Chapter 20

Prin had got up early and immediately thrown himself into giving his flat a deep clean. When he'd been growing up in his uncle's house, they'd had staff to do most things. Not that they were vastly wealthy or anything. His uncle had lived the life of a bachelor until the accident that claimed Prin's parents. So he'd found himself some decent staff to keep up the place.

To be fair, he hadn't changed much after Prin was forced upon him. He'd simply hired a nanny and given Prin one of the bedrooms in the family home, deep in the suburbs. Life, for Uncle Decha, had carried on pretty much as normal. He wasn't cruel. More distant.

That wasn't to say that Prin didn't have friends and parties and fun. It was more he always knew he was a guest in that house. When he'd lost his parents, he'd lost his home.

When Prin had moved to Leeds, he had discovered the therapeutic qualities of making a home of his own. He took great pleasure in making it as nice as possible with the possessions he'd brought from home. Even though he'd rented a soulless modern box in the city centre.

He shivered when he remembered the feeling that first night as he'd lain in bed surrounded by the things he'd bought to decorate. Finally the king of his own castle.

Sadly, he'd had to leave Bangkok so quickly when he returned to the UK he hadn't had a chance to bring as many things. He wished he could make his Brighton abode as personal. Scott must have thought he lived a basic life. When Prin had visited Scott's flat, it was bursting with character. Maybe he should go back and visit Nanny. He could try and get some of his possessions without seeing his uncle.

Nanny's words came back to him. What if Uncle Decha was sick? Part of Prin wanted to see him. Then he remembered that last conversation. Uncle Decha had accused him of bringing shame onto the family name. Prin screwed his eyes tightly shut. He had spent the last twelve months trying to forget that hideous argument. Yet, it still came back to haunt him on regular intervals.

His phone rang, shattering the daydream. As he went into the kitchen where he'd left it, he hoped it would be Scott.

His stomach lurched when he saw it was indeed Scott.

"Good morning," Prin said.

"You're still speaking to me then," Scott replied.

"Of course, I am. How is your mum?"

"Currently having breakfast served to her by Tyler and Danny. You would think we have royalty staying."

Prin chuckled. He might have only met her briefly but he had no doubt Scott took after her in many ways. The ability to command the attention of a room being one of them.

"I hope everything is okay."

"Believe me, you don't want to know," Scott replied. "I'll be on the phone to my dad after I've spoken to you. He'd better be planning a decent surprise trip."

Prin got the feeling this kind of thing had happened before. Debbie Fitzgerald seemed to be the kind of woman who got what she wanted.

"Is she staying the weekend then?"

Prin tried to keep the disappointment out of his voice. He was being ridiculous, but he found himself hopelessly addicted to Scott Fitzgerald all of a sudden.

"Depends how quickly my father acts," Scott said. "I'm gutted too. Last night was going really well. Everyone loves you, by the way."

Prin reddened in the empty kitchen. "I liked them too. Very much. What are you doing with your mum today?"

"That's the other thing I called for. Don't feel like you have to say yes. Mum wanted to meet you. Properly this time."

Prin frowned. "I'm surprised she even noticed me. I did run out of there a bit quickly."

"I may have told her about you."

Prin's stomach lurched. He would love to know what Scott had said. It must have been good if his mother wanted to meet him.

"I know it's super early," Scott babbled on. "And believe me I wouldn't have chosen it. But she's here now. Besides, it will give her more ammo over Dad. He's more nosey than she is."

"I would love to," Prin answered.

"You would?"

"Of course."

"Brill. I'll message you the details," Scott said. "If you change your mind, tell me. I won't judge you. It's a bit soon to be meeting the parents."

"You already said that."

"So I did. Fuck I'm losing my marbles. Anyway, don't feel you have to."

The commitment Scott showed him this soon was overwhelming to Prin. He had to meet him halfway.

"I'm honoured," Prin replied.

"Famous last words," Scott said with a laugh. "Now I'd better go and speak to my father. He's going to be spending a lot of money today. Oh, and Prin?"

"Yes?"

"I think you're amazing."

A few hours later and Prin was terrified. Meeting Mrs Fitzgerald had seemed a good idea in the morning. Maybe he had been high on cleaning fumes or something.

Now he found himself sitting outside The Grand Hotel, staring out to sea. He forced his leg to stop wobbling. It would look pathetic if Mrs Fitzgerald dismissed him as a quivering mess. Especially after he'd bolted out of the flat the night before.

It was seven o'clock. Plenty of people were taking a stroll along the promenade. Prin hadn't understood this British tradition at first. After living in Brighton for a few years now, he got it. The sense of space invigorated him.

As a child, his nanny had taken him to various destinations in Thailand during the school holidays. The heat there was humid and oppressive though. Prin would watch cartoons of characters in snow and ice. His first British winter in Leeds had been an experience. Yorkshire had it all. Snow, ice and a lot of rain. Three things the locals complained about endlessly but that Prin had been fascinated by.

Scott and his mother came bounding down the steps. Prin took a deep breath. They didn't look alike but their whole manner was identical.

Double trouble.

"Hello," Scott said, kissing him on the cheek.

"Hi," Prin said. "Hello, Mrs Fitzgerald."

