Chapter 20

• Josh gently persisted, assuring her she would be fine and that he would ensure she didn't stumble. He made his case in a very charming way, even offering his arm chivalrously and she found it difficult to resist, but was still reluctant to leave her friends. Josh explained that they wouldn't go far, indicating a space near to the bar, and she finally relented, making it clear it would be strictly only for one track, and allowed Josh to tug her off her stool.
• She briefly turned back to Sue to give her handbag over for safekeeping. Sue turned briefly to acknowledge receipt of the bag and confirmed "No problem Abby", before turning back to chat with Phil.
• This left Josh to escort Abigail the few steps to the edge of the dance floor, but Abigail was surprised that suddenly there was another man to her other side. Brad had moved in to flank her. She turned to Josh as if to say "Who's this?", but Josh nonchalantly introduced his friend Brad who apparently also wanted to dance with her. Feeling a bit uneasy about this development, the two young men nevertheless guided her to the dance floor, both with an arm resting on her elbow. She felt a little frogmarched, but relaxed a bit more when they only stopped a few feet within the mass of dancers, still within easy sight of her friends. Unseen by her, Josh nodded to the DJ, who put on a pre-prepared track and turned the volume right up.