Alice first met Darren on a Friday night.

It was mid-October, the weather having only just tipped from late Summer into early Autumn, and the breeze from the north had brought with it a biting cold that left the skin of Alice’s nose raw and flaking. She was running late for dinner with her best friend, Hannah, and knowing Hannah’s dislike of tardiness, Alice raced down the street, dry leaves scattered to dust under her fast-moving feet.

Round one bend in the round, turn left, round another. Alice moved at an unprecedented speed, her face tucked deep into her scarf’s warm folds, her small hands curled into fists. She was just about to reach the crossing between Ecclesall and Banner Cross, merely minutes from the agreed-upon restaurant, when her plans were quickly interrupted by a huge boulder in a thick, fur coat. A fur coat? Unable to put the brakes on fast enough, Alice stumbled forward and collided headfirst into a very large stranger.

‘Ah!’ Alice stumbled; two giantish hands planted themselves on either side of her arms.

‘Hi,’ said a man’s voice. Alice blinked. ‘Are you okay?’ His voice was gruff, deep in a way that sent a chill down Alice’s spine. ‘Hello?’

‘Yes,’ she gasped, suddenly regaining her composure. ‘My god, I’m so sorry. I was in such a rush, I didn’t see you.’

‘That’s alright.’

Alice craned her neck back and looked up at his face.

Jesus Christ. Alice’s heart gave a little stutter. The man was… well, a man. Tall and broad, with strong shoulders pushing against the fabric of his coat. His jaw was chiselled, his eyes like two glaciers. Alice’s gaze fell to his mouth, the slight pout of his lower lip, the smoothness of his skin… God, Alice loved a guy who recognised the merits of lip balm.

‘Where are you going in such a hurry?’ the man asked.

‘I’m meeting a friend for dinner.’

‘That sounds fun. Where abouts?’

‘Marmadukes,’ said Alice, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear. Hannah always said she looked better with her hair out of her face, supposedly her bone structure needed room to shine. ‘Do you know it?’

‘Yeah, I love that place!’ replied the man.

A small voice in Alice’s head said that it was stupid to tell this stranger where she was going. Another, much louder voice, said that psychopathic men were always ugly, their violence a result of their bitterness, and that this man was as far from ugly as it was possible to be.

‘I’m Darren, by the way,’ said the man.

‘I’m Alice.’

Darren swallowed. ‘Sorry if this is very forward, Alice, but you are incredibly beautiful. Any chance I could get your number?’

Alice had to fight a grin from overtaking her face. ‘Sure.’

Darren held out his phone and Alice typed her number into it.

‘Well…’ said Alice. ‘See you around, Darren.’

Darren smiled. ‘I hope so.’

Alice watched him walk away, all thoughts of Hannah and their dinner swept from her mind. What she wouldn’t give to have dinner with a man like that…

It was hours later, full of food and good conversation and back in her apartment, that Alice received a text. Her heart leapt. Hey. It said. This is Darren. Are you free tomorrow night? I’d love to take you out.

I’m sure I could move some stuff around, replied Alice, knowing full well she had no plans til next Wednesday.

Great! Can I pick you up at 7? What’s your address?

Again, Alice heard a slight warning in the back of her mind, a voice that seemed to be at once hers, and her mother’s, and her grandmother’s, and every woman that had ever come before her. Don’t give a stranger your address, the voice said. But what if in refusing to do so, she offended him? Scared him away? This guy was good, Alice could tell. She’d always had an astute intuition about that sort of thing. And god, Alice needed a good guy in her life.

32 Brook Place, said Alice. See you then!

The next night, Darren arrived outside her apartment complex at 7 pm sharp, dressed in a crisp black suit. Alice practically salivated at the sight of him. How could one man possibly look so good?

They met out front and got into Darren’s car. Again, the voice in her head piped up, but this time Alice shut it down instantly. Murders didn’t drive Mercedes-Benz. They didn’t wear nice suits and delicious-smelling aftershave. They didn’t open doors for women and tell them how beautiful they looked. Alice was just being silly.

