by J A Heron
“Ladies, gentlemen, and dear, dear friends.” He addresses the room. “Thank you for joining us on this fine evening to celebrate the joining of our daughter Bernadette, and our future son-in-law Giles. We’re delighted to announce that their engagement has been finalised, and we can finally share this good news with everyone.”
Benny wipes a tear from her eyes, but they’re not tears of happiness. I know my friend well. She’ll be kicking herself for showing any sign of weakness. A cheer erupts, and applause closely follows. This Giles dude is grinning from ear to ear, while Benny looks like she wants to jump out the window. I’m so angry. I want to punch the people who are supposed to love her, not force her into something she has no say in. How dare they do this to her? I don’t see them forcing Chris – her brother – into something he doesn’t want to do, and that makes me even more cross. I guess her parents changed their minds. They’ve done a complete one-eighty on the agreement they made with Benny. They promised her, and now they’ve broken that promise. The rage intensifies within.
I pick up my wine glass, contemplating flinging it in the direction of the assholes sitting at the top of the table. I think twice and finish the last of the contents. To make a scene in front of everyone is not wise, and I wouldn’t want to embarrass Benny.
As we finish up the fifth course of all this pompous and stilted ostentation, I’m keen to get some space where I can breathe. This room has suddenly become stuffy, and I’m beginning to sweat, even though the temperature is dropping fast outside. The musicians out there must be freezing their asses off.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please make your way into the garden where tonight’s entertainment is about to begin in tribute to our guests of honour, the future Mr and Mrs Felstead.”
I remain seated as all the guests make their way into the garden. With weather only fit for penguins, I wonder why everyone is going outside without coats. As I step outside, I see massive heaters have been set up to keep guests warm as they dance the night away in the arctic conditions. It’s toasty warm out here. Audrey and I stand shoulder to shoulder, holding onto our glasses of champagne as we watch all the men and women walking around, mingling with friends. We’re like two sore thumbs, sticking out, looking out of place and wishing we were anywhere else.
Benny and Giles are being paraded around by both sets of parents. He has his arms possessively wrapped around her waist, while she’s trying to shrink away from all the attention. I hear words spoken, aimed at the couple, one of which is happy, the other, not so much. ‘Congratulations’, ‘grandchildren’, and ‘when’s the big day?’ are all spoken by people surrounding them. I want to grab Benny’s hand, run away, and never look back.
I hear the opening bars of a familiar song, but I’m unable to place it initially.
When I look up, I’m met with those gorgeous blues I’ve been thinking about since the last time I saw him a few days ago.
I’m transfixed.
I’m mesmerised.
I’m annoyed as hell.
I remember what he said the last time I saw him. I’m busy all week, fixing a few things around Fred’s house, then I have a gig on Saturday night. We’re performing at an engagement party, then I go home on Monday.
He knew about this sneaky set up before we did. I’m pretty sure he’s not in on all this deception; that would make him an asshole. No, I think his band was booked before we had any idea what was going on.
I’m confused too. Why would the Reese-Wilsons book this kind of band? They don’t strike me as the kind of people to enjoy rock music.
I believe tonight’s entertainment choice came from Giles, the dick in a dickie bow.
With all the chaos swimming around in my head, I’m still stunned that Connor is standing just to the left and behind the dude with the long, black hair whose voice is amazing. They’re really good. I watch Connor strumming his guitar like a pro. Every so often, he leans into the microphone and sings along with the good-looking guy on lead vocals. They’re all good-looking, in fact. The drummer is pounding away on the skins, and the bass guitarist is rocking out like he owns the stage.
“If I was forty years younger.” Audrey’s whimsical tone alerts me to the fact I’ve been staring for who knows how long.
“Oh, yeah.” I giggle. “Which one have you got your eye on?” I lean into her, keeping my voice low.
“Any… all of them.” She lets out a dreamy sigh. “My husband died eleven years ago, but a woman never loses the need to… you know.” She winks at me.
I don’t feel comfortable talking about this stuff with a woman I barely know, but Audrey has certainly lifted my spirits tonight. And now seeing Connor doing something he clearly loves has boosted my mood no end. My heart is breaking for Benny, and I’m still keen to speak with her, but the time is passing by quickly until that can happen, thanks to Connor and Audrey. They don’t even know that they’re helping me out. I don’t feel the need to demarcate my relationship with Audrey, but we seem to have crossed the line from acquaintances to friends in the space of a couple of hours. She’s out of scope of the normal age range of my casual friends, but having someone older and wiser in my corner could be advantageous.
I continue to watch the band, and each cover they perform has their own twist on the arrangement. They’ve made cool rock classics even cooler, and dragged them into the twenty-first century. I find myself singing along, tapping my foot, and feeling the need to hit the dance floor. The only problem I’m facing is my usual dance partner is indisposed with her unwanted fiancé.
“I notice you haven’t congratulated the happy couple.” Mr Reese-Wilson is suddenly by my side. His words are spoken softly, laced with a little smugness. He thinks he’s intimidating me, but I plan on having the last laugh. There is no way in Hell my best friend is entering a marriage against her will.
