Free Even Angels Fall by Fay Darbyshire Page B

including her surroundings.
    Abbey can’t deny that Alex’s flat is seriously impressive. It is large and incredibly modern; the walls are a light cream and the laminate floor a deep, rich mahogany. The front door opens straight into the kitchen with its black gloss work tops and light grey units and the adjoining breakfast area is a large space, that has a long glass table stood in the centre with 8 tall, leather seats arranged neatly around it. The light décor and black furnishings make it look crisp and clean – and very contemporary. Out of the kitchen diner is an L shaped hallway with four more rooms leading off it. The first two are bedrooms, the master room which is Alex’s and the other large double which belongs to Tom. In the middle of the two bedrooms is a door leading into a monochrome bathroom, with a large free standing bath and a corner shower. The final door at the very end of the hallway opens out into a spacious living area. It has 3 black leather sofas with chocolate brown cushions, arranged around a matching brown rug in the middle of the floor. On the rug stands a glass coffee table, similar in design to the larger table in the kitchen.
    At one end of the room there is a massive plasma TV mounted on the wall and a black HIFI unit underneath that houses all sorts of technology, from a DVD player and a XBOX to a very futuristic looking sound system. At the opposite side of the room there is a double door that opens out onto a small balcony. Again the walls are plain cream, except for the main feature wall, which has an enormous black and white image of the London skyline printed on it. Abbey finds herself wondering what Alex must do for a living in order to afford a place like this and she remembers the exchange between Liam, Nathan and Lucy in the corridor outside. The look they gave each other suggested Alex’s job is something of a secret and she can think of only one reason why that would be the case.
    After a few drinks the party moves into the living room, where the girls sit gossiping as the boys play against each other on the games console. The music is blasting out of Alex’s impressive sound system and Abbey is feeling much more relaxed - which probably has a lot to do with the several glasses of vodka and coke she has drunk. She is actually, for once, enjoying herself and has almost completely forgotten that she has to somehow climb stealthily back into her house through her bedroom window, far too busy having fun like a normal teenager to start panicking about that.
    Needless to say she finally understands why Lucy, Nathan and Liam speak so highly of their group of friends. They are all incredibly close - more like a family unit - and they are all really lovely people… except perhaps for the one exception.
    Gemma is hilarious; she is very loud and has an incredibly dry sense of humour. Abbey has never come across anyone with such an immaculate appearance before. She has long glossy brown hair, a gorgeous complexion, the longest eyelashes and a figure any model would die for. Yet she doesn’t show any sign of an inflated ego – she is very down to earth and incredibly easy to get on with, just like Lucy had been when she and Abbey first met. Sophie is very friendly too but in a far less extravagant way. She is quite shy and softly spoken, but still very funny and great to talk to. She and Darren have been a couple for over 7 years and it is clear to see how much they love each other.
    Abbey’s first impression of Tom couldn’t have been more on the money. He is very funny and full of banter, constantly telling ridiculous tales and stupid stories, and it is hysterical the way he and Gemma bounce off each other’s sarcasm. There is clearly something between them as they flirt outrageously, but Sophie assures Abbey that they aren’t a couple, which she genuinely finds a shame.
    The one thing Abbey really can’t get over is how alike Darren and Lucy are. They have exactly the same