Vivica
She was unconscious when I found her.
The smell was overwhelming. Possibly gin, though alcohol smells universally foul escaping through the pores.
“Wake up.”
I seized her shoulders and shook her gently. Failing to rouse her I peered over my shoulder, considering a trip back to the car for my phone. My heart skipped a beat as her eyes flickered open; red-rimmed and heavily bloodshot she examined me warily.
“Please, just leave me,” she murmured.
I smiled.
“Sorry, can’t do that. Come on.”
I draped her arm over my shoulders and tried to lift her. I managed to climb to my feet but proving particularly uncooperative she let herself slide back to the ground.
“Come on, don’t be silly. Get up.”
“No,” she moaned childishly and rolled over in the grass as if curling beneath invisible blankets.
“Look, I’m not leaving you here like this. You’re coming with me even if I have to drag you!”
I hooked the heels of her boots beneath my arms and tugged sharply. She screamed furiously and kicked me away.
“You crazy bitch! What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
She got up angrily and almost toppled into me as the alcohol claimed the last of her mobility. I half dragged, half carried her to the car and helped her into the passenger seat.
I circled the Blenheim roundabout and took the second exit.
“I just live up the road you can drop me anywhere here.”
“Oh, really? Finnsbury Park or near the gardens?”
“Finnsbury.”
“Uh-huh.”
She snorted derisively.
“So, what, you got nothing better to do Saturday night than scam drunk girls to pick up?”
“It’s Sunday,” I said calmly.
There was an awkward silence for several long moments; as it shattered with the violent sound of retching and the splatter of gin-soaked vomit on my newly washed interior, I couldn’t help but wish for it back.
I opened the front door and let us both in. She collapsed into an armchair as I left for bedding and clean clothes and was snoring softly as I returned. With a sigh I draped the sheet over her shoulders and went to bed.
I woke to the luxurious smell of fresh coffee. I groggily stepped out of bed and followed the scent into the kitchen. She smiled as I entered.
“I’m sorry about last night.”
“Hmm?” I muttered dreamily.
“I must’ve been a state. I can’t remember a thing; you’re so kind for letting me stay.”
“Don’t mention it.”
“Coffee?”
“Please.”
“I’m Vi, by the way. Sugar?”
“Karen. No, thank you.”
She brushed my hair lightly as she slid the mug into my hand. I smiled and took it into the living room. She perched on the arm of my chair and casually swung her legs onto my lap as I took a sip from the steaming coffee. I felt remarkably relaxed as she cradled my shoulders and nestled her head by mine.
“You should’ve left me,” she purred.
“Sorry?”
“I tried to dissuade you; why wouldn’t you listen?”
Disturbed by the peculiar change in her tone I tried to stand. Vi’s soft persuasion and a sudden unexplained wave of dizziness, however, kept me firmly rooted.
“No, no, love. It’s too late for that now.”
My limbs felt leaden and I allowed my head to tilt slightly as the dizziness enveloped my senses. Euphoria pulsed at my temples, intensifying every sensation, every sound. A smile seized my features as my head sank into the gentle fabric of her top. The tips of her fingers swam through my hair leaving a tingling sensation which soon spread throughout my entire body. Taking a long, deep breath I allowed my eyes to softly close.
“That’s right, honey.” I heard a whisper seeming to emanate from within my own head. “It’s much better from here, and it barely cost a thing, hmm?”