Rain Part3

"So, how're you keeping?" Rook asked as he and Erin walked down the street, Erin dressed unusually casual in a green blouse and jeans, while Rook had, for once, his shirt buttoned up and under a black waistcoat and his tie correct and neat.
"I'm keeping very well, thank you." Erin replied, red hair bouncing slightly as they walked. Rook was silenced for a moment, staring out of the corner of his eye, until Erin spoke.
"Where are we going?"
"The Iceberg Lounge."
Erin sighed in relief. Rook wasn't going to pull a fast one, and if he did, he'd have a VERY angry Penguin to deal with. "Is that okay?" He asked, grey eyes looking at her like a lanky puppy.
"That's fine, Rook." She assured him. They walked on, Rook with a spring in his step. Suddenly he gave a little hop and turned a cartwheel across the pavement. "Rook. Really?"
"Yes, I am that happy."
"Energy drink?"
"Times three. But that's not the point." He opened a black umbrella as rain started to fall. He placed his arm around Erin's shoulder, to pull her under the umbrella's protection. He didn't take it away afterwards, but Erin allowed him that. I WILL prove that we're just friends, she thought to herself firmly.
"What is the point?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm with you. That's enough." He said happily. "Ooh, a puddle..."
"No, I'm not going in with you drenched up to your knees." Erin scolded lightly. They entered the large, swish building.
"Table for two, please." Rook told the waiter. They ordered wine for Erin and beer for Rook.
"So..." Erin said as they made themselves comfortable. "You said yesterday that you wanted to complain to me. What happened?"
"Well, we were interrupted..." Rook said with a sly grin.
"No, silly. What were you going to complain about?" She said. Rook bit his lip slightly and leant back in his chair.
"Doesn't matter."
"Yes it does, go on." Erin encouraged. Rook's brow furrowed.
"It's... Well. Robbie's been taken back into hospital."
"ROOK!" Erin exclaimed.
"What?!"
"That's IMPORTANT!" She said, frowning. "Things like that you really do need to tell me!" She reached out and placed a hand on his. "Is he okay?"
"Yeah, he's fine. Just had a funny turn is all." Rook assured her.
"Don't hold back on something like that, Rook." She tightened the grip on his hand. "You need to talk to me."
Across the lounge, two girls, one in a shirt and green hat visor, the other in a black hooded top and pink, jagged hair, watched with rapt fascination.
"Bloody hell!" The pink-haired girl, Nessa, exclaimed in her rough british accent. "Erin and the cretin look pretty cosy." May, one of her best friends and number one drinking buddy, sighed.
"Why do you hate him so much, doll? He's a nice enough guy."
"No. No he is not. He's a conceited twat." The shorter girl frowned. "Look at him. He so obviously wants to... tcha." she snorted in disgust.
"Hey, now you mention it, that does look a little close." May agreed. "Isn't Jervis supposed to be coming out of Arkham?" May looked at her friend. "Ness. Remember what I said."
"'What happens at the Iceberg, stays at the Iceberg', I know." Nessa recited dejectedly. "Technically I'm only helping you with your shift though, I ain't getting paid."
"I'm paying you in vodkashakes." May reminded her. "Now, go take their drinks over."
"What?!?! No way!" Nessa refused. "No!"
"Fine, I'll do it." May, otherwise known to the criminal underworld as Trick Deck, sauntered over to her two friend's table for a chat. Nessa's hands gripped into fists.
Erin and Jervis were both her friends. If she knew that pompus asshole, Rook, he'd stop at nothing to split them up.
She was uncertain. Warning Jervis would bring down hellfire, and she didn't want to stir up trouble. But there was something about Rook's movements that made her know that he saw Erin's heart as a prize at the end of an elaborate game. A game that was not going to turn out well for anyone.
"Bugger it all."  She cursed under her breath.
*
A small knock on the office door brought Oswald's attention.
"Come in." He invited. A pink-haired head peered round the door. "Ah, Vanessa."
"Mr Penguin, sir." Nessa said. Oswald was one of the few people she showed respect. "I think there's something you should know..."