“Maybe next time.” I glance towards the bar, checking that the coast is clear before continuing, “I've got another hour before the bus though so who's for another round?”
We're all in agreement, guess I'm going to the bar.
As I get to the bar, I feel a finger tapping at my shoulder. I spin around only to be faced with a crooked half smile belonging to the man I love.
“Can we talk.” Peter stares at me with those same come to bed eyes that make my knees go weak.
“Sure.” I hesitate. This is it! We're getting back together.
He places his hand on the small of my back and moves me towards a quiet table in the corner where we sit in silence until finally, he speaks.
“Me and Amber are engaged.” He blurts, “I wanted to tell you before you found out from someone else.”
My heart breaks into a million pieces as I try to fight back the tears building.
“Congratulations.” I force the words out, not wanting him to see how hurt I am.
“Oh, one last thing. I hate to ask but can you have a word with your mum for me and let her know that everything is okay between us. She's taken me off her service and now Tom's getting all the good cases.”
“No problem.” Raising myself off the chair, I saunter back over to the bar to get the round in.
Once the drinks are served, I carry them over to the table.
“Centre Stage still happening?” I ask as I sit down and take a huge gulp of my drink. They both nod, “I'm in.”
“What did that idiot want?”
“Oh, nothing much. He wants me to talk to mum about reinstating him on her service.”
“What a dick.”
After a few minutes of walking, we find ourselves outside the neon sign that reads 'Centre Stage'. Cheesy music pumps into the street as we cut to the front of the queue and get waved through by the doorman. Once inside, it takes a few moments for my eyes to adjust to the bright lights and flamboyant outfits.
Centre Stage is one of the most popular gay bars in Manchester and home to resident drag queen Divine Amour, and tonight is the night of her famous show, so the place is heaving.
We grab a table at the front, by the stage and a girl wearing a sparkling silver dress covered in feathers takes our drinks order, quickly returning with the tray of fancy cocktails. Cristian joins us for a drink before leaving us to get ready for his debut as a Divine Girl.
Just as he disappears backstage, Lexi turns to me with a worried look on her face.
“Are you okay?” She asks as she squeezes my hand, “Only, since you spoke to Peter you look like you're about to burst into tears at any moment. What else did he say to you?”
“It's nothing.” My throat tightens as I choke back tears and then I blurt out, “He's marrying her.”
I can't fight it anymore and suddenly, the flood gates are open. Lexi throws her arms around me before calling the waitress over for another round of drinks. I don't usually drink that much and I'm feeling a little tipsy, so I do the sensible thing and order a coke with my next cocktail.
“I'm going to kill him. How dare he barge back into your life just to break your heart all over again.”
“I think it's kind of sweet. He wanted to make sure that I found out from him and not anyone else, so he must still have some feelings for me. Right?”
“For fuck’s sake Mia, I thought we were past all this nonsense.” Her tone has changed from sympathetic to angry, “If you honestly believe that he is your Prince Charming, then you're a bigger idiot than he is!”
I know what she's saying is true, but I try my hardest not to hear it because, I don't really know who I am without Peter. Everything that I've done over the years has been to support him and his career, to build a home and get ready for a family. We had the same circle of friends and didn't really spend much time apart when he wasn't working. Some would say it was a co-dependent relationship, but I prefer to see it is two people being so in love that they couldn't bear to be apart.
“You need to move on.” She looks at me, pity in her eyes, “He has, and you need to do the same.”
“I know.” I sigh as I finish my drink, “I just don't think I'm ready yet. I can't just go from one relationship to another like that.”
“I'm not saying you need to find a husband.” She winks, “Just go on a few dates, have a little fun and if any of it leads to something more, then great.”
The lights dim and a spotlight appears on the stage, smoke fills the room as a tall Queen in a corseted dress rises from the floor while singing a Cher number. I sit deep in thought, trying to take in her advice as Lexi's eyes become transfixed on the stage. I'm not great at fun, but I guess giving it a try can't hurt.
After Divine Amour finishes her number, she slinks off backstage and the rest of her Divine Girls, including Winnie, parade onto the stage, singing and dancing while the crowd watches and cheers. The show comes to an end about an hour later with an homage to Ru Paul and realising the time, I say my goodbyes before heading out to find a taxi.
It's a bit earlier than kicking out time, so I have a few options at the taxi rank, I jump in the closest cab, give them my new address, and close my eyes, trying to stop the world from spinning around me. The journey back goes quicker than I expect, with the driver waking me as we pull onto