At the restaurant, they talked for ages, going over what felt like their whole lives. Alice learned about Darren’s two younger brothers, about how he always felt like a second father to them. She learned about his job at a law firm and about how he’d always wanted to be a musician, how he still played bass in a band with his friends on the sidelines.

By the time Darren drove Alice back to her apartment, giving her a small kiss at her front door—he had insisted on walking her up the stairs—Alice was deeply and truly smitten. God, those moisturised lips felt even more succulent pressed against hers than she could have possibly imagined.

She immediately called Hannah, and the two of them dissected the whole night together, going over everything, from the way he’d said hello to the feeling of his stubble against her skin as he’d kissed her. Alice couldn’t remember ever meeting such a perfect guy. Hannah warned her not to get attached too soon, but it was too late. Alice was head over heels. Darren was hers, and she was his, and Alice refused to hear any differently. Her darling Darren…

The next morning, she got another text.

I had lots of fun last night. Want to go for lunch today?

An hour later, they were in Darren’s car again, this time headed to a new location. Alice had promptly showered, blow-dried her hair and curled it all in the past hour following Darren’s text, and she was feeling exceedingly pleased with herself. Her long, dark waves were smooth and glossy, her face covered in just enough makeup to elevate her beauty without leaving room for anyone to call her a catfish. She smoothed down her mini-skirt, shooting secret looks over at Darren. Wow, he looked good. Somehow, dressed in jeans and a plain hoodie, he looked even better than he had in his suit. There was something effortless about him, a natural ease with which he moved through the world.

They arrived at a little cafe Darren loved and got to ordering. A small part of Alice had been nervous that the ease of their previous night together had been a fluke, but talking to him that morning was even better than the night before, if such a thing were possible.

They shared an avocado toast and pancakes. They gazed longingly into each other’s eyes. Everything was per—

‘Alice? Is that you?’ Alice turned.

‘Ben!’ she exclaimed. Ben was one of her best friends from University who had moved to a different city after graduating. Alice hadn’t seen him since then, though they called often. She got to her feet and hugged him. ‘Oh my god! What are you doing here?’

‘I’m here for a work thing, super last-minute. One night only, but I was going to text you and see if you were free. I just finished up my lunch. What were the odds of running into each other like this?’

‘Wow… How are you?’ said Alice. ‘How’s Sarah?’ Sarah was Ben’s fiancée, who had been part of their friend group in University. The two of them launched into small talk, and it was only after a few minutes had passed that Alice remembered Darren, sitting stoically behind them.

‘Oh, Ben,’ she said. ‘This is Darren. Darren, this is Ben. We went to university together.’

‘Nice to meet you,’ said Ben, holding out his hand. Darren reached out and shook it, Ben’s hand disappearing into his grip. Ben winced.

‘You too.’

‘Anyway,’ said Ben, snatching his hand back. ‘I don’t want to intrude on you guys any longer, but Alice, whatcha say we meet up tonight? Have a little catch-up?’

‘That sounds great!’

‘Cool, I’ll text you details. Bye guys, nice to meet you Darren.’ And with that, Ben nodded to the two of them and left.

Alice sat back down and resumed eating. She could feel Darren’s eyes searing into her face like two lasers.

‘What?’ she said, finally looking up.

‘What was all that about?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Did you guys use to date?’

‘What? No,’ said Alice. ‘It wasn’t anything like that.’

‘I think he likes you.’

‘No, he doesn’t. Why would you think that?’

‘Come on, you’re not blind. You must have noticed the way he looks at you, like he bloody loves you or something.’

‘Well, he does love me. As a friend. And I love him as a friend too. He’s engaged to one of our other best friends from uni.’

‘Sure.’

‘I’m not lying to you.’

‘Whatever.’

Alice scowled. ‘Look, it’s nothing like that. Can you drop it?’

‘Sure. Fine.’

They finished their meal in stony silence. When Darren dropped her off at her apartment twenty minutes later, he finally turned to her.

