The Debt

by D A Latham

Aaron pulled our tickets out of his inside pocket and handed them to the doorman. He nodded us through to an area where I could leave my coat. Aaron took the chit for me and put it in his pocket. We walked on through another short corridor, teeming with people, then into the main marquee itself. It was enormous and packed with people. Round tables dotted the hall, with people clustered in groups around them, drinking bottles of champagne, which were set in ice buckets beside them. Several people accosted us, primarily to say hello to Aaron. A few girls blatantly looked me up and down, their lips curling in envy. "You go find our table, I'll go to the bar," Aaron yelled over the music to Marcus. He nodded and weaved his way through the crowds to where a large table plan was pinned up. Aaron led me to the bar. "Quite an entrance you made," he said into my ear. "I bet they're all gossiping about my lady in red. Now, shall we have some champagne?" I nodded and smiled at him gratefully. The staring, whispering girls were making me a little paranoid. Some champers would blot them out. Marcus returned just as we were served.

  "Table one," he said, "We're with the Quinells and a couple of celebs from that show, The Only Way Is Essex.” Aaron just nodded.

  "Better make that three bottles of Krug," he said to the barman, peeling a load of fifties from the wad in his wallet. I trotted along as Marcus led us to our table, in front of the stage. The others were already there and were delighted to see Aaron.

  "Aaron, darling, so glad you could come," said an older lady as she kissed both his cheeks. "I'd like to introduce you to Amy, Gemma, and Lauren."

  They seemed a bit star struck as Aaron shook their hands and pecked their cheeks. Each of them wore gorgeous dresses and was really glamorous. I was beyond excited. "This is Marcus, my friend," he said, allowing Marcus to peck them all as well, "and this is my girlfriend Sally." I had my turn air-kissing everyone.

  "Your dress is to die for," Amy said, "and I love your hair." I almost burst with pride. The older lady, whom Aaron introduced as Sherry, joined in by asking who designed it.

  "It's a McQueen," Marcus chimed in. "The shoes are Jimmy Choo."

  "Is he your gay best friend?" Amy whispered in my ear, making me laugh. "Well, that dress is totes gorge," she said loudly so that Marcus could hear.

  Myriad people came over to shake Aaron's hand. He kept his arm casually but firmly around my shoulder, introducing me to so many people it made my head spin. I admired how easily he chatted, and how confident he was, almost a born politician. I pretty much kept quiet and just smiled sweetly at everyone. Marcus was equally popular, disappearing off with various people every few minutes.

  The table next to us intrigued me. I couldn't see who was sitting there, but throngs of people, mainly preening women, seemed to be flocking to them. "I wonder who's on that table," I said to Sherry. She peered over.

  "The McCarthy boys by the looks of it. It wouldn't be Foxbury without them." My blood ran cold.

  At that moment, the crowds parted, leaving a clear view directly at Rupert. He saw me, his eyes widening when he saw whom I was with. I watched him elbow someone next to him, who peered around a group of girls.

  Andy.

  I felt sick.

  He looked me up and down, taking in every detail. Despite his poker face, I could see he was struggling to contain some sort of emotion. As the crowds closed back in, I became hidden again. I hadn't been able to read him, whether he was angry I'd intruded into his world, or livid because I was with Aaron. I even toyed with the idea that he was cross with himself for not being the one to put me in a posh dress.

  I tried to remind myself that he preferred me in ragged clothes and leaky shoes, not beautiful outfits. If Marcus was to be believed, he could have easily done what Aaron did. I needed to pull myself together.

  We were interrupted by the compère asking us to take our seats, as the food was ready to be served. From my chair, I had an almost perfect view of Andy's table. When I saw that he was the only one without a date, I was relieved. Selfishly, I would've been upset to see him with another woman, despite the double standard of me being his rival's date for the night, although judging by the number of women flirting around him, he could take his pick.

  Rupert was sitting next to a pretty, blonde girl, who had an effervescent air about her. She had to be the new girlfriend who hadn't been taken home. On the other side of Andy was an obvious brother, the older one by the look of it. He didn't have Andy's extraordinary good looks, but he had an air of authority about him. His wife had her back to me, so I couldn't examine her.

