Tony was supposed to be ecstatic but he didn’t say a word.
Martin quickly came to the rescue and patted him on the back. ‘He’s OK, he’s just surprised that’s all, aren’t you, old buddy?’ There was still no response.
‘Mary, I’m going to steal your husband for ten minutes or so. I believe his suit is on the bed upstairs, right?’
‘Yes, it is.’
‘Now you hurry on back down here, Tony—’
‘Mary, I didn’t want —’ Martin quickly interrupted.
‘Now, Tony, come on, the belly dancers are going to be performing their act soon and you look a little rough around the edges.’ It was a task but Martin gently guided Tony up the stairs.
‘There you go Tony, once you’ve got your suit on, you’ll feel better.’
‘I said I never wanted a party, I told you that at the Country Club weeks ago and you knew about this the whole time.’
‘Tony, hey, Mary wanted to surprise you.’
‘Dad wasn’t really ill either, he had me fooled!’
‘Listen to me, Tony, like I said before: Mary wanted to celebrate your birthday and if you relax for a minute and take it all in you may actually begin to enjoy it.’
Tony looked over at the bed and there in its fitting state was his emerald green suit, white Italian shirt, and olive suede loafers.
‘That’s a very nice suit.’ said Martin in an attempt to lighten the mood.
‘I don’t give a damn about the suit. I didn’t want a party,’ snapped Tony.
‘Oh that’s right, Tony, you go ahead why you don’t you? Let’s throw a wobbly, eh? Mary, that’s your beautiful wife, you know the one who's supported you through just about everything, remember her, well, she wants to give you a party. She wants to celebrate your birthday; you do understand the meaning birthday, don’t you? It means she wants to celebrate the day of your birth and you, you ‘Mr Selfish’ think about yourself – “woe is me, I can’t get it together right now,” Tony Manning fake. I suggest you put those clothes on, slap on some after-shave, put on your biggest fake smile and get your sorry ass downstairs for goodness sake and enjoy your day.’
Whatever nerve Martin hit, he’d obviously struck a chord, because Tony didn’t say a word. He composed himself and made his way into the en-suite bathroom; took a quick shower, got dressed and after twenty minutes made a grand entrance.
‘Now that’s what I’m talking about, Tony, you look debonair.’
He stood in front of the mirror and for a minute he wished his hair would grow back. He pulled up his trousers, tightened his belt, sighed and turned to Martin. ‘While I was in the shower I was thinking about some of the things you were saying,’ said Tony.
‘Is that right?’ Martin was trying a different tactic today. This required the cruel to be kind method. It meant Tony had to be told the truth and as a friend he owed him that much.
‘You were right. I am being selfish, all Mary wanted to do was show me how much she cared and I saw it in her eyes today, the excitement and the happiness. She wanted to celebrate as you rightly put it, my birthday, my 40th Birthday and that means a lot to me.’ Martin nodded in agreement. ‘So Martin, I’m going to go downstairs buddy. Kiss my wife, say hello to everyone, enjoy the belly dancers and keep my eye on Mark.’
‘I don’t think you’ll have to worry about Mark. After the little escapade with Beverley he’ll never have another one night stand again, trust me on that one.’
‘Thanks Martin, you’re a good friend.’
‘Heh, so are you.’
‘I’ll be downstairs in a minute.’
‘Now, Tony, you’re not planning to escape through some secret passage that leads into ‘Neverland?’
‘No chance, besides, wherever I am, you guys would come and find me anyway.’
‘You’re damn right we would, anyhow, I’ll leave you to it, see you down there.’
For the next few minutes, Tony studied the ring his children bought him.
Never before had he experienced so many emotions in one day; emotions that so vast, ranging from exhaustion to worry and excitement, peace, love and anger, and then to feeling at ease with the world. These people who waited downstairs came because they wanted to. Well, most of them had.
Tony suspected there were those who came for the food, those whose talents had dried up and what better way to be spotted than to be at the right place at the right time and his party was no exception. But then again maybe he was wrong. Maybe everyone was here because they really wanted to be. It was nice seeing Nicky Chapman, Richard Keyes and a few others.
