Chapter 54
Two weeks later, Nic still hadn’t heard from Aria, resigning himself to the thought he may never see her again.
After putting up the kit house, he’d returned to London, getting used to living on his own again now Theo had moved out.
He caught up with him over a shopping trip – his brother scrutinising Nic’s jacket as he emerged from the changing room.
‘It’s a little short on the arms, Nico. Maybe, if you wear a dark shirt with it? Black jacket and shirt – no tie maybe, just open collar? Or go all black for the mysterious property tycoon look.’
Nic threw him a cross look through the mirror. ‘We share the same DNA. How come I have the arms of Mr Tickle, while yours are so stunted?’
‘Rude…’
‘Oh Theo, I didn’t mean—’
‘Stop talking! My arms are perfectly in proportion to my body. As is my one leg and my new bionic limb. The suit looks fine. More than fine. You are a handsome devil, big brother.’
‘Nah, I’ll put it back and pick one out of my wardrobe instead.’
‘But they’re all so boring, Nico. This one is modern. And cool.’
‘With ridiculously short arms.’
‘It’s called fashion, innit? Talking of getting kitted up, I’ll need to buy a kagoule for my Lakeland visit, won’t I?’ Theo groaned.
Nic’s chest tightened as he remembered Aria’s speech about locals being born wearing them. ‘Mum has been going on about that too. It’s summer, you know. But anyway, when the weather changes everyone mostly goes back to down jackets and boots. The kagoule thing is a myth.’
‘Well, you can tell those rural folk exposed cuffs are the new varsity jackets. Think ahead and post a fit-pic on the gram before you go, and I’ll comment that your sleeves are super-fashionable.’
‘Varsity jackets got old?’ Nic joked.
‘How’s it going with the new staff?’ Theo asked.
‘The feelers you put out made it so much easier to recruit the right people,’ Nic replied, taking off the jacket.
‘We are getting back on track and I’m feeling more able to take a weekend off.
Hence the trip up north and the wedding in one last attempt to make Aria forgive me.
Now, please, go flirt with the shop assistant while I change my trousers.
There’s only so much high fashion a man can try on in one day. ’