  On the far side of the table sat a younger man, the only one close to Andy in the looks department. Beside him was a stunningly attractive Asian girl in a vivid teal-coloured dress. Her brunette hair shone in a glossy, dark curtain down her back. I remembered Andy telling me that she was the one his mum adored.

  I glanced at Aaron. He was busy chatting to Sherry's husband, John, about some business they were doing. Marcus, on my other side, was watching proceedings with great interest. "Did you two know he'd be here?" I asked.

  "Not specifically, no. He usually is though," Marcus said, a little too gleefully for my liking. I wondered if I'd been set up, the pair of them getting me all done up so that they could rub Andy's nose in the fact I was there as Aaron's girlfriend.

  “You'd be amazed what I can steal from under your nose McLoser.”

  Aaron's words popped into my mind. I wondered if he'd bother to spend almost twenty-five thousand pounds, my debt and the outfits he'd treated me to, just to get one over on Andy. I had no idea what he earned, or for that matter what he actually did for a living.

  "You OK babe? You're a million miles away," Aaron whispered into my ear.

  "I'm good, thanks. It's a great party. Some fabulous outfits on show."

  "It's where the great and good of Chislehurst come to show off. My old school sports club gets enough cash to see it through another year and buy some equipment, and the wives all get to outdo each other."

  "I see. Everyone seems to know you," I pointed out.

  He smiled, "I suppose they do. I went to school nearby and played sports here. I even used to drink in the local pubs once I was old enough."

  "And you're a famous businessman," I added.

  "Well, yes."

  "What exactly do you do?" It had been bugging me. I should've read his bio a bit more closely when I Googled him.

  "It depends which side of a deal you're on really. I buy companies which are struggling, and either turn them around or break them up. If you were a businessman wanting to retire, and I came along and bought your lacklustre company, you'd think I was an angel from Heaven. Those people call me a venture capitalist or private equity buyer."

  "So what's the downside?" I was puzzled.

  "Well, if I went to investors and got them to pump a load of cash in, and it didn't work, when I broke up the company, they'd be calling me a corporate bandit or a raider."

  "But wouldn't you lose money as well though?"

  He shook his head. "I never lose on a deal. It's a bit complex, but I take control of all the assets, so the investors just get paper bonds, which they can trade. They never actually own very much. Sometimes they make shit-loads, sometimes they don't. Like anything in finance, it's a gamble."

  I didn't really understand. Rather than reveal my inability to get my head around his explanation, I decided to change the subject. "Did you know Andy's here?" I asked.

  He shook his head. "I've not seen him. He often attends, as it’s his Alma Mater too. Where is he?" He asked, a little too innocently.

  "He's on the next table." Aaron looked over.

  "He can't take his sad little eyes off you. Shame he was only happy when you were suffering."

  I fought the urge to look over. Thankfully our food arrived.

  The auction was held during the meal. Any pretence that the two men weren't aware of each other's presence was dropped as they battled it out, bidding ridiculous amounts for pathetically stupid lots. Even Marcus groaned when Aaron pai
d twenty grand for a signed rugby shirt.

  "You're gonna have to find a wall to hang that on," I sniggered.

  "No chance, that hideous thing has no place on a wall. I'll donate it to next year's auction. He'll have forgotten about it by then," Marcus whispered. I snorted trying to suppress my laughter.

  The final lot was a pair of tickets to some football final. A few people started off bidding, but as the bids climbed to ten thousand, the early bidders began to drop out. Only Aaron and Andy were left. I watched, horrified, as the bids climbed to forty thousand, then fifty. Aaron bid sixty. Andy seemed to hesitate before saying loudly, eighty.

  It was Aaron's turn to hesitate, I guess he came to his senses and shook his head. Andy smiled for the first time that night as the over-excited auctioneer brought his gavel down. I didn't even know Andy liked football; he'd never wanted to watch it on telly.

  He'd just spent eighty grand.

  The irony wasn't lost on me. For a fraction of that, he could've had me sitting beside him. Instead he was all-alone with his cash, sending me soppy songs every night. He caught my eye and dropped the poker face just long enough to show me he was in pain, a man with regrets.

