Chapter 28 #2
‘—leave her alone… Shh! Ignore him, he’s French, he’s got to argue, it’s in his DNA.
So, I felt bad and I wanted to find someone to take over my position.
And this guy, this one right here, who looked like a lost member of the Backstreet Boys back then, he came in and ordered a Guinness.
He sat there, grinning, taking pictures and heart-eyeing the place.
So I joked, “If you love this pub, you can work here.” And he went like, “For real? I need a job.” I asked if he had any experience and he said, “If you need me to have some, then I’ve got some.
” I thought, “Dude, what?” but I took his number anyway.
Then he said, “If you hear of anything, I also need a place to stay. And a few friends. I’ve got plenty of experience being one, I’m good at it, but I can’t guarantee a long-term commitment.
” And he walked away, taking more pictures and grinning wider.
I mean… Bit weird, innit? Except two days later, there I was, texting him about a gig I had an extra ticket for.
Because there was a voice in my head going, “Girl, I reckon you need that weird grinning French chap in your life.” And you know what? I did. I truly did…’
Nipping at her lip, Phoebe looks down at Loris.
‘I forgot about the short-term warning you gave me, and I should consider myself lucky you forgot about it too. And I… I promised I wasn’t gonna guilt-trip you, but…
I’m not sure how I’m supposed to— How we’re all supposed to do life without you here.
And I’m so jealous of the people who’re gonna meet you next, I hope they suck.
And I’m gonna miss you so damn much, it’s terrible.
Please don’t be a stranger, and… I’m gonna stop here or else Aliah’s gonna cry.
And if she does, everybody will, and Elsy is too pretty for anyone to make her cry.
Yes, you. You should call me. We could lament together over our fav boys abandoning us for antique nudes and pizzas next year…
But anyway! To Loris, who said he was gonna buy everyone a drink, so yay! ’
Charles joins in the clapping and cheering, his eyes misting over when Phoebe jumps between Loris’ open arms.
‘So, she fancies me,’ Elsy comments with an intrigued smile.
‘Stay away from her! You know the colour of her football blood!’
‘I’ll do exactly as I please, my dear George. And FYI, the—’
‘I’ll be back.’
‘—guy I’m seeing supports… You better be back, Chips! September, remember?’
‘The guy you’re seeing supports who, Elsy?’
Charles raises a thumb above his shoulder and walks away from the upcoming squabble between his two friends.
After a few steps, he nearly ploughs into Aliah, who’s beelining towards the spot where Loris is being jostled by his rugby mates.
‘I’m not crying!’
‘No, you’re not.’ Charles laughs as she wipes her cheek. ‘How was your chat with Spencer?’
‘Fun. He’s endearing. He went on and on about his ski vlog. I didn’t have the heart to admit that you told us he’s not in it.’
‘Thank you for not bruising his ego. Or his trust in me.’
‘Your badly-kept secrets are safe with me! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna claim my hug.’
She thrusts herself into the group to reach Loris, and Charles sidles up to Phil who’s tilted his glass towards him. Empty-handed, Charles bumps his fist against it.
‘I never thought the day would come, but I envy you, Ledwell.’
‘Because Loris is unrealistically hot?’
Phil smirks around a sip of whisky. ‘I can do unrealistically hot. No, I envy this place you’ve reached where everything you want is one big package. No need for choices or sacrifices.’
‘In my humble opinion of newly free-spirited guy, you shouldn’t make any either. No future job is worth staying in a frustrating and dishonest relationship for.’
‘I beg to differ. And it’s only a matter of months.’
‘Because once you’re in, you’ll get away with crushing the feelings of your CEO’s daughter?’
‘No, but I’ll drive her to dump me. He won’t fire me if I’m broken-hearted on top of performing beyond his wildest expectations. Look how Elsy got Catriona to chill by acting devastated.’
Alex pops his head between theirs, his brow furrowed. ‘Doesn’t sound like a discussion I want to join.’
‘Indeed, but we’re done.’ Charles shoves over to give him space. ‘Are you enjoying yourself?’
‘Yeah, they’re a cool bunch! You could have told me that Andres quit med school too to pursue his dream of becoming a chef!’
‘No, because I didn’t know that... In my defence, I’ve only spent time with him in the presence of Aliah and Phoebe, and they tend to hog the conversation.’
‘Aliah doesn’t!’ Spencer materialises next to Charles and hands him a pint. ‘She’s a great listener. Is it serious? With her boyfriend?’
‘Seven-years serious.’
‘So they might get bored soon! By the time you’re back, I could be her rebound lover.’
‘By Tuesday?’
‘No… But Alex is the only one betting on you to take that return Eurostar after the wedding.’
