Amelia was being unsuccessfully wooed by a very drunk Simon, now even I could tell that he was well out of her league. As she was momentarily distracted I slipped away and began my search for a very drunk Lizzie. Starting my search at the most obvious place, the girls toilets and also poking my head round the boys, just in case.

Luckily I guessed right and found Lizzie sitting under the hand dryer and leaning back against the sink.

Lizzie, are you awake? Liz come on, weve got to go. I said softly, kneeling down next to the slumped figure.

She mad a couple of mumbling noises and shuffled round a bit, obviously quite contented with sleeping on the bathroom floor.

Liz, we can get home in like ten minutes and then you can pass out in your lovely, soft and comfortable double bed. I inticed, knowing she wouldn’t be able to refuse an offer like that.

Unfortunately this wasn’t the first time Id had to get Lizzie up off the floor after drinking too much. It wasn’t that she was a light weight, like I was, but she just didn’t know when to say no. If she was crawling on the floor half unconscious and someone offered her a drink, she would say yes. So it was never a good idea to take her somewhere that provided free drink. She had probably managed to consume at least half the alcohol that had been offered out tonight.

After a couple of minutes of pulling and tugging I managed to get Lizzie up and leant her safely against the sink. She was bent over and groaning into the porcelain bowl, finding it difficult to keep her balance. I tried to work out the most discreet way to get out with Lizzie not exactly being the most nimble on her feet.

Liz, are you ok? Do you need anything? I asked, trying to steady her swaying figure.

F..fresh air. she stammered, grabbing hold of my arm to try and walk out.

I bit my lip and held her up as we exited the bathroom. I knew I had to get her outside as quickly as possible, before she either threw up everywhere, or before Amelia saw me.

Its ok Liz, well be outside soon.

I smiled apologetically at the snobby glances that were cast our way. Well I didn’t want to leave too much of an impression and I think that plan was well and truly out the window now. All I needed was for Lizzie to start dribbling or groping people as we staggered past and the night would be complete.

I had the main entrance in my sights and, with Lizzies head now lolling against my shoulder and her feet no longer walking but being dragged along the floor, I pulled her with all my strength. My limbs were fuelled by the prospect of being seen by Amelia, at least that’s what the sensible voice in my head was telling me. My not-so-sensible voice in my heart however, was telling me it was because I didn’t want her to see me dragging out my alcoholic friend out of her posh and sophisticated art gallery. What ever my motivation, it was making me move pretty damn fast.

I got to the door and sighed triumphantly, smiling to myself as I opened the big glass door and pushed Lizzie out first. As soon as the cool night air hit her she came to life, sucking in a big gulp of air and lifting her head up to the sky as if her life had just been saved.