26: Zoe

It is almost dawn as Zoe and Becky make their way along the river, hand in hand. It has been a long night and both are tired and a little drunk. The lightening sky is perfectly clear, and chill air seeps into their smoky, sweat-damp clothes, but they don't feel cold.

The great brick bulk of the art gallery looms up beside them and they turn onto the bridge, strolling across in comfortable silence, thinking of all other times they've made this walk, of how reassuring it is to make it again.

Someone is standing at the midpoint, leaning on the railing, gazing east. As they get nearer they recognise Lucy.

"Hello, you two. I thought you might turn up."

"Creatures of habit, I guess."

They exchange hugs.

"Been out dancing?"

"First time in ages. It felt great."

"We've been celebrating my suspension."

"Zoe mentioned something about that. I'm sorry."

"Don't be. That felt great too. I should have done it years ago."

"Beaten up a suspect? Are you turning into The Freak?"

"Not anymore. I don't know, perhaps I was. It was a terrible night."

"Yeah, the story's been all over the papers."

"That's just the stuff they made public. There's a lot more. Really awful, unbearable things. It was... upsetting."

"And that was why you punched this guy?"

"He was going on about queers and perverts and how this proved that Pete was right all along and they should all be driven out and locked up and such."

"Who's Pete?"

"Seems to be the ringleader of a gang of thugs this lad hangs around with. We haven't found him yet. It's all a bit unclear. But I remembered something Adam said about the night he was bashed, and I just got the impression this guy was one of the ones who did it."

"Shit."

"Don't get yourself worked up about it, baby."

"It's okay, I'm not. But I'm glad I hit him. It was like reclaiming myself, you know? Like I've been impersonating someone else for all this time. The truth is, I fucking hate that job."

"Amen, sister. Here's to saying goodbye to jobs you hate."

"Talking of which, how's yours?"

"No idea. They all trooped off to some stupid photo shoot today, but I played hooky. Just switched off my mobile and went out and about enjoying myself. With any luck the whole thing was a complete disaster."

"Yay!"

"Didn't feel like going home to bed; that would be too much like giving real life permission to start again. So I came down to watch the sunrise."

"'And the word said hey, it's a brand new day.'"

"Exactly."

Someone glides past on rollerblades. The three women stare out at the river and the city and the empty sky. After a minute or two, Zoe turns to her lover.

"You know what I feel like, right now? Dancing."

"Babe, we've been dancing all night. Aren't you worn out?"

"Yes. But I still feel like it." She offers her hand. "Dance with me?"

Becky blushes, but nods. A little awkwardly, she takes Zoe in her arms. They manage a few faltering steps.

"But we haven't any music."

Lucy laughs. "Of course you do, silly. Listen."

And she's right.

So they dance, slowly, gently, twirling each other around, arms entwined, cheek to cheek. They dance the patterns of love and sorrow and bitterness and boredom, and around them the city wakes, and the sun rises, and there is music on the wind.
Posted by matt at November 30, 2004 12:05 AM