Page 20 of The Best of Times

This had to be worth thousands of pounds.

“Why?” Aron asked.

“It’s my father’s wedding present from me,” Paul said. “I wanted something special.”

They all leant over to examine it.

“I daren’t even breathe,” Aron said. “It’s stunning.”

Not even the New York Public Library had this version. It was an exceptionally generous gift. What Aron wouldn’t give to have that on his shelves at home.

“There’s some paperwork,” Jolyon said. “I’ll go and get it. Don’t go running off with this. I’ll know where to find you.”

Once more he disappeared into the back.

“Your dad is going to love this,” Aron said. “Since when have you been so generous?”

Paul raised an eyebrow. “I guess we’ve both learnt something about each other this morning. What will the rest of the day hold?”

“And what is that supposed to mean?”

“I didn’t know you had such a past.”

The cheeky sod had some nerve passing judgement on Aron.

“Are you a teensy bit jealous, Paul? I’m sure you have a man in every location. Isn’t that why you flit all over the world?”

Paul sighed. “Hardly. As you said, I’m pushing fifty now.”

“I always did like an older man. For all the good it did me.”

They exchanged a glance.

“You should probably get this sorted,” Aron said hurriedly. “I’ll pop up the road and get Granny some chocolates. Shall we meet on the corner by The Swan pub?”

An amused Paul nodded.

Aron fled the shop and into the cool air. He’d never been any good at playing the nonchalant man about town pretending he didn’t care what had happened between hm and Paul.

The plain fact was he did care. And being in such close proximity to Paul made that all the more obvious.

CHAPTER FIVE

It had been a mistake to head to Harrods on the Saturday before Christmas. The crowds were ridiculous. They were being pushed from pillar to post. At this rate they would have to drop an anchor just to browse one shelf.

Neither Aron nor Paul had mentioned Aron’s liaison with Jolyon all those years ago again. Aron found he quite enjoyed it being a sore point for Paul. Not that Paul had any right to one. He’d made his intentions perfectly clear.

Still, Aron had no time for fun. Now they’d entered the hallowed hall of consumption, they had a mission to fulfil. On the shopping list was gifts for everyone playing a role in the production, bow ties for the Professor and Paul and a guest book as well as ornate boxes to put on every table. Granny and the Professor had forgone a wedding list anywhere. They had more possessions than they knew what to do with. Instead, they were encouraging donations to a homeless charity.

“We should have done this on Monday,” Paul grumbled after being shoved out of the way for the umpteenth time.

“You’ve braved most war zones this century,” Aron replied. “Surely a department store is child’s play.”

Paul dodged a particularly enthusiastic male shopper who swiped a pair of cufflinks straight out from under his nose.

“I’d take my chances on the front line.”

Aron chuckled. Shopping wasn’t his thing either. Living in New York, he was in one of the best cities in the world for such expeditions. He preferred doing it online whilst lying on the couch in his pants.