A Different Reflection (22 page)

“Well, happy birthday then!”

He raised his eyebrows at it, then turned to his reflected copy and picked it up. He promptly pulled the chocolate heart out of the top, read the writing and ate it immediately.

“A damn good choice I say!” he then muttered, with his mouth full, and with that I let out a small sigh and walked back to my chair with relief.

We all tucked in. It seemed a shame to break into the little masterpieces, but once you had tasted one mouthful, there was no going back. They may not have been the best choice in shape, but they tasted out of this world. Once finished, we washed them down with a very lovely bottle of red that George had selected. It was the perfect end to a perfect meal. I sighed and rubbed my tummy.

“I dare not even think about how many calories were in that!” I remarked.

“Who cares?” George says. “You only live once!”

“Hmmm, and in some cases once can be a bloody long time!” I remarked as I lifted my glass to James and simply said: “Cheers.”

“I am curious about something that you said, Katharina,” George then stated.

“Oh, what was that?” I asked inquisitively.

“You said that your friend Claire had picked these desserts, and that she was always one to wind you up. What did you mean by that?” he continued as he licked his finger. Now I blushed even more.

“Ah, yes, well I need to make another confession!” I replied tentatively.

“This is proving to be an interesting night!” James remarked as he refilled his glass.

“Claire kind of knows about this whole situation – you know, you, James, me…” I replied, guiltily. James stopped pouring and looked at me. George folded his arms across his chest and simply replied with:

“Right, well that's interesting.”

“She will not tell anyone; she is a loyal friend. I must apologise, though; I did promise that I would only tell someone about the both of you if it was a matter of life or death. Unfortunately, on the night I told her we were both a bit drunk, I was mad with John and I was telling her how happy I was when I was here at Northfield… it kind of all spilled out and I am not proud of myself for breaking my promise!” I replied with feeling.

“And how did she take it? The truth does not always make believers!” George then replied.

“Actually, she was quite open-minded and believed every word I said. She is quite miffed that she cannot see James, though; she keeps referring to him as ‘the hottie from the portrait'.” I raised my eyebrows at ‘the hottie' as he went a lovely shade of scarlet. George tried not to laugh.

“Ah, so now I understand the heart-shaped desserts! She was trying to make the point that you are here with two gentlemen – one that seems to be causing a bit of a stir!” George gestured to James. I had to stop myself from laughing at James' obvious embarrassment.

“Well, she couldn't see me, so I cannot do anything about that! I presume she did not know about the situation when she came to dinner?” he then asked before taking a large gulp of wine.

“No, it was some time after,” I confirmed. “Maybe I should have told her before she came – it may have helped!” I questioned.

“I think if you had, she wouldn't have come at all; she would have thought you were having some kind of breakdown or were on medication, and would have laughed at the idea of witches existing!” James replied again, now sounding a little angry at my divulging his torturous situation.

“James, that's a little harsh. If she believes Katharina now, why wouldn't she then? You need to stop being so judgemental about people!” George insisted. I could see that James was irritated by my telling Claire, I partly wished I had said nothing about it.

“James, I really do apologise. I know that you trusted me to keep this secret, and I did not expect to tell Claire, but I have to say that it was a relief to tell someone this amazing story!” I replied sincerely. “I do not want to spoil your birthday!” I then finished as I looked at him hopefully.

George turned and looked at James, whose posture then mellowed a little and whose face became less angry.

“I'm sorry. I just did not expect anyone else to believe what you were telling them. If you trust her to keep this secret, then I have no reason to be worried. This may give me a better chance, should she ever visit here again!” he then said hopefully.

“Ah, that's the other thing!” I commented. “She wants to help with my party – you know, decorations, dress, and music and so on – so she is coming over on Saturday to help me, and she is going to sleep here Saturday night. I hope that is alright with you?” I asked gingerly.

“Fine with me, the more the merrier!” George chirped quite happily. “It will be lovely to have people in the house enjoying themselves.”

“I do not mind. It will be an interesting exercise to see if her knowing makes a difference!” James then stated.

“Well, even if she does see you, am I correct in thinking that you thought Claire was easily enthused into the likes of a giggling schoolgirl?” George laughed.

