Just a Fan by Leen Elle, Emily Austen

coaxed Kate, impatient with my hesitation.
I sighed.
     
    'OK, basically we met up a few times, got to know each other, and just now he actually kissed me but I'm not sure what to make of it because he's off back to America tomorrow,' I told her in a rush.
     
    There was a pause of a few seconds on the other end of the line.
     
    ' You... kissed ...Connor...MacGowan? '
     
    'Well, he kissed me , to tell you the -'
     
    ' Lillian Harwick, have you ANY idea how lucky you are? ' Kate suddenly exploded. ' Jesus, woman. People would kill to get a snog from that man... '
     
    'I know, I know ,' I groaned. 'But Kate, I don't know if I should be happy about it, because he's gone now.'
     
    Another pause.
     
    ' Aha ,' said Kate, in a worryingly grave tone. ' America, you said? '
     
    'Yes.'
     
    ' Oh, dear... ' she replied heavily. ' Lills, I think that guy has seriously taken advantage of you, if that's the case. '
     
    'What?' I said miserably.
     
    ' Think about it ,' said Kate. ' He's a world-famous actor who can have any lady he wants, and he comes to the UK for a while, maybe on holiday, I don't know...and anyway, he gets to the end of his stay, and he sees that it's the ideal time for him to make a bold move on a shy young lady like yourself. Mainly because the day after, he'll be far away and won't have to worry about the consequences. '
     
    I blinked, then sighed, slowly sinking down onto the sofa.
     
    'Oh...' I replied quietly.
     
    ' Poor Lilly ,' tutted Kate. ' You should have clouted him around the face for being so cheeky and taking what he wanted. You should have left a nice bruise on him for when he goes back to his premieres and film festivals. '
     
    I was too saddened to contradict her...it was one thing to suspect someone yourself, and another thing entirely to hear it explained so obviously by your friend.
     
    'Kate, what am I going to do ?' I moaned dejectedly. 'I feel terrible now. I miss him so much already, but I don't even know if I should ...oh, I'm so bloody confused ...'
     
    ' Don't you worry, Lilly ,' Kate told me optimistically. ' I'm sure me and Julie can remedy your problem. '
     
    * * *
    'Same again here, please,' ordered Kate, and the barman nodded and poured another foaming pint, which was placed in front of me. I stared down at it blearily, head in my hands, not caring that I was being lousy company tonight. The bar's atmosphere felt stuffy and heady, and everybody seemed to be talking so loudly. All I could do was wallow...last night I hadn't slept a wink, and I had only fallen asleep early in the morning. I had woken up late, and just two hours later Kate had come to sort me out and take me along to the pub. It was her traditional cure to a painful situation - half a dozen pints to wash away all cares.
     
    Through the fog in my head, I could hear Julie saying disapprovingly: 'Kate, I don't think this is the way. She's had enough to drink already...it just doesn't seem very sensible to get drunk instead of sorting out the problems and moving on...'
     
    'It's the only way, Julie, and it's worked countless times,' Kate reassured Julie. 'Look, she's ready to drop off - she's forgotten him already.'
     
    I looked up from my pint with red eyes. 'I can hear you,' I told them tetchily. 'And I have definitely not forgotten him.'
     
    'Oh, bless her, she's started slurring her words, too,' remarked Kate. 'Don't worry, Lilly, soon you'll be too pissed to remember anything .'
     
    I groaned and put my head down on the table.
     
    'Kate...'
     
    'Come on , we're just having a girl's day out to get our minds off things!' Kate replied. 'Don't be such a spoilsport.'
     
    I murmured something irritable, fiddling with the ties of the strappy red top Kate had stuffed me into. She slapped my hand away.
     
    'Stop fidgeting with that, you look fine,' she chided me.
     
    'I look awful.'
     
    'No you don't ,' argued Kate. 'I did you up perfectly so that you look like a lovely single lady out to have fun.'
     
    I