  I looked away, unable to stand it.

  Why had he let it all go so wrong? That was the question I couldn't get my head around. Just trying to figure it out made my head hurt. I took another swig of champagne instead. Ever the gentleman, Aaron refilled my glass.

  "I need to find the ladies’," I said to him. He pointed over to the far corner.

  "I'll come with you," said Sherry, "the queue will be massive." We made our way over and discovered Sherry was indeed correct. The line snaked out of the door. We joined the end of it.

  "Aaron seems happy," Sherry said, "apart from losing out on those tickets."

  "Ridiculous to spend so much money on one pair of tickets though," I scoffed.

  "It's more a way of donating," she pointed out, "plus it's tax deductible, so more efficient than making a private donation."

  "I didn't realise." I felt a little stupid.

  "Neither did I at first. John did it once when he had a big tax bill, I had no idea how it worked and kicked his arse all the way home that night." She smiled at the memory. I liked her a lot.

  "Have you known Aaron long?" I asked

  "Oh yes. He went to school with my boys, my David was good friends with him and Marcus, so when they all left Eltham, they stayed in touch. Aaron bought our company several years ago, which was fantastic as it allowed John to semi-retire and start some of the projects that really interested him. I think Aaron's interested in investing in one of them."

  She chattered on about the business her husband had started, which seemed to have something to do with extracting metals out of old phones. I nodded in the right places but wasn't really listening as I was tuning into the conversation behind me.

  "What's up with Drew? I've never seen him so miserable. Thought he was well over that Charlotte by now."

  "Rupert said he met someone a little while ago."

  "Really? So why didn't he bring her tonight?"

  "Not sure, but I think she left him. All Rupes said was that it was his own fault for being an arse to her. Tried to keep who he was a secret, but it backfired. I think it's that girl with Aaron Pryce. Drew can't take his eyes off her."

  "I wondered why he's been staring over my shoulder all night. I'll get a good look at her when we go back."

  "If it is her, then pulling both Drew and Aaron? I'll have a bit of whatever she's got." They both laughed.

  I was glad when a cubicle became free, ducking in without turning around. Once inside, I turned it all over in my mind. If it was true, that Andy had been hiding his identity as opposed to hiding me, then I could understand him a little. With my relationship with Aaron out in the open, I would see if Andy still carried on chasing me. If he did, as soon as I had the money from Ms Gadd, I'd do a runner from Aaron. He deserved better than I could give him.

  With a plan in my mind, I finished up and washed my hands, checking first that the two women from earlier weren't around. I re-applied my lipstick and fluffed up my hair. As I stepped out of the ladies, I came face to face with Andy himself.

  "I just wanted to speak to you," he said. "I wanted to tell you how beautiful you look tonight."

  "I'm with Aaron," I hissed, "and he won't be too impressed if I'm seen talking to you."

  "I know," he said, chastened. "Have you been reading my emails?" I nodded, glancing around to see if anyone was watching. "I mean them, every word."

  "Well maybe you should've been a bit more honest at the start," I snapped. "You knew how distraught I was over that debt, how it nearly killed me, yet you let me suffer real hardship to keep your deception going. Aaron has his faults, but at least I have warm feet these days."

  He blushed. "I'm truly sorry. I wanted you to know that. It's just, well, being without you… It's hard."

  "Being cold and hungry was hard too. You'll get over it, just like I had to, plus of course I was stupid enough to fall in love with a man who I didn't even know. I was an open book to you; it was you who deceived me remember?" I could feel my temper rising.

  "Do you hate me?" He asked softly. I shook my head. "So come back to me," he said.

  "I can't. I'd be homeless, penniless, and jobless. I'm just not willing to go there."

  "I wouldn't let that happen," he said, his voice taking on a pleading tone. I raised my eyebrows at him.

  "You let it happen once," I reminded him. What I really wanted was to throw myself into his arms and begin again, only with our lives out in the open. I desperately wanted to trust him, but the little spark of self-preservation that every orphan develops held me back. Aaron was kind and generous. I just wasn't in love with him.

