Chapter 21: Chapter 21

“Who’s that?” Ben aims a finger towards the thin figure propping up the bar as he chats happily with one of the Agony Aunts.

“Old friend of Charlotte’s, I believe, Benny. He was in a fix so James did him a favor, gave him a leg up.”

Ben’s brows rise. “What kind of leg up?”

“As I understand it, Benny had a poor upbringing. He was illiterate and so effectively unemployable.

James put him on a training program with the company, aiming for an apprenticeship in the maintenance section.”

“But he can’t read? Shouldn’t he clear something like that with you?”

“Charlotte is making the time to teach Benny to read. And James has the full authority of a director in my company.”

*****

Elizabeth nudges me. “I think we should rescue him.”

I twist, scanning. “Who?”

“James.” She tilts her glass toward a corner table.

James, seated at the back and wearing the expression of a man losing the will to live, is flanked to one side by two old biddies: if memory serves from the wedding, it’s Michael’s grandmother and his Aunty Edna.

On the other side, his escape is blocked by some old woman in a vast motorised wheelchair who is simultaneously talking and blowing smoke from a roll-up into his face. Eyes glazed, he nods politely to the old gorgon then takes a large swallow of brandy.

As we watch, two more of the legion of old hens join the group. One wears a bright green trouser suit, sparkly purple shoes, and an orange hat. The other has what appears to be a dead cat draped over her shoulders.

I chuckle. “He does have the knack of attracting them, doesn’t he.” I offer Elizabeth my arm. “As you say, let’s go rescue him.”

James, fanning away curls of blue smoke, sees us approach, his eyes rising to mine like one staring into the abyss. As we draw closer, the voices of the matrons and matriarchs of Michael’s family rise above the general hub-bub.

“… and the doctor said he’d never seen anything like it…”

“Yes, well, he said I should give up smoking. I told him that my father lived to be a hundred and three and…”

“Yes… but my sciatica…”

James gulps at his brandy.

From off-stage, enter Kirstie, making straight for the table. “James, you promised me a dance. You didn’t forget, did you?”

James rises from his seat as though rocket-propelled. “Kirstie, of course I didn’t forget.”

Beside me, Elizabeth chortles behind a hand. “Spot the face of a grateful man.”

Voices rise in protest. “We wuz havin’ such an interesting conversation…”

“But I’ve not told you about my bunion surgery…”

Kirstie smiles sweetly. “You really can’t monopolise James like this, you know. And you wouldn’t ask a gentleman to break his promise, now would you?”

Dark mutterings rise from the table, but James makes his break, weaving between knees, walking sticks and zimmer frames with the agility of a limbo dancer on acid. He bangs a shin on the metal edge of a walking frame and doesn’t so much as wince.

As he bursts free from the group, muttering something to her, he snatches Kirstie’s hand, leading her to me and Elizabeth.

“Did he really promise you a dance?” I ask, talking from the corner of my mouth.

Her lips twitch. “No, but I don’t like seeing a man in pain.”

From the sidelines, Ben watches James laughing and joking with Kirstie, lips pursed, expression sour.

Miserable bastard…

*****

Michael appears at my side, a tray of glasses in hand. “Where have the girls all disappeared to?”

I nod towards the bar. “Last I saw they were headed that-a-way for another round.”

“Ah.” He regards his tray. “Still, don't suppose these are going to go to waste.”

I look down at the collection of pink umbrellas, bouncy butterflies and tinsel on swizzle sticks. “What's Charlotte drinking?” I ask.

”Elderflower fizz.”

“She enjoying it?”

He rocks spread fingers one way then the other. “Sort of. Not sure how nine months of it is going to stand up.”

“A rough ride then?”

“Her choice.” He grins and, tray in hand, heads for the bar.

*****

Charlotte My Master and Richard amble across. “Enjoying the party, Mitch?” asks Richard. “How are you finding things?”

My mother's answering smile is shy, restrained. “I’m still getting used to the idea of being part of a family again. It’s been so long that…” She swallows and looks away.

Richard lays a finger on her hand. “Yes, it’s been a long time. But you’re here now and you are welcome, not just with Charlotte, James and Michael, but with me too. Remember, my wife is also part of your family and that means that you are a part of mine.”

