8. 8 Weeks Earlier – Halloween
8
8 WEEKS EARLIER – HALLOWEEN
SCOTT
I slam the van door, and haul the last box of champagne across the gravel and round to the side door. Going into the kitchen, I see Ashley has taken over the island with flowers, greenery and sex toys.
‘Thanks, mate.’ Will takes the last box from me and starts loading the bottles into the fridge. ‘Can’t abide warm fizz . And I find it helps if people have a little to drink. Loosens them up.’
‘No worries. I’ll head off then.’ I start inching towards the door. ‘Leave you to it.’
‘Why don’t you join us?’ Will turns, wielding a heavy green bottle like it’s an offer. ‘Isn’t your brother managing the pub tonight?’
‘Uni lads trip tomorrow.’ I duck my head towards the exit. ‘I’m supposed to be heading down tonight so we’re there, ready to get on it in the morning. Daniel’s got an all-day bender planned.’
Ashley looks to the window, as if assessing the time by the fact it’s still light. ‘Can you stay for a bit and go later? I don’t feel like we’ve seen you properly for ages.’
‘I could. I’d rather not get there too late.’ Fuck, I sound boring.
‘Stay and enjoy yourself.’ Will flashes me a smile and then turns back to the fridge. ‘It’s Halloween, after all.’
‘Not really feeling the vibe tonight.’ I came to Will and Ashley’s last party, but didn’t stay long. The whole consensual non-monogamous thing isn’t for me. Although, I am a free operator. I’ve got no one to be monogamous — or otherwise — with.
But … I don’t deserve anyone to be monogamous with.
Perhaps sensing my indecision, Ashley asks, ‘Have a cuppa before you go, though?’
‘If you insist.’ I smile and pull out a stool.
She balances a purple dildo in some foliage, and then gets up and flicks the kettle on.
I nod to her arrangement. ‘Interesting bouquet.’
‘I got the idea from a play party we went to last year. Didn’t think they had enough toys though.’
‘Are these decorations or party favours?’ I joke.
Ashley shimmies her shoulders and her eyes sparkle. ‘Why not both?’
As she starts explaining the selection of sex toys scattered throughout the greenery, Will’s phone buzzes.
I can tell from his expression and several exclamations of, ‘ Oh ,’ that it’s not good news.
Will flicks his phone shut. ‘One of the caterers tripped over a box of supplies. Broke her wrist.’
Ashley pauses from making the tea, eyes wide. ‘Is she okay?’
‘They say she will be.’
Ashley lets out a relieved sigh.
‘Just one of them coming now,’ Will continues. ‘She’ll do her best. It’s only canapés, after all.’
Ashley blows her fringe off her forehead. ‘Maybe we shouldn’t have tried to do our own events. I’ve already struggled to get trustworthy serving staff.’
Shit, they’re so pumped for this party, I feel bad for them.
Will strides across to her and kisses her hand. ‘Hey, you want a party with waitresses and canapés, the whole shebang, then that’s what you’re getting. We’ll sort it somehow. I’ll serve drinks if I need to.’
With a cough, I speak up. ‘I could help serve. For a bit.’
Ashley turns to me, her face pinched with worry. ‘Are you sure?’
As I nod, her shoulders relax.
‘I’d appreciate you being around, actually.’ Will shakes his head. ‘I’ve organised a bouncer but we’re still finding our feet with all this. I know you can handle yourself when the bar gets rowdy.’
‘Your guests might be a bit more,’ I pick my words carefully, ‘sophisticated than mine.’ I shrug. ‘It’s cool. I’ll head up to meet the boys later. They won’t care.’
‘You have to join in, now.’ Will waggles his eyebrows.
‘No, he doesn’t.’ Ashley tuts, jabbing Will with her elbow. ‘You’re welcome to, but you don’t have to do anything.’
Will chuckles, pretending to be winded.
I tap out a message, warning Daniel that I’ll be later than expected, and he replies with a thumbs up. ‘I can do as long as you need.’
