“That is a long story so I will spare you the details. McCoy’s been suspended, and he decided to show up at Stacey’s to try and persuade me to help him, I think. We haven't had much chance to talk yet. Billy came over to the flat earlier and invited McCoy along tonight, so … that's why he's here.”
“I sense animosity,” Alison said, watching me closely. “You don't like him much, huh?”
“I don't like him at all,” I told her with a laugh. “But if I think about it, it will only make me angry. He's here, there's nothing I can do about it now.”
“That's not a satisfactory explanation, Leah. You can't leave me dangling!”
I looked distastefully at my glass of coke, put it down on the table and took Alison's glass of vodka and lemonade from her hand, swallowing a huge swig and causing her to burst out laughing.
“Is he really that bad?”
“Oh yes.”
Alison looked across the room to where Radleigh was sitting, surrounded by children and a few of their parents. He was laughing, and one of the kids was challenging him to an arm wrestle. I watched as he pretended to struggle with the determined boy, then finally concede, making the young teenager beam wit
h pride.
“He looks harmless enough.”
Tearing my eyes away from him, I said, “He has his moments.”
“He's damn good-looking too. The women in here can't keep their eyes off him.”
“I'm used to that. It wouldn't be so bad if he weren't so up himself.”
“Are you saying you don't see the attraction?”
“I'm saying there are more important qualities in a man than an incredible body,” I told her. “He's a great looking guy. But that's where his good points end.”
“I bet he's an amazing kisser.”
I tried not to splutter into my drink. After what I’d said, confirming her theory probably wasn’t the best idea.
“Alison! You're a married woman!”
“Exactly. I’m married, not blind,” she said with a wink, making me laugh. She finished the last of her drink, then stood up. “Well, I better be getting back out there.”
“Have fun. I’ll catch you later.”
I rose from my seat and made my way over to where McCoy was sitting alone since his admirers had left him.
“Well, well, well,” I said with an amused grin. “I never would have thought you'd have a way with children.”
He looked up at me. “I'm a man of many talents.”
“Well, you may be able to fool a bunch of kids into thinking you’re a superhero, but I am not so easily misled.”
“Actually, I was charming them into not using their smartphones to tell the world where I am.”
I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me to think about that before. He wasn’t quite famous enough to be stalked whenever he stepped out his front door, but if he was seen partying while he was suspended, it would make an interesting story.
And if I was seen in any of those photos, it would be a disaster.
“Don’t look so worried,” he said. “Everyone’s having too much fun to take any notice of me.”
I had no choice but to hope he was right. We were already out together, there was nothing I could do about it.
“Why don't you tell me why you came to see me?” I said.