Catering With Benefits (3) - An Appetite for More - 33. A Public Statement of a Private Act

p style="text-align:center;">  

On Saturday morning, Edward had a call from SBS TV.

“Damien Underwood here from SBS. Sorry to be so late getting around to this, but I only just read your press release about the wedding expo. I wonder if it would be ok to drop in today with a camera crew and have a chat about this enterprise.”

“Yes that would be fine as long as you don’t disrupt the clients’ enjoyment of the event.”

“No, we would not do that, and when I say crew, it’s only three of us.”

“That’s good, when should I expect you?”

“Early afternoon, at this stage.”

“Do you know where we are?”

“Yes, I was there at the Price political function. Also, can you tell me if a...Craig Simpson will be there, I have to follow up on a story we planned for this catering business?”

“Yes, he has a stall at the expo also.”

***

When the SBS team arrived, Damien chatted with Edward while the camera crew got some general shots of the exhibitions.

“When the camera crew come back Edward, is it ok if I do a short interview with you for the evening news?”

“Sure thing, but that will be a change for me, I’m usually the interviewer.”

“How is that?”

“I have a program on 2GAYfm radio.”

“I’ll take a note of that for future reference.”

While waiting for the camera crew, Damien took notes about the expo and then asked Edward about Catering With Benefits.

“They have a stall down that aisle next to their restaurant stall, Poppy’s. You should find Craig and Justin at one of those stalls. Your camera crew should get some good shots from the CWB stand.”

“Oh, why is that?”

“Some of their waiters they are famous for, are on exhibition today.”

“Really, show me where.”

Damien found the camera crew and said “Follow me.”

When they arrived he said to the camera operator “Get some good shots of these guys, and I can also use them for the small business program.”

When Justin saw the camera crew he went over, introduced himself and asked Damien what they were doing.

“We’re doing a news item for tonight and also getting some footage for the program about your business. Do you think we could get your guys walking around a bit?”

“I can do better than that.” he said as he saw Charlie bringing out a couple of plates of canapés.

“Snowy and Adam, can you please take these platters and walk around the venue serving them to the guests as you would at a party.”

“Thanks Justin.” then addressing the waiters “Don’t look at the camera guys, just go about your serving in the normal way. The camera will follow you and I may give you some direction as you go along.”

As Snowy walked away, Damien said to the camera operator “Are you getting all this?”

Over the course of the afternoon Damien got his on-camera interview with Edward, and some of the exhibitors as well as enough footage for both the evening news and the business program.

While the crew were packing up, he talked to Craig and Justin “Now all we need for the business program is to set up your interview with Ricardo. I’ll have one of our bookers call you about that.”

“I’m looking forward to that.” replied Justin.

“He’s a great fan of Ricardo’s.” added Craig.

“Good, he’ll be pleased to hear that.”

“Sorry I wasn’t in waiter’s dress today; do you want me to dress like the boys were today?” asked Justin.

“Interesting thought, leave it with me and I’ll ask Ricardo.”

***

As they drove to the expo on Sunday, Raj’s words, and her mother’s, were circling around Rani’s head. She thought maybe Raj was right and this could be an excellent opportunity to drop a few hints to Daniel.

One Eata, greeted them but did not recognise Rani, having only seen her once, at the opening of Dare to Bare. Daniel’s face was familiar, but she could not remember why. As she handed Rani a Divas bag, she asked and would you like one also Sir?

“No thanks I think Rani will collect more than enough for both of us.”

“Ah, so you are Rani and....Daniel. Raj told me to expect you. Welcome to Divas wedding expo.”

“Look Daniel, he’s Juanito?”

The queen of the day, leaned over and whispered “One Eata, my sweet and the correct pronoun is she.”

“Yes Rani, get with the spirit of the day. Nothing here is what you think it is. This whole marriage thing is like a magician’s act of deception.”

“Oh, a bit cynical good man, don’t you believe in love?”

“Of course I do, but I don’t need to make an expensive public spectacle of myself to prove it. You know what marriage is?” asked Daniel

“I have a feeling you’re about to tell me.” answered One Eata.

“It’s nothing more than a public statement of a private act.”

“I like the way you think, and that is true, but isn’t it something worth celebrating with family and friends?”

“See Daniel, that’s what a wedding should be, a celebration.” said Rani.

“Are you saying you want to get married Rani?”

“I’m not proposing, I still believe that’s a man’s privilege, but.....”

“Ok guys, nice to see you again, go and enjoy yourself. If you can’t find Raj, ask at the Poppy’s stall, he might be helping in their kitchen.” said One Eata by way of moving them on so she could welcome the next arrivals.