“Happy?” I burst out laughing and point towards Benny. “Don’t make me laugh. She is the furthest thing from happy.”
I struggle to contain my composure. I need to remain calm.
“It’s for her own good. She needs structure in her life.”
“It’s bad enough that you force her into a job she doesn’t care for, let alone forcing her into a lifetime of misery. She will never love someone like him.” I nod in the direction of the dick in the dickie bow, who hasn’t taken his hand from around her waist all night. “I can’t believe parents, who are supposed to love their children, would do something like this. Believe me, it will be a freezing day in Hell before I let my best friend be subjected to this.”
“Audrey.” Julian Reese-Wilson acknowledges my new friend with a sneer as he walks away from us towards his wife. Janine has seen our exchange, and as they convene, I can see him informing her of my promise.
“It’s all for show,” Audrey ponders. “Their concern with how they look within this pretentious circle is of more importance than the happiness of their children. That worries me.”
“It worries me too. I meant every word I said. I will not allow my friend to be forced into something she doesn’t want.”
“I have no doubt.” A look crosses her face I’m unable to recognise.
“Excuse me,” I tell her, walking away.
“Congratulations!” I announce as I reach Benny and Giles. He smirks, but Benny looks at me like I’m crazy. “Congratulations on being the biggest, delusional idiot on the planet. There is no way she is ever going to marry you.” So much venom spits out as I address this moron.
“It’s all arranged. There is nothing you can do.”
“Oh, trust me. I’ll come up with something.” I grab Benny’s arm and pull her away. “Let’s dance.”
“I’m not in the mood,” she sobs. Her whole universe has imploded, and my once jolly best friend is crumbling before my eyes.
We continue to walk, until I find one of those quiet corners, a place where we can talk without being interrupted.
“What the fuck is going on?” My anger bursts out.
; “I have no idea. I’ve met him twice – Giles, I mean – and it never occurred to me that he was being lined up as my future husband. I have no say in any of this.” She’s pleading with me, palms up in desperation.
“You can bet your arse I will never let this happen.”
“But what can we do?” She sniffles, and it breaks my heart.
“When that legal bit comes at the service, you know, when they say, ‘if anyone knows of any legal thingy why these two cannot be joined… blah blah blah, I’ll stand up and say, ‘I object’….”
“Trust me, Kat. I don’t want it to get that far. I want out of this before they even book the venue. I don’t want one item of wedding planning to happen before it all stops.”
“I won’t rest, sweetheart. I promise you, I will do all I can to stop it from happening.”
“I know, and thank you. I need to clear my head, get over the initial shock, and then come up with a plan.” She grabs my hand, holding on tighter than she’s ever done before. “My whole life is being planned out for me. My job, a wedding to a guy I can’t stand to be around. The place where I live and how much income I have are all out of my control. Yes, I love the lifestyle, but not to the detriment of my happiness. Everything is decided for me. I have no say, and it’s been like this for as long as I can remember.”
“Are they the same with Christopher? Does he have his life controlled by them?”
“No. He escaped, and that’s why I haven’t seen him for so long. He made his own decisions, planned his own life, and left us all behind.”
“Maybe we should try to track him down.”
“What for? It won’t change my parents’ minds. They’re dead set on all this going through.”
“I know. I spoke to your father.”
“What? What did you say?”
“I just warned him, saying this marriage will go ahead… over my dead body.”
Benny giggles. “I knew you’d be in my corner.”
“Of course. Do you really think I’d be off shopping with your mother for wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses? I’d rather have dinner with the Devil.” I smirk. “Mind you. Spending a day with your mother would be like spending the day with Satan himself.”
“You crack me up.” She laughs louder.
“Don’t worry. You won’t be stuck with that idiot Giles. I’ll make sure of it.” I must reassure her. I don’t ever want to see her looking so down. All we need now is to find a way to get her out of this predicament.
“I have to get back. They’ll be looking for me. Did you see who’s on the stage? It’s Connor.”
“Yeah, I spotted him.” I don’t think she’s going to like what I tell her next. “I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?” she asks with concern.
“He knew he was coming here to play at an engagement party. He told me, I just didn’t know whose engagement party it was.”
“So, his band was booked before I knew about it?” I nod. “I’m furious.”
“I know, babes. Look at it this way. Giles is a twat, but at least he knows a good band when he sees one.” I hope my smile is a comforting one.
“And did you see that lead singer?” She feigns fanning herself.
“Yeah, he’s gorgeous. Not as hot as Connor, though.” I copy her actions, making us both giggle.
“Listen, I have to go back now. I’ll meet up with you later.” She comes in for a hug. I happily oblige, rubbing comforting circles on her back. “Just let me deal with tonight, then we’ll come up with a way out of this mess,” she whispers in my ear.
I whisper back, “I’m always here for you.”
When she pulls away, we fist bump each other, then blow a kiss.
I gather my thoughts for a while before heading back to find Audrey. I wonder if she’s already left. Most older people don’t like to stick around the loud music, wanting to go home to their cocoa and slippers.
