Page 9 of The Fete of Summer (Tales of Crumbington #1)

Dinner

All week, Nathan had been considering ways to retract Jaymes’ invitation. The last thing he wanted was Jaymes’ unfiltered remarks embarrassing or annoying Clifton’s guests. But the day had come round quicker than expected, and eventually, he decided to bite the bullet.

After letting his assistants go that Saturday evening, he locked and shuttered the shop front before heading upstairs to get ready.

He had showered, shaved and dressed, and was in the process of buckling his trouser belt, when the flat doorbell rang.

When he bounded down the stairs and opened the door, Jaymes stood there wearing a thick woollen overcoat, either navy or black—Nathan couldn’t tell precisely by the stair light.

He had still not forgiven Jaymes for his stunt at the meet and greet but felt grudgingly grateful to have company at an event where he only knew the host.

“Come in for a mo.”

“I’ve parked outside your shop. Is that going to be okay?”

“Why? Are you worried someone’s going to steal your heap of motorised junk?”

Jaymes turned his head away and grinned.

“I’m concerned, Mr Fresher, that I might get a ticket for illegal parking.”

“You’re fine. It’s Saturday night. And I’ll only be a couple of minutes. Come in.”

Nathan turned and led the way up the stairs, hearing the front door close as Jaymes entered.

At the top of the stairs, in the brightly lit living room, Nathan moved across to the bathroom entrance and waited for Jaymes to appear.

Strange actually, because for the first time since Nathan had met him, Jaymes moved cautiously, his face registering something akin to concern as he peered about the living room.

Nathan smiled amicably in the hopes of relaxing him.

By comparison, Jaymes’ grin seemed lukewarm.

“Take your coat off. Make yourself at home,” said Nathan.

“Thanks.”

Jaymes didn’t move. His discomfort started to become infectious.

“Everything okay?”

“Fine. But can we have a quick chat before we leave?”

“Sounds ominous.”

“Not really. I just want to get a few things straight.”

“Give me a couple of seconds.”

Nathan stared into the bathroom mirror. Until moments ago, he had been feeling upbeat about the evening, looking forward to a night out that didn’t involve the local pub.

He had even convinced himself that having Jaymes along would be a bonus, someone good-looking who wouldn’t think twice about speaking his mind.

Jaymes’ uneasiness had stirred up his own.

Maybe he had good reason because, in all likelihood, Clifton’s guests would be gay.

Opening the bathroom cabinet door, Nathan pulled down his one bottle of cologne and sprayed a thin mist around his chin.

While waiting for the scent to dry, he considered whether he should give Jaymes the chance to bail.

“How’s the flat search coming along?” Nathan called out.

“It’s not. I’ve had to work every day this week. No time to search. Polly’s being understanding, but I’d rather not overstay my welcome. Don’t suppose you know anyone with a spare room?”

Nathan had a guest room, and even though dismissing the thought made him feel ungenerous, he had no intention of sharing his space. Working the hours he did, he needed his quiet time in the evenings.

“Not off the top of my head, but I’ll put the word out and let you know.”

“Thanks. How’s the naked player headcount coming along?”

“Bingo. Already have twelve, not including me. Eight are in their twenties. Probably agreed just to impress their girlfriends or wives.”

“Too early to say I told you so?”

Nathan finished up, splashed water on his cheeks to dilute the scent’s potency, and patted his face dry.

Back inside the room, Jaymes had finally removed his overcoat and stood at the bookcase, reading the back cover of a paperback.

Nathan stopped and stared, admiring the view.

Jaymes really understood the term smart casual.

He’d donned a well-fitting combination of a caramel tweed jacket over blue jeans and a tight black polo-neck jumper.

His mop of dusty blond hair had been tamed tonight and entirely complemented the ensemble.

“You scrub up well.”

Jaymes turned to Nathan, the book still in hand, and frowned quizzically down at his body.

Nathan thought he may have overstepped until Jaymes’ face blossomed into a broad smile.

Wow, thought Nathan, he’s going to have to be careful at tonight’s gay shindig with those dangerous bedroom eyes.

Turning to face Nathan, Jaymes took his turn to appraise Nathan’s suit and shirt combo.

“You don’t look too grubby yourself, hotshot. A tad overdressed, maybe. Trying to show me up?”

“Of course not. It’s this bloody smart casual tag. I never know what’s too much or too little.”

“Well, you look fine to me. And as I’m your plus one tonight, that’s all that matters.”

