Page 75 of The Best of Times

“I heartily agree.”

They had foregone the takeaway the night before for other activities. He was starving.

Aron joined her on the sofa. She handed him a glass of champagne.

“Cheers, darling.”

“Cheers.”

He took a sip. Oh it was good. The bubbles danced on his tongue as the smooth flavour swept over him. He would be drunk in no time.

“That’s lovely.”

“Isn’t it?” she replied. “Now. Are you ready?”

Aron rubbed his hands together. “Let me go first. I reckon I’ve pulled a blinder this year.”

He handed Granny the present. Her eyes twinkled as she tore open the wrapping paper.

“What on earth?”

“It’s a smart bird feeder,” he exclaimed. “There’s a tiny camera inside so you can watch them from your phone.”

Her face was a picture.

“I love it! It will give me something to study when the Professor is watching one of his interminable documentaries on you know who.”

“I did think about getting you the complete Dickens collection on audio,” Aron said.

Granny shot him a glare. “You wouldn’t. I fear there will be three people in this marriage.”

Parkin yapped.

“Four,” Aron replied.

After a thorough inspection of the photos on the box, she placed it on the coffee table. From underneath she picked up a gift and handed it to him.

He gently opened the parcel and revealed the box. It was a Moleskine smart notebook.

“Everything you write in it gets sent to your computer,” Granny explained.

“Amazing. Thank you.”

He leant forward and gave her a hug.

The cuckoo clock rang out. It was ten o’clock.

“We’ve two hours until the caterers arrive and three until the boys get here,” Granny said. “How about we watchMary Poppins?”

She’d always loved that film. As a child, he’d sat with her and marvelled at the larger-than-life nanny. By the time he was five, he had known the words to all of the songs.

He took a sip of his champagne.

“Sounds perfect to me.”

She reached across and squeezed his hand.

“It’s so lovely having you home.”