Page 46 of The Best of Times
To stave off the cold, he jogged to the ancient pub. Word had it that Dickens himself had drunk in there. Something the Professor hadn’t found hard evidence for. Not through want of trying.
When Aron got inside, he found the other party sitting around the table. It was more like a wake than a stag do.
Paul’s face lit up when he saw him.
“My. My. Doesn’t this look like a wild one?” Aron said.
“Aron,” the Professor said. “What brings you here? Is Beatrice all right?”
Aron rested a hand on his shoulder. “She’s more than all right. We have a never-ending stream of cocktails running at Club C and she’s getting stuck in.”
“Oh dear,” the Professor said. “That sounds like trouble. What brings you here then?”
“I’m on a mission. A very important one, I might add.”
“I had a feeling you might be. What can I do for you?”
Aron scanned the table. He recognised Simon and Stuart but there were others there who were new faces to him.
“Sorry, gents,” Aron said. “My grandmother requires your presence at Club C. She’s decided to merge the parties.”
They all seemed taken aback.
“That’s if you don’t have any complaints,” Aron added.
“Complaints?” one man said. “To Mrs Wimpole? None of us would dare.”
“Now, Nihal,” the Professor said. “You sound afraid of my betrothed.”
“Aren’t you?”
“Maybe a little.”
They all burst into laughter.
“With that in mind, I suppose we’d better get our coats,” the Professor said. “Truth be told, I’ve been missing her.”
Aron squeezed the Professor’s shoulder. The poor man had the love bug bad.
“I’ll settle the tab,” Paul said.
As he walked past Aron, he raised an eyebrow.
“I suppose you’re declaring a victory?”
“Hey, nothing to do with me,” Aron said, holding his hands up. “I’m simply the messenger.”
Paul appraised him. The way his eyes wandered over Aron’s body made him feel naked. It was horny and unnerving at the same time.
“I wouldn’t put it past the pair of you colluding,” Paul said eventually.
“Hey,” Aron replied. “We’re simply happy to help. And let’s face it, you needed it.”
“Maybe.”
Paul carried on to the bar.
“Aron,” the Professor said, getting to his feet. “This is Wade, Jeremy’s father. Arvid who lives on the street and Zac Caton, Alexander’s other half.”
