Chapter 22

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

The ballroom at the Nickleby Hotel looked stunning. Granny’s chosen theme of cream and gold was in abundance. Huge floral displays dominated the centre of each table, which had been duly named after the Professor’s favourite Dickens characters.

On the top table, Aron sat with Granny on his left and his father on his right. Also in attendance were Alexander, Zac and Formula One drivers Charles Worthington and Luis Salvatore. They had always been Granny’s favourites.

Unfortunately, as each table was circular, Paul sat directly opposite him. Aron had tried his utmost to avoid eye contact. Paul had made his feelings abundantly clear. Instead, he’d caught up properly with his father. Something that had been long overdue.

Mercifully there were no speeches. The bride and groom had had their say at the ceremony and Granny wasn’t about to let anyone mock her. Not in public.

Aron wondered if there was anyone brave enough to even attempt such a feat.

Instead they were enjoying a two-hour seven course taster menu. Music was provided by a rotation of pianists.

“This is perfect, Granny,” Aron said. “The halibut was amazing.”

“It’s a wonderful day, isn’t it?”

“The best. I’ll be too full to hit the dancefloor later.”

“Nonsense. You won’t let the Wimpole side down.”

“Will we call you Mrs Higgs now, Mrs Wimpole?” Alexander asked.

Granny gave the Professor a squeeze on the arm.

“Beatrice won’t be taking my name,” he said.

Aron noticed Paul bristle. Instantly his heckles rose. If he dared make a comment, Aron would shut him down.

“It is in part so that Paul’s mother remains the only Mrs Higgs who lived on Queens Crescent,” Granny said. “And the other part, the name Wimpole has been mine for half a century. I don’t think I’d know who I was if I wasn’t Mrs Wimpole.”

“And nor would we,” Charles said, raising a glass.

Aron glanced across and saw a misty-eyed Paul just staring at Granny.

“Thank you,” he said. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Names don’t matter,” Granny said. “Feelings are what we should be concerned about. We can honour the past while seizing the future.”

Paul’s gaze darted to Aron. If he thought he was going to be sorry for confiding in his own grandmother, he had another think coming.

“I suppose you’re right,” Paul said quietly.

“My dear, I usually am.”

The moment was disturbed by the waiting staff bringing the beef sirloin. Aron’s mouth was watering as they placed his in front of him. A stocky aroma filled the air. So much for a broken heart putting him off his food. He was famished.

Once everyone had been served, he dove in. The meat fell apart and had been cooked to perfection.

“Where are you honeymooning?” Luis asked.

Aron stopped cutting his meat.

Oh God. Here we go.

“Ah well,” the Professor said. “That was a secret but now we’re married, we shouldn’t really have any. I’ve booked us a stunning cottage on the Northumberland coast.”

Aron almost dropped his cutlery. His grandmother in the freezing conditions of the east coast of England in December? That formula was not computing.

It appeared everyone else at the table felt the same, judging by all eyes being firmly on Granny.

“As beautiful as that part of the world is,” she said steadily, “we should probably visit in the summer. Then we can see the puffins.”

The Professor was stunned. “Of course, you’re right. Whatever was I thinking? What will we do?”

Granny smiled and held his face between both hands. “We’ll go to Singapore on the flights I’ve booked.”

The Professor beamed. “You have?”

“I have. We fly this evening. This time tomorrow we’ll be drinking Singapore Slings in one of Raffles Hotel’s finest suites. Amongst other things.”

Alexander coughed violently. Zac slapped him on the back.

Once again, Aron and Paul locked eyes. It had been a supreme effort to not be affected by Paul since that morning when he’d choked on the street. Now their duties were almost over, there was nothing left.

“I’m not packed,” the Professor exclaimed.

“Yes you are,” Granny replied, winking at Paul.

“Ah. I detect collusion.”

“Of course, Dad,” Paul said. “We’ve formed an alliance.”

A pang of jealousy stabbed at Aron. He was perfectly aware how ridiculous that was. Once things settled and Paul had moved to London, he would be a regular visitor to Queens Crescent. More reason for Aron to stay across the pond. Life would go on. Without him.

Fuck you, Paul Higgs. You’re not taking everything from me again.

“Would you like a cottage in the north for a week, Aron?” the Professor asked.

Granny giggled. “If that’s your best stab at a counter alliance, I find that a very weak attempt.”

The Professor just beamed at her.

“I think I’ll hang around the house for a bit,” Aron said. “I’m going to do that application and spend some time in my old city. Besides, I don’t think Parkin would appreciate the east coast wind. I can’t do that to him.”

Granny’s face lit up. “You’re going ahead with the application?”

Aron nodded. He knew Paul’s eyes would be trained on him.

“Oh I am so pleased, darling. That’s the best wedding present I could have.”

