Page 14 of The Best of Times

“You want me to go on a dog walk?”

Aron nodded.

“Have you lost your mind? It’s freezing out there.”

Aron nodded over to the door as Paul came in.

“Fine,” Alexander said with a resigned sigh. “I can see there’ll be no champers until I concede.”

“Correct.”

With no further word, they grabbed their coats. Parkin was going crazy. Poor thing had sat through the whole meeting with not even a treat for his trouble.

“Oh, are you taking him out?” Granny said as they came into the hall. “See, being helpful is in your DNA. You take after me.”

He smiled sweetly and shoved Alexander out of the door. Compared to New York, the temperature was positively balmy. Plus they appeared to be between rainstorms.

“Go over to the main road,” Aron said. “Out of earshot.”

Alexander tripped down the steps. “Blimey, you’re almost as bossy as Mrs W. I suppose the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

They strode across the cobbles. Parkin pulled on the lead.

“Oh go on then,” Aron said.

Poor Parkin clearly couldn’t wait any longer and relieved himself against Charles Worthington’s Lamborghini. Thankfully, all the lights were off in Charles’ house.

“What’s this all about?” Alexander asked, blowing into his hands. “Now Stuart will grab all the best food.”

“We need to talk.”

Their charge had finished his business but Aron wanted to give him a chance for a snuffle and a second wee. They marched toward the main road. Poor Parkin’s legs working hard to keep up.

“May I remind you, we haven’t properly talked in two years. Not since you buggered off to the bright lights of New York and left us all for dead.”

“Mercury has already done that speech.”

Alexander pouted.

“I’m sorry,” Aron continued. “I guess I needed a proper new start.”

“And has it been? Are you happy in the Big Apple.”

They stopped at the corner. Parkin set about examining every inch of the pavement. Aron supposed Parkin saw Queens Crescent as his domain.

I wonder where he gets that from.

“I suppose I’m happy. Yeah.”

“You don’t sound so sure.”

Aron looked around. The street did strange things to him. Every cobble seemed to have a memory attached.

“I guess I’ve missed you all.”

“Even Paul?”

Alexander stared hard at him.