Chapter 28
Buffy and Spike entered the office together. Cordelia looked up from her
computer and beamed at them both.
“Nice holiday Cordy – how is your sister?” Spike asked
“That would be my cousin, not my sister, and she did what she does best, and
popped out another one while I was there! Four children at 25…sheesh! I’m glad
to get back here for some peace and quiet!”
Spike smiled and then looked guiltily at Cordelia’s overflowing piled high
in-tray.
“Sorry love, I did what I could, but with Xander out and Sweet thinking I should
just drop everything and run and be at his beck and call whenever he thinks
fit…”
“It’s ok, I’ll soon get done I suppose, as long as I work through my lunch hour
and stay until about 8 tonight!” Cordy said cheerfully enough. Both Buffy and
Spike frowned, and Spike said,
“Just you make sure you put the overtime sheet for Sweet, he doesn’t appreciate
you nearly enough!”
“ Ah, there you are Spike, can I see you for a minute …” Xander put his head
around the office door.
“Um, sure, ok” Harmony walked in and went over to Buffy and Cordelia who were
cooing over photographs of the new baby Cordelia’s cousin had had.
Outside in the corridor Spike said,
“What’s up?”
“Nothing, it’s just that I’ve decided that my flat-warming party will be on the
28th, that’s a Friday, that be ok for you and Buffy – I want to keep it very low
key, I don’t want it to get out, and have a horde show up”
“A Friday – sure, no problem…are you asking Cordelia?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Oh, the way you called me out here, I thought you didn’t want her to know”
“No, it’s not that, it’s those messengers in there, their ears flap as much as
their lips, it’d be all over the building in two minutes flat!” Xander explained
“Ah, got you” Spike nodded
“Oh, that band, Roman Holiday, they are coming in this afternoon to do a demo
tape, shall I call you?”
“Yeah – you can give me a shout, now I must go Xand, I’ve got a thousand and one
things to do”
“’Kay then, later” Xander went off and Spike went back into the office to get
some work done. He heard Cordelia say,
“………Something so tiny and fragile make so much noise and such an evil smell!”
All the girls laughed and Harmony said quietly,
“Anyway Buffy, Cordy, we are having a flat-warming party on the 28th, and you
and ‘you-know-who’ are invited of course, but please keep it to yourself, we
only want who we invite, not all and sundry turning up”
“Great! I’m not sure what Wes will be doing, but I’ll definitely come…did you
have a hand in the decorating?”
“None what so ever, but it looks great!” Harmony said grinning.
“Don’t tell me he got some taste at last! – He must have been watching those
room makeover shows! – What date did you say?” Cordelia minimised the programme
she was working on, and opened up the diary page
“The 28th, it’s a Friday”
“Hold on, let me put that in the diary………Oh…aren’t you going then Buffy?”
Cordelia asked, frowning.
“Yes, course I am – told him, I want the full tour – what makes you ask that?”
“Only your marked down here as appearing on a TV show, evening, 6.30 – midnight
a programme called ‘Amongst Friends” Buffy frowned and looked over towards
Spike, and said,
“First I’ve heard of it………um, Spike” Buffy beckoned him over to Cordelia’s
computer.
“Did you forget to tell me that I had a TV show on the 28th, the evening – I
can’t go to Xander’s party” Buffy said
“What? What TV show, I’ve not booked anything” Frowning, he came and stood
behind Cordelia and looked at her monitor.
“There, look, ‘Amongst Friends’ 6.30 – midnight, on the 28th” Cordelia ran the
arrow cursor along the details.
“Well, it’s the first I’ve heard of it too, nobody consulted me anyway… ‘Amongst
Friends’? – I’ve never heard of it, have you?” Spike looked puzzled. The three
girls shook their heads in unison
“Where is it at – whose show is it anyway?” Spike leaned over Cordy and took the
mouse, and highlighted the show name. The info box popped up and Spike saw the
name ‘Glory Benson’.
“Ah, well we can cancel, she didn’t okay it with me, don’t worry, I’ll sort it,
okay – cheeky madam, booking stuff behind my back, well I won’t let her get away
with it”
“Well, I must go, I’m doing a photo-shoot, see you later – bye-ee!” Harmony left
the office and Buffy was going to rehearse for a live music show to be shown
later on in the week, so she left too.
Cordelia watched Spike out of the corner of her eye as he phoned Glory Benson’s
office.
“………She’s not, okay, well would you tell her to contact Spike Carling
please…yes, ASAP…who is this I’m speaking to………………okay then – oh, do you know
anything about her new show, ‘Amongst Friends’? – You don’t, okay then, thanks,
bye”
“Well?”
“She’s not in…no surprise there…”
“And they don’t know anything about this new show?”
“It was one of the researchers I spoke to, not a thing – I’ve a good mind to pop
upstairs, I bet the cheeky cow is sitting there really, just lying because she
doesn’t want to change her schedule, well tough, she’s going to have to!”
“So tell me Spike…have you been to Xander’s place?”
“Yeah…it’s a nice enough place, it’s in Norwood. Handy for here”
“The nice end or the more ratty end by the multi-plex?”
“Well, it’s kind of in the middle, quiet, front parking, no pets, you know the
type of thing” Cordelia nodded thoughtfully.
“Yup…oh gods, here we go, switchboard girl has arrived” Cordelia rolled her eyes
as the phones started ringing…
**********
Hank Summers picked up the long white envelope off his front door mat and
smiled, turned it over and slit it open with his thumbnail. He pulled out a
letter, a return ticket from Seattle to LA and confirmation booking for a double
room en suite at the Holiday Inn. Also in the envelope was a schedule for the
show and a brochure for the hotel, showing the Olympic sized swimming pool,
solarium, gym, tennis courts with professional tutoring, and free access to a
nine-hole golf course. All that and a guaranteed meeting with his daughter!
Admittedly, it would be on live TV, but at least he’d see her in the flesh…
**********
Cecily was sitting on the sofa, her knees under her chin, she felt cold and very
shaky. She hugged herself more tightly around her legs, she was trying to go
‘Cold Turkey’, and not use any drugs just to get through the day. She was trying
to limit herself to taking it for sheer enjoyment while she was out socializing,
or straightening herself out for work, that was all.
Dru had been going on about Spike since he turned up for the meeting with Sweet.
She’d been Spike this, that and the other. And over breakfast, she’d even picked
the names for the children and the dogs they were going to have for fucks
sake…she’d tried to tell Dru that Spike wasn’t interested, but seeing her
happy…so Cecily let her get on with it, she’d soon learn. Most probably the hard
way, but she’d get the message eventually…
“So what do you think?” Dru asked, wild-eyed with excitement.
“Hmm? Oh, yeah…very nice!” Cecily barely looked at the ‘yet another blue dress’
bought by Dru.
“But what do you think? – Will Spike like it do you think? Blue’s his favourite
colour!”
“Yeah, you told me…about a thousand times” Cecily mumbled the last four words to
herself.
“I bought different shoes to go with it, not too high, I like to be a bit
shorter than he is…oh god – I can’t wait! – It’ll be just wonderful!” Dru swayed
from side to side, dreaming in her head about not only times past, but to the
future.
“Lorney said that of course Spike’s invited to the party, his was one of the
first invitations sent out…so, what are you wearing?”
Cecily sniffed, and shakily wiped her nose on the back of her hand. She could
feel a sort of panic in her stomach, and desperately wanted a hit of something
to calm her. Dru had been droning on and on about Spike until in the end, Cecily
rubbing her temples with sheer desperation shouted,
“DRU, FOR…for pities sake…please love…I’ve, I’ve got a splitting headache!”
“But I was only saying that for a first back-together date, I thought a picnic
on the beach! Just the two of us…it’ll be SO romantic!”
“Back together – Dru, what ARE you going on about?”
