Christmas At Leo's - Memoirs Of A Houseboy (22 page)

Shane came into the room. Vince oozed a slick invitation.

“We’re playing cards, sir. Are you going to join us?”

Sir. I rolled my eyes. What an arse-licking crawler.

Shane’s reply was succinct.

“No.”

Walking over to my end of the room, he whisked the heavy curtains shut.

I scowled. “I was enjoying the view.”

“What view? It’s dark.”

“The lights.”

“There are plenty of lights in here.” Grasping my wrist, he hauled me out of the chair, turned it to face the room and then sat down, pulling me onto his lap.

Angered by his arrogance, I tried to get up, but he hooked his arms around my waist, anchoring me in place. Putting his mouth to my ear, he flicked his tongue at the lobe and then whispered a threat that made my balls contract with fear.

“On my knee or over it with your pants down. Your choice.”

The thought of being spanked on the bare bottom in front of Jak and Vince was so horrifying it made me break a sweat. I was furious with Shane for making the threat, but didn’t dare comment in case he carried it out. Disciplining me in front of Leo had blurred the lines between what I thought I
‘knew’
he would or wouldn’t do. I didn’t know anything. Swallowing my anger as best I could, I remained on his lap, but was by no means relaxed.

Leo came in and addressed me. “Thank you, Gilli.”

“What for?”

“Clearing the dining room and the conservatory. It was sweet of you, and a big help.”

“You know me, Leo. I can’t see a stray crumb without being overcome by an urge to clean it up. It’s in my genes.” I shot a sarky sideways look at Shane. “Make the most of it, because if genetic reprogramming ever becomes as common as plastic surgery, I’m going to have myself genetically engineered into a land shark. There’ll be no more washing up. I’ll be shark boy not houseboy. I’ll cruise around biting off the legs of people I don’t like.”

Leo blew out his cheeks. “That’s most of the population doomed then. You’re an impossible boy to pay a compliment to. I say thanks for the help and you express a desire to slaughter people wholesale.”

“Take no notice, Leo. He just enjoys the sound of his own voice. You know how it goes with Gilli. He never uses one word when a dozen can be found. He’ll help whenever he can. It’ll be his pleasure, won’t it, my pet?” Shane raised a hand to caress my hair with a smile on his lips and dangerous ice in his eyes.

I managed a nod, while entertaining a fantasy of sinking my teeth into his hand. He must have read my mind, because the ice in his eyes thickened, hard and deep enough to take the weight of a carriage and horses. My guts agitated. He was scaring me, so much so that when his mobile rang I almost jumped out of my skin.

Holding me firmly on his lap he managed to extract his phone from his trouser pocket. All ice melted from his eyes as he listened to the caller.

“That’s fantastic news, Penny.”

A smile beamed across his face, making him look years younger. My guts turned over yet again, but this time in awe and admiration. He’s a total bastard, but what a handsome one.

Manoeuvring me off his lap, he stood up. Holding up the phone he addressed Dick, his delight evident. “It’s Penny. Lorraine has had the baby, a girl. Mum and daughter both well. Photos to follow when the ladies are ready to be presented.”

The news provoked a chorus of congratulations, including mine.

“That’s wonderful news.” Dick, his face alight with pleasure, came over to Shane and kissed him on the lips. “When did Lorraine have the baby?”

“Less than an hour ago. They’ve chosen a name already. They’re calling her Ruby.”

“I like it, such a pretty name. Give them my love and best wishes.”

Shane had a few more words with Penny and then called his brother to offer his congratulations in person. He also rang his father, who apparently was in tears at the birth of his granddaughter, whom he called a true jewel and the best Christmas present ever received.

Once the excitement had died down Leo rubbed his hands together. “I was going to offer tea or coffee, but I think the news of a Christmas baby calls for something a bit more special.

By something special he could only mean champagne, and a fine one knowing him. I was right.

“There’s no need, Leo, really. Tea will be fine.” Shane protested, but was ignored.

