Silver / clay

⊱ 18 ⊰

Caleb nursed the beer, as he now did whenever it was deemed a necessary accoutrement, despite it being bought for him, as it was for the entire group, by Xifeng. She stood by his side, but neither gave the other any interest, focussed instead on observing the raucous early stages of a big night, that period when alcohol was only just beginning to weave its liberating stitches, overpowered by the noise of populism in the air. The six of them almost huddled around the small circular table, tall enough to easily rest an elbow or forearm.

Patch screwed his head at every nook of the club. "The place certainly has...character," he said, resting a weak hand on his chest, the tips of his fingers pulling gently at his mint purple shirt.

Caleb hadn't really taken note, not since that fateful day. The condition of the walls and ceiling, the kind of atmosphere generated by the stale lights, the quality of music pumped from droopy speakers, none of it was important.

"You mean it's boring," said Riley, unaccustomed to hiding her thoughts.

"But the beer's a good price," said Sebastian, holding his mostly empty glass in the air, before making it an empty one.

"Cheapskate," said Riley, more dismissive than an attack.

"I'll be the first one here who gets to a million," said Sebastian.

Xifeng confidently, though without brashness, shook her head. Her lips remained tight, her eyes unexcited. It wasn't emotion driving her belief, but pure reason.

"So out with it," said Patch, "why did you pick this...club? Bar? Toilet?"

A few mouths snickered.

"It was the scene of the beginning of my new life," said Caleb, feeling the warmth pulse through his veins, "so I thought it would make sense for it to also mark the beginning of my new career."

Patch clutched his chest, now with more gusto. "Naww, that's sweet."

At the last word, Caleb searched for the revered seat by the bar, longing for it to be filled.

Xifeng studied his face with sudden interest.

"Well if we're stuck here," said Riley, "we have to at least keep our mouths filled with alcohol."

"Only alcohol?" said Patch, raising an eyebrow.

Riley lead the laughter. "You're about the only guy who could get away with that," she said.

"Yes, quite the blessing," said Patch. "Wait wait wait, who's taken here? WAGs? HABs?" He pointed at Sebastian. "Let me guess...girlfriend?"

"I did ask if she could come here tonight!" said Sebastian, protesting.

"So I'm correct," said Patch, smirking.

"It makes you weak," said Xifeng, when asked a similar question.

"Ouch!" said Patch. "Caleb? Girlfriend? Wife, I should really ask."

"He's not that old," said Drishti. They were the first words she'd spoken all night.

"Quite right, you don't look a day over twenty-five," said Patch.

Caleb let the jab slide by. Anything shot his way meant absolutely nothing. "No," he said. "No girlfriend. No wife."

Xifeng frowned.

"What about you, Mr questioner?" said Riley.

Patch stood back in mock shock, running his fingers down his body. "You think something that looks this good would settle for a boyfriend, darling?"

Drishti gave him a strange look.

"I know," said Patch, "I keep it so well hidden."

Riley tapped her glass. "Who's up to shout?"

"I'm not needing another," said Drishti.

"You have to Drish," said Riley, "it's the rules. To properly celebrate our first week at Preston Clyde & Glenn."

The others nodded.

"Caleb is next," said Xifeng.

Caleb hesitated, looking down at his warm glass of beer.

"Hey Seb," said Riley, "you might have some competition on who's the biggest tightarse."

"Doubt that," said Sebastian, proudly.

Caleb acquiesced, drifting from the table.

"One of us might be swimming in money soon enough," said Patch, as he left. "If that's your thing."

Before Caleb made it to the bar, he felt a presence by his side.

"I'll help," said Xifeng.

"Thanks," said Caleb. "But why?"

"You clearly need it," said Xifeng.

Caleb wasn't sure if she meant in this instance, or in general. "I'll be OK."

"Then you'll be even more OK with me," said Xifeng.

"You aren't exactly the biggest team player," said Caleb.

"You've been watching?" said Xifeng.

While they waited, Caleb reluctantly pulled the wallet from his pocket. It felt far weightier than its contents. "What did he mean? Patch, about the money?"

"A rumour he heard," said Xifeng, leaving it there, her eyes twinkling back with a sense of superiority.

"About...?" said Caleb. "I can just ask him. Do you think he's capable of keeping a secret?"

Xifeng's eyes remained relaxed. "The new financial services arm is the fastest growing part of the company. Word is, they stole the best performers from last year's graduate intake."

"Why?" said Caleb.

"No one works in auditing for the excitement. With that background, it means clients can trust us. But you shouldn't worry -- only the highest performers."

Caleb smiled ironically. "Why couldn't that be me?"

"Because I'll outwork you," said Xifeng.

"I'm not so sure about that," said Caleb, feeling in his element.

Her smile indicated it was already game on.

"Yep?" said the bartender.

Caleb, unaccustomed to such a large order, or any order, made hard work of it, slowed further by his extreme reticence to part with Amala's money. But it was worth the cost for the information he'd just learned, for the potential future opportunity that he'd put himself in the front seat for.

While they waited for their drinks, Xifeng directed Caleb's gaze to the table, where it was met by another. The fleeting glance was cut short when Drishti turned down, away, anywhere but the bar.

"You are the observant one," said Xifeng. "Have you noticed?"

"It's nothing," said Caleb. "I think she's under pressure to get married, by her parents."

"And are you interested?" said Xifeng.

"I thought you said having a partner makes you weak," said Caleb.

"Did I?" Xifeng's wry smile barely pushed through the staid, tight-lipped default expression.

"I'm taken, anyway," said Caleb, handing the bartender Amala's money.

"You said you didn't have a girlfriend, or a wife," said Xifeng. "Are you playing a strategy?"

"No, it's true, I don't," said Caleb, collecting the drinks, bearing the entire burden himself. "I've got something much deeper, much more fundamental."

He walked away, leaving Xifeng in a strange mix of confusion and curiosity.