Dru rolled her eyes and slapped her arms against her sides.
“Me and Spike, getting back together of course! He’ll see me in this dress, and
fall in love with me all over again, and-“
“Dru…would you be a love…go and make us some tea, eh, please, for me, huh? –
Help my headache”
“Oh poorly baby – of course!” Dru patted a concerned hand on Cecily’s back, and
went off to make tea.
The phone rang, and with effort, Cecily shifted herself to answer it.
“Oh, hi Tucker…what - oh no, why?…………Bloody idiot! – Can’t you just cut it
different, and – okay, okay………but I was busy, you’ll have to give me a couple of
hours…I’m sorry, but it’s the best I can do – it’s not MY fault that you’ve got
an idiot for a producer………no, I can’t – take it or leave – okay, yeah, but
you’ll have to send a car, and DON’T send it early thinking it’ll make me come
over any quicker, it won’t. Yeah, bye” She threw the receiver down.
“Tea’s ready!” Dru came in carrying two mugs.
“I’ve got to go into work…that pillock that you picked up and screwed from that
night club, the one that fancies himself as a producer – what’s-his-name…Parker,
he couldn’t produce shit…he’s only gone and cut and destroyed the last scene of
‘Rough Rider’ in the editing suite by mistake, so I’ve got to go and film it all
over again…that’s ALL I need – oh it’s no good, I’ll HAVE to have a toot now,
just to get me through!”
Secretly Cecily felt relieved, this let her off the hook about cutting down on
the drugs, after all, she could hardly go on-set shaking like a leaf now could
she?
Standing up from snorting the second line through the other nostril, Cecily
pinched her nose and sniffed, wiped it on her finger and sniffed again, waiting
for the euphoria.
Either she was doing far too much and was used to it, or this was an inferior
product, the ‘hits’ she was getting lately barely registered now, only just
keeping the withdrawl symptoms away. Where as when she first took it, it used to
be like a mini atom bomb going off in her brain. She’d mention it to Daddy………
************
“Anything besides bills?” Sam called out to her husband. Riley was standing in
the hall reading, holding a long white envelope, he grinned when he read,
‘confirmation’ bookings of flights and Holiday Inn, Burbank reservations. He
shoved the contents back into the said envelope, and he slid it into the back
pocket of his jeans before re-joining his wife at the dining table. He threw a
bill and a couple of circulars down and took his seat, pouring them both coffee.
“Now, isn’t this nice, a leisurely breakfast together!” Sam beamed at him from
across the table, then she said,
“Listen honey, I was thinking, how would you like to go and see my parents, I
thought we could drive down, stay overnight somewhere and make more of a
mini-break of it?
“When?” Riley bit into a slice of toast.
“Towards the end of the month”
“Uh, uh, sorry no can do!” He had a big grin on his face
Sam frown/smiled and intrigued, she asked,
“Why not?”
“You’ll see!” Riley teased
“No, come on, tell me, please – you know I hate surprises!”
“You big fibber, you love them! All I say, is this, dust off your bikini, and go
buy yourself a posh dress”
Sam beamed.
“Really – are you sure we can afford it?”
“Oh yes!”
“Where are-“
“No, no! You’ll find out. We fly on the morning of the 26th”
“Fly? – Fly where, oh please – tell me!!”
“Nope, you my darling are going to have to learn a little patience!” Riley said
and they beamed at each other.
Skimming through the schedule, they’d arrive, go to the hotel, have dinner,
spend an evening in the luxury hotel, go to the studios the following morning
for a show run-through, then the rest of the day was for themselves, maybe even
a little sight-seeing in LA, then the following evening was the show for real,
leaving plenty of time to take full advantage of the hotel’s luxurious
facilities! They’d fly back the next day after breakfast.
**********
“And what time do you call this? – Fuck me, you look DREADFUL” Warren pushed his
chair back from the desk slightly, leaned back and yawned – then surveyed his
barman again.
“Sorry I’m ow- late…bloody hell fire…” Willy gritted his teeth and held onto the
desk for support.
“What HAVE you been doing?” Warren grimaced at the sorry figure standing (only
just standing) in front of him
“I wish I knew…ow fuck…any chance of getting one of the other’s to restock the
shelves of mixers, it’s usually only the tonic water and the ginger ale that
needs topping up…bleeding hell…my as – um, back’s killing me”
“Where did you go…are those what I think they are… you DIRTY little git! Where
have you been?” Warren had caught sight of Willy’s scarred and now scabbed over
wrists, and grinned.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you”
“Try me” Warren grinned
“Glory Benson’s place” Willy said without smiling. Warren’s brows arched high
“Glory Benson? – THE Glory Benson…pull the other one!”
“See, I TOLD YOU, you – ow…ow fuck, sorry boss, I just gotta sit down for a
minute, ow. OW!” Willy pulled out the chair opposite and very carefully sat
down.
Warren frown/smiled at his hapless barman.
“YOU, were at Glory Benson’s place?”
Willy just nodded
“Okay, I’ll bite, say I believe you, what were you doing there – and don’t tell
me her, coz THAT I wouldn’t believe, not in a million years!”
With indignance, Willy asked,
“Why the fuck not – why is it so hard to believe that-“
Warren leaned forward, and twiddled his pen, and interrupted him, shaking his
head...
“Willy, Willy, Willy…the woman has taste…refinement; her idea of a ‘bit of
rough’ is that Irish actor, what’s-his-face…(Warren clicked his fingers,
thinking)………um…that one that was in that film with thingy”
“Well THAT narrows it down!” Willy groused sarcastically, he shifted slightly on
the seat and winced in pain.
“Callum O’Farrell. Definitely not barman Willy! – Besides which, she once
knocked ME back, so………what chance would-“
“Contrary to what YOU might think, you’re NOT the bloody cat’s whiskers, and
I’ve had my success in the past with the ladies! Ow…ow fuck that smarts…”
Warren beamed at him.
“So, what was it, a party?”
“No. Just me and her” Willy looked tired, and in pain. Warren frowned, and began
to think. Why would Willy make a story up like that, that he’d been at Glory B’s
house, the idea was just too preposterous, unless it were true…
“So, what did she do to you then, this Blonde bombshell – coz boy, does it look
like she put you through the wringer!”
Before Willy could stop himself, he blurted out,
“I wish I could remember”
Warren started to laugh, for a full minute, he belly-laughed until the tears
rolled down his cheeks. Willy said and did nothing, just sat there feeling
miserable and in pain.
“Oh fuck, oh god, that’s…that’s so fucking funny!” Warren held his side, banging
the desk with his fist in mirth.
“What is?” Willy asked, still looking pained.
“YOU! You jerk – You go to this beautiful woman’s place, and you get totally
fucked over and hung out to dry, and you don’t remember…”
“I think she might have drugged me, bitch. I didn’t have a drink all night, I
wanted to be, well you now, at my peak, when…I think I might have had a drop of
champagne” Willy trailed off and Warren went into another paroxysm of laughter.
“Why did you go anyway – or, more to the point, how come she let you?”
“She owed me for some info I got for her”
Warren arched a brow, and shook his head slowly, stood, and came over, patting
Willy’s shoulder, barely keeping the grin from his face.
“Willy…I can’t really spare you, but take the rest of the day off, the laugh
you’ve given me alone is worth it…and um, take some advice?” Willy looked up at
him.
“I’d get yourself off down to the clinic, get a few tests done…she drugged you,
and probably had a couple of $10 whores fuck you over – you never know WHAT they
might have given you!” Warren cheerfully patted Willy’s shoulder, and left the
office, leaving Willy feeling not only had the bottom just fallen out of his
world, but the world had just fallen out of his bottom…
**********
“Spike, I’m going to lunch, well, I’m going to grab a sandwich and a juice, have
a look and see what you think about this offer that’s just come in from the
Hat-Trick Cable Quiz network, I’ve left it up on my monitor…” Cordelia left the
office and Spike slid into her chair and began to read.
