, mate?" he said, starting the engine.

"Ask the young lady," Adam told him.

The taxi driver waited until they had both got in and then stared at Chrissy expectantly. She gave an address in Stretford and they were off again.

Adam looked across at Chrissy as they sat together in the back of the cab. "Do you live alone?" he asked her.

She shook her head. "I live with my mum and dad and my stupid brother."

"Was he born stupid?"

Chrissy giggled. "I didn't actually mean- oh, you know what I meant!"

"Actually, I do not. I was an only child and so was not blessed with brothers, stupid or otherwise. When I was small, I often wished that I did have such a brother, or sister. The house was very large, and I was often lonely."

Chrissy looked across at him. Being lonely was a subject that came up far too often. It was obviously deep rooted. "Your accent isn't local, where do you come from?" she asked him.

"My accent isn't really indicative of my origins, it merely stems from a public school education. My family was originally from Yorkshire, but for the past few generations they have lived on an estate just outside Bolton. It isn't a grand house, but it's big and old."

"You weren't a happy chicken as a child, were you?"

Adam smiled. "No," he said. "My experiences have left me a little withdrawn. Hence my problems with women."

"I would have thought the public school thing would have sorted all that out."

"Unfortunately not, although I can play rugby quite well. But it isn't often that you encounter a woman in the middle of a scrum."

"Oh, I don't know. Women play rugby too."

"Not with us, they didn't. If they had, I'm sure my education would have been very different."

"You're a bit dry, aren't you?"

"You are referring to my sense of humour, I take it?"

Chrissy nodded.

"Yes. I think a dry wit stems from a pessimistic attitude to life, while those with blind optimism make jokes about their anatomy and their mother-in-laws without thought, or malice."

"But why be so pessimistic? You've got money."

"Money isn't everything."

"That's always what people with money say! You try living without it! You're just bored!"

Adam sighed. "You are correct again. I am bored. But having money at so early an age is detrimental. You do not think so, but I assure you that it is true. Do you have dreams, Chrissy?"

It was a surprise question, but Chrissy answered it straight away. "Yes. I want a big house on a beach somewhere warm. I want enough money not to have to worry about paying bills and having to work. And I want a hammock slung between two palm trees, and a big hat to shade me from the sun when I'm lounging in it." She paused a moment before adding, "Does that all sound stupid?"

"No, of course not," Adam replied quickly. "It is a simple enough dream, and I am sure many people share it. But my dreams are different.

"I dream of a childhood where my mother did not die when I was eight, where my father spent more time with me rather than packing me off to the infamous boarding school, and where I wasn't ever conscious of the standards I had to live up to. Not that I was unhappy as a child. I mustn't give you a false impression. There were many happy times and experiences in my childhood and since. But the point of my argument is that having money takes away the dreams of the attainable, and leaves you only with what is unattainable."

"That's crap!" Chrissy said bitterly. "I'm sorry about your mother and all that, but kids a lot less well off than you string themselves up when they don't get straight A's in all their exams! Everyone has standards to meet. Some are low, some are high, but money doesn't come into it. As for the other things, well, you aren't the first or last only child, and you won't be the last to lose a parent, either. As far as I'm concerned, you've no excuse for being so glum. And if you're so fed up of your money, I'll be glad to take it off your hands."

"And what would you spend it on? Your dream?"

Chrissy snapped her fingers. "Like that!"

"And then what?"

"I'd enjoy it, of course."

"Would you? Are you sure?" Adam pressed her. "Or would day after day of brilliant sunshine with nothing to do but lounge in your hammock eventually begin to get tiresome? Or are you really that shallow?"

Chrissy was indecisive. "Well, maybe my dream is a little bit one dimensional. There probably would be more to it than that, but the main part about the house by the sea is what counts."

"I'm sure it is. But even without my help, Chrissy, you could quite conceivably obtain your dream while still at a young enough age to enjoy it. But having done so, you, too, would quickly become bored. You deny it, but as soon as you thought a little more about the details of your dream, you knew that I was right."

"No, I'm not having that!" Chrissy said quickly. She was warming to this new debate, and she was defending her dream. "Dreams have to be vague at the beginning, they wouldn't be dreams if they weren't. But if you are lucky enough to make one come true, that's when you begin to flesh it out. You add the details when you can afford to think about them, when the main part of the dream is achieved."

"Like a muscular and tanned young man to serve to your every need?" Adam said enticingly. "Or maybe a stretch limousine? Or a helicopter in the garden? Or a fully crewed, 50ft yacht anchored off the beach?"

"But they're other dreams," Chrissy said.

"Exactly!" Adam pounced on her words. "And that's the point! When one dream is realised, there is always another dream just out of reach to strive for. For most people it is a bigger house, a newer car, or a better education. But as the level of wealth increases, so the dreams get out of hand. Those with one company want two, those with one business empire strive to take over another's. And those who have everything climb mountains and break records, spending more in the process on these reckless deeds than they did in founding their empires. What is there at the end?"

"That's not fair!" Chrissy wailed as soon as she had the chance to get a word in. "You tricked me!"

"No, I did not. I merely opened your eyes to the limitations of your dream, and you merely embraced the dreams that obviously follow. The beach becomes your own island, the helicopter is joined by your own personal jet, the 50ft yacht is quickly replaced by an even bigger ocean going version. These all follow on naturally, provided you have the finances to get them. But when all the finances in the world cannot help you, then, and only then, does the dream become a true dream.

