Chapter 19 - Nothing is Next to Normal
Callum hadn’t thought to make any arrangements to get to Julian’s, so he just got an Uber.
Whilst not the fanciest way to arrive, it was functional.
He caught sight of his reflection in the rear-view mirror.
He was smartly dressed, brown brogues, tight blue jeans, and a thin woollen mustard jumper that showed off his chest and arms.
He had his small holdall but hadn’t brought a gift or wine this time. Should he have? If this was going to become a regular thing, you don’t bring a gift every time, surely.
Callum’s phone bleeped – message from Julian:-
Julian: Hey gorgeous, I’m stuck at the Met for a little while – let yourself in and relax. Don’t stress. I know you x
He typed a quick reply but was close to arriving at the building.
Callum: OK, understood. See you soon x
OK, so I have to go in solo, he thought, regretting not bringing a jacket if he ended up waiting outside because the thumb thing didn’t work.
The Uber stopped outside the main lobby of the building on Peck Slip, and Callum stepped nervously out.
He’d not really seen the building from street level on his previous visit, and he noticed it was architecturally impressive.
He liked the modern and sleek design and crossed the street to take a few photos.
The windows reflected the setting sun, fading now from orange to pink, and his bridge was large.
The silhouette of the dark metal against the dramatic sky was a good layout. He was chuffed with the photos.
Julian had explained to him that the thumb scanner was right beside the main door.
He could see into the lobby through the large glass windows.
There was a dark-haired man in a smart suit sitting behind a marble desk.
Probably Julius, who had been mentioned.
Callum pressed his thumb firmly against the pad.
There was a small bleep, the green tick in a circle, and the door opened automatically for him.
Happy, Callum entered the lobby area for the first time.
It was a beautiful space. Dramatic double-height ceilings and walls of cream marble with gold streaks darting across it, cut in tall sections of differing lengths with bold lighting.
A huge cascade of shattered glass, suspended in different ways from a central golden triangle, looking almost like it was falling to the floor.
The lobby had Art Deco stylings to it, which Callum found very attractive.
There were low cream sofas, small white tables with lilies, and against the side wall a long, low white storage unit.
A gold lift door was visible on the rear wall, and two other doors beside it.
He made his way to the desk where the man was smiling at him.
“Hi, I’m Callum West; I’m expected”, he said somewhat nervously. Please God, let me in, he silently recited in his head, feeling every inch like an impostor in his own skin.
“Of course, welcome Mr West.”
Julius stepped out from behind the desk and walked over to the lift.
This had the same thumb scanner as outside.
He indicated Callum should place his thumb, which he dutifully did, and the doors immediately whooshed open.
He stepped in and turned. “Thanks, Julius,” he said, smiling.
Julius nodded as the doors closed and the lift ascended.
Stepping out in the square room, again the lilies caught his attention, and he stopped to take in his favourite scent. He walked slowly to the door he knew led to the main room. Should he knock? Would anyone else be there? He was on time, but he knew Julian was late.
He didn’t knock, but with his heart racing, he gingerly opened the door into the cathedral-like expanse of the penthouse.
The first thing he saw to his right was a small, middle-aged Italian-looking woman in the kitchen area. She turned at the sound of the door and gave him a welcoming smile.
“You must be Mr West,” she said, eyes twinkling as she walked to him.
“I’m Martha, Julian’s housekeeper. It’s so nice to finally meet you.
” She was wearing a pretty dress, black with white spots, and on top of that a bright red apron with a dish towel tucked in the waist, which she quickly dried her hand on before offering it to him.
He shook her hand firmly, giving her a smile.
“My, what a handsome man you are,” she said, looking up at him approvingly, “and you are very welcome here.” This was said in such a reassuring way, Callum’s heartbeat slowed instantly.
He took an immediate liking to her. She was very smiley and had made any nervousness about being there on his own immediately dissipate.
“It’s Callum, please,” he added, “just call me Callum.”
She smiled and nodded. “Callum it is then. Julian is still tied up with investors. He probably let you know. I’m preparing dinner for you both.
” She turned and made her way back to the kitchen area, still talking.
