CHAPTER 68 - THE RETURN

BRITIN - SATURDAY MORNING

KITCHEN

GUS

I am helping papa with their dinner tonight. “Papa?”

“Yes Gus.” Papa has that smile on his face and I can’t help smile back.

“Is any of that…?” I ask as he closes the fridge.

“Yes, some of that is for you and your mommies; Ruby is still too little. We will put it together tomorrow.”

“Goody! But I also have a wedding question.” I play with the tile on the counter.

“Brian! Mommies!” Papa calls. Soon everyone is in the kitchen. “Go ahead Gus.”

“When you get married, where are you going to live?”

“Do you mean because of papa and momma’s work on the ship?” Daddy asks.

“Hmm. You’re going to be gone for a long time if you go back to work.” I try not to cry.

“No, we’re not.” Daddy tells me.

“Why not?”

“Because wherever papa, mommy and momma go, Ruby, you, me, Rhubarb and Custard go too.”

“But then I will miss Chanda and she’s my bestest in the universe friend ever!” I wipe my nose on my sleeve.

“Gus, what does Chandra’s daddy do?”

“He’s a basketball player and helps other players with their owies.”

“So he’s like Uncle Blake and there can never be too many Uncle Blakes in one place.” Daddy puts me in his lap. “And on the ship, there are going to be plenty of people who have owies.”

I frown, but everyone is smiling and my heart starts to beat faster. “Daddy has Chandra been keeping secrets because she was told to, like at the park?”

Daddy pulls out his phone and dials a number. “Hi can I speak to Chandra please? It’s Uncle Brian.”

“You told him?” Chandra’s mommy’s voice sounds happy.

“Yes.”

“Oh thank God! She’s been miserable that she couldn’t tell him. One second.”

“Gus?”

“Chandra? Are...are you coming with me on the ship after my daddies get married?”

“Yes. Yes I am!” Chandra screams. “I really wanted to tell you but they had to get everything fina...finca...what’s the word mommy? Oh finalised.”

“I am so happy Chandra! I love you, see you Monday!”

“Backatya bestie!” She calls back.

I hug myself so hard but then realise something. “But where are we going to stay?!”

“Quarterdecks.” Papa says and I look up at daddy.

“You know where we painted my toenails? They are called quarterdecks. It’s where the people who work on the ship live. But we won’t be living there…”

“Why not I liked it there.” I pout. I know I shouldn’t, but I liked that ship.

“Because, Mr Randolph bought another ship and we’re going to live there. It’s just for family.”

“Family? You...you mean I can call Mr Randolph and Mr George my uncles now, too?!”

“Not quite.” Momma tells me and I don’t understand.

“But I want to call them that! I promise…”

“So you don’t want grandpas then?” Daddy’s voice sounds like he’s talking with his mouth full.

“Grandpas? They want to...to...to be...So I can call them Grandpa Randolph and...and...Grandpa George?

“Yes you can.” Mommy tells me and she picks me up and rocks me until I stop crying because I am so happy!

PITTSBURGH AIRPORT - AN HOUR LATER

REGINALD, PI

I look at the picture and then at the man sulkily making his way through the airport. Yeah, that’s him alright! I follow at a discreet distance as he keeps looking at his phone and muttering to himself. As we get to the taxi rank, he’s four ahead of me but then steps out of the queue to answer a call. Judging by the swift way it ended, it wasn’t who he thought it was. His attempt to rejoin the queue where he was originally standing has been rightly rebuffed. So I step out, hand my regular guy his due and nod. I saunter to the queue and make sure I end up behind him.

“God I hate this.” I grumble. “Of all the days for my car to break down.”

“Are you talking to me?” He looks over his shoulder. In fact, he looks twice and I don’t feel complimented!

“No was talking to my assist...oh yes baby!” I cry as my car comes into view. “Thank fuck they sent the second one!”

“Michael!” He says quickly and puts out his hand for me to shake it.

Unimpressed is what I want to say. “Hugo. Hugo Prince.” I reply, a plan already forming.

“Nice to meet you. Liberty Avenue here I come!” I cry in delight...and wait.

“Liberty...could you give me a lift? I will pay the same fare I would’ve paid for a cab.”

I look at him for a few minutes. “Okay, but half now and half when we get there.”

“Sure!”

As we get in the car, I look across at him and like a few people I have heard tell, wonder how he thinks whatever he is planning going to work?!

LIBERTY AVENUE - AN HOUR LATER

MICHAEL

I am so glad to be back home! As we drive down towards the diner, I have another plan.

