“…and, if you need anything, or they get restless and you need to call me, here’s my number,” Helena said, passing over torn piece of paper on which she had quickly scribbled her mobile number. 

The girl took it from her with a smile and told her, “I’ll call if I need to.” 

Helena looked a little dubious about leaving the young girl in charge of her children, but Andrew and Peter insisted that she was a good, responsible teenager and that she could be trusted. Plus, Helena doubted her brother and his boyfriend would actually let her visit without taking her out at least once, and she was a little excited about experiencing the nightlife, even if they were taking her to a predominantly gay and lesbian club. “They’ll be fine, won’t they, Hailey?” Andrew grinned to the teenager, who nodded back and smiled down at the two children who were sitting on the stairs, watching the adults. 

“Okay,” Helena finally sighed, turning to her children, “be good, won’t you?” 

Leah nodded whilst Nicky told her, “We’re always good,” and stood up with his sister so that they could receive a joint hug from their mother. Saying goodbye, Helena offered them a little wave before she followed her brother and Peter outside and towards the taxi that had just arrived. She took one last glance over her shoulder to see the front door shutting before sliding into the back of the taxi, mobile phone tucked safely in the front pocket of her skinny jeans. “They’ll be fine,” Peter reassured her, seeing the expression on her face, “if anything happens, which it probably won’t, Hailey will call.” Helena offered him a smile and shrugged back slightly. She knew they would be okay, and she was hoping her worrying wouldn’t ruin the night for her. 

When they arrived at the club, Helena instantly felt her barriers coming up and tried to tell herself that she was perfectly welcome there despite her sexuality. Andrew had asked her several times whether or not she was okay with going there, and she had told him that she was, and she hadn’t been lying. Only, now that she was surrounded by the thriving crowds, she felt slightly out of place. “Let’s get drinks!” Andrew announced, practically dragging his sister towards the bar as Peter led the way. Their drinks ordered, the trio shuffled towards a seating area and took an available table. “You okay?” Andrew then asked Helena over the music, noticing her glancing around the room.