Free Death Marks (The Symbolist) by Katy Walters Page B

paid an exorbitant rent. However, with them both gaining their degrees as lab technicians in medical technology and research, they could afford this. Maybe in time, they'd have enough for a down payment on their own flat.
    ***
    Music thumped, vibrating through her chair, as she sat sipping her drink. Neil tapped his fingers to the beat of the music. 'It's great here, dark though .'
    Jeannette smiled. 'I'm just so glad you got the tickets. Strange though, turning up at the lab. So they were just with a thank you note?'
    Neil brushed his fingers through bright blond hair, glinting shades of green and red in the lights. 'Yeah, I thought it was a joke when the post lad gave it to me. It was one of those, "Congratulations Mr. Bennett; you have won a prize." But, I didn't have to spend a fortune on a phone call and then win a toaster - just the tickets. So good - didn't seem to be any strings attached.'
    'Did you go in for a competition anywhere?'
    'No, I did fill in a questionnaire on the computer the other day - one of those survey things.'
    'Must have been that. It costs a bomb to get in here. As long as we stick to lager, we'll be okay.'
    Jeannette looked up to see a man and young woman approaching their table. Jeannette's heart sank a little, after all, they'd bagged the table early, but now the others were filled up; they knew they'd have to share. The guy bent his head towards them. Raising his voice over the music, he said, 'Mind if we sit here? All the tables are full.'
    Neil sat back, 'Yeah go ahead.'
    The girl smiled, looking great in pale grey silk mini shorts and black tights, her black chiffon top with long sleeves, laced up at the front and side; Titian hair slicked into a ponytail flowing down her back. 'Thanks, I thought I'd be standing on my pins for the night.'
    Jeannette looked down at the built up stilettos. 'Hey they're designer - which one'
    'Tony Bianco. They're great, not shoes for standing in though.'
    Jeanette's eyes widened. 'Wow, they are gorgeous.'
    Extending his hand, the guy said, 'I'm Kevin and this is Julia. Hey, it's dark in here isn't it?'
    Picking up her glass, Jeannette said, ' Creates an atmosphere.'
    Still standing, Kevin grinned, 'Can I get you another one?'
    Jeannette shook her head. 'No thanks; I've had one already. I've got an early start tomorrow so I'd better stick with this. Thanks anyway.'
    Looking over to Neil, he said, 'Want a refill?'
    Neil laughed. 'Yeah why not. Thanks - Foster's Lager.'
    Grinning Kevin left the table to get the drinks, whilst Julia putting her elbows on the table, rested her chin on her hands. 'So do you guys live around here?'
    Jeannette nodded. 'We're not far from the hospital. Just moved into our new flat actually.'
    'Oh that's great; you must be excited.'
    'Yeah I am, just putting the finishing touches to the furniture. We had to paint the whole flat, so we lived out of boxes for the first couple of weeks.'
    'You must be relieved to get it all straight.'
    'Yeah, now I can concentrate on learning to cook properly.'
    Laughing, the discussion carried on, as Kevin arrived back with the drinks. As he handed a pint glass to Neil, Julia shouted over the hub of voices and throbbing music, 'Jeanette and Neil have just moved into their new flat, it's not far from here.'
    Kevin grinned. 'Is that so. We're still looking; it's really difficult to find anything in Brighton. Plenty of places outside, but we want to be near to where we work - save on the travelling.'
    Neil said, 'So what do you do?'
    Taking a sip from his beer, Kevin pushed back a lock of dark blonde hair. 'Well I'm a Pharmacist and Julia here is in research - chemistry.'
    'Hah interesting. We've both just graduated - medical research lab technicians.'
    'Oh, so we're kind of in the same professions.'
    Looking up he said, 'The floors packed; do you want to dance Julia?'
    The girl shook her head. 'I'll have a drink first, warm up.' Turning to look at Jeannette, she said, 'You two dance?'
    Jeannette nodded