"That last reconciliation with an estranged father before he died, correcting a wrong decision at a crucial moment that breaks a relationship forever, or a life shared with a mother lost at an early age. No amount of money can realise these dreams."

"But those aren't dreams!" Chrissy protested. "They're just bad memories, or guilt. You can't wish for something that's so obviously un-reachable. If you're doing that, you're just being bitter at what life has given you. You can't change the past, and you can't wallow in it's misfortunes. They aren't dreams, they're just self pity."

"You maybe right," Adam conceded. "But my argument is still valid."

"Oh, yes? And how so?"

"Because money and the dream itself are not what is important. It is the striving for the dream and the joy of it's accomplishment that we are addicted to. As soon as one dream is attained it is cast aside for the next, because it is the doing, the journey, that counts. That is why dreams of changing what is past become so desirable, because of their inherent futility. For you, there will be great joy at the house and the beach and the sun. But in a short time it will pass. Then you will want more. And like any addiction, in the end it will destroy you."

Chrissy folded her arms and stared at him in annoyance. "You hate losing, don't you?"

"And so do you."

Chrissy turned and stared out of the window. She didn't reply. Adam looked at her expression and the way she sat with her arms folded. He sighed.

"Will you sulk for long?" he asked her.

"Only as long as you're going to be smug," she replied, still staring out of the window. The taxi was on Talbot Road. She would be home soon.

"Then I promise that I will not be smug, even if I did win."

Chrissy quickly spun round to face him. "You did not win!" she said, poking him in the chest. "And this isn't over yet! You can't go smashing a girl's dream like that and then go on to talk about football!"

"Rugby."

"You know what I meant!"

Adam smiled. "I apologise. I did not mean to antagonise you, or to damage your dream. I liked it. But I fear that our journey will soon be over, and there is no more time for debate."

As he spoke, the taxi came to a squealing halt on Greatstone Road, and the driver looked over his shoulder.

"We're here, mate."

Adam said, "Wait here." He leaned across Chrissy and opened the door for her. As he did so, their faces were very close, and for a moment he hesitated.

Then Chrissy said, "Thank you," and stepped out, and the moment was lost.

"I will walk you to your door," Adam said, following her out.

They walked up the path together. The house was all in darkness.

Chrissy took a key from her jacket pocket. "I bet you're a hoot at parties," she said to Adam. "You must be a constant kitchen dweller!"

"While you, I am sure, are always the centre of attention, the very life and soul of the party who wouldn't be seen dead with so obvious a kitchen dweller as I."

"Oh, shut up!"

They reached the door. Chrissy put her key in the lock and opened it. She stepped into the hall and put the light on, then she turned to face Adam.

"What time will you be picking me up tomorrow night?"

"It will be early, at six-thirty. We have a short distance to travel to the restaurant I have in mind."

"You're not flying me somewhere silly, are you? I won't be impressed."

"I assure you I am doing no such thing."

"How do you want me to dress?"

"As you think fit for an evening dining out. I am sure whatever you wear will be pleasing."

"You'd be happy if I dressed like this."

Adam smiled. "Yes, I would, even though it might be somewhat unsuitable. But I must confess that, even with the bandage, I have found your body most pleasing to the eye. In fact it is only overshadowed by the perfection of your face, and the strength of your wit."

"And the level of your flattery!" Chrissy added. "I've already said yes, so cut it out!"

Adam bowed gracefully. "As you insist."

Chrissy pointed a finger at him. "This isn't over yet! I'm only coming out with you for revenge! I'm going to have a good think tonight, and tomorrow I'm going to get you!" She took his coat from her shoulders and handed it back to him.

Adam took his coat and smiled again. "I look forward to it immensely. Until tomorrow night."

"Until tomorrow night."

Adam turned and walked back down the path. He waved after he got into the taxi. Chrissy waved back and the taxi roared off.

Chrissy closed the door, locked it, and turned to find her mother standing at the top of the stairs, staring down at her. She didn't look pleased to see her.

"Alright madam!" she said sternly. "Where have you been? And what do you think you're doing coming home at this time? Do you know it's after five? Me and your father have been worried sick! Worried sick, I tell you! And who was he? Your latest boyfriend, or his father?"

"Oh, mum!" Chrissy said in embarrassment. "How long have you been there?"

"Long enough to see that he was a lot older than you! What are you thinking? Tell me where you've been until this hour! Tell me this minute!"

"Well, if you must know, I've been knocked down by a taxi and I've spent the last six or seven hours sitting in casualty at Manchester Royal. And if you don't believe me, where do you think I got this bandage? Boots?"

Veronica Davis squinted down the stairs, saw the bandage and the battered appearance of her daughter's clothes, and immediately came bounding down the stairs.

"Oh, my baby!" she cried, enveloping her daughter in her arms. In an instant, everything else had been forgotten. "Are you alright? What happened? Come and sit down? Does it hurt?"

"Oh, stop fussing, mum! I'm alright! It's just a couple of bruised ribs."

"Bruised ribs! Show me! Let me see!"

As her mother continued to fuss over her, Chrissy heard her father's voice from upstairs.

"What's going on?" he called.

Veronica answered him. "Your daughter's been run over, and you're lounging in bed, that's what's going on!"

In a few seconds her father had joined them downstairs, and Chrissy had to endure more questions and even more prodding and hugging, until, finally, she had convinced both her parents that she was alright, and they all ended up in the kitchen. Only Chrissy's brother was now still asleep, snoring and oblivious.

