Chapter 25

Prin had almost forgotten how severe the heat in Bangkok was. The air was thick and the sun brutal. They'd been in town for two days and Scott was melting.

After a morning sightseeing, they lay side by side on their bed back at the hotel. Scott had the conditions almost glacial. Prin shivered.

"Can we turn the heat up just a tiny bit?" he asked, pulling his robe closer together.

"Yes, I think I've regulated now."

Prin got up and set the temperature at a more reasonable level. "Did you enjoy The Grand Palace though?" he asked.

He crawled back on the bed and cuddled into Scott for warmth.

"I loved it. I can see myself living in a place like that."

Prin laughed. "Maybe on a smaller scale."

"Oh yes. God forbid I'd be seen as showing off."

They lay in their usual companionable silence that Prin was becoming reliant on.

"We should get moving," Scott said. "We're meeting Nanny soon."

Prin tensed. Scott must have noticed as he pulled him closer. Of course, Prin was looking forward to seeing her. But she represented this old life of his.

"I must've been crazy to want to return here," Prin said. "I wouldn't have lasted a week."

"It was a strange move," Scott replied. "I'm glad I talked you out of it."

"Me too. Even if we find ourselves here anyway."

"Pah," Scott said. "On very different terms."

Prin leant up and kissed him. "True. Come on. Let's get dressed."

Scott groaned. "Out into the abyss. The heat that will kill me. Maybe I should stay here."

"Scott!"

"I know, I'm only joking. Kind of."

"How about I let you shower with me?" Prin said, getting off the bed.

"Now you're talking."

They met Nanny in one of his favourite restaurants overlooking the canal. He had been there many times with her over the years. Nanny had instilled a love of food in him early. She professed that the three things to give a child was appreciation of food, books and travel. She had succeeded.

"You look well, Nanny," Prin said.

And he meant it. She had recently celebrated her seventieth birthday. Yet she didn't look any different. Her eyes shone as she stared across the table at him.

"I am," she said, still clutching his hands. "And all the better for seeing you."

She turned to Scott.

"And who might you be?"

"Nanny. This is Scott."

She appraised Scott for longer than was entirely comfortable. Prin feared she would trigger another sweating episode. But Scott held her gaze valiantly. If there was one thing Scott Fitzgerald knew, it was how to find a way to get on with someone. Prin had no doubt that he would charm Nanny at the first opportunity.

"You must forgive me," she said. "This one's happiness means everything."

"I totally agree…"

Nanny glanced at Prin. "The perfect response. Tell me three things about yourself."

Prin shuddered. She used to play this game with friends of his from school that he would invite back.

"Oh, gosh," Scott said. "Right. Let me see. I look like my father but am more like my mother."

"That is true," Prin added.

Nanny nodded. "You've met the family?"

"Only my mother," Scott said. "But my father will love him. Okay, second fact—I can juggle."

"Can you?" Prin asked. "I didn't know that."

"You've a lot to discover yet, my friend."

They both chuckled.

"And third, I'm head over heels in love with this one. How's that, Mrs…?"

She reached across and squeezed Scott's hand. "You can call me Nanny. If you're to be part of the family."

Prin gasped.

"What?" she said, letting them go and sitting upright. "Isn't that what you wanted?"

"You're the only family I have, Nanny," Prin replied.

She pursed her lips. "That isn't true and you know it, young man."

Prin had figured that she would raise the subject of his uncle. He hadn't expected it before they'd even ordered a drink.

"Nanny…"

"He is only ten years behind me and look how old I am," she said. "The future isn't guaranteed, Prin. Honestly, when I saw him, I was shocked."

Prin had a pang of worry for his uncle. He had said some terrible things to Prin when he'd found out about the affair. However, the fact also remained that he kept Prin out of an orphanage when his parents died.

"Prin," Scott said, quietly. "I really think you should visit with him. Even if it's just for an hour. It's not like you pass through here very often, is it?"

He was being ganged up on. His initial reaction was to fight against it. But when he saw the concerned looks on both their faces, he knew he had to do the right thing.

"Fine," he said. "I'll go but on one condition."

"What's that?" Scott asked.

"You come with me."

Prin looked around the room. Had it really been a year since he and his uncle had parted so terribly?

As a child he had never been allowed in his uncle's private sitting room. They would always eat their evening meal together then go their separate ways. His uncle to continue working and Prin to the safety of Nanny and her seemingly endless supply of games.

Once he'd grown into adulthood, his uncle had received him here once a week to ask him about his work and his life. They were more like interviews than chats. Prin had concocted a whole life that would please his uncle. A life he'd never had any intention of making into a reality.

He glanced across at Scott. Never in his wildest dreams would Prin have predicted that he would be bringing a male partner inside the Lum family home. When he had contacted his uncle to tell him he would visit only if Scott accompanied him, Prin had been amazed that Uncle Decha had agreed.

