Chapter 21

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

By the time Aron and his mother got to the drawing room, he had managed to pull himself together somewhat. The only focus he had now was on his grandmother. He would be damned if he’d let Paul Higgs ruin this special day on top of everything else.

In their absence she had put the suit on. They were on the final stretch.

He was sure his tears had subsided. Even so, he kept his distance from Granny as she inspected her outfit for the final time. She would sniff out any upset in a heartbeat.

“We should take our seats,” his father said.

He strode over and shook Aron’s hand.

“Thank you, Dad.”

“You’re so welcome. I love you, son.”

“I love you too.”

Aron glanced at his mother. It would have been too much if they’d said the same to each other. Instead she nodded. There was a whisper of a smile on her face as she walked past him. One that he returned.

As far as first steps went, they’d taken a big one. It was terrifying. Maybe that meant it was worthwhile.

Most of the people began to leave the room. The hairdresser was still perfecting Granny’s bouffant.

“I think that will do,” Granny said. “I’d like a minute with my grandson before we leave.”

Once they were alone, Granny patted the seat next to her.

“I think you’ve been having quite the morning.”

Aron obeyed and took her hand. “None of it matters right now.”

“Did your mother upset you?”

“The opposite. In fact, she comforted me.”

Granny’s jaw fell open. “She…comforted you? Why on earth did you need that in the first place?”

Aron sighed. Once again he buckled under Granny’s brand of interrogation. The Professor would tell her soon enough so he wasn’t betraying any confidences.

Why should I care, anyway?

“Paul came round to tell me he’s flying to Sydney tomorrow.”

The outrage on her face almost made him convulse with laughter. Or maybe that was just nerves. He hadn’t had the opportunity to digest that he would be walking out in front of the whole neighbourhood in mere moments.

“The bloody coward,” Granny exclaimed. “Oh, honestly. I could slap his face.”

“Now, now, he’s been through a lot. I can understand it. I might now like his decision but I do understand.”

“Well I certainly don’t.”

“I hope you aren’t going to have a go at him,” Aron said. “If he doesn’t want to be with me, nothing can change that. Promise me you won’t say anything.”

Granny didn’t look too convinced.

“Granny.”

“Fine. I promise. I suppose it would be bad form to have an argument with my new stepson on my actual wedding day. I can’t guarantee I will hold my tongue after we get back from honeymoon though. Nobody rejects my grandson and gets away with it.”

Aron would be back in New York by then. Paul would have to defend himself. In fact, he found sick pleasure in the fact that Paul had a dressing down, Beatrice Wimpole style, in his future.

“And your mother comforted you?”

Aron nodded. “She saw us both go upstairs. Then Paul legging it out. I suppose she put two and two together.”

Granny took a moment to digest this information.

“Do you think I’ve been wrong about her all along?”

Aron raised an eyebrow. “You? Wrong?”

“Oh goodness, the day must be getting to me,” she replied. “Pay no heed to whatever I say. I’m under the influence of romance. Now shall we get to it? I don’t want to keep the Professor waiting too long. He’s already a bag of nerves.”

“Are you ready?”

“I’m ready.”

“And are you ready?”

They both stared down at Parkin who looked adorable with a tiny bow tie. A concession to the tux that Anais had not stopped going on about.

He yapped in response.

“I think he is,” Granny said, tickling him behind the ears.

They walked down the stairs. When they got to the front door, Granny stayed him.

“Everything will change once we walk out of that door,” she said. “All except for my love for all of my family and especially you. I loved your grandfather, of course I did. With the Professor, it is totally different. Remember what I said. Don’t leave things as long as I did. Grab life with both hands, my darling, and hold on for dear life.”

She kissed him and nodded toward the door.

With a swirl of butterflies, Aron pulled it open.

It was a perfectly crisp and sunny winter’s day. The marquee had been removed. A small group of guests sat in the gardens, patiently waiting. The gold in the colour scheme glinted, giving the whole thing a fairy garden effect.

“Aron. It’s beautiful.”

It certainly was.

