Page 28 of The Life Experiment
With someone else taking control, Layla found it easier to move, even if she did walk upstairs with jerking, zombie-like steps. She paused at the second door on the landing. A faded ‘keep out’ sticker was embedded into the wood. Layla remembered sticking it there when she was thirteen.
Her throat tightened as she pushed open the door, revealing a space that was at once hers and not hers. The walls were now painted dark green instead of the bright lilac she’d chosen when she was nine, andthere were miniature dinosaurs everywhere. Tiny pyjamas were flung on the floor, clearly discarded earlier that morning.
Swallowing hard, Layla stepped into the space. How wrong it felt to be in this room that was no longer hers.
How right it felt to be back with the people who loved her the most.
Dropping her bag to the floor, Layla let peace wash over her.
14Angus
‘Tilda said we can use her parents’ villa next month. The place is incredible. Shame we need to invite her too, though.’
Angus stirred the pho in front of him, watching chunks of chicken bob up and down in the broth.
‘She sent me photos earlier,’ Jasper continued. ‘Six beds, eight baths, a pool and a jacuzzi. Golf course nearby, naturally.’
The couple at the next table giggled, their heads so close their foreheads almost kissed. Angus was too far away to hear the joke they shared but close enough to know he wanted what they had.
‘So, what do you say? Are you in?’
Taking another mouthful of pho, Angus observed the couple’s intimacy. The last time he had clung onto someone’s words like that was twelve days ago. He’d been in a cafe after learning he would live to ninety-three. The memory plucked at his chest. Again, he debated calling Layla, but today wasn’t a really bad day, was it? Today was a day like any other.
‘Angus? Angus, are you even listening to me?’ Jasper clicked his fingers in Angus’s face.
Dropping his spoon, Angus locked eyes with his oldest friend. ‘Sorry, what?’
Jasper sighed, irritated. ‘Jesus, Angus. I shouldn’t have to fight to get your attention. Next month. Tilda’s parents’ villa.’
‘Oh. Cool.’
‘Cool? That’s all you have to say about leaving this miserable weather behind for a trip to Saint Lucia?’
Angus rubbed his temples. ‘Sorry, my mind’s all over the place today.’
‘Your mind’s always all over the place,’ Jasper grumbled, taking an angry bite of food.
As the atmosphere simmered, Angus forced himself to smile. ‘Sorry. Saint Lucia sounds great. Thank you for organising it.’
‘A bit of gratitude, that’s more like it. You’ll be even more grateful when I tell you the guest list. You, me, Locke and Anderson are going, of course, then there are the girls to think of. Don’t worry, Clarissa will be there.’
Angus found he couldn’t muster any enthusiasm. Not even the fake kind. Pushing his dinner away, he nodded. ‘Let me sort the bill. My shout for not listening,’ he said, striding away before he had to engage in more empty conversation.
Bill paid, Jasper and Angus headed to Jasper’s favourite night-time haunt. Set in a converted warehouse, Luca and Carlo’s was exclusive enough to meet Jasper’s exacting standards, but it wasn’t discreet. Music pounded down the street, audible before the men even reached the club.
Bypassing the queue of well-dressed, shivering people, the men were waved inside by the bouncers.
Jasper rubbed his hands together. ‘It’s going to be a good night,’ he enthused.
Angus wished he could share his friend’s excitement, but the pounding in his head said otherwise.
Luca and Carlo’s was dimly lit and decorated like secrets were buried in the walls. The place screamed ‘Let’s sin and spend lots while doing it.’ From the back of the venue, the VIP area beckoned to Jasper’s ego.The men approached and were once again granted access as if they owned the place.
‘Look at the talent on the dance floor,’ Jasper said over his shoulder with a wolfish grin.
‘It’s so dark I can barely see the dance floor,’ Angus grumbled, but Jasper was busy greeting the tall, distinguished man waiting for them in the cordoned-off area.
Archie Locke, another school friend, rugby squad alumnus and now property developer. So cocky he was excruciating company, Locke had a different date on his arm each week, despite also having a wedding planned for two months’ time. But when someone was as rich and influential as Locke, people tended to look the other way at such indiscretions.
