Page 33 of The Silent Sister

Eléni and Gabriella walked through the double doors, letting their eyes grow accustomed to the darkness.

A glitter ball was suspended from the high ceiling and as it rotated, moving rays of coloured lights cast jewel-like circles on the dance floor.

A large crowd of dancers filled the space to practise the latest dance moves Eléni had seen on Top of the Pops and never imagined doing herself. What had she let herself in for?

‘Let’s get a drink,’ shouted Gabriella, attempting to be heard above the noise. ‘Bacardi and Coke?’

‘I’ll try one. How much do you want?’ Eléni went to unzip her handbag for her purse.

‘No, I’ll get these.’

Standing at the bar with a pint of beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other was Andy Smith. His friend, Dave, who Gabriella was so keen on, faced away from them.

‘Hey, Dave. This is a cool surprise. We didn’t expect to see these two stunners here, did we? The night’s looking up.’

Dave swivelled around. ‘You could say that. What are you two ladies drinking?’

Eléni went to refuse but Gabriella smiled at Dave. ‘Two Bacardi and Cokes, please.’

Eléni knew her cheeks were beetroot red as she felt her face and neck burning. She wanted the floor to swallow her up. It would look too obvious if she pulled the split in her maxi-dress together. Andy looked her up and down. She looked at the floor.

‘Eléni Beynon, isn’t it? Bronwen’s sister. I don’t think she’s here tonight. Couldn’t compete with her big sister in the fashion stakes, I bet. Agreed, Dave?’ His friend had returned with the drinks and handed them to the girls. ‘I got another two in for us, too. So knock it back.’

‘Thank you.’ When the boys drank back their beers, Gabriella nudged Eléni and whispered, ‘I think we’re in.’

Eléni had never been so uncomfortable in her life.

She’d been out on dates with a couple of boys in college, but they were not in the same league as Andy Smith.

They’d gone for walks or for the odd meal, more as friends getting to know each other.

He exuded self-confidence and sexual tension hung in the air.

She didn’t know whether she liked it. She’d never even spoken to him until tonight.

She’d have one drink and then make an excuse to leave.

‘Let’s go in and dance,’ said Andy. ‘We can put our drinks on the windowsill.’ He held her arm and led her through the crowd of dancers. Electricity fizzled along her skin. She couldn’t tell if it was fear or excitement.

A glance behind them told her Gabriella had no such concerns about Dave. She hung on his arm and looked up intently at his face as he spoke. ‘By the way, girls, I got you doubles to save queuing up again at the bar.’

Gabriella giggled. The four of them returned to the side of the dance floor.

The lights changed. Gone were the shafts of coloured light and in their place was ultraviolet light.

Everyone squealed and pointed at those whose white underwear shone through their dark clothes.

Even Eléni laughed as Gabriella tried to cover her glowing white bra.

It was as if her orange skinny-rib had disappeared.

Eléni looked down at her dress and hotpants, relieved she’d worn dark undies. More luck than judgement!

‘Oh. My. God. How embarrassing!’ Gabriella drank her Bacardi quickly. ‘Do they have those lights every week? It’s our first time tonight.’ She added, ‘We’ve been meaning to come for ages, haven’t we, Eléni?’

Eléni didn’t answer. It was because of her own suggestion they were there at all and she had a strong feeling they wouldn’t go again.

She’d have to ask Bronwen. A look around told her the dancers were mainly sixth formers trying to look cool.

She felt decidedly old. Andy Smith wasn’t in school either. He had to be about her age.

The music changed to a slow number and the lights dimmed further.

‘This is more like it.’ Andy took Eléni’s drink and put it on the windowsill with his.

He held Eléni’s hand and led her into the middle of the dance floor.

The haunting melody of Procol Harum’s ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’ filled the room and Eléni’s heart drummed in her chest. Andy held her tightly and swayed to the music. She’d never been held like that before.

‘You look amazing tonight,’ he whispered.

His lips and warm breath on her earlobe sent fizzles of excitement through her.

Why had she spent so long shying away from having a good time?

She wanted to rebel, didn’t she? But now she was, she didn’t know how to react.

Instead, she looked down and moved in time to the music.

The DJ’s voice broke into her thoughts.

‘Enough of the smooching, you lot. Let’s have some Slade.’

The tempo changed, and Eléni and Andy broke apart to dance in time to the music. When they went back to retrieve their drinks, Gabriella and Dave had been joined by another couple. Eléni knew the girl vaguely, but had never seen the boy before.

‘Marie and Paul.’ Dave introduced them.

‘Hi,’ said Eléni, taking her glass from Andy.

‘The place is full of bloody kids.’ He pointed to the teenage dancers who were now letting their hair down, laughing and screaming at the top of their voices to strains of ‘Mama We’re All Crazee Now’ .

‘Too right. You’re all bloody crazy,’ he shouted.

Everyone laughed. ‘Anyone fancy a spin over to Nant Melin? There’s a Young Farmers’ do on tonight.

At least they won’t all be in school. Come on, drink up. ’

Eléni did as she was told, but as she walked with Gabriella to retrieve their jackets her head started to swim. ‘I feel a bit wobbly, Gabbie. I don’t think we should go with them. Andy’s had loads to drink. I think I’ll go home.’

‘You’ll be fine once you’re out in the fresh air. Besides, you can’t go home — if you mean my house — because I’ve got the key. We’ll be fine. Dave says Andy’s a good driver.’

Left with no other choice, Eléni followed the others, piling into the Mini.

‘Eléni, you and Marie are the smallest so you sit in the front. And, Gabbie, I know you don’t want to be parted from Dishy Dave here, so you two and Paul sit in the back.

It’s not far.’ Andy lifted the front seat for them to get into the back.

Eléni sat on Marie’s lap reaching for the handle above the door.

Andy started the car and revved the engine. ‘Isn’t she a beaut?’

He drove out of the park and soon they were out on the open road leading from Porth Gwyn. ‘Go on, Smithie. Show us what she can do.’ Dave egged his friend on.

‘Everyone want some music?’ Andy handed Marie his box of cassettes. ‘She’s even got a cassette player. Cool, eh?’

Marie chose the Stones. Very soon everyone, except for Eléni, was singing ‘Can’t You Hear Me Knocking’ at the top of their voices.

Eléni’s pulse raced as Andy drove faster and faster.

‘Andy, please slow down. Please.’ She gripped the handle until her hands hurt. She was sick with fear. Why hadn’t she stuck to what she wanted to do?

The car approached the bend just before the old mill at the entrance of Nant Melin when Andy yanked the wheel to the right. The tyres screeched along the road into a skid as Andy tried to brake. ‘Jeez! I’ve bloody lost it.’

The singing abruptly stopped. Screams filled the car as the Mini left the road and rolled over onto its side into the hedge.

Eléni shot forward, banging her head on the windscreen and her arm snapped free of the handle.

For a few seconds, she heard the others yelling and scrambling over each other to get out.

‘Run to the phone box and call an ambulance. Eléni’s in a bad way.’ It was Gabriella’s voice.

‘Oh, my God. Is she still breathing?’ Marie shouted at Andy. ‘Andy, do something. Don’t just bloody stand there like a zombie.’

Excruciating pain shot down her left arm and then it all went black.