A Little Rain by Dee Winter Page B

back and right in the centre.  It isn’t
too busy inside yet and we’re in the middle so we don’t have to keep getting up
to let people past.  I cosy up to Benny and say thank you for the drink and popcorn.
 He hasn’t said thanks to me for buying the tickets.  Still, he’s being nice
and I suppose we’re having fun and he’s now stroking the back of my neck in the
way he knows I just love.  
    When the film starts up, he stops and he’s stuck into
the action of it all.  This also coincided with Demi and Tobes coming to sit
down next to Benny.  I’m kind of glad that’s where they are sat because they’re
snogging before too long making sucking noises.  Someone in front turns round
and shouts, “Oi! Get a room.”  This makes me smile. The film otherwise starts badly
and I can tell it’s going to be pretty lame.  I’m bored already.  Bits of it
make me laugh, though not when it’s supposed to be funny, like when it’s all going
wrong for the hero and when the men get hurt in painful places, that makes me
giggle.  I laugh out loud at one of the car stunts which if it happened in real
life they would all be dead but no, they all get up and out and stagger about
with a few cuts and bruises.  The boys are taking it very seriously.  They
shush me when I hoot too loudly.  Someone’s phone rings and a load of people
tut and all go Shhhh ! together.  It makes me realise I haven’t switched
my phone off.  It could’ve been me.  Quickly I reach in my pocket and switch it
off.  Benny looks at me briefly then goes back to watching the film.  I’m bored
now but on it goes.
    Eventually, when it is all over, we all make our way
through the crowds, up the stairs and out into the cold air.  Cigarettes and phones
come out.  It’s only mine that beeps in the quiet hush of expectation.  “Who’s
that?”  Benny says. “Not your stupid brother?”
    “Err…” I say a little surprised and annoyed.  It’s
not.  He must still be making me wait.  It’s a text from Etienne: HELLO
REMEMBER ME it says in potent capitals.  I get a rush of excitement and my body
tingles.  I had not given him a thought.  I almost forget the expectant gaze of
Benny and Tobes and even Demi.  I tell them what they expect.  It’s just my stupid
brother checking on me.
    “That’s sweet.” Demi says her voice sugary, her face sour.
 Benny and Tobes look at each other for a second, doubtful.  I think I should just
tell the truth and let Benny know it’s my enigmatic lush I met last night who
gives me the shivers just thinking of him.
    Instead, I just say, “Yeah yeah... and don’t call him
stupid.”
    “Shut up.  Don’t tell me what to say,” Benny says in a
nasty way that makes Demi and Tobes’ eyebrows raise in unison.  I don’t want another
scene.  Not now he’s turned into Mr. Nasty.  I know it’s the text that has
triggered it.  He would be even more angry if he knew who it really was.  I think
change the mood.  I put my phone away and say brightly.
    “So where are we going to go now?”  To be fair, I
can’t think of anywhere I would like to go near here. The places I do know I
would rather avoid.  Tourist-filled sweat pots.  Garage and R n’ B dens.  Sweat-drenched
bars selling colourful cocktails, playing duff music with toilets that smell of
vomit.  Tobes doesn’t mind where we go.  Benny just shrugs in silence and
moodily puffs on a joint.  Demi suggests a lively R n’ B bar I’ve heard of that’s
not too far away.  Let’s hope they don’t ask for ID.  She says we might get in
free if we hurry up and get there before eleven.  We haven’t got long.  Demi
says she is not sure exactly where it is.  She says all of London looks the
same.  I think I know the way.
    “Let’s go this way.”  I say and I start walking.  Benny
looks like he might say something but doesn’t.  He doesn’t like me bossing him about
or being rushed into anything but this isn’t my idea.