Buffy put her head around the door, and Spike called her over.
“Hey…good rehearsal babe?” he gave her a light kiss and Buffy put her arm around
his shoulders.
“Fine”
“What do you think of this – it’s a new quiz show from Hat-Trick, they do the
Spy Camera House and Make me a Millionaire shows, I thought you and Harmony
might fancy it. Make some money for charity, it’s a celebrity quiz special, it’s
multiple choice questions and answers?”
“Well yeah, I’m game – see what Harm says, it’s for a good cause…oh look, it
says we can choose our own charity too, yeah, I’ll definitely do it”
Cordelia came back carrying a barbecue chicken wrap and a freshly squeezed
orange juice.
“So, what do you think?” She asked, Spike got up out of her chair.
“Yeah, I’m definitely willing, I’ll ask Harmony when I – oh, speak of the devil!
Harm, come and look at this…”
“Right then, that’s booked, it’ll mean the whole day at the studios, because
they are going to record the three celebrity episodes all in one go, but they
don’t know the running order” Cordelia informed Buffy and Spike at the afternoon
tea break.
“So…anyone any ideas as to what to buy for the guy that has everything – the
party is less than a week away?”
Spike asked.
“Who – oh, you mean Sweet’s birthday…I’ve no idea. Did I see right, he’s
supposed to be 50?” Cordelia asked
Spike and Buffy grinned.
“I know…he’s 56 at least, to my knowledge!” Spike said
“Actually, he’s 59, I remember reading something before I worked here, it said
that Sweet’s father was a war hero, he’d been a POW during the second world war,
and had escaped, got shot down again, and was crippled by the crash, so the war
ended for him in 1944, but all was not lost as his wife gave birth to a son, one
Cornelius Algernon Sweetly, they had a girl too three years later, but that puts
him at 59 in my book.”
“Algernon eh? – I’ll have to remember that when he’s tearing me off a strip next
time!” Spike said.
“Oh my god! Have you read this?” Xander came into the café reading the LA News.
“What?”
“Trick’s found god!” Xander said grinning, passing Spike the newspaper.
“What?” Cordelia shrieked with laughter, in fact everyone was laughing, and then
Spike read out,
“Trick, 31, real name Ron Ward guitarist with the rock band Noiz spoke from the
Joanne Mondale clinic in Seattle said yesterday that he found the meditation
sessions at the chemical dependency unit so spiritually enlightening, that he’s
embraced the faith and wants to become a Buddhist – bloody hell…I swear to god
this has got Sweet written all over it, what do you say Cordy?”
Cordelia nodded
“The only Faith he’s ever embraced does a duet with Lilah!” Spike joked.
“Sounds like a cheap publicity stunt to keep them in the headlines as they are
not actually making records, although, I haven’t quite got to it yet in my
work-load; but I think that there was some talk about issuing a ‘best of’ album”
Both Xander and Spike frowned.
“Are you still their manager?” Buffy asked Spike.
“Well, I suppose so, but what with Rack and Trick in rehab, Animal ‘guesting’
with Pantana, since he got off with that drug possession rap there isn’t a band
to manage.”
“Has Glory got back to you about that show thing yet?” Cordelia asked. Spike
looked up and said,
“Oh god no she hasn’t, I been in the office too, and no email, phonecall,
nothing. I even sent a note with the messengers, don’t worry, I won’t let her
get away with this, this booking stuff behind my back, who the hell does she
think she is?”
“Anyway, I just thought I’d show you that piece in the paper, I’ve got to go,
I’m just going to give the band a run through of what’s going to happen, give me
about an hour Spike, then come down and let me know what you think?”
“Sure, is this Roman Holiday or Mellow?”
“The first one, Mellow are coming tomorrow, later” Xander left.
“Anyway, to get back to what we were talking about…what are we going to buy
Sweet for his birthday?” Spike looked at Cordelia and Buffy expectantly.
“I should say a calendar, so he can work out his true age!” Buffy suggested.
“Well, it’s not a problem for me, as I’m not invited!” Cordelia stood up,
picking up the empty cups to throw away.
“You’re not?” She shook her head.
“I’m only one of the under-minions of this place according to them, I’m not
bothered anyway, Wes is coming to my place!” She said with a smug grin, and
Buffy and Spike chuckled.
“Well, I suppose I better get back to rehearsals…see you later babe?”
“Yup, if I’m not in the office, I’ll be down in one of the recording studios,
ok?” Buffy nodded and left. Cordy threw the cups and followed everybody out.
**********
Chapter 29
Willy woke with a start; he’d got back from the club lunchtime, and had had an
awful pain-wracked day, he’d eventually fallen asleep around teatime after the
best part of half a bottle of scotch as a painkiller. When his mind cleared
after a few seconds, he realised his mobile was ringing. He noticed the time on
his clock radio as he answered the phone, it was 8.45pm.
“Hello?”
“Willy, it’s me, where are you, I thought you’d be at work – I want to know when
this show’s on, I don’t want you reneging on our deal”
“Pavayne, just the man I want to see. Look can you come around to my place?”
“When?”
“Now”
“Where d’you live?”
“Above the butchers in Merryvale High Street”
“Okay, see you in…twenty”
******
“Blimey, you look AWFUL!”
“Thanks a lot, come in, shut the door behind you…ow, ow…” Willy limped back into
the dingy little room he lived in, and motioned towards the only other chair in
the room and said,
“Sit down”
“Got anything to drink?” Pavayne asked him
Willy, who had just sat down on a blow-up rubber ring to ease his pain sighed
and said,
“Cupboard over there, glasses are in the kitchen…”
The paparazzo journalist took a bottle of Scotch out of the cupboard, and put it
on the table and went to fetch glasses.
“So, what happened to you?” he called from the kitchen.
Willy decided it best to play it cagey.
“Me? – Oh I um, I tripped and fell down the cellar at work…hurt my back,
aggravated an old war wound”
“WAR WOUND – thought you’d got haemorrhoids, my ex-missus sat on one of those
rubber rings when she was having our first kid” Pavayne said, cracking open the
Scotch, and pouring two very generous measures…
“YES, war wound! But I don’t like to talk about it…it’s the base of my spine…”
Pavayne sat down.
“So, when’s this show?”
“Not sure yet, towards the end of the month, she said they’d have to fix the
transmission dates”
“She?”
“Glory, Glory Benson, it’s her show, she’ll get back to me about it” Willy
nervously sipped his whiskey.
“Good. So, why did you drag me all over here for?”
Willy downed the Scotch, grimaced as it burned and reached for the bottle.
Pavayne also downed his drink and held out his glass. Pouring them both a
top-up, he coughed nervously and said,
“I um…I wonder if you could…help me – again?”
“Who is it this time?”
“No, I don’t want you to find anybody. You know some bad guys don’t you – guys
that could say…get hold of a gun, an unlicensed one that is…”
“You want to get hold of an unlicensed gun? – Yeah…yeah I know a few people…cost
you though”
“How much?” Willy took a big gulp on whiskey
“Off the top of my head…$500 - $1000” Pavayne said, and Willy nearly choked.
“Bloody hell – I could go downtown and buy me an assassin with a gun for less
than half that!”
Pavayne shrugged and helped himself to more drink.
“Then why don’t you?”
“Coz…well, because, I don’t want anybody taken out, I just want to frighten
them, that’s all”
“So why does it have to be unlicensed then?” Willy rolled his eyes and said,
“Because if it goes tits up, it’ll be untraceable…look, forget it, I’m sorry I –
“
“Hey now, hold your horses…I might be able to help…what do you want to do, just
like wave it around a bit?”
