Page 85 of The Best of Times

He hadn’t realised how much his Granny despised his mother for her behaviour. Knowing Terry’s story gave him a much deeper insight. It also explained her need to help people find happiness.

“I wish I’d met him,” he said, glancing at the photo.

A young man with fire in his eyes stared back. He was very handsome in a boyish way. Aron could well imagine the impact he would have made on the gay scene. Little did they all know how deadly that was going to turn out to be.

“You came along a year later,” she said. “My little saviour. You gave me something else to live for.”

“Do you think that’s why you’re so supportive of everyone round here?”

A tear escaped and ran down her cheek. “Of course. I failed poor Terry. I have spent my life trying to make up for it.”

He wouldn’t insult her intelligence by trying to persuade her she shouldn’t feel like that. It was obviously a weight she’d carried for decades.

“Would you be very upset if I didn’t take the job in London?” he asked.

She shook her head. “I only want you to be happy. I do think you should tell Paul the extent of your feelings, though. We hide such a lot from each other and time flits away. Don’t leave things unsaid. It’s not worth it. The Professor and I could have had a good few more years as a couple if we had found the words earlier.”

“You got there in the end.”

She shrugged. “For how long though? Either of us could cark it at a moment’s notice.”

“Granny!”

“It’s true. Don’t turn your back on what is right through fear.”

Aron let her words sink in. He wasn’t sure if he had the courage to confess all that to Paul. It would be far easier to run to New York. This time he’d really make a go of it. Theo had made it clear he was interested. Yet, he would be settling. Deep down, he knew that Theo didn’t make him feel anywhere near as strongly as Paul did just by being in the same room. As for the same bed, well would he ever find that again?

Maybe he should be the bigger one.

And the determination in Granny’s eyes told him that anything can be possible if you’re brave enough.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Two hours later and Aron was ready to roll. He took a step away and admired himself in the mirror. He had splurged on a midnight blue Ralph Laurensuit from Saks Fifth Avenue. He coupled this with a crisp white shirt and a gold tie.

“I hope I do her proud.”

He had also applied a ridiculous amount of concealer under his eyes in an attempt to kill off the bags. He hoped it would do the trick. At least for the photos.

Bloody Paul Higgs.

He jogged down the stairs and walked into total pandemonium.

Anais sat on the window seat, barking instructions into her mobile. Judging by the peach handkerchief she clutched, there had been another confrontation with the bride.

A hairdresser was getting Granny’s hair into shape, a makeup artist was lighting up her eyes and Alexander was chatting away about something. Granny sat in the middle. Totally serene.

Aron stepped farther into the drawing room and stopped. His mother and Victoria were on the second sofa.

“Oh,” he said. “Hello.”

Of course they would be here. They had just as much right as he did. They were all family after all. In name at least.

“Where’s Dad?”

“Whipping up some drinks downstairs,” Granny said. “And not a moment too soon. Things have taken a turn since you went to get ready.”

There were no seats except the arm of the sofa where his mother was sitting. Aron desperately wanted to feel comfortable enough to perch there. Yet he didn’t. So he stood awkwardly in the centre of the room with all eyes on him.