‘I don’t know what you’re worried about,’ Zoe said maliciously. ‘I don’t think she’s into pair-bonding in a big way. She doesn’t even work for you any more.’
‘That’s what worries me,’ said Jay. He looked harassed. But the acid-bitten look had gone. ‘Sorry, but you’re on your own in this one. I’ve fought her off twice so far this evening. This is where the true gentleman takes evasive action.’
Smooth as an eel, he slid among the dancers. By the time Banana got to the bar he was not even visible in the crowd.
‘Where’s he gone?’ she demanded, slurring a little.
‘Evasive manoeuvres,’ said Zoe truthfully.
‘But I wan’ him to dance with me.’
‘I think he sort of guessed that.’
The girl looked at her, uncomprehending. ‘Dance,’ she said, and smacked her fist on the bar. ‘Dance. Dance. Dance.’ With every thump of her fist she swayed a little bit further from the vertical.
‘I rather doubt it,’ said Zoe. ‘Why don’t you sit down and have a coffee?’ She waved at the barman, who was deep in conversation and not looking. ‘And a glass of water. Several glasses.’
Banana seemed to think well of the idea. She began to hoist herself onto one of the tall bar stools. And then just seemed to give up midway. For half a second it looked as if she might make it, getting half a buttock onto the seat. But then gravity and two spaghetti legs took over. She put her hand to head and folded up as neatly as a concertina.
Zoe was off her bar stool before she knew it. She pulled Banana clear of the fallen bar stool and turned her on her side. She had another go at attracting the attention of the barman. But, crouching on the floor, she had even less success.
To her surprise, Jay arrived, speeding out of the crowd as if he was on rollerskates.
‘What’s wrong? Has she taken something?’ He felt her forehead. ‘Clammy.’
Zoe had seen this before. She had seen Harry through more than one encounter with serious alcohol while her mother watched old videos in her room.
‘Too much to drink, I guess. She was swigging back margaritas earlier.’
‘Damn. She told me it was the first time she had had them. I should have realised and stopped her.’
Across the prone body, Zoe raised her eyebrows. ‘Do you think you could have? Banana seemed pretty determined to get her own way to me.’
He had that cold look back. ‘Yes, I could.’ He sounded angry. More with himself than anyone else, she thought. ‘Too late to think about that now, though. What she needs is water. Then hospital, I suppose. Just in case she really has drunk enough to make this alcohol poisoning.’ He had more success with the barman. ‘Hey, Derek. Chuck us over a jug of water.’
The barman did.
Jay propped the girl up while Zoe dribbled water between her lips. Remembering Harry, flopping and incapable at fifteen, she massaged the girl’s throat to make her swallow. Eventually her eyelids began to flutter and she moaned.
The barman was hanging over them by then, along with several of the other guests.
Jay took charge. ‘Nothing to worry about, guys. Party on. I’ll see she gets home safe.’ And then, when they had gone back to the dancing, he said quietly, ‘Call us a cab, will you, Derek? Zoe, can you help me with her?’
‘Sure.’
It was gone three when they got her into the Accident and Emergency Department of a big London teaching hospital. The waiting room was almost empty. A weary-eyed triage nurse assessed Banana’s state and whipped her straight into a cubicle. Unpleasant noises ensued.
Jay grimaced. ‘Looks like we got here just in time.’
‘At least if she’s sick they won’t have to pump her stomach,’ said Zoe practically.
That surprised a choke of laughter out of him. ‘Tell me, do you always look on the bright side?’
‘No point in doing anything else.’
The receptionist at the glass-walled desk beckoned them over. ‘Just a few details…’
Between them they did not know much. But then Zoe had the idea of looking through the girl’s sequined evening purse. It contained her small pocket diary and gave her home address and assorted details, including her blood group and the fact that she had no allergies.