Veronica put on the kettle and sat down next to her husband. Both of them waited patiently and expectantly, staring at Chrissy across the kitchen table.

"Oh, alright then!" Chrissy said in exasperation. "His name's Adam Campbell, and I'm seeing him again tomorrow night. Okay?"

"How old is he?" her mother asked.

"Thirty-nine."

"Thirty-nine! That's twice your age! He's old enough to be your father!"

"Oh, mum!"

Then her father asked, "What does he do?"

"I don't know," Chrissy replied, slightly annoyed with herself for failing to ask. She promised herself that she would rectify that on their next date.

"But he must do something!" her father pressed her.

Chrissy thought for a moment, then she said, rather enigmatically, "He breaks little girls dreams."

Victoria sat bolt upright in bed. The sudden movement was ill advised, and she swayed slightly and clutched at her head with one hand and at her stomach with the other. There was a banging in her head and a deep ache in her stomach. The ache eased as she lay back down again, but the banging continued. It was a moment before she realised that the banging was real. She had a headache alright, but the banging was outside her head, not inside. It seemed to be coming from somewhere below her. She looked around and realised that this wasn't her flat in the hall of residences.

She sat up again, more gingerly this time, threw back the covers and sat on the side of the bed. The banging seemed to have stopped at last. She looked down and found herself wearing a pink cotton nightie with a Disney character smiling up at her. She turned her head slightly so that she could see it the right way up. It was a very cute rabbit.

The door opened and Louise came in. The movement surprised Victoria and she looked scared as she dived back into bed and covered herself up. Only when she saw that it was Louise did her expression soften, and she sighed with relief.

"Oh, it's you!" she exclaimed. "I couldn't think where I was for the moment."

"Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you," Louise said, coming to sit next to her on the side of the bed. She smiled at Victoria and reached out to brush her tangled hair. "I'm glad to see you're awake at last, I was beginning to get worried."

Victoria glanced around the room. "How did I get here?"

"I brought you home last night. You were in a right state. How do you feel now?"

"Terrible!" Victoria moaned. She rubbed her stomach again. "My tummy and my head feel very sore. And my back aches. It's not usually this bad after a binge. Even my face aches. I feel like I've been hit by a bus."

"I don't think this was any ordinary binge, not even for you!" Louise said with a smile. "I suppose you don't remember being beaten up?"

Victoria stared up at her and shook her head. Louise took a mirror from the dressing table and handed it to her. Victoria stared at her bruised face, her mouth open in shock. Her right eye and nose were heavily bruised, there was a bright red scratch down her cheek, and her lip was split. The general colour scheme was purple, green and yellow for the bruises, red for the wounds, and pale white for everything else.

"Oh, bollocks!" she exclaimed. "I've really done it this time." She dived under the covers and pulled up her nightie to check her stomach. Louise knew when she found the bruises when Victoria gasped, "Oh, Jesus....."

"It could have been worse," Louise said, and told Victoria how she found her in the toilets and had to rescue her with the fire extinguisher.

Victoria grinned, then hastily grabbed her split lip, uttering an, "Ow!" before adding, "I wish I'd seen that! I bet you froze their tits off!"

They both laughed, then Louise asked tentatively, "Do you remember anything else about last night?"

Victoria swallowed and looked thoughtful. "Not much. I never do, really. I remember some of the stuff from early in the night. Meeting at the bar, Jo's boyfriend, seeing you...." Victoria's voice trailed off and she suddenly looked very upset. "I didn't get into a fight with Chrissy, did I?" she asked anxiously. "Oh, no! Don't tell me I had a fight with Chrissy! She'll never forgive me!"

Not being able to remember everything that happened the night before, and even being beaten up, hadn't seem to bother Victoria that much. But the possibility that her friendship with Chrissy might have come to an end did bother her. As more of the details of the previous night came back to her, Victoria got more and more emotional, and she began to cry. But it wasn't just a few tears, it was really heavy, wailing, baby stuff. It surprised and worried Louise, who quickly put her arms around Victoria and did her best to comfort her.

"Chrissy will forgive you, I'm sure she will!" Louise tried to convince her.

"No, she won't!" Victoria insisted between sobs. "She said horrible things to me! I remember now!"

"But you were both drunk! You probably said things that you didn't really mean!"

"Chrissy wouldn't say those things if she didn't mean them! I've known her since I was three, and I know! She hates me! And it's all my fault!"

"She doesn't hate you! She was just upset, that's all!"

"But it was my last chance!" Victoria wailed. "She told me so! And she told me to behave! But I never can! I can't help it!"

"She'll forgive you! Just explain everything to her!"

"No she won't! It's not fair! I hate myself! I'm so stupid!"

Victoria became angry and she began to pull violently at her own hair. Louise quickly grabbed her hands and stopped her.

"Stop that!" Louise shouted in such a stern voice that it made Victoria jump. "Stop blaming yourself! Yes, you were drunk! You did some stupid things, and Chrissy has a right to be angry with you! But if you've been friends for as long as you say you have, then I'm sure she will forgive you. Now stop crying! You'll see Chrissy on Monday in class, and you can tell her then that you're sorry. Tell her you got beaten up. She'll forgive you, I'm sure she will."

Victoria seemed to calm down at last, but she still wasn't convinced. "But you don't know her," she muttered with a sniffle, rubbing her face. "She can be really hard!"

"I've only known Chrissy for a short time, but she seems sensible enough to me. I'm sure she will listen to you. She's probably just as upset as you are. So stop worrying."

