The room was lit a dim purple and the music was a lot louder and thumpier. The atmosphere was changing and building for the big hurrah. Jake and Dorian were sat talking to an older woman. Her olive skin and dark hair glowing in the lights. She looked familiar enough, but I couldn’t quite place her.
She stood slowly as she looked up at me smiling. She looked kind, but there was this presence behind her eyes as she regarded me, and this aura that demanded respect and admiration.
“Shohreh, this is James Anson,” Jake said as he stood and buttoned up his tux jacket. “James, this is Shohreh Miller—head of the Paeds Cardiac department at the Harley Street Clinic.”
“Ah, Mr. Anson,” she looked me up and down with a smile, “I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Call me Jamie.” I said as I realised who she was.
“Great to meet you,” she said before turning to address Jake, “Jacob, I’ve made my offer and I’ll chase it up once I’m back in the office.” She turned back to me with a broad smile as she extended her hand to me, “I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other Mr. Anson, I hope we will anyway.”
Her laugh was as smoky and husky as her voice. Her dialect had a slight twang that was pleasant and curious.
She gave Dorian a light hug and a very continental kiss before she made her way to a table a couple down from ours. One of the old boys that I recognised from the hospital board pulled out his chair slightly and patted his knee and smiling she sat casually. They exchanged a few words before he looked in my direction and gave me an acknowledging nod that for some reason I returned.
“Have either of you seen Quincy and Willow? They were right here when I went for a smoke.” Of course, I’d been gone a lot longer than I’d wanted.
“They went in the direction of the loos at the back.” Dorian shrugged as she topped up her champagne coupe. “You want some?”
Jake shook his head as he continued searching the room, “I need to go find my parents and say hi before I get the worst son award.”
“You’re both going to ditch me, aren’t you?” She looked at both of us with a snarl.
“You can come with, if you want. Mum, would love to see you.”
“And leave this amazing champagne?”
“You can bring it with you.” He picked up the glass and carefully moved it back and forth, “See? It g
oes wherever you take it.”
“I’m going to go find the strays,” I told them both as I checked my watch.
Ten minutes to Midnight.
I could hear Jake trying to convince Dorian behind me as the DJ lowered the music to let everyone know that it was almost time to welcome the new year. And then it was all manic as everyone checked their drinks or made their way back to their tables to top up their glasses.
It was exciting, even if I was walking against the crowd.
I wandered down the almost empty corridor as Willow’s agitated voice reached me followed by Quincy’s and then Sam’s.
It was like someone had amped up the heating and all of a sudden I was sweating.
Fuck.
“I don’t want your apology, I want you gone.” Sam took a step closer to Quincy. “I want to take what you love away from you like you did to me.”
“What?”
“You’re fucking crazy.”
Sam looked over at Willow, “You think I’m crazy?”
“This is ridiculous.” Quincy sighed.
“He left me for you and you didn’t even want him. Quincy needs me he said. Always poor fucking Quincy.”
“He was her husband, you dozy cow.” Willow spat at her as she took a step back taking Quincy with her. “You should see someone.”