“Look, see that diner over there?” He nods. “Could you wait in there while I go get the rest of the money?”

He looks at me for a while before nodding and then speaking to his driver. As I get out of the car and head to the bank, I notice the looks I am getting. Yes people, the Michael Novotny is back in town!

DINER

REGINALD/HUGO

I saw he had the money when he handed over the first lot so not sure what game he playing, but I’m hungry enough to play along. I take a seat in a booth and look around. It looks like Tinkerbell had a bad day in here! “What can I get you?” A woman asks and I smile.

“Hi Kiki. I’m Reginald.”

“Nice to meet you Reginald.” She tucks her pen behind her ear so she can shake my hand.

“The idiot son of Debs is back and I am going to assume waiting to make his grand entrance to show that off and me.”

She gapes at me before sitting down hard. “How do…?”

“I work for Randolph and saw him at the airport. Gave him a lift. Now need to talk fast because I don’t know how long he’s going to be. Do not react to him or what I say. Treat it like he’s not been gone.” I keep checking the door and see the top of his head. “Up! Up now!”

She swiftly gets up and takes my order. I watch four people come in before him and roll my eyes. Trust me, you ain’t all that! Is what I think as he comes in, pauses and looks around. Nobody reacts to him.

“Hi Kiki! I’m back.” He crows.

“You were away?” She replies nonchalantly, pouring coffee.

“Yes. Where’s Ma?”

“California, excuse me. What can I get you doll?” She asks a woman.

“What do you mean California? Why is she there?”

“Why not phone her and find out?”

“Kiki, order up!” The chef yells.

“Thanks!” She calls back and as she advances with my food, he almost runs to the booth.

“Sorry it took so long Hughie!” He slides in and helps himself to a fry.

I tighten my hold on my fork. There are two rules in my world: the first is that nobody shortens my name...pretend or real...and the second is that nobody takes my food!

“You hungry?” I ask and pull the plate back a bit. He nods and reaches for my plate again and takes yet another fry. “Then order some food, do not take off of my plate!” He looks at me for a few seconds before finally taking on board that I am serious!

“Hey Kiki!” A voice trills out. “Debs and the Golden Girls made it there safely! Can I have a pink plate special, please?”

Whoever that is has got his attention and he slides round to my side of the table. “Seriously, dude…”

“Emmett! Over here!” He squawks and waves like a hopped up two year old, which having heard what I’ve heard he kinda is! Emmett stiffens but then comes to join us after talking to Kiki. “Hi Michael and you are…”

“Hi...uh...Emmett.” He stutters as he doesn’t get the reaction he was hoping for. I quickly glance at Kiki and she winks. Hmm, I think I like this lady.

“So?” Emmett begins.

“London.” “Hugo.” We say together. He laughs, I don’t.

“So which is it?” Emmett asks.

“I’m Hugo. Nice to meet you…?”

“Emmett. Emmett Honeycutt. So what’s with the London part? Is it a nickname?” He has a twinkle in his eye...methinks that Kiki can talk faster than me!

“No London, as in England, as in that’s where I was.” Michael replies snootily.

“You were away? I had no idea. You know, so busy with the wedding and various other...oh Kiki, you life saver!” He trills as she puts the plate down in front of him. “So Hugo, how did you and Michael come to be acquainted?”

“I…”

“I gave him a lift from the airport and am still waiting for the other half of the money. How do you know him?”

“Known him for years. May I swap some of my hash for some of your fries?”

I had been drooling, inside over the hash, so readily agree and soon we are having a lively discussion about, of all things, zucchini!

“They are just too watery.” I laugh as Michael twitches and fidgets in fury. I have never enjoyed a stake out so much!

“Julienne.” Emmett leans back and looks smug.

“Who’s that?” Michael bites out. “Another person who can contribute to the great zucchini debate?”

“No idiot. Julienne is a culinary term to describe thin strips of food.” Kiki retorts, sitting down next to Emmett and places a plate of fries and hash in front of me.

“I didn’t....”

“I know you didn’t but you’re not going to say no to it, are you?”

“Actually Kiki, you didn’t take my order?” The idiot pipes up.

“What did you order?”

“Well I didn’t but....”

“Then don’t bitch at me for not writing down something you didn’t ask for.” She seethes, going pink.

“Is she supposed to be a mind reader?” I demand. “And where is the rest of the fare?”

