The first meeting with him was scheduled at the Highgate house. All of us from the office were there, scrubbed and punctual, wondering who and what to expect from the new arrival. Alec was already there, sitting back in a chair, arms above his head, as if he was some superior being, watching us all settle as he chatted to Andrew. He had a slim build, silky dark hair brushed back from a high forehead; he was tanned, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. When everyone was seated, he stretched lazily and leant forward. Arrogant prick, I thought as I took an instant dislike to him.
‘Alec Curtis. English. Went to public school. Lived in the States the last ten years. Been sent over to shake things up a bit. I’m going to be taking over from Adam.’
I exchanged a look with Rosie. Oh God, what are we in for this time, I wondered. As he spoke, I took in the fit-looking body, broad shoulders, long legs, noting nice hands, good shoes. He saw me watching him and he tilted his head back and considered me in much the same way. I felt he was laughing at me, blushed and cursed myself for doing so. He turned his attention away as swiftly as he’d turned it on and asked everyone to say a little about themselves. He didn’t ask me.
After the meeting, we trooped out for coffee in the kitchen and he came straight over.
‘So you were a public schoolboy, huh?’ I asked. For some reason, I doubted it.
He raised an eyebrow in surprise then his features relaxed into a look of pure devilry as he turned me away from the others, leaning in so they wouldn’t hear. I caught the clean scent of soap, lime and sandalwood. ‘I did go to public school, honest … at least it was open to the public.’
I laughed. Maybe it would be refreshing to have someone with a sense of humour around. ‘So, in this shaking up of things, what role would you like me to play?’
Again, the raised eyebrow, the look of amusement. ‘You?’ He looked at me hard and long. I met his gaze and, in doing so, felt a tug inside at the frisson of electricity. He felt it too, his eyes narrowed, crinkled a little and he looked away. ‘What role would I like you to play? Hmm … How about Hamlet?’
I rolled my eyes. ‘Alas poor kciroy, I knew him backwards.’
Alec cracked up. ‘Yorick. Backwards. Funny.’
‘I did Hamlet for A-level. My school friends and I used to say that line.’
Alec’s expression became serious. ‘So Mitch. Why are you here?’ I knew he meant what was my position at the office, but chose to ignore that. He wasn’t the only one who could be elusive. ‘Why am I here? That’s the big question,’ I replied.
‘I mean where are you from?’ he asked.
‘Ah. Another big question. Isn’t everyone trying to find the answer to that too? Why am I here? Where have I come from?’
He laughed. ‘I meant where in the country, not in the cosmos.’
‘I know what you meant.’ Hark at me, I thought. Flirting. And there was I thinking I’d got rusty. Then I remembered what I was wearing. A shapeless old top and cheap jeans, no make-up. I hadn’t had a decent haircut in weeks, despite Adam’s advice that we should be more presentable. ‘I’m originally from up north but haven’t been back there since I left school.’
‘And what do you think needs to change around here?’
I thought for a moment. ‘People need some personal space. I know I do. I’m done with sharing a room and sleeping on a lumpy mattress for a start.’
He laughed again. ‘Well Michelle Blake, I look forward to working with you,’ he said, then turned and went back into the meeting room.
*
‘So what do you think of the new wonderboy?’ Rosie asked later that night, as we undressed ready for bed.
‘Arrogant. I don’t like him at all.’
‘Really?’ Rosie looked surprised.
‘Why? Do you fancy him?’
Rosie shook her head. ‘Not my type, but I think you should give him a chance. He looks like fun to me. Just what we need.’
I wasn’t so sure. Fun? To me, he looked like trouble.
*
As the weeks went on, Alec began to make his mark. He was worldlier than any of the other people who had been sent over and he wasn’t an indigo as Adam had been. Whereas they had advised more meditation, more discipline, Alec encouraged loosening up on all levels.
He liked going to the movies, he liked late-night pizza, he read all the daily papers and told us to do the same in order to keep abreast of the times.
When he spoke at meetings, people lapped up his humour, charisma and charm. ‘Who said we have to live like hermits?’ he’d ask. ‘Come on people, get real. We’ve grown stuffy and, if I’m honest, a tad worthy here and there.’
He brought with him a normality that had been missing. He had no time for anyone who was holier than thou – and there were many of those. I was still wary, though, and felt suspicious of him – there was something about him I didn’t trust. Having cleverly won over Gina in accounts in the first week, he had the old office banger replaced with a sleek black Saab. ‘If we’re to make an impression, we can’t look like a throwback to the Woodstock days,’ he said. I noted that he was looking at me when he said that. ‘The right image is everything. If we’re to attract people with half a brain, we have to look as if we’re living in this century.’
Alec rented a house to serve as his base and handpicked his fellow housemates, Rosie amongst them, soon followed by po-faced Gail, who I’d lived with in the first commune. Gail was to be his personal assistant. Lastly, I was invited to join the household, where Alec made sure I had my
