Page 28 of The Best of Times
“What the?—?”
“I’ve done my bit,” the man said in a French accent as he threw his hands up in the air. “Now it’s up to you.”
Aron watched him dash back to the car which soon sped away. Tentatively, Aron walked into the house.
“Granny?”
“In the drawing room.”
He climbed the stairs to the first floor. He found her in the middle of the room, staring at a garment laid out on the sofa.
“Hey, Granny. What’s going on?”
She sighed. “I think I may have been a little sharp with Jean-Paul. I’m determined not to become one of those brides but honestly, he should have been here at nine.”
Aron joined her and put his arm around her shoulders. She snuggled into him. He drank in her familiar floral scent. She hadn’t changed her perfume all his life. Whenever he caught a whiff of it in public, he would scan the area in case Granny lay in wait. Even in New York. He never dropped his guard where she was concerned.
“You’re a good boy,” she said. “Always ready with a hug.”
“I get that from you. Now is there an issue with the suit?”
She wriggled free and fussed with the item. The ivory fabric looked expensive. As if there was ever any doubt.
“I don’t know. I’ve not tried it on yet. Josh had it sent over from New York and one of his dressmakers made the final adjustments.”
Aron frowned. “So, what’s stopping you?”
“It’s the silliest thing.”
“Go on.”
“I’m afraid.”
She was trembling. Aron took hold of her hand. In all the years he’d known her, he had never heard her say she was frightened of anything.
“Granny. What could possibly scare you?”
“I don’t know. When I married to your grandfather, I knew my way around our relationship. He spent a lot of time away and I lived as I wanted. What if I’m expected to change? I don’t know if I can.”
He stood away, resting his hands on her shoulders.
“Everyone I’ve spoken to since I came home has told me how much they love you exactly the way you are. Why on earth do you think the Professor would be any different? You’ve been friends for years. It’s not like he doesn’t know what he’s getting.”
Tears welled up in her eyes. “I sometimes worry I’m too much.”
“Never.”
“Now I know you’re fibbing.”
Aron chuckled. “You never disappoint a crowd. Do you think Joan Collins worries about overdoing it?”
“I suppose not.”
“Then go and get this suit on. Immediately if not sooner. I’m dying to see it. Josh has always made sure you look amazing.Remember that outfit he made you for my graduation. Everyone was desperate to know where you’d got it from.”
The glint returned to her eyes. Aron was proud that he’d restored it.
“Yes, I did rather make an impression, didn’t I? You’re right. Faint heart never won fair maiden. Give me a few minutes.”
