Part 18 - Andy 13:55 Saturday afternoon
Andy scuffed his silver Converse trainers in the gravel as
he made his way slowly up the drive to the big house. He was still sulking. Less about not seeing the girls and more
about missing the new release with Keira.
He rang the bell. There was a brief
pause then Jane was at the door wearing a short red leather bolero jacket over
a silk blouse, a pair of shiny black leather trousers, and glistening black
patent ankle boots with a sharp metallic heel.
She looked spectacular. He loved
her in leather trousers. He loved how
the glistening leather showed off the contours of her bottom. Aunt Jane might be a little over fifty (old
enough to be his mother as his dad and brother liked to remind him with just a
hint of envy), but there was no sag and Andy loved its taut perfection.
Jane kissed him on the lips.
He was glad the front door was out of sight from the road. “Come
along dear, you’re late,” she said taking his hand and turning him around.
Andy thought his was a bit much given that he’d come as soon
as she telephoned. He couldn’t help
his Pavlov’s Dog response to her siren call. Jane knew it too. He followed her to the Jaguar parked on the
drive. It might be an automatic but he
was still baffled by how Aunt Jane managed to drive in 5” heels.
“Late for what, Aunt Jane?” he asked.
“Your appointment,” Jane said as they pulled away.
“What appointment?”
“Your hair appointment, of course, silly.” Andy sat opened mouthed. It was only two weeks since his last cut.
“But why? I thought
you liked me with the Keira-style pixie look.”
“I do, my sweet. But
for a posh do, I think you need to look rather more special.”
“But Keira always looks great on the red carpet with her
hair cut short. And what “posh do”?”
asked Andy.
“It’s one of my ladies’ events and I need an escort. I thought you’d be flattered that I thought
of you. You should be saying ‘Thank
you’.”
“Yes, Aunt Jane.
Thank you, Aunt Jane.” Inwardly
Andy loved the thought of escorting his
Aunt to a function. She always looked
impeccable. “But I had made other
arrangements for this evening.”
“What were they? I
doubt they can be more important than this.”
“I was going to the cinema.”
“See I told. What
were you planning to see?”
“The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.”
“I might have guessed.
And who were you going with? I
suppose it has to be William.”
“No!” shrieked Andy just a little too shrilly. “I was going with some friends. Some female friends.”
“As the saying goes, ‘The lady doth protest too much.’”
“No, Auntie. You keep
thinking that I like him.”
“Honey, I know you do.”
“No.”
“I’ve seen the way you look at him. Did you ask him?”
“No! I’m going with
Nicola and India. And they asked me.”
“You were going,” said Jane emphatically.
Andy stopped arguing and fell silent. Why hadn’t he asked William, he thought to
himself. He knew why: William wouldn’t
want to see a silly fairy tale. He’d
want to go to an action film. But if he
could get William to go to ‘The Nutcracker’ he might notice how much he was now
looking like Keira. Maybe if he just put
on a little foundation, some eyeliner and some matte red lipstick, William might
realise the resemblance and see another side of Andy. It would have to be very subtle, though. Andy thought about how they might sit
together in the darkness. Maybe he
could try and hold William’s hand when it got to the scary bits. William would
probably resist and think he was being a sissy but Andy would say he was
scared. He’d clutch William’s hand and shake
as if frightened and not let go. And
then, when the scary bit had passed, he’d still hold on. Who would know? They could hold hands like lovers.
He was lost in reverie when his Aunt spoke: “You’ve gone
very quiet.”
Andy shook himself out the silly state he’d got himself
into. He’d never dream of asking
William to a film like that. And as for wearing make-up in public: that would
be silly. He only wore make-up if he was
out clubbing with Auntie. But perhaps it
wasn’t too late. He could always ask
William to make up a foursome. That
might work, he thought. “I’ve just
remembered, Auntie: my formal suit is at the cleaner’s. I’m sure Mum said she was going to take it
in the week.”
