It’s A Man’s World. Polly Courtney

Riz, softly. ‘You okay?’

      ‘Nice one!’ cried somebody behind her, more loudly.

      Alexa turned to see a pasty white face framed with ginger hair.

      ‘Good call,’ said Marcus. He was a Spurs fan, of course. ‘Very good call, Ms Long.’

      ‘What?’ Alexa frowned. That was the second time tonight she had heard that name.

      Riz leaned over, smiling apologetically. ‘It’s your nickname.’

      Alexa said it a few times in her head, rolling the words together. Ms Long. Alexa Long. AlexaLong.

      ‘Oh. Right.’

      The shaking began to subside. Alexa let out a shallow breath. For a nickname, she considered, it could have been worse – and besides, it wasn’t the nickname that mattered. What mattered was the fact that one of Derek’s disciples was standing in front of her, grinning from ear to ear and offering her another drink.