Brian & Gordon: Living in threes - 4. Wedding plans

The flat was so quiet without Toby. Even though the boy didn’t usually make that much noise, his activities now formed the backdrop to their home life. Brian was constantly expecting him to appear and ask what time tea was.

Sunday morning, they had woken late at the hotel but made it down to the restaurant in time for a slap-up brunch that involved the luxury of scrambled eggs with smoked salmon. Gordon had pointed out that they could easily have had this at home, Lidl’s smoked salmon was very reasonable but then Russ had asked what Toby thought of farmed salmon which seemed to bring the three of them to laughter, much to the consternation of the rather po-faced waiter who didn’t understand what was wrong.

It was that sort of hotel, the breakfast was table service and the food beautifully cooked, but if you wanted another coffee you had to attract the waiter’s attention. Brian sort of preferred the help-yourself variety.

“You get this sort of service at most hotels when you go away?”

Russ snorted, “Hardly. But usually, I have room-service if it’s on offer and work in my room. Besides, there’s nothing more conducive to mid-meeting snooze than a slap-up breakfast, so no. I don’t. Usually it’s coffee, fruit, yogurt and whatever bread is available. This is a treat, even for me, and it’s nice to share it.”

Post-brunch they had lingered, having a last-minute bout of energetic sex that had them showering again afterwards, still grinning.

Back in Parborough, Russ had work to catch up on (he had deliberately not brought his laptop with him on the weekend), whilst Gordon and Brian looked forward to a few hours on their own.

The issue of their wedding and Russ’ offer, though, rather kept rattling around both of their heads. Gordon had messaged his Mum; she and Drew would be finished at their art course later in the afternoon, so Gordon and Brian arranged to go over for the evening.

Once home, Brian took advantage of his restlessness, and Toby’s absence, to turn out the boy’s room and clean the awkward bits. Toby wasn’t particularly untidy, and Brian hated cleaning, but it had to be done. They had music on loud and Brian was singing along whilst Gordon got up to date on their personal paperwork, filing bank statements and such.

When Gordon interrupted Brian with a cup of tea and a biscuit, it was a welcome intrusion. “So, find his stash of porn?” Gordon grinned.

Brian rolled his eyes and put his head on one side, “What century are you in? Kids don’t hide porn under their mattresses anymore, it’s all online.”

Gordon pulled a face, “Says a man whose ex- exploded because she found a copy of Gay Times under her son’s bed or somewhere.”

Brian gave an embarrassed nod, “Touché! And no, I didn’t find anything.”

“You’ll just have to look harder, I’m sure it exists. He can’t get that much on-line, surely, as his laptop has that software on it.”

Brian pulled a face, “What’s the betting there’s a computer whiz at school who’ll help the kids get round that sort of thing.”

“For a fee.”

“Do we need to be worried?”

“You could ask him.”

“And risk being an uncool Dad?”

“Has to be done sometimes.”

“Think about it.”

Brian’s phone rang, it was Toby, calling for a chat; he’d just got back from a day’s activities and was keen to tell his Dad all about his adventures in the forest. Brian put him on speaker and the two men were entertained by Toby’s enthusiastic descriptions of a day spent exploring how dead trees formed an important home for insects, bugs and wildlife. Brian hoped this didn’t mean that Drew and Evie would find themselves badgered to have rotting logs in their orchard, but he wasn’t sanguine.

The kids had had a barbeque for lunch, which Toby thought was definitely cool, and he’d even managed to fit in cake with his Mum and they were going off for Italian food again. It sounded as if Deirdre was coping by giving the boy plenty of space, and well, Toby seemed cheerily up-beat.

---

“So, what’s eating you, sweetie? You two didn’t just come round to tell us about spending an entire weekend holed up in luxury.”

“Mum, we just felt…”

Evie smiled, “I know you, love” and she ruffled Gordon’s hair the way Brian sometimes did to Toby, “What is it?”

They were sitting outside the old mill, it was still warm enough, just, though all four were well wrapped up, Drew in a favourite old corduroy jacket, baggy and comfortable, complete with a brightly coloured scarf, Evie in a multi-coloured cardigan made of patchwork squares of knitting and the two men in more conventional padded waistcoats. Evie had provided a casual cold meal, the remains of which still sat on the table.

“When we were away, Russ had a suggestion about the wedding, and we can’t decide.”

“You want to wander into the Register Office, sign a paper and leave”, Evie laughed.

“Mum, we want it simple.”

“Sweetie, there’s simple and simple. Friends of ours did that sort of thing, Tricia and Glen”, she looked over at Drew who nodded, “they went on holiday, to Cyprus I think, and came back married.”

“Was it legal?”

“Yes, all above board, paperwork and everything,” Evie laughed. “Everyone was furious, even the folk who didn’t approve of marriage on principle.”

Drew gave a comic snort, “Waste of a damn good party.” Evie rolled her eyes. “Be nice to get a few folk together to celebrate, and rub it in for those that don’t approve”, he looked rather gleeful.

Ignoring his Father, Gordon ploughed on, “Russ offered to pay for the catering, he suggested having something here afterwards.”

