by A M Russell
‘Bloody Hell!’ Alex said when he saw me, ‘That will never do.’
‘I thought you hated the things.’ I said as he grabbed my throat and redid the knot.
‘Only when I’m forced to do something against my will. This is different; there may be available women there.’
‘You mean of the female gender?’ I frowned as he pulled on the knot to straighten it.
‘I hope to meet someone for a romantic assignation this evening. And tarts in tights are just to my taste today.’
‘That’s disgusting!’
‘It’s a commonly held misconception,’ mused Alex as we got our outdoor coats on, ‘that the upper class woman is less likely to succumb to a man’s more obvious charms.’
‘I don’t agree.’
‘You have not read enough English literature then… resplendent with winsome wenches trapped in the tightly entrenched manners of their station in life, just ripe for the plucking by a roughly hewn male with new money.’
‘Huh?’ I climbed into the Land Rover, ‘Women are not conquests to be notched up.’
‘Of course they’re not. They’re dangerous creatures it would take a genius to outwit.’
‘Well we’re in no danger then.’ I said mockingly.
We entered through double doors and were engulfed in a wash of warmth. Immediately I caught the sweet scent of wine and canapés. Alex was already heading for the tray of drinks held out by a gloved waiter. We entered the main area, into a forest of bodies. The suits carefully tailored were acting as the backdrop to the most exotic of creatures. I saw things that were backless, and almost frontless (actually a flesh coloured panel in the thing), quite a lot of sparkle, and very dangerous looking shoes. How do they walk in those high heels?
‘Shut your mouth.’ said Alex grabbing a passing prawn snack. Someone put as glass in my hand.
‘Who are we looking for?’ I asked, but Alex had already drifted towards a group of excited looking woman in colours like birds of paradise.
I weaved my way through the crowd looking for someone I recognised. I got to the buffet tables proper and spotted Adam!
‘What are you doing here?’ Adam rolled his eyes trying to balance a plate and glass and pick up another snack from the heavily loaded platters nearby.
‘Blue Sky Designs… I work for them.’
‘Yeah, figures. My boss is a member of the golf club too.’
‘Who?’
‘Rainer. Mr Rainer. He runs a gallery, and an art restoration studio; and a few other things as well.’
‘You’re not far from me.’
‘What?’ Adam was eating more snacks, and the noise was quite loud with all the people talking.
I didn’t bother repeating it. I helped myself to a plate and piled it up. I collected another glass of bubbly stuff.
‘Don’t drink it too fast!’ it was Ellen.
I was so stunned. I nearly dropped the plate.
‘I’m pretending I don’t remember a thing.’ she said, ‘you should too. That’s if anyone asks.’
‘Are you wearing heels?’ I coughed once.
‘Yes. But I’m still the smallest person in the room.’ She put her hand up. She only measured just to my chest.
‘Don’t tell me. Your boss is a member of the golf club?’
‘Yes.’ She frowned, and leaned towards me; and then in my ear said quietly; ‘I’m here with my husband. You know Aiden, don’t you?’
The man with his back to us turned round as she spoke, ending a conversation with some other person.
‘Davey? What is happening?’
‘Not sure. But it seems that everyone works for someone who is a member here.’
‘Well I don’t,’ said Aiden, putting his arm protectively round Ellen, ‘I was invited by the chairman…. Someone I know.’ We stared at each other.
‘Will you do something for me,’ said Aiden, ‘Will you go round the room and see who else is here that you know from the project?’
‘Yes. Of course.’ I started to move.
‘We’ll be here.’ said Ellen.
‘The best place to be.’ I said.
I felt like I was swimming through the wavy weeds of an underwater Kingdom. I circled round twice and only saw our staff from Blue Sky, and a lot of strangers. I went back to the table, but Aiden and Ellen had moved. I spotted them over to my left at the end, near a pile of meringues.
