Page 101 of Hold On

“Help yourselves to a drink and mingle. Nicely. I’ll chat to you later. Don’t leave Dominic with your grandpa or he’ll never escape.”

“Is there anything we can do to help?” Dominic asked.

She smiled. “Did you hear that, Ren? I love him already. We’re fine, thank you.” She waved and walked off.

Dominic let out a shaky breath.

“Champagne.” Ren pushed a glass into his hand. “It makes everything better. Trust me.”

Dominic sipped the fizzy liquid. “It’s nice.”

By the time they’d reached the marquee, Dominic had emptied the glass.

Ren raised his eyebrows. “Sip, not gulp.”

“I won’t have any more.”

“Yes, you will, but take it steady. My Dad’s over there. Guess which one?”

“The tall guy with salt and pepper hair and the pink shirt who looks like an older Will?”

“Bingo.”

Ren’s father spotted them approaching and moved away from the group he was with. He hugged Ren, and Dominic saw so much on the guy’s face—love, relief, concern. Nothing he’d ever seen on his father’s face.

“Happy Birthday,” Ren said.

“Thank you. How are you?” Ren’s father held his shoulders and looked into his face. “Don’t lie.”

“Getting better every day.” He handed his father the card.

“Is he?” He turned to Dominic.

“Hey!” Ren frowned. “This is another part of your present. Better than the vineyard trip. I have a boyfriend. Meet Dominic.”

Ren’s father laughed. “I’m Greg.” They shook hands. Greg opened the card and chuckled. “Very funny. And am I allowed to ask where Ren found you, Dominic?”

“He ran into me with his bike.”

“Arrghh.” Ren pretended to stamp on his foot. “I told you to lie about that.”

“Okay. I walked into his bike,” Dominic said and Greg smiled. “I bought you this.” Dominic handed him the book. “Happy Birthday.”

“You didn’t need to have bought me anything, but thank you.” He ripped off the paper and laughed when he saw what it was. “Oh, that’s fun. I used to read Winnie the Pooh in Latin to the boys at breakfast. Drove them mad.”

“Ren said.”

“Did he?”

“He can still quote it.”

“And you can translate it,” Ren said. “Dominic has a degree in Maths and one in Classics and Ancient Civilisations.”

Dominic could feel the question coming. He didn’t have to tell the truth but…

“And what on earth are you doing with that combination?” Greg asked.

“Nothing, at the moment. I’ve just come out of prison.”

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