"Will you talk to her for me?" Victoria suddenly asked, grabbing hold of Louise. "She'll listen to you! You explain what happened! I'll say I'm sorry! I promise I will! But if you talk to her first, I'm sure it will help! Please, Louise! Please!"

Louise stared at Victoria's earnest and appealing expression and couldn't refuse. She wiped the last of the tears from Victoria's face and said softly, "Of course I will."

"Thanks!" Victoria said with a grin. Then she seemed to forget everything as another thought entered her head. "What time is it?" she asked in sudden alarm, and grabbed hold of Louise's wrist. Victoria twisted her head round to get a better view of Louise's watch. "Half past two! Bloody hell!" she exclaimed in annoyance. "The days half gone! And I was supposed to be packing this morning!"

"Packing? Why?" Louise asked, totally surprised by the change of subject and mood.

"Oh, that pigging warden at the residences reported me to the University for what happened last week," Victoria said, talking quickly. She began to move her feet back and forth under the covers as she spoke, watching the little mounds they made moving about. "They weren't too happy about my drunken binges and the effect it might have on the other students. They were very polite and all that, but basically they told me to sod off and that I had to move out this weekend. I haven't even found another flat yet. Were we alone last night?"

The question caught Louise by surprise. "Er, yes," she said hesitantly before quickly going on. "Where were you going to stay?"

Victoria shrugged. The movement caused her pain and she flexed her shoulders gingerly. "I'll doss at Zach's place until I find somewhere. He won't chuck me out of bed."

"You can stay here," Louise said almost too quickly.

"What?"

"I have a flat with two bedrooms," Louise explained. "This one is the spare room. It's always empty. You need a flat and some one with notes to use to catch up with. I could do with a little help with the rent, and I get a bit lonely on my own. It's a perfect arrangement."

Victoria was completely surprised by the idea. "Are you sure? You hardly know me, Louise."

"After last night, I think I know you pretty well." Louise almost blushed as she spoke. She hoped Victoria didn't notice.

"And even after last night, you still want to share?"

"Yes! Definitely!"

Louise couldn't hide her enthusiasm. For her the very idea of sharing a flat with Victoria was a dream come true. It was a dream she had often had in the past, but on those occasions she had always been disappointed. The girls she had liked had faded away just like the dream, and she had begun to think that this day would never actually come. And now here it was. And this time it was going to be different. After last night, Louise couldn't even bear to think about rejection. Her love making with Victoria had been far more exciting and pleasurable than anything she could ever have imagined. Victoria had to say yes, she just had to.

Victoria didn't have to think about it for long. She looked around at the room and nodded her head. "Yes. Okay, Louise. Why not? It would do me good to have someone sensible around. Someone who can get me to classes on time, and who can tell me off when I'm getting out of control. But be warned!" she held up her finger. "They don't call me Tori Canyon for nothing you know. You've seen the results when I wreck. Not just last night, but my flat last week. The fall out can be awful, and I can be a real pain in the arse. I don't mean it. It's just the way I am. So if at any time you get sick of me, if I trash the place, or get you into trouble, just chuck me out. I'll understand. Okay?"

Louise couldn't care less if Victoria trashed the place right now. She nodded and smiled. "Okay."

"Right, then!" Victoria threw back the covers and got out of bed. "I better get up. I haven't packed any of my stuff yet. But If I'm going to move in, I want to get it all over with today."

"I'll help you, don't worry!" Louise said, standing up. She was ecstatic.

Victoria looked around. "Where are my clothes?"

"Ah!" Louise said. "They're in the washing machine."

Victoria stared at her. "But what am I going to wear?"

"I'll lend you something. Come and have a look in my wardrobe." Louise led the way into her bedroom. "I don't think your outfit from last night would have been so suitable in the day time anyway!" she remarked on the way.

Victoria followed Louise into her bedroom and looked around. Somehow it felt familiar. "That's true," she said thoughtfully. "But it wouldn't have been the first time that I went home in the morning looking a right prat!"

Louise laughed as she opened her wardrobe. She took out a pair of jeans and a light blue sweater. "You're a bit taller than me, but I'm a bit bigger, so these jeans will be a bit baggy, but they will probably fit you." She turned to find Victoria standing in front of her. She wasn't smiling.

"Are you sure we were alone last night?" Victoria asked Louise.

The smile faded from Louise's face. "Yes," she replied simply.

"Did you undress me and put me to bed?"

Louise felt her heart pass her stomach on it's way to her feet. She swallowed nervously. "Yes."

"Was it you?"

This was it. It was all over. The bubble was about to burst and there was nothing Louise could do to avoid it. Her shoulders sagged and she sighed as she admitted, "Yes."

The banging noise started again and Victoria looked down at the floor. "What's that banging?" she asked Louise.

"Oh, that's just Rosie smacking their toaster," Louise said forlornly.

Victoria stared at her in obvious puzzlement.

"It doesn't switch off when it's supposed to unless you hit it just right," Louise explained.

There was a louder bang, and then silence.

"That must have got it!" Louise said, smiling rather hopefully.

"How often does that happen?"

"Only when they're having toast."

Victoria sighed. "That figures!" She took the jeans and sweater Louise was holding and stared at her for a moment. "I guess this means that you better wait outside while I get dressed."

Detective Sergeant John Connors walked down the ally with a uniformed officer. He had receding dark hair that was already going grey, and he was slightly over weight. He put his weight down to the unsocial hours and too many pub lunches. But it was only an excuse. Eating was his last and only vice. At forty-nine, he was divorced and lonely, and at that age in his job when promotion or pension become very close runners.