I was at that moment, I saw six people that I knew. As the crowd shifted and moved I saw five more. I felt choked then as I saw drifting into the periphery of my vision, something blue and golden. It was the brilliant blue-violet of an evening dress that glowed again tumbling curls of reddish blonde hair. On her arm was a man smiling and glowing with a happy fullness that shot me through with momentary jealously. I did not recognise anyone but Janey Amber. Then as they sashayed through the crowd in my general direction greeting people as they moved, only then did I actually realise I was looking at Jared Arden. He looked bloody amazing. Evening suits were made for a body like his. Broad shoulders, and a lean slightly muscular line. His beard was neatly trimmed and his hair was slicked back away from his face. His dark blue eyes crinkled with laughter, against the well cut line of the cheek bone. He was one of those unselfconsciously good looking men, who are quite relaxed about the effect they are having on anyone in the vicinity. Also, He was wearing a gold ring on the ring finger of his left hand. I’d never seen it before…. But realised as he came nearer it was a signet ring.
I think I must have panicked. I was moving through the crowd in the direction of another set of double doors, through which more people moved and blended. And here thankfully there were tables to sit at to one side of a wooden dance floor.
I hid myself near a large pot plant. I was quite unable to reconcile the vision of the poised elegant couple, with the two people I knew and loved as certainly as any I had ever known. I had never found social situations really that kind to me, and really wanted to find out why they seemed so at home in something that was possibly developing into a freaky trawl net for the project to have another stab at me.
I was breathing rather hard, and felt lightheaded. So I went and sat down at a vacant table. Here music played, which helped to calm me a little. I toyed with the idea of going home straight away. But by reason of the booze already consumed, and the fact that Alex wouldn’t let me anywhere near the driving seat of his pride and joy, I ruled it out as an option. Anyway, he fully intended to stay the full term of the party, and get the maximum return out of all the free food, available girls, and general enjoyability of the whole thing.
I started to calm down quite a bit. I took another swig of the bubbly. A waiter offered my some chilled white so I took it. A few more mouthfuls and I felt quite a bit better. I looked up. Couples were dancing. Swaying round to the music with balanced ease. Skirts swished gently, and they moved together as one. Across the way I spotted the beautiful Violette dancing with her beloved Jules. They were moving round staring into each other’s eyes with such rapt fascination that I could not help but feel a tiny bit voyeuristic as I watched them mark a curving path between the other couples. That piece ended and there was a movement of people back towards the buffet tables.
There was another piece then started. I think a waltz. And there they were Jared and Janey, moving round the floor like experts. Others filled the floor too. But I only saw them. Caught between admiration, and a dark feeling of unfulfilled passion for Janey.
‘They look well on the dance floor don’t they?’
I turned to see Marcia splendidly attired in a deep red cocktail dress, with a plunging neckline and a mermaids skirt. She looked like a coral flower. There were little rainbow lights in her hair. Gemstone hair clips.
She sat down with me, and placed the most amazing cocktail glass down. It seemed to be every colour of the rainbow.
‘I really wanted to try one of these,’ she explained, ‘It really helps take the edge off. And it tastes great too.’
‘No idea,’ she regarded me questioningly, ‘would you like to dance? I think I’m not exceeding the required height… even in these shoes!’
‘I don’t know…’ I wasn’t very assertive so she pulled me out of the chair and guided me round the floor. Actually it was rather fun. And Marcia was certainly the nicest friend I’d had who wasn’t of the male species. Every attempt to be friends with girls in the past, had always ended in misunderstandings and left me confused. I thought it was possible. And Marcia proved that. She was like some kind of bossy big sister. I suppose I had always responded to the influence in that way.
He found ourselves rotating near to Janey and Jared. They saw us. But didn’t react. As the music stopped, Jared left the floor back towards the other room. Janey came to us.
‘I Marcia, Hi Davey! Nice party.’
‘Very nice.’ I said.
The girls exchanged glances. ‘I’m just borrowing her for a few minutes.’ said Janey, and steered Marcia away. I guessed they were going to the girl’s powder room.
