The Bow Wow Club by Nicola May Page B

George was going to marry Candice and we knew she was fleecing him of his dad’s inheritance, James didn’t take sides. He just said it how it was, and besides that, you can just tell he’s not a philanderer.’
    ‘But what does a philanderer look like? Anyone has the capacity to cheat.’
    ‘Not when they love you, they don’t. Stop being stupid, Fi.’
    ‘Get in there!’ Three lads in West Ham shirts jumped up at the same time as their beloved team scored.
    ‘My turn for the drinks.’ Fi intuitively gave Ruby’s arm a squeeze as she got up. ‘He’s here in spirit, I can feel him.’
    She placed two large wines down on the table.
    ‘We’re gonna be pissed by six if we carry on at this rate,’ Ruby said. ‘What will James say then? You know he doesn’t like it when you get too drunk and disorderly, especially without him.’
    ‘See - another fault we have identified, Ruby girl. But I so want children, we have to get married.’ Then Fi pulled herself together, saying: ‘Look at me going on about me as usual. How was the weekend of sex with the delicious Mr Bell?’
    ‘It was bloody brilliant until he told me that he loved me.’
    ‘What!’
    ‘I know. I mean, I’ve known him for seven bloody weeks and the three little words literally bolted out of his mouth. Oh, Fi. I don’t know what to do. He is just the perfect gentleman. I fancy the pants off him and I feel so safe with him - but it just feels far too soon to be getting so serious.’
    ‘Oh, Rubes. Michael is so sweet. And that must have been so hard for him. Why not say what you just said to me? You can take it slow, see what happens. At least you know with him he won’t take five fecking years to propose!’
    ‘That’s what Simon said. Take it slow.’
    ‘Who the feck is Simon? Don’t tell me, you’ve got another one on the go?’ Fi laughed and hiccupped at the same time.
    ‘More news I haven’t told you about,’ Ruby explained. ‘I’m volunteering for a charity at the church hall in Eustace Street. Goes by the name of the Bow Wow Club.’
    ‘Oh. What’s that then, a dog’s home or something?’
    ‘No, it’s short for Boyfriends of Widows, Wives of Widowers; it helps people who are seeing bereaved people learn how to cope with them and the problems losing somebody so close brings up.’ Ruby took a slurp of wine. ‘However, all sorts of waifs and strays turn up, even if they’ve just lost somebody and are feeling lonely.’
    ‘Aw, bless you Rubes, that’s so sweet.’
    ‘Talking of Simon, you’d love him. He’s a big black man with dyed orange cropped hair. He’s really funny and I can just tell he loves sex.’
    ‘Ooh, how divine.’
    ‘Only thing is, he’s so camp I don’t know if he’s gay or not; he seems to fancy men and women.’
    ‘Even better. That means he does just love sex.’
    ‘Fi! There’s you saying you think your boyfriend is behaving badly - listen to you.’
    ‘I just haven’t had it for a while, that’s all. And on that note, come on let’s drink up. I am feeling horny. James Kane is getting more than he bargained for when I go through that door.’
    ‘Just make sure the football’s over or you won’t stand a chance.’
    They put their coats on to leave and Fi hugged Ruby tightly. ‘Go and see Michael. Just tell him how you feel. You like him, but want to take it slow as it’s scaring you a bit.’
    Ruby walked up West Hill deep in thought. Could she imagine life without Michael in it? She loved his company and the feeling that being so close to him brought. She would be hard pushed to find anyone as decent. If she was really honest with herself, she was really scared of getting close to someone and losing them as well. But she would have to face that fear head on or she would end up sad and lonely, like poor Jimmy at the Bow Wow. Ten years on and still single.
    OK, decision made. As soon as she got in she would arrange to meet Michael. They had to talk. So what, that he had said he