Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 116999 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 585(@200wpm)___ 468(@250wpm)___ 390(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116999 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 585(@200wpm)___ 468(@250wpm)___ 390(@300wpm)
“My mum is literally going to kill me,” Jordan says, smirking as they watch Laurence close in on their mother. “She’s going to turn into a bumbling idiot.”
“She’ll be fine. Laurence is quite the expert in these things.”
Smiling, Jordan says, “You know, Mr W, for what it’s worth, I think you’re bare brave. Like, we were legit shook when Ben told us, but it must be hard coming out at your age. I admire it.”
I want to laugh and cry in equal measure. We’ve been here ten minutes and I’ve already completed several loops on an emotional rollercoaster. In a bid not to embarrass myself, or my son, I decide to focus on humour. “You kids have sure got an obsession with my bloody age tonight. Carry on and I’ll make sure none of you live to see this number.”
“Jordan’s right, though,” Ben’s friend, Ella, chips in. “And the adults who are saying shit behind your back are just afraid to see the world changi—Ow.” She ends with a scrunched expression, and I know Jordan has just kicked her under the table.
“Sorry, Mr W.,” Jordan says. “She’s had, like, four WKDs.”
The alcohol may have given Ella the courage to say it, but her words are the truth. I’m not stupid. I can feel the heat on my back. See the twitching lips. “That’s quite all right. You’re good kids, and I’m grateful Ben has you.”
Ben smiles, bumps my shoulder with his. “Cheers, Dad.”
On that note, I leave my son to continue celebrating with his friends while I go and source my own drink. At the bar, Laurence has moved on from Jordan’s mum and is engaged in conversation with Rick’s wife. He has a drink, lemonade, so I leave him be and order myself a beer. I choose to keep myself to myself, avoiding eye contact with those around me, while hoping my ears don’t start bleeding from the godawful tunes blasting out of the DJ’s speakers.
About halfway through my pint, someone sits next to me, the familiar scent of rose and vanilla creating a smile on my face. To this day, I don’t know the name of it, only that the tall clear bottle with the red flower inside the lid has been Becca’s favourite fragrance since I bought her first bottle on the recommendation of a woman at the Boots counter for Christmas many years ago.
“I’m glad you came. Ben looked thrilled to see you,” Becca says.
My head turns cautiously, but I relax when there’s no sign of Audrey. “I believe they’re all going clubbing later.”
“Don’t. I’m not going to be able to sleep till he’s home.” Becca knocks back her glass of wine. “My mum was lucky. We didn’t put her through that.”
“No,” I agree, chuckling with fondness. And maybe some regret. We were married before we were legally able to go clubbing. Parents by the time we could. “They’re sensible kids, though. We have to trust him.”
“I know. I know.”
“Speaking of sensible kids, where’s Lucy? I haven’t seen her.”
“She’s gone to meet Tiger. They’ll be here soon, and then I thought we could take Ben to see the new wheels before he drinks any more and forgets the whole thing.”
“Sounds good to me,” I say, and as I speak, Laurence appears beside us. A lump swells in my throat. I can’t shift it, and trying to swallow it only makes me feel like I’m choking.
Becca speaks first. “Laurence.”
“Rebecca.”
Formal. Awkward.
My lover and the woman my mind still calls wife exchange polite, stiff smiles, and I want to tear myself in two, take each of them in a different direction.
“Thanks for coming,” Becca says. “It means a lot to Ben. To me, too, actually.”
“Uh…that’s…” Laurence begins, rubbing self-consciously at the back of his neck. “I mean, really, thank you. It’s nice to see this side of William’s life. To be a part of it.”
Becca nods, just a little, and I’m sure I witness some kind of silent understanding pass through their expressions. Whatever it was eases the tension in my shoulders, until I see Audrey emerge from the toilets and, a few seconds later, she starts heading our way.
“We should leave you to it for a while,” I suggest, hitching off my stool.
Hearing the words I didn’t say, Becca cranes her neck, sees her mum. “No, Will. You can’t avoid her forever.”
“Not forever, but tonight. Ben’s night.” Unfortunately, by the time I finish speaking, Audrey is right behind her daughter.
“I don’t want to hear it, Mum. They’re here for Ben,” Becca snaps.
I glance toward the floor.
“Is he, though?”
I wait to hear if Becca will defend Laurence, while at the same time, mentally chastising myself for not doing it with my own damn mouth.
“Jesus Christ. What’s he doing here?” is what Becca says, which brings my head back up in an instant.