Chapter 6 #2
“Excellent. Three prawn cocktails coming up!” He bounced off to the kitchen and Dariel resisted the urge to continue grinning as Godwin passed. He was such a charming fellow. He seems so normal. What could he possibly be hiding?
“Remember what we agreed on,” Athens said into the silence, taking another large sip of his wine. “Ask him everything. We’ll know when he’s lying.”
“Will we?”
“Just ask. We’ll be fine.”
We’ll be fine. We.
Godwin returned and served out the delightfully displayed starters, finally seating himself and pulling out a napkin to push into his collar, shuffling on his chair in an excited manner.
Dariel waited for both Godwin and Athens to take a mouthful before attempting his own, then waited for the conversation to naturally commence, hoping his companions would start.
“So, Godwin. How did you find yourself living in a place like this?” Athens asked after a mouthful.
He’d tied his hair back to keep it out of his face.
Even from the distance he was sitting, Dariel noticed how fine Athens’ bone structure was.
Sharp cheekbones but a soft brow and jaw, the best of both he found himself thinking.
Godwin straightened his back and his lips disappeared behind his moustache. A brief glimmer of melancholy passed over his face before he turned to Athens with a smile. “I’m afraid to admit the answer is rather dull. It’s in the family, this was passed to me many years ago.”
“Impressive, so you’ve always lived in wealth then?” Athens continued casually.
Godwin cleared his throat again. “That's all I’ve known. Though…” he paused, perhaps considering the wording of his answer, “I wouldn’t say wealth equates to happiness, I hope you understand.”
Not the reply Dariel was expecting, but it was the most they’d gotten out of the man thus far.
“What do you mean by that? If you don’t mind me asking?” Athens was not letting down. It was rather like an interrogation now, Dariel observed.
Godwin’s brow furrowed a little and he dropped his miniature fork to the table. “Well, you know. Money doesn’t buy happiness, it’s a common phrase, I’m sure you’ve heard…” Godwin trailed off, adjusting his chair.
“I understand what you mean, Godwin,” Dariel said, garnering the attention of both men as he spoke.
“I came into quite a bit of money about ten years ago with my work, and you think at a time when you don’t have it, it will sort everything out in your life.
It is the cure to everything that could possibly ail you, both mentally and physically.
But you find out rather fast that actually, it changes nothing. ”
Athens kept looking at Dariel, gaze softening.
“Yes. Yes, that’s exactly it.” Godwin relaxed again and picked his fork back up, pointing it towards Dariel as a prop of expression. “It is quite sad, really.”
“A fact of life,” Athens bluntly stated, leaning back into his chair, and knitting his fingers together over his stomach. He’d finished already.
“I actually began to give most of it away to charities. It was only right, since I hadn’t really earned a penny myself,” Godwin continued.
That pleasantly surprised Dariel, but Athens cut in with his next question before Dariel could dwell. “What sort of charities do you support?” he said. ‘Here we go.’
“Well, quite a few.” Godwin dabbed his mouth with his napkin. “Mainly ones for, erm. LBGT… erm… sorry.” Godwin’s eyes rolled up as he mouthed his mind calculations. “L.G.B.T sorry. I’m terrible with acronyms, forgive me.”
Dariel watched Athens’ eyes widen as his own did the same.
‘Never mind. Let the man speak… that was entirely unexpected.’
The three of them sat in silence for a moment, Dariel clanging his fork to his plate before the air choked him.
“You’re…” Athens started. It was clear he really had been thrown off guard.
Godwin nodded to himself, sitting back. “I’ve been donating for years. I, well, it means a lot to me.”
Dariel sat still, his mind whirring with memories and all the struggles he watched people go through. All the hate and lies thrown at him and everyone else over the decades. Dirty queers. It’s unnatural. You’re going to hell.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Godwin suddenly stood, scraping his chair back over the polished floor and lifting his plate. “Are we erm, are you both finished?”
Dariel wasn’t quite done, though he could never force himself to eat too much solid food, especially when he was nervous, so he politely accepted as Godwin reached for his and Athens’ plates then hastily disappeared out of the room.
Athens shot up the moment the door swung closed and strode straight up to Dariel, placing his right hand on Dariel’s shoulder; eyes wandering around the room as he spoke. “Okay, we’ve definitely misjudged him, big time. I’m…”
“Lost for words?” Dariel looked up to the other man, whose bare, elegant fingers were still pressing into his shoulder. The fluttering in his stomach returned.
