And the party begins...

The hall was enormous, and by comparison the gathering of people was actually fairly small. Maybe thirty people were took up the tables closest to the host's seat, leaving much of the massive room unoccupied. Looking around, Vicky saw several faces that she vaguely recognised but didn't know very well. Most of the people present seemed to be uncles and aunts she had met during her childhood, including one aunt who took the time to offer condolences over her parents' deaths. That had been well over three years ago, but it was nice of her to say so regardless.

Off to one side was a cousin that she vaguely remembered being kinda cool. He sat separate to the other guests, staring at a blank sheet of paper with a pen in one hand and a depressed expression. Thomas. Thomas Watson. He'd given her his handheld gaming thing back when she was eight with a bunch of games that she'd especially liked. She probably still had them at home in a box somewhere. She vaguely remembered hearing that he had graduated with a degree in finance and had signed up with some big banking firm but he didn't seem like it gave him much joy.

Vicky heard someone complaining loudly and turned ready to tell Liz to shut up, only to realise it was a girl at another table that the other family members seemed to be avoiding. The girl's parents were pleading in whispers for her to stop fussing, but she was making it clear in no uncertain terms that she didn't want to be there. Vicky did remember Garnet Johns: Less than two months older than her, but used it as an excuse to boss her around at every opportunity. Vicky and Liz had made a point of not playing with her again after she tried to steal a porcelain doll Liz had received for her birthday, claiming Liz had given it to her as a present and then throwing a tantrum when no-one believed her. Wealthy parents and a pretty face meant she hadn't matured at all since then, and Vicky remembered hearing a rumour that her last boyfriend had committed suicide. Not from heartbreak, but because despite giving her everything he had, she was blackmailing him for more.

Vicky was about to nudge Liz and point her out when the ringing of silver on crystal drew her attention to the head table, at which Leon was now seated with Helena besides him. With her assistance, he stood, straightening himself up in front of the gathered family members.

"I want to start by saying thank you to each and every one of you that took the time to come here this week. It's a long way from anywhere, and I know you've all got lives to lead. Nevertheless, it's important, and I'm glad you took my invitation to visit me during my final days seriously."

Leon seemed to sway slightly, but raised his hand to brush Helena away as she moved to support him.

"As you all know, I was something of a magician in my day. Well, I've prepared for you one last disappearing act. I've resolved to die with dignity, ending my own life with the help of my lovely assistant here, who in seven days time will help me along on that final step of my journey. Until then, I would like every one of you to enjoy the hospitality my wealth has afforded me, ending with my **** and the reading of my will. Don't trouble yourselves too much about earning your share: I can promise that the effort you have made to come here will not go unrewarded, though I can't say there aren't a few faces I'm especially happy to see."

While speaking, Vicky saw Leon's smiling gaze settle on her for just a fraction of a second before moving on.

"In any case, dinner has been prepared, so if one or two of you could give Helena a hand serving it up, we can all go to bed with full stomachs."

Towards the end of his speech, Leon had begun to visibly shake and he all but collapsed into his chair with Helena there to catch him. The response from the family members was immediate, with more than half leaving with Helena to help carry the food in.

"I'll get food for the three of us," Brandon said as he stood from the table.

After he left, Liz turned and whispered to Vicky. "Is he fucking serious?"

"I... I don't know," Vicky stammered. Already she could see a couple of uncles and aunts clustered around Leon, possibly asking the same thing.

Looking around, she saw Thomas whose expression was locked in one of concern, his eyes not leaving their grandfather. She also saw Garnet, whose complaints had been replaced by a silent, predatory stare.