“Oh, did he?”

Drew smiled, “Sounds a good idea to me.”

Brian knitted his brows, “Thing is, we’d sort of settled on just a meal with the six of us.”

“Brian and I, Toby, Brian’s Mum and you two.”

“Yes, sweetie, I can count. No Russ?”

“That wasn’t the idea. And a catered event with just six or seven seems odd.”

“And where would we have it, it’s bound to be too cold to be outside here?”

Evie looked at the two, “What do you two want?”

There was silence and Drew laughed, “Don’t think they know themselves, love.”

“When is it again?”

“Mid-October, late Monday morning.”

Drew pulled a face, “Deuced odd time to get married.”

Brian shrugged, “We got a cancellation, or something.”

Evie pulled a face, “Someone decided not to go ahead?”

“Looks like it.”

“Better than being jilted at the altar or whatever you call it.”

“Dad!”

Evie paused for a moment, then looked decisive, “Then do what you want. Have a meal in town, perhaps that burger place, Toby likes.”

“Mum, burgers?”

“Why not, sweetie? Nice, casual, well-sourced food and Toby likes it.”

Drew laughed, “Sorted!”

“Then in the evening drinks and nibbles for a few friends. You are welcome to have it here, but what about your Mum’s place, Brian?”

“The house isn’t that large and well, I’d worry about it stressing Mum, she’s not good at letting things go and she’d worry about every detail, even if she wasn’t supposed to be organising it.”

Evie nodded, “And stress you two out in turn. Fair enough. I just didn’t want to tread on toes. It won’t be that many people, will it?”

Gordon frowned, “The six, plus Russ, Hugh, and Damian from work, they would presumably bring partners, and Brian’s Mum might bring Vera.”

Evie nodded, “What about Toby’s friend?”

“Noah?” Brian looked surprised, “Don’t see why not.”

“It would be nice for Toby to have people his own age.”

Brian nodded, “Then Noah and Toby’s mate, Justin, plus their parents of course.”

“Mix folk up a bit. Sounds good, Mum.”

“What about Russ?”

Evie looked at Brian, “What about him?”

“His catering offer?”

Evie smiled, “Wine and food for the evening, fancier than we’d normally manage, someone to look after it and tidy up later. I’m not proud.”

As if that decided things, Evie got up to clear the table and Drew rose too, insisting the two men stay there.

Gordon smiled at Brian, “You realise that they will make sure Edward Hirsch’s photographs of us are prominently displayed.”

“You’re serious?”

Gordon laughed, “Come on, it’s my parents we are talking about. And Marcus Hirsch’s painting of Dad’ll probably get a dusting too.”

Brian laughed nervously, “You think folk will be Ok with that?”

“Of course. Warn them in advance.”

“What? We’d like to invite you to our wedding celebrations and by the way, there’ll be naked photos of both grooms as well as a nude portrait of the Father of one groom.”

The two were still laughing when Evie and Drew returned with glasses and a bottle of wine.

“I know you’re driving, sweetie, but one glass.”

Drew’s eyes gleamed, “And this is rather special, been saving it. 2015 Seville Orange.”

Was that such a thing? Seville Orange wine? Brian stared as Drew poured small glasses of the yellow-tinted, slightly viscous liquid. “Try it.”

They toasted Gordon and Brian; it was like drinking liquid marmalade. “Wow!”

Drew smiled, “Told you. Real good stuff. Unlike a lot of my wine, it ages well.” Then he fiddled in the pocket of his jacket and produced a little box that he placed with great ceremony in front of Gordon and Brian, “Go on, open it.”

Brian did the honours, it was a pair of rings, matching, slightly curious in shape, more like bent wire than regular hoops.

“It’s an idea that I’ve been fiddling with for ages. I was just working on the prototype when you”, Drew patted Gordon’s hand, “brought Brian to meet us and it seemed ideal. I figured you’d have a use for them some time or other.” He then picked up the two rings, fiddled with them and suddenly they were one. He grinned, “Puzzle rings. Used to be popular and I thought it made a great metaphor. Go-on, try them on.”

Gordon failed to unfasten the two, but Brian did it with a smirk. Neither ring was a perfect fit, but Drew said he’d adjust them next time they came over.

“Thanks Dad, they’re amazing. I told Brian you’d never have anything ready in time.”

“Doing your old man down again.”

---

Wednesday was Toby’s first day back at school, the year that things began to get more serious, and exams started to loom. Not that Brian said any of this to Toby, but he was aware that they might have a challenge in making Toby concentrate on subjects that he wasn’t interested in. Brian remembered the pep talks he had received as a teenager, explaining how important boring subjects like English and Mathematics were. Brian wasn’t planning to jump the gun, but felt they’d need to be prepared.

After school, Toby went round to his Gran’s and by the time Gordon and Brian arrived to join them for dinner, Denise had already been treated to a blow-by-blow account of her grandson’s exciting weekend (school had been brushed off in a few words) exploring forest insects. His Mother did come in for a mention, albeit as an afterthought. Denise later commented to Brian that considering the ups and downs of the relationship, they should be grateful for small mercies.

