by Sorell Oates
The water-sports on offer didn’t set out to exclude anyone on the beach. It was the prices charged that restricted the everyday citizen from enjoying them. Those prices were not set by British millionaires infiltrating the American dating scene.
‘I’m half wishing I hadn’t agreed to tonight’s plans.’
His clipped British accent was grizzly.
‘What’s that then?’
‘A charity do, I agreed to attend. Generate goodwill for a good cause.’
I knew there’d be some kind of dress up function, thought Katy, madly going through her limited wardrobe to decide what to wear.
‘Mind you it’s only a barbeque. I figure having paid for our tickets, once we’ve had a bite to eat we can always make our excuses and leave. We aren’t obligated to make a night of it.’
The undertones of what lay ahead in a few hours didn’t register with Katy.
‘Is it a dress down affair, then? Casual clothes.’
‘It’s a barbeque Katy. Weren’t you ever schooled by Miss Manners? Any food served which is messy or can be eaten with hands is not considered a formal dinner. Hence with burgers and ribs as the posh grub, I’m thinking there’s no need to put on your glad rags.’
‘Given the verbal social blunders you’ve subjected me to in the short space of time we’ve known each other, I must confess I’m surprised Miss Manners ever crossed your path.’
‘I might have benefited from individual tuition after school I suspect, but I muddle on through. I am of course ever reliant on your generous heart to forgive any and all offenses I’ve ever caused you.’
Her expression screamed she didn’t believe a word of it. Oscar laughed at her pessimism.
‘Don’t be a ‘Doubting Thomas’. It’s true Katy. You do have a generous and forgiving heart, else why would you be here with me—a lonely old Londoner with not a friend on the continent.’
‘Oscar,’ she exclaimed. ‘You need to stop. You’re so over the top.’
‘Why did you come?’ his tone lowered, which Katy had already become acutely aware was a sign that he was entering a serious phase in the natural rhythm of the conversation.
‘To spend time with you,’ she said honestly.
It was true. When she’d accepted the initial invitation she hadn’t been back to the office. It was only after John’s interference and determination to take the reins of her story she’d been forced into a position where her weekend with Oscar wasn’t strictly for personal reasons.
‘But why?’ he pressed. ‘Why me? Out of every man and you must be flooded with offers on that website, why me? Why after such a spiked online exchange and catastrophic introduction did you choose someone as obnoxious as me to wile a weekend away with?’
‘Perhaps I like to help charitable causes.’
‘Ouch!’
‘Oscar, the way you cared for me when I fell ill, putting yourself out to accommodate a complete stranger, the breakfast date overlooking Central Park to make up for an evening I ruined. If that’s not a generous heart I don’t know what is.’
‘It’s too bad the majority of women don’t look for those qualities. They tend to favor generosity when it comes to the more materialistic aspects. The next thing you know you’re on a website, in the vain hope that a secure, financially independent woman may be in a position to search for a partner prioritizing the key components that make up the man, rather than be bowled over by the lure of the glamour money can shower on someone unfamiliar with its dark and demonic qualities.’
‘You can’t honestly tell me, having done what we’ve done today, driving in this car, back to our accommodations that you think money is dark and demonic.’
‘Over-dramatic maybe, but it definitely has the ability to possess people in a way that’s unhealthy for the soul. Even with the family billions behind me I can ill afford to spend my life with a woman seeking a luxurious lifestyle in preference to a loving wife. Those kinds of vampires don’t bleed your bank accounts dry, they rob you of love and hope. That price is far too high for me. Joining Exclusive Love has proved a profitable endeavor. May I continue to reap the benefits of my investment long into tonight.’
Oscar’s opinions had given her serious reason for contemplation. Aware of the necessity of balance in journalism, it was all too easy to inadvertently adopt the perspective closest to home when compiling research to support an article. Katy had rushed in to what she believed to be a type of discrimination based on social status. She wanted the issue addressed, but in order for any business venture to succeed demand had to exceed supply.
Exclusive Love could well be making a mark, but the gap in the market was founded by astute dating experts who were linked in with the right people and right connections to identify a screening process was required to ease the burden on those carrying a glittering gold coin to distract a woman from the original purpose of seeking a life partner. All the same, not every woman was a gold digger and the member criteria would normally have prevented Katy hooking up with Oscar.
‘You’ve gone deadly silent. What’s on your mind?’ he asked, keeping his tone light so as not have her clamming up.
‘Nothing major. Work stuff.’
‘Should I pull into the charity barbeque on now? Dressed as you are you’ll definitely turn heads and with you on my arm, such a dazzling accessory will distract them from the windswept and interesting hair style I seemed to have acquired over the course of the day.’
Unknown to Oscar the term ‘dazzling accessory’ was ill-timed, given Katy’s line of thinking. The criteria if enforced on Katy’s real life circumstances would have precluded her from the website. If Oscar learned she wasn’t what she said on her profile, would he still want to be associated with her? Would her situation tarnish herself making Katy an eyesore in his social circles rather than a dazzling accessory?