But it didn’t really matter why the guests were here, his family was the most important people in his life and for now they were all that mattered. They needed the old Tony and for the first time in a long time he looked at the full-length mirror in the bedroom and felt confident. He was ready to face his guests and enjoy each moment.
The sound of music and people laughing was pleasant as he peered over the balcony. He was overwhelmed by what he saw. The steel band was playing, people were jovial, eating, dancing. A belly dancer was jiggling her bits in Mark’s face, Raymond looked like he was high and Christine was kissing Tom. There were masses of people, many of whom he knew, Ainsley Harriott, Linda Barker, Lorenzo and Maria, their daughter Paulette, Des O’Connor – no that couldn’t be him thought Tony. The orchestra was huge and played to the tune of the steel band. It was awesome and there in the midst of it all was his angel Mary. She took his breath away with her halter neck black dress that draped to the floor, her shining hair and flawless skin; with every move she oozed sophistication.
‘Darling come down.’ Mary was beaming. ‘Or I’ll come and get you, birthday boy.’
‘I’ll be right there,’ shouted Tony.
He slowly made his way downstairs, there at the foot of the stairs waiting for him was his father.
‘Dad, seriously, you were in on this the whole time. You had me worried. Why, I ought to wring your neck.’
Henry gave him a jovial nudge. ‘Now you wouldn’t hurt your father, would you son?’
‘No, Dad, but that’s only because I’m a kind, forgiving soul.’
He pulled Tony towards him and gave him a big hug and then the tears started to roll down his cheek. ‘God rest your mother’s soul. If she was alive she’d be so happy for you, she’d be so proud of what you’ve achieved.’
‘Please Dad—’
‘No son … she would be so proud of you, as proud as I am of you right now. Happy fortieth birthday, son.’
‘Thanks, Dad.’
Henry dried his tears and walked with Tony through the patio doors that led to the garden.
‘Oh and Tony, I took a call for you earlier. A young woman called – I think her name was Sara.’
‘You mean Tara?’
‘That’s right, Tara. She said to tell you, have a good day and to remember, it’s the beginning of a great journey in your life not the end and something else but I can’t remember the something else. I’m getting old and the brain doesn’t work so well.’
‘Is that right, Dad? Well it was working fine this morning.’ They laughed together and it felt good, especially for Tony. This was his day and in the main, the people that meant the most to him was here to celebrate his birthday; and to hear his dad say he was proud of him, well it meant something.
A tirade of guests greeted him as he made his way over to the bar and it wasn’t long before Christine ran into her father’s arms again and kissed him. Tom tagged behind her, looking totally zonked but Tony made an effort and said hello.
‘Love you loads Dad.’
‘Love you too princess.’
‘Dad, I want you to be the first one to know.’
‘Not again, Christine, please don’t give me palpitations again.’
‘It’s great news Dad. Guess, or I’ll have to tell you quickly.’
‘You’re moving back in,’ Tom interjected.
‘No sir, we’ve�
�’ But just before she could finish her sentence, Tony was whisked off to the other end of the garden by Mark, where the orchestra was just about to play ‘Happy Birthday’.
Mary stood by the band and all the guests gathered around. She held a mike to her mouth and said quite calmly. ‘Hello people.’ Crowds of people cheered and there were a few humorous boo’s.
‘OK, that was a nice welcome but today I stand here as a proud wife. Firstly I’d like to say thank you all for coming to the fortieth birthday celebration of my husband, Tony Manning.’ Again there was another cheer, whistles and a round of applause as Tony walked towards his wife and joined her on stage.
‘Tony, my darling, I love you with all my heart and although this has come as a bit of a shock to you and your heart has probably jumped out of your chest a couple of times, please understand that everyone gathered here today is here because they love you.’ Tony was in awe of her and he blew her a kiss.
‘I wrote a poem for you, darling and I’d like to read it to you now. Christine, can you hand me my spectacles please?’
Christine made her way to the front of the band and handed her mother a pair of dated glasses that didn’t quite complement her sophisticated dress. Mary unfolded the piece of paper in her hand and again there was another round of applause.
