Page 95 of The Best of Times

“I think I’ll hang around the house for a bit,” Aron said. “I’m going to do that application and spend some time in my old city. Besides, I don’t think Parkin would appreciate the east coast wind. I can’t do that to him.”

Granny’s face lit up. “You’re going ahead with the application?”

Aron nodded. He knew Paul’s eyes would be trained on him.

“Oh I am so pleased, darling. That’s the best wedding present I could have.”

“Sometimes you just have to reach for something,” Aron replied.

A few hours later and Aron had found his dancing feet after all. The tables were cleared away and a DJ was spinning all the wedding classics. He’d dispensed with his jacket and was currently whirling Granny around the dancefloor toWake Me Up Before You Go Goby Wham.

“What a day,” she said as the song drew to a close. “We’ll have to be going soon. We’ve a long flight ahead.”

Aron frowned. “In first class flat beds? My heart bleeds.”

“Are you telling me you flew economy here?”

“I used my points.”

Granny stuck her tongue out.

He escorted her to the Professor, who hadn’t taken his eyes off her. The poor guy had it bad.

“Shall we be making tracks?” Granny said to the Professor.

“I think we should. Am I travelling in my suit?”

Paul stood up. “Of course not. I’ve done you a cabin bag as well.”

“Thank you, both,” the Professor said. “You’ve made this so very special.”

Aron instantly had a lump in his throat. There was a wise innocence about the Professor that Aron found incredibly endearing.

A red-faced Alexander came to the table with Zac in tow.

“I’m getting too old for theGreasemegamix,” he panted. “What’s going on here? I hope you weren’t thinking of sloping off.”

Granny got to her feet. “I have never sloped in my life, Alexander Fitzwilliam. And I’m not about to start now. My husband and I are taking our leave.”

Alexander came over and threw his arms around her.

“I wish you all the luck in the world,” he said. “And I love you very much.”

It appeared that his actions alerted Mercury, who told Simon and Nihal. Before long, Granny was swamped by handsome gay men. She was positively beaming.

“Honest to God,” Aron said. “She’s the Pied Piper of Gaytown.”

“Don’t worry. You’re still her favourite.”

Aron jumped. Paul had snuck up on him.

“Do I get a dance tonight?”

The nerve. Aron looked him up and down.

“I’ll be waving the happy couple off and leaving,” he replied. “I’ve never been a straggler. Besides, I didn’t get much sleep last night. Worry can do that, you know.”

“Fair enough. I’ll maybe run into you at some point then? When you come back, I mean.”