‘Hello Davey!’ this time it was Jules and Violette.
‘There is no reason to suppose that anything untoward will happen in such a public environment.’ said Violette, ‘so don’t worry Davey. There is plenty of time to get really paranoid when something new happens.’
‘That isn’t really helping me right now.’
‘Don’t be grumpy,’ said Jules, ‘the booze will make it worse. Please cheer up.’
‘Yes, of course,’ I straightened myself up, ‘of course you’re right.’
‘Good Man.’ Said Jules, ‘Do you mind?’ he indicated Violette.
‘No. Not at all. You go ahead.’ I turned away from the now passionately kissing couple to scan for other people. I glimpsed Alex dancing with a tanned beauty in a very short dress and six inch spikes. Then I saw my Boss Mr Rice dancing with a rather elegant lady with excellent posture, who I vaguely thought must be his wife.
They passed in front of me then doubled back.
‘Ah, Mr Milnes! Good to see you could make it.’ My Boss exchanged a glance with the elegant Lady who held out her hand to me.
‘Mr Milnes, a dance if you please.’
I took her hand without hesitation. Her calm self-assured manner, and the pleasant voice with which she spoke made the request an easy one to concede to. She allowed me to lead, and as the music changed again, we continued.
‘You have a good balance for leading. I like that.’ She said.
‘Thank you…. Err, Mrs…..’
‘It is Flora Kennet. And known as “Miss”.’
‘You appeared to be close to Mr Rice.’
‘John is my brother. “Kennet” is inherited from my maternal grandmother, a condition of her will. I was happy to leave behind the name of “Mrs Addis”, the result of a marriage that ended quite suddenly and thankfully without any difficulty.’
‘Oh?’
‘Curiosity too…..you are too polite to ask. He was a bastard my dear; he died of acute alcoholic poisoning at the age of fourty-two. Certainty saved me the trouble of having to get rid of him.’
‘I’m sorry…’ I stuttered.
‘Don’t be Mr Milnes, I’m not.’ She seemed to be subtly leading me to the edge of the dance floor, while cleverly making it appear that I was leading her. ‘Nothing is what it first appears,’ she continued as we still moved to the music, ‘you are most intriguing; which is why I brought you here tonight. When the music stops I would like you to slip into my office for a few minutes. I wish to say something in private.’
‘Alright.’ I said, suddenly on my guard.
‘You are not in any danger from me.’ She said, ‘I have taken an interest in you for some time. John has done everything he has been able to protect your wellbeing.’
I thought of Alex, but said nothing. As the music ceased she quickly led me by the hand round the back of the drinks tables and past a group of staff who seemed to close and cluster behind us to hide our exit.
Then I was in a carpeted corridor. We took a left at the end and then a right into a small inner hallway. Miss Kennet produced a small set of keys from her evening purse and let us in.
It was dark within. She crossed the room swiftly as one who is familiar with the layout, and then all the side lights came on at once. There was a large, and I assumed expensive desk made of something like mahogany; bookshelves, a filing cabinet, and various plush and luxurious chairs.
She went straight to the desk. And then unlocked a drawer and pulled out a wooden case. She left it locked on the desk blotter and sat down behind, on the dark upholstered chair.
‘I would ask you to sit. But you’re not going to. So I will make clear my intentions straight away…’
‘Very well.’ I shifted my weight onto the balls of my feet.
She smiled and unlocked the case. Of course I wanted to know what was in it! She left it closed.
‘I arranged this meeting,’ she said, ‘so that I would have enough time to talk to you without anyone of the enemies of my cause being able to stop me. As it is they have played into my hands. I see you wondered what “side” I am on, and what I know. I know about Rimmington, and the others. They have been using this as a place to meet for some time. I have allowed this to continue because they could not have suspected me. I am the Batty woman who owns this facility. I let them have their little “secret meetings” right here. It is ridiculously easy to listen in when one has the keys of the castle. And I do of course…’
‘Go on.’ I was waiting for the punch line and kept my eyes fastened on this box.