“I’d not thought of that. We’re sort of brother and sister in law aren’t we?”

Richard lifts her hand, kisses the finger. His voice is very soft. “Yes, Mitch, we are.” Her eyes brim.

Michael’s gaze keeps wandering, scanning the room, watching the door.

“What are you looking for?” I ask.

“Oh, nothing. Just checking on who’s turned up.”

My Master pushes a drink into my hand, another into my mother’s. “Everyone, I’d say.”

But Michael isn’t listening. Instead, he’s fixed on something across the room. He touches my arm.

“Please excuse me, everyone. I’ll be back in just a minute.”

My Master follows him with his gaze then looks back to me, raises brows.

“No idea,” I say.

“What are your plans, Mitch?” asks Ben. “Are you looking for a job? Or will you be working in the hotel or some such?”

“I’d not really gotten that far. Everything’s changed so much since I left Frank…”

“Frank?”

“My husband.”

Ben’s eyes harden. “You left your husband?”

I cut in. “There’s not been time to tell you about what happened Ben. My Mom’s husband didn’t treat her very well.”

“Even so…”

We’re interrupted by Michael’s return. His smile is broad. “Mitch, there’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

He stands to one side, revealing the figure behind him.

My mother, with a back glance to Ben, turns, tilting her head, as though not recognising a stranger.

Then her eyes widen, her mouth opens and she shrieks, “Davey. Davey! Oh my God, it’s you!”

The stranger smiles broadly, arms open in welcome. “Shelley…”

She flings herself into his arms. “Davey, Oh, Davey. Thank you for coming. Thank you.”

Michael stands back, arms folded, wearing a ‘cat-that-got-the-cream’ expression. I catch his eye and he droops a wink at me.

My Master murmurs, “Nice work. How did you pull that one off?”

“Drove over last week, that day I said I was working late down at the center. Parked up by their house and camped outside until I saw Stephen go out, then knocked on the door. David said right away that he’d come.”

My mother turns to him, streaming tears but her eyes shining. “Thank you, Michael. Thank you.”

He beams. “My pleasure, Mitch.”

My mother and her brother…

Reality dawns.

My family too…

… My uncle…

The enormity of the change in my life is still sinking in.

Family…

I belong…

They retreat to a quiet corner, sitting beside each other, talking.

Ben, standing to one side, watching all this, nods across to the pair. “Who is he?”

“One of Mitch’s brothers; David,” replies Michael.

“One of them?”

“The other wouldn’t come.”

Ben sucks in his cheeks. “Family bust-up?”

“Something like that. It was a long time ago. I’m hoping we can help patch things up for her.”

Ben Hmmphs… Standing beside Michael, he smiles across at the pair. The smile transforms his face and for a moment he so much more resembles his handsome brother. “Yes, it’s tough isn’t it, when families break up.”

My Master looks askance at him, but there’s no hint of sarcasm in Ben's face or voice.

Ben looks to him; says, “You think I like constantly falling out with Mike?” The words could be aggressive, but the tone’s not there.

He’s trying…

My Master remains silent but gives the smallest of head-shakes in reply.

Ben scratches his nose. “I’m just getting in a round. Can I bring you a drink back, Mike?”

Michael holds up his beer. “I’m fine.”

“James? Charlotte?”

“Red wine for me, thank you, Ben,” nods my Master.

“I’ll have a gooseberry cordial,” I say.

Ben hesitates at my words, then heads for the bar.

My Master raises brows at the departing Ben. “He really is doing his best, isn’t he.”

Michael sucks froth from the top of his glass. “He did promise.”

We watch him head across the room, towards the bar, but at the last moment, he stops, seeming to think for a moment, then turns to where my mother and uncle sit together.

As he approaches the pair, my uncle looks up, then stands as Ben offers his hand, saying something.

The two shake then talk. My mother listens, nodding and smiling. Ben looks to her, then across to me, then points to Beth, laughing.

The usual God-don’t-they-look-alike joke…

But both my mother and my uncle laugh too.

Michael shifts beside me. “I call that a big improvement.”

“I’d agree.” My Master watches Ben carefully. “Looks as though I’d better get our drinks, eh?”

*****