I think of all the times we’ve been in there and Franco slinked past looking scared, or refused to push Bibi when she was rude to him. I thought he was terrified of her because she’s generally quite a scary person, not because she’d threatened him.
‘You were protecting the women you work with,’ I breathe out, in awe of Bibi and her strength. ‘You are incredible.’
She looks a bit bashful. ‘Well, it was stupid and I very easily could’ve been hurt or… worse. I don’t think it’s something I’d recommend. But he did leave everyone alone after that.’ A pained expression crosses her face and she looks directly over at me. ‘Until now, that is. Esther, I’m so sorry. The worst of it is that I’ve been working with the HR department at head office. They had me documenting anything and everything he’s done, and he’s about to get fired.’
‘He should be fuckingarrested!’ Alex yells, furious. ‘He’s the Harvey Weinstein of shit bars.’
‘Well, that’s next on the list,’ Bibi nods. ‘They’re speaking to the police, too, and a few of the women I work with are going to give statements.’
‘Woah,’ I say in a low voice. ‘I will too, if they need?’ Ishake my head. ‘I thought he was just a pathetic, harmless little man. I can’t believe how wrong I was. What’s wrong with me – do I give out a signal to predators like Carl and Franco?’ I look around, feeling shaken.
‘It’s them, not you,’ Bibi says quietly. ‘And we’ll all been there multiple times. The world needs to change, not you.’
Alex shakes her head, turning to her new girlfriend with awe. ‘You’re amazing, baby, so brave.’
‘I cannotwaitto tell that prick where to stick his job,’ Bibi replies through gritted teeth.
‘Oh,’ I perk up, excitedly. ‘Have you accepted that job offer then?’
Bibi smiles a bit sheepishly. ‘Actually… no.’ She glances over at Alex, who gives her an encouraging grin. ‘I’ve turned it down. It wasn’t really what I wanted to do in the long term and I’ve decided to go it alone! I’ve registered myself as self-employed and I’m starting my own little marketing and consulting firm. Alex is going to help me with my website.’
‘Oh my god!’ I shout delightedly. ‘That is perfect! And absolutely fantastic! I’m so proud of you.’
She shrugs, clearly deliriously pleased. ‘Plus, I’ve met so many talented other marketing execs on the job-hunting circuit. We could work together, form a company, make it all a bit more legit. And I can keep working at the bar part time, while we make a go of things. Now Franco’s leaving, it might even be quite fun. The rest of the bar staff are nice and I think they’ll all like me a lot more if I start doing some actual bartending.’
‘I justknowmy bosses will put some work your way,’ I throw in happily. ‘It turns out,’ I tell them shyly, ‘that I’m actually pretty well respected and liked by my team. Who knew!’
‘Duh.’ Bibi rolls her eyes. ‘Of course you are. You are so weird the way you doubt yourself all the time. You’re brilliant.’
‘And speaking of Esther’s brilliance’ – Alex turns back to me, looking excited – ‘tell us about when you next saw Nick after your frustratingly sexless night together at uni.’
I look down at my hands. ‘OK,’ I reply in a small voice, feeling strange. ‘So I was twenty-four, and it was a few months before I met Idris…’
The group nods excitedly.
SECRET EX 8: NICK WILDEAKA The Ex That Wasn’t An ExPART TWO
TheSwanSwab
The exit
7.15pm
We’re just leaving when I see him.
‘Um, I’ll see you at home,’ I tell Louise. ‘I just spotted someone I know.’ She nods, barely glancing back.
‘I’m knackered, babe,’ she yawns. ‘I’m going straight to bed for an early night, I’ll see you in the morning.’ She goes and I turn my attention back to the pub. Much as I love Lou, I don’t want to share this person with her.
We’ve only been to this pub a couple of times before, despite it being minutes from our flat. It’s pretty grubby andold man-y, but we’re starting to quite like it. We might even make it our regular.
I cross the room and tap his shoulder lightly. He turns and my stomach melts at the sight of his face.
‘Esther?’ Nick sounds incredulous like he can’t believe it’s me. ‘It’s been years! Jesus, how are you?’ He wraps his arms around me and I instantly wish he hadn’t. His smell is too much, it lights something up inside me.
‘What are you doing here?’ I laugh, drinking in his beautiful face, so happy to see me. He has more stubble than the last time I saw him in the student bar, and he’s wearing glasses now – they suit him. Otherwise, he’s much the same.
‘Pub crawl with the work mates,’ he answers with an eye roll. ‘Actually, they were about to head to the next place. Are you going? Will you stay and have a drink with me?’