Willy nodded and said,
“Yeah, that sort of thing”
“Well, I’ve got an old starting pistol, from when I used to be an athletics
coach, it looks the business, will even make a bang. Wouldn’t put a hole in
anybody though”
Willy brightened at this and sat forward, winced, and offered more Scotch.
“How much?”
“Oh no, I couldn’t sell it, sentimental value, my days when I was-“
Willy, not wanting to walk down memory lane with the half drunk journalist
quickly interrupted and said,
“What then?”
“What, what?”
“What do you want, for letting me borrow the thing?” Pavayne sat back in the
chair and looked at Willy.
“Okay, say free drinks, every time I come into the club”
Willy thought…he already had one guy eating into his stolen drink ‘allowance’ at
work, and now another one wanted in…and they both drank like the proverbial
bloody fish…
“Free drinks eh? - Okay, free drinks for a week”
“A month”
“Sod off, a fortnight and no longer, and you don’t come in more than three times
a week”
“Done…when do you want it?”
“Leave it for a week or so…I want to be fit when I pull this thing off”
“Not going to rob a bank, are you Willy m’ boy?”
“Nah…nothing like that…I just want to bring somebody into line, to scare the
shit outta ‘em is all…cheers”
**********
Sweet was doing his weekly office visit, where he signed cheques, read contracts
and just caught up with deals to keep his finger on the pulse.
“I said $50,000 above Spike, not $100,000………oh well, at least we’ve got her
now…” Sweet mumbled to himself, casting an eye over the contract for Jesse
Simone from Midnight Music.
He wasn’t annoyed with Spike really, he was the best manager he had, and if the
situation called for it, then Spike would do what had been necessary. If the
shoe had been on the other foot, and Jesse Simone had been leaving Aphrodite for
Midnight, Sweet would have wanted $250,000 above the contract price for her,
minimum!
Knowing that the singer had a huge following and a single from her alone would
re-coup that extra he’d paid out straight away. It was just that he absolutely
HATED the idea of Quentin Travers having a single cent of his money that was
all.
A quiet knock on the door interrupted his musings.
“Yes?” Glory opened the door and entered the office. She smiled and said her
piece.
“Sweet, um Daddy, could I see you a minute, please?”
“What is it Glory, I’m very busy”
“Won’t take a minute. This new show of mine, Amongst Friends, well, I’ve got a
feeling that Spike is going to cut up rough and want to cancel things and change
my schedule, I had to book something for his precious – erm, for Buffy, while he
wasn’t there – and he’s been leaving me messages that Buffy can’t do it, it’ll
be SO expensive to cancel, I’ve got guests flying in and everything, but it’s
got to be a surprise, that’s the whole element of the show. There’s no reason
why she can’t do it, there’s nothing else booked, I checked” Glory looked at her
boss expectantly.
Sweet sighed and glared at her
“Glory, this is bread and butter stuff, I don’t want to be bothered by the
everyday running of things! Sort it out amongst yourselves!”
“But, well, can I say you said that things must stand, he can’t cancel – it’ll
cost you thousands if he cancels”
“Say what you like!”
“But you’ll back me up if-“
“Yes, now GO! Goodness sake………worse than kids telling tales out of school …
Lorne … where’s Lorne?” Sweet asked Glory. She shrugged
“Well, if you see him on your way out, tell him I want him, NOW!”
This signalled to Glory that her audience with him was over, but she grinned as
she’d got what she wanted…and she was still smiling as she left the room.
Halfway down the corridor she saw Lorne.
“Daddy’s looking for you…he’s getting really crotchety in his old age, isn’t
he!”
“Hey, don’t talk about Daddy like that, he pays your wages, remember!” Lorne
snapped and put a spurt on to get the office that bit quicker.
Glory gave him a false smile and said,
“Whatever”
**********
“Yes! Come here you little beauty…” Spike lifted the clear plastic film from the
photo album page, and removed a picture, and kissed it, grinning.
“I take it you found what you were looking for then?” Buffy said, looking up
from reading a magazine.
They were both sitting in the lounge at Spike’s place, Buffy was on the sofa,
and Spike was leafing through old photo albums at the dining table.
“Yup, I sure have. Come and have look at this” Buffy got up and came over to
where Spike was.
“Know who that is?” Spike held up the photo, and Buffy began to shake her head,
then she smiled and took the picture off him.
There was a picture of a man with long hair, big droopy moustache a purple shirt
open practically to the waist, big gold medallion, and tight white pants that
flared into wide bell-bottoms, and Cuban heeled boots
“Who, that bloke with the long hair and the – (She went round eyed and slack
jawed, and then she grinned!) Oh my GOD! Is that Sweet?”
Spike grinned and nodded
“Yeah! Taken in the grounds of Carrisbrooke House, my stately pile back in dear
old Blighty, in the year of our Lord……… (He angled his head to glance at the
back of the photo) 1979! See that lady there…that was my mum, and that chap to
the left, by the tall hedge with his back to the camera, that was my dear old
dad! Oh god, that’s Bernie in the background by the French windows…see the dog,
the Old English sheep dog…I used to practically ride on his back!”
“Where were you then?” Buffy asked
“Probably in the nursery, with nanny, I was only two! This was the first rock
concert they’d held at Carrisbrooke, they’d always resisted the temptation
before, because of the clean-up costs after, but they needed to get the roof
fixed in the east wing, so needs must.
Next to Sweet, that’s a guy called Mick Jones…brilliant guitarist – I wish I
knew what he was doing these days, I’d sign him up faster than you could blink.
“So what are you doing with this then?” Buffy asked still smiling.
“I was going to get a copy made, blown up and have it framed for our lord and
master’s birthday. It was the first concert he’d totally organised on his own”
“He’ll love it – this is worth more than all the Rolex watches and stuff they
others are putting towards” Buffy said, handing Spike the photo back.
“Good, I’m glad you think so, coz I’ve been wracking my brains!”
“Oh, I see. That’s what it was, was it? – I wondered what the noise was!” Buffy
said with a cheeky glint in her eye.
Spike grinned, narrowed his eyes at her and scraped back his chair. Buffy
giggled and took off running away.
“Right young lady, just for that, I’m going to…” Spike hared off after her.
“No, Spike NO! No chasing, you know I hate being chased!” Buffy leapt over the
coffee table laughing and made for the door, but Spike rounded the sofa and
headed her off, catching her round the waist.
“Oh no you don’t, come here you, naughty girl…I’m going to have to take you in
hand young lady…put you in the naughty corner…”
“What’s a naughty corner?” She asked grinning
“It’s a deep, dark corner, where naughty little girls are taken…when they’ve
been naughty!” Spike nuzzled her neck making her shiver with delight.
“But I’d be all –oh- lonely!” Buffy hunched up her one shoulder as Spike was
tickling her by nibbling on her neck.
“Not if I’m with you…we can be naughty together then…”
“Really? Oh… I love the sound of that…” Buffy turned in his arms and began to
kiss him passionately, and Spike eagerly responded………
***********
Willy had thought about this long and hard. He’d thought about it in the
doctor’s surgery while he waited to be examined, and he thought about it while
he waited at the Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic while he underwent tests
for various maladies. He’d thought about it at work, and he thought about it
while lying in bed…he’d thought of nothing else………
“Willy Smith…Willy Smith” the large black nurse called out
“Oh yeah, um, that’s me” Willy stood
“Would you come this way please sir.”?
“R-right” Dressed only in a hospital gown, Willy followed the nurse down to a
cubicle.
“Could you please provide us with a specimen of urine in this container, and the
doctor will be along with you shortly”
Willy did as he was asked, and after what seemed an age, a doctor came and
swished back the curtain, entered the cubicle and drew it closed behind him.
“Well Mr…Smith – oh there’s an unusual name, I don’t think……I understand that
you want an HIV test…so, if you would just answer these few questions for me…
Okay, how long have you been a practicing homosexual?”
