"And still funny as hell."
"If you can't laugh, then it's hardly worth the trouble.Now then, I hear the tea in this place is satisfactory.Of course, I brought a flask just in case it needs a bit of sprucing up."He patted his coat pocket.
Time melted away as Claire condensed her move to London into sixty minutes of laughter, scones, and Earl Grey.Aside from her father, no one else on earth made her feel as alive and loved as Uncle Ham, as she'd called him for years.Her mother's only sibling and Claire's only living relative aside from her father, he'd played an important role in her young life, especially after the death of her mother.She'd traveled to England and spent long summer days exploring the woods around his country estate north of the city.He'd always treated her as though she were his very own.
Hamish poured more tea and shared not only the successes in his life, but also the failures as well.Two ex-wives in the wings.A