‘Look, I’m sorry, okay. I didn’t mean to be so…’

‘Rude?’ Alice suggested.

‘Yeah. I was pretty rude. It’s just…’ Darren hesitated. ‘My last girlfriend, she… she cheated on me with her guy best friend. I know that has nothing to do with you, and I shouldn’t be projecting things onto you, it’s just…’

Alice reached out and touched his arm.

‘It’s okay. I understand. I’m sorry that happened to you.’

‘Thank you.’ Darren smiled. ‘You really are great, you know.’

Alice returned a grin. ‘Oh, I know.’

That night, Alice got ready to meet up with Ben. The two of them were going to relive their old uni days and hit up their favourite club. Alice shimmied into a sparkly dress she hadn’t worn in years. She was strapping on silvery heels when her phone rang.

She picked it up. ‘Hello?’

‘Hi Alice, it’s Darren.’

‘Oh, hey Darren. Can I call you back tomorrow morning? I’m just about to leave to see Ben.’

‘Oh,’ said Darren. ‘So you’re going through with that after all.’

‘Well… yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?’

‘After everything I told you about my ex, I just thought—’

‘What? That I’d cancelled on one of my best friends.’ Alice scowled. ‘Yeah, that’s not my style.’

‘Where are you guys going?’

‘We’re going to West Street Live.’

‘That’s a club.’

‘Yeah,’ snapped Alice. ‘I know.’

‘I didn’t know you liked clubbing.’

‘Not really, but we’re going for old times’ sake.’

‘Don’t you think that sends a certain message?’ asked Darren.

‘What message would that be?’

‘Well… Most women who go to clubs are…’

‘Are what?’ said Alice. Darren didn’t respond. ‘I’m going now,’ she snapped. ‘Bye.’

Alice walked down to the street where Ben waited for her, trying her best to push Darren’s words from her mind.

Yeah, so he was a bit insecure following his previous relationship, but that didn’t make him a bad person, right? Anyone would behave similarly after being cheated on. That didn’t mean that the two of them weren’t right for each other. In fact, Alice could be the one to help him learn how to trust again; she could show him how wonderful love was capable of truly being.

Alice and Ben walked into the city centre and headed to the club. The sun had already set long ago, and the path before them was lit by streetlamps, each one like a small star that burst before Alice’s eyes. The light reflected off the road’s slick surface, and the orangey glow made it look like they were walking on a river of gold. Alice and Ben talked and talked, and pretty soon, all negative thoughts left by Darren’s call were swept from her mind. How could Alice feel bad when the night was so beautiful, when one of her best friends was back at her side?

Soon, they neared the clubbing district, the change evident by the hoots and hollers perforated the air. Alice could feel an excited thrill in her blood. God, how long had it been since she’d done something so young and fun?

The two of them walked into West Street Live, their favourite club as students, and before Alice knew what was happening, she was dancing, the music taking over her body. She twirled and twirled, her hair floating out behind her in a dark ribbon. Drinks went smoothly down her, the flashing lights gained an otherworldly quality, and Ben and she were swept away in the fun of it all.

‘Spin!’ shouted Ben.

‘What?’ said Alice, unable to hear him over the music.

‘SPIN!’ Ben twirled her and Alice spun obligingly, notes of laughter bubbling up between her lips. The room was reduced to a blur of motion, people and faces melding into one sea of—

‘Darren?’ Alice froze mid-spin, eyes fixing on someone across the room. Darren stared back at her.

‘Alice, are you okay?’ shouted Ben, but Alice wasn’t listening.

‘One sec,’ she yelled. ‘I’ll be back.’

Alice started across the room towards Darren, determination sobering her. What was he doing there? Alice reached him and he led her outside. The cold of the night greeted them like a slap across the face.

‘What are you doing here?’ Alice demanded. ‘Are you following me?’

‘God, you think highly of yourself, don’t you?’ Snark dripped from Darren’s voice.

‘That wasn’t an answer.’