The party has certainly livened up. People are dancing to one of the most classic songs, played expertly by Connor’s band. Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen. One of my favourites. I spot Audrey; she’s dancing, and that woman has some serious moves. I refuse to dance. I don’t want these people thinking I’m having a good time.
Even though the people who move in the Reese-Wilson’s circles are stuffy, stuck-up, and conservative, most of them are enjoying the music. It surprises me.
I grab two glasses of champagne then walk past Benny, who is being groped again by Giles, and hand her one of the glasses. “Dutch courage,” I whisper. She gives me an appreciative smile. The people she’s talking to look like they’re boring her to death. I want to rescue her again, but I must heed her advice. I have to let her deal with this her way.
I stand at the edge of the dance floor, singing along to the music, but under my breath, keeping my enjoyment of the music to a minimum.
“He’s not taken his eyes off you.” Audrey joins me.
“Who?” I ask.
“The dashing young gentleman with the guitar.” She’s referring to Connor.
“We’ve had a date, of sorts. I didn’t think I’d see him again, and here he is.” My tone is excitable.
“You already know him?”
“Sort of.” I remain bashful, feeling the heat flood my cheeks.
“You’re being extremely tight-lipped about this. I can tell you like him. Your face is red.”
I slam my palms against my cheeks, feeling the heat increasing. She laughs loudly. She’s laughing at my embarrassment, and fully enjoying it.
“We parted ways a couple of days ago, knowing it would be the last time we’d see each other. Little did I know, Giles was probably the one who booked this band for tonight.” I realise I don’t even know what they call themselves. They probably have one of those cool band names.
“Giles was the one to book them?”
“Yeah. It looks like me and Benny were the last ones to know that she’s to marry him. How ridiculous. There is no way this wedding will ever go ahead. If I have my way, this engagement will be called off before we leave tomorrow.”
“If you need my help, with anything, you just give me a call.”
“I will. Thank you,” I really do want to hug this woman now, and I do. I wrap my arms around her and pull her in, much to her surprise. I hadn’t noticed the music has stopped.
“Good evening, ladies.” That voice circles around me, showering my forearms with tingles, making every hair stand to attention. I shudder, in a delicious way.
Connor leans in to kiss Audrey on the cheek. I stand in astonishment as I watch their exchange. “It’s lovely to see you ma-ma.” This is Connor’s mother? I have to know.
“You two know each other.” I gesture between them, waving a finger.
“Yes. This lady was my foster mother.”
Audrey’s sly grin earns her a scowl from me. She never once said she knew him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It’s not my story to tell, dear,” she says flatly. “Anyhow, it would’ve ruined all my fun. I would have missed seeing that look on your face.”
I quickly change my expression, from feeling like an idiot, to one of nonchalance. I shrug my shoulders, trying hard to give the impression I don’t give a damn. All the while, my mind is whirring at a wild pace. Connor was in a foster home, just like Janine Reese-Wilson.
Tonight is the night for revelations. Both have been equally as shocking.
“It’s time for me to go home. Enjoy the rest of your night, young ones.” I hug Audrey one last time, and watch with fondness as Connor says his goodbyes.
“I didn’t know you were in a foster home.”
“It’s not something I usually discuss with someone I’ve just met. But, yes. That lovely lady raised me from a baby, up until I was sixteen. Then I found Uncle Fred, the uncle I never knew about, and went to live with him.”
“So, tell me, what’s the name of your band?” I need to change the subject. I feel like an intruder, prying on
the most intimate parts of his life. He seems happy enough to talk about what must’ve been a painful part of his life, and surprisingly, he seems well adjusted to it all. I still have significant issues when it comes to my childhood, and the shit storm when my parents died.
“We’re Raven and the Blue Bottles,” he says proudly. I look confused.
Just at that moment, the lead singer joins us. He slaps Connor on the back with affection. “This is Raven.” Connor introduces us. “This is Kat.”
“Lovely to finally meet you. This guy,” Raven says, rubbing his hand over Connor’s bald head, “hasn’t shut up about you for two whole days.”
It’s Connor’s turn to look embarrassed.
“Shut up,” Connor scolds his bandmate.
“It’s a shame she’s already spoken for. I’d like to get to know her.” Raven is eyeing up Benny, and it makes me smile.
“Not if I have anything to do with it,” I whisper under my breath.
“What was that?”
“Oh, nothing.”
Deja vu. That’s what I’m experiencing right now. All the details are not exactly the same, but the premise is there.
I’m transported back six years to the night I sneaked out of the house with my sister. I fight the memories, pushing them away as Benny unlocks the door. She’s being quiet, but in this vast house, no one will hear a thing.
We lock up and make a run for it across the gravel driveway. The front of the house is always well lit, so if someone were to look out, they would see our figures running as fast as we can, and there’s not a thing we could do about it. With a mixture of adrenaline and alcohol running through our bodies, we’re too buzzed to care.
We arrive at the hotel, and are greeted by such opulent surroundings. This is one of Julian’s hotels, and the staff here know Benny because she’s the boss’ daughter. “Miss Reese-Wilson. What a lovely surprise,” the receptionist greets us, obviously surprised at seeing Benny here at such a late hour. It must be after two in the morning.