Ashley delivers my mug of tea and rubs my arm in thanks. ‘Realistically, it’s only the first few hours,’ she explains. ‘The caterer will be going then, and we’re planning on leaving the barman and the bouncer to keep an eye on things anyway. They know the drill. Cleaning team is booked for tomorrow afternoon.’
‘No one’s in any rush to leave.’ Will aggressively pumps his eyebrows again. ‘And you’ll have to borrow a mask.’
‘Yeah, you need a costume!’ Ashley is instantly perkier.
‘What are you going as?’ I appraise my cosplay-mad friends.
‘Slutty Cinderella.’ She flicks her hair, like, of course .
‘So I’m leaving at midnight, then ...’ I point to Ashley. ‘You’re Cinders.’ I round on Will. ‘And are you Prince Charming? Fairy-tale fetish this time?’
‘Nope. This time I’m a quack.’ Spying my frown, he explains, ‘Like a plague doctor. And remember, my play name’s Apollo.’ He appraises my scruffy work clothes. ‘You should raid my wardrobe. Borrow something.’
Will and Ashley have been going to play parties and sex clubs for as long as I can remember, and their wardrobes are extensive.
‘I’ll sort something out. Unless …’ I get a flash of longing from Halloweens past, ‘you have a zombie costume?’ I’ve always wanted to dress up as a zombie.
Will’s laugh barks out. ‘No one wants to fuck a zombie.’
I cock my eyebrow right back at him. That is not my end goal.
‘They just aren’t sexy, mate.’ He rubs the back of his neck. ‘Half the reason I invite you to these parties with us is to try and get you laid. Wear one of my venetian masks and borrow a suit.’
Boring.
‘That’s hardly a proper Halloween costume,’ I argue back. ‘And I’m only staying to help you out.’ My eyes flick between Will and Ashley, I’ve known them since school so I’m comfortable when I say, ‘Wasn’t planning on a fuck.’
‘You should be,’ mutters Will, despair evident.
My friend’s preoccupation with my non-existent sex life would be strange if he wasn’t spot-on with how embarrassingly sparse it is.
‘Stop mithering Scott,’ Ashley defends me as she moves behind Will and massages his shoulders.
‘ You like my costume idea, don’t you, Ash?’ I ask.
She giggles. ‘It probably won’t get you laid, but you should wear what you want.’ Suddenly her eyes light up and she reaches out for my hand. ‘I’ve got an idea of how to make you look like a zombie and fuckable.’
Will steps back to let Ashley lead me out of the kitchen and into the rest of their obnoxiously large house. This place never fails to take my breath away: a Georgian mansion on acres of grounds. Will earnt a fortune off some apps he developed, and then sold on. Ever since, he’s tried to share his luck — share his wealth, supporting charities and friends alike. He’s one of the good guys.
Ashley takes me through the ground floor, half set up for their party in a few hours, and leads me upstairs to a bedroom at the back. The room is messy, strewn with bags and clothes; shoes litter the floor while plastic tubes fill the dressing table.
I find myself being pushed onto a chair and Ashley brandishes some wipes and starts cleaning my face.
‘You need me to shave or something?’ I ask.
‘Nah, I can work with your designer stubble.’ She laughs. ‘Zombies aren’t always clean shaven, ya know.’
Squinting, I try to watch what she’s doing, but she starts battering at me with a fluffy brush, so I shut my eyes, hoping for the best.
‘You excited about the party?’ I ask through lips pursed against the flurried attack.
‘Yes! I always loved throwing our big house parties but, throwing a play party … it’s a whole other kettle of fish. It feels so right, though. Right for us, you know?’
I nod, keeping my eyes squeezed shut. Having only been to a couple parties before, and never really doing much, can’t say I know.
Ashley enthusiastically fills me in on all her plans: the coloured wrist bands so people can clearly show what kind of interaction they’re into, the different rooms upstairs, invitation only or otherwise.
I’m impressed. ‘I’m sure it’ll be great tonight. Anyone famous coming?’
‘You know it’s all very discreet. That’s why we’re doing masquerade.’
