Last
night was Gavin and Ines' engagement party. I wasn't keen on going
but I'd mentioned it to Celine who said she was looking forward to
it. When she arrived at my place she showed me the present she'd
bought them; a tea set she'd got from a market last week. I was
relieved when she said it was from both of us -- otherwise I'd have
been going to the party empty handed!
I
had already described Gavin's house to Celine, but she was still
surprised at how masculine the inside was (all black and minimalist).
Ines and Gavin, arms linked, were greeting guests at the door to the
conservatory. Gavin moved over to a group of admirers (laughing in
his usual boisterous way) as Ines showed us her ring which Celine
dutifully admired (big and garish - not what I would have thought was
her style). Ines fussed over our gift and placed it with the others
arranged around a large framed photograph of the happy couple. I
looked around at the guests, there must have been about thirty people
and it was clear that no expense had been spared for the event. A
firm of caterers had obviously been engaged, as two girls in matching
uniforms were serving a buffet one end of the room. A large banner
with Congratulations to Ines and Gavin hung from the chandeliers.
Celine also pointed out that all the flower arrangements must have
been done by a professional florist.
We
were introduced to Ines' parents who had travelled up from Spain. Her
mother only spoke Spanish but her father's English was quite good and
we chatted for a while about Barcelona. Celine said she visited there
once. She had taken a tour of the city on an open-top double decker
bus, hoping to get a better view but it rained constantly. However,
she refused to budge!
Ines'
brother and sister-in-law came over and introduced themselves. Her
brother is an art teacher. Celine asked what he thought of city's
Picasso Museum. He said not enough had been done by the city to
promote it's connections with the artist who, after all, had lived
there at various times in his life.
I
noticed Gavin's elderly mother slumped on one of the black leather
sofas (just as she had been the first time we had met). She was
humming along to the background music -- one of Gavin's own
performances -- and I noticed Ines' songs had not been included.
The
food was very good: canapés, vol-au-vonts, assorted meats and a
variety of cheese. I was topping up my plate when Alexander called me
over. He'd brought Kieron along who told me how he'd taken on a
waiter's job at one of the restaurants in Carnac. He didn't want to
return to England and planned to stay in France. I asked him about
the campsite. He said he was relieved to be away from the place and
hadn't been back. He's heard from Rodrigo and Tatiana who are now
staying with Tatiana's parents and looking for a place of their own.
I can't imagine how any of them would have managed on the campsite in
this freezing weather.
Alexander
introduced us to a couple of teachers who work at the same language
school as Ines. One was from Berlin, so I told her about Karl and
gave her his e-mail address, saying he's always looking for the
chance to speak to anyone in his own language.
Celine
was talking to Michel, our new drummer, and his wife Antoinette.
Michel was describing Canada and how much he misses it (I noticed
Antoinette said nothing on this subject). I think there's a bit of
tension there. I was discussing our last rehearsal with Michel when
Gavin, standing at the piano, broke into song. The room waited in
silence until he finished the final phrase with a theatrical bow.
Ines, standing alongside, beamed while everyone applauded. Michel and
Antoinette said they had to leave as they had to get back for the
babysitter.
Celine
said it was hot and stuffy in the room and needed some fresh air. I
watched her wander over to french windows and step out into the
night. I was talking to Alexander when I noticed Celine returning
from the garden, followed by Ines and Gavin. Both women looked upset.
As Celine came over towards me, I could see at once that something
was wrong. She beckoned me out into the hallway and told me that
Gavin had also been outside. At first they were chatting and joking,
then said she was beautiful, grabbed hold of her, and tried to kiss
her. She pulled away. But, at that exact moment, Ines came out into
the garden and saw them. Although it was obvious she was trying to
get away, Ines became aggressive; demanding to know what she was up
to. Celine explained what had happened while Gavin just stood there
with a stupid smile on his face. When Ines questioned him, he'd
shrugged and said he understood how it was difficult for any woman to
face rejection. At that point Celine stormed back into the
conservatory.
I
was not at all surprised by this; Gavin is obviously a serial
womaniser and Ines is blinded to it. Celine agreed, there was no way
he will be faithful to Ines. She said she wanted to leave and would
wait for me in the car.
I
went back into the conservatory. Gavin and Ines were talking to her
parents, his am round her waist, as though nothing had happened. Ines
came over and launched into a rant about Celine, saying I should be
careful as I didn't know what she was really like. While I didn't
want to spoil her engagement party, I felt I had to point out that
Gavin had made a pass at Celine. She dismissed this, saying I was
mistaken and I would soon come to my senses.
I
said goodbye and left.
Celine
was upset but said she'd try to forget it as she was sure Gavin
probably does this sort of thing all the time. We both thought it was
a shame the evening had been ruined. I felt bad for Celine. She'd
already had to change her phone number because of the silent calls
she's been getting. And now this. We both wondered when, if ever,
Ines will come to her senses.
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