  "I beat myself up every day over it. I know I put my own agenda above your needs, but what we had, it was... special, pure. I know I was selfish and stupid. I don't really blame you for dumping me. I bet you think I'm pathetic," he said.

  "No. I just wish it had been different. Story of my life really." I spotted Aaron scanning the room for me. Without another word, I walked away from Andy and towards our table. As I got close, Aaron spotted me and smiled warmly. "The queue was massive," I told him, feeling a little shaky and off-centre.

  "Sherry only just got back too. John and I thought the two of you had wandered off. Shall we go check out the fairground rides? The celebrity girls are having a go on the dodgems." He took a swig of champagne.

  I had no idea they had dodgems and Wurlitzers at posh do's. I was even more shocked to see a bucking bronco. Girls were hitching up their long dresses and having a go, flying off after a few minutes, legs akimbo, much to the onlookers’ amusement. It was quite surreal.

  "Are you gonna have a go?" Aaron asked.

  "No way. Both my dress and my dignity are too precious." He laughed and pressed a kiss on my temple. We wandered over to the dodgems, where the celebrity girls had quite an audience as they raced around the track, followed by Marcus. We watched them laugh as they hurtled around. I was envious of their confidence, their sense of fun, and their seemingly carefree existence. As my envy grew, I was transported back to Chapter One, being in awe of all the women there, imagining their perfect lives, then the realisation that everyone had problems. To those girls, I had a rich, generous, handsome boyfriend who treated me like a princess. The actual reality was a world away. I was with him because I'd been effectively bought and paid for. I'd never felt such a strong urge to run away in my life.

  Everywhere Aaron and I went, I was aware of Andy watching us. I think Aaron saw it too and delighted in making a big show of either affection or ownership. Eventually we bumped into Rupert and his girlfriend.

  "Hey Sally, Aaron, you having a good time?" Rupert said in his jovial way. "Have you met my girlfriend Michelle?" I smiled and shook her hand.

  "Nice to meet you," she said, before turning to Aaron. "Hey babe, not seen you for ages. Things OK?" Sh
e leaned forward to let him peck her cheek. They obviously knew each other. As they chatted, Rupert took me aside.

  "I think that nasty bitch you used to work for is gonna settle this week. Andy's really turned the screws."

  "Good, but I'll believe it when I see it."

  "Oh ye of little faith," he said. "We promised you we'd get it." He paused. "Have you spoken to Andy tonight?"

  I nodded. I checked Aaron wasn't listening. "I did. He's apologised for a lot."

  "I slapped him upside his head. The twat thought you wouldn't like him if he revealed what a flash little git he really is. Telling you to go on the dole was a step too far, and he's only got himself to blame. Poor bugger’s suffering though; he's never been dumped before."

  "What about Charlotte?" I asked, puzzled. I thought she'd instigated their split.

  Rupert gave me a puzzled look. "He caught her with another bloke. Didn't he tell you? Dumped her arse quicker than you could blink. You are genuinely the first girl to leave him, which after years of women chucking themselves at him, is a bit of a shock to his system."

  I liked Rupert a lot. He had a slightly more common touch than Andy, a deeper understanding of how people behaved. "He'll get over it," I assured him.

  "Losing you to Prycey of all people. That was insult to injury I think. We used to tease him something rotten at school."

  "Why?" I was intrigued.

  He leaned in closer, "Andy told me that in the first year, Aaron was seen in the showers after rugby practice and from then on was known as 'pencil dick.' He never got changed in public again."

  I tried to keep a straight face.

  "He's probably filled out a bit now..."

  I blinked, trying not to react. Rupert grinned, using that silence trick to get me to speak. It was obviously a McCarthy family trait.

  "You know what upsets me?" I said, "I know full well that if I was still with Andy, I'd be sitting indoors tonight, in my bedsit above the garage, with my socks drying on the radiator, eking out some plain pasta or the previous night's Chinese and watching telly. Instead I'm in a lovely dress at a great party, feeling as though I'm a member of the human race. Which would you prefer?" Rupert sucked in a breath.