‘You are not what you seem either, and just like me you have a secret. Oh! Don’t worry…. No one has given you away. It isn’t something that is easy to see, unless you understand something of what that means.’
I thought of the thing Sam had said about something in the eyes of people who had been on the expedition… almost as if it was a mark of some sort; but only readable by those who had the skill to see it.
‘Come near, Mr Milnes and tell me what you think of my prize.’
She carefully opened the lid of the box. There, resting in purple silky fabric was a silvery knife. Light, shining like the moon; small, sharp, the handle set round was of an amber coloured wood. I immediately thought of the one Heelio had given me, which had been lost in the sea as we rose to the surface. I felt then a strange attraction to the small blade. But I restrained myself. I found the chair behind me and sat down.
‘I see you know what this is.’ She regarded me with quiet sincerity, and not a trace of condescension.
‘Yes.’ I answered thickly. I was in turmoil. How had she come by the knife?
She picked it up and held it out to me. Handle first. I slowly reached out and took it. It was strange but then I felt the presence of the tribe as if they stood near. I met her gaze.
‘How did you acquire it?’ I said
‘Ah! A little matter of barter and exchange. Trinkets like this are useless in the wrong hands. They have a use…. many uses, in fact. This I know. But you are looking at it as if you know what it feels like to wield such an object?’
‘Yes.’ I found myself begin to prickle down the neck.
I handed it back to her. She put it carefully back in the box, closed, locked it and replaced it in the drawer, all in one series of movements.
I let out a breath, and realising I had been holding it; I rubbed my chest again.
Miss Kennet meanwhile, took out of a cabinet two glasses and a bottle of whiskey and a soda syphon. She poured two generous measures, and added some water.
‘Please drink….’
I took the glass and gulped twice. I carried on holding the glass. She drank some herself.
‘I will help you any way I can.’ She said; ‘I have cuckoos in my nest and I wish to remove their influence from the lives of people around them. You are of course wondering why I would tell you this, and whether
or not I am lying. But know one thing. And this is important…. I am related to your dear brother in this matter. I wish to help. And I know other thing that I cannot tell you, that is part of an even larger picture.’
‘Why can’t you tell me?’
‘You were almost not ready to see the knife. And you want me to reveal other matters to you?’
‘No….no of course, not now.’
‘One day. In time. But for now I want to simply be available to you as a point of usefulness.’
‘It was Jared you were talking about wasn’t it?’
‘Yes, indeed.’
‘How are you connected?’
‘I am his great aunt. It is odd… his sister Karis is my adoptive niece. I won’t even try to explain such a thing. Better he does some other time. I see that you know something about this already.’
‘You said you arranged to meet me today?’
‘The party was my idea. Yes.’
‘All of this so we could meet?’
‘Yes.’ She smiled brightly, ‘I am very rich, and I love parties! You are a bonus to a marvellous evening Mr Milnes. I am very glad you are better. You are not convinced. I can see that. Bu there is one way I can show you. Come in!’
I tried to jump up but somehow didn’t manage it. I put the glass down on the edge of the desk. I turned.
She was extraordinary I could see that. Yet clothed in the ordinary. A pretty lady in a dark blue dress; with little gems round the neckline. Angela….
She regarded me with solemn grace. Still by the door as if that very moment she had been popped into the scene by a giant hand.
‘Enter my dear! Come see the young man. And then when he has quite recovered, take him back to the party.’
‘Just one thing?’ I said, ‘do you want to stop Rimmington?’
‘He is an affront to my existence. As I live and breathe…. Yes I do.’ Miss Kennet stood up.
‘David Jonathan Milnes?’ Angela’s voice was like a wave that lifted me clear of the rocks.
‘Angela,’ I said, ‘how is it you are here?’
She frowned puzzled; ‘I am here… what do you mean?’