Shifting uncomfortably in her seat, Oscar rejecting her because she wasn’t wealthy made her nauseous. If the relationship continued to grow as steadily and swiftly as it was, at some stage she’d have to admit the truth. Rejection and anger were not reactions she wanted unleashed on her.
Refusing to let her poisonous tongue loose on Oscar because she was ethically conflicted by her dilemma, she watched him for a second or two. He stared straight ahead attentive to the traffic on the road, with his eyes constantly darting over to assess her mood.
‘I’m being prickly again. I’m sure the term ‘dazzling accessory’ conjures up images of high maintenance, glamorous women in a complimentary manner. But it does set the feminist movement back considerably if that’s how men continue to perceive us.’
‘The suffragettes would applaud your staunch sense of feminism. It was a throwaway remark, but I understand your annoyance. It is rich on my part to complain incessantly about your gender’s main interest in mine being related to big bank balances only to refer to women as nothing more than a fashionable item to make an impression on the big boys.’
‘Oscar, it’s as if your starting to figure out that there is in fact a mental process between thought and word. Analyzing your thoughts before airing them can be beneficial. Perhaps if I keep working hard, you’ll make use of the filter between brain and mouth.’
‘Katy, you are welcome to work on me for as long and as hard as you want to. I bow to your feminine insight.’
‘Are you a beast looking to be tamed?’
‘I’m an old lone wolf on the outskirts, hoping the tigress may let me run wild with her.’
‘You are so cheesy at times.’
‘Cheesy I’ll concede, but a realist as well.’
His hands smoothly turned the wheel of the car. Parking at the cabin abruptly ended the conversation.
‘It’s gone half five. Am I pushing my luck asking you to be ready by quarter past seven?’
‘Given suffragettes were hurling themselves under horses to get women to vote, I think I’d be doing them a huge injustice if I were to complain that under two hours to prepare for a chari
ty barbeque wasn’t ample time to prepare.’
As they walked towards the steps to enter the house from below, Oscar went ahead carrying their towels, wraps, sun glasses and various lotions.
‘You could always stay in that bikini.’
Katy simpered at his persistence. Dragging her aching legs up the stairs, she hoped a hot soak would ease away the strenuous activities of the day to give her a boost to survive the evening.
Chapter Twelve
Three evening dresses were laid out on Katy’s king-size bed. She immediately ruled out the gown. Its suitability was restricted to ballroom dancing or royal weddings. The elegant black cocktail dress was not over the top, but was it too formal for the event? Instinct drew her to the pink cotton-candy colored dress courtesy of Donna Karan.
Simple in style; the asymmetrical cut from below the knee to the floor and layers of light, cascading flowing fabrics gave the dress a dimension of sexy summer fun. It’s length, color and cut was princess-like, but it could easily transition to various types of Hampton functions giving Katy the confidence to fit in wherever she was. It certainly wasn’t a standard sun-dress for a barbeque.
No matter how casual Oscar insisted it would be, Katy knew to survive her foray with the wealthy people inhabiting the exclusive Hamptons playground, feeling comfortable in her outfit was a must.
It was one three letter word, but it was all Katy needed to hear to stand upright, shoulders back and confident in her four inch cork wedges.
‘Wow!’
‘It’s not too much?’
‘It’s perfect. You’ve literally taken my breath away.’
‘Wonderful. I can embrace the peace and quiet on the drive there.’
It was a joke, but truthfully, Katy didn’t want to engage in conversation with Oscar. Running through potential scenarios she might find herself in and planning witty banter or informed opinions on topical conversations would be a more productive use of time. If they talk about the rising price of Havana cigars I’m going to be a failure of epic proportions, thought Katy.
Arriving, Katy was forced to snap out of her mood and acknowledge Oscar and the impending party. She noted his forest green Hudson Oxford shorts had been replaced by khaki cotton stretch twill trousers and a short sleeved, navy gingham button up shirt. Her hand traced the laurel wreath emblem on the breast pocket.
‘You don’t know it?’
She shook her head.
‘It’s Fred Perry. He was a famous tennis player. Did our country proud winning many grand slams in the 1930s.’
‘Is it a popular label in the UK?’
Stepping back, to catch her eyes he tilted his head to one side.
‘Do you like it?’
‘I do, very much.’
‘Then that, Katy, is really all that matters.’
‘It should be, but look at the clothes horses here.’
Focusing his attention on Katy, Oscar hadn’t assessed the evening’s participants. A lot of the women were dressed in the year’s recent collections. The affair was as casual as it could get, but the females were out to impress.’
‘It’s irrelevant. You are by far and away the most gorgeous woman here tonight and I know you won’t believe it but you have the eyes of everyone attending this party on you. You’re in vintage designer—classier and striking. They can’t compete.’
How on Earth could Oscar know the fashion industry so well? Defensive and determined to fit in, Katy wanted to cry over her old designer labels even though she knew he’d complimented her. Standing out from the crowd wasn’t her intention—blending in and feeling at ease was.
Doing the rounds of the important people related to the charity, Oscar introduced Katy. going out of his way to include her in conversations. Social obligations fulfilled, he suggested they tuck into the barbeque. However delicious it was, however enormous her appetite after a day of sports, Katy refused. Oscar couldn’t disguise his shock.
