Background: Angela is shocked when William, an old friend from her past, who she hoped never to see again, comes back into her life, after he applies for a role at her work and successfully secures the job. William’s sudden reappearance puts Angela on edge. She’s terrified he’s discovered her secret, which she needs to protect her family from. William’s convinced Angela knows what happened to his former girlfriend, Caz, who hasn't been seen for twenty years, and that something terrible happened to her. The only person, who can help Angela, is her once best friend, Michelle, but Angela hasn’t seen Michelle for more than a decade. Faced with the threat of William’s return, they know they’ll need to work together to save their future, even if this does mean reopening old wounds, and revisiting a past they'd rather keep buried.

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Halloween 1999

‘I can’t believe you’re going as Posh Spice for Halloween,’ I laugh, my eyes clapping on Hayley’s costume.

She’s standing in her bedroom doorway. Her dress is so purple it’s making my eyes hurt. She gives us a twirl.

‘Well I think she can be pretty scary.’ Michelle smirks.

Hayley sticks her tongue out. ‘Oh, it’s just a bit of fun, isn’t it? Besides, I’m sick to death of going as a ghoul, a ghost, or a witch for Halloween. I wanted to spice things up a bit.’

‘Quite literally. Spice up your life!’ I say, punching my hand in the air. 

Hayley tuts. ‘You’re just jealous because of how good I look. We better get going. The party starts in like half an hour. I bet Caz will already be there. Lauren, come on.’

‘Yeah, I’m coming.’

Lauren emerges from the bedroom.

‘Are you dressed as a cat, Lauren?’ Michelle asks, raising an eyebrow.

‘I’m a witch’s familiar,’ she says, as if we should’ve realised straight away. ‘Honestly. Right I’m ready, let’s go.’

The party’s already in full swing by the time we arrive at the hotel. Michael Jackson’s song, Thriller, booms from the speakers. I reach out to take a glass of complimentary champagne, from the tray being held out in front of me.

‘I am here to suck your blood.’

My spine shivers. William’s standing beside me. Two fangs emerge from his mouth as he grins. His hair’s combed back and he’s whitened his face using, with, what I guess must be Caz’s makeup powder.

‘Nice cape,’ I say. ‘Very swish.’

He grins. ‘Is Hayley dressed as Posh Spice?’

‘She wanted to spice things up a bit,’ Michelle says, appearing beside me, her voice stiff.

Hayley rolls her eyes before she grabs Lauren’s arm, and drags her into the ballroom ahead of us. I reckon there must be at least a hundred people here already.

‘Come on, Caz, is on the dance floor,’ he says, placing his hand on my back, which sends a wave of hot panic, racing up my spine.

Michelle takes my arm, and I feel her nails dig into my skin.

‘Be careful,’ she whispers into my ear, before everything else is drowned out by the sound of music.

It’s easy to get lost in the crowd with everyone dressed up. The music is deafening, so it’s impossible to have a conversation with anyone. It thrums in my chest and acts as a magnet, pulling me towards the DJ booth, enticing me to dance. Hayley’s really letting herself go. Every so often she keeps sticking her tongue out in a playful gesture. Perhaps she’s trying her best to be scary, although it just makes her look funny in my opinion. I eyed a couple of boys, who haven’t bothered dressing up, pointing at her and grinning earlier.

We’re there for half an hour when a hand clasps around my shoulder. I don’t even have to turn around to know its Willian.

‘Let’s nip outside,’ he shouts into my ear.

I look around frantically for Michelle, Hayley and Lauren, but I can’t spot them. Where’s Michelle?

William’s grabbed my hand now. He’s pulling me through the crowd and back out into the main reception area of the hotel. The music still reverberates inside me, even out here.

We stumbl outside, nearly tripping on the bottom step. I laugh and collide into William, almost knocking him to the floor.

‘What about Caz?’ I ask, looking over my shoulder and back into the reception, my eyes darting about wildly, expecting her to appear at any moment.

‘Never mind, Caz,’ he says. ‘Come on.’

 He’s still grasping my hand. I allow him to lead me round to the side of the hotel, where the bins are. I cough as something putrid reaches my nostrils.

‘God that stinks,’ I say, rubbing my nose. ‘William, what’s going on?’

He holds his hand up to his forehead. ‘I’ve not been able to stop thinking about you, Angela. I just had to get you on your own for a few moments, just to talk to you. I know you feel the same way about me.’  

‘I . . . William, we shouldn’t be doing this, Caz is only a few feet away behind this wall.’

This is wrong. I remember Lauren’s warning to me a short while ago. I shouldn’t be here with him.

‘Listen, Angela. I’m going to be honest with you. Caz and me, we’ve been on the rocks for a while. I’m not sure how long things are going to last between us. We’ve never really been in a serious relationship. But I can’t ignore how I feel about you.’

My whole body is trembling. I have no idea what to say or do.

He holds one part of his cape up to cover us, so anyone looking in our direction won’t be able to see us.

‘What are you doing?’ I say, barely able to get the words out.

‘So no one can interrupt us.’

Then he leans forward and kisses me. As his lips touch mine, soft, silky, and tasting slightly of beer, it feels like I’ve left the city and I’m floating, high above in the clouds. It’s like nothing in the world matters anymore, and I melt into this one, pure moment of bliss I'm sure I'll remember for the rest of my life.

I kiss him back, unable to resist.

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Character List:

Angela Watkins - Protagonist 

Paul Watkins - Angela's husband

Rebecca Watkins - Angela's daughter 

Michelle Blake - Angela's former best friend 

Kirsty - Receptionist (Angela's friend) 

Olivia - Angela's boss

William Harris - Angela's former friend 

Caroline (Caz) - Angela's friend 

Hayley - Angela's former friend

Lauren - Angela's former friend