‘Tony, I never knew I could feel a love like this. You see it’s hard for me to put into words how I truly feel, except to say that what I feel and the depth of where this love reaches goes beyond here and now. For loving you is my joy. Loving you is my heart’s desire. Loving you means I’m not afraid to give you the innermost part of me. You have given me true love.’ She paused for a moment and then continued. ‘This love is honest, this love is kind. When we’re apart this love holds my thoughts and quiets my doubts of what if. I know the Lord was smiling down on me when I found you because I’ve never been the same. You’ve given me a sense of knowing that your heart is with me wherever I am. That in itself is evident that our hearts and minds connect. For wherever I am, you are with me and I am with you. I feel alive when I’m with you.
‘When I’m looking into your eyes, Tony, I see a future that’s filled with hope. When I’m with you, I’m lost in a world that’s magical and the wonderful thing is, this magical world is not a fantasy or a dream; only, I’m reminded, when I’m next to you and I’m in your arms; when our bodies are entwined as one, I’m not dreaming. For today, tomorrow and always I want to love you, that is, I want this feeling of innate desire, this expression of real emotions, and this explosion of happiness never to go away. Honey, I know the last six months haven’t been easy.’
For a moment Mark wondered if she was going to spill the beans on the whole menopause thing but he was relieved when she ended her sentence with. ‘I love you Tony, forever and always.’
The crowd cheered, more champagne bottles popped, and bodies were swinging and swaying to the up tempo Latin beat played by the orchestra.
‘Mary, let’s dance?’
‘With pleasure darling.’
‘I love you Mary and thank you.’
‘Do you like it Tony, isn’t it wonderful?’
‘It’s lovely darling and may I just say you look gorgeous, you’re absolutely stunning.’
‘Why thank you and you don’t look so bad in that suit either.’
‘I loved the poem, it was beautiful.’
‘I’m glad you liked it Tony; I meant every word my sweet.’
‘That’s why it was beautiful.’ He held her in his arms and kissed her passionately.
‘You can take that upstairs,’ said Martin as he brushed past them.
‘Hello, you two love birds. This is a good party, fabulous food, great music, entertainment and no paparazzi, isn’t it wonderful and Mary, you killed me with the poem, it brought me to tears.’
‘Thank you Martin.’
‘So where’s Mark?’
‘Well, I think one of the belly dancers took a shine to him because I can’t locate him anywhere.’
‘You don’t think he’s doing the dirty, not in my house or in my garden for that matter,’ said Tony.
Out of nowhere Mark appeared, only attached to his arm was a rather attractive woman with a rather large midriff and a heavy chest.
‘Hi Tony, great party, good food but I’ve got to go. Petra’s teaching me how to belly dance.’ Mark seemed mesmerised by Petra’s large pectorals.
‘Let’s just hope he’s learnt his lesson,’ said Tony.
‘Oh believe me I think he has. Anyway Tony, I’d love to stay but I’ve got to go.’
Mary was disappointed. ‘But it’s early Martin?’
‘I’m sorry Mary, something’s cropped up.’
‘What Martin means, darling, is he’s off to see Joan. They have things to discuss. Love does crazy things to you.’
‘You’re right about that. This is what it does to you, Martin.’ Tony looked into Mary’s eyes and Martin sensed what was coming next, a long and passionate kiss.
‘I think that’s my cue to leave – love you guys.’
Tony was too busy to notice Martin walking away but as he backed away he accidentally bumped into Christine.
‘Oops, sorry Chrissie – are you OK?’
‘I’m a little flustered, Uncle Martin. I’m trying to talk to my dad.’
‘Good luck, Chrissie. Somehow I think he’s engrossed in matters of the heart.’
Slowly etching towards her father, she pulled in his jacket. ‘Dad, can I talk to you for just a moment?’ Christine winked at her mother.
‘Why of course you can honey bun.’
‘Thanks Dad.’
‘Mary, honey, I’ll have to put my passionate kiss on hold for a moment.’
‘Yes dad, I’m sure mum can wait, can’t you mum?’ She winked at her Mary again. The wink signalled the explosion that was about to take place.
