We planned our arrival at the Xmas party; matching our outfits, and the topics we would be overheard discussing.
The point was to make everyone think we were a couple and leave us out of their ‘dating game’.
After our success at the Xmas Party we continued our mock dating.
We had pleasant enough interludes. We dressed well, displayed impeccable manners.
Whether we went with others to a movie, to dinner, or a show we kept in character. Our best ‘roles’ were appearing at someone’s celebration.
This was not an accident.
We virtually wrote scripts, set up our costumes, our entrance ‘on stage.’ We would appear somewhat late, do a circuit of the room, take a pastry or a drink, then leave quietly.
It was these ‘escort’ performances which were the spine of our relationship. There were so many of these functions, be they weddings, anniversary, retirement, promotion…..without the other, to attend alone would be torture.
To not attend would effect our jobs.