Game

Chapter One

The taxi drew up behind Cameron's red Honda civic. A roof rack held luggage covered with tarpaulin making the car look as if it wore some form of odd hat. Cameron and Eve, Andrew mused, two of the most organized people he recognised. It would be good to see his friends again, but Andrew couldn't stop his stomach from twisting. His chest tightened a little. He shifted in his seat and began a breathing exercise as the taxi came to a halt.

He never managed to cope well with meeting people. The anticipation irrationally made him feel discomfort. Andrew wasn't a nervous person at all but, when he thought about it, he factored in stress and depression, as being a larger part of the trouble. His mind went back to three days ago and the telephone conversation he'd had.

Andrew had the telephone in his palm. He had it on speaker because every time he held the so called smart phone up to his ear, he managed to somehow end conversations midway through.

"Come along, you know you could do with a break", Cameron said.

The two men had been friends since school. They'd been through a great deal together. When Cameron announced he was getting married Andrew thought that would end their days as friends. Or at least friends as they were. Thankfully nothing really changed.

"If it was just us three", Andrew said, coming back to the conversation. He was referring to Cameron's wife Eve, "I'd say yes. I'm just not up to a crowd at the moment".

"Five is hardly a crowd", Cameron said, "Well, alright, it sort of is", he conceded. "It's not like you won't know anyone and all you have to do is turn up".

"Hang on... five?"

"Levi's bringing Vicky along. They have a thing now".

"Turd Boy and Vomit Girl... you're really selling this holiday idea Cam".

"Levi's alright, you just don't know him like I do and Vicky's a great laugh".

"When she's not throwing up from too much beer she's barely likable. There's only so much Cardasian gossip I take".

"Kardashian," Cameron said, "Cardasians are from Star Trek. Besides, she threw up once".

"Was enough...should be at the end of that sentence".

"Andy, just get your stuff together and I'll see you in a couple of days. Yes?"

"Alright, yes".

"At last. Now pack warm and don't forget your toothbrush".

So Andrew found himself packed and ready. His mind shifted to the present again. His momentary discomfort subsided.

Cameron and Eve lived in the Thornhill area of London. They moved here ten years ago. Cameron said he wouldn't stay in the area for long. Sometimes Andrew would jokingly question his friends sense of time. The house was comfortable and modest it was built in the nineteen thirties the shops were close enough and a large shopping centre was an hour away by car. The park was nearby too and in summer, amongst other things, organized bands would play there.

Thornhill didn't feel like London. It had this odd relaxed atmosphere to it. Andrew wouldn't have minded living in the area himself, but liked the rural area of Heartwood where he'd lived for the last eleven years.

He got out of the cab, his left arm still itching under the dressing, took his rucksack and paid the driver. Andrew knew as soon as he agreed to tag along that he would find the next two weeks difficult. He also knew Cameron was right. He needed some time away from stress. He was lucky his boss was understanding enough to give him time off from work.

Work.

That was something else he'd have to think about. He didn't want to spend his whole working life in a packing warehouse.

He rang the doorbell and waited. There was a brief pause. He could hear light footfalls then a metallic clink as the latch was unfastened.

The door swung open.

Eve stood there smiling. Her long dark hair pulled together in a ponytail. She wore little makeup and dressed in a sweat shirt and denim. She made casual look good.

"Andy," she said. Deep brown eyes wide; her smile broad and genuine. "You're looking better". She said, beckoning him inside.

"I've gotten good at the returning from the dead regime." Andrew said stepping inside.

Eve cocked her head. "Not even funny". She shut the door.

"Not even a little?"

Eve shook her head slowly. "You recall I once worked in a butchers?"

Some things didn't bear thinking about. He made a shocked face and she smiled.

"There you are." Cameron bounced down the stairs. "I'm glad you got here."

Like Eve, he was of Indian origin. Unlike Eve, he had short and spiky hair flecked with grey. Whereas Eve was slight of build Cameron had a well honed bodybuilder physique.

"I said I would. Where's Levi I thought he'd be here as well."

"Meeting us at the petrol station." Cameron said.

Andrew shook off his rucksack and put it on the sofa.

"Who wants tea?" Eve asked, walking through to the kitchen.

Cameron and Andrew both said they'd have a cup and sat down while Eve went through to the kitchen.

"You've decorated." Andrew said. It had been a couple of months since he had visited. "You painted the beam over."

Andrew didn't know what shade it was painted in though if he was asked he would have said caramel.

"Yep. Couldn't stand looking at a lump of wood." Cameron said.

"I liked that," Andrew said. "It gave the room character."

And warmth, he thought. There was something about old wood and the way it gave character to buildings. Andrew really couldn't stand the plastic and chrome look a lot of buildings in London had these days.

"You'll like the cottage we're staying at then." Cameron said. He took his phone from the coffee table, and tapped the screen bringing up a picture.

Andrew took the phone and looked at the image. A cottage stood in the middle of rough green fields with a gravel road running up to it. In the distance he could see large hills and a forest. The cottage itself was constructed of grey stonework. It appeared well kept and just the sort of place for peace and quiet.

"Enough room for eight people?" Andrew said reading the description.

"Special deal. Apparently the couple who own it were backpackers and decided to open a hostel." Cameron explained. "Now the economy is in the crapper they rent it to groups like us."

"Pity it's winter," Andrew said, "we could have had a barbecue."

"Don't worry about that we're going to have some good eating and I've organised a couple of games." Cameron touched the side of his nose. At that point Eve returned with a tray of tea and home made cookies.

"Tell me if I heard right; games were mentioned...?" She raised a eyebrow.

"Game...as in venison and pheasant." Cameron accentuated the words.

"Oh, I understand," Eve said, though she was hardly convinced. This was apparent by the cynicism that crossed her face.

Andrew hid his smirk by munching on a chocolate cookie.

This, he thought, was going to be a fun holiday.