‘Are you kidding? After all that pizza you pigged out on, you’re now claiming not to be hungry. Why? You said you loved the outdoors today and barbeque ribs were top of your menu. Why the change of heart?’
His rattling set her nerves on edge.
‘Oscar,’ she whispered in his ear, ‘If I hit the grill like a hog, it’s likely I’ll be bloated and tired. I’d rather save my energy for when we get home. I’ve always preferred desserts to mains anyway.’
It was a complete lie, but he took the line. Heaping his plate, Oscar surreptitiously told Katy he was consuming calories to burn off and expend some serious energy later.
Mingling effortlessly, the women were overly familiar as Hampton regulars. None of them ate. All were concerned about their figures and more so that an extra dollop of ketchup falling from a bun might spoil an outfit. Networking, the men stopped to introduce themselves to Oscar. Remaining friendly he made it clear he was off duty.
Oscar insisting on a toilet break before driving home, left Katy alone in the crowd of well meaning, flush charity supporters. As she inched towards the women, whether deliberate or not, they broke into cliques. Groups of two or three, with body language preventing anyone new from entering the conversations.
She hadn’t realized how stiff she was, until Oscar’s arm snaked round her hip.
‘Are you sure you’re okay? You don’t have a migraine? Your skin feels cold even though it’s warm.’
The frost off the army of ice queens had affected Katy.
‘No. I’m fine. I just want to be at home with you.’
That wasn’t a line to shut him up. It was exactly what she wanted and needed.
Traveling home was as silent as it had been driving over. Katy almost snorted at the irony that she’d been petrified of saying the wrong thing or clumsy in conversation with the deepest pockets and fattest wallets of the Hamptons. In reality at no point did a situation requiring her to converse solo with the attendants present itself.
Not for the want of trying. As she dissected the evening she realized, whatever label, whatever acting skills, money can’t buy you class. Everyone saw through her. It was only Oscar with his rose-colored spectacles who was unable to out Katy for what he already knew she was.
‘I hate seeing you in this state,’ whispered Oscar.
‘What state?’
Parking underneath the cabin, Katy stared straight ahead to prevent her eyes welling.
‘Hurt. Disappointed.’
‘Life can be like that sometimes. It’s a hard lesson to learn.’
‘It’s a hard to hear that from the mouth of someone who’s only twenty-three.’
‘Being young doesn’t mean I’m incapable of perceiving how society works, where we all sit or what our roles are. Fight it. Rail against it. You’ll never be able to remove the label placed on you at birth. No matter if you work hard and strive to get ahead, there will always be someone to remind you who and what you really are and where your place is.’
‘Did someone say something to you while I was in the bathroom?’
‘No. It was strange. I don’t know if you were ever bullied at school,’ began Katy stepping out of the car.
Oscar hadn’t been. His intellect, humor and love of sports had only ever ingratiated himself with his fellow boarding school pupils at Eton. There was no need to interrupt to confirm her correct implication that his school life was prosperous.
‘When you are bullied or clash with a particular gang or type of student, the teachers tell you the world will change when you leave school. They’ll tell you people grow up and you won’t be subject to bullying because you’ll be living in a shiny new mature world, totally different from the school yard. It’s a load of baloney. No one said anything to me while you were in the bathroom and that was the problem.
‘It was as if the minute you left the room I became invisible. No, it was worse than that, I became unwanted. Your accessory was only dazzling when attached to you. Without Oscar Woodruff to show me off, I was another piece of jewelry sitting on
display. A product that only becomes useful or attractive when placed on someone of importance. The women broke into cliques. I know tonight was important to you.
‘Standing there as a moody cow, wasn’t our united image. Each time I took a step closer, desperately hoping someone would see me alone and gather me in for a friendly chat, the circle of close-knit friends tightened, barricading me from attempting contact. The rejection was embarrassing. Even worse; I embarrassed you.’
Oscar remained seated in the car, his knuckles whitening as he tightened his grip on the locked steering wheel to calm himself.
‘Those uppity Hampton whores have probably spent every summer here since birth. They are as thick of thieves and I wouldn’t dream of suggesting delusion or paranoia on your part. What I would say,’ he said opening his door to sit next to Katy on the bonnet, ‘is don’t think your exclusion had anything to do with your age or the fact that you aren’t a regular holiday-maker.
Probably you won’t believe me, but when we worked the room tonight in tandem we were did it with panache. Your composure, the way you conduct yourself, the fact you actively listen and show a genuine interest in people are assets those women will never possess. How could you embarrass me? I was and am proud to be with you.
‘Threatened by your age, your beauty and even worse, your natural ability to seamlessly enter a room and hold court, keeping everyone entertained with your wit and vast knowledge is something they can never compete with or ever come close to achieving. Don’t let some bitches who cling to their high school popularity ruin what has been an amazing day.’
Was that how Katy was? Had she flowed and participated actively in the intense onslaught of networking Oscar was forced to undertake as they entered the marquee? She thought she’d been stilted, mumbling wall flower. Was her view of herself so marred she was unable to realistically gauge her impact and presence in public?
