'Tell me a funny story about your family.' The first thing he sees is her hair, it's swept across her face and head to a single bunch; an awkward rhino horn of a three inch plait sticks jauntily out from the left side of her head. Kasheen is sitting by himself absentmindedly tapping his foot and grinding his teeth to the music. The accumulated sweat from five hundred dancing bodies rises up to the low ceiling, condenses on a pipe then drips onto his back. He's too exhausted to care, worn out by too many late nights and early mornings. Her quirky hair and interesting question invite him to look up. She has large green eyes and a cheeky smile, her stalk of hair is dyed purple and cream. Leaning across so she can hear his voice above the thumping bass-line he talks quickly, scared she'll grow bored.
'One time I found my Aunt's wig. She'd had it specially made from her real hair.' He can remember the smell even now, he would bury his face in its softness and breathe in the sharp acidic aroma. 'My sister Ruth dressed me up in her clothes and covered me in make-up, then helped me try the wig on.' He doesn't add that he'd actually tried it on many times before. 'I looked so good that we cooked up this plan'¦'
'Wait. I want to hear the rest...' She pulls a chair out and throws her jacket over the back of it. ''¦just let me get a drink though.' He watches her retreating through the crowd, convinced that she won't return. He becomes angry and looks around for his friend in the crowd.
'Go on.' She sits back down and her large eyes stare hungrily into his.
'Ruth told mum that I'd already gone out but that she was having a friend over for dinner.'
Anticipating the end of the story she grabs his arm and giggles. 'No'¦'
'Yeah,' He continues, 'And it worked a treat. I walked in, sat down, and started talking as if I was Ruth's friend from school. I swear mum didn't suspect a thing. Nor my dad.' Buoyed on by her laughter he exaggerates the story a little. 'Dad even flirted with me a bit. I was all dressed up like a girl and they didn't have a clue it was me.'
She grabs his hand and leads him to the chill-out room. They settle themselves into a quiet corner. He feels encouraged when her bare leg nestles against his.
In a wind-change her features neutralise. 'I think my sister would find that story funny, but not me.'

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