Page 19 of The Ex Factor

It wasn’t working.

‘Come on,’ she whispered to herself. ‘It doesn’t matter if no one came.’

Someone knocked on the stall door. Ashley held her breath and waited for them to leave, like there was a charity fundraiser at her front door and not someone waiting to use an occupied pub toilet.

‘You dead in there?’ a voice asked.

Ashley was so thrown by that she accidentally answered. ‘No?’

‘You don’t sound sure.’

Ashley looked at the door. ‘What?’

‘You sound uncertain. About being dead.’

A surprised laugh fell out of Ashley. ‘I’m fine.’

‘Good,’ the voice said. ‘That would be inconvenient.’

‘Go away,’ she tried. It came out weaker than intended.

‘Can’t,’ the voice said. ‘This shitty pub only has one toilet. And my bladder is about to explode.’

‘Can you give me a minute then?’

‘You sure you’re alright?’ the voice asked, quieter now.

Ashley swallowed. ‘I’m fine.’

A pause. ‘That sounded like a lie.’

‘I don’t know you,’ she said, sharper than she meant.

‘True,’ the voice agreed. ‘Hello. I’m Molly Sullivan.’

Ashley stared at the door. ‘I didn’t ask.’

‘I know,’ Molly said. ‘Still, seemed rude not to introduce myself properly while you’re having a crisis.’

Ashley laughed despite herself and was immediately annoyed. ‘It’s not a crisis.’

‘Okay,’ Molly said. ‘Is it diarrhoea?’

Ashley was appalled. ‘What?’

‘You’re locked in a toilet cubicle, not having an emotional crisis. Are you having a bodily one?’

‘This is inappropriate,’ Ashley said. She hated herself for it.

‘Look, I’m sorry. But I need to pee. I just need to know if it’s going to happen soon or if I need to make alternative arrangements.’

‘Make them,’ Ashley said.

Molly sighed. There was a silence, and Ashley assumed she’d left. But then she spoke again. ‘There’s a guitar case out here. You doing the gig?’

‘That’s the idea.’

‘Ah, Ashley Malone. We meet at last. My housemate says you’re good. He dragged me here.’