The Consultant - NaNoWriMo2021

Chapter 10

We walked back into the party which by now was in full swing. The lights had been lowered with just spotlights illuminating the art and the odd pool of brightness in the room, and there were about eighty people or so by my rough count. All ages were represented, though it was clear that many of them were students and lecturers from the university, presumably bumping up the numbers to compensate for Daniel's lamentable circle of friends.

Daniel spotted someone he actually knew and slunk off to take shelter with them, so I, still clutching my now warm champagne, headed towards the far side of the room, where I could see a small, unpopulated space that offered a respite, and somewhere for me to think for a minute. Just as I arrived, a hand seized my arm and I jumped in both fright, and in horror at the touch. I yanked my arm back, almost throwing my champagne over a furtive looking Felix who was hovering over me with a very annoyed look on his face.

'Fin,' he hissed, 'what the hell are you doing here. When Aubrey told me it was you, I almost died!' I had planned to be somewhat meek and apologetic; Felix liked to be In charge of our relationship and I rather enjoyed it; it took the pressure off. But now, in the moment, I had a job to do for Duncan and I couldn't afford to have a whining man-child on my hands, laying down the law.

'I texted you three times to warn you Felix. Why didn't you respond to any of them? I had no choice, your darling wife invited me, I think to try and set me up with your son, but here I am, and there's not much that either of us can do about it.'

He gulped his whiskey; this was unusual for him; he rarely drank more than a glass or two of wine, but perhaps he was stressed, and needed the Dutch courage.

'Fine.' My unexpected pushback had clearly startled him a little, and he watched me with careful eyes, his forehead crinkling as he tried to work out what he should do with the fact that I was in his house, with his family. Suddenly, he came to a decision in his mind and he leaned forwards towards my face. 'Well now that you're here, perhaps we should try and get some time together?' His voice was suggestive and he was slurring his words slightly. Apparently the unusual volume of scotch that he had consumed was having an effect.

'Don't be an idiot Felix.' That was a bit harsh, I decided to soften my approach, after all, I do genuinely like the man. 'Look, let's get this party over and done with, I will get an Uber home, and we can meet tomorrow in your rooms if you want. It's the weekend so there will be no-one to disturb us.'

He pouted for a moment, then despite the alcoholic fog that surrounded him, saw the wisdom of my words. Just then, there was clapping from the other side of the room, and Aubrey called people to order as she began a short speech as a preamble to the cutting of the cake that itself would signal the evening was drawing to a close.

Felix tottered off towards his wife and son, who was slinking in the shadows trying to hide from the limelight, but his mother cajoled him out and he was forced to cut his cake, and endure the clapping and pats on the back that went with it. Finally it was over, and the waiters circulated in the crowd, delivering slivers of cake to each guest. I took mine, and raised my fork in salute to Aubrey who was talking to a group of colleagues, but glancing at me as though she was worried about me.

I smiled at her and she made her apologies to the group and walked over to join me.

'A great party, thanks for inviting me.'

Aubrey turned to face me, and somewhat involuntarily, I found my self basking in her glow, the intensity of her gaze fixed entirely on me, and radiating through my body. It was an odd feeling; to be the absolute focus of someone's attention. Most of the time, even when I spoke one-to-one with someone, both my mind and theirs was only partly concentrating; as well as thinking about other things whether that might be the end of the world as we know it, or what we are planning to have for lunch, but with Aubrey, it felt like every cell in her being was intently considering and appraising me, and it was quite disconcerting, but also weirdly flattering, like I was suddenly worthy of such attention.

'Fin. I thought we agreed that there was no need to hide yourself with me; you can be completely honest and say what you think.'

'Okay,' I stammered, not sure how far I should go and aware that I was supposed to be the one getting her to open up to me, not the other way around. 'I do appreciate the invite, and it was interesting to meet Daniel but the party was clearly a contrived gathering to make him feel like he has friends and people who appreciate him, though I suspect in reality, that it has just reinforced to him the fact that he doesn't and do ironically, further convinced him that life is all a bit pointless.'

'I knew you would understand. The party was exactly as you say, but I did it anyway because I always do it, and I wonder if were I not to, he might think that I no longer love him or consider him worthy. It seemed to me that it is better for his mother to embarrass and annoy him slightly, but in a good cause, that for me to entertain his desire to be left alone, but risk him thinking that I can't be bothered anymore. This party was not to prove that he had friends and colleagues, nor to showcase his art, if that's what you call it, but to show him that one person, me, will always love him, regardless of who he is, what he thinks, or what he does.'

I stared at her. I am not a mother so I don't really get the whole parenthood thing. My own parents are wonderful, doting and loving despite never really getting over Alex's death, but would they go this far? I'm not sure. And if Aubrey puts this much thought and assigns this much meaning to her adult son's birthday party, what must she be prepared to do for causes that she believes in?

'Well,' I murmur, still a little transfixed by her presence, and with my mind racing at the possibilities, 'I think it's probably time for me to leave now; I have some reading to do this evening.'

'On a Friday night? That seems unlikely Fin. Why not stay a while and leave your reading until tomorrow?'

There was no way to politely phrase the fact that tomorrow I would be getting up to God knows what with her husband, so I gave her a tight smile and put my still full glass down on a sidetable.

'Thanks Aubrey, but its been a long week. Time to get some beauty sleep.'

I won't force you to stay Fin, though I don't think you have much to worry about when it comes to beauty sleep, I imagine hot blooded men throw themselves at you.'

I blushed in spite of myself but thanked her again, and began to move towards the door, ordering an Uber on my phone. Ten minutes later, I was heading back into the city and to safety, at least for now.