Those who hadn’t got an invite to the ceremony were standing on the street. Aron recognised some of them from the shops on Queens Parade. Others were in the windows of some of the houses. The one thing they all had in common was they were positively beaming.

So much love in a small space was overwhelming.

“You’ve pulled quite a crowd,” he whispered.

“As if there were ever any doubt.”

They descended the steps as the music started. The crowd turned as one.

Once on the street, Granny placed her arm in his and they walked slowly toward the gardens. They had been Granny’s domain for decades. Now she was marrying her true love in them.

Instantly a lump formed in Aron’s throat. He glanced at her. She was the epitome of poise and calm. He managed to swallow his own emotion down. It wasn’t his wedding day, after all.

They crossed the cobbled street with Parkin trotting beside them. He remembered learning to ride his bike on there when they would come to Queens Crescent for Sunday lunch.

The gates to the garden were wide open and festooned with bunting. Inside, the floor was covered with a green tarpaulin. The trees lining the space gave it the vibe of a woodland glade. But instead of old oaks, they were surrounded by Georgian terraces.

Granny was doing this in style. They would talk about this wedding for years to come. And it had only just begun.

They travelled slowly up the aisle. The Professor and Paul were at the end with their backs to everyone. Granny smiled and nodded at all the guests. Aron recognised most of them. He winked at Mercury. Then giggled at Alexander who was sobbing and having to be consoled by Zac.

“Drama queen,” Granny whispered.

This made him chuckle all the more.

They reached the dais and made it up the small staircase. Now the Professor spun round. Aron thought his heart might burst when he saw the pure love on his face as he stared at his bride.

“Beatrice,” he said breathlessly. “You’re beautiful.”

He kissed her on the cheek. Aron let her arm fall and took Parkin’s lead. It appeared that his responsibilities didn’t end with giving Granny away.

Before they all faced the celebrant, Aron allowed his gaze to rest on Paul. For a split second, they maintained eye contact before Paul looked away.

So much was said in that moment that neither had had the courage to verbalise hours before in Aron’s bedroom. Loss. Anger. Pain. And love. Still love.

This was so unfair.

The celebrant cleared her throat and the music faded.

“A warm welcome to the friends and family of Professor Philip Higgs and Mrs Beatrice Wimpole,” she began. “Today marks a new beginning in their lives. They are so happy that you are all here to share this special moment with them.”

Parkin yapped, which made everyone laugh.

“In a change with tradition, the groom would like to say a few words before we conduct the ceremony. Professor Higgs?”

The Professor straightened up and stared at their guests.

“When Beatrice Wimpole agreed to be my wife, I was the happiest man in the world,” he began. “I know that we have a reputation for sticking our noses into other people’s business.”

A murmur of amusement rippled through the crowd.

Granny took the Professor’s hand and smiled at him. In fact, she hadn’t stopped beaming since they’d left the house.

“I also realise that getting married at our age might be seen as a silly thing,” he continued. “I want you all to hear these words. Some of you might even follow us down this aisle one day. If you are half as joyous as I am right now, then I wish you all the luck in the world. Love never gets old and my love for Beatrice will never fade.”

This set Alexander off again with a huge sob.

The Professor was about to face the celebrant when Granny took a step forward.

“Anyone who knows me will know that I won’t let him get the final word. Ever.”

This time everyone roared with laughter, sending Parkin into another barking frenzy.

“Before I tell my new husband how much I love him too, I want to let you all know that there will always be a special place in my heart for each and every one of you. We are so fortunate to live where we do. I was born in that house over there and, if I have my way, I’ll end my days there.”

She faltered a little.

“Queens Crescent is the best street in London, if not the world. I celebrate you all and I thank you for sharing your love. Today and all the days we have ahead of us.”

With that, they both gave the celebrant all their attention. This time, Aron stared directly at Paul. To his astonishment, a tear rolled down Paul’s cheek. Instinct told Aron to take his hand, squeeze his arm, anything.

But sense told him it wasn’t welcome. Not now. Paul had made his decision. He was going to break Aron’s heart all over again.

Nothing Aron could say would stop it.