Chapter 20

CHAPTER TWENTY

Josh's eyes were transfixed on Mrs Wimpole. Her eyes shining in the blistering hospital striplights.

"Get up off the floor, you silly man."

"Not until you give me an answer. I'm very serious, Beatrice."

"I know," she said. "But you can't give me a kiss when I say yes if you're all the way down there, can you?"

Josh gasped.

With a huge beam, the Professor went to get up and his legs failed under him. Josh leapt forward and grabbed him by the arm. He gently helped him up.

"Thank you, young man."

The Professor leant over the bed. Joy radiated from him.

"Right, I'm ready to hear it," he said.

"Yes, I will marry you."

Josh welled up when he saw how they stared at each other.

"Although I can't believe it took me being thrown into the gutter by a ruffian to spur you into action," she added.

The Professor laughed. "What do you mean?"

She reached over and adjusted his tie. "I'd made up my mind to marry you a year ago."

"Why on earth didn't you say?"

"Because you had to do it. I'm rather glad you have."

The Professor loomed for a kiss. That really was too much for Josh. He would not gawp at them while they had such a personal moment.

"I'll go and get us some coffees," he blurted out.

Josh almost fell out of the cubicle and straight into a nurse.

"Shit. Sorry. Erm…is there a coffee shop?"

"Down the hall, first on the left. Are you okay?"

"Oh I'm fine. I'm just with someone. Thank you."

He ran off down the corridor. The last five minutes were a lot to process. His first instinct was to ring Hugh but he couldn't.

As he slowed to an amble, he thought back to the way Mrs Wimpole had looked when the Professor finally popped the question. She still believed in love.

The next day was a whirlwind. The news that Mrs Wimpole had accepted the Professor's offer of marriage spread like wildfire. The fact that Josh had witnessed this earth-shattering moment had also been made common knowledge.

He'd no sooner set foot out of his door when neighbours Alexander Fitzwilliam and Jeremy Brookes pounced on him.

"It sounds so romantic," Alexander said. "Maybe Zac will get the idea. I'd like a spring wedding."

Alexander had been seeing ex-soap star Zac Caton for over a year now. It had been expected that they might have the next proposal on Queens Crescent.

"Stuart is insisting on a long engagement," Jeremy said. "Dad has offered to pay but you know what Stuart's like."

They were leaning against the railings next to the gardens. Stuart had a reputation for being very independent. Josh could well imagine him refusing any offer of help.

"Marriage isn't all it's cracked up to be," he said.

Alexander squeezed his shoulder. "Have you heard from Hugh?"

Josh shook his head. They'd returned from the hospital in the early hours so Josh had left it until the morning to try and contact him. The phone had gone to answer machine. Josh had even tried calling the theatre. They wouldn't give out the details of where Hugh and Michael were rehearsing. Not that he'd really expected them to.

A taxi drew up and Jeannie stepped out.

"There's your answer," Alexander said.

"What do you mean?" Josh replied.

"Don't be dim," Jeremy said. "If anyone knows where Hugh is, it's Jeannie."

Do I have the guts to accost her like that?

They had lived next door to each other for some time but he didn't regard her as a friend.

"Go on," Jeremy continued. "My next book relies on this."

"Only if it works," Josh replied. "I mean it."

He certainly did not want this recording for posterity if he made a total dick of himself.

"Of course," Jeremy said, not entirely convincingly.

"Move," Alexander said. "She's going inside."

With a deep breath, Josh ran across the street.

"Jeannie."

She was struggling with her huge suitcase.

"Need a hand?"

She straightened up and stared at him.

Is that a scowl or not?

"Josh. I?—"

"Before you say anything, I know that you've probably heard an awful story about me."

"I'm tired. I can't get into this now."

"Jeannie. Please. Give me a minute."

She sighed and nodded.

"My soon to be ex-husband wanted me back only to promote his stupid film, so he came to London to make it happen. He didn't like that I was with Hugh and came out of that bathroom naked. He certainly did not go in there in that condition. If you want me to beg, I will, but I need to see Hugh."

