‘Well, there’s always someone who takes life too seriously, isn’t there? A shame, but there it is. I’m glad that I’m fundamentally a
happy
soul. I see beauty and rejoice. I see ugliness, and shudder, and think how lucky I am to be able to live the way I want. I don’t have to face those low, nasty aspects of life that blight the existence of so many. I can indulge myself in all the things that make life worth living: art, music, antiques, intelligent and cultivated friends. And good food, of course. Speaking of which …’ He eyed a tray of canapés: rolls of white bread stuffed with khaki-coloured asparagus spears. ‘Aren’t they
nasty?
I would never allow such things in Colette’s.’ He pulled a disgusted face and then sighed. ‘I offered young Elspeth the club to have her reception in but her parents had their heart set on this frightful old place. As stuffy as a grandmother’s mattress. The Brigadier’s been a member since birth, apparently. Such a duffer.’
Imogen was relieved that he had so gracefully changed the subject. ‘Allegra told me you have your own club,’ she said, emboldened by champagne. ‘Is that Colette’s?’
Allegra had recovered from her discomfort. ‘Yes, Uncle David, when are we going to be allowed to visit?’
‘Mmm.’ David’s eyes twinkled at her. ‘How much do you know about it?’
‘Just that you started it ages ago, and lots of famous people go there.’
‘Well, that’s true, I suppose. But they’re all just chums to me, you see. That’s what the club is all about – a lovely place to meet my friends. That was what I wanted and couldn’t find, so I decided to open it myself. It’s been rather successful, even if I do say so myself.’
‘We’re absolutely dying to see it – aren’t we, Midge?’
Imogen couldn’t think of anything more glamorous and exciting than to go to Colette’s. ‘Oh, yes,’ she breathed. ‘Could we?’
David gave her a wise glance. ‘Not yet, my darlings. You’re not quite ready. Remember little Liesl’s song in
The Sound of Music
? How she is unprepared for a world of roués and cads? I think the same about you. You’re still very young. Some of the beasts in there would be happy to tear you to pieces.’
Imogen was disappointed. They looked so grown up and here they were, sipping fine champagne. Were they really not ready?
Allegra made a face. ‘It’s just a club! How dangerous can it be?’
David pursed his lips and said quietly, ‘You need to learn a little more about the world before you get there – otherwise it could be a painful surprise. And I don’t want to have to answer to your parents if you’re corrupted too young.’
Allegra giggled. ‘No one will corrupt me!’ she declared. ‘I can do a perfectly good job of that on my own, thanks very much.’
‘I’ve no doubt. But that doesn’t mean I have to help you along the way. You’ll get into Colette’s all in good time, I promise you that. Now, girls.’ He offered them an arm each. ‘Shall we perambulate? Let’s go and look at some of the fearfully nasty hats on show. Ten pounds to the spotter of the worst.’
Chapter 8
New York
Autumn 2000
AH, THIS IS it! This is what it’s all about. Sex, drugs, cooking. It doesn’t get much better than this. Living the dream, man, living the dream
…
Mitch closed his eyes and let out a long sigh of appreciation as the cute waitress he’d hired only the night before sank to her knees in the alleyway and took his cock into her mouth.
He knew he’d enjoy the whole thing a lot more if he wasn’t high and three-quarters drunk, and if he weren’t clutching a box full of lettuces under one arm, but he wasn’t one to turn down an opportunity like this. He’d known she was up for something since the moment she’d arrived, from the way she’d wagged her little derrière at him, and when she’d found out he had a stash of heroin that he might possibly share with her, he’d seen that eager hunger
happy
soul. I see beauty and rejoice. I see ugliness, and shudder, and think how lucky I am to be able to live the way I want. I don’t have to face those low, nasty aspects of life that blight the existence of so many. I can indulge myself in all the things that make life worth living: art, music, antiques, intelligent and cultivated friends. And good food, of course. Speaking of which …’ He eyed a tray of canapés: rolls of white bread stuffed with khaki-coloured asparagus spears. ‘Aren’t they
nasty?
I would never allow such things in Colette’s.’ He pulled a disgusted face and then sighed. ‘I offered young Elspeth the club to have her reception in but her parents had their heart set on this frightful old place. As stuffy as a grandmother’s mattress. The Brigadier’s been a member since birth, apparently. Such a duffer.’
Imogen was relieved that he had so gracefully changed the subject. ‘Allegra told me you have your own club,’ she said, emboldened by champagne. ‘Is that Colette’s?’
Allegra had recovered from her discomfort. ‘Yes, Uncle David, when are we going to be allowed to visit?’
‘Mmm.’ David’s eyes twinkled at her. ‘How much do you know about it?’
‘Just that you started it ages ago, and lots of famous people go there.’
‘Well, that’s true, I suppose. But they’re all just chums to me, you see. That’s what the club is all about – a lovely place to meet my friends. That was what I wanted and couldn’t find, so I decided to open it myself. It’s been rather successful, even if I do say so myself.’
‘We’re absolutely dying to see it – aren’t we, Midge?’
Imogen couldn’t think of anything more glamorous and exciting than to go to Colette’s. ‘Oh, yes,’ she breathed. ‘Could we?’
David gave her a wise glance. ‘Not yet, my darlings. You’re not quite ready. Remember little Liesl’s song in
The Sound of Music
? How she is unprepared for a world of roués and cads? I think the same about you. You’re still very young. Some of the beasts in there would be happy to tear you to pieces.’
Imogen was disappointed. They looked so grown up and here they were, sipping fine champagne. Were they really not ready?
Allegra made a face. ‘It’s just a club! How dangerous can it be?’
David pursed his lips and said quietly, ‘You need to learn a little more about the world before you get there – otherwise it could be a painful surprise. And I don’t want to have to answer to your parents if you’re corrupted too young.’
Allegra giggled. ‘No one will corrupt me!’ she declared. ‘I can do a perfectly good job of that on my own, thanks very much.’
‘I’ve no doubt. But that doesn’t mean I have to help you along the way. You’ll get into Colette’s all in good time, I promise you that. Now, girls.’ He offered them an arm each. ‘Shall we perambulate? Let’s go and look at some of the fearfully nasty hats on show. Ten pounds to the spotter of the worst.’
Chapter 8
New York
Autumn 2000
AH, THIS IS it! This is what it’s all about. Sex, drugs, cooking. It doesn’t get much better than this. Living the dream, man, living the dream
…
Mitch closed his eyes and let out a long sigh of appreciation as the cute waitress he’d hired only the night before sank to her knees in the alleyway and took his cock into her mouth.
He knew he’d enjoy the whole thing a lot more if he wasn’t high and three-quarters drunk, and if he weren’t clutching a box full of lettuces under one arm, but he wasn’t one to turn down an opportunity like this. He’d known she was up for something since the moment she’d arrived, from the way she’d wagged her little derrière at him, and when she’d found out he had a stash of heroin that he might possibly share with her, he’d seen that eager hunger
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