“Nonsense. Where’s your sense of occasion? A new life is to be celebrated, especially this one. This little lady is a lady of firsts: first daughter, first granddaughter, and first niece. I’ve got a few bottles of vintage Krug, 1996, chilling in the fridge. Sheer luxury. I was saving them for tomorrow, but I think at least one bottle will be better employed as a means to toast the health of the new arrival.” He grinned at Shane. “It’s not every day you become an uncle after all.”

“True.” Shane smiled back, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

Leo duly presented everyone with a flute of the champagne equivalent of liquid gold, everyone except me that is. I was presented with a flute of Perrier water. Carbonated water bubbles are a poor substitute for vintage champagne bubbles. I tried my best to be gracious about it, because of the circumstances.

Leo made the toast to baby Ruby, wishing her a long and happy life.

Along with everyone else I echoed the sentiments and raised my glass to make the toast. I couldn’t bring myself to drink more than a sip of the water by way of sealing the toast. As well as not being champagne it wasn’t even chilled. I put it down on a side table.

Seeing everyone enjoying the wine made me think of my mother again and the champagne bottles nestling in her fridge ready to be popped open on Christmas Day. They weren’t anywhere near the quality of the champagne Leo had served, but the effect would be the same, bringing a group of people together in special celebration, a family celebration. My throat tightened. I wouldn’t be a part of it though. I glanced at Shane, who had his arm around Dick’s waist. They both looked animated, as they chatted with the others and sipped at their luxury champers.

Picking up my glass I took it into the kitchen. Tilting the flute high over the sink I slowly poured out the water, watching its weak bubbles slip away. Water continued to drip into the sink even when the glass was empty. In the film never to be made about this boy’s life, an apposite background song at this point would be ‘The Cure’ singing a reminder that
‘boys don’t cry.’

Taking a deep breath, I rubbed my hoodie sleeve over my face and made an effort to get a grip. Rinsing the glass, I set it on the drainer.

“Good news about the baby.” Mike came into the room carrying his empty glass.

“Yeah, ” I gave a half smile. “It’s nice she was born today and not tomorrow. At least her birthday won’t be completely overshadowed by Jesus celebrations. She’ll get a birthday all to herself.”

“I never thought of it like that. I suppose Christmas Day kids do tend to get a rough deal.”

“Thanks for earlier, you know, saving me from Grizzly Adams before he mauled me to death and displayed my corpse in a cage on the castle walls.”

Mike shook his head. “You’re a sassy sod, Gil. It’s no wonder you get into bother with the big boss.”

“I know. I can’t seem to open my gob without tripping over my tongue. I need a more laid back boss. I don’t suppose you’re in the market for a houseboy? I’m available for headhunting.”

“Sorry, Gil. I’ve heard that houseboys are high maintenance and I like an easy life.”

“Pity.” I sighed and held out my hand. “Give me your glass. I’ll wash it.”

“Thanks.” He handed it over.

I gave it a sniff. “Was it nice champagne?”

“Delicious. You know Leo, only the best.”

“Yeah, lucky for some.”

“Don’t be bitter, my cherub.”

I pulled a face at him and then jumped, almost dropping the glass, as a cold voice made an even colder enquiry.

“What are you doing, Gilli?”

It didn’t need a detective to deduce that Shane was annoyed. My heart sank. Shit. Shit. Shit! I’d been so caught up in my thoughts I’d forgotten his edict about asking permission to leave the room.

Mike took one look at his face and decided that discretion was the better part of valour. “I’m nipping out the back for a smoke. I’ll see you later.” He slipped out of the back door, closing it after him.

Shane repeated his question. “What are you doing?”

“Washing glasses.” I turned my back on him, not as an act of rudeness, but rather defence, intending to rinse out Mike’s glass as a means of maintaining a composure I was far from feeling. I didn’t get a chance to turn on the tap. He was beside me in a flash.

“Don’t turn your back on me.” Taking the glass from me he stood it on the counter next to the sink and then landed a gasp inducing slap to my backside. “You were told not to leave the lounge without my permission.”