The words fell out of him like an explosion. Jeannie considered him for a second.

"Winston always has been a piece of shit," she replied. "I'm surprised it's taken you this long to find out."

"Words I've heard a lot over the last few weeks. I am in love with Hugh and I desperately need to tell him. He won't answer my calls. I don't know what to do."

She took a step away. "In love?"

"Yes. Head over heels in love with him. He's the best person I've ever met in my life."

She seemed lost in thought for a second before that million-dollar smile that companies fought over to advertise their products appeared on her face.

"It would be foolish of me to block a friend from getting such a declaration," she said. "I'll message you the details."

He flung his arms around her.

"Thank you so much. You won't regret it. I promise you."

Five hours later, Josh stood outside a nondescript building in the suburbs of Newcastle. Once he'd finished speaking to Jeannie, he'd thrown some clothes in a bag and taken a taxi straight to the station.

The train seemed to take an age. He'd barely been able to sip water as he'd planned exactly what he was going to say if and when he came face to face with Hugh.

With no hotel and only a rucksack of things, he hoped he would at least get an audience with him.

He knocked on the door. No answer.

Panic set in. Perhaps Jeannie had already warned him and he was still going to ignore Josh.

Surely, he'll give me five minutes when I've travelled all this bloody way.

Josh stared up at the window. A head bobbed down. He couldn't tell if it was Hugh or not.

He knocked again. This time more forcefully.

The door was flung open and Michael stood before him. He had a face like thunder.

"Well, well, well. What a surprise," he said, his words full of venom. "Jeannie told us you were coming. It's been a wasted trip. He doesn't want to talk to you."

Josh had prepared himself for talking to Hugh. He hadn't allowed for getting past his guard dog. He supposed Mrs Wimpole had Parkin. Hugh had Michael. Although it would take more than a few dog treats to get past him.

"Michael," Josh began. "I need to speak to him. It's about more than explaining about Winston. Which I can, by the way."

Michael folded his arms. "I'm sure you can."

"Don't do this," Josh pleaded. "If nothing else, I can put a stop to the backlash. I know who's responsible."

This time Michael appeared interested.

"Who?"

"It doesn't work like that. Let me speak to him and I'll tell you both."

Michael narrowed his eyes and a flicker of amusement crossed over his face. "Oh you're good."

"I've also got the mother of all Mrs Wimpole and Professor twists. You won't believe your ears."

"Fuck you," Michael said, standing to one side. "I'm going to the shop for crisps. You have precisely five minutes."

Josh pushed past him before he changed his mind.

"Thank you, Michael. I promise you won't regret it."

Michael grabbed Josh's jacket. "If I do, it won't be as much as you will. Believe it."

Josh did. Michael might be small but he was powerful. Josh had no intention of making an enemy of him.

As he walked up the drab staircase, Josh found all the words he'd planned on the train had left him.

When he walked into the space it was vast. Light flooded in from the huge windows as well as from stark striplights in the ceiling. Josh squinted. Hugh faced him. He was in full drag makeup and jogging suit.

Josh took a step forward and stopped. Hugh remained rigid.

"I told him not to let you up."

"I talked him round."

"No mean feat with Michael. How did you manage that?"

Josh inched a little closer. Hugh didn't flinch. So far, so good.

"I'll tell you later. Can I please say something first?"

"I suppose you've come a long way and you got past my guard."

"I'm not joking, Hugh. Nothing would have stopped me from saying my piece."

Hugh put his hands on his hips. "Well you'd better crack on then."

Forcing his shoulders down in an attempt to relax, Josh took a moment.

"I know what it looked like," he began. "And if I was in your shoes, I would think the same. I have three pieces of evidence that prove nothing happened."

Hugh folded his arms. "This sounds interesting. Go on."

"One. Suzanne had only just left to get food. There wasn't any time."

Hugh nodded. "Go on."

"Second. Winston's clothes were in the bathroom. Surely they would be strewn all over the studio?"

"Another fair point. And the third?"

"I have absolutely no motive for having sex with Winston," Josh said. "Why would I when I am hopelessly, ridiculously and painfully in love with you?"

