| Disclaimers etc in Part One |
|
Handing them each a small wrapped
box, Susanna said: ‘Happy birthday, you two.’ The two
boxes each held a thin gold chain with an initial They spoke almost at the same time. ‘Thank you,Susanna.’ ‘You’re very welcome, boys. Now, I think you need to give your friends a few minutes alone, all right? Stay here until the next set is ended, then go back.’ Both men nodded. ‘Okay.’ ******************* Within a few minutes, the music had pulled a number of people onto the dance floor. Toby got up. ‘CJ?’ CJ shook her head. ‘My legs are wobbly.’ Leo laughed. ‘Toby’ll hold you up. Go.’ He watched the two of them for a moment, then looked across to where Sam and Josh were standing, surrounded by a group of, Leo noticed, mostly young men. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned at the sound of the voice. ‘Sorry.’ Leo smiled at the woman. ‘Was it their idea?’ Susanna shook her head. ‘No. Absolutely not. I think I just assumed that all their friends knew.’ ‘I’m Josh’s boss.’ ‘Ah. And now you’re looking at him differently.’ Leo decided to be honest. ‘Yeah. I mean, I’m not…’ ‘Some of your best friends are gay, yes?’ Leo laughed. ‘No. At least I don’t think so.’ Susanna laughed. Turning to the barman she called: ‘Mickey.’ Then she turned back to Leo. ‘Have a drink. On the house.’ ‘Thanks. I’ll have a mineral water.’ Susanna frowned. ‘Are you sure?’ Leo nodded. ‘I don’t drink.’ Susanna looked at him. ‘Anymore?’ Uncomfortable at being stared at, Leo said quietly: ‘Yeah.’ Equally quietly, Susanna said: ‘Neither do I.’ She banged her glass against Leo’s. ‘Cheers. And to think, you didn’t even have any alcohol inside you to soften the shock of my earlier announcement. If I had known…’ ‘You wouldn’t have said anything?’ ‘No darling. I would have made sure there was an ambulance on its way. If you are Josh’s boss, you must also work at the White House. I’ve only just re-opened and I could really do without being headline news for the wrong reasons. What do you do?’ ‘I’m Chief of Staff.’ Susanna smiled. ‘That’s nice. And are you Sammy’s boss, too?’ Leo pointed across to the far corner of the dance floor. ‘No, that’s Toby.’ Susanna looked across to where the man was dancing, moving slowly, his arm tightly around the woman’s waist. ‘With his wife?’ ‘No, with the Press Secretary.’ Susanna watched them for a moment. ‘They look married. Are they together?’ Leo’s voice carried his feelings. ‘No. Just Josh and Sam.’ ‘No wonder the Karaoke kids wouldn’t do a turn. With their bosses nearby.’ ‘They sing?’ Susanna nodded. ‘Poorly. And only when they’ve had a fair amount to drink. Their Unchained Melody is something you don’t easily forget.’ Leo grimaced. ‘I’m trying not to think about two White House staff drunk on a stage in a club doing Karaoke.’ ‘They’re quite safe. And when it’s time to go home, I organise taxis for my regulars.’ Leo was impressed. ‘How long does it take to become a regular?’ Susanna looked at him. ‘It depends. Excuse me.’ Leo watched the woman walk away. Her accent was similar to John Marbury’s. And she had a great voice. And…He stopped himself. He couldn’t date a woman who ran a club. If the Press ever found out…Suddenly understanding how Josh must have felt earlier, Leo sipped his drink. With a start, he realised he didn’t remember his own 40th birthday party. Jen had probably organised one, but he had almost certainly been drunk. Before, during and after the party. As he watched and listened to the woman on the stage, Leo’s eyes roamed across the room. CJ in Toby’s arms as if she belonged there. Sam and Josh clearly comfortable together. And, around him, dozens of couples, some traditional, others less so. But all obviously happy. If there was a moment when he really, really wanted a drink, this was it. |