Willy, greatly affronted sat up and said angrily,
“Listen here, I’m no fuckin’ poof – I was raped! Drugged and raped – I’m at my
wits end here, tearing my bloody hair out in case I’ve got AIDS, and all you
want to-“
“Okay, okay, I’m sorry Mr Smith, I didn’t mean to offend you. These questions
are for our own records, and are totally confidential – in fact they are
anonymous, we don’t even put names on them…we find people often use an alias
when they come here anyway.
Right…um, raped you say…have you contacted the police at all – male rape is a
very serious crime, and it’s taken as seriously as female rape these days. When
did the offence take place?
“Five…five days ago” Willy nervously looked at his shaking fingers
“And you didn’t report it straight away?”
“No…I…I didn’t think…things are still patchy…I can’t remember much…only coming
to and not remembering a bloody thing, except I’d got this fuck- ahem sorry doc,
I’d got this tremendous pain in my butt. I was at work a couple of nights
ago……………………” he went onto explain to the doc just what had happened:
Willy was at work, still in pain, it had been three days since the ‘incident’ at
Glory’s place. Weekdays were slow, especially early in the evening just when the
place was used as a ‘watering-hole’ before the nightclub part opened.
Willy knew he didn’t have much chance to ‘sting’ the customers with either
watered down spirits or cocktails with the Polish spirit, but he needed to take
a few risks, as he’d got both the journalist and the Paparazzo on free drinks,
and boy did they drink. But things were looking up tonight, there were three fat
executives, obviously new in town, away from their wives, an expense account
burning holes in the pockets of their cheap suits.
It was their fourth round of beers with Scotch chasers, and when Willy happily
served them some watered down whiskey, they didn’t even notice.
The one guy, fat and red-faced who sat right next to the bar had a laugh like a
jackass, he’d eaten a dish of peanuts and seemed to be doing most of the
talking.
“Hey, did you hear that sales rep from – where did he say he was he from Chuck?”
“Maryland”
“That’s it, Maryland…getting SO worked up about his figures, like they were
something special …’I’m gonna give it to you good! He said!” the two other
exec’s laughed as the fat guy told his story, but they all turned to look at the
little barman, who’d suddenly gone as white as a sheet and had dropped a large
Scotch on the floor, the glass smashing everywhere.
Willy staggered back and just caught the bar before he keeled over.
All he could hear in his head, was the words, ‘Give it to you good! Give it to
you good! Give it to you good!’ hyperventilating, he held his temples, seeing in
his minds eye the pillow in Glory’s bedroom as his face was pressed into it, and
somebody was lying on his back…and the pain…oh god, the pain in his ass.
“Hey, buddy, you okay? – What’s up with him…hey you there, barman…you okay –
want us to call somebody – Chuck – go see if there’s-“ the fat guy go up off his
stool, and went to open the flap of the bar. Willy just about managed to pull
himself together, and although a little shaky, he smiled.
“No! Um, no. Sorry, it’s, it’s okay… I’m………okay, thanks – tired, you know how it
is” Willy had just had his first ‘flashback’, if he’d but know it………………………
“I see, and have you had other flashbacks since?” The doctor asked Willy
“One or two…I’m trying to slowly piece things together”
“Uh huh, I understand. Well although any physical evidence such as sperm or
lubricant would have long gone, we can still assess any damage done to you, and
it might just be worth you reporting it to the police in case you get total
recall…now, hold still” Wearing rubber gloves, the doctor took a syringe full of
blood from Willy’s inner elbow.
“You do realise this is only a preliminary test, don’t you? You have to come
back in three months for a follow up test for the proper results”
“WHAT – OH FUCK! – I mean, sorry doc…but I’ve got to wait until…I could be under
a death sentence here!”
The doctor put the vial of blood into an envelope and sealed it.
“Things have come a long way since the early eighties, Mr smith. HIV with the
right treatment needn’t mean an early death sentence any more. There are many
combinations of drugs along with a sensible healthy regime of nutritious food
and exercise, and your life expectancy could be the same as any healthy person”
He smiled at Willy after he said this, but as usual, the patient looked totally
sceptical. To practically everyone who first came in there, HIV meant AIDS, and
AIDS meant DEATH at an early age…Willy made up his mind, he’d thought about it
long enough. If he was going to be under the threat of an early death-sentence,
then so was Glory Benson………
**********
“Well, we don’t want to get there too early, besides which, I doubt very much if
he’ll show much before 11pm – he never does” Spike said. Buffy, Harmony and
Xander nodded in agreement, and then Xander said,
“But as it’s a ‘surprise’ party – do you think he’ll have any say in the
matter?”
Xander asked
“He’s got a point, if Lorne’s organised all this, then-“
“I doubt this is a ‘surprise’, Sweet isn’t daft – he’ll know exactly what’s
going on, in fact I’d bet on him having picked the venue, the caterers,
everything” Spike said.
“Hmm, you’re probably right. Oh I hate these do’s” Xander said screwing up his
face
“Yeah, and me” Spike nodded
“Me too” Harmony concurred
“Not the best fun to be had…but we are all going together, yes?” Buffy asked
“We could all go in my car, if you like – you could leave yours at my place, and
pick it up after” Xander suggested.
“Okay, I’ll drive, you can have a drink then, if you want Xand” Spike said
“Cheers, that’s settled then. If we get there for say 10, we could be gone by
midnight” Spike, Buffy and Harmony nodded so it was all agreed.
“Oh well….come on then Xander, see if we can find the next ‘Darkness’. What are
you lovely ladies doing?”
“Buffy’s going to test me on geography, and I’m going to test her on history
questions, for this quiz”
“History – oh boy…I wish I’d paid more attention at school now!”
**********
Chapter 30
Buffy did up the delicate gold necklace she’d bought in New York, and slid a
diamond comb into her hair, pinning up a mass of tumbling curls. She applied a
second coat of mascara, and finally her lipgloss.
Spike came into the bedroom doing up his top button of his shirt, and then he
slid the knot of his silk tie in place, and took his suit jacket off the hanger.
“You ready, Kitten?”
“Yup, would you do me up………thanks.”
“I MUCH prefer to undo you………” Spike zipped up her dress, and then dropped a
light kiss on her neck, and Buffy smiled
“Me too, but come on babe, you start that, and we’ll NEVER get there tonight!”
“Would that be so terrible?” Spike ran his fingers up and down her bare arms, in
a soft caress making Buffy go goosebumps.
“Well, I KNOW what I’d rather be doing, but we must show a bit of
willing…besides which, Xander and Harmony will wonder what’s happened to us.
Right, only got to get my wrap, and put my shoes on”
“I suppose – I told Xander we’d be at his place for nine”
“Are you bringing the present with you?” Buffy asked as she slipped into her
black and gold Jimmi Choo sling backs.
“I thought I’d take it to work, and leave it in the office, else it could get
smashed. Huh, I thought – hey photo, cheap prezzie – the frame and glass cost me
$90, and then I had to pay for the photo to be blown up to size, that was
another $55!” Buffy grinned at him and Spike smiled as he closed the front door
behind them.
Spike pressed his keyring and Buffy heard the quiet ‘clunk’ of the central
locking system dis-engaging. She opened the door and got in, did up her
seatbelt.
“What has Xander got him, any idea’s?” Spike asked as he started the engine and
reversed off his driveway.
“I think Harmony said something about a box of Cuban cigars”
“So kitten, tell me, how is the swatting up coming along for the quiz show?”
“Actually, great. Harm’s got this real competitive streak, and she’s no
air-head!” Spike smiled and winked at Buffy.
“And neither are you kitten – one smart cookie you are – I should know!”
Buffy grinned and asked,
“And why’s that then?”
“Coz you’re going out with me, that’s why!” Grinning, Buffy rolled her eyes.
