Chapter 6
The taxi pulled up along a street with various, bars, pubs, restaurants along it and stopped outside the bank at the end of the street. Mark had said he needed some cash and there was a cash point there. It made sense to get out of the car and walk back along choosing a bar to go into along the way. Jasmine pushed the taxi door open and almost fell out with it, Bernie had to grab her arm to stop her tumbling out.
'Niccce save Miss Wolfe.' Jasmine flashed back a smile as she straightened herself out and stopped herself falling over. 'Thanks' Jasmine was now out the car and looking around to see who was about.
Bernie laughed as she slid across the seat to get out herself and found that she wasn't so steady on her feet either. She turned back to see Elinor basically fling herself out the taxi eagerly and almost crash headfirst into the pavement, luckily Bernie realised she was falling and quickly put her hands out grabbing her and spinning her around on the spot, until they were both standing once again. All three of them were giggling and Bernie shook her head. 'Lucky I'm here, saved both of you.' She quipped. Elinor huffed, and slung her jacket over her shoulders to try and keep warm. The boys were busy paying the driver and Bernie was now looking up and down the street. 'So which direction?'
'Jas?' Elinor added.
'Umm...maybe...um...I don't know...we could go in there.' She pointed to a bar right across the street. Bernie looked up to read the sign above the building.
'Remedies Bar? Looks busy...'
'Good!' Elinor exclaimed, 'Oh look theyyy are doingg cheapp shotss!' It was too late for Bernie. Elinor and Jasmine, ran across the road laughing, Jasmine had taken Bernie by the arm and Elinor had grabbed her hand, they were dragging her over to the bar. It was noisy and lit brightly outside. There were people standing about near the entrance chatting and smoking. You could see clearly through the door to the dance floor which was bursting with drunk 20/30 somethings all grinding and touching one another as they moved to the upbeat dance tracks playing. Elinor and Jasmine seemed excited by the bar and the boys were just crossing over the road to come and join them.
'Can I have a smoke first?' Bernie asked as they got closer to the entrance. She could now see the two bouncers on the door, both distracted by two young brunette girls talking to them. 'You can go in, if you like, I can meet you in theree.' she pulled away from their grips and was already fiddling about with her bag, trying to find the packet. 'Blast, I think I left them in my other bag.'
'It's ok, you can have one of mine.' Elinor pulled a packet from her jacket pocket.
'You smoke?' she sounded shocked.
'Yeah...it's alright I'm not 12.' she laughed. 'I might have one too, Jas. Do you want one?' She offered up the packet to the other blonde.
'Nah you are alright...I'll get in and line up the shots shall I?'
'Um...' Bernie looked unsure.
'Yesss iss the answer Bernie.' Elinor slapped her playfully on the arm. Jasmine nodded and went straight in, the boys had caught up by now looked at Elinor for guidance. 'You can go in.' She smiled.
'I'd quite like to stay here with Miss Wolfe' Mark grinned, turning his attention to Bernie, who was now blushing.
'Get inside you.' Elinor playfully mocked.
'He's young enough to be my son!' Bernie was laughing, now that he had followed Jasmine inside to the bar and was out of earshot.
'That and you are takeenn.' Elinor reminded her jokingly.
'That too.'
'I went out with mum once, she got more attention then I did.' she bemoaned. 'Now you too. surely people at the hospital now right? You know about...'
'About me and Serena? Some do, someee don'tt I can't remember who noow.' She was gleaming thinking about Serena, she had butterflies or was that all the whiskey.
'Do you want a smoke or not?' Elinor chucked her the packet, 'There iss a lighter in there.' she had wrapped her arms around herself it was a chilly night and the booze jacket that had been keeping her warm was starting to ware off.
Bernie opened the cigarette packet and realised straight away that one of them looked different from the others, it was rolled and not a straight. 'Ellie!'
'Oh shit...forgot that was in there.' she chuckled. She grabbed Bernie by the arm, as she noticed the bouncers looking over.'Come with me.' she didn't want them getting kicked out before they had even had a proper dance.
She marched Bernie as casually as possible to a near by side street and dragged her down it. They stopped suddenly, sufficiently far enough away from the bar.
'It's no biggie...'
'Ellie...'
'Oh come on, tell me you have never had a smoke before...'
Bernie coughed, 'Well yess I havee but...'
Elinor's lips curled up into a mischievous grin. She didn't even need to say anything and Bernie was spluttering.
'No..no...' she whispered, 'whatever you are thinking Elinor Campbell...no...your mother...'
'Won't need to find out...come on just a fewww puffss. Relax you...you will enjoy the club more laterrr.'
'I...'
'It's not like I'm trying to give you the hard stuff...it's a bit of weed...' She nudged Bernie in the side with her elbow. 'Come on...you know you want to.'
Elinor was already taking it out, she put it to her lips and smiled, winked and lit the joint. She took a long deep drag holding it to her lips and breathed out the smoke slowly, deliberately. Enjoying the taste of it in her mouth. She took a second drag and coughed slightly waited a moment and then took a third. Long and deep once more.
'This is all I do I promise...I'm not some druggie...I bet...'
'ok...ok...just one drag.' Bernie grabbed it off her quickly and brought it to her lips, hesitating, she finally took a deep breath in, inhaling the smoke. Enjoying the taste as well. She looked at the lit joint in her hand. 'I've not done this in years...I did used to at uni...a bit...'
The two women exchanged a knowing smile.
'I wasn't always as sensible as I am now.' Bernie added wistfully.
'You were a parrrty animal. Admit it. You know Mum was right? When she was studying, Dad's told me stories...she wasn't always so uptight. She has her issues too, but she could have fun with the best of them!'
Bernie looked at her for a moment, it was nice hearing things about Serena from her own daughter, she was enjoying it.
'Go on, take another hit and I will put it out. We can go back to the barr. Have some shottss.' Elinor reassured. Bernie nodded briefly and took one final drag.
Elinor did as she said and they decided to wait a few minutes before heading back around the corner to the bar. Bernie looked at Elinor, 'I can't believe weee just did thatt.' she stuttered. 'No more leading me astray...I have to look after you...' she looked worried.
'Why? I said...I'm not 12!'
'No...but you are Serena's baby...and I protect family.' Bernie smiled.
'Urgh...ok...lets get back to the others...we've been gone a whilee.' Elinor looked uncomfortable. She was her mum's new whatever she was, why was she trying to mother her? It's not what she wanted, or was it, she couldn't tell anymore.
They walked as soberly as they could around to the front entrance of Remedies. The bounces gave them a funny look, but let the two women in. They were arm in arm now and as they stepped into the hell that was a busy, sweaty bar, they started to giggle. The affects of the drug and alcohol were already feeling great Bernie thought.
'Shotts?' Jasmine shouted at them as they reached the bar. Just in time for another round of drinks.