Gareth looked her in the eyes then, seemingly trying to bring himself down from that precipice of rage, and really consider his answer.
‘I’ll tell you what I promised Ruby, when I found her in that dump in Vauxhall. I told her that the winner would be whoever commits themselves most to process and creates most authentically.’
Opal let the words hang between them.
‘So who do you think that is then, Opal?’ It was Gareth’s turn to push.
‘Honestly, I think it’s all of them.’
Gareth nodded thoughtfully. ‘Well then, maybe that’s your answer.’ They finished their coffees in silence.
‘So …’ Gareth started tentatively. ‘Before the kids wake up, I would love to know how it all happened with Martin, and don’t spare any details.’
The showcase was planned for the afternoon and Opal had asked Hetty to come in to prepare one final lunch spread. It had been hard to give her all the instructions whilst avoiding eye contact entirely. If Opal couldn’t wipe the memory of Hetty’s untimely intrusion out of her mind, she was sure that young Hetty couldn’t either. Their exchange was short and straight to the point and Hetty had scurried off the moment it was done.
Gareth settled himself down at the table in the orangery, and Opal took the seat beside him. It was a beautiful sunny day, and through the glass all around them they could see the pool glistening amidst the velvet cut lawn. In the middle of the table was a freshly opened bottle of wine. Almost instinctively Opal reached for it and angled it towards Gareth’s glass.
‘I’m all right, thanks,’ he said sheepishly, covering the rim with his hand. ‘I’m actually cutting back.’
Opal placed the bottle back down. ‘I’m so proud of you, darling,’ she whispered, echoing his own words back to him.
‘Thanks, I realised it was time. Joshua wouldn’t have wanted me to … drown in my sorrows so to speak.’
Opal reached for Gareth’s hand and squeezed it. Just then Noah and Adam walked in, also hand in hand. Gareth turned, smiling at the sight of them, and then stood up suddenly.
Adam, having not expected the sight of Gareth so early in the day, seemed taken aback. The two men stood facing each other for a moment, and Noah, apparently sensing the gravity of a moment, silently pulled himself away and sat down.
‘Adam, how are you?’ Gareth sounded almost … nervous.
‘I’m well, thank you, Gareth.’
And then to everyone’s slight surprise, Gareth pulled Adam into a hug. Opal felt the embers of her heart glow as she watched Adam’s expression turn from shock to something softer as he closed his eyes, and his arms around Gareth.
For his own reasons Joshua had wanted to keep these two men he loved separate in life; now, though, in his death maybe they could find comfort in the knowing of each other.
Silently, and somewhat stoically, the two men pulled themselves apart and took their places at the table. Adam, of course, sat beside Noah.
Johan’s entrance was far less warm. Opal almost felt sorry for him, before she reminded herself that it washewho had seemingly gone out of his way to alienate almost everyone at the table.
As Hetty began to bring in platters of food, Opal stood and raised a toast. ‘I just wanted to say a big thank you to all of you, and how very much I’m looking forward to seeing what you have to show me today. It’s the final showcase as you all know and …’
‘Opal, sorry to interrupt,’ Noah cut in, ‘but where are the girls?’
In the turmoil of the past forty-eight hours, Opal had completely forgotten that no one else was up to speed.
‘Oh, yes, of course, well, it’s a bit of a long story, but the short of it is that they’ve both left.’ Opal watched as confusion spread across the faces in front of her. She racked her brain for a better explanation, but none came.
‘They … for personal reasons, they … um,’ Opal stumbled. ‘We’re not really sure why Heather left, but then when Ruby found out …’
‘Let me guess, she ran after her to continue her little role-play as a dyke …’
‘Please shut the fuck up, Johan.’ Noah’s tone was exasperated, but he voiced the impatience they all felt. Everyone had had enough of Johan’s snide interjections.
‘Thank you, Noah.’ Opal caught his eyes and was a little alarmed to realise that he too now stoked in her feelings of amaternal nature. How alien it felt to her now that she had lusted for this man. He smiled back at her shyly.
‘As I was saying, neither Ruby nor Heather will be here for the showcase …’
‘I don’t think we should do it without them.’ It was Noah again, though his voice was softer now, a little hesitant.