“Here we are…oh good, he’s parked in the road so I can pull in on his driveway”
Spike did just that, and Buffy saw Harmony wave at them from the window.
“She’s seen us” Buffy said. A minute later, Harmony and Xander came out of the
flat and Spike and Buffy got out of their car.
“Hi, here you go then mate, still want to drive?” Xander held out his car-keys
to Spike.
“Sure”
“That’s good, coz I’m not sure how to get to the venue”
They all got into Xander’s car, and Spike drove off.
By the time they got into the venue, all the tables were taken as the place was
packed, heaving to the gills with stars from the pop world, and those from stage
and screen. In fact it had taken them a good hour to get in, and it was now
getting on for 10.20pm. Harmony and Buffy found a space by a pillar, that had a
narrow shelf running around the middle of it, while Spike and Xander went to the
bar.
It took them a good few minutes to be served, and Xander picked up the two soft
drinks and the glass of wine, saying he’d go back to the girls. Spike was
waiting for a beer for Xander. When it was poured, he picked it up and turned
from the bar, almost walking slap-bang into Dru.
“Spike! Well, hello! – I was beginning to think you weren’t coming!” She gave
him a wide-eyed manic grin.
“Oh, um, er Dru…hello, um, would you ex-“
“You’re looking great!”
“Yeah? Well thanks, you said the other day” He was trying to move away, but the
crowd at the bar and people coming to get drinks hemmed them in and forced Dru
to stand closer to him.
“We should meet up sometime………Anyway, what do you think of my new dress, I
bought it especially – I know you love blue!” Dru shouted over the loud thump of
the disco music. She held out her arms and twirled around, grinning at him for
approval.
Spike glanced over her shoulder and saw Lorne, and gave him a ‘help me’ look.
Truth be known, he was horrified – on several counts. He was horrified that she
hadn’t taken the hint the other day, and horrified at the idea of meeting her –
AND her buying outfits just to please him………he shuddered and said,
“Dru, look, I don’t think that-“
“Catch up on the news, Chat about old times – aren’t you at least pleased to see
me?” Spike looked at her and said, in a bored flat voice,
“Dru, what do you want me to say, hmm? I’m pleased for you that you seem better,
I’m pleased for you that you seem to have your life back on track, now if you
don’t mind, I -“ He gave Lorne another pleading look
Dru’s smile got even more manic, and she desperately wanted to keep him talking,
wanting him next to her, she went to grab his arm.
“You’re not answering my question, I said are YOU – oh!” Lorne strode
purposefully over to them, put his arm loosely around Dru’s shoulders and said,
“There you are Dru, I’ve been looking for you! Oh, hi Spike, sorry to interrupt,
but come along sugar-plum, Daddy’s asking for you, he’s about to cut the cake,
he wants you with him for the photographs” Lorne steered her quite firmly away
from Spike, ignoring her protests.
“But I was talking to Spike! Tell him Spi – oh, where did he go?” Dru stopped
and tried to turn around, only managing her head. Ignoring her question, Lorne
just gently led her through the throng of dancing bodies. Spike just melted into
the crowd in the opposite direction.
“There you are, I’d have had Cola if I’d have known a Coors was going to be so
much of a problem – we’ve decided to make these last, I don’t fancy that queue
again, cheers!”
“Dru collared me by the bar – she looks as mad as ever. ‘Aren’t you pleased to
see me Spike?’ he mimicked - Hell no, I’m not – I thought she’d got the message
last time! God...WHAT did I EVER see in her – must have been pure pity the last
couple of years…”
“Did you say that to her?” Xander asked sipping his beer.
“No, thank god Lorne took pity on me and dragged her away” Spike sipped his cola
and put it on the shelf.
Buffy looked at him a little worried, until Spike held his arm out to her. She
immediately went to him and slipped her arm around his waist. Spike kissed her
forehead.
“Don’t look so worried Kitten, I told you, I feel absolutely nothing for her
now”
“I know baby, but well, has she moved on do you think?”
“I don’t care – I’m sorry if that sounds callous, but I’ve really had my fill of
her, all the dirty tricks she played – now, can we change the subject please –
to one of something of interest!”
Suddenly the music stopped and the lights went up and there was a loud sound of
feedback coming from the speakers, and then Lorne blowing into the microphone
and saying, ‘testing, testing, one two, one two’… waitresses moved among the
crowd with huge trays full of champagne to drink Sweet’s health for the toast.
Satisfied the thing was working properly he called for everybody’s attention.
When the crowd settled and quietened, he called Sweet to the stage, and a huge
cake with a large ‘50’ on it was wheeled on and everybody sang ‘Happy Birthday’
to him and raised a glass.
Cameras flashed and Sweet then took the microphone and thanked everybody for
coming and for all the presents he’d received, and then he said he was never one
for speeches, and for everyone to just get down and party and enjoy themselves.
The lights went down and the music started up again.
“Present – I didn’t even think of buying him a present until Harmony said she’d
got him some cigars…what do you buy the guy that has everything?” Xander asked
Harmony.
“Space to put it in!” she suggested, and everybody laughed.
A guy whom Buffy didn’t know came up to and began talking to Spike, who
introduced her as ‘my girlfriend’. Buffy smiled and shook the man’s hand. Xander
and Harmony went off to dance.
They spent nearly half an hour chatting, and all the time Spike couldn’t relax.
The guy eventually said goodbye and Spike turned his attention back to Buffy.
Although, to be fair, he’d included her in the conversation as much as possible.
The music had slowed right down and now, and ‘Move Closer’ by Phyllis Nelson
began to play
“Want to dance Kitten? - Come on” Spike gently took Buffy’s hand and led her
onto the dance floor. She melted into his embrace and he held her close,
nuzzling her neck softly. Buffy gasped and closed her eyes, leaning into his
touch, and when he sought her mouth, she kissed him with slow-simmering passion.
When they eventually came up for air, Spike softly crooned in her ear,
“Move your body real close, until we feel, feel like we’re really making love…”
“Can we go soon baby, I want to be alone with you”
Buffy whispered. She opened her eyes to look at him, and over Spike’s shoulder
Buffy saw a tallish thin girl with long dark hair staring, looking absolute
daggers at her. Buffy’s eyes widened, and she stood up stiffly and said,
“Uh ho…that’s Dru I presume………that’s strange…she looks vaguely familiar to me…”
Dru was just about to go up and tear them bodily apart, when from out of
nowhere, Lorne came passed, scooping up Dru and carrying her away from the
smooching couple.
“Wha-what?” Spike opened his eyes, raising his head from Buffy’s neck.
“Standing behi-oh, where did she go – oh well. If looks could kill, I’d be dead
ten times over, she’s got a positively EVIL stare that girl”
Buffy shrugged slightly, closed her eyes, and resumed snuggling, dancing until
the song ended.
“Don’t say that kitten…come on, I can see Harmony yawning, shall we go?”
He took her hand and led her off the dance floor, going over to Xander and
Harmony.
“Would you mind if we called it a night, and went home?”
“Not at all, Harm’s tired, aren’t you pet?” Xander said, and Harmony nodded.
“Can we go to the restroom first, I don’t think I can make it back to Norwood
without having a pee” Harmony picked up her purse and Buffy said she’d go with
her.
Drusilla absolutely boiling with emotions, she could hardly breathe. She didn’t
know whether to go over and talk to Spike, or to follow the two girls as they
made their way to the toilets. She decided on the latter, she needed to get a
closer look as to whom she was up against.
“Spike, look” Xander tapped Spike’s elbow, and nodded towards the restrooms.
Spike glanced first at Xander, then to where his friend had gestured.
“What?”
“Look who’s just about to follow Buffy and Harm into the toilets – come on,
let’s go keep an eye on things” Xander said, and Spike nodded.