He’s clearly used to using his eyes to get his way. I have a two month old kitten; she is the only thing that weakens me. He ain’t no kitten, and his act isn’t cute either. I just keep my eyes locked on him until he pulls out his wallet and gives me the money.

“So aubergines. Thoughts?” Emmett asks and he huffs yet another annoyed breath.

“Hang on a second Emmett, you said that Ma and the Golden Girls were in California. By Golden Girls you mean Uncle Vic and Rodney plus the other two living corpses?”

It takes everything within me not to smash his smirking face into the table! I haven’t had much face to face dealing with Randolph Charles but what I have had, he’s been polite and kind. His billions making no difference to how he treats people.

“Living corpses?” I question.

“Oh two friends of my uncle.” He waves his hand dismissively before snickering. “You’d think they’d use all that money they have on a cure for crabbiness. I’ve never seen such miserable people!”

“Yet you look in a mirror every day. Or perhaps you don’t judging by the way you are dressed.” Kiki snarks and I almost blow hash out of my nose! Naturally he doesn’t get that he’s just been bitch slapped!

“So why are they over there?” He asks, forcing his hand away from the hash and fries that are so good!

“No idea. They just are. Why not phone and…”

“Kiki, order up!” The chef yells.

“But I can’t wait for her to get back. Oh, my feet! How she did this full time three days after having you I will never know!” She carps before hauling herself up and heading to the hatch. I catch the look on Emmett’s face and see fury. I hope I am reading him right and press down on his foot, he gives me a small but imperceptible nod and plasters a smile on his face.

“Again Mr Hugo, let’s talk aubergines. Salted or unsalted?”

RAYMOND’S FORMER HOUSE - SAME TIME

DEBS

I look at the house and back to the driver. “This is it? Are you sure?” I ask.

“Yes ma’am.” He smiles. “Let me get your things for you.

“My entire house can fit in the front yard!” I gasp.

“He has expensive but very good taste.” He laughs.

Vic and Rodney are just staring. We follow the driver up the path and into the building.

“Correction my entire house can fit into the reception!” I laugh.

“Here are your keys. I will leave you to have a look around. Mr Charles and Mr Schickel will be here for dinner at seven.”

When the door closes behind him I look at Rodney and Vic. “Okay, so we all stick together, right?” I order. “I don’t think we will find each other for a while if we don’t!”

Two hours later, we are sitting in the back garden basking in the sun. “Vic, can I ask you something and you be honest?”

“Of course, sis.” He sips on his mimosa. We have no idea where the staff came from but are happy they are here!

“Would you really not have gone if I had laid it on thick? The guilt, I mean?”

He sits up and looks thoughtful. “I would’ve gone because you laid it on thick.” He laughs and leans over to kiss my cheek. “But I’m glad you didn’t.”

“Are you kidding me? I would be an idiot to do that! Have you seen that bedroom?!” I laugh and Rodney raises his glass. My phone beeps and it’s Kiki. “The prodigal has returned!” I sigh and then gape. “C-Carl?!” I stammer as he hands me another drink.

“Yeah, it’s me. So about this bedroom…”

BRITIN - EVENING

LOUNGE

BRIAN

“So would you like your appetiser?” I stop kissing a very naked Justin and wriggle out of his reach.

“Brian, I was supposed…”

“Yes I know what you were supposed to do, but I want to do this, so please let me.”

“Okay.” He lies back down and smiles.

I bring out the best guacamole I have ever tasted with warmed flatbreads. He sits between my legs and we both load up a bread with the guacamole and I wait for him to take the first bite.

“Oh that is gorgeous!” He mumbles and takes mine from me...but puts it in his mouth. I clear my throat hard.

“Sorry, but oh wow!” He turns to face me and places the dish in between us. “The beast likes, so right now it’s every man for himself!” I chuckle and then we eat in silence, the only sounds being our groans of delight...it is that good!

“All gone.” I point out when he starts to scrape the plate with his finger. “So the next... seriously you’re licking the plate?” I watch in amazement as he leaves the plate completely clean.

“You have to make that on date nights, so good!”

“The main is…” I am stopped from speaking because I have a mouthful of Justin’s delicious tasting tongue. He is holding my head absolutely still and is, well I don’t quite know what he is doing but I know I like it! I find my arms wrapping themselves around him and his grip eases and it is more than a tongue fucking kiss it is...I don’t know but it’s making my head swim and in a good way!

“You were saying?” He breathes into my ear and it takes a good five minutes to get a visual and for my tongue to move.

