Lesser Virtues, Greater Goals | Tomarry

Chapter 23: New Year's Eve

It's 31st of December, 1995. Quarter to seven in the afternoon.

Tom is expecting Benjamin and Mary, exactly like he had promised to Sofia. She had floo-called him earlier to make sure he had kept his word.

His new house in Regent street near Leicester Square may be much smaller and its architecture far more modern than he would have liked - it is a flat amongst ten others, after all - but it is also comfortable enough both for him and Harry, who has settled in spectacularly since Tom firstly rented it in February 1994. He had paid off its price in four months time thanks to his satisfying salary.

He is midway of setting the Christmas table when he hears the doorbell ring.

He releases a breath and walks with quick steps towards the sole corridor of the flat that has three doors, one to the center, one to the left and one to the right side. He knocks the right one, the one that the boy's bedroom is placed in.
"Harry, where are you? Why aren't you ready yet?"

"I'm coming in a minute!" Cupboards opening and clothes being thrown on the bed can be heard from inside. "Go open the door. I heard the bell."

"Just..." He pauses and tries to ease out his irritation. "Be quick, will you? And don't pick everyday clothes. It's a formal dinner."

"Alright, alright, I won't." Comes the much quieter response from inside the light grey and blue room. "Now go."

Tom turns around and almost runs to the thick wooden door with the metal frame. That was the only thing that remained the same compared to their old home. He dusts off his grey blouse and black suit, takes a look at his woolen black pants and polished dark brown shoes before making the door open widely with a subtle movement of his index finger.

He is greeted by the grinning faces of Ben and Mary.

Mary wears a crimson short sleeved dress with a v neckline that ends on her knees, along with short black heels. Her hair are braided and pinned to the back of her head.

Ben wears a black cotton blouse with a grey suit and pants. His sport shoes are black and shiny, with multiple laces. His hair is gelled and parted to the left. His blonde bangs get into his line of vision, but he doesn't mind.

Tom feels the corners of his mouth tugging up upon witnessing the sight of his friends looking not exhausted, for once, much as he tries to hide it.
"Well... you two certainly look dashing."

The outcome is predictable.

Mary's cheeks turn a lovely shade of pink while Ben, who doesn't rise to the bait of the compliment, gives him an equally sinful grin. "Why, thank you. And you are as debonair as usual."

Tom's little smile widens as he steps back to allow them entrance to the parlor.

The pair steps inside.

The blond man raises a red bag with a black ribbon on it and offers it to him. "That's for you." He says. "I know you like Michelangelo, so I figured you would enjoy reading his biography."

"Thank you." Says Tom, who is impressed by the choice of the book, as he takes a peak at it from a small opening that he found on the otherwise sealed bag. "I'm sure I will."

"And this is for the kid." Continues Ben, handing over to him a blue plastic back. "It's a set. Shirt and pants. You said he's been growing out of lots of his clothes lately."

Tom remembers vaguely saying something of the sort the weeks before. Nevertheless, he's grateful for the gift. "Very thoughtful of you."

It's Mary's turn to speak. She gives him a brown paper bag. "This is from me."