‘Yes I can honey.’ Mary winked back at Christine.
‘OK, Christine lay it on me, I’m ready for it, what is it honey and where’s that boy Tom?’
‘Daddy we’ve been signed by Studio Works & Co.’
‘What did you say?’
‘Studio Works & Co. We’ve been signed by the hottest label in Britain,’ shouted Christine, ‘and tonight Daddy, Sensations Rock will be rocking for you, take it away, Tom.’
And then it all began. A young kid was playing the bass guitar, another young girl was on the drums then an explosion of chords collided together to make great music on centre stage. Christine leapt in front of the bass guitar and as for Tony it could not have been a prouder moment, hearing his daughter rock like a true sensation. It was electrifying and every person in the place was rocking it with them.
‘That’s my little girl,’ Tony shouted out to the crowd.
‘Mary, isn’t she something? Aren’t they magnificent?’
‘I told you they were,’ she shouted back.
Mark was heading towards Tony. He was still attached to Petra but this time he looked worse for wear and from his appearance it looked as though he’d overdone it with the Bacardi Breezers.
‘Isn’t that yourrrr Chriseeee over thererrr Tonyeeee.’ He was leaning on Tony and crying. ‘Greaatttt parrty, Tony.’
Mary quickly beckoned the nearest waiter for a cup of black coffee to sober him up.
‘Did you hear the words of that song Chriseee was singing well, did you Tony? … The first line goes something like this ...’ and at the top of his slurred voice he began to sing, ‘I made a mistake now I want you back but I need you da da da da da. Never had it so good before but I realise since you went away da da da da.’
Good memory, thought Tony. He could barely hear the words. It could have been double dutch for all he knew but one thing he did know, and that was he was more in awe of his daughter’s performance and the electrifying music. The waiter returned with a cup of coffee and Tony managed to sit his friend down and Mary tried holding the steaming cup of coffee to Mark’s mouth.
‘N
ow have some coffee, honey. It’s a bit hot so don’t burn yourself.’
Mark pushed his face close to Mary’s, and then, in his rather drunken state he slurred his words. ‘Mary … Mary, you’re beautiful. Do you know how beautiful you are and where’s your sexy thigh-high boots Mary?’
She slowly moved a few steps away from Mark and gave Tony a coy looked then she whispered. ‘What’s he on about?’
‘He’s a drunken fool at the moment honey.’ Mark attempted to stand up but then collapsed back into the chair again. ‘Come on, Mary, why you don’t put your sexy thigh high boots on and the mask. I bet you look good in the mask. Did I say mask? Silly me, I meant Basque.’
‘OK, buddy I think I’d better get you inside,’ said Tony.
‘Tony, I’m not into the threesome thing.’
‘You stupid fool, you’re drunk … Raymond … Raymond … where’s that boy when I need him?’
Mary folded her arms then looked at Tony with disdain.
‘Raymond’s in love with one of the waitresses and what is Mark going on about? What have you been telling him?’
By the expression on Mary’s face he knew he was in big trouble. He’d explain the whole thing later but for now he thought it best to put Mark in the guest room.
‘OK, Mark it’s time for you to go inside and get a nap for a few hours.’
‘I’m an idiot Tony; nobody loves me Tony, and do you want to know something? I think I’ve found the one, yes, I think I love Kelly. Oh, but let’s not worry about me! Why, if Kelly doesn’t love me someone else loves me, don’t they Tony? Psycho Beverley loved me. Shall I tell you what she loved the most? Do you really want to know? Shall I tell you? She loved my big black—’
‘Mark, up you get, up Mark.’ Tony and his old friends from university, Mark Dawson, Eric Peters and Sandy Dickson, helped him into the main house and then up the stairs. They threw him on the bed in one of the guest rooms. Trust Mark to spill the beans, thought Tony, and how was he going to explain Mark’s revelation of his wife in thigh-high boots to his wife?
When Tony returned to the party Mary was standing by the water fountain. He was sure to greet a few people but quickly took his position beside her.
‘Is he OK?’ she asked.
Those Mid-Life Blues Page 17