"Bloody hell, people are so formal in Brighton. Not like Essex," she replied. "It's Debbie, my darling. Come here."

To his astonishment she threw her arms around him and gave him a surprisingly powerful hug.

When she released him, she patted him on the arm. "Now what shall we do? Perhaps a drink somewhere? Scott's father can pay."

Debbie Fitzgerald might be a force of nature yet Prin found himself instantly drawn to her. He supposed that was inevitable with the way he felt about her son.

"That would be nice," he replied. "There's a bar along here. It has wonderful views."

"Sounds good to me. I'm in the mood for champagne."

"Mum. Don't take the piss. You know he'll be glued to his credit card app."

Debbie cackled. "If I don't get a panicked phone call by midnight, I'm upping my game tomorrow."

Scott caught Prin's eye and mouthed "Help."

They walked. Debbie hooked her arm with Prin's. "Tell me all about yourself, Prin, my love. Who are you and where do you come from?"

"Mum," Scott said. "We're not having one of your inquisitions."

"Hush you. I'm allowed, aren't I, Prin? I bet your mother would."

Prin stiffened. "Unfortunately, I lost my parents many years ago."

"Oh, you poor thing," she replied. "Who raised you? If you don't mind my asking."

"Of course not. My uncle took me in. He was very kind."

"Family is so important. Despite the ups and downs, I wouldn't be without my lot."

Scott had taken Prin's other side. He reached for Prin's hand. Under normal circumstances, Prin would be suffocated by so much public physical contact. However, wedged in between mother and son, it felt right.

"How come you wanted to meet outside The Grand?" he asked.

"Mum is in residence there."

Debbie squeezed his arm. "The sting in the tail for my beloved when he finally sorts this out. In fact, dinner is on me tonight too."

"I couldn't…" Prin started.

"Nonsense. We have to teach him a lesson he won't forget. Dirty sod."

"Mum," Scott warned.

Poor Scott had explained the situation over text. Prin really hoped Debbie wouldn't bring it up. Things might be moving fast but he didn't not feel ready to discuss that particular incident yet.

"Oh calm down," she replied. "Since when did you shy away from spending your father's money? Hey, Prin, what have you done with the real Scott Fitzgerald?"

"Did you name him after the author?" Prin asked.

Scott groaned. "If I had a pound for every time I've been asked this. Does she look like she's a fan of The Great Gatsby?"

"Firstly, I do like The Great Gatsby, thank you very much," Debbie interjected.

"The film."

"Maybe. In answer to your question Prin, no I didn't. I named him after Scott Robinson on a soap opera called Neighbours."

Prin frowned. "I don't know who that is."

"I'll fill you in later," Scott said.

"Oh really…" Debbie replied. "No chat like that in front of your mother, please."

"Mum!"

Debbie shot Prin a mischievous glance. Scott was obviously no match for her. Prin was going to enjoy this.

Scott and Prin were sitting on a wall. The tide was in. Prin gazed down at the dirty brown water.

"The sea in Thailand is not like this," he said. "Have you ever been?"

"No," Scott replied. "I'm not very well travelled. Eddie is. My mother got her taste for travel later in life. We would be in Spain most summers when I was little or Disney in Florida."

They both glanced over at Debbie. She'd received a call and stomped off for some privacy. She was currently barking into her phone next to an ice-cream van.

"What is it like?" Scott asked. "Thailand, I mean."

"Hot," Prin replied. "Like you wouldn't believe. So beautiful too. The islands are exquisite. You should go."

Scott reached and took his hand. "Maybe I might find myself a local guide."

Prin beamed. "Maybe."

His conversation with Nanny flashed into his mind. He definitely needed to make a trip home. He'd give it a few more weeks. Then, if things were still good with Scott, he would suggest he joined him midway. Could he be that brave though?

"What are you smiling about?" Scott asked.

"It's a secret," Prin replied. "For now."

Scott kissed him. "Intriguing."

Yes, I can be that brave.

"Oi you two. Less of it."

Debbie sat down next to Scott. She was holding three ice-creams. She handed one to Prin, one to Scott and gave hers a lick.

"I have a question for you, Prin," Debbie said.

"Oh brilliant. Another one," Scott replied drily.

"What's your question, Debbie?"

"Would you choose the Caribbean or the Seychelles?"

She burst into laughter as did Scott.

"Dad's opening offer, I presume," Scott explained.

"Not a bad one either," she replied. "A bit of post-summer sun will make autumn so much more bearable. So come on. Caribbean or Seychelles?"

"I think the Caribbean," Prin said. "Cruise, of course."

Debbie looked at him. "I like this man," she said. "He's on my wavelength. Let's get moving then you can go to my Scotty's. I think I might have interrupted something last night. Unless you wear a jockstrap on a normal night too."

Prin cringed.

"What will you do?" Scott asked, going pink.

Scott Fitzgerald blushing? Wonders will never cease.

"I've got a lovely junior suite. A bath and Mamma Mia on the television sounds good to me."

"Are you sure?" Scott asked. "I feel bad."

Debbie made a face. "No you don't. Meet me in town tomorrow. That wardrobe of yours needs a revamp."

"On Dad?"

"Who else?"

Prin had a feeling he had a fun night ahead of him. For the first time in ages, he was ready to enjoy himself.