Continue Drinking

?Another drink then?? Lucy asks as the pair of you head back towards the bar.

?Well, as long as I don?t get stuck with Mark again, I?m good for another drink or three? you let Lucy know.

Since you have been gone, it seems a few more people have shown up, and as you look back to the table you were at, you notice a few extra faces. You get served, but not by Andy this time, and grabbing fresh drinks, make your way back to the same group.

Careful to avoid Mark, you slide into a space on a bench with Lucy easing in beside you, pushing you over to allow her more space, and so against a girl on your right you don?t recognise. You immediately feel sympathy towards the new girl as you realise she is next to Mark, and you can hear him explaining his plans for the night. The girl is looking his way and from her body language you guess she is being polite by letting him chat on about god knows what.

You join in a conversation in the opposite direction, you, Lucy and Emma casually discussing the latest gossip about some of your friends. As you turn back to the other direction, you realise Mark is still going on, and the poor girl is still sitting there being bored senseless by him.

?Hey Mark, you seen the time?? you suddenly interrupt him mid-sentence, your sympathy for this girl making you feel the need to help out, ?Won?t Venus be out by now??

?Oh it?s ok, it will be there for a few hours more? he casually informs you, but the interruption has given the new girl the perfect opportunity, and turning towards you she flashes you a massive smile of thanks.

?Hi, I?m Dani? you inform her in an attempt to stop Mark continuing his boring monologue.

?Karen? she says in a soft American accent. ?I just got here. Don?t really know anyone yet so thought be good chance to make some new friends.?

?Well Karen? you say as you put another empty bottle on the table, ?let?s see if we can?t help out.?