“Hello.” I smile nervously as I shake both their hands. “This is James.” James stops what he is doing


    and shakes their hands.


    I take out my pen and paper. “I’m sorry, is this a bad time? I understand you are having a party and I


    really don’t want to inconvenience you?”


    Monica smiles warmly. “Not at all, dear, but thank you for being so thoughtful.”


    Oh, she’s a nicedy. I instantly feel relieved.


    “Tabatha runs an art gallery in town.” Monica smiles proudly.


    I raise my eyebrows. “Oh, really?”


    Tabatha smiles. “I’m trying my best. It was myte father’s.”


    Monica pats her on the arm. “Now, now. Don’t be modest. You are doing a fabulous job. Your father


    would be so proud of you.”


    Tabatha smiles gratefully.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    “Her father and I were lifelong friends,” Monica adds. “I miss him dearly.”


    My face falls. “Oh, I’m sorry,” I reply.


    “Now, if you don’t mind, I must get back to the party, but Tabatha will show you around and do the


    interview, if that’s okay? She buys all of my art for me, anyway, so she knows more than I do about their


    origins.”


    “Perfect.” I smile.


    Monica starts to walk out and then turns back. “James?”


    “Yes?”


    “You are going to stay and take some photographs for my charity for the paper, aren’t you?”


    He smiles, relieved that she remembered. “Certainly,” he replies.


    “I have ordered dinner for you two and set you a ce.”


    James’s smile nearly splits his face. “Thank you. That’s very kind.”


    “Please… make yourself at home and stay for the whole evening if you like. I just ask that you stay


    around for the auction in around two hours to take some photographs of that.”


    “Of  course.”  James  nods.  “Thank  you  for  the  opportunity.  I  will  call  you  on  Monday  to  check  the


    wording of the copy that you want me to put with the story.” Her eyes hold his. “That would be very much


    appreciated.” She smiles and leaves the room.


    I take out my pen and paper and turn to Tabatha. “Where shall we begin?”


    An hourter, I look down at what I am wearing as I stand in the bathroom cubicle and brush my hands


    over my thighs nervously. I’m wearing a long-sleeved, ice grey dress with a fitted top and a little red


    skirt that hangs just above my knee. I’veplimented the outfit with nude high heels. and my hair is


    down and full. I knew there was a chance we would be hanging around for James to take the photos, so I


    had to find something that was a bit dressier than I would normally wear to work. I thought I looked okay,


    but now that I’m here, I’m not so sure. I feel underdressed, but then Tabatha seemed quite casual, too? It is


    an afternoon garden party. I’m unsure of the dress code for these things.


    “Hurry up,” James whispers though the door.


    “Okay,” I reply. “What’s the damn rush?”


    I reapply my lipstick and fluff my hair up in the mirror before I open the door.


    “I can’t believe we are at this party?” James whispers excitedly as he grips both my biceps.


    I frown. “Why?”


    “This is the clique?”


    “The clique?”


    “Anybody who is anybody will be here tonight. These fundraising parties are epic.”


    “Oh, epic. Cool. You probably should shag someone, then.” I widen my eyes in disgust.


    He smirks and nods as his eyes scan ahead of us. “I could not agree with you more.”


    “You can pay for my cab, though, if you do,” I mutter as he grabs my elbow and leads me toward the


    music.


    “Deal.”


    We  walk  out  to  the  back  garden  and  I  stop  dead  in  my  tracks.  Oh  shit.  This  is  a  bit  more  than  I


    expected.  There  are  around  one  hundred  and  fifty  beautiful  people  all  gathered  around.  The  sound  of


    ughter and chatter can be heard everywhere, and a violin yer is down below on the grassed area. A


    huge pool sits in the center, and the back yard is terraced into different levels with arge stone staircase


    down the center to each level. It’s about 4pm and the sun is just starting to disappear behind the trees. The


    bottom level has a marquee set with the tables and chairs for the soon-to-be-served dinner. Huge trees


    line therge entertaining area, and I have to stop my mouth from dropping open.


    “What shall we do?” James smiles excitedly.


    I frown as I look around at all the people. “To be honest, I kind of want to go home.”


    “No.” He drags me toward the stairs. “Let’s go find our seat at the table and have a drink. You are not


    wrecking this night for me. We are going to have fun.” He smiles excitedly.


    “I guess.” I sigh.