“About that,” said Nathan, thrusting his hands into his pockets. “Look, Jaymes, you don’t have to go along with this if you don’t want to. If you’d rather back out, I’m happy to go alone.”

“I’m here, aren’t I?”

“Okay. In which case, how are we going to play this?”

“Play what?”

“This pretend boyfriend thing.”

“Okay, look, Nate. Let’s set some ground rules.

We’re not playing anything. If they ask about us, stick as close to the truth as possible.

We met recently while you were having a drink with my cousin at the local pub.

Even though you think I’m an arrogant prick and I think you’re a wuss who's too trusting, we connected. If we’re among celebrities, we’ll be fine—you’ll be lucky to get a word in.

I’ve attended enough dinners for environmental fundraising to know the type.

Whenever you feel the need to breathe or deflect, just ask a couple of questions about their career and let them drone on.

They’ll more than likely split couples up but maybe have us across the table from each other, so we won’t be expected to hold hands.

And if there’s even a whiff of a suggestion of drugs, then we’re out of there.

And I’ll tell you now, if I see you slipping away with lover boy, I will follow you like the jealous boyfriend I’m supposed to be and make a very embarrassing scene. ”

“You don’t like Clifton much, do you?”

“Let’s just say I’ve known his type and leave things there.”

“Okay, but as Polly told you, he and I used to be close. I’m going to want to speak to him. Things were left unsaid when he disappeared. But I respect that he’s in a relationship now.”

“You mean that?”

“Of course I do. But I’m intrigued. Why does that mean so much to you?”

Jaymes twisted around to carefully return the book to the bookcase, ensuring the spine lined up with the other books.

“For all my bullshit, I do have standards. If Clifton were single, then I’d say go for it, and good luck to you.

But we both know that’s not the case, so if he were to try something on and the world found out, trust me, it’s you who would end up taking the flak.

His manager would make sure of that. Promise me that no matter what, you’ll just talk. ”

“I only want answers.”

Jaymes appeared to relax at Nathan’s remark, slowly nodding.

“Okay, then. One last thing before we head out. We need a code word.”

“Like a safe word?”

Jaymes looked away and snorted for no apparent reason.

“Let’s stick with a code word for now, shall we? What I mean is a word to get us out of there, in case either of us has had enough or if something happens. If I turn to you and start talking about something unusual, I don’t know, a subject like, uh—”

“Trees?”

Jaymes tilted his head and pierced Nathan with a look.

“You’ve never done this before, have you?

You know what I do for a living, don’t you?

I’d be hard-pressed to talk about my work with the Forestry Commission without using that particular word.

” Jaymes breathed out a sigh and tried again.

“Let’s use something unfamiliar to us both. Something like—I don’t know—Chernobyl?”

“Chernobyl? How the hell am I supposed to work that into a conversation? Look, Jaymes, I’m hopeless at these games. Everyone’s going to know I’m faking. Can’t one of us send Polly a text and ask her to call?”

Jaymes stared at Nathan for a few moments, processing his words.

“Actually, that’s a brilliant plan. She’s having a riveting night at home with reruns of Downton Abbey , pepperoni pizza and a bottle of Pinot Grigio. She’ll be more than happy to oblige.”

“Tell you what. I’ll invite her over here. She has spare keys and has my Netflix password. Go and start the car. I’ll call her and let her know the plan.”

* * * *

Clifton’s grandparents’ house—a garish modern mansion—stood on the outskirts of Mayfield, around fifteen miles from Crumbington.

Traffic that evening was light, and they arrived just before seven-thirty, according to his watch.

As Jaymes pulled the Land Rover into the driveway, the automatic security light flooded the courtyard, showcasing Clifton’s Tesla, along with a white Porsche Electric, a Maserati and the latest Range Rover.

Nathan jumped out first and headed for the large oak front door while Jaymes locked up. He smirked at seeing Jaymes’ beaten-up Land Rover parked between pristine sports cars and watched Jaymes peer around, confident but unimpressed, as he sauntered over to join him.

“Ready to dazzle them, Honeybun?” asked Jaymes.

“Honeybun? Don’t. Just don’t.”

Nathan cringed again when Jaymes leant forward and rammed a finger on the doorbell.

Somewhere in the bowels of the building, a chime sounded urgently and repeatedly.

Moments later, a light came on, and a laughing Clifton O’Keefe opened the door.

He had a half-full champagne flute in one hand, and his attention focused over his shoulder on something someone had said.