Black Tie

All through the morning, afternoon and early evening she had kept
her fingers tightly crossed, just in case. Just in case of what? Just
in case it helped. The fact was, once she'd crossed them, she daren't
uncross them just in case that put the mockers on everything.
Jim had gone straight from the office so she hadn't seen him since
eight in the morning. When seven o'clock came, she crossed all the
fingers possible and would have crossed her toes if she could.
Seven o'clock. They'd be meeting for drinks before dinner. She
wondered who he'd be sitting next to. It made such a difference to a
meal if you were sitting next to someone nice. Someone interesting who
had exciting things to say. She'd once sat next to an ambassador; he
was charming but he smelt of aniseed she remembered.
She hoped Jim wouldn't be sitting next to anyone too charming. How
would the conversation go? Would he talk about his lovely wife? Would
he tell his neighbour they'd only been married for three months? Would
he? Or might he pretend he was still a bachelor, foot-loose and fancy
free?
Dinner would be an ultra formal occasion. She knew that. Hadn't that
been the cause of the trouble? Black ties would be worn. They weren't a
problem to her; but Jim was all thumbs, he just couldn't tie them.
Heaven knows she'd done her best to teach him. Since she'd known him
she'd always been there to help.
Gracious, anyone would think they were always going out in evening
dress! They weren't of course, but when they did, he zipped her dress
and she tied his tie. She liked that.
Almost eight o'clock. He was expecting to speak from about eight forty
five to half past nine, so at a quarter to ten she'd be able to uncross
her fingers, but how would she know, if it had worked? Truth was she
wouldn't know a thing until he phoned. She felt totally so isolated not
being able to get in touch.
`Eleven,' he said; 'He should be able to phone by eleven.'
`She might be asleep if he rang after eleven,' he said. She wouldn't,
she knew that; not until they'd said good night. This was the first
time they'd been parted for more than an ordinary working day since
they were married, three months ago on Saturday. She was already
pregnant but she hadn't told a soul. It was after all perfectly decent,
which was more than could be said for most pregnancies these days. She
had conceived in wedlock - just. Mummy would be pleased about that.
She'd better keep her fingers crossed the baby didn't come early or
Mummy would be asking questions.
What would they eat at dinner? She hoped they wouldn't be starting
with melon; Jim couldn't eat melon, and melon boats were so popular
these days. It would look rather odd if the guest speaker declined to
eat his melon boat. They might think he was nervous, which he wouldn't
be. Well he shouldn't be, they rehearsed long and hard so he wouldn't
be, and if he
was a bit, he'd soon get over it. Jim was in command of his subject, he
always was. That was Jim.
Were other company wives with their husbands? Some may be,
but she had a sneaking feeling some men may have preferred to leave
the little ladies behind. She had decided, - no; they had decided
together that Jim would go alone this time. She was so emotionally
involved, she would be more nervous than he was, and with being
pregnant she might be sick and well you never know do you? The pity of
it was she wouldn't be there to tie his tie.
Her fingers were aching. How much longer must she keep them crossed?
If only he'd gone back into town on Saturday, instead of rushing home
to spend the afternoon in bed with her, he could have bought a new
clip-on black tie. It was such bliss not having to worry about getting
pregnant. Once you were pregnant, there wasn't a problem.
Had he taken clean white hankies she wondered. One for show, in his
top pocket and one to blow - in his trouser pocket. She had reminded
him about handkerchiefs and cuff links, (her wedding present to him,
coordinated with the ring).
They were already in the cuffs of his crisp white shirt. She'd ironed
it specially and considering she didn't get a lot of practice on
pin-tucks, she'd made a splendid job of it. Ironed with love, she told
him.
Would that dreadful, old clip-on tie hold? That was the question.
She'd done her best but it tended to spin round or list to the left
even though she'd glued it. Fancy Jim not getting one. Fancy being in
