Lola sighed. ‘Thanks, but I’ll stay with the rabbit. Purple was never my colour!
‘You’re all pink!’ Cheryl, looking glamorous and suitably exotic in her hula skirt, danced up to Lola.
All pink. Fancy that.
‘Imagine how hot it feels, being trapped inside an all-in-one bunny suit.’ Lola reached for a bottle of ice-cold water. ‘Then double it. Actually,’ she paused and glugged down several mouthfuls of the water, ‘quadruple it.’
The DJ started to play ‘Last Christmas’ by Wham!, causing a stampede (why? why?) onto the dance floor.
‘Fancy a dance?’ said Cheryl, shimmying her hips. ‘Not really, no.’
‘Couldn’t you take the bunny suit off now?’ Cheryl tilted her head sympathetically to one side.
‘I could, if I’d thought to bring a change of clothes with me.’ Huffing her damp fringe out of her eyes, Lola couldn’t believe it hadn’t occurred to her. But beneath the nylon fur she was scantily clad and jolly though the crowd at Bernini’s were, she didn’t feel they were ready to witness her in her pink and green polka-dotty knickers and matching balcony bra.
Mind you, it was a salutary experience dressing up like a rabbit. Until tonight she hadn’t realised how nice it was to be paid attention by members of the opposite sex. Being eyed up was something she’d pretty much taken for granted.
‘You know, I feel as if I’m wearing an invisibility cloak,’ said Lola. ‘Nobody’s looking at me.’
‘Oh, that’s not true.’ Cheryl did her best to sound convincing.
‘It is.’ Lola could see the gaze of men sliding over her without pausing in their search for an attractive girl to flirt with.Tonight, she couldn’t help noticing, the attractive girl was Cheryl in her undulating hula skirt.
‘Look.’ Eager to help, Cheryl pointed across the dance floor. ‘Those people over there are looking at you.’
‘They’re laughing.That’s different.They’re pretending to clean their whiskers and lick their paws.’ Lola took another swig of water. ‘I don’t mind. I’m just saying. Actually, those celebrities who whinge and moan about being pestered every time they go out could do a lot worse than get themselves a nice bunny suit.’
‘Hey, at least you aren’t Barney the Dinosaur.’
Poor old Tim, his outfit was even hotter and heavier than her own. Lola watched him attempting to dance like George Michael when he was still straight, wincing as his dinosaur tailswung lethally from side to side. Helen, dressed as Cleopatra, was gamely bopping around with Batman, aka Darren, who had legs like string beans. In the far corner of the dance floor a group of Hogwarts students with black bin-bag cloaks were climbing onto their broomsticks
‘I can see someone looking at you.’ Cheryl gave her a nudge. Lola didn’t get her hopes up.
‘Where?’
‘Over there, just cone in.’ Cheryl nodded at the door. ‘The one in the blue shirt, see him yet? He hasn’t taken his eyes off you since he got here. Actually ...’ Her voice trailed off as she peered more closely at the new arrival. ‘He looks familiar. Where have I seen him before? Ooh, and now he’s coming over!’
Lola surveyed him, glad she hadn’t got her hopes up. ‘He’s one of our customers.’
‘God, you’re right, it is. Did we invite customers along tonight?’
‘No.’ Mystified, Lola watched the man who wasn’t a private detective. When he reached them she noticed that the usual easy smile was tinged with something else, possibly nerves.
‘Hi.’ As she nodded in recognition, one of the bunny ears flopped down into her field of vision, which didn’t help.
‘Hi there. I wasn’t sure at first if it was you.’ The smile became a grin. ‘Nice outfit.’
‘Thanks.’ Lola paused as Cheryl melted tactfully away into the crowd. ‘So is this a coincidence, you turning up here tonight?’
‘No, it isn’t. When I was in the shop yesterday I heard your friend talking about the party here tonight.’
At least he was honest. ‘So are you a stalker?’
Another pause. Finally he shook his head. ‘Not really. I mean, I suppose so, kind of. But for a reason. Not in a creepy way, I promise.’
That was the thing, he just didn’t seem creepy. ‘Well, good,’ said Lola, indicating Darren on the dance floor, ‘because otherwise I’d have to set Batman onto you.’
The corners of the man’s eyes creased with amusement but beneath the surface he was still on edge. ‘Look, is there anywhere we could talk?’
‘About what?’
‘Something important. Sorry, I know this place isn’t ideal, but I didn’t want to do it at the bookshop. There’s a free table over there in the corner.’ As he steered Lola gently towards it, he eyed the empty bottle of water in her hand. ‘Can I get you another drink? Maybe a ... carrot juice?’
Lola stopped, gave him a look.
He raised his hands. ‘OK, sorry, sorry. I can’t believe I said that.’
‘I can’t believe it either. So far this evening eleven people have asked me if I’d like a carrot juice. Eight have asked me if I’d like some lettuce. Four have made hilarious jokes about popping out of a magician’s hat. Honestly, this place is just one huge comedy club bursting with Billy Connollys.’
‘Sorry, I’m usually a bit more original than that. Put it down to nerves.’
They reached the table. The man pulled out a chair for Lola then sat down himself.
‘Why are you nervous?’ Her right ear was falling over her eye again; impatiently Lola tossed it out of the way. ‘Sure I can’t get you a drink?’
