Chapter Two

Elizabeth "Effy" Stonem has a secret. A big secret.

I'm bored. Tonight isn't as good as it should be, and I'm getting thirsty. No one is drinking or taking anything and the place is crowded. I need someone to get drunk, because I'm getting weak and I can't influence them. I need this place to quiet down so I can find somewhere secluded and drink.

"Shall we go then? This place sucks." I need to get away from here, I need to drink.

"Naw man, Effs. Lets say. It's good, yeah?" Cook answers and I sigh, getting more agitated by the minute.

I'm angrily scanning the crowded bar when I see her. Katie. My mind is clouded by the challenge. She comes over, slinking through the crowd, a large wine glass held high in her hand. She takes a long drink when she reaches us and I upend my own glass, downing the rest of it in one.

"Hey, Katie." She looks at me warily. I'm still not forgiven, and I'm not surprised. I did hurt her after all, didn't I? She takes another drink, her glass quickly emptying. "Want another drink? I'm going to the bar." She nods, still not talking to me. "Same again then?" I don't wait for an answer as I push through the crowd.

I'm at the bar when I hear her whispering harshly to Cook. "What is that bitch doing here?" I can hear the hatred in her voice.

I catch a bar-tender's eye and he comes straight over. "Large glass of rosé, cosmopolitan and two shots of vodka." He hurries to make the drinks, almost slamming them on the bar. I move my hand towards my purse and he shakes his head. Free of charge. I quickly dump the two shots into the wine and take a sip of my own drink before heading back.

"Here." I hand the drink to Katie and watch as she takes several quick mouthfuls. I look between her and Cook. Cook shrugs, not knowing the answer to my unasked question. "So, Katie, what's up?"

She hands her drink to Cook.

"It's Emily, that's what. Stupid cow. Just last year they weren't talking to her and now she's got the whole family wrapped around her lezza finger." She pauses to grab her drink back and take another mouthful. "I just can't take it. But you wouldn't understand."

"'Course I would. I've got a big brother, haven't I?" She finally looks as me. "You think a twin sister is bad? Try having an elder brother who can manipulate the eggs out of chickens." I quickly finish my drink and nod at Katie's. "Another?"

Hmm...