“Hey, this is my friend we are talking about!” I protested. James laughed.

“Yes, I do think it was something along those lines! I am sorry for the comment, Katharina; it seemed quite appropriate at the time,” he replied.

“Well, it could be amusing, particularly if she ends up seeing you! The doe-eyed schoolgirl may be ever apparent, if she thinks you are ‘the hottie in the portrait'.” I laughed.

“What, pray tell, do you mean by that?” James quizzed me.

“Really?” I enquired. “Well, look at you, she is right; you are very handsome, and I know that you are a very polite, caring and considerate man who is extremely easy to converse with. What's not to like?” I asked, and then realised that I had just given my honest opinion of him! I blushed, turned from the mirror and then took a sip of wine, quickly thinking what I could say to change the subject: “Right, tidy up time!” I quickly stated and stood up. Neither of them replied. I took it upon myself not to look at either of them, and made my way to the sink.

“Here, let me do that; after all, you cooked. We can leave them to drain until tomorrow,” George suddenly said as he appeared at the side of me. “Surely you have something that you need to be getting on with?”

“Actually, I need to put my invitations into envelopes and send out a few texts as I don't have some addresses,” I replied, feeling glad that the subject had changed entirely. I retrieved them from my bag with my address book and then glanced quickly at James. He was silently watching me, and I suddenly felt very aware that I had revealed my feelings toward him without thinking. Now I was worried that I had jeopardised our friendship, but more importantly I realised that there
was
some spark there, and a connection that I had not wanted to admit to myself. I turned away and started to write the envelopes, but the room had become somewhat quieter.

As I sat quietly folding invitations and writing envelopes, James and George chatted about decorations they had stored from years past. George felt that they would be appropriate for my party and suggested us going to the attic to find them after I had finished my task. I could not imagine what type of decorations they would be, but I did know that they would be amazing and of the highest quality. After sealing the last envelope and sending a text invite to the remaining acquaintances that I had no addresses for, I found that my glass had been refilled and George was sat opposite me.

“Finished?” he asked hopefully.

“Yes, I have. It is quite exciting – but I thought we were not going to talk about my party today, as it is James' birthday!” I replied.

“Enough of that!” James suddenly said. “Your birthday is far more interesting to talk about, and I have had the best birthday in many a year so I cannot complain.” I smiled at his comment.

“Shall we go to the attic and see what we can find?” George asked.

“Yes please, that would be lovely!” I replied as we walked out of the kitchen. George carefully placed his hand on my back to guide me through the door.

The attic door was at the end of the same corridor as my bedroom. We had not been up there before, so it was a chance to explore another part of Northfield. We climbed the creaky stairs and George turned the light on using the chain that hung from the top of the ceiling. As the dark space filled with dim light, my mouth fell open. It was filled with many boxes, and things from years past; an old rocking horse, a fort – all James' toys, I presumed. Paintings, mirrors, old travel chests, swords, a box with pistols that looked like something from a Musketeer movie, small pieces of furniture, and boxes of clothing all jostled for space. I looked at George and smiled.

“Wow – it looks like there are many memories in here?” I asked him.

“Yes, many; some good, some not. These are the things we felt we just could not part with,” he replied as James appeared in one of the propped-up mirrors whilst I touched the rocking horse's mane.

“You like that?” he asked.

“I have always loved rocking horses. I never had one as a child, but horses were always present in the stories my mother told me, and like any little girl I wanted the real thing. This would have sufficed, though!” I smiled as I ran my hand along its back.

“I certainly never wanted for anything. My parents – in particular my father – used to spoil me rotten!” James remarked, looking deep in thought.

“You were very lucky that you had a father who loved you so much and would do anything for you!” I replied, wishing that my relationship with my father would have been more like that.

“I was very lucky, and I miss him more than I care to mention, but I am sorry that you never had the chance to experience the same!” James then said. I shot a look at him, wondering how he knew. Then I realised that all that time ago, when I could not see James, he had heard everything that I had said to George. I gave him a half smile.

“You have experienced more love in that one relationship than most people do in a lifetime!” I remarked. He looked solemnly at me.

