ELVIS

“Wahoo, time to close. I can’t wait to get ready for the party.”

Maddy and Shelly tidied up in record speed, then rushed off to the staffroom to get into their costumes. We were going as the Suicide Squad; well part of it anyway. Maddy was going as the Enchantress, Shelly as Katana, George as Killer Croc, and I was going as Harley Quinn. We’d worked hard on our outfits to get them as authentic as possible. It helped that George was a Comic Con veteran and took his Comic Book characters very seriously.

“Bloody Hell, E, you look amazing!” Maddy gasped when I emerged from my office all dressed up. I was more than pleased with my look. “Mr Kent is never going to be able to resist you in that outfit.” She pulled me over to the full-length mirror so we could admire our reflections.

From the floor up, I was wearing a pair of glittery silver Doc Martens that I had ‘borrowed’ from stock. I swore to buy them afterwards. My legs were covered in black fishnets leading up to the teeniest leather boy shorts, also in black. They barely covered my arse and I was pretty certain my junk was on full display.

Around my waist hung a thick studded belt. My top was a long-sleeved t-shirt which almost matched the one Margot Robbie wore in the film. I’d found it in the women’s section at Primark. I had numerous bracelets and cuffs around each wrist and a fingerless glove on one hand. Harley traditionally wore her long platinum hair in bunches which she coloured blue and pink, and I’d bought a wig from a party shop to mimic it. I’d copied her make-up by ringing my eyes with black kohl and thickening up my lashes with mascara. My lips were painted bright red. The look was finished off with a metallic collar and a baseball bat.

“You look incredible.” Shelly agreed.

“Fuck!” I yelped in fright. George stepped out from behind the stockroom door and into the shop, dressed as Killer Croc. He’d donned a full on creepy head mask and pulled a hoodie on over it, just like his character. I palmed my heaving chest. ”Selfie!” I cried, holding my phone up in front of me, to which the other three crowded in.

“How many pictures do you have to take, Elvis!” George sounded exasperated as I made us pose for my umpteenth photo.

“They have to be just right if they’re to make it to my insta. You know that, George.”

“I’m rolling my eyes.” His voice was muffled by the mask and sounded funny. “Come on, let’s go and party.”

The Zapato Suicide Squad locked up the shop and spilled out, four strong, onto the main street of Kent Village. It looked sensational. Little white fairy lights decorated the trees and Christmas music played in the background, really setting the scene. Comic book characters filled the street grabbing glasses of prosecco and canapes as they went. There was much joviality, creating a perfect party atmosphere. I wondered where Jonah was. Of course, I had no idea what he was dressed up as.

“Elvis?” Oh, but I’d recognise that deep, sexy voice anywhere.

“Jonah!” I twirled around. “Oh, my dayyyys!” Nico was bloody brilliant. I was so not expecting to find Jonah Kent fully decked out as…wait for it…the Joker! “We’re a perfect fit,” Joker Jonah frowned. I tutted. “Please don’t tell me you have no idea who I am.’

“I know that you look fucking hot as sin. You are absolutely letting me fuck you later in that outfit.”

I chuckled. “Calm down, Daddy.” Jonah groaned. Even with all the make-up, he still made a very handsome Joker. “I’m Harley Quinn.”

“Of course you are.”

“And you, my lover, are the Joker.”

“Evidently.”

I huffed. “Just listen a minute. Nico must have found out what I was wearing, from Maddy probably, which is why he organised you to come as the Joker.”

“Oh, I’m definitely coming as the Joker.” Jonah smirked. Or at least I think he did. It was hard to tell with the painted on smiley mouth.

“Very droll.” I tapped his chest with the end of my baseball bat. “In the comic books, Harley Quinn and The Joker are star-crossed lovers.”

“Nico is a sly one; that’s for sure.” Jonah fiddled with his tie. He was wearing a dress shirt and cravat under a white waistcoat and black tails, with black jeans and dress shoes.

“Who did your make-up?”

“Maddy.” Jonah looked contrite. “In her afternoon tea break.”

“Well, she did a fabulous job.” I linked his arm and we paraded down the middle of Main Street, walking and talking and generally having fun.

“Time for me to say a few words.” Jonah guided me to a spot under the Kent Village clock, an ideal place from which to deliver his speech to all the staff. It was short but heartfelt. Jonah thanked everyone for their hard work leading up to the busiest time of the year, and wished us all good luck for the post-Christmas sales. He paused for a moment, gesturing for me to join him at his side. “I’d like to take this opportunity to make an announcement.” A few murmurs dotted the silence. “Vera Kingsley leaving has created a vacancy for a younger, more dynamic employee to take up the position. It is my opinion, that the post should belong to someone who is passionate about retail; comes from a place of experience, and is overall, customer oriented. It is my pleasure to announce that the role of Kent Village Manager has been offered to our very own, Elvis Smith.”

Jonah’s announcement was met with deathly silence causing my stomach to roll with nerves. Suddenly, a muffled voice from the back shouted thank fuck for that, making everyone laugh. I strongly suspected it was George from behind his Killer Croc disguise. I’d have to hug him later. It did the job though as everyone began to clap and whoop. Loads of people came to wish me congratulations and lots of luck, while Jonah waited patiently from the side lines.

It seemed like an age before people drifted off to dance, but finally we were once again alone.

“Thank you, Jonah.”

“You’ve earned it. Congratulations, baby.” He leaned forward and kissed me. “You’re killing me in those clothes. Can we go now?” he begged against my mouth.

“Nope.” I pulled away from him. “I promised my crew a few dances and some drinking time.” Jonah groaned. “Don’t be so grouchy. You’re the Joker, remember!”

And so it was, that Harley Quinn, aka moi, dragged Jonah, my Joker boyfriend, into the middle of a group of adults dressed as comic book characters, and danced the night away.

When all the prosecco had been drunk and the food had been demolished, it was time to pack up. In my drunken haze, I was ecstatically happy that Pete was waiting faithfully to take me and Jonah to his hotel. When he realised he would be staying for the duration, he’d had Nico book him somewhere local.