Duskwood: If It's Not Fine, Then It's Not The End.

Chapter Five

We walked slowly to the bar from Jessy's flat, more so due to Jessy and Cleo trying not to fall over in their heels on the cobbled streets. I spent most of the journey in-between the two of them, with our arms linked, bursting out into constant fits of giggles as they flapped and flailed their arms around to keep upright. We rounded the corner onto the high street of Duskwood and the bar came into view. From outside it appeared rather small, with a large bright red neon sign declaring its name. Fairy lights were hung around the doorframe and through the shabby windows you could see bright lights and a fair amount of customers. As we drew closer the hum of the music from within became louder, I could feel the vibrations on the floor below my feet.

Our pace seemed to automatically quicken as we hobbled up the steps. As Jessy pulled the iron door handle open we were greeted by a rush of hot air and the sounds of thumping music, clinking glasses and general merriment. As Cleo and Jessy looked around for the others, I stole a moment to take it all in.

The decor of the bar was rustic, almost shabby in parts, with black wooden panels and paisley wallpaper fading at the edges. Tables of different shapes and sizes lined the edges of the room, with mismatched chairs seated around them. The bar itself was lined with red leather bar stools, some of their stitching showing wear whilst others made a squeaking noise when moved. Behind the bar the wall was mirrored and covered in shelves of what appeared to be every liquor known to man, the glass of the bottles twinkling in the light, enticing people in.
To the back of the bar was a spacious area with a faded lino wood floor that several patrons were using as a dance floor, whilst a large disco ball twirled from the ceiling above them. Although what it lacked in unity, it seemed to make up for in homely charm.

"There they are!" Squealed Jessy, yanking my arm and pulling me over to a circular table with some familiar faces around it.
'Blimey, who are you and what have you done with MC?!" Dan said, winking and raising a glass of almost finished whiskey. I blushed and stuck my middle finger up at him, causing Thomas, who was sat beside him, to snicker.
"You look very nice, MC" he said, smiling and also raising his glass.
Jessy coughed and raised her eyebrows at the pair. "Anything to say about us?" She said, gestering to herself and Cleo.
"Eh, you scrub up alright too, I suppose" teased Dan, resulting in a swift shove from Jessy and another middle finger from Cleo.
"What'll it be then, ladies?" Said Dan, shaking the ice in his now empty glass whilst nodding over towards the bar area.
"Let's get cocktails!" pipped Jessy, positioning a menu in front of me to peruse. I squinted my eyes at the colourful menu in the dim lighting of the bar, raising my eyebrows at some of the crude names given to some of the drinks.
"Uh, I don't mind going to get this round" I offered, hoping that in doing so I could order a more simple drink, and at the same time praying neither Jessy or Cleo wanted one with an embarrassing name.
"Nah, don't be silly" Dan said, waving at me to sit down in the chair next to him. I rolled my eyes and plonked myself onto the wooden chair, which rocked slightly on the uneven floorboards beneath.
“So, what'll it be ladies?” Thomas smiled, getting up and fishing his wallet out of his back pocket.
“Sex on the beach please!” Beamed Jessy as she slid into the seat next to mine whilst Dan let out an amused snort.
“I'll have a Cosmopolitan please Thomas” said Cleo, also joining us to sit at the table.
“Alright MC, what'll it be?” Said Dan with a wink.
I frowned down at the menu again, desperately searching for a drink that sounded like something I would enjoy, considering my normal drink order would be a rum and coke.
“Uh, I guess I'll try a Long Island Iced Tea?” I looked up at my friend's, hoping this was an acceptable choice.
“Oooooh” Dan whistled, “someone is here to drink drink tonight!” Causing me to blush and look down.
“Good choice, MC” Jessy whispered as she nudged into me playfully and I gave her a small smile of thanks.

As Thomas went off to order the drinks my eyes drifted back over to the bar area. A couple of girls were perched on the bar stools which squeaked as they spun and they were laughing and chatting with a man who stood behind the bar by himself, shielded by the two girls. As Thomas approached he raised a hand to the guy, who whispered something to the girls, making them giggle, before heading over to Thomas at the other end of the bar and coming into view. He was a tall guy with jet black hair tied up in a bun on the top of his head and a chiseled jawline covered in equally dark stubble. He was lean, but not skinny, and wore a black shirt rolled up to his elbows, showing off the various tattoos that littered his forearms. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top, showing the start of yet another tattoo that seemingly continued down his chest, on which he wore a silky black waistcoat and a silver chain necklace.
“That's my brother, Phil” said Jessy, her eyes following mine, “don't worry, he won't miss a chance to introduce himself to you, MC” she giggled, and I surprised myself by blushing.