“Just make yourself comfortable Callum,” waving a hand towards the sofas, ”and let me know if I can get you anything at all? ”
“I’m fine, thanks, Martha,” he said, wondering what the hell he was actually going to do with himself whilst he waited.
He dropped his bag beside one of the small side tables and took in the vast white space again. He removed his shoes and placed them neatly next to his bag.
He first went over to the corner with the massive picture he didn’t really have a chance to investigate last night.
When he got close enough, he realised it was the famous Banksy with the monkey and the sandwich board.
There was a framed handwritten note next to it.
The paper header was printed and just said, ‘FROM THE CAN OF BANKSY’ and then handwritten in a scrawl below, ‘To Julian. I hope it’s worth what you paid for it mate, but I doubt it!
’ The signature was just Banksy. The sandwich board around the monkey’s neck read ‘Laugh now, but one day we’ll be in charge’, some reference to the underdog or the smaller person who then takes charge, he guessed?
Okay, so Julian has an original Banksy and knows him?
On the low white unit near it was his tiny little photo in its frame.
He walked over and picked it up. It was cute, but oh, the irony.
He looked up at an original Banksy, and down to his IKEA frame that probably cost $5.
Where he would have normally started freaking out about this reminder of their different statuses, he forced himself to take a deep breath and slowly exhale.
Martha joined him, her voice soft. “Here’s a glass of water for you, Callum.” She looked at his face. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, thanks. Sometimes this is all… a lot to take in. It gets a bit overwhelming at times, but I’m getting better and only freaking out maybe ten times a day instead of fifty.”
She laughed a gentle chuckle and guided him to the nearby sofas, gesturing for him to sit down.
“I shouldn’t really say this, but then it’s nothing I wouldn’t say to Julian myself, but I really want you to know, he’s been a different person these last few days, Callum.
” She smiled at him. “I think that’s down to meeting you.
You’ve been a wonderful influence on him.
You’ve opened his eyes to what he was missing out on. ”
Callum smiled, grateful for her reassurance. “It’s just… this place, the wealth,” he gestured to the high ceilings. “We’re from such different worlds, Martha. I have so little and he has so much. I’m just not sure if I can fit in here.”
“Oh things like that don't matter to the real Julian,” she reassured. “You know there are the public and private personas.” She paused, thinking for a moment, then continued. “Maybe think of this as the one thing that bridges both. This place is public-persona-facing. This has been photographed; it’s been profiled in every glossy magazine,” gesturing to the penthouse.
“He designed it himself. It’s his creation and he’s rightly proud of it.
But, whilst people might know how the other half lives from the fancy photo spreads they see in the magazines, they don’t see the Julian we all know and love when he’s here with us.
This is his fortress Callum; it keeps the world out, but it’s the only place he can truly be himself.
Yes, it’s fancy, but when it comes down to it, he’s just a beautiful man, standing lonely in an empty room.
” She clasped his hand in hers and looked into his brown eyes. “Until now, hey.”
Callum didn’t know what to say, but he felt tears prick his eyes. It was clear the love and respect she had for Julian. She’d said Callum had already changed him, and she seemed to approve, but this was still a lot to take in. He rubbed his eyes. He must look a mess.
“I’m embarrassed to ask, Martha, but I need to use the bathroom please, and I don’t even know where it is!”
She laughed, “Hasn’t he given you the tour yet? Oh my, he is too bad. Here you are, not even knowing where the bathroom is. Let me show you.”
She took the water from his hand, placing it on the side, and guided Callum back through the main door.
In the lift lobby, she turned to the left door, which opened to a corridor.
The first door on the left, she indicated was a bathroom.
“There you go. See, not so difficult after all.” Callum nodded and entered the room.
It was a modern guest bathroom, with a toilet, a huge shower cubicle and a raised corner bath with steps up to it.
There was a large window, facing the river.
He took a quick look out and pulled some toilet roll to dab his eyes.
In the mirror they looked red and puffy.
When he left the room, Martha was patiently waiting outside.
“Okay now?”
“Yes, much better, thank you,” he replied, smiling at her.
“Callum, would you like a little tour? You do need to know where everything is,” she said. “Dinner is ready to go, so I have time.”