“Sometimes you just have to reach for something,” Aron replied.

A few hours later and Aron had found his dancing feet after all. The tables were cleared away and a DJ was spinning all the wedding classics. He’d dispensed with his jacket and was currently whirling Granny around the dancefloor to Wake Me Up Before You Go Go by Wham.

“What a day,” she said as the song drew to a close. “We’ll have to be going soon. We’ve a long flight ahead.”

Aron frowned. “In first class flat beds? My heart bleeds.”

“Are you telling me you flew economy here?”

“I used my points.”

Granny stuck her tongue out.

He escorted her to the Professor, who hadn’t taken his eyes off her. The poor guy had it bad.

“Shall we be making tracks?” Granny said to the Professor.

“I think we should. Am I travelling in my suit?”

Paul stood up. “Of course not. I’ve done you a cabin bag as well.”

“Thank you, both,” the Professor said. “You’ve made this so very special.”

Aron instantly had a lump in his throat. There was a wise innocence about the Professor that Aron found incredibly endearing.

A red-faced Alexander came to the table with Zac in tow.

“I’m getting too old for the Grease megamix,” he panted. “What’s going on here? I hope you weren’t thinking of sloping off.”

Granny got to her feet. “I have never sloped in my life, Alexander Fitzwilliam. And I’m not about to start now. My husband and I are taking our leave.”

Alexander came over and threw his arms around her.

“I wish you all the luck in the world,” he said. “And I love you very much.”

It appeared that his actions alerted Mercury, who told Simon and Nihal. Before long, Granny was swamped by handsome gay men. She was positively beaming.

“Honest to God,” Aron said. “She’s the Pied Piper of Gaytown.”

“Don’t worry. You’re still her favourite.”

Aron jumped. Paul had snuck up on him.

“Do I get a dance tonight?”

The nerve. Aron looked him up and down.

“I’ll be waving the happy couple off and leaving,” he replied. “I’ve never been a straggler. Besides, I didn’t get much sleep last night. Worry can do that, you know.”

“Fair enough. I’ll maybe run into you at some point then? When you come back, I mean.”

Aron smiled sadly. “Let’s really make an effort not to. My heart won’t be able to take it a third time.”

He fought the tears as he walked away.

When Aron awoke the next morning, the rain hammered against the window. It appeared the power of Granny’s divine intervention had waned and they were back to a typical London winter.

He snuggled under the duvet and watched the patterns the water made on the window. At least they’d had a perfect day. He had no idea what he was going to do with his week in London. A visit to the British Library might show enthusiasm.

His parents had invited him for a meal. He would definitely take them up on the offer. Something had shifted but it remained fragile. Aron found himself wanting to nurture it more and more. It exhilarated and terrified him.

He scrambled on the floor and found his phone.

It had gone eleven. He’d slept for hours.

Yet, it was the lack of message that made his stomach lurch. Paul would have gone by now and not even said a proper goodbye. Again.

He needed coffee.

Aron threw on his robe and made his way downstairs. The house was quiet without Granny. She had a habit of filling a place. A patient Parkin sat at the foot of the stairs.

“Let’s get you some breakfast,” Aron said. “Then we’ll go out for a long walk. Rain or no rain.”

Once in the kitchen, he fired up the coffee machine. Whilst waiting for the elixir of life to brew, he nibbled a piece of wedding cake that he’d left on the kitchen counter. The old wives’ tale said he should have slept with it under his pillow. Then he would dream about his future husband. Hardly likely.

He fed a chunk to an ever-hopeful Parkin. He would be the only man in Aron’s life this week. Something he was perfectly content with.

Yeah. Right.

Before he had a chance to make a coffee and sort Parkin’s meal, there was a knock at the door. It would either be Alexander or Mercury. Probably calling round to dissect the day and judge everyone’s outfits.

With a grin, Aron went to answer the door. He could force himself to have a bitch session. There had been some hideous fashion choices by Granny’s friends from the bridge club.

In a scene reminiscent of twenty-four hours previously, he opened the door to find Paul on the doorstep.

“Paul.”

“Aron.”

“I suppose I should be glad I didn’t have a blini in my mouth,” he said. “What are you doing here? Don’t tell me you missed your flight.”

Paul leant on the door frame. Fuck he looked good.

“I need to talk to you.”

Aron’s ears instantly pricked up. What the hell was this all about?

“Really? I am honoured. You’d better come in.”

Without waiting, Aron walked through to the kitchen. His heart hammering away inside his chest. He needed that moment to get himself together.

He heard the door close behind them and Paul’s footsteps following him down the hall. Parkin scrabbled at his legs but he would have to be patient a minute or two more. It appeared Uncle Paul had called in to trample on Aron’s feelings once again.