His last evidence made Hugh stagger backward.

"What did you say?"

"I love you. I can't say it any plainer than that. I love you and I need you."

"You love me?"

Josh allowed a tear to roll down his cheek. "How could I not? You're incredible."

With a clatter of heels, Hugh bolted across the room toward him. They crashed together. Josh held Hugh so tightly he was scared he might choke the air out of him. To have him in his arms again was almost too much joy to bear.

Hugh pulled away and kissed him. A deep, long, loving kiss that had Josh seeing stars.

"Oh, thank fuck for that."

They broke apart to see Michael.

"I didn't dare buy champagne, so I got cider," Michael said, holding up a carrier bag. "And crisps. I presume we're toasting your reunion?"

Josh looked at Hugh who had a big smile on his face. "We certainly are."

"I won't have to deal with you moping around like a depressed basset hound for any longer. Hurray."

He got out some cans from the carrier bag and handed Josh and Hugh one each. Josh hated cider but he didn't think it worth mentioning.

They popped them all open.

"Here's to reunions," Josh said.

"And love," Hugh added, catching Josh's eye.

"And coming good on deals," Michael said. "I believe you have some information for us, Josh Winterton."

Later that night, with their naked bodies entwined, Josh and Hugh held on to each other tightly. The hotel where Hugh and Michael were staying was scruffy at best and a health hazard at worst. Josh would relocate them all the next day. He might as well spend his money before Winston got his paws on it.

"I can't believe you did that for me," Hugh said, stroking Josh's arm.

"Nor can I," Josh replied. "Mrs Wimpole was in her element."

Hugh shuddered. "She got hurt. Poor Mrs W. I'll have to send her some flowers."

"Get well soon and congratulations."

"Fuck," Hugh said. "That adds a whole new finale idea for the show."

"A wedding?"

"Why not?"

It could work. They had been struggling for something with real showbiz pizzazz. Hugh and Michael as brides would certainly be that.

"Do you think they've done it?" Hugh asked.

The mental images that flashed in Josh's mind had to be banished forever.

"Fuck, Hugh. Don't."

Hugh cackled. He squirmed out of Josh's clutches and hopped off the bed.

"Where are you going?"

Josh's arms might miss Hugh but his eyes were feasting on such a body. He needed it back against him as soon as possible.

Hugh held up his phone. "I've got to make a call."

"Do you want me to go in the bathroom?"

Hugh perched on the end of the bed. "Don't be silly. It won't take a minute."

He dialled a number and held the phone to his ear. Josh had a suspicion he knew who Hugh was calling.

"Mother? It's me. Yes I'm fine. Under the circumstances."

He glanced at Josh.

"Listen, I've a message for Donald. No I'm not starting anything. I'm finishing it. Tell him from me if he doesn't stop Kevin from trying to fuck up my career, then my good friend Mrs Wimpole will be reporting him for GBH. I'll let Donald explain the rest to you. Oh and by the way, I would stay away from the newsstands for the next few days."

He terminated the call and threw the phone onto the dressing table. He crawled up the bed toward Josh's eager arms.

"That's done it," Josh said.

Hugh snuggled into him. "Let Donald face the music. He's lucky he's not attending his son's trial."

Mrs Wimpole had absolutely no intention of suing the Hoggs. They didn't need to know that.

"What did you mean about the newsstands?"

"I think it's time I stopped trying to protect people who won't return the favour."

Josh shifted so he could see Hugh. "Are you serious about that?"

"It would be a pretty poor joke. Why?"

"I might be able to help."

"You've done quite a lot already."

"That's because I love you," Josh said, kissing the top of Hugh's head.

"I love you too."

Nothing could have been more perfect than that moment in a grotty hotel room on the outskirts of Newcastle.

"I've been thinking," Josh said.

"Should I be worried?"

"No. I'd like to make Tuck official. Fifty-fifty shares."

Hugh sat up. "Are you joking? That might end up being a lot of money."

Josh took his hand. "I can't marry you until I'm divorced. This is the next best thing."