Scott came over and squeezed his arm. "It'll be okay, you know. He's only a human, like the rest of us."

"That may be true but please don't go spreading that information around."

Prin and Scott spun around to see Uncle Decha in the doorway. He'd always moved silently through the apartments, often catching Prin up to no good.

Nanny had been correct. His uncle seemed tired and somehow smaller than he had since they'd been parted.

Prin and Scott bowed.

"Hello, Uncle," Prin said, his voice cracking.

"Please. Sit."

They obeyed. He might appear different but he still commanded the room. Uncle Decha chose to sit in his favourite chair opposite them. He rested his hands on his lap and stared at them.

"Aren't you going to introduce me?"

Prin swallowed hard. "Uncle Decha, this is Scott."

"Hello, Scott."

"Hello, sir."

Prin glanced at Scott. Once more his heart was full of love for him. He knew how much this mattered to Prin, even if Prin hadn't quite admitted that to himself.

Now they were here, he was at a loss on how to proceed. Was he supposed to forget the accusations of being unnatural and bringing shame upon the family?

"What brings you back here?" Decha asked. "When you left, you said you would never return."

"I think it was more an agreement between the two of us, don't you?"

Uncle Decha appraised him. Prin had never corrected him quite so forcefully.

"We don't need to discuss our private business in front of a guest, Prin."

"Would you like me to leave you to it?" Scott asked.

Prin took hold of Scott's hand. His uncle's beady eyes homed in on the action. Prin didn't care. He might not have taken Brighton by storm immediately but he had shown that he could live a life independently of judgement and expectation.

"No," Prin said. "Anything that is said, can be done so in front of you. Uncle, Scott is my partner. He isn't a guest, he is family."

Uncle Decha sat stiffly. There was no air in the room and it was stifling. Poor Scott was already perspiring.

"Very well," Uncle Decha said. "We parted badly. It is true. However, it is good to see you again."

That was as close as his uncle would ever get to saying he had missed Prin.

"How long are you visiting for?"

His uncle was the king of loaded questions.

"We're not quite sure yet," Prin replied.

"Have you been sacked?"

Prin sighed. It was like walking in a minefield. "No, Uncle. We have both left our jobs and decided to travel a little before finding something else."

Uncle Decha frowned at Scott. "And was this your idea?"

"Uncle…"

Scott wiped his brow with his free hand. He'd gone a peculiar shade of red.

"Actually, Mr Lum, it was Prin's honesty that made it difficult for him to stay," Scott said. "He found out the son of a senior manager was stealing from the company and came to me to report it."

Uncle Decha seemed surprised. He nodded to Scott to continue his story.

"The person in question was fired but I am ashamed to say that I let slip that it was Prin who had told me."

"And the father wanted revenge?"

"Something like that."

"He should be more concerned with having a thief for a son than attacking the man who uncovered it."

To Prin's surprise, Scott straightened up his back and stared Uncle Decha in the eye. "I agree but then sometimes we can all get caught up in how things look instead of focusing on the important things."

Uncle Decha looked as if he were about to fly off the handle. Prin readied himself for another argument. Then the trace of a smile passed over Decha's lips.

"That's a very wise statement for someone so young," he said.

The silence was awkward but Prin was determined not to be the one to break it. The intimidation that his uncle had always held over him was less than it had ever been. It was still there of course. Old habits die hard.

"Well, Prin, I am proud that you did the right thing."

A tear pricked at Prin's eye. "Thank you, Uncle. How is business?"

"We are doing very well," his uncle replied, visibly relaxing now they were on more solid ground. "Have you seen Nanny?"

Prin nodded.

"Did she persuade you to visit? I bumped into her a few weeks back."

"She said that she was worried for your health."

Again that flicker of amusement appeared on Decha's face for a second.

"She always was one for fretting," he replied. "There is nothing to concern yourself with. My doctor has finally persuaded me to live a little healthier. That is all."

"And how are you finding it?" Prin asked.

"It is terrible."

Both Prin and Scott laughed.

"Will you stay for dinner?" Uncle Decha asked.

"That would be lovely, Uncle."

Prin thought he was going to cry. He had come expecting another argument. Whilst his uncle wasn't exactly putting up the bunting, it appeared that time had thawed the coldness between them.

He rose, as did Scott and Prin.

"Come," he said. "Let us take a walk in the park before then. The afternoon is cooling."

Once again, Scott wiped his brow. "If you say so," he replied.

Uncle Decha's house overlooked Lumpini Park. As a child, Prin had regarded it as his own personal garden to play in whenever he wanted. His uncle had never accompanied him. Until now.

They walked down the marble hallway to the door.

"Are you struggling with our heat, Scott?" Decha asked.

"A little."

Decha turned to Prin. "You must take him to the villa. This young man needs the islands."

"Are you sure, Uncle?"

Decha held Prin's gaze. "I am sure."