Thankfully, the coffeepot had continued doing its thing. No matter what Paul had to say, Aron did not feel ready to face it without caffeine.

“Brew?” Aron asked, as nonchalantly as possible.

“Sure.”

Paul shrugged off his coat and sat down at the table.

The anticipation was almost killing Aron but he would keep the upper hand for once in his life. Something he’d sacrificed on more than one occasion to Paul Higgs.

He poured the coffees and placed them on the table.

“Let me feed Parkin too. There’s no point in him suffering needlessly.”

The tension in the room was a full strength as Aron got Parkin’s breakfast together. He could feel Paul’s eyes boring into him. He didn’t care. Aron needed to get his head sorted.

He put the full bowl down for Parkin who launched at it like he hadn’t been fed a ridiculous amount of tidbits the day before.

After making a great performance of sitting down, Aron stared at Paul.

“Are you ready now?” Paul asked.

“I’m all ears. Unburden yourself.”

“Wow,” Paul said. “Not making it easy then.”

“Nope. I think maybe that’s been my problem all along.”

Paul took a breath. “I’ve got a few different speeches rehearsed.”

There was a tremor in his voice that Aron had never heard before. Was he actually nervous?

“I lay in bed all night last night thinking about you,” Paul continued. “Every time I closed my eyes, I could see you laughing. By the time the morning began to dawn, I knew I couldn’t leave you again.”

Tears pricked at Aron’s eyes.

“Oh.”

“Can you ever trust me again?” Paul asked. “I love you, Aron. I have done for years.”

The words he’d longed to hear for so long were flowing freely from Paul’s mouth. Now they were finally at this moment, Aron didn’t know how he felt.

“Trust,” he repeated. “It’s a big word when you’ve been hurt.”

“I know it is and I have no right to even ask. I’m desperate, Aron. Give me one more chance.”

Aron sipped from his coffee.

“What’s changed?”

Two words he’d uttered with regularity this holiday. Perhaps he did need a week by the coast. Just him and Parkin. His brain needed a rest.

“What do you mean?”

“Just what I say.”

He realised how cold he was being but Paul had rocks in his head if he expected Aron to simply swoon into his arms. Things like that didn’t happen in real life.

“I guess I have,” Paul replied. “When I told you what happened, you didn’t blame me.”

“ You did that enough for both of us.”

“Yes, I did. Not you. You’re the first person I’ve ever told the full story to. And you accepted me. Not even one question.”

“Paul. You have nothing to be blamed for,” Aron said. “It was a shitty situation that you didn’t choose.”

Paul grinned. “There you go again. Being perfect.”

“I’m a long way from that.”

“Perfect for me?”

“Ugh,” Aron replied. “You’re getting quite corny right now.”

His head was swimming. Could he really believe that Paul had lost all his fears? Yet, here he was. His face so earnest. It was hard to refuse.

“You’ve walked out on me twice…”

“Not twice. More one and a half. I’m here now.”

Aron hopped off his stool and stormed into the sunroom. “You are so bloody infuriating.”

Paul followed him. He came to hold Aron but Aron leapt back.

“No you don’t.”

He wasn’t about to let lust take over. This situation needed a clear head. He’d all but resigned himself to their fate. It had been hard but not unbearable. To open himself up to Paul again could spell total disaster.

“I’ve run out of words,” Paul said. “I declined the contract by the way.”

“Was it Vogue ?”

“Not quite.”

“Lucky me.”

He was being petty. It wasn’t a good look.

“I’ll walk down Queens Parade in the nude declaring my love for you if it will work.”

As much as Aron enjoyed the sight of Paul with no clothes on, he could just imagine Granny’s response when one of her cronies reported that to her.

“I don’t think that will be necessary,” Aron replied. “It’s very cold out there.”

“Is there a chance?”

Aron sighed. “How do I know you won’t do it again?”

“Do you want custody of my passport?”

“I’m serious, Paul,” Aron replied.

Paul tentatively reached forward and, this time, Aron didn’t flinch. The tips of their fingers touched. It sent sparks through Aron’s body.

“Because I promise you, here and now, that I will always talk to you when I’m having a wobble.”

Aron stroked the back of Paul’s fingers.

“I think you need more than that,” Aron said. “You need to speak to someone professionally who can help you with this. It’s a huge burden.”

Paul nodded. “I agree. It’s time.”

The clock ticking was the only sound as Aron tried to take in Paul’s words.

Parkin trotted over and put his paws up on Paul’s leg. He scooped the dog into his arms and fussed him.

“At least Parkin forgives me,” he said.

“Hmm,” Aron replied. “And he is a very good judge of character.”

“Meaning?”

“I’ll give you a last chance on one condition.”

Paul looked wary. “Go on.”

“Did you mention something about you being naked?”