Page 44 of Fast Forward

Kasey approached and leaned into my ear. “Are you okay? You were pretty upset at lunch, is everything all right?”

“Yes, of course. Sorry about that, I’ve had a long day, that’s all.” I pulled a confident smile. “But tonight’s going to be great, isn’t it? And you and Max, wow, I can’t believe…”

Oops.

“Can’t believe what?”

“Can’t believe how… great you both look. Age has been kind to Max, hasn’t it?”

“Hasn’t it ever.” She winked, before discreetly placing a gift on the table.

I explained once again why I was wearing normal, if somewhat old-fashioned, clothes and lifted champagne from the passing tray. Ryan turned up the music volume, which was obviously not his creation as it sounded nice. Relaxed, ambient, cruisy music, but not too relaxed to be doze-worthy. I bopped my head and tapped my toe so I looked to be enjoying myself and gave thanks that if I didn’t know someone’s name I could call them by their fancy dress persona. So long as there weren’t any more surprises a-la The Lizardile.

A kerfuffle of voices burst through the door, as two men entered wearing police officer costumes – okay, for a moment I thought they actually were police officers – and I startled on seeing the figure of a woman in an elaborate ghost costume. Layers upon layers of floaty white tulle covered her whole body except for her face, painted white with grey shadows under her eyes.

“Recovered from your hot flush yet?” the ghost asked.

“Elaine?”

“My costume’s that good, eh? You don’t even recognise your best friend?” She winked.

“It’s fantastic, very spooky.” I nodded, chuckling to myself that she probably dressed as a ghost to avoid wearing a SlimFX Magic Suit like me. Smart woman.

The policemen gave Will a friendly slap on the back then approached me with a hug, which I returned rather pathetically, my arms unable to extend above shoulder height thanks to the restriction of my outfit. A woman entered the house and slid an arm around one of the men, then a familiar-looking woman entered and approached Ryan. She gave him a loud squelchy kiss on both cheeks, which by the look on his face he despised. She wore a soft white halter dress, blond wig and blood-red lipstick, now imprinted onto the small part of Ryan’s cheeks that were visible through his mask. She was obviously Marilyn Monroe and I recognised her as the woman from the lift that had spoken to me on my way to the KC Interiors meeting.

“Regina, long time no see, huh?” Will’s voice held a tinge of sarcasm.

“Yet I’ve missed you so much.” She repeated her kissing fest on Will’s cheeks, before she sidled up to the two men that entered earlier. “And who are these gorgeous beings?” she asked them, holding out her hand. By the looks on their faces, they didn’t know whether she expected them to kiss her hand or shake it, but on grasping her hand, Regina pulled one of the men in close and kissed him on the cheeks too, the red lipstick right at home on his flushed face.

“Kelli, honey.” Regina kissed me too. “Sorry I didn’t stop to chat earlier today, but I knew you had that important meeting. How’d it go?”

“It was… interesting,” I replied. “I think it went well.”

“And don’t you look ravishing tonight? Your dress, what a lovely vintage piece.” She placed her fingers on the shoulder strap.

Vintage? This was new season Vera Wang!

“Now who is that gorgeous guy I had the pleasure of embarrassing?” She pointed to one of the fake policemen. “I only got his name… Steven. But how are you two connected?”

“Um… well, ah…” How the heck should I know?

Will came over and propped an arm around each of us. “I hear you’ve been flirting with my little brother, Regina?”

“Steven’s my brother-in-law.” I nodded as if I’d known this all along. Phew! Thanks, Will.

“And the other one?”

“That’s my older brother, John,” Will replied. “And,” he emphasised, “that woman next to him is his wife.”

“I see, well I won’t bother with him then, unless… would you say their marriage is strong? Or is it on the rocks, even just a little?” She pinched her thumb and forefinger together in the air.

“Don’t even think about it.” Will wagged a finger at Regina and as a waiter held a tray in front of her, she swiftly took a glass and tipped her head back.

More people filtered into the house, dressed in various costumes ranging from cowboys to clowns. No one had thought about coming as their younger self and I felt quite proud to be the stand-out among a crowd of people looking like idiots.

“Kelli, happy birthday!” said a woman about thirty or so, swathed in a Cleopatra garment and with long black hair that actually appeared real. “So what did you think of Maurice’s proposal on Monday? I mean, what did you really think?”

Huh?

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