Secrets / Black & White / Playing for Keeps

Lara had just stepped out of the shower when she heard the telephone ring. She let it ring a couple of times before she remembered she was the only one at home. Wrapping a towel around herself, just in case Ben made a surprise return, she ran to answer the phone.

“It’s me.” The voice on the other end said.

“Who’s me?” She asked confused.

“Harry.”

“Oh.” She was surprised she didn’t recognise him.

“You sound like you’ve been running.” He said.

“I just got out of the shower.”

“Oh.” It was his turn to sound speechless. He cleared his throat. “Um, a little birdy told me that it’s your birthday tomorrow.”

“Is it?”

“What, you don’t know it’s your birthday?”

“I usually don’t celebrate it. My parents weren’t big on birthdays.”

“Well, that’s about to change. I’m planning a big night for you.” Harry said brightly. She couldn’t tell if he was putting it on or whether he was being genuine.

“So I’m guessing you have no plans for tomorrow?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “Well then that does it. You’re spending the night with me.”

Lara placed the phone in the cradle and sat down on the couch when the door suddenly opened. Ben walked in lugging a couple of grocery bags and had stopped in his tracks. Lara instantly looked down and noticed her towel slipping; she pulled it up quickly, too afraid to stand up. She looked up at him, her face growing hot as she waited for him to leave. He disappeared into the kitchen, but not before giving her the once over, slightly raising his eyebrow. As soon as he left, she took off like a shot toward her bedroom where she promptly locked the door.

****************************************************
The next morning Lara was reluctantly looking at her course outline, trying to convince herself she was doing the right thing. Teaching qualifications were not a bad thing, she reasoned to herself, it could open other doors down the track. She could be teaching any subject she wanted. And who was she to complain anyway? This course was going leave her debt free. And most people never got the opportunity to study. She smiled wryly thinking that’s exactly the type of thing her parents would say.

Lara was interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. She opened the door to see an enormous bunch of flowers.

“Flowers for Lara Ballantyne.” The person behind the flowers said.

“Thank you.” Lara said. The person holding them reached around to hand her a card. She accepted it and took the flowers into her arms. She breathed in a scent of the mixture of lilies and roses and smiled. She had never been given flowers before, and the experience strangely pleased her. She placed the bouquet on the table and opened the envelope curiously.

‘Happy Birthday Lara. I hope you enjoy your day. Love, Harry’

A simple almost impersonal message, but she couldn’t help but feel a surge of happiness.

That night she took more care in her appearance. She put on a dress that she liked to wear on special occasions. The last time she had worn it was her parent’s farewell dinner. It was a simple black dress with a white Peter Pan collar, and she loved to wear it every chance she got. She put on her only pair of high heels and then looked in the mirror.

Her next concern was make-up. She had recently invested in a few pieces and was determined to finally use them tonight. Lara carefully applied the mascara and eyeliner, and finished off with lip gloss. It wasn’t too much but it was better than nothing at all.

She entered the living room, and almost bumped into Ben who was nursing his customary evening wine.

“Is Harry picking you up?” He asked.

“Yes, he’ll be here any moment.” She replied. He nodded slowly.

“Well I’m sure he’ll be impressed when he sees you.” He said eyeing her dress.

“Thanks.” She said not knowing what else to say.

She was relieved to hear a knock on the door, and she bounded toward the door. Harry stood there holding a single red rose.

“Happy birthday.” He said handing it to her. He kissed her on the cheek.

“More flowers?” She asked with a smile.

“Ready to go?” Harry said.

Lara quickly turned to grab her handbag from the couch, when she heard Ben speak up.

“Aren’t you even going to comment on your date?” He asked with a snicker. “No, ‘Nice dress’ or ‘You look lovely tonight’?”

Harry gave him a withering look and took Lara by the elbow to steer her out of the apartment.

“Have another drink Ben.” He muttered. They could hear Ben laugh as Lara shut the door behind them.

Lara gave Harry a sideways glance as he drove along in silence.

“I loved the flowers you sent today.” She said with a smile. ”Thank you.”

He paused for a moment, and continued to stare straight ahead.

“You’re welcome.” He said.

“The whole apartment smells lovely. Ben couldn’t stop sneezing though.”

“Ben’s an asshole.” Harry said flatly. He glanced at her quickly. “Sorry, I know he’s your Uncle -“

“That’s okay.” Lara said. “He can get annoying sometimes, I know.”

Harry eventually pulled in front of a restaurant and allowed the valet to take his car. Lara recognised the restaurant as being a favourite amongst celebrities and sure enough there were a few photographers lurking around at the front. Harry firmly took her by the arm and led her into the restaurant, smiling at the photographers who dutifully snapped photos as he walked past.

Lara felt more than a little self-conscious when the head waiter led them toward a table right in the middle of the restaurant.

“Just be careful with what you say.” Harry muttered. “The walls have ears here, yeah?”

She nodded, noticing how all eyes seemed to be on them. Harry gently kicked her under the table to gain her attention.

“So what’s all this ‘I don’t celebrate my birthday’ shit?” Harry asked with a smile.

“My parents don’t believe in celebrating getting a year older. Presents, parties all that kind of stuff is just too unnecessary for them.” Lara shrugged.

“Your parents are weird.” Harry said.

“Yeah I know.” Lara said dolefully. “I don’t feel like I missed out on much though. Although I must admit I’m feeling pretty special tonight.”

Harry looked at her with a sorry expression on his face. She recognised that look well as she had received it many times before; especially when explaining her parent’s now infamous child raising techniques.

“Well I hope you do.” He said finally.

He waited until after dinner to dig out a box from his pocket. He handed it to her, aware that they were being watched. Lara looked at it as if it were a foreign object and paused before taking it.

“Should I open it?” She asked.

“That’s what people generally do when they’re given a gift.” Harry replied.

Lara refrained from sticking her tongue out at him, as she opened the box. She gasped softly at the sight of the delicate silver bracelet that was nestled in tissue paper.

“Oh it’s beautiful.”

“Do you like it?” He said peering into the box.

“Oh yes.” Lara took it out and allowed Harry clasp it onto her wrist. She could hear a few whispers that she tried to ignore. Instead she admired the bracelet and smiled at Harry.

“I love it, thank you.”

Not long after they were on their way to their next destination.

“It’s a cool little bar- you’ll like it.” He said. Lara wasn’t sure, going to bars wasn’t her thing but she remained silent. As they walked, Harry suddenly led her into a side street, briskly walking toward the sound of someone singing.

A lone busker stood on the corner: just a young girl of about eighteen with a guitar. She was singing a song Lara didn’t recognise, but her voice was as clear as a bell, and they stopped to listen.

“She’s lovely.” Lara murmured. She noticed the girl smile and nod at Harry as she continued to sing.

“I’ve noticed her here before, so I always check to see if she’s around when I’m in the area.” Harry murmured back.

They listened to another song before Harry dropped a couple of notes into her open guitar case. The singer smiled in acknowledgement as she started the next song.

“Okay let’s go.” He said, taking her hand and leading her back to the bar.

“Do you know her?” Lara asked curiously.

“Nope.” Harry said. “But it’s nice to listen to someone sing when it’s all just about the music and not the added bullshit that we have to go through.”

Lara watched him closely but he stared straight ahead looking sombre as they entered the bar.

They were directed to the second level and she noted the chill out music playing. As Lara looked around, she decided it wasn’t as bad as she thought it would be; but that soon changed as soon as she saw Julian, Ben, the members of One Direction and assorted Modest employees standing before them.

Lara’s heart sank as she looked at Harry.

“Surprise!” Everyone yelled.

Notes