Page 46 of Daddy's Christmas Elf
Grey took the proffered parcel. Peter’s late father had lived in a remote and tiny village, close to the sea in Suffolk. Peter had always said it was like going back in time, and the sketchy phone signal seemed to agree.
“I didn’t want tonotwish you the best for the season, but when I found this it was the perfect reason to come and see you. That, and your mention of a friend, of course.”
Grey said nothing as he pulled the paper loose. He wished Peter no ill will, but it had been him who’d wrecked their marriage — and now he wanted to nose around in his life, a life he was no longer a part of. The paper fell away from the package.
Ah…
Grey smiled despite the confusion of thoughts and emotions coursing through him. An copy ofWind in The Willows, an early edition but by no means a first, battered and beaten. He and the old man had discovered a shared enjoyment of the classic and timeless children’s story.
“This could be valuable.” Grey held it up and raised a brow. Peter shook his head.
“No. I had it valued. But I thought you might like it, seeing as you and Dad got on so well.”
“We did. And thank you, I appreciate it.”
They fell into silence. Peter carried on drinking his coffee, and Grey looked at his watch. He was finished with work for the day, and for Christmas, and he wanted to spend the time with Eli.
“Is that the signal for me to push off?” Peter smirked.
“Kind of, but you said there were a couple of reasons why you were here.”
“I did, but the other doesn’t seem to be quite as pressing any more.” Peter put his mug down, and locked his gaze on Grey’s. “I know you may not believe me, but I didn’t like the idea of you spending Christmas alone. Especially,” he said, his voice dropping, “this first Christmas. Oh, for god’s sake, Grey, stop looking at me like that.”
Grey stared at him, and shook his head.
“How should I look at you, then? After all, there was a very good reason for me, possibly, being on my own wouldn’t you say?” Grey spat the words at Peter, who nodded and looked away. Grey’s flash of anger subsided as quickly as it had flared. “Well, as you can see I won’t be on my own.”Now you know, just go.
If Peter picked up the unspoken message, he took no notice of it.
“And I’m glad that’s the case. I really am. I saw Barney and Maxwell earlier in the week, and they said you’d declined an invite to theirs for Christmas.”
Grey shuddered. “You really thought I’d want to spend it with them?”
Peter’s lips twitched a smile. “They’re lovely, if a little earnest.”
“They also have an unhealthy addiction to tedious and very long board games. I stopped playing Trivial Pursuit years ago, and I don’t intend to restart.” Grey couldn’t help but return Peter’s smile.
“Okay, but I also know you refused other invites. And you’d never go to your brother’s—”
“So what were you going to do? Suggest we spend Christmas together? Bit weird, wouldn’t you say?”
“I just didn’t like the thought of you being alone. We may no longer be together, Grey, but you’ll always be important to me.”
Grey exhaled a long breath. “I appreciate the sentiment. I think. But it’s not needed because I’m not going to be…” It came to him in a blinding flash… He hadn’t considered… Peter would be with David, or with Jessica, wouldn’t he…? Was it Peter who…? “Are you going to be on your own?”
Peter shook his head, as a flush crept up his face. “No, I’m not. I, well I…” He scratched the back of his neck again. Grey waited for the words to stumble out. “I’ve met somebody.”
Grey sat motionless as he stared at Peter. Of course he’d have met somebody. The man was witty, educated, interesting, and gorgeous, he was a man who turned heads as he walked into a room, a man whose smile, touch or kiss had left Grey panting and breathless, consumed with heat and need.
As Grey’s eyes remained locked on Peter, he felt nothing.
“Anybody I know?” Just weeks earlier, days even, Peter’s news would have devastated him, but now there was no more than a mild ripple of interest.
“No. I only met Crispin a couple of months ago.” Peter looked up, and Grey read the words swimming in his eyes…I never left you for another man… I never betrayed you…
Grey believed the pleading he saw in Peter’s eyes. The issue had never been about an interloper. It had been about them, or more about what he had wanted for him and Peter not being what Peter had wanted at all.
“I’m pleased for you. So who is this Crispy?”