“Good morning, welcome to Divas wedding expo.....”

<>

The couple wandered around, Rani collecting brochures from all the stalls. When they arrived at Sybil’s tent, which was open, she waved them in, but Daniel pretended not to notice.

“I think that lady is trying to get our attention Dan.”

“I know, I’m trying to ignore her.”

“But don’t you want to know if we are compatible?”

“Rani, if you need some fortune teller to confirm that for you, then perhaps we’re not.”

“Oh, don’t be like that, it’s just a bit of fun, come on let’s do it.”

“And if she says we are not, what then.”

“I guess that’s the end of our relationship, there’s no use continuing if it’s not going to last.”

“What!” exclaimed Daniel.

“Just kidding you, it doesn’t matter what she says, I love you Dan and that’s what’s important.”

“As long as you mean that, it might be ten dollars worth of fun to see what she has to say.”

As they entered the tent, Sybil said “Welcome to your future, please take a seat, while I prepare your coffee.”

“Oh, we’re ok thanks.” replied Rani.

“You must have coffee, otherwise I cannot foresee your future which is revealed in the coffee remains.”

The couple shared the small cup of coffee, Sybil continued with her ritual and looked into the coffee grains on the paper towel.

“There are good vibrations between you two, that is what Sybil like’s to see. But I also see some reluctance by one to make a permanent bond.”

“Oh that’s Dan, madam Sybil. He’s reluctant to propose to me.”

“As may be, but I also see a flower and a cage in your past. It is not clear why, has one of you been in prison?”

“No, definitely not.” Replied Daniel

“Never mind it’s the future that is of more interest to you, is it not?”

“Yes, please tell us.” asked Rani.

“Ah, now I see it. Your love will continue to bloom and you will continue to be as close as two people locked together.”

As they left the tent, Rani said “Well that’s good news isn’t it?”

“Yes, I suppose, but it’ strange how our past suddenly became our future.”

“I don’t think it’s an exact science, it requires interpretation.”

***

On Sunday night Jonathan had dinner with his wife and they discussed what to do about Thomas and Jared.

“I suppose now you have no need of Thomas’ services, you’ll give him back to me will you?” suggested Virginia.

“It seems the most obvious choice. I assume you still have a need for him.”

“I’m not sure, but keep him on the payroll, I’ll find something for him to do. What about Jared, I don’t want him back.”

“He can stay on as my driver for now.”

“Don’t you have any other use for him? You know what I mean?”

“Yes, I know exactly what you mean and the answer is no. When he first came over to work for me I made a decision to keep it professional and kept to that arrangement.”

“Well, I am surprised. Are you sure there hasn’t been some occasions, after all he used to run your gym sessions wearing only the bare essentials.”

“No, and yes he did dress like that at my request, but it was strictly look but don’t touch.”

“That being the case, who have you been touching lately?”

“While the campaign was on I was so busy I didn’t indulge very often, just an occasional evening with an old friend.”

“No, I don’t believe it. I heard Andy was in a relationship with a bar tender and even bought him a bar.”

“Not Andy!”

“Who then?”

“Do I ask you who you’re sleeping with?”

“You know whom I’m sleeping with.”

“Yes, how’s that going?”

“Fine, but the subject is who is your latest.”

“No one you know, just an old friend from the club.”

“How old, may I ask?”

“I meant old as in length of friendship.”

“So you still like, dare I say it, spring chicken? Hey if he’s such an old friend, was he of age when you started?”

“If you must know, he’s less than ten years my junior.”

“Well I never, who would have thought you had a contemporary in the closet all this time.”

“Yes Nia, you’re not the only one; though yours has hardly been in the closet, more like hanging out for all to see.”

“Now, play nice. So will I get to meet this mystery man, and what’s his name?”

“You may soon, and his name is Lachlan.”

“Nice name, what does he do?”

“He gives the best blo....oh you mean for work?”

“Of course, what did you think I meant?”

“Never mind, anyway he’s a waiter.”

“A waiter, for god’s sake what are playing at? When you said a friend from the club, I thought you meant he was a member.”

“No, he’s a waiter at the club.”

“Wait... on the rare occasion that you have taken me to the dining room of your club, I seem to remember we always had the same waiter, now what was his name?”

“Lachlan.”

“I always wondered what was on the upper floor of that club and why women guests were restricted to the dining room only. Maggie reckons there are bedrooms on the top floor, presumably for prostitutes.”

“Virginia, as a long term Platinum member, I am sworn to secrecy on that matter.”

“Jonathan, I will take that as a yes.”