Chapter 8
They stumbled down the stone steps, Elinor was giggling as they made their way down. Bernie was steadying them both, she smiled at the bouncer on the door as they walked in arm in arm. He nodded back and stepped out the way to let them in. The warmth of the club hit her and she realised that was she was wearing her jacket, Bernie immediately spotted the cloakroom just inside the entrance and stopped to hand in their coats and bags, she knew they'd probably end up dancing and there was no point hanging onto them, she thanked the person behind the counter, and took the tokens, so they could get their stuff back later. Elinor was taking off her jacket to hand over, when the girl behind the counter winked at her. Elinor looked amused and her eyes sparkled, she smiled back and laughed softly. Bernie's eyebrow raised, she hadn't seen Elinor look that genuinely happy all night. There was no hiding the fact that she was enjoying the attention.
Bernie took a few steps towards the main entrance of the bar, there was a double door that was closed, before you could enter into the club properly. Bernie looked back to the redhead behind the cloakroom counter, Bernie's hand resting on the door ready to open it, she felt a pang of jealously, not that Elinor was looking at someone else, but that she felt so free and easy about who she was. Even if she wouldn't admit it to Bernie or Serena, it was obvious she was happy to be free with who she liked.
'You don't move very quickly do you?' Elinor suddenly announced into Bernie's ear, she was close to her leaning in, Bernie turned to her a confused and puzzled look on her face. 'The door.' She nodded to where Bernie was holding the handle firmly.
'Shit, sorry.' she honked and her laugh filled the corridor space. Elinor couldn't help but giggle at this, it was such a endearing, but hilarious sound that this women made. Elinor grabbed her phone out of the pocket she had shoved it in earlier and started texting.
'Just letting Jas know we are ok.' She explained, before quickly pushing it back in her pocket again. 'So are we going in, or are we standing here?'
'Going in. Was just thinking...' Bernie grabbed the handle and swung the door open, the noise of people and smell of strong drink hit her like a tone of bricks. All her senses were lit on fire, she could see people talking, dancing and definitely making out. She glanced at her wrist watch, 12:30 am, ok she thought to herself, maybe it's time to just let go and have a dance. She was here now. She glanced around looking at different groups, different couples, surveyed the dance floor and realisation hit, she chuckled to herself. Was this Elinor trying to trick her into doing something to mess up her relationship with Serena or was she genuinely trying to show her she was alright with the Bernie being a women? She wasn't sure, Elinor had already disappeared into the crowd and Bernie assumed she would head straight to the bar to get more drinks in. She decided to not move from the spot near the door and see if Elinor returned. Wondering to herself about Elinor's motives, was she playing a joke on her, trying to wind her up? She had heard stories from Serena, how she could be a right little madam and she was always playing her parents off against one another. Bernie was quite drunk now and her thoughts wondered to the music that was playing loudly, she was enjoying the cheesiness of the track. The club itself was classy, but she could see a poster plastered on the door behind her and it was advertising the fact it was 80s night in the club. It reminded her of her youth, partying at uni, being with carefree friends, felt like a lifetime ago.
'For you,' Elinor was back and handing her a drink. She was snapped back properly into the club from her thoughts, she accepted it graciously and took a sip.
Then Bernie's thin lips pursed together and twisted into a little smile. She spoke quietly, but sarcastically. 'It's a gay bar isn't it?' Her eyebrow shot up again and she started laughing, 'Great night to come, 80s night.' she clinked her glass on Elinor's and winked.
'I didn't know...I mean, I kneeeew about the bar and yes it is, I mean the 80s music...I didn't know.' Elinor was glancing around herself now. 'Hope it's not too cheesy but I like the music normally here.'
'Shall we dance then?' Bernie asked enthusiastically. She wasn't great at remembering song lyrics or who sang what, but she did like a good dance, even if she wasn't that great at it. As Elinor had already discovered, much to her delight in the earlier bars.
'Ok...shoullld bee funn' They made their way to the dance floor and Bernie started waving her arms around passionately to the pop music being played. Bernie was feeling a bit embarrassed at first, but noticing that Elinor was deliberately coping her unique style now, she didn't feel so alone or silly.
About half an hour passed and they had danced to Wham, Boy George, Meat Loaf randomly, ABBA and Duran Duran and countless others, 'I remember mum dancing around to half of these on the radio, when I was kid.' Elinor quipped as she jumped hyperly around a bit more to a Queen number.
'She still doesss that when she thinks I'm not lookinggg.' Bernie shirked with excitement, clasping her hand over her mouth, like she had just told a big secret. 'Don't tell her I said that...she doesn't know I watch herrr do thatt.' She looked worried for a second, but she didn't need to because Elinor was finding it highly amusing.
'Does she still sing all the time? I can't even complain it's bad, because...'
Bernie cuts her off eagerly, ' Because she is so damned good!'
Elinor nods. 'Oh yeah...mum caaan sing all right.'
They are dancing around, conversation being shouted at each other. 'I had no idea how good she was...' Bernie exclaimed
'I think she could have done it professionally, obviously being a Doctor is also cool.' Elinor mocks. Bernie grabs her by the hand and spins her around, they both collapse into each other giggling.
'You should bring mum here...she'd love it.' Elinor Campbell was softening, maybe she hadn't inherited that ability to hold onto life long grudges like her mother or maybe she had, but like her mother Bernie Wolfe was the exception to the rule.
Bernie looks at her and abruptly stops for a moment. 'One more drink...a bit more dancing. Then I make sure you get home, alright?'
'Ok Major.' Elinor badly salutes, her hand almost poking herself in the eye.
Bernie just stares at her and shakes her head. 'Maybe home now?' Just realising how drunk Elinor actually was.
'I can have one moreee. Then I promise home time...' Elinor is already marching off the dance floor through the sea of people. Making her way to the bar. She turns back, 'You're buying.' A women near them turns to look at the commotion as they walk through their group of friends dancing.
'Sorry, sorry...' Bernie adds as they fly through.
'It's ok...she's a looker, is she with you?' The women asks suggestively, stopping Bernie by grabbing her hand.
'Uh...not like that...she's my...Ellie, partner's daughter.' she stutters.
'Ah ok...' she lets her hand go.
'Trying to get her to go home...' Bernie indicates that they are both a bit drunk.
'Fair enough, that's a shame...have a good night.'
The women turns back to her group of friends and Bernie hurries after Elinor. One more dance Bernie thinks, then it's home time.