Collapsing in a fit of giggles, Claire stopped to catch her breath. Catching up with her, Simone danced around her, still singing.
Claire laughed. It had been the perfect night. And morning, come to think of it. It was 6am and the sun was already beginning to rise above the terraced houses.
"Thank you for a fantastically brilliant birthday!" Simone hugged her tight.
"You're welcome" she slurred. She was due at work in just over two hours. This was going to need a lot of coffee. Continuing to walk, they reached Claire's house and she crept in through the back gate, still clutching her balloon. If she could only make it upstairs without waking her parents. It was doubtful that she would manage it though, she rarely did. Her mum must sleep with her eyes open; not once had she managed to fool her.
Tip-toeing upstairs, avoiding the creaky step, she made her way into her bedroom, collapsing on the bed. She mustn't sleep. There was not a hope in hell of her waking up before noon if she did. Reaching for her phone, she scanned through the photos she had taken. It really had been a fantastic night. One of the best they had had in a long time.
Her phone beeped with a message. It was Simone letting her know she was home safely. She always did this, even though they only lived two doors apart. What was likely to happen to her?
Turning on the shower, she stepped under the cool water. She was bound to regret that last shot of tequila. Closing her eyes, she let the water cascade over her.
The door opened.
"Dad, I'm in the shower! Can't you just wait two minutes?!" He always did this.
He didn't reply. Or leave.
Turning off the water, she reached for a towel, "Okay dad, you win." Wrapping the towel around her, she stepped from the shower, the cool air hitting her almost as hard as the hand to her face.
"Ow! What the...." she could just about make out the face staring back at her. It almost definately wasn't dad. Who was it? She didn't have the time to ask, as another blow was delivered to her head. This one much harder.
"Wh...wh....st..."
The final blow silenced her.