I smirk. ‘And I thought it was just for Halloween.’ Waving my hand at the mirror, I say, ‘How do you know how to do all of this stuff anyway?’
‘Oh, you know … years of cosplay.’
‘Of course.’
‘You thought of your alter-ego yet? Everyone has to have one.’
‘Ash,’ I sigh, feeling the I need to explain, ‘I’m not looking to hook up with anyone. I only offered to stay to help you both out.’
She gives a noncommittal hum.
‘You know Will’s joking about hosting these just to get me laid? It’s not like I need his help for anything …’
She pauses as she applies something creamy to my temple. ‘I know that he worries about you. You don’t make time for … you. ’
‘The pub keeps me pretty busy, but I’m not some desperate case.’
‘I’m sorry if I’m speaking out of turn, but he thinks … we think you should let loose a bit more.’
‘Let loose?’
‘You know, lighten up.’ She pulls her face into a cute grimace as if she knows she’s about to cross a line. ‘Go on some dates. Get out more. You’re always working.’
‘I’m going to visit my uni mates for a few days,’ I try to counter.
‘Hmmm,’ she murmurs, sceptically.
‘There’s really nothing to worry about in that department, as far as I’m concerned.’
I can almost hear the cogs whirring in her mind, trying to recall when I last went on a date or had a girlfriend. It won’t take her long to realise that she’s never known me with one.
‘Uh huh.’ Ashley is swiping at my face with a sponge and I know she’s not convinced.
‘Part of me feels like I should find this super awkward.’
‘Which? Me applying make-up, or me and Will trying to help you get laid?’
‘Both.’
‘You know what Will’s like. You should be past embarrassment by now, or at least, past expecting any dignity where he’s concerned.’
I snort. ‘True.’
Will is bold, almost boundary-less. But he’s a solid friend and I’ve been entertaining his shenanigans since school.
‘Listen.’ Her ministrations stop and she levels her gaze on me as I squint at her. ‘Yes, we’re adults now. Yes, we’ve got responsibilities. But … life’s short.’
‘I know …’ I start to argue but fade out, remembering the accident. No need to ram home how short it is to me. ‘I know.’
‘These parties … they’re an awesome opportunity to … be free.’ The lights from the dressing table shine in her eyes. ‘Be yourself. Or if you can’t be you, be someone else. Have fun . When did you last have fun, Scott?’
Fun.
The statement rockets around my head. Fun isn’t a priority for me.
I try to shut her down. ‘I’m not really a plan to have sex with random strangers kind of guy.’
‘Just … see what happens. Don’t rule anything out. Please? No one ever looks back and thinks I’m glad I didn’t enjoy myself …’
Shit , she’s right.
‘We’ll see.’
I almost instantly regret giving an inch as her smile stretches wide and she starts gabbling about me staying over and using their rooms.
She rummages in a box and then passes me a blister pack. ‘Contacts,’ she explains. ‘If you don’t get laid tonight, it’s not because of your make-up. I promise, you’re one of the sexiest zombies I’ve ever seen.’
‘Should I put these in now?’ I hold up the lenses.
‘Go for it. There’s a sink and a mirror in there.’ She points over to her en suite.
When I come back with the lenses in situ, my eyes now white with large black pupils, Will is ready in full gear, including freaky plague hood, cape and cane. He places a fat envelope on a table and turns to me, hands on his hips.
Tipping his head to the side, the large beak tilts ominously. ‘Not bad.’ He appraises Ashley’s work. ‘Knew my girl would sort you out. You definitely don’t look like you .’
‘See, I’m a Halloween classic.’ I stick my limbs at crooked angles and start to groan and scuff my way slowly towards him.
Now his beaky plague doctor hood shakes slowly from side to side. ‘Hopeless. That travesty of a walk is going to undermine all Ash’s hard work.’
‘Aw.’ She lifts Will’s hood and smacks a kiss onto his mouth.
‘Get a room.’ I say playfully.
Will pulls away briefly and shoots me a cocky grin. ‘I don’t need a room,’ he flings an arm out wide, ‘I’ve got a huge fucking sex house.’