“As have you, it would seem, with your mother?” he replied, and then he gave me the warmest smile.

“Yes, you are right. Maybe that's enough for one lifetime,” I stated with regret. I wanted more and I wanted to give more, but I knew in my heart that was never going to be with John!

“Here we are!” George suddenly said rather loudly. It made me jump and snapped me back to reality.

I walked over to the large box that he had opened. Inside were the most amazing decorations, made from feathers and wooden beads and painted in gold and white. There were fabric bows in luxurious velvet; as I inspected them, I was amazed.

“These are beautiful, George!” I told him.

“Yes, they are. They have not been used for a couple of hundred years – actually, probably not since James' thirtieth. This is not the only box; I believe there are another two or three others with Christmas decorations,” he stated as he stood to look in the box that was underneath.

“Will they do, Katharina?” James asked.

“Are you kidding? If you are happy for me to use them, I cannot think of anything I would rather have. They are truly beautiful!” I remarked, looking at a long garland of white feathers.

“Excellent!” he replied, looking happy.

“Well, tomorrow whilst you are at work I will get them all out and then we can see what we have!” George then said. I placed my hand on his shoulder.

“Thank you very much, George. I am starting to visualise my party even more now!”

We played cards and snakes and ladders and then at 10.30pm George stood and apologised for yawning so much, but said that he needed to sleep. We bid him goodnight and then I suggested it was probably a good idea that I do the same, but James asked me if I would have one last drink with him before I retired.

“Well it is your birthday, so yes that would be lovely!” I replied as I poured myself a glass of brandy from the decanter and one for James.

“Thank you!” he replied as I placed it on the table in front of the mirror. Then I realised that I need not have done; he had a reflected copy of the decanter on his side and could have quite easily poured his own.

I sat back into the very comfortable armchair and sighed. I was so content here and loved the opportunity to just relax and be myself. I took a sip from the glass and then realised that James was very quiet.

“So James, have you had a nice day?” He quickly looked up at me from his glass.

“Yes, indeed it has been most enjoyable; mainly because I had the opportunity to spend it with you as well as George,” he sincerely replied.

“Oh, you are too kind!” I joked as I took another sip, but something in the way he looked at me made me realise that he was being very serious. “I too enjoy your company more than I can say. I am very happy here!” I told him. He smiled.

“I am glad to hear that. I have not been so happy in a very long time, and I know that it is because of you, Katharina!” he smiled. I felt my face flush and my stomach danced and tied itself in knots. This was crazy; I had just ended one relationship, so how could I find myself attracted to someone else so quickly?

“I am happy to know that my company pleases you. It would be slightly inconvenient if it did not!” I remarked sarcastically. He laughed and took a sip from his glass.

“I had simply forgotten how it makes one feel to be in the company of someone other than George – the company of someone you regard so highly!” he then said. I stared into his eyes and lost myself for a moment.

“That was a very lovely thing to say!” I said quietly after a few moments. “Do you believe in fate?” I then asked him.

“Yes and no. I believe fate was not a consideration when I was left like this, but I do believe there was an amount of fate that brought you here to me – to us!” James was being very open today.

“My mother always told me that fate was something that was predetermined for all of us. I never really thought about it that much until recently, but I agree – I have a strong feeling that something guided me to you. Perhaps I am like the fairy godmother in the fairy tales? You know, the one who helps to solve everything?” I joked.

“Nothing would please me more than that being the truth, Katharina. It would be nice to be free from this hell. I watch you every time that you are here, and I realise that I am missing living more than I have thought about in recent years,” he concluded.

“I would like to be able to shake your hand, James, so let us hope that fate did bring me here, and that soon you will be living on this side of the mirror with us!” I replied truthfully. Nothing would please me more at this moment than being able to hold him and inhale the scent of his skin! He was definitely doing something to me, and I had a sudden shot of nerves; right there and then, I realised that I definitely had feelings for him, and I wanted to be with him more than I can tell you. But I couldn't tell him that, could I? John was not even remotely on my radar at the moment either, which confirmed almost one hundred percent that he was not the man for me. Fate, I concluded, had brought me to James and stopped me from making a huge mistake with John. As I looked fondly at James I felt sincerely grateful for that!