Athens finally planted his eyes on Dariel, but his gaze was still distant, his mind too active. “Yeah, I’m…” he bent down and lowered his voice. “Do you think he’s like us?”
“Queer or dead?” Dariel tried to joke, it was the best he could do.
Athens’ shoulders loosened again, and he dropped his hand, face wandering back to the door behind Dariel’s chair. “We made him uncomfortable. Well, I did. I really am a little full on sometimes.”
“It’s okay.” Dariel remained as calm as he could in his chair.
“We’ll change the subject, quiz him about the invitations, and work out if he really does still have staff.
” He shut his mouth. ‘Keep the conversation light and humorous and he’s bound to let it slip without us having to do a great deal. ’
‘I could convince him to tell us everything.’ Athens’ tone came across slightly skittish still.
“No. We don’t need to… it’s not right. He doesn’t deserve that.” Dariel made sure his voice sounded confident and assertive as he spoke aloud once more. It wouldn’t be fair.
Athens didn’t speak for a moment, away with his thoughts, then he patted Dariel twice on the shoulder and turned back to his seat. “You’re right.”
They did not talk again until Godwin re-entered the room, serving Dariel first with a steaming plate of pie. Despite the strong, hot food smell, the lavender was even stronger. More overpowering than before, as Godwin brushed his side.
He’s trying too hard.
Once everyone was served and re-seated, Dariel could finally note the subtle change in Godwin’s demeanour. He had this new air of confidence about him, as though the jolly but shy man from before had disappeared behind a mask. Or was this now with the mask removed?
Godwin prepared his cutlery, tucking the napkin back into his shirt.
“Shepard’s pie. Exactly how my mother used to make it.
It’s my favourite, I couldn’t resist.” Those were still his words, but the life-filled energy he spoke with earlier was missing.
He now spoke more matter-of-factly. An off-putting tone of sudden professionalism.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a Shepard’s pie, thank you,” Athens returned the formal tone.
“Yes, thank you, Godwin,” Dariel added before pretending to tuck in. He was beginning to feel rather sick at the thought of eating.
“So, gentlemen, we should probably discuss the business at hand!” Godwin spoke after an eternity of silence between the three of them. Athens didn’t even look as though he wished to speak, he just tucked into his meal like a child starved. He’s a much better actor than me.
“Design, fashion, galore!” Godwin sounded more like a merry businessman now, having downed his second glass, and opening the fresh bottle of red he’d brought over before beginning his meal. Rioja this time.
Athens finally looked up. Straight at Dariel.
‘Here we go. Now comes our chance.’
‘You want me to start?’ Dariel gulped at the realisation, then leaned forward, thrusting all remaining confidence he had into his words. The headache grew less and less the more he let Athens in. He’d been resisting too much before. Their mental communication was growing more natural now.
“Yes, well actually, we, well, I was wanting to ask you a few questions before we start.” His hands were shaking. Why? You’re in control of this entire situation. You’re the oldest, most experienced, you need to start thinking higher of yourself.
“Ask away.” Godwin smiled, dabbing gravy from his mouth.
“Well… for starters… I…” Just speak. “I was wondering why you didn’t mention Athens in the email? I thought we were to be alone?”
Dariel caught Athens’ brow rising from the corner of his eye, but he kept his own eyes on their host.
Godwin looked mildly puzzled, not quite understanding the statement. “Would you have preferred us to be alone?”
Hands in your hair.
Strong fingers pressing into the flesh of your thighs.
Dariel blinked hard, startling himself back to the present. It’s been so long.
He refused to look at Athens.
“No, sorry, I didn’t mean it in that way, I was just surprised to learn you hadn’t only invited me.”
“Oh.” The mask slipped. Godwin’s face dropped to the table then he coughed, his voice quieter and gentler: “Well, I must apologise on that front. I had neglected to include clarity over how this evening would play out.”
“It’s not a problem, Godwin. Dariel and I have found great company in one another.” Athens finally decided to join the conversation, though Dariel couldn’t quite make eye contact with him still.
Godwin paused before he smiled, his aura dimming.
‘The best company.’
‘Took your time.’
‘You don’t do this a lot, do you?’
‘What? Accept invitations to secluded manors from strangers?’
‘Talk to people.’
‘Well… I. Hey!’
Athens winked at him, and Dariel really did almost stop breathing.
How does he do it? Get through to me like that? And so easily…