‘Come on! You’re all being annoying. As if I’d just pack and leave you! Without proper goodbyes!’
‘Exactly!’ Alex leans closer to Charles to whisper, ‘But seriously, there’s a lot of cash at stake, don’t let me down.’
‘I want in again!’
Charles hastens to cap his glass with his palm but, this time, George approaches cautiously because he’s holding two drinks.
‘Thank you.’ Charles smiles and grabs one with his free hand. ‘A Manhattan? How did you convince Patty to make a cocktail?’
‘How do I snare anyone into doing anything?’
‘You’re George Downes, my bad. Well, cheers! To you, guys. For bearing with me all summer, every time I’ll show up unannounced to whine about Loris being away.’
George slings his arm around him, below Alex’s. ‘I’m certain I speak for all of us when I say that a Charles who seeks our company to vent about his feelings is one we’ve greatly missed these past few years.’
‘Yep.’
‘So much!’
‘Anytime, Chaz.’
Charles tightens his grip on his two glasses as his friends squeeze him from both sides.
Before them, Loris is sandwiched by Phoebe and Aliah. His eyes are shimmering with pent-up emotions, but also from the neon lights and a high alcohol level.
When he looks at Charles, his smile spreads from ear to ear.
‘Damn… Someone’s irrevocably smitten,’ Phil says with a scoff.
‘Well, I’m a real catch.’
‘Alright, I stand corrected.’ George brings Charles even closer. ‘This is the you I’ve missed greatly.’
Charles takes the longest breath in and lets it rest in his lungs while he soaks everything up.
The touch of his unfailing adopted brothers. The sound of laughter and blossoming relationships. The smell of a cocktail Patty wouldn’t have made for anyone else. The sight of a drunk and effusive Loris. And the taste of the future he’s ready to leap at.
He doesn’t record the moment in fear it will never occur again. He simply bookmarks it, in case he ever wonders how to describe home.
Another two months later
‘Are you alright?’
Charles blinks and averts his misty gaze from the computer screen to find Enrica Bianchi’s maternal look.
Five minutes ago, she gave him the spot at her desk and sat in the opposite corner of her study with a book and her phone.
‘You seem a bit stunned.’
Enrica’s English is flawless, but her Italian accent is thick, and she struggled with Charles’ London one when he expressed his excitement at full gallop upon entering her home. Since, they’ve settled for an unhurried flow that contributes to the museum vibe and timeless feel of her villa.
‘I am. Loris makes such a little deal of the email he sent you. I wasn’t expecting that. Thank you for showing me.’
‘But if he asks, I didn’t, remember?’
Charles turns an imaginary key in front of his lips. ‘I’ll go back to Kaunas before he wonders what’s up.’
‘I will grab some appetisers and join you for a chat about Olwinski.’
‘Perfect.’
He thanks her once again and leaves the door open behind him, as he found it on his way back from the bathroom.
The decor of the study stopped him, a sign from Enrica beckoned him in, and her mention of Loris’ email drove him to pierce the mystery around it.
How many times will Charles’ mind blow before it malfunctions for good? He doesn’t trust Loris to be done plot-twisting him. Next, he will likely serenade him like the reincarnation of Pavarotti.
Charles turns into a sun-kissed hallway and smiles uncontrollably. Loris is waiting in the doorway to the salon where Kaunas is hung, his arms crossed over his skin-tight t-shirt.
‘Did you go on a full tour without me?’
‘No.’
Charles won’t lie but won’t explain, which is nonessential anyway, because Loris’ suspicious brow disappears as soon as Charles tangles his fingers into his hair. It’s grown longer, and lighter from days of coaching outdoors.
Loris is unfairly tanned and mesmerisingly fit. As magical as their afternoon is, Charles is itching for some privacy. Making out in the toilets of Florence airport, where they reunited earlier, only increased his longing.
‘What was that for?’ Loris asks when Charles breaks the insistent kiss he went for on impulse.
‘I don’t need a reason after three hundred years.’
It was only three weeks ago that Loris came back to London, for the opening of the exhibition at the Camden Art Centre, but they felt like centuries to Charles.
Thankfully, it was the last but one period they had to spend apart.
The rugby summer camp is over, and Charles has completed his contract with the firm. After four days in Tuscany, they will separate again for a fortnight of holidays with their respective friends. Then they will prepare together, in Andrésy and in Hampstead, to leave everything and everyone behind.
‘We should reconsider the Rome plan,’ Charles says, inhaling the fragrance of Loris’ neck. ‘Live here instead.’
‘In 2020, maybe. We’ve agreed to work at the guesthouse. And this offer from my step-dad’s friends is the only reason you can get a permit.’
‘I was kidding. Sort of.’