BOTH SIDES NOW

James Moston

Him

Anna was only gone a few minutes and I already pined for her. I’d booked a two-bed suite in the Hilton hoping she’d stay tonight. We’d have drunk Dom Pérignon and made plans for the wedding, but she’s always afraid to talk about it.
            ‘Until I can pay for half of everything, I’d rather wait,’ she said before leaving, turning away whenever I tried to move her golden locks from her beautiful face. Intimacy was a struggle. Her family were apparently quite religious, and I hadn’t even kissed her properly yet.
            ‘Whenever you’re ready.’ I ran my fingertips over her perfect jawline before sending for the car to take her home. Anna was a prize. It’d be foolish not to wait.
‘I love you,’ she said, lowering elegantly into the back.

Her

‘Put radio on, Abs,’ I instruct from the backseat. 
            Joni Mitchell’s guitar strums scratch into the Jag.
            ‘Not tonight either?’ he says through the rear-view mirror, his dark eyes flitting between me and the road. 
            ‘Never, if I can help it.’ I take my stilettos off and feed my bare leg through the gap, resting my foot on the passenger seat.
            ‘But Mr Carter can give so much,’ he continues, his eyes twinkling.
            ‘Yeah, a hernia if the lardarse ever gets on top of me.’ 
            Abdul laughs, scratching his black beard with one hand as the other taps along to Joni on the steering wheel. ‘Will you ever marry him?’ he asks eventually.
            I feign interest in my shiny fake nails before staring into my double Chanel Miroir. My iPhone buzzes. ‘I miss you,’ I catch in the notifications.
            ‘Mr Carter?’ Abdul grins.
            I slide forward and pull my skirt higher so he sees I’m not wearing underwear. His eyes fix on the road after noticing. A furry hand leaves the gearstick and slithers down my inner thigh until his chunky fingers spread my wings. I gasp as Joni sings about recalling life’s illusions. 
            ‘Missinh u 2 xxxxx,’ my nails clang on the screen. 
            We pull into an alley between terraced houses near home, where the lights and music die.