A collective but lighthearted moan issued from around the room. Clifton broke the first of the biscuits with his fist. When he pulled out the piece of paper and read aloud, his eyes gleamed with playfulness. He addressed the older man to his right.
“Brock. This first one’s for you. In the bedroom department, what’s your favourite position?”
“At my age, dear? Horizontal.”
Laughter bubbled around the table. Nathan’s heart sank. Public quick-wittedness had never been his thing. Jaymes would undoubtedly be a hit, but Nathan’s answer would fall short. One by one Clifton asked cookie questions, with each answer becoming progressively more humorous or lewd and laughter growing louder. Finally Clifton aimed his question at Nathan, who felt dryness in his mouth.
“Nathan,” said Clifton before turning to those gathered. “In case I haven’t mentioned, Nathan and I grew up together in nearby Crumbington. He’s now the village baker. And my question for you, Nathan, is, what’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever been asked to do?”
Clifton’s smirk was not lost on Nathan. A number of guests chuckled at the question. Nathan’s mind went blank. He knew his brow had furrowed. Did he have an amusing ditty he could draw on from childhood? Was there something a room full of actors would at least be interested in, something that would live up to the entertaining responses of others?
“Maybe that’s a question you should ask him in six months, once the Crumbington summer fête comes around,” said Jaymes.
“And why is that?” asked Clifton.
Jaymes grinned and nodded at Nathan, who sighed and rolled his eyes at having been backed into a corner.
“What Jaymes means is that by then, I’ll have completed a naked photoshoot. Along with the rest of the Crumbington football team. We’re producing a team calendar for the summer fête.”
This time the silence was thick with intrigue, with all eyes fixed on Nathan.
“Naturally, sales proceeds will go to a local charity,” he added.
“Then you’d better sign me up for a copy,” said one of the men.
“I’ll take ten,” said another.
In the meantime, Clifton frowned at Nathan and mouthed the single-word question ‘really?’ to which Nathan responded with a smile and a simple nod.
“Giorgio will ensure you’re kept informed once the calendar goes on sale. Nice one, Nate. Now, on with the game. This one’s for Jaymes, Nathan’s boyfriend. What’s the longest relationship you’ve had?”
“None of your business,” said Jaymes immediately, causing people around to chuckle.
“You should give that one to Martin or Gallagher,” offered Nathan, trying to bail out his friend. For a cold moment, he wondered if Jaymes had ever been in a relationship.
“Come on, Jaymes. Everyone else has been a sport.”
“Five weeks,” said Jaymes emphatically.
Nathan peered across the table to see if Jaymes was joking. But the tightly folded arms and gaze drilling into the tabletop was defiant. At some point, Nathan would need to ask what had happened. Naturally, some of the guests could not resist the temptation to respond with humorous retorts.
“That’s not a relationship,” came an amused voice.
“It’s barely a handshake,” came another. “Aren’t you afraid he’ll up and run, Nathan?”
“Oh, thus speaks the queen of one-night stands.”
“You’re only bitter because five weeks is longer than the run of your most recent off-West End play—”
“And why is there a ‘y’ in your name, Jaymes?”
“Well, on a positive note, we’ve finished desserts, and Jaymes is still here.”
Laughter grew progressively louder around the table with each remark. Nathan noticed Jaymes had not joined in and felt he ought to say something witty to shut them down, but he didn’t have Jaymes’ quick mind. Defence came from an unlikely source.
“Considering the circles you gentlemen move in, I’m surprised none of you recall that some well-known celebrities have had marriages lasting no more than a matter of hours,” said Gallagher. “By comparison, a five-week relationship is nothing short of heroic.”
“And Jaymes spends much of his professional life travelling the globe,” added Nathan, trying to repay the debt of help Jaymes had given him. Jaymes, who had quietened, looked up and smiled at Nathan.
