Page 16 of The Life Experiment
While he waited for Saira to return to her office, Angus checked his phone. A text from his mother caught his eye.
Angus, your father and I are hosting a dinner on Saturday. A small get-together with the Haywell-Newtons, the Smythes and the Markingtons. Be there at seven. I mean it, Angus. Seven.
Angus sighed. There was no question or acknowledgement that he might already have plans on Saturday. Fuck, there wasn’t even a kissat the end to suggest Gilly felt any affection for her son. Instead, the message read as a summons.
Confirming his attendance, Angus squirmed as he imagined how the night would go. He could already hear Richard Smythe’s booming voice and feel Corinne Smythe’s roving eyes on him. She might be a close friend of his mother’s, but that hadn’t stopped Corinne from slipping a hotel room key into Angus’s jacket pocket when he was eighteen.
And Bruno Markington and Henry Haywell-Newton… Angus shuddered. Bruno’s eldest son was an MP and Henry’s was a CEO. Next to them, Angus looked more pathetic than ever.
Sighing, Angus opened another message, this one from Jasper.
You, me, vino, tonight…?
Angus grinned as he imagined the dim lights and warming reds of his favourite wine bar. The perfect antidote to the stress of his mother’s message, and the best way to end the day. After all, Angus might be celebrating once he learned his death date. That or drowning his sorrows. Either way, wine would be a welcome addition to the evening.
As Angus hit send on his reply, Saira entered the office. Two research assistants, Greg and Isa, were with her. Angus stood to greet them. Isa was carrying a large box so couldn’t accept the handshake, but they each said hello like Angus was an old friend. He took that as a good sign. They wouldn’t be so cheerful if they were about to reveal he had two weeks to live, after all.
‘Angus, how are you?’ Saira asked as she took her seat.
‘Good. A little nervous.’
‘I’d be worried if you weren’t. This is a big day. Now before we proceed, I want to confirm your decision to participate in the experiment one final time. I know contracts have been signed, but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t check again.’
Angus knew all too well that if he changed his mind, Saira would understand, but he didn’t want to back out. Not now he’d made it this far.
Admittedly, Angus had debated withdrawing from the study once or twice over the last few days. After all, no one wanted to think about death at the best of times, but to carry on living, knowing exactly when your time would be up… How could anyone do that?
But the longer Angus sat with the knowledge of what he could learn, the more curious he became. The idea of knowing exactly where he was headed had wormed its way into his brain, leaving him unable to sleep. He’d tossed and turned, wondering if he had enough time to make the changes he wanted. If he could become the person he dreamed of being.
‘I’m all in,’ Angus confirmed for the final time.
Saira beamed. ‘Excellent! Now, before we share your results, I’d like to remind you that for the next ten weeks, you cannot tell a soul outside of OPM Discoveries what you learn today. Breaking your contract would leave you ineligible for the benefits of this study, as well as land you with a hefty fine and potentially a lawsuit. Is that clear?’
Angus nodded. Who would he tell? Jasper wouldn’t want to ruin a good time, and emotions were practically banned in the Fairview-Whitley household.
In the end, it seemed to Angus that keeping the news to himself was going to be the easiest part of the whole process.
‘I understand,’ he confirmed.
‘Perfect!’ Saira enthused. ‘Before we hand over the results, there are some things we need to pass on for you to complete your side of the experiment.’
Taking the box from Isa, Saira pulled out a watch that looked identical to a Fitbit.
‘You must wear this watch at all times for the next ten weeks. It will track your bodily responses to everyday life. Things like your heart rate, sleep pattern, exercise habits and so on.’
Nodding, Angus slipped the watch onto his wrist. Jasper would probably ask why he wasn’t wearing a more expensive one, but Angus could tell him he was on a fitness kick. Maybe he’d even joke about the quality of Jasper’s watch. That would stop him talking.
Next, Saira handed Angus an iPad. ‘Questionnaires will be sent to you on this device. The app you will use to log responses is already downloaded, ready to go. One questionnaire will be sent in the morning, the other in the evening. Think of them as journal entries, shared directly with me. Your answers can be as short and as informal as you like, but you must complete them every day. On top of that, your answers must be honest, and they must address each question. If you’re struggling, we need to know. If you make any lifestyle changes, tell us. Do you understand?’
Angus nodded. This part of the experiment would be harder to complete, given Angus’s penchant for late nights and lie-ins, but he’d figure something out. Maybe the experiment could finally get him into a routine.
As Angus concocted a plan to complete his questionnaires, Saira continued. ‘This tablet will also give you a direct link to video call me. If I’m unavailable, it will connect you to Isa, Greg or another senior researcher. If you ever need to speak outside of our sessions, call. I cannot stress that enough. What you learn may lead to negative thoughts. You may consider self-harm or even suicide. If anything like that crosses your mind, even for a moment, you must contact me. Is that clear?’
Angus tried to swallow, but his mouth was too dry. Life and death, that’s what this was all about. The two biggest questions humanity has: Why am I here and when will this end?
What Angus was about to discover was huge, but the aftermath of that discovery was still very much unknown. Pressing his palmsagainst his chair, Angus prayed he was strong enough to face whatever came next.
‘I understand,’ he confirmed.
