Beneath This Man(123)

The summer room has been completely emptied of sofas and occasional tables, and in their place are masses of round tables, seating between eight and ten people. I can't even count them, I lose track at table thirty. The colour scheme is black and gold. I wonder if that's an accident.

Candles are burning everywhere, enhancing the key ingredient; sensual. It was on Jesse's specification for the extension and at the time, when I was oblivious to The Manor's activities, it was a weird request, but now the descriptor it cropping up everywhere I look.

A band is set up in the corner, but it's the four men with saxophones who are providing the music throughout dinner. The chair next to me is still empty and the one next to that has Sarah perched neatly on it. I'm guessing she arranged the seating plan and was most pissed off when she had no choice but to sit me on the other side of Jesse.

Where is he?

Kate picks up a gold, structured, satin bag and waves it in the air at me. They must be the gift bags. I decide that I'm not even going to look inside mine, and my decision is only reinforced when Kate shoves her nose in and then snaps the bag shut with wide blue eyes. Sam tries to snatch it from her, but she bats him away and he grumbles, grabbing the men's black equivalent that's positioned at his place setting. He does the same little rendition as Kate, but instead of a wide eyed, stunned look, he looks at Kate and grins from ear to ear, prompting her to make a grab for his bag. He pushes her away.

A starter of scallops is served, and I'm momentarily distracted from my speculating by the divine dish. The Manor really does do food very well.

'So, Ava, I'm told you carried out the works at Lusso.' Niles says across the table. 'Quite a feat.' He smiles, raising his glass to me.

'It didn't hurt the portfolio.' I reply casually.

'You're modest.' He laughs.

'She's good,' Kate pipes up. 'She's working on the extension upstairs.' Kate points her fork towards the ceiling of the summer room in the most unladylike manner.

'I see. Is that how you met Jesse?' Niles asks, a little surprised.

'It is.' I confirm politely but elaborate no further. I'm not comfortable talking about me and Jesse, especially with a stone faced Sarah within touching distance. Niles has also just reminded me that he is still nowhere to be seen. 'What do you do?' I ask to steer the conversation away from Jesse and my curious mind.

He puts his fork down and wipes his mouth with his napkin. 'I supply Jesse's stock.' he says on a small smile.

I just about manage to stop myself from asking the most stupid question I ever would. He doesn't supply food or drink to The Manor. No, Niles supplies other essentials - essentials for the top floors of The Manor. I nod my acknowledgment, not wanting to push that line of chat any further.

Sarah jumps into the gap of conversation, asking Niles how his recent trip to Amsterdam went. I'm thankful, even though I quickly turn my attention away from where that discussion is heading too.

I look over at Kate, who tosses me a filthy look and then nods towards Sarah while cupping her breasts on a grin. I try not to smile, but I can't help the corners of my mouth tweaking at her brashness. She is so unaffected by everything. I love her.

I finish my Most Marvelous and accept the glass of white that the waiter offers, taking an immediate sip and laughing when Drew stabs at his last scallop with his fork and it flies into the middle of the table. He gets rather mad with the slippery culprit as he tries to retrieve it, grumbling sulkily as he stabs at it, eventually giving up and grabbing it with his hand. He throws it on his plate in a mood, then glances up at the rest of the table who, with the exception of Sarah, are all delighting in his little performance. He relents and stands to bow, restoring his refined character. His fun, lighthearted performance is a mile away from the stand-offish Drew I know.

Starters are swiftly removed from the table and replaced with salmon and an array of colourful vegetables. I'm thankful dinner is relatively light. I couldn't stomach much more and with Sarah sat next to me, my appetite is not improving. She hasn't said one word to me during dinner and has not enquired as to Jesse's whereabouts, so I assume that she knows. She advises the waiter to remove Jesse's untouched starter and hold off on his main for the meantime. If Kate wasn't here, I would be getting really cranky now.

'You didn't bring Victoria?' Kate tosses the question at Drew and he catches it without an ounce of shock or surprise.

'No, she's sweet but hard work.' He takes a swig of wine and sits back in his chair. 'I'm happy exactly where I am at the moment.' He raises his glass and everyone joins him, including me, even though I'm not particularly happy about where I am at the moment. Drew continues, 'Anyway, she wouldn't let me lay a hand on her without the lights off.'