Page 85 of The Vow We Made
“A lucky guess.” A triumphant grin spreads over her face. “And Georgie said you saved him.”
I shake my head, “Okay, let’s lay this bedtime story to rest. I didn’t save him, all I did was give him a helping hand and he did everything else himself. Marcus served our country and the army let him down. It turned my stomach and I wasn’t prepared to leave him on the streets, so I helped pack up his stuff and the three of us took him to a hostel. I paid for two nights; the maximum they’d let him stay. I checked on him after the first night, mainly because I wanted to make sure he was alright. When I got there, he was helping out which is how I discovered he’d taken a plumbing course while serving in the army. He was a dab hand with a wrench and I persuaded the hostel to let him stay in exchange for maintenance work. He went from strength to strength, eventually becoming a part-time caretaker for the charity running the shelter. It gave him a home, and once he had an address for the foreseeable future, he was able to get a more permanent job as a contract plumber for Westminster City Council.”
“And all that stemmed from you offering him a burger. It just shows what a little kindness can do.” Her hands cup my face and her lips meet mine. She smiles when pulling away and leaning over to the end of the bed to grab a croissant; tearing a little piece from the end. “And then you set him up with Georgie?” she asks.
“After she badgered me into it. I guessed she had her eye on him from the minute they met. He came out for a drink and she was there, flirting her arse off if I remember. Anyway, afterwards she didn’t shut up about him.”
“Hmm, she may have mentioned that.”
“But as it turned out, it was a match made in heaven. Georgie started up a property development company and was looking for reliable tradesman, so he went to work for her. Slowly but surely, they became more and the rest is history. Now they have a thriving business and a fantastic relationship.”
“But you continued to help people on the streets anyway.”
“I had to after meeting Marcus. Not everyone out there is an alcoholic or hooked on drugs and he’s a good example of someone who just needed a helping hand and some support.”
She breathes in thoughtfully. “So every month you head out and give help to anyone who wants it?”
“We try to. We’re friends with a local café owner who supplies us with decent rolls, tea, coffee and everything is charged at cost. They make up fifty of everything to give out wherever we see fit. The van belongs to Marcus and all it takes is a few hours of our time once a month to give those people who need it, something hot to eat and drink. The medical checks came later after helping one guy with a nasty gash to his arm and from there, it seemed stupid not to take a medical kit. Now I give check-ups on a regular basis. It’s difficult enough for people living rough to find somewhere to sleep but getting to a doctor is another problem altogether.”
Victoria’s eyes glisten while she sniffs, “You’re my hero Aiden. Your humanity amazes me and I’m bowled over by your compassion. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like you before, so selfless and absolutely true to what he believes in.”
“Don’t be too impressed,” I laugh, trying to make light of it. “I’m not saving the world, just trying to help where I can.”
“It doesn’t matter. To me, you’re bloody Superman.” This time she’s smiling through her rapid tears. “I don’t know why I’m crying. What have you done to me?” she laughs.
I sink further down the bed and we lie face to face, eye to eye, mouth to mouth and fuck me; if I don’t find myself wanting all of her and everything that comes in life, with her. Needing to touch each beautiful inch of her body, my hand smooths the outline of her curves, back to her neck and through her hair. I can’t help but think what a lucky bastard I am while I run my fingers down her back while edging as close to her as I can.
“You know what I think? You and me, we were always meant to find each other. If we hadn’t met outside the café, it would have been another time and another place.”
“So are you saying you believe in destiny?” she smiles.
“Destiny is bullshit, but I do believe this was always going to happen.”
“Sounds like destiny to me.”
“Call it what you want. Now I’ve got you, I’m never letting you go.”
It’s the most I can tell her without saying the words.