Connors had been a police officer since he was eighteen, long before the constable walking beside him had been born, and he was beginning to get tired of it all. There were too many dead bodies, too many horror stories. And no matter what the crime statistics might say, it always seemed to be getting worse. He was getting to the end of his race, and his superiors knew it. He had been passed over for promotion once too often, but in a way it suited him. The only exercise he took was mental exercise, and if he ever got trapped behind a desk he knew that he wouldn't last long.

"So what have we got here?" he asked the Constable.

"Dead girl, sir," he replied. "Aged about sixteen to twenty. She was found by two children riding their bikes through the ally at around two o'clock this afternoon. DC Shawcroft is already here."

When they got to the scene they found several police officers, the pathologist, and the whole forensics crew all waiting for them. Detective Constable Michael Shawcroft was kneeling by the body with the pathologist. He stood up to greet his boss. He was in his mid thirties, about six foot tall, with short, fair hair and very cool blue eyes. He stood almost a foot taller than Connors as he shook hands with him.

"Sorry to get you out on a Saturday, sir, but I thought you might like to see this before they took her away."

Connors nodded. "You thought right, but at times like these, I'd much prefer football duty." He looked down at the body.

Lying on her back on the ground was a slim young woman with long, light brown hair. Her head was turned at a funny angle, and her arms and legs were flung out. She was wearing a very skimpy and short dress. Both of the straps on her dress were off her shoulders and she was missing both shoes. There was some slight bruising on both her upper arms, and her finger nails and toe nails were all painted with light blue varnish. Her eyes were open and completely lifeless.

Connors sighed. She was very pretty, but then again, weren't they all? He knelt down next to the body and began to look more closely. "Have you found her shoes?" he asked Shawcroft without looking up from his task.

"No, sir. I've had PC's out looking for them for over an hour. I don't think they're here."

"You're probably right. When did it happen?"

The pathologist coughed. "We won't know for sure until the results of the post mortem," he said. "But in my opinion she's been dead for at least ten hours. So that means it could have happened any time between two and six o'clock this morning."

Connors looked up at him. "Broken neck?"

"Again, we can't say for sure until the post mortem. There are no bruises on her neck, but by the angle of her head, it looks very much like that."

"Hmmm." Connors looked down again at the body. "Scantily clad, but apart from these straps and her shoes, her clothes haven't been disturbed. And apart from those bruises on her arms, there doesn't seem to be any other bruising or marks on her body...." He looked up at the windows above them.

Shawcroft smiled. "That's what I thought! But all the windows on this side of the buildings are barred. She couldn't have been pushed out, or fallen out."

"The roof?" Connors suggested.

The pathologist shook his head. "Too high. Her body would have sustained far more damage in a fall from that height."

Connors stood up. "Okay, I've seen enough."

The forensics crew started to clean up as Connors walked back down the ally with Shawcroft.

"What do you think, sir?" Shawcroft asked as they walked along.

"Somebody she knew," Connors replied. "It was quick and clean. She didn't fight. It has to be someone she knew."

"What about the shoes?"

"Her feet were very dirty, so she probably lost them before she was killed. No, Mike, I don't think we're looking for a murderer with a fetish for his victims shoes."

Shawcroft smiled. "So it is murder then, and not a fall or an accident?"

"Oh, yes. There's no doubt about that. You were right to call me. It happened early this morning, so she was probably coming home drunk. I'll bet she doesn't live very far away."

"You're right. We found her handbag near her body. She lives two streets away."

Connors nodded solemnly. "That fits."

"How so?"

"Someone she knew, remember? So that means someone who knew her, and knew where she lived. He also knew she was coming home, and he knew where to wait."

"So what's the motive? She wasn't raped, assaulted or robbed."

"Anger."

Louise sat slumped on the sofa of her lounge, waiting for Victoria to emerge from the bedroom. She felt miserable. Just when everything was going so well, Louise's world had collapsed in on her again. It was her own stupid fault of course. She had been chasing a silly fantasy for days. Dayna had been right. Victoria may have her problems, but she was straight, and all Louise had done was to alienate her forever. But it had been going so well!

But had it?

The more Louise thought about it, the more she realised that it hadn't been going so well after all, except in her own, stupid mind. She had never really told Victoria about her sexuality, or about her feelings towards her. Yes, last night she had blurted out that she was a lesbian, but Louise was sure that Victoria had merely thought it was a joke. And in a way it had been. Only in her own mind had it made any difference. Victoria had continued to treat her like any other friend, like Chrissy, or Jo, she had never even been aware of Louise's feelings for her. But Louise had used Victoria's friendship to get closer. And to cap it all, she had taken advantage of Victoria's drunken and injured state.

Oh, how she hated herself! How could she have been so stupid? She had promised herself that she wouldn't, that all she would do was look after Victoria and put her to bed. But all the way back to her flat she had been filled with anticipation. Her stupid mind had dreamed on. Only the sight of Victoria's battered body had brought Louise briefly back to reality. But even that hadn't lasted, and when she had been tending Victoria's wounds last night, she had been unable to resist. Now she hated herself for it. Victoria would hate her too. And Louise couldn't blame her. Louise wanted to die. She wanted God to take her now, before Victoria emerged to shout and scold her.

But it was too late.

Victoria came out of the bedroom. She was dressed in the clothes Louise had found for her. As Louise had thought, the jeans were slightly too short and a little baggy for her, but they still looked okay. In contrast, the light blue sweater fitted Victoria perfectly. It was tighter and more figure hugging, and very flattering.

