art is never finished, only abandoned.

“I will try my best but I am not always so good with electrics. What happened to it?”

“I don’t know... One second, everything was cool, the next... the lights just turned off. I thought it might have been the bulb, so, I changed it, but the lights still won’t turn on and it’s the same for every room. I’m lucky I found you when I did. My dad wouldn’t be very pleased if he came back to this.”

Adam sipped on his now cold coffee, enjoying his break uninterrupted for once when he suddenly realised someone was asking his something. “~Sorry, I spaced out then, what did you say?”

“Sorry! I was asking if it’s okay for me to sit here? It seems this is the only available seat left... well, except next to that old man over there. But I don’t really want to sit next to him because he kind of smells like beer and wee.”

“You’re not gonna get anywhere doing it like that, here give me a try.”

Nora had been preoccupying herself by sketching inside her beloved portfolio when the male’s comment met her ears. Her eyebrows furrowed lightly a few mini seconds before she let out a giggle. “I’m sorry, Picasso. But you don’t look like much of an artist to me.”

“Well I aint goin’ out there. Sleepover anyone?”

“Glad someone around here has the same idea as me.”

“~I doubt I’ll be sleeping tonight, be too worried I’ll wake up surrounded by water.”

“Very true. Don’t worry. I’m sure there’s a door around here somewhere that the two of us can somehow not fit on if things get that bad. I mean. If it’s good enough for the Atlantic ocean, it’s good enough for Stamford.”

“I’d toast ta being ‘ere ta ‘ave fun, but I don’t ‘ave a beer, and I really want one. I’m Thomas. Now that’s out of the way, want a beer? I’m ‘eading that way now and then we can get ta toasting.”

“Oh, yes. I could definitely go for a beer. I mean, if we don’t toast to it, our evening will pretty much be doomed, wouldn’t it? And we can’t have that, especially at a party!”

“That sounds not better at all, but ‘appy Valentine’s Day ta ya as well. I guess ya could say I am, but I don’t exactly think about it that way.”

“Same here. I’m just here to have fun, really... and to hopefully, not get shoved out of a window. I’m Nora, by the way. Nice to meet you.”

“Want to tell me what you are doing in the men’s toilets?

“Oh! Sorry. I wasn’t really looking where I was going... must have mistaken this for the ladies’. This is totally embarrassing.”

“Did you jus’ try an’ feel me up?”

“What?! No! I must have accidentally brushed past you, that’s all. Sorry. You do look lovely, though.”

“’aven’t been ta a party ‘ere in years. ‘ope they’re etter than they used ta be.”

“Tell me about it. Heard somebody got pushed out of a window at the last one! Anyway. Happy Valentines Day. Are you a member of the Lonely Hearts Club? I’m the ambassador.”

Cleo gazed around the bar. “I can’t be the only one here without a date. Can I? I know it’s valentines, but who ever said you can’t enjoy your own company?”

“Oh, you’re not the only one. Welcome to the Lonely Heart’s club.” Nora flashed the girl with one of her brightest smiles. “I’m surprised you don’t have one, though. You’re gorgeous. The men around here must need their heads examining.”

“This might be stupid, but that doesn’t scare me. I actually find it intriguing. It’s not really true though, is it?”

“It would be so cool and so much fun if it were, but unfortunately, it isn’t. Though, you never know. Maybe one day it could happen?”

“Steal it. Free cat.”

“Oooh. Good idea. I could call it... Ginger Spice or something.”