such a hurry to be with her he'd forgotten. To think of it gave her a
warm glow inside.
He was speaking now. Dear, Darling Jim. In a way she was glad she
wasn't there. She got so nervous when she was with him, she never heard
his speech. This time she was almost word perfect she'd listened to it
so many times. Though she couldn't claim to understand it all; she
wasn't technically minded.
Technical details were boring, and his talks were always full of facts
and figures, even when he was speaking after dinner. She was so proud
of him. She hoped Mummy was proud of him too. She jolly well should be
though she probably wouldn't admit it. Aunt Mary said Mummy had dined
out on Jim's qualifications and ability for all of a year but being the
way she was she never let on.
If only she'd gone with Jim. He always looked so smart, so superior,
so special in his D.J. and black tie. Fingers crossed it would go well.
They were a handsome couple. She'd heard people say, `They make a
lovely couple,' and they did, but they had decided this time it really
would be better if she stayed at home - but she should have gone to tie
his tie.
He'd be back early tomorrow, and she'd be waiting for him. He'd ring
tonight. When it was all over, he'd phone to let her know if his speech
was well received, and if the old clip-on bow tie had behaved itself.
She still had her fingers tightly crossed - both hands. It was twenty
five past nine now, he'd be nearly finished. Then there'd be applause
and the circulating and congratulations; there were always
congratulations after a good speech.
Someone might buy him a nightcap of course, before they went up to
their rooms. He'd be in a single room tonight. Would he be lonely?
Would he miss her terribly? She hoped he would. Of course he would. All
alone in his little single bed, while she was spread eagled over their
super new marital couch feeling very alone. Why did people never say
marital bed? Tradition she supposed.
A good thing she hadn't wanted to watch T.V. tonight. The programmes
were rubbish, she'd hardly watched it at all, although it had been on.
Oh, look two young people in a hotel lift. Going up! He was asking her
to go to his room for a nightcap. Jim wouldn't do that. How good it was
to be confident, sure of your husband's loyalty.
She was going; a pretty girl. Goodness, can't they wait until they're
in the room before they take their clothes off? It's odd how everything
you watch these days ends like this, in bed. Everyone's obsessed with
sex. The whole nation thinks of nothing else. Was Jim obsessed with
sex? She supposed he was. He seemed not to be able to get enough. Would
he be all
right tonight? He might be tempted, if he drank a little too much - but
he wouldn't.... would he? No. She knew he wouldn't. She must
trust.
What was that? A bell was ringing. A telephone bell. Jim! She leapt at
the phone fumbled and dropped it.
`Hello, Darling.' It wasn't a good line, she could scarcely hear what
he was saying.
`What's the time Jim?'
`Did you say? Ten to one! What have you been doing all this time? I
must have been asleep.'
`And so you should be sorry you woke me; but I'm glad you did.'
`I was dreaming about you.'
`You weren't tempted were you? Were you? No substitutes?'
`Love you too. Did it go well - your speech?'
`Did he? Well done.'
`Darling, dare I ask?'
`You know!'
`Yes you do. Did it behave itself?'
`The tie of course.'
`It did? Darling I'm so glad.'
`But what..? You didn't forget your cuff links, or your hankies... you
did what?'
`No! Oh no! I don't believe it? How could you? What did you do?'
`Jim Darling, Mummy may turn up her aristocratic nose, feel faint or
go into a swoon; if hard pressed it's just possible she'd throw a
wobbly but no matter how you let the side down, she would never do her
nut. Not ever.'
`I know, and you're very naughty. You know what she's like.'
`But Darling orange really doesn't go... well does it? Not
orange.'
`Couldn't you have bought some...?'
`Well borrowed some then? I don't believe it, I simply do not believe
it. How could you? I'm so glad I wasn't there. Honestly I'd have
died.'
`I do. I mean it like I never meant anything before. How could you
have spoken at an international banquet wearing - orange socks? Oh,
James! Mummy would be.... Oh James, and so am I.'
Finis
1,625 words.
6

1
BLACK TIE
Rosa Johnson

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