“Thai lamb chops lime and coriander yoghurt.” I manage to mumble.

“It is?” He sits in my lap, looking disappointed. I’m confused since I thought he loved lamb. “The thing is…”

“Justin?” I force his chin up.

“I’m nicely full and I-I just want to cuddle.”

I pull him deeper into my arms. “Here or upstairs?”

“Here. I-I know it sounds silly because of the sundae build up. But kissing you just now, I just want to be.”

“Go get the quilt.” I kiss him gently and his ass bounces as he runs out of the room.

Ten minutes later, we are watching Save the Last Dance and as the credits roll he turns around and burrows into my chest and right at that moment, I understand exactly what he meant when he said that he just wanted to be. I wrap my arms around him and switch off the DVD.

RAYMOND’S APARTMENT, CALIFORNIA - TUESDAY AFTERNOON

RAY

I drop my suitcases and smile. I’m home! I open the windows all round the place and smile again. When the door knocks I frown and then remember the service I ordered to clean it up while I am on the beach.

“One sec!” I call out and saunter to the door. But when I pull it open, my face falls...no crashes to the ground would be a more accurate statement!

“First your passport, second your keys and third your phone.” Phoebe demands, striding in and looking round. “Oh great, a second bedroom. At least you don’t have to sleep on the sofa!”

I just stare at her.

“One, two and three...give them to me!” She sing songs and I glare at her but when Rod approaches, I start to rifle through my pockets. “Oh no, Rod can do it, just in case you have something we may have missed.”

I stand there as they search me like I’m some kind of felon and once he takes the passport and keys, I lower my arms. The door knocking jolts me out of my annoyance.

“Mind if I get that? It’s the service.” I snark.

“Crack on.” She returns equally snarkily.

As I open the door, my face plummets again as it’s not the service. It’s my dad!

“Are you happy?” I snipe as I storm back into the lounge.

“About what?” He sighs and I turn to look at him. He looks exhausted.

“Finding out about this place so you can take it away from me.”

“We can’t take it away from you. This is yours.” He sits down and rubs his face, tiredly. “He’s playing you.”

“Who is?” I hedge.

“Michael Novotny. Justin Taylor is not in love with you. He is in love with Brian. Completely and utterly. Sit down Ray and watch this.” He tells me and there is something in his voice that makes me obey. Two hours later, having watched them at a park and at the party I am starting to feel like shit!

“Did you see what we see?”

“They really love each other, don’t they?” I ask.

“Yes they do. And he absolutely loves Gus and Ruby. And I am begging you Ray, don’t do whatever it is he wants you to do.”

“Dad…”

“Let me finish! This is nothing to do with Franc, nothing to do with Ethan, nothing to do with anybody but you! Do you realise how good you are?”

“Good?” I am confused.

“Yes Ray. Good. What little work you did in London has been good. The businesses you’ve looked at have been solid and long term, they will be great investments.”

“They have?”

“Yes they have! You have a great brain but it is clouded by jealousy and laziness! And your laziness will get you in trouble if you go down this path…”

“Path?”

“Yes. Because if you go after Justin, his fiancé will come after you and he will destroy you and I will let him. Please son, don’t do this.”

“Son? You can call me son after…”

“After what? He snaps. “What exactly have I done to you? And if you say marry Veri, I will cold cock you again!”

I sit back and laugh while rubbing my chin the memory of his punch still at the forefront of my mind. “I wanted Europe and you gave it to her.” I know I sound like a brat but I did!

“I didn’t give it to her Ray. She earned it!” He stands up and puts his jacket back on. “I will take my leave of you but heed my words. He was his best friend before he betrayed him…”

“Betrayed? What are you talking about? Dad sit down and explain. Please.”

Another hour later, I am absolutely fucking humiliated and fuming. “Okay, let’s go!” I snap, grabbing my cases and heading to the door.

“Go?” My dad looks at Phoebe and Rod.

“Yeah to the airport. I’m going home. He can do this fucking shit on his own!”

They look stupefied and I smile wryly. “Yeah, I’m a fucking idiot but not completely heartless. Say sorry for me, yeah?”

As we get to the car, dad opens the door. “Thank you, Ray. I will tell Brian and Justin….”

“Not them. Well yes them too, but not…” I sigh deeply. “Say sorry to Franc for me. And tell Markus to make sure they treat her right.”

“Franc? Markus?” Dad looks confused.

“Markus can explain.” I smile and get in the car and as we head the airport. For the first time in my life, I feel proud!