Catering With Benefits (3) - An Appetite for More - 42. Welcome to This Crazy Family

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While Desmond was driving the Prices back to Crystalline, Jonathan closed the privacy window between the front and back seats then said to Virginia “Tomorrow I will have my things moved from Potts Point, and then it’s all yours Nia. But you should also feel free to stay at Crystalline as long as you wish.”

“Thanks, but I think I should move on and make a clean break. Towards the end of the week I’ll move some of my things to Potts Point and then the rest to Mallacoota a few days later. When I move, I want Desmond to come with me and live as my partner from then on. Which means, you need a driver, are you going to ask Bernard?”

“That’s one possibility, but as Lachlan will be moving in with me, I thought we could share the driving.”

“Jonathan Percival Osmond Price, lately you never cease to amaze me. Have you even got a driver’s licence?”

“Of course I have.”

“Next question, when did you last drive on the road?”

“It has been a few years, so I’ll practice in our driveway first and then slowly go further afield until I get the skills back again.”

“Might be better to start with the other car before risking it in this one.”

“Yee of little faith.”

“Faith is no substitute for experience Jon.”

“You’re right, I’ll take it slowly, it should be fun.”

“Tell you what I’ll do. If you can start driving again then, I’m going to learn to drive also.”

“Now that is living dangerously, Nia.”

“That’s what I said to Desmond a few weeks back. Jon, open the centre window please, I want to talk to Desmond.”

When the window was lowered, Virginia asked “Desmond will you teach me to drive?”

“Do you think that’s necessary, I am happy to drive you.”

“Of course you are, but Jonathan’s going to start driving again so I thought I might accept the challenge. Go on do it for me, it could be fun.”

“If you insist, but driving is not to be considered a fun thing to do; it’ a serious business Virginia.”

“Yes Desmond I get that, but will you teach me or should I get a professional instructor?”

“Yes, I’ll do it.”

“Good, settled. See Jon, if you can do it so can I.”

Jonathan laughed and said “You’re a braver man than I, Desmond.”

“Or maybe a foolish one.”

“Enough! you two.”

***

After the funeral, Thomas went via home to pick up a few things and then headed to Crystalline. He was greeted at the door by Bernard “Good evening Mr Thomas, please accept my condolences Sir.”

“Thank you Bernard, nice of you to say so, but will you please call me Thomas, nothing has changed in our status.”

“As you wish Thomas, but may I take the liberty of reminding you that while you might be treated as a close friend here, maybe even as family, I am still a humble servant.”

“For Christ’s sake Bernard, stop with the humble servant shit. Have you learned nothing about the Prices all these years working for them? They are not class conscious and stuck up. Jonathan might sometimes be strict in business and expect good service, but I don’t think he expects grovelling. It’s really not becoming of employees in the twenty first century.”

“That may be your view Sir, oops Thomas, but I did overhear a conversation, quite accidentally I might add, I was not eavesdropping. When you referred to me as grovelling, Mr Price replied ‘he’s a servant, that’s what he does’.”

“I don’t think he meant he wanted you to do that. He was probably just taking the piss, given your performance.”

“Oh that’s what you said about me.”

“Did I, don’t remember. Anyway the point is, I know you were not happy about losing your driving job.”

“To the late Mr Jared.”

“Yes, Bernard, no need to rub it in.”

“I am sorry Sir, that was insensitive of me, especially today.”

“Yes it was, but back to my point. Jonathan became aware you were not happy in the store so that is why he asked you to be his butler. He was trying to show he cares about your welfare. You have to give him credit for that.”

“I suppose so, but he did dump me as his driver for a younger and very attractive man, if you take my meaning.”

“There was nothing like that between them. As you know, Jonathan was planning to run for parliament and needed more than a driver, he needed a body guard as well.”

“I have always kept him safe, for many years, never even had the slightest dingle while driving.”

“I was not just about safe driving, but could you have disarmed a potential assassin or floored an attacker in one move?”

“No.”

“You see that’s why he needed my Jared, he has years of experience in the army. Did you know he was an SAS operative?”

“I knew he was an army man, but in the end even all that didn’t save Mr Price. They say the pen is mightier than the sword and even in this day and age, that was proven to be still the case.”

“Yes Bernard, that is so true. It is just a pity that Jonathan didn’t get a chance to put his side of the story and that the public was so hungry for gossip.”

“Well he got what was due to him.”

“Excuse me! What do you mean Bernard?”

“Oh...um...I mean, people are so easily influenced by the press these days. He should have expected that would happen.”

“I hope that’s all you mean.”

“Of course, what else could I mean?”

“I’m not sure Bernard.” Thomas replied slowly, with a touch of suspicion in his tone. “Now, why don’t you try to relax, act naturally and enjoy your work.”