He was very annoyed, and then saw that Lorne, his saviour already at least once,
if not twice tonight had also seen what Drusilla had planned, and again he
way-laid her. Spike’s shoulders dropped in relief when he saw Lorne most
determinedly leading Dru away, and he said,
“Oh good on you mate…this is fucking ridiculous – we’ve been over, finished,
done for practically four years – she reckons she’s better – I tell you Xand, I
KNOW that look in her eye. Drusilla is no more better than I’m a Chinaman – did
you see her just, giving Buffy the evil eye when we were dancing?”
“I didn’t, but Harmony did, she said she was glad Dru wasn’t holding a weapon,
coz by the look she had in her eyes, she’d have used it. You’re going to have to
say something Spike, nip it in the bud, you can’t let her ruin things for you”
“Too bloody right I can’t – why can’t she see – understand? I’d rather be bloody
celibate and lonely for the rest of my natural than be with her!”
“Anyway, quiet, the girls are coming back”
Harmony and Buffy were sharing a giggle as they came out of the ladies restroom,
and they were surprised to see their men waiting for them so near.
“It was getting very crowded, we didn’t want to loose you – come on, I hope
we’re not blocked in!”
One limousine was blocking the way, but luckily the driver was inside and moved.
Spike backed Xander’s car out and they drove off to Norwood, and Xander’s flat.
“Want to come in?” Xander asked
“We won’t, if you don’t mind Xand, I know everyone is tired” Spike said
“But I want the full tour before the flat-warming party!” Buffy said.
“That reminds me, it’s a week tomorrow, isn’t it – and that bloody Glory Benson
STILL hasn’t got back to me about that show” Spike groused.
“Well, you can probably see her at the end-of-the-month meeting, it’s been
brought forward to Tuesday, Cordy told me earlier – you’d already left” Xander
said.
“Right I’ll be sure to – well come on then Kitten let’s be off! Night then” the
couples kissed cheeks and they got into Spike’s car and drove off with a horn
bib and a wave.
Xander and Harmony waved and made their way up to the flat. As they were walking
up the second flight of stairs, Harmony asked,
“Why did you really meet us so close to the restroom, Pookie?”
“Because Poppet…I saw that was Dru making her way over to it too, luckily Lorne
saw her also and stopped her”
“I thought as much. God, you should have seen the look she was giving Buffy when
they were dancing – she looked pure evil – I dread to think what would have
happened if she’d been holding a knife or something”
“Yeah! Spike’s furious, she trapped him at the bar too, that’s why he was so
long fetching my beer”
“Yeah, I heard him say”
“Is Buffy worried, did she say anything to you?”
“No, but she said she wouldn’t have been surprised if Dru had come waltzing into
the toilets and said something. She said she thinks she’s seen her before
somewhere, but she can’t remember where”
“I wouldn’t put anything passed that girl, she’s nuttier than a 10lb fruitcake
that one. Anyway, come on Poppet, there’s nothing we can do – shall we…” Xander
whispered a naughty suggestion to her and Harmony grinned.
“You are naughty! Yes, alright – last one upstairs sits the faucet end!”
**********
“I WANT THE TOILET, GODDAMMIT!” Dru hissed at Lorne, tearing herself away from
his tight grasp. Lorne narrowed his eyes at her, something unusual for him, as
he was usually VERY tolerant – but tonight was getting ridiculous – farcical
even.
“Dru, Dru, look at me, I’m doing…DRU! Look at me! I’m doing this for your own
good. You HAVE to leave Spike and his girlfriend alone. He’s moved on, got
somebody new, and-“
“NO! NO! NO! NO! – SHE’S NOT – NOT, SHE CAN’T BE HIS GIRLFRIEND” Dru screamed
and stamped her feet, putting her hands over her ears. She turned away from him,
and thought about up-ending the table full of drinks, she took one step towards
it, but Lorne pre-empting her move whirled her round and caught her one arm.
Embarrassed that everybody in a ten-foot radius was staring at them, Lorne
looked around for Cecily, but as usual, she was totally off her face, and would
be as much use to him as a chocolate teapot.
“What’s going on?” Sweet appeared by them, frowning at a hyperventilating Dru,
who was mad-eyed staring and red in the face.
“I’m just telling her some home truths, she won’t leave Spike alone!” Lorne
said. He knew saying this would hurt Sweet, but things needed to be said.
“Dru – is this true?”
“I was only saying hello – I wanted him to see I was better, show him…show him
my new dress!”
“She only wanted to say hello, Lorne, where’s the harm I that?” Sweet reasoned.
“Then why the tantrum, huh? And she saw him at the bar and spoke earlier – she’d
already said hello! I swear when she saw Spike and Buffy dancing she was going
to tear them apart, and - Oh, I’ve had enough of this -” Lorne went to turn on
his heel.
“Go and get me some more champagne Lorne, Come on Dru come and sit with me”
Sweet ordered
Lorne, although annoyed would never argue with Sweet, nodded and left to go to
the bar.
Sweet tried to lead Dru back to where he was sitting, but as she was reluctant
to move, so he faced her and held her by the shoulders.
“But…I only wanted to say hello to him, that’s all” Dru hung her head and
sniffed deeply.
“But you already did, I saw you at the bar talking to him earlier. Look at me,
Dru, love. I said, LOOK AT ME!”
Sweet felt his temper rising, Dru raised her tear-streaked face, she felt a
little afraid, she didn’t like it when Daddy shouted it always meant trouble.
“Don’t I treat you right, hmm?” Dru looked at him as he continued,
“Don’t I let you do anything that you want, give you pretty things, I give you
money, a home…why isn’t that enough for you, tell me Dru, why, WHY?” he shook
her, his hands squeezing hard on her arms
“Ow, Daddy, you’re hurting me…I’m sorry Daddy, I’m sorry!” Dru looked scared and
Sweet blinked and came out of his temper, realised that a lot of people were
staring at them, and here and now was not the time or the place for this.
“Come and sit with me, now” Sweet said in a tone that brooked no argument.
“I need the toilet Daddy, I’m sorry, don’t be mad at me, please Daddy” Sweet
cupped her cheek and tried to smile the best he could. He loved this girl, if
she let him, but it was Spike in her heart, Sweet knew that. But at least Spike
didn’t want to know anymore…
“Come straight back to me”
“I will Daddy, I, I p-promise” Dru went to the toilets. While she was gone,
Sweet poured more champagne, and from a huge ring he was wearing, he flipped up
the hinged stone and tipped a little powder into one of the brimming glasses.
He’d keep Dru with him; he’d keep her doped up if necessary, but she’d come to
learn that her place was with him, and nobody else.
Dru quickly made her way back to the dark corner, and saw some people talking to
Sweet. He seemed happy and laughing, and when he saw her he held out his arm to
her and patted his thighs, so she sat on his lap, and he held her there tightly.
She was half scared and half happy but he wasn’t in a bad mood.
“Now you be a good girl, and drink this” Sweet handed her the doctored drink,
and dutifully, holding the glass with two hands, Dru drank the champagne down in
one.
“Hey! I didn’t mean all at once, never mind, Daddy pour you some more, eh my
little one – come on, give Daddy a kiss now, all better, hmm, I’m sorry for
shouting little one…there…all better now.”
Child-like, Dru smiled, nodded she kissed him, leaning her head against his. She
felt slightly woozy, but thought it was drinking the champagne too quickly.
Lorne watched them, saw Sweet give Dru the glass of champagne and guessed that
he’d spiked it with something or other. He felt worried for Dru, he wanted for
her to be happy and well, not to slip back into the wild ways of years ago that
nearly led to her downfall.
He also knew Spike had had enough, more than enough way back then, and he
certainly didn’t want to start anything up with Dru again, not even friendship,
which was good, because Lorne knew Dru as Spike did, with her child-like
comprehension on reality, with her it had to be all or nothing, black and white,
straightforward. There were no grey areas with Dru. She wouldn’t be content with
just ‘being friends’. A sudden clutch at his arm bought him out of his reverie,
and Cecily lurched in front of him.
