"What to wear, what to wear?"
I'd bought two outfits while I was out shopping this afternoon. Already, I was in two minds about what I should wear.
"The Black or the Purple? Well the Purple does go with those shoes I bought at Selfridges. But the Black does go well with the shoes I bought a month ago. Oh, forget it. I'm not going."
I said to myself, while throwing both dresses on the bed. I know I was being childish, but it's my duty to look my best.
So after I tried on half my wardrobe, I opted for the purple, after all it did suit me better, and it did look good with my shoes.
After I changed I sat in my armchair in the sitting room, and waited for Helen. It was only five minutes later when the doorbell rang.
It was Helen, we exchanged a few words and descended the stairs to the car.
As always Helen talked endlessly, not being horrid or anything, but I just wasn't in the mood for a long conversation.
Back on track, I was only going to this party to make her happy, even if it may not be the best time for me to be out at the moment.
Knight's Industries was being bought by this American Company lock stock and barrel, they had made a handsome offer, and although I did not want to sell but my board of directors, "more like busybodies", and shareholders of the company, had other ideas.
An hour and fifteen minutes later, we had awful traffic problems on the motorway, and my ears were certainly awfully done-in by Helen's constant dribble. We finally pulled up to this Grand Country Mansion. I didn't catch the name of it, as Terry had joined the conversation by then, so I missed the name-plate at the entrance.
So it was 7:20pm, as we pulled up to the doorway. And what a doorway! What a house!
Beautiful, I could see stables to the side of the house, and we had already had the safari tour of the grounds just by entering the estate along the driveway. Gardens; shrubbery; it was magnificent. Who ever owned this estate certainly was high up in the Ministry!
We exited the car and crunched over the gravel of the driveway, as we were escorted to the doorway.
Once we entered the house, the party was already in full swing, so I could only assume we had a few hours late, nothing like a good party. I certainly knew a few members of the ministry who liked to start by mid-afternoon.
I managed to grab a glass of Champagne from a passing waitress.
"Mmmm, '71 I think, nice but not a good year. " I thought.
Helen and I casually strolled over to the French Windows, leading to, from what I saw, to be the gardens, through the conservatory filled with tables of Champagne, and food.
We stood there chatting, while sipping champagne. While I was doing so, I began to scan the room, seeing young and old men, talking to young and old women, laughing obviously enjoying themselves. I began to feel somewhat uneasy, they were all couples in the room.
Terry, who had gone off previously to talk to his colleagues from the Ministry, joined Helen and myself, saying.
"Would any of you ladies like another drink?"
Nodding we confirmed a replying, "Yes please!".
Continuing our shallow conversation, Helen and I were rejoined by Terry a few moments later, with two beautiful glass flutes of champagne.
Thanking him, I took one, and placed the empty glass on a tray of the passing blonde waitress.
Just as Helen turned to speak to Terry, I noticed a figure from the other end of the room.
He was tall, dark hair, broad shoulders. The waitress blocked my view, she was tall also, blonde, thin, long legged, a little like a dancer.
Just as she stepped aside my heart leapt, at the revealing face it was Steed!!
"Buudummph, buuudummp, buudummph", that was all I could hear, all I could feel was the palpitations of my heart beating.
He was casually talking to the blonde young woman. I could see myself tracing his every movement in my mind.
The way his head tilted in his usual manner, the way his eyes seemed to absorb even the shallowest of conversations. He began to smirk, the twist of his lips, as he spoke.
As he began to chuckle, his eyes shone. Every nerve in my body was on edge.
He turned and all at once his eyes were upon me. It hit him.
His smirk faded, as at once his eyes became soft and welcoming.
Without even a by-your-leave. Steed began to walk in my direction.
It was like I was watching from a distance, in slow motion. My whole body was at a nerve's edge.
He weaved his way through the small gathering of his colleagues, as if by performance, and stopped dead an arms length away from me.
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