Page 18 of Drink Up, Darling
“Please, take your pick where you’d prefer to sit!” Godwin beamed as he opened the dining room door; the medieval style table extravagantly set before them with a velvet runner, candelabras, and an abundance of exotic fruit and vibrant, multi-coloured flowers. To the right were leaded floor to ceiling windows that could open out onto the front patio, and to the left, a deep oak wall with various different pieces of historical artwork. A large, low hanging, diamond chandelier lit up the centre of the room, beaming down onto the table below. For a table that size, Dariel thought it odd there were only four seats; two at each end, facing each other meters apart, then two in the centre. All places laid out with three sets of cutlery and cloth napkins, all rolled and held in place with large silver rings.
“I’m impressed,” Athens said, striding into the room with his hands clasped behind his back. “I fear I am a little underdressed, however.” He made his way to the seat in the far corner.
“Nonsense, young man. You look delightful.” Godwin chuckled to himself as he indicated for Dariel to pick his own seat.
He went for the seat closest, making Athens at least two meters away from him. Godwin hovered over the heavychair between them before turning and walking over to his illuminated alcohol cabinet in the corner of the room.
“Red or white, gents?”
Dariel glanced at Athens from over the table and Athens shrugged.
‘You pick.’
‘Red?’
‘A classic.’
“Erm, red please, Godwin.”
“Excellent! An excuse to pull out my finest Merlot.” He began to mutter to himself as he opened the bottom of the cabinet. “I’ve had this bottle for years, it’s too fancy to have all to myself.”
‘Years. He’s been alone for years.’
‘Maybe he just means dinner guests.’
Athens threw a sidewards glance to their host then sat back as Godwin appeared at his side and began to pour into his wine glass. Athens nodded graciously.
Godwin then waltzed up to Dariel and did the same. Dariel noted a pleasant scent radiating from the other man as he came close—something he couldn’t remember smelling before. A fresh, almost lavender scent? His host smiled at him gently, and Dariel was almost taken aback with his own reaction.He is not bad to look at, at all.
‘Some might say a silver fox.’
‘Stop!’Dariel glared at Athens who only smirked and sucked in his lower lip, having already taken a sip of his wine.
‘Again, I’m only reading your body language.’
‘Well, please stop it. It’s distracting.’
‘What’s distracting, me or him?’Another wink, Godwin none the wiser.
Their host cleared his throat, which thankfully saved Dariel from having to mentally answer Athens’ teasing comment.
“Right, onto the starter it is! I do hope neither of you are allergic to anything,” his open face dropped, “I probably should have asked beforehand.”
“I’m fine,” Athens confirmed, looking to Dariel for his own response.
“Same for me, nothing.” Dariel smiled.
“Excellent. Three prawn cocktails coming up!” He bounced off to the kitchen and Dariel resisted the urge to continue grinning as Godwin passed. He was such a charming fellow.He seems so normal. What could he possibly be hiding?
“Remember what we agreed on,” Athens said into the silence, taking another large sip of his wine. “Ask himeverything.We’ll know when he’s lying.”
“Will we?”
“Just ask. We’ll be fine.”
We’ll be fine. We.
Godwin returned and served out the delightfully displayed starters, finally seating himself and pulling out a napkin to push into his collar, shuffling on his chair in an excited manner. Dariel waited for both Godwin and Athens to take a mouthful before attempting his own, then waited for the conversation to naturally commence, hoping his companions would start.