“Lorney…Lorne…where’s Da- (hic) Daddy? (hic) I wan Daddy…he got a…a…wos-he-got?
(She frowned, trying to think, then continued) Um…spec-special treat. For me.
(hic) He s-said s-so” Lorney frowned at the barely comprehensible Cecily swaying
in front of him. Her pupils were so widely dilated that you couldn’t tell the
colour of her eyes, and he knew she’d already had enough coke to stun an
elephant.
“Come on young lady…I think you’d better come with me, come on!” he put his arm
around her and hoisted her up to stand straight, but she lurched forward,
floppier than a rag doll.
“Who – whoops-a daisy!” Cecily tried to right herself and she began to giggle,
then she stopped and began to heave.
One of Sweet’s security men came over, said to Lorne,
“Sweet said to get her out of here, come on, I’ll help you”
He stood the other side of her and between them they practically carried her
outside, leaned her over the side of the permanently moored ship and Cecily
threw up into the water.
The security man pressed the earpiece to his ear, listened for a few seconds and
then said to Lorne,
“Sweet said to take her home, then bring the car back for him” Lorne nodded.
“Okay.” He turned to the now sagged on the floor Cecily saying,
“Well come on then, Little Miss Over-Indulgence, I wouldn’t want to be you in
the morning, that’s for sure!” he hoisted her up and carried her to Sweet’s
waiting Limo.
Cecily was too far gone to protest and just flopped, her eyes rolled and she was
spark out.
“Daddy…where is Cecily going?”
“Home, she’s had too much, now you be a good girl and sit there while I go and
talk to these people – okay?”
She nodded and stood so that Sweet could go and talk. She picked up the
champagne and drank it, and then she drank Sweet’s glassful too, topping up both
glasses until the bottle ran out. She drank those too, and a couple more drinks
that were on the table besides – and then she decided to go in search of
more…seeing people coming out of a small room laughing and pinching their noses,
Dru wandered in and saw some people snorting Coke.
She was offered some, and took it. Somebody else then handed her a bulky rolled
cigarette, and at first she shook her head, then she changed her mind and took a
huge draw, only coughing a little. The mini nuclear explosion that occurred in
her brain shocked her, and she felt a rushing sensation, then she was floating
giddily around.
In a euphoric dream-like trance, she drifted through a sea of faces, laughing,
talking…there was one face she was looking for…but she couldn’t find him…she
looked and looked.
“Dru…Dru, come on honey, time to-“
“Spike? – Oh, oh Lorney, it’s you”
Lorne could tell she was far gone, but still looking for Spike it seemed…
“Come on Cup-cake, Daddy wants to take you home”
“But I can’t go…where’s Spike – I want, Spike – please” She began to struggle,
but Lorne held her firm, ignoring her questions.
“He said…he said he wouldn’t leave me…” Dru wanted to cry
“Baby…that was years ago, he’s got someone else now…try and be happy for him,
eh?” Lorne thumbed away her tears. Sweet came up to them both, and said to
Lorne,
“Good, you’re back, I want to go now. What’s the matter with her?”
“Oh, she’s had a little too much Champagne Daddy, that’s all… come on then,
let’s go home” Lorne went to lead them out, when Sweet said,
“Not you, I want you to organise the presents, to get them back to the house.
You and that chap from security, you can leave her with me, she’ll be okay…oh –
Oh bloody hell – second thoughts, you better help her to the car” Dru had
suddenly passed out, so Lorne picked her up and carried her out to the car.
From inside the car Sweet said,
“Try not to be too long, I want you home with me” The window slid up silently
and the limousine drove off.
“Tote that bar, lift that bale…bloody hell Daddy, stick a broom up my ass and
I’ll sweep as well…” Lorne grumbled to himself as he went back inside the venue
to sort out all the presents Sweet had been given.
Inside the limo, a surprising lucid Sweet stared down at the girl he loved,
stroking her hair. Dru, for her part was totally out of it…
Sweet was thinking. There was nothing else for it, he didn’t want to loose him
from LA, but needs must. Spike, would HAVE to go, and it would have to be soon.
**********
Willy thought to himself that there were better ways of spending his night off.
The ski mask he was wearing itched like crazy, and he was still in some slight
discomfort. He stretched out his leg to ease the slight ache, but quickly
withdrew it and sat hunched up again when he heard the car engine.
Some muffled words, a car door slam, a toot on the horn the car driving away and
the sound of heels clicking on the sidewalk getting closer ……… closer ……… the
jangle of keys………she was humming to herself – he could see the wisps of breath
on the cold night air…………
Glory had just put the key into the lock and turned, the door opened about six
inches, when she was suddenly rushed, a strong hand clamped over her mouth
pulling back her head and terrifyingly, she heard the click of a gun being
cocked by her temple.
“Right…let’s just get inside shall we…scream, and you’re dead, understand?”
Willy hissed.
Allowing for slight movement, Glory nodded her head, she was absolutely
terrified.
“Good, glad we understand each other!” Willy suddenly whirled her around, and
bought the handle of the starting gun down into her face, effectively
pistol-whipping her into unconsciousness.
With a little difficulty he dragged her into the apartment, and set about
getting her tied up. He bound her arms tightly by the wrists to the iron bed
head, and spread-eagled her legs tying each ankle to the bottom bedposts. For
good measure he’d taped up that filthy mouth of hers, as he didn’t want to
listen to all the threats that were obviously going to be flying his way. It was
then Willy realised that he should have stripped her off first, so he then set
about tearing her clothes off. Glory had come to, and began to struggle and try
and scream – but she knew it was a fruitless task.
Willy had taken a Viagra, just in case. He stripped off, knelt between her
spread legs and ran his hands up her thighs. He could feel her muscles tense as
she struggled to get free.
“You know…I used to think you were lovely. Soft and fragrant…a real treat.”
Glory began to swipe her mouth across her pillow, trying to remove the tape from
her mouth, she half succeeded.
“Please – Willy I’m…I’m sorry – untie me – we can work this out!”
Willy scowled and hit her bottom hard making her scream.
“DON’T take me for a fuckin’ idiot – no. I’M calling the shots tonight. YOU did
the dirty on me, drugging me and having me raped – well I just thought I’d
return the favour – except I want you to remember this clearly. I’m living under
a possible death sentence here – whoever you got to fuck me over – well lady, I
just wanted to even the score – if I’ve got AIDS………then so have YOU! He surged
forward, entering her tight ass without a lubricant, Glory screamed and Willy
grabbed a pillow and put it over her head, so he didn’t have to listen to her
foul mouth…unfortunately for him, this obviously wasn’t the first time for her
like it had been for him, and it didn’t hurt her quite so much…he’d have to hurt
her in other ways then…biting, slapping…………he wished he’d got some of the ‘toys’
that had been used on him…………still, he could ‘improvise’.
Two hours later, Glory had been reduced to a quivering bruised wreck. Willy
happily sang as he got dressed. He picked up the starting pistol, and aimed it
at her, pulling the trigger. Glory’s eyes had gone huge, and when she just heard
a small click, which Willy did repeatedly to show her that the gun was useless,
he grinned, holding his arms up showing her the pistol.
“See sweetheart – useless – just a starting pistol. Well, don’t bother to get
up, I’ll see myself out – oh, and um…it’s been fun, but I don’t think I want to
see you again…you’re a really lousy fuck by the way. Bye then!”
Willy left cheerily whistling, closing the door behind him. He’d left her tied
up, knowing that tomorrow, or maybe the day after the cleaner would find her.
Glory couldn’t think straight. She was I pain yes – but the one thing that she’d
never given a thought to, was when she’d got Alphonse to rape Willy, she never
gave HIV a thought…
**********