Louise stood up and waited for the inevitable. She felt terribly depressed.

Victoria took a step forward and held up her hand. "Don't say anything until I'm done," she said. Then she took a deep breath, opened her mouth to speak, then closed it with a loud sigh. She looked down at her bare feet, took two more deep breaths, looked up, opened her mouth to speak again, then closed it with another sigh as before.

Louise waited patiently, keeping silent, her head down.

"Oohhh!" Victoria finally blurted out in annoyance, shaking her head vigorously. It made her hair fly about. "Bollocks!" she announced when she stopped. "I had it all worked out in my head! It was really good, too! And now I've forgotten it!"

She saw Louise's sad expression and sighed again. "Listen, Louise. I'm not used to this, okay? You took me by surprise." She became embarrassed by her own words and quickly went on, "No, I didn't mean that, I- Oh, bollocks!" She paused to take another deep breath before going on. "I mean I didn't know how you felt, about sex, about me. You should have told me, Louise. And I don't just mean joking about it like you did last night. You should have told me that day in the library. You should have told me straight out, then and there. I don't know how I would have felt, or if it would have made a difference to the way I behaved with you last night." She shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe it would, I don't know. When I get drunk I do stupid things, and I don't always think straight, so I can't say. But I can say that I felt safe with you, and that I trusted you. I do like you, Louise. You're far too soft for your own good, but you're nice. I like you as a friend, but I wouldn't have let you bring me back here last night if you had been a man. So you should have told me. It wasn't fair. You do understand what I'm trying to say, don't you? Oh, for God's sake, say something, Louise! You look like a condemned murderer waiting for the drop!"

Louise burst into tears. "I didn't mean it!" she wailed. "Don't hate me!"

"Oh, bollocks!" Victoria said in dismay. She took a step forward and put her arms around Louise, patting her back. "Stop crying, will you? I don't hate you, okay? Stop being a cry-baby!"

Louise quickly put her arms around Victoria, hugging her close. "I can't help it, I love you!"

"Don't be silly!" Victoria said in disbelief.

"But I do!" Louise sobbed. "And now I've messed it all up! I hate myself! I'm such a coward! You're right, I should have told you! But I was so scared that you'd hate me, that I couldn't! I didn't want to lose you, Victoria. Even if you didn't love me, I still wanted to be your friend. That's why I was so scared to tell you! And I do love you! Really I do!"

"How can you love me?" Victoria said, wide-eyed. "I'm a useless, selfish, hurtful prat! And that's what my friends think of me! And they're right! I get drunk all the time, say things I shouldn't say, and do things I shouldn't do. Anyway you hardly know me! I'm always getting into trouble, causing fights, getting beaten up, drinking myself stupid. Even Chrissy's had enough of me! And you don't really love me, you just fancy my body. All the boys are the same, and you think the same as them, don't you? They see my blonde hair and my body and they think, yes, I'd like a bit of that! But they don't really care about me." Victoria's voice became bitter. "It's not love, it's just sex."

"No! That's not true!" Louise insisted. "I really do love you, Victoria! I loved you as soon as I saw you that first day in class! And I care about you! When you didn't turn up for class last week, and we found you drunk and unconscious in your flat, I was worried sick! I wanted to stay with you and look after you, but Chrissy made me leave. And last night I was terrified when I saw those girls hurting you! All I wanted to do was take you home and make you safe! I didn't mean to do what I did. I'm sorry. I took advantage, I did, and I shouldn't have. But I was with you all night, and everything you did was so sexy, that I-"

"You got horny," Victoria said flatly, interrupting her.

Louise didn't reply. She rested her head on Victoria's shoulder, holding onto her tightly. She had already said far more than she had intended. But her heart was breaking, and she wanted Victoria more than anything else in the world.

Victoria shook her head in despair. She stopped patting Louise's back and just stood there, thinking. A few seconds passed, and then Victoria said, "You know what the craziest thing is about last night? The more I remembered of what you did to me, the more I realised that I liked it. It wasn't hurtful, or heavy handed and thrusting like it usually is with Zach. It was gentle, and nice, and I liked it. Crazy isn't it? Me, the party girl slut, liking something like that."

Louise looked up at her in surprise. "Most women wouldn't say that if they were completely straight," she said thoughtfully. "They would be upset, tell me off, hit me even. That's what I was expecting you to do. But instead you say you liked it. How can you say that? How can you take this so well?"

Victoria was suddenly defensive. "I told you, it was nice, gentle sort of. And it lasted much longer than Zach can manage even when he's sober!" She tried to laugh it off, smiling wryly at Louise, but at the same time wishing that she had kept her mouth shut. "I don't know though, maybe I should belt you, just for the sake of it. But you did things to me that made me feel good, you didn't just please yourself, and so I didn't feel like I'd been used. Does that make sense?"

Louise shook her head. She wanted a better answer. "You can't just say you liked it and leave it at that. You should hate me. You should feel disgusted, sick even. It makes me wonder. It makes me wonder if, well, you were so upset about Chrissy, and you are very close, so it makes me wonder if-"

Victoria realised what Louise was thinking and laughed. "You must be joking!" she exclaimed, breaking away. "Chrissy would have snapped me at the waist and put both halves in a sausage making machine if I even mentioned the idea! Chrissy's as straight as a die! You better not try anything with her, or you will get a bashing!"

