We didn’t get off the boat until eleven but the night was not over there. I had had a few glasses of wine and was ready to go and check out one of the bars that Shane had recommended.

“Come on Dane I want to find the Candy Bar, that one sounds like fun” I took Dana by the hand to lead her from the Embankment.

“Alice, I have a game tomorrow, I can’t stay out late” Dana protested.

“We’ll be an hour, tops, I promise” I cupped her face with my hands and pressed a light kiss of her lips.

Dana

I’ve never been able to say no to Alice when she gives me that look, with the puppy dog eyes. I gave in and we headed to Soho to find the bar.

A few minutes later, we were outside the front of the bar. I had taken off my baseball cap to go on the boat as it was a strict dress code and had forgotten to put it back on. I looked along the queue to get in and could see a few women eyeing me and nudging their friends. Just then, I felt someone tap my shoulder and we turned to face a tall brunette facing us. For a minute, I feared that our night was going to be ruined by a load of people asking for my autograph.

“Miss Fairbanks? Nice to meet you I’m Caroline Goodchild, the manager of the Candy Bar” She held her hand out and I shook it, relieved that she was not some excited fan. “Would you like to come in?” Gesturing at the door, past the long queue and the butch bouncers.

“Love to” Alice answered for me and we entered the club, even though I felt a bit bad pushing in front of others, like I always do when I’m treated like some big celebrity.

We walked through to the bar and everything around was pink- the walls and the counter and all of the lights. The barmaid came over to us, dressed in a black shirt and pink tie and we ordered our drinks. This was going to be my only alcoholic drink, as I had had a glass of wine on the boat and I could not get drunk because I was playing the next day. Alice, on the other hand, was already tipsy from the wine, but I was glad that she was having a good time.