He takes off the hood and gives me the once over again. ‘Now, about your outfit … If you’re hellbent on being a zombie, at least find something that suggests you were fit before you became undead. That tatty jumper is … shit. ’
I look down at the old sweater I’d put on to heave around Will’s alcohol supplies. ‘Urgh, you’re so fussy?—’
‘Refined,’ Will interrupts. ‘And this party expects a certain level of appearance from the attendees, or,’ he folds his arms across his chest, ‘you can’t come in.’
I raise my brow, knowing he’s not being serious — and not ready to admit the old blue sweater does look a bit shit.
‘How about one of my shirts?’ Will thumbs towards his walk-in wardrobe. ‘Perhaps you were a billionaire banker when the apocalypse hit?’
‘I’m not destroying one of your Saville Row shirts for a costume.’
‘Just something better than that, mate,’ Will sighs. Ashley steps up to him and nods her agreement as he says, ‘Flash a bit of muscle. Give the ladies a little something to salivate over.’
As Will runs a knuckle down Ashley’s arm, my mind flicks to the muscle tees I accidentally ordered for the bar staff. It’s not like I hit the gym much, but hauling beer kegs around on my own keeps me in shape, so I know the t-shirt won’t look too bad.
‘I’ll see if I’ve got something in the van,’ I grumble.
I lumber out of the room without glancing back. I can tell Will’s already trying to wreck Ashley’s make-up. Horny bastard.
As I head to where I’m parked, I wonder why I’m going along with this. But the word “fun” keeps echoing through my head and I can’t remember when I last had any.
Don’t suppose I deserve any. But one night, pretending to be someone else, pretending to be someone that does deserve it … that’s appealing.
I pull on a black t-shirt, and when she emerges from her room, enlist Ash’s help to scruff it up a bit.
While Will and Ash set up the upstairs rooms, I show the caterer to the kitchen and help out where I can, stocking the bar, sorting the ice. Now, it’s dark outside and nearly all the staff are here. The barman, the bouncer. My friends’ enthusiasm is infectious. It’s almost go-time and I’m starting to get more and more pumped for this evening. For letting go a bit. For having fun, for once.
The doorbell sounds and excitement spikes through me. Could this be it? The first attendee? Being involved in running a play party is a different buzz to casually attending one.
Intrigued, I follow Will and Hades, the bouncer, to the door and catch a snippet of their conversation — it’s the waitress.
I should make myself useful and help her get orientated before the guests come. As I get closer, the sexiest fucking vision I have ever seen is illuminated on the threshold.
Pillar box red hair shines. She’s petite, a good foot shorter than me — Jesus — even in those heels. A white dress hugs her curves, corseted at the top, with a slip of satin skimming her hips, her ass. She looks like an angel even without the halo of wings behind her.
Shit, she could be fun.
Will’s looming over her, and her knuckles blanche where she’s gripping a bag. Tipping her chin up, she sticks her chest out, although I sense her shoulders fighting to shy away. His costume is a little intimidating. I get the impression she’s completely out of her depth, but rising to meet the challenge anyway.
‘Don’t mind him.’ I’m there before I’ve even thought about it.
The beaky mask turns slowly to settle its gaze on me, and I let out a laugh. Will is in character as Apollo already, and he’s so intense I can’t help but chuckle.
She skirts away from Will as she steps by. ‘My name’s?—’
‘Oh, no, we don’t do names here,’ I interrupt her. ‘I’m gonna call you … Angel.’
Cliché? Maybe.
Completely perfect? One hundred percent.
‘Come on. Shall I show you where to put your stuff?’
She looks at me, aquamarine sparkling through the peep holes of her mask. Hesitant at first, her plump lips, as red as her hair, curl upwards, spreading into a broad smile.
‘Yes, please.’ Her voice is breathy, the sound making my dick twitch, and I can’t help but wonder how to get her to say that again.
I lead her away from Apollo with an unexpected sense of pride, of … possession . Like I’m in charge here.
And she’s my angel.