"But what about you?" Louise said quickly, following Victoria. "Are you as straight as a die? I know you have Zach, but you're taking this so well, I keep wondering-" Louise broke off and took a deep breath before saying very bluntly, "I'm a lesbian, Victoria, and last night we made lesbian love. What do you feel about that? About me?"

Victoria was becoming unnerved by the constant questioning. She kept trying to move away from Louise, but Louise kept following her. Now she stood her ground.

"Look, if you're asking me if I'm a lesbian, then I can't answer you," she said quickly. "I've never thought much about gay or lesbian people. I think you must be the first one I've met. It's sort of funny knowing that you fancy me, sort of cute. But it's not the same as it is with a boy. I don't feel threatened. As for the sex, well, I've never done it before, so I don't really know how I should feel. Like I said, I liked it. But that's all I can say."

"But what about you and Chrissy?"

Victoria answered honestly. "I am very close with Chrissy. Maybe more than she is with me. But that's because we've known each other since we were both little. I used to stop over at her house, and I've slept with her in her bed. But we were children, we never did anything, and it didn't mean anything."

"And when you were older?" Louise pressed her.

"The last time I shared a bed with Chrissy must have been last year, when we went on holiday to Spain together. We were both drunk. But again, nothing happened. I like Chrissy a lot, and maybe I do love her, but it's not in the way you mean. I don't fancy her, and I don't look at her in that way."

"And how do you feel about me?"

Victoria was getting close to the limit of her tolerance. "What do you want me to say, Louise?" she snapped. "Do you want me to say that I love you? Well, I can't. I'm sorry, I like you and all that, but I don't fancy you. Yes, I enjoyed the sex. It was different. And maybe it won't be the last time we do it, I don't know. But I look at you as a female friend, like Chrissy, or Jo, not as a girlfriend or a boyfriend in the way you mean. I've never thought of myself as a lesbian, or a bisexual, or anything like that. At the moment, I still think of myself as being heterosexual, but after last night, maybe that's not right either. I know I should feel different, that I should have clear feelings, one way or the other, but I don't. Basically, I'm just confused!"

The conversation was getting out of control, but Louise couldn't stop herself. She was getting all hot and bothered, but there were things she still wanted to know.

"But you don't like boys very much, do you?" she almost accused Victoria. "I saw the way you acted last night, leading all those boys on at the club and then dumping them. That's what Chrissy meant when she said what you did was malicious and hurtful."

"Stop it!" Victoria told her in a raised voice.

Louise ignored her. "And why did Chrissy say that you always have to be drunk before you have sex with Zach?"

"Stop it!" Victoria said far more sternly this time, and she pushed Louise up against the wall. But Louise still couldn't stop, even though she knew that she was going too far.

"And when we made love last night, you muttered something about your father. What did that mean?" she finally blurted out.

Her words had a drastic effect on Victoria. Her expression twisted in anger and she shouted, "Stop it! Stop it!" and began to bang Louise's head against the wall.

Louise started to struggle, but she couldn't break free. "Ow! You're hurting me!" she cried out and began to cry.

Victoria suddenly let go of Louise and stepped back. She saw Louise's tears and her anger quickly subsided. She felt very guilty and quickly stepped forward again and hugged Louise.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Louise! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" she said, also getting all tearful. She began to stroke Louise's hair as she spoke quickly and tearfully. "I didn't mean to hurt you, but there are some things that I don't want to talk about, that I can't talk about. Not yet, anyway. Maybe later. Much later. When we're both much more used to one another. Until then, please don't ask me. Okay, Louise?"

Louise wiped her eyes and put her arms around Victoria again, happy to feel her hair being stroked so affectionately. They remained standing by the wall hugging one another, both of them still tearful.

"I'm sorry too," Louise said. "I didn't mean to say what I did. It's just that I wanted to know how you felt about me, and how you felt about what we did. It means a lot to me. And I know I shouldn't pry about your father. But I love you, and I worry about you. And if he hurt you, I want to know."

"I told you I didn't want to talk about my father!" Victoria said harshly, shaking Louise as she spoke.

"Alright, alright!" Louise replied quickly. "I won't ask you anymore! I'll wait until you feel ready to tell me. But in the meantime, I don't just want to be your cute lesbian friend. If I can't be your lover, then I ought to be a proper friend, one that you can trust and talk to. Like Chrissy. I've told you private things about me. So why can't you tell me things about you? Why don't you trust me?"

Victoria sighed. "I do trust you. But there are some things I can't talk about, not to anybody. Not yet. And I don't even know how I feel about what happened last night, so how can I explain it to you? And for the record, yes, you're right, I don't like sex very much. Not with boys, anyway. But I'm not going to talk about why. And contrary to what you might think, I don't talk about such things to Chrissy, either. So stop asking."

"I thought you did," Louise said in a low voice.

"Well, I don't."

"I didn't know."

"You do now."

"I'm daft, nosey, and very insecure."

Victoria smiled at last. "And I get beaten up by women in toilets."

Louise looked up at Victoria and also smiled. "Nobody's perfect."

Victoria stared at Louise's tear-stained face and suddenly grabbed her jaw with her hand and shook her slightly, saying, "Pain in the arse!" Then she broke away.

Louise watched her walk towards the door. "Where are you going?" she asked in sudden alarm, following her.

"To get my stuff," Victoria replied. "You still want me to move in, don't you? Or have you changed your mind?"

Louise swallowed and said quickly, "No, of course not! But I thought..." Her voice trailed off. She felt so confused.