“Don’t worry about that dear. This is a formal function. You’ll need evening dress. I’ve already got something for you.” Andy felt reassured. If he was going, he wanted to look smart. It would be wonderful having his beautiful
Auntie on his arm. He would love
showing her off, in the same way he felt that she would like being seen with
some arm candy who everyone would take as her young stud, slick in a dinner
jacket and bow tie. “Drat this
traffic. I don’t want you missing the
appointment.”
“I’m sure it won’t take long to tidy this up.”
A few minutes later, Jane pulled up outside her normal
salon. “Get out honey. They’re expecting you. I’ll park up and join you. Tell Celeste I’m on my way.”
Andy took a few steps across the pavement crowded with
Saturday afternoon shoppers and pushed open the glass door to Maison
Celeste. A little bell rang as he
entered attracting the attention of the hairdressers.
“It’s your gentleman, Madame,” called out one. At the word ‘gentleman’, the ladies in the
chairs turned to see who’d just arrived.
A couple of the ladies were middle-aged like Jane but one was younger,
much younger. With horror, Andy
realised it was Nicola with whom he’d been planning to go out that evening.
“Hello Andy, I didn’t realise that you had your hair done
here.”
“Oh, hi Nicola. Well eerr no, I just wondered what kind of a
job they do.” He said trying to cover
his tracks. Nicola gave Andy a curious
look. “I need a bit of a tidy up
before this evening and the barbers down the road is busy.”
“Really? Your hair always looks so
nice. And it seems like only a week
since you had it cut short. I love your
current look. It makes you look really
cute.”
Andy blushed. “Oh,
that’s nice of you to say.”
“It’s funny that you want to go to the Keira film tonight
with me and India. With your hair like
that, we think you look a bit like her.”
Nicola smiled. Andy could tell
she was being sincere and not teasing him.
“We did wonder how you got such a nice cut at a men’s barber. It frames your face perfectly.”
“Well I do like her a lot.
And she always looks so lovely,” Andy found himself saying.
“So are you trying to look like her?” Nicola seemed intrigued.
“Oh no. Of course
not. That’d be silly.” Andy’s blushes were turning him bright
crimson. “But I do need to talk to you
about tonight.” At that point Andy was
relieved to see a slightly dumpy but well coiffed lady emerge from the back of
the shop.
“Hello Master Watson. It’s lovely to see you.
And back so soon.
That Keira cut we did last weekend really
suits you.
We were thinking of putting
up a picture of you to promote our work.”
Andy blushed and took
a sidelong
glance at Nicola.
She was looking at him
open mouthed and perplexed.
“Good
you’re here.
It’s fortunate we’re
running a bit behind.
Is Jane on her
way?
She booked a double appointment
again.
Are you both out again
tonight?”
Celeste asked in a torrent of
words and questions.
Nicola stared hard
at him.
“Err, well. Madame Celeste.”
“What’s happening, Andy?” asked Nicola.
“I’m sorry Nicola.
I'm going to have to cry off this evening. My Aunt wants to take me to some formal
function of hers. Hence, the need for a tidy
up. I was going to give you and India a call.”
“Well thank you very much,” said Nicola grumpily. “And it seems you come here rather a lot,
Andy. Or should I call you Keira?”
“Look, I really am sorry Nicola. But it’s only just come up.” Andy apologised profusely. “Can I have mine done in the back, please?”
he asked hoping to get away from Nicola’s annoyance. Just then Aunt Jane breezed in carrying a
number of bags.
“Hello Celeste. Sorry
I’m late. Since we’re tight for time, I’ve brought our clothes for this
evening. You don’t mind if we change
here. Do you? I thought you might have started on Andy already given what needs
to be done. “
“Hello Lady Jane,” said Celeste. “Pas du tout.” We were about to get started but he was
chatting to a friend.” She indicated
Nicola who was glaring back at Andy.
“He’s been asking about a chair in the back.”
“Oh no. There’s only
space for one in the back and I'd like to see his transformation.”
“But I’m just here for a trim Auntie, aren’t I.”
“Don’t be a silly boy.
Now sit down in the chair and let me tell Celeste and her assistant what
we want done.”
end of Part 18
