The LBD Project
- Cover
- 1 - Moving Day
- 2 - Dear Diary
- 3 - Out Clubbing
- 4 - Bad Timing
- 5 - Unexpected Repercussions
- 6 - Just Good Friends?
- 7 - Surprises In The Night
- 8 - Caveat Emptor
- 9 - Hugs And Kisses
- 10 - Helpful Advice
- 11 - Shortcut Home
- 12 - More Helpful Advice
- 13 - Frogs And Princes
- 14 - Shooting Stars
- 15 - Acceptance
- 16 - 0 to 60 in 5.8 Seconds
- 17 - Epilogue
- Cast
- Comments
4 - Bad Timing
"... S**T!" exclaimed Nathan. He shoved Helen violently away. Shocked at the force, her eyes blinked open wildly.
"Go!", he pushed her again, towards the back of the dance-floor, "Run!"
The house-lights were up, the music stopped, stroboscopic blue lights lit up the front of the club. Realisation dawned.
"GO!"
She heard him shout, but, in the confusion, she'd been swept along towards the back-door and could no longer see him.
Helen hadn't parked in the club lot but further down The Esplanade, which was fortunate as a patrol car blocked the exit - the officers were heading for the back-door.
She slunk into the shadows between the cars, at least the LBD provided useful camouflage.
Slowly she made her way to the end of the lot, hopped over the low boundary fence and strolled, as casually as she could, along The Esplanade to her car, all the time expecting to hear "You, Miss, come here please!"
Reaching the car, she slid into the driver's seat. Another patrol car was approaching and she sunk down as low as possible, it drove past, lights flashing, but didn't stop.
Helen remembered to breath. Then she remembered Nathan; where was he?
She wanted to flee. No, she thought to herself, she had to wait. The minutes crawled by. Helen was starting to panic.
"Deep breaths", she muttered to herself, "don't be a silly little girl!" The passenger door opened and she almost wet herself.
Nathan slid into the seat. His collar was ripped and there was an ugly red welt starting to form on his arm.
"What ..."
"Drive", he commanded.
In her rising panic, she mashed the gears.
"Careful", he whispered, "don't wanna be pulled for speeding."
She had to drive past the club, as they approached Nathan slid down into the foot-well.
For once the traffic lights were with her and she sedately headed out of the bay towards home.
"We're clear", she said, and Nathan uncoiled himself back into the seat.
They drove in silence up the hill to the old town. As she turned onto Main Street, Nathan said "You can drop me down the block, I'll walk the last bit. Mum's a very light sleeper, don't want to risk her hearing the car."
She pulled into the kerb and, before the car had fully stopped, Nathan opened the door and jumped out. As he turned to shut the door he paused, kissed two fingers, lent in and placed them lightly on Helen's lips - then he was gone.
'THAT DOESN'T COUNT' Helen wanted to scream while blaring the horn and flashing the lights, but instead drove slowly home, sobbing quietly.
3 - Out Clubbing