Victoria stood by the door with her hands on her hips. "Look, Louise, it's like this," she said in a business like way. "I have nowhere to stay. So either I stay with Zach, or I stay here with you. If I stay with Zach, there's no way I will be able to trust him. No matter what he might promise, he's probably going to get me drunk most nights and want to play bouncy castles with me. If I stay here with you, I know that if you promise me to keep our relationship platonic, at least for now, then I can trust you to keep that promise. So which is it to be?"

Louise's heart leapt. "I want you to stay here!" she said far too eagerly. She couldn't believe what was happening. One moment she had been in the pit of despair, and now she was in heaven. And this time it wasn't just a fantasy. Victoria was going to stay with her after all. It was going to be as friends instead of lovers, but Louise could be content with that. Just having her close would be enough. And Victoria now knew how Louise felt about her, and she was staying anyway. And that was what was important.

Louise almost ran to Victoria and held onto her sweater. "I don't care what I have to promise!" she said excitedly. "You can stay here for free if you like! Anything! Just don't go back to Zach! He'll ruin you-"

Louise had to stop as Victoria had clamped a hand over her mouth.

"I warned you that you were far too soft for your own good," Victoria told her. "If you let me, I could twist you up and get away with murder living here, no problem. So you'll have to learn to be harder, especially with me. Of course I'll pay my way. But I'll forget, so you'll have to remind me. And I'm terribly lazy, so you'll have to kick me to do my share. Sooner or later it'll all get out of hand and you'll realise that I'm not very nice. You don't think so now, but it won't be long before you get sick of me and throw me out."

Louise mumbled an inaudible reply, so Victoria took her hand away from her mouth and Louise said very earnestly, "I want you to stay here with me, Victoria, even if it's just as friends. It'll be our little arrangement. No one else need know anything about it. I won't do anything you don't want me to do. I promise. And I'll never get sick of you. I'll be happy just having you here with me. I'll be happy just watching you, and being close to you."

Victoria shook her head in despair. "But how can you say that, Louise?" she said. "I keep telling you that I still feel that I'm heterosexual. Yes, I'm a bit confused after last night, but that doesn't mean I'm a lesbian. If it means anything, it's that I'm as thick as Chrissy thinks I am! I know what you're thinking, but you could be wasting your time with me. Are you really sure you want to go on with this?"

"Yes, I'm sure," Louise replied without hesitation.

"But why?"

"Because I love you," Louise replied simply.

Victoria sighed. "Why do I feel that this is so unfair? I'm sure this is a mistake, and I must be suffering concussion from last night, but I'm going to give it a try on one condition." She pointed at the two bedrooms. "That's your room, and that's my room. Okay?"

Louise nodded. "I promise, I told you."

"Okay, then. I'll go and get my stuff."

"I'll come with you," Louise said. And before Victoria could protest, she went on, "No arguments. You got beaten up last night so you need the help. I'm not letting you carry anything heavy. You might be right about concussion, so I'm not letting you out of my sight until I'm sure you're alright." Louise reached for one of several coats on a rack by the door. "Now put this coat on, and try on my shoes. If they don't fit I'm sure I can find a pair of trainers that will."

"I'm alright without a coat," Victoria protested as Louise began to fuss over her.

"No, you're not! All you're wearing is a pair of jeans and a woolly sweater. You'll catch cold!"

"Oh, Louise! Haven't you heard anything I told you? You'll be carrying my books to classes next!"

They were halfway down the stairs when Rosanna opened the door to her flat and caught them. For a moment, Louise felt embarrassed. But then she saw Rosanna smile and she smiled too.

"Hello, Rosie," she said quickly. "This is Victoria. She's going to be my flat-mate."

Victoria and Rosanna exchanged greetings. Rosanna obviously noticed Victoria's bruised and battered face but said nothing about it.

Victoria grinned mischievously. "You're the woman with the toaster, aren't you?" she asked her.

Rosanna's smile broadened. "Has Louise been telling you all my secrets?"

"Well, I couldn't help hearing the banging."

Rosanna sighed. "I think it's getting worse. I seem to have to hit it harder each day. I keep asking Dave to get me a new one, but you know what he's like, Louise. Hopeless, totally hopeless."

"You'll have to keep nagging him!" Louise replied. Then she asked rather pointedly, "What brought you out here, then?"

Rosanna smiled again. "I thought I heard voices up there, so I was going to ask you both in for a cup of tea. I've just brewed up."

Rosanna kept smiling, and it made Louise feel more and more self-conscious. "Not just now, Rosie. We're off to pick up Victoria's things from her flat. Maybe later?"

"When you get back then. I'll keep an ear out."

Louise laughed. "You do that! We'll see you later."

Victoria said, "Bye!" and she and Louise trotted the rest of the way downstairs and left. Rosanna watched them go, a broad smile on her face.

As soon as they were out of the house, Victoria pulled on Louise's arm and asked her, "Does she know about you?"

Louise nodded. "Yes. She and Dave have known for ages."

"I thought that was why she kept smiling at me!" Victoria exclaimed. "The very first person we meet, and my reputation's already ruined!"

"Don't worry," Louise said with a smile. "We'll have plenty of time to explain everything when we get back."

"Oh, no we won't!" Victoria said mischievously. "Don't tell her anything about our arrangement, Louise! Let her go on thinking exactly what she's thinking!"

"It might not be so easy. Rosie's probably bursting to know how you got those bruises. She'll give you a good grilling over that cup of tea, you just wait and see!"