To begin with?
"There is no doubt whatever about that."
There was a massive cheer and a round of applause. Kieran leant over to his left and whispered in Ian's ear, "I always hate these Christmas party speeches from the MD." Ian nodded in agreement but maintained his smile, clapping loudly with his eyes focused on his ultimate boss.
"Marley is as dead as a doornail!" climaxed the speech to whoops and howls that deafened the ears. "Now you all go and have a great Christmas. And well done everyone."
Kieran had worked for Ebenz Floor Tiles for fifteen of its twenty years. He had seen the company grow from a two man outfit to the largest supplier of floor coverings in the UK and many parts of Europe. They were now outselling Marley tiles at a ratio of 5 to 1.
Turning to make his way to the free bar Kieran bumped into Christine from Accounts. Hers was a job of reckoning.
"Hi Kieran, Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas Christine."
There was an unfilled pause.
"I always think that these must be very strange events for you," she said slightly awkwardly, "I mean, you and he started the company all those years ago. You must look back and wonder what happened."
"Not really," said Kieran, "I try not to spend too long looking back, it's not very healthy being haunted by your past."
Christine moved away and Kieran shuddered involuntarily as memories caught up with him. Why had he gone to Graves Floors? Why hadn't he stayed with the company he co-founded? He knew the answer. He didn't feel he was getting the respect he deserved. He had developed a long lasting high gloss finish for tiles that meant you could see your face in it. It was unique and Marley's reflected face was ghostly by comparison.
He listened to all the conversations around him. It was the time when people could speak of little else other than what they were doing for Christmas and of course the choice of Christmas presents. Kieran snapped his way back from his floating ear and turned back to the drinks table.
He lifted a glass of champagne to his mouth and was about to drink when he was slapped firmly on the top of his shoulder.
"It's great to have you back," said the voice from the stage, "You should have never left us."
"Thank you," muttered Kieran.
"I hope you've got some great ideas up there," it said and Kieran found his temple being tapped by a stubby ringed finger."
Before he could reply his former partner had drifted on, smiling and 'pressing the flesh'.
Inside he felt his stomach turn. Unless he could get rid of the repressed anger then this Christmas would be same as the others. A life filled with anger and hate is no life at all.
He swallowed the glass in one long draught and immediately reached for another without looking. He felt his hand brush against someone else's and turned. Standing next to him was the most beautiful person he had ever seen. He felt his face redden and when he said 'sorry' he hardly recognised his own voice. The way her eyes stared at him made him feel that all his life had been stripped away and that his soul had been found wanting. If ever he wanted to run away it was now but he also felt the need to stay, to understand more about this person and why their presence had such a strange impact on him. He turned and picked up two glasses. When he turned back they had gone.
"Is that for me,?" said Ian.
"What?" Said Kieran his eyes rapidly scanning the room, "No, it's for...." But they were nowhere to be seen. He gave the glass to Ian.
"What's wrong with you Kieran. You look like you've seen a ghost."
"It's just that...... It's like ....... I, ........., I just can't explain it. Maybe that first glass just went to my head." But he knew it wasn't that. Something in those eyes had shown him that he had to let go of his anger, let go of his pain because if he didn't - well he had seen his future.
Christmas Day morning Kieran opened his eyes and felt different. The anger was gone, the hatred that had driven him had left. All the reasons he had created as to how it was others had let him down, ripped him off, shafted him had disappeared. He was left with the truth. It was he who had made the mistakes, he who had wanted, no needed, praise. He who had walked out and not just from the business but from relationships and friends too. Well it was going to change. He reached for his mobile and looked out a number he had not called for a very long time. The ringing tone started and he was about to hang up when a voice he long remembered and loved answered.
"Hello, who is it? Is someone there?"
His voice stumbled but spoke, "Carol, it's Kieran. Merry Christmas."
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