I hastened to apologise. “It wasn’t intentional disobedience. I forgot. Sorry.”

“Wilfulness brought you in here, sheer wilfulness. You’re making no effort to be part of things. Clearing your mind and being present in the moment, pleasing me, that’s the brief you were given and you’re doing nothing whatsoever to honour it.”

My unruly mouth opened and flashed back. “How can I be part of things when I’m not allowed the same privileges as everyone else, like having to drink water while you all sink champagne. You’ve ruined Christmas for me and made it nothing but a fucking misery.”

“So you’ve said. I disagree. You’re the one doing the ruining and not just for yourself. You’re a selfish and thoroughly spoilt young man.”

“Spoilt?” I spat angrily. “I don’t know where the hell you get that notion from. You certainly don’t spoil me.”

“No, and I’m not about to start. Your mother set the rot when you were small, always trying to compensate you for what you didn’t have, instead of making you appreciate what you did have. It’s left you feeling short changed for no good reason.”

I didn’t get a chance to issue an angry denial. He doubled me over, giving me a bird’s eye view of my feet. In real time the flurry of ferocious slaps were over in seconds, but in humiliation time they seemed to last an age. Anyone could have walked in and seen my disgrace. One small consolation was that at least my pants were up, not that they noticeably cushioned the sting of his hand.

After righting me, he leaned towards me. “For your sake, give in, stop fighting and surrender to
my
will, instead of chasing your own destructive impulses. You’ll feel better.”

He paused, as if expecting me to respond, but I didn’t. I couldn’t. I was using every scrap of energy to hold off an urge to break down and sob my heart out. I couldn’t seem to stop battling. I didn’t want to stop. I tried to pull away from him.

He tightened his grip. “You’re determined to follow your own agenda today rather than mine. It’s unacceptable. You will toe my line.” He gave me a push. “Get back in the lounge and settle your arse on the sofa by the hearth where I can keep an eye on you. Shift, now, before I take my belt to you.”

I shifted at speed, scurrying into the lounge. Thankfully everyone was engaged in activity and didn’t seem to notice my hasty entrance.

Leo’s lounge is an odd shape. It’s broad at one end and then narrows down before broadening out again, almost like two big rooms connected by a short hallway, with an entrance door at each end. The hearth, a grand stone affair, is situated in the narrow part with a cosy arrangement of sofas and easy chairs grouped around it. It’s a chill out space for chat and quiet recreational pursuits such as reading.

Dick was at the bottom end of the room with Jak and Vince, sitting around a mahogany card table. Leo was drawing the curtains at that end of the room. He then gathered the empty champagne glasses to take out to the kitchen to wash.

I sat down where directed, wincing as I did so. The cane strike was aching badly, standing out from the general soreness of my bottom like a hornet sting amongst midge bites.

Shane came in and sat down at the opposite end of the sofa to me. Without sparing me a glance he gave the seat next to him a tap accompanied by a quiet word, firmly spoken. “Here.”

Shuffling into the ordered position I drew a long breath and let it out slowly, trying to calm myself. I’d been under attack all day and felt shell-shocked. This Christmas was gearing up to be another addition to my repertoire of horrible festive seasons best forgotten.

Dick came over. Standing behind the sofa, he gently tugged a strand of my hair. “Are you sure you don’t want to join us for a game of cards, Gilliflower?”

I shook my head.

“We could go in the conservatory if you prefer. Practice some songs, just you and me?”

I again shook my head.

“Later then.” He patted my shoulder. “Do you fancy a game, Shane?”

“Not for me, love. You go ahead. Keep the stakes low.”

“Will do.” Leaning down, Dick kissed Shane on the cheek and then made to kiss my cheek too. I turned my head away. He gave a sigh, dropped a kiss on top of my head and then returned to the card table.

Leo came in, carrying a large bowl of salted mixed nuts, which he offered to Shane and I. We both passed. Leo took them over to the card table and sat down with the others to play a hand of poker.