Deirdre had delivered Toby back on Monday evening and even managed a polite hello to Brian (Gordon had kept well out of the picture). Though a comment about Brian having done well for himself when she saw the flats (outside only, she wouldn’t come in) showed that Deirdre’s sharp tongue was still around. Brian had been quite relieved when she’d refused their invitation to join them for a cup of tea. The invitation had been automatic, only later did he wonder what her comments would have been on seeing Edward Hirsch’s nude photograph of the two of them, still leaning against the hall wall, and the way Toby had colonised the balcony with plants.

Brian had warned Toby, again, that he might not see his Mum for a bit, but the boy was still on a high from the weekend and would come down later. As Denise cleared away the dinner things, with Gordon’s help, and Toby watched TV, Brian decided to broach their plans.

“We’ve been thinking about the wedding.”

Denise laughed, “Regretting it already?”

“Mum, really. No, it’s just Russ wanted to do something for us.”

Denise raised an eyebrow, “And…”

“We thought we’d go to the Plain and Honest Burger after the ceremony, just family. Then have drinks and food in the evening at Drew and Evie’s place.”

“Are they happy to host it?”

“Yes. Drew likes a good party, and if numbers creep up then we can use the barn that he has as his studio.”

“Mum says it needs a good tidy”, Gordon chimed in, “So this’ll put a rocket under his arse.”

“And he’s sold all those big pictures to Russ.”

Gordon nodded, “So, the place needs a good sort out.”

Denise laughed, “You’re suggesting that by having a party you’re really doing him a favour.”

Gordon smiled and nodded.

She peered at her son, “And who are you inviting?”

Brian pulled a face and looked at Gordon who shook his head but smiled, “Mum and Dad, of course, you and Brian thought you might like to bring Vera, Russ, Hugh, Damian and Philippa from work, and their other halves, plus Toby’s friends, Noah and Justin, and their parents.”

“Bit of an odd mix. Just three from work?”

“We’ll probably take everyone for a drink, but we don’t want to turn it into a staff party.”

“Do Justin and Noah’s parents know anyone?”

“No. But then we don’t have that large a circle of friends. And we’re not inviting people for the sake of it.”

“Besides, Liz and David Wells, Justin’s parents, are not backward in coming forward and given what they do for a living, I’d imagine Noah’s parents are fiendish networkers.”

“Well, thank you. It sounds lovely and I’m sure that Vera will be delighted. And you know, it’ll be a great treat not to have to worry about hosting the event.”

“Erm, there’s one thing.”

“Yes?”

“Gordon’s parents will have the photos up, plus a big nude painting of Drew when he was younger.”

“I remember, you talked about Drew’s full-frontal picture”, Denise laughed. “So, folk get to see you and him in all your glory. Well, Vera’s seen you naked before, Brian.”

“When was that?”

She smirked, “25 year ago, but the equipment’s still the same. You’ll tell the kids’ parents?”

“Yes. Both boys have no doubt heard about the pictures, so…” He shrugged.

“If they’re going to get fussed over something like that then there’s nothing you can do. What about Russ?”

“Well to be crude, he’s seen the two of us.”

“No, daft thing. You said about him paying for something.”

“His wedding present is going to be covering the catering for the party.”

“Nice. Your Mum will be pleased.”

“Yes, and we don’t feel so guilty lumbering them.”

“Come on, Dad loves a party, he’ll be in his element getting people to try his lethal alcoholic brews.”

Brian grinned, “And he’s made us rings.”

“Already?”

“Seems he was way in advance of us deciding.”

“They’re rather clever, they link together to form one ring.”

Denise smiled, “Puzzle rings. Neat.”

---

>It’s Val, you left a message. Is there some sort of problem?

“Quite the opposite, we’re getting married.”

>Congratulations, I presume?

“Thanks. It’s a very quiet affair but we are having drinks in the evening at Gordon’s parents’ place.”

>I see?

“We plan to invite a couple of Toby’s friends, and we thought about Noah, and you two of course.”

>That is most thoughtful and delightful.

“It won’t be large, just our parents, a few guys from work and hopefully our friend Russ Kahn.”

>Ah, the famous Mr Kahn.

Shit, of course, they’d chatted about him, “The same.”

>We’d be delighted. When is it?

Brian gave him the date and Val confirmed that they were indeed free.

“There’s just one thing.”

>Yes?

“My parents will have paintings and photographs on display. Nudes, of Gordon and I, and Gordon’s Father when he was younger. Full frontal.”

Val laughed.

>I assure you, Marina and I have seen worse, and Noah, well I think he’s old enough to cope.

“Thanks.”

>So, instead of an embarrassing speech by the Best Man, we get to see both grooms and one groom’s Father naked.

Liz Wells’ attitude was similarly laissez-faire, if not more so. She had given a great belly laugh and commented that those weren’t the bits that Justin was interested in, naked ladies bosoms however would be…

It was a non-event. Everyone said yes, Damian was bringing his latest girlfriend, Hugh his long-term partner (female) whilst Philippa would be bringing a friend (definitely not her partner, which was a tad frustrating).