A boy or man whose birthday is being marked.It was in the school hall and the birthday boy was sitting up on stage....
And I'm not sure the fact that you popped out to buy an emergency (and somewhat clichéd) gift will stand you in any stead with the birthday boy.
In the smaller house next door, all of three feet away from the farmhouse, the birthday boy's mother and father are staying, along with the birthday boy's niece.