‘No, of course not. I was out with friends and we ended up here.’

‘Where are your friends?’

‘They’re inside. I can introduce you if you want.’

‘So it’s fine for you to go clubbing, but you judge me for it?’ Alice snapped.

‘It’s different.’

‘How?’

‘For men and women. It’s different. As a woman, it sends a message.’

‘God, do you hear yourself?’ Alice shouted. ‘You sound crazy.’ She turned to leave, but Darren grabbed her wrist. Alice could feel his fingers digging deep into her skin.

‘Don’t get mad,’ he pleaded. ‘I didn’t mean it, I’m sorry.’

‘Let me go.’

‘Alice, please—’

‘Let me go!’ Alice wrenched her wrist from Darrel’s grip and hurried inside. Back amongst the pressing bodies, Alice tried to make her way back to Ben, but she couldn’t see him anywhere. The mass of people felt like it was choking her.

‘BEN!’ she shouted. ‘BEN!’ But there was no response. Alice fought against the crowd to slip her hand into her pocket, drawing out her phone. She tapped the screen. Nothing. All Alice could see was her wide-eyed face reflected in the black surface, shiny with greasy fingerprints. ‘Fuck!’ Her phone was dead; her best friend was nowhere to be seen. God, how could she have been so stupid!

Alice looked around, assessing every tall man in the room in case they were Darren, but he was nowhere to be seen. Maybe she could slip out and run back home?

Alice changed directions, pushing towards the exit opposite from where she and Darren had spoken. The music only seemed to grow louder as she made her way across the room, pounding in her skull. Elbows out, Alice made her way to the other exit, stumbling out into the freezing night.

The door slammed shut behind her, and quiet descended over the scene, broken only by a few drunken murmurs from staggering passers-by. Heart pounding, Alice hurried off down the road, heading in the direction of her apartment. Every now and then, she would hear a noise and glance over her shoulder, but there was no one else around, and eventually, her heart began to slow.

Yes, Darren had been a little aggressive, but that didn’t mean he was a danger to her. There was no reason to keep looking at the surrounding streets like she’d just received reports of an escaped wild animal. Still, Alice breathed a sigh of relief when her apartment building finally slid into view.

Back up in her apartment, the door shut behind her, Alice collapsed onto her couch. God, how ridiculous her fears seemed now that she was safe at home. What she needed now was a nice bath, an episode of Gilmore Girls, maybe a bar of chocolate…

BANG BANG! Alice froze. Someone was knocking on her door.

‘Alice?’ called Darren’s voice. ‘I know you’re in there, please open up.’ Alice didn’t respond. ‘Alice?’

‘What are you doing here?’ Alice gasped, backing away from the door.

‘I was worried we ended tonight on the wrong foot.’

‘How did you know I’d be here?’

‘I followed you back from the club. I wanted to make sure you got home safe.’

‘Please leave,’ Alice gasped.

‘Come on, Alice. Don’t be like that. I really care about you.’

‘You hurt me.’

‘I didn’t mean to. I just wanted you to give me a chance to explain myself.’

‘You had you’re chance. Now leave before I call the police.’

‘Don’t be like that, Alice,’ Darren growled. ‘I’ve never met a woman like you before, you can’t blame me for acting this way.’

‘LEAVE!’ Alice shouted.

‘No,’ snapped Darren. ‘Open the door, Alice. I just want to talk.’

‘No.’

‘OPEN THE GODDAMN DOOR!’

Alice gasped for breath, her back pressed against the furthest wall, a trembling hand clutched around her phone.

‘I’m sorry, my love,’ said Darren. ‘I didn’t mean to scare you. I just miss you.’ Alice didn’t respond. ‘Let me in, Alice.’ She still didn’t respond. ‘LET ME IN OR I’LL BREAK THE FUCKING DOOR DOWN!’ Still Alice didn’t move. ‘THREE.’ Tears poured down Alice’s cheeks. ‘TWO!’ Her phone fell out of her trembling grip, clattering to the floor. ‘ONE!’