“I do enjoy my work, everyday.”

“Even that worries me a little.”

“Shall I announce your arrival Mr Thomas?”

“Not necessary Bernard, I know my way around.”

As Thomas walked down the hall, the door bell sounded again, Thomas paused and waited till he heard Bernard say “Good evening Mr Lachlan, welcome to Crystalline, may I help you with your bags?”

Thomas turned and said “That won’t be necessary Bernard, I’ll assist Lachlan.”

“But it is my duty Mr Thomas.”

“Bernard!... piss off!” snapped Thomas.

“As you say Sir.” and he walked off with his nose in the air and a final “Humph!”

“Hi Lachlan, are you finally moving in?”

“Yes, I’m a bit nervous though, knowing his wife is still here.”

“Don’t worry about her, she’s a sweetie really.”

“I hope so. I don’t know what to expect.”

“That’s right, you haven’t met before. I think she’ll love you. Not only because she’s such a welcoming person but maybe also... because you’re taking Jonathan off her hands.”

“I hope so.”

“We’ll leave your bags here for now. I’m not sure what bedroom arrangements Jonathan has made. Though I suspect he will still be using his room until Virginia vacates the master suite. You’ll love it here. It’s a beautiful house with great staff, and there’s a pool, gym and a fabulous garden.”

“You seem to know a lot about the place.”

“It was my home for nearly ten years. When I was Virginia’s PA and before I met Jared....” Thomas paused, took a breath and continued “... I lived here, very happily.”

“I was so sad to hear what happened to your man; too young to be taken. I feel for you Thomas.”

“Thank you, put so beautifully.”

“Where do we go now.” asked Lachlan?

“I think I need to take you to your man and let him take it from there.”

“So will I meet the wife?”

“Of course we’re all dining together.”

“Bugger me, that’s jumping in the deep end.”

“Not at all, she’s a really nice woman. Just relax, ok?”

<>

Introductions were made, pleasantries exchanged, then Jonathan took Lachlan to see their room and unpack his bags. While they were away, Virginia asked “Tell me honestly Thomas, how are you coping?”

“I have good days and bad days. I suppose that’s to be expected. The nights are the worst. When I roll over, reach out and find the other side of the bed empty, it’s like a punch in the guts.”

“I’ve not heard you mention Andy, lately. You two used to be so close, is he not giving you any support?”

“Oh, Andy’s always a darling, but he’s rarely at home these days, except to sleep. He and Dean are always together and the bar occupies all their time. They work till late every night. I’m not critical of him, he deserves to have a good life after all those years....Well you know what I mean. They come home most nights, but I try to give them their own space. As Diana said ‘three in a marriage is a bit crowded’.”

“Thomas come here.” Virginia said as she stood and stretched out her arms.

“This feels so good, Virginia. It’s like coming home, being here with you.”

“You know there is always a home here for you. Speaking of which, tell me what’s going to happen to Jared’s house, will you have to move out?”

“No, his parents have been very generous about that....”

<>

When Jonathan and Lachlan returned, Jonathan said “Where’s Bernard, it’s time the drinks started flowing?”

Then suddenly from nowhere he appeared pushing a drinks trolley and announced “Right here mate, name your poison.” The four turned looked at Bernard and then all burst into laughter.

“What?” demanded Bernard.

“Who are you?” asked Jonathan “and what have you done with Bernard?”

Thomas then stepped in “I think I am responsible for this Jonathan.”

“Are you saying, you kidnapped my grovelling butler and replaced him with this common bartender?”

“Something like that.”

“Ok, so if this new one doesn’t work out, I’ll want the old one back. What do you think Lachlan? Will we keep this new model?”

“Let’s give him a test run.”

Bernard stood silently listening to the banter, then said “Excuse me, I am present and can hear all you say.”

“That’s excellent Bernard, now hear this. We want champagne all ‘round, as we have many things to celebrate tonight.”

Bernard did his duty and when all had a filled glass he asked “Shouldn’t it be a sombre occasion tonight, given that you’ve all just come from a funeral?”

“No, that’s another cause for celebration. Here’s to the life of Jared, partner to Thomas, loyal and trusted employee of this family, a man who served his country and friend to us all. Oh, before we toast, where’s your glass Bernard?”

“Me, included?”

“Yes mate.” replied Jonathan “Welcome to this crazy family.”

After the toast to Jared, Jonathan continued “I would also like to welcome Lachlan to the family and thank him for agreeing to be my partner. Thank you also Virginia, for making our divorce and settlement so amicable and...” Jonathan paused and said “There’s someone missing. Then looking at Bernard, asked “Will you go get Desmond please. He should be part of the evening also.”

“Righto, straight away man.”

When Bernard left, Virginia said “Thank you Jon, a very touching gesture on your part. However...I’m glad you got custody of Bernard in the settlement, I don’t think I could manage the problem child.” and there was laughter again.

<>

“But why do they want me up at the house?” asked Desmond.

“Oh they’re all getting gushy and sentimental and they’ve only had one drink. The mind bogles at what they’ll be like when they get a skin full.”

“I’m not sure I understand you, but I’ll have to change. You go back and I’ll catch up.”

“I am a butler, I could help you dress.”

“And I could give you a clip around the ears if you put one hand near me.”

“I didn’t mean anything like that. God knows this house is desperately short of real men. We have to stick together.”

“Yes, I see what you mean. But I’ll be keeping my eye on you, just the same.”

“You don’t think its contagious, do you.”

“Bugger off Bernard.”

“Oh nice turn of phrase Des, now you’ve got me worried.” He concluded as he smiled, turned, tried to do a heel click and fell over, as a result.

As Bernard rose to his feet he said to Desmond “You won’t tell them up at the big house about this, will you?”

“About what?”

“Thank you.”

Desmond gave Bernard a matey slap on the back and said “Be on your way, I’ve got to change.”

<>

The dinner went well and by the end of the evening, Bernard found a balance somewhere Downton Abbey and Fawlty Towers.

Jonathan said to Thomas “I know this is still early days, but you might remember that a few weeks ago I invited you and Jared to join Lachlan and I at the villa. That offer still stands of course. In fact it might be good for you to have some time away, work through your grief and plan the next stage of your life. I don’t need an answer now, but I want you to know, you will be more than welcome.”

“Thank you Jonathan, I will give it some thought, but I am thinking your suggestion would be good for me.”

“That’s the spirit, young man.”

“Have you set a date to go away?” asked Virginia

“I was thinking in about a month. The property settlements should be done by then and Smidmore will have started the public float process. That could take anything up to a year to complete, so there’s plenty of time to start my retirement.”

***

Craig and Justin had a light meal at home instead of going for Wednesday night drinks at Dean’s.

“How was the funeral?” asked Justin.

“You would know if you had attended yourself.”

“I told you, I would feel very uncomfortable there with all those people and not knowing who knew what about me and Jared.”

“Except for Thomas nobody else knows anything, as far as I could gather.”

“Just the same, how could I genuinely appear to be grieving about that man?”

“You don’t have to grieve; you should have been there to show your respects.”

“Respect the man who raped me?”

“No, one reason for attending funerals is to show respect to other family and friends.”

“Anyway, who would miss me?”

“Jared’s parents for a start and Julia asked where you were.”

“What did you tell them?”

“Thomas was asked first so he said you had the flu, but some assumed you were too grief stricken to attend.”

“That’s a laugh, me grief stricken over that bastard.”

“Ok, don’t get worked up again. The funeral’s over now but you may regret it later.”

“I doubt it. By the way, did Thomas say anything about Jared and me...you know. He didn’t say anything at all when I told him last week.”

“The funeral was not the time to discuss that, but you’re right, I was surprised at how calmly he took the news of Jared’s infidelity. He’s obviously still learning to cope with the loss.”

“So do you think he will be angry with me when he has time to think about it?”

“I’d be surprised if he wasn’t.”

“Fuck, I feel shitty about all this, and pissed off that Jared leaves me to deal with it all. I just don’t know how I feel. I loved him and miss him, I’m angry with him for raping me, I’m embarrassed that I cheated on you and hate myself for doing it. Between us we made a right cock up of our relationship as brothers. Now I feel responsible for Jared’s death.”

“I told you before, wishing him dead can’t make it happen.”

“It’s not that, but if I hadn’t left him there alone he wouldn’t have gone out with someone else and had that accident. Did Thomas ever find out who it was?”

“It was a guy from the resort, named Grainger, he thinks he was a waiter there.”

“Didn’t meet anyone named Grainger. I’d remember that, it’s an unusual name.”

“That’s his surname, I think he said his first name was Ryan.”

“Shit!”

“What, do you know him?”

“Yes, he served us breakfast on our first morning there. Quite a hottie, not surprised Jared picked him up. He was impressed by our bodies, Jared’s snake nipple rings and wanted to know if I could take a punch on my abs.”

“I know I shouldn’t ask, but what did you say?”

“I said he could try and then....”

“Then what?”

“Nothing much, he said maybe later, but there wasn’t a later. I wonder if he had come with us, things might have been very different.”

“I don’t like where this is going Justin. Were you planning a threesome?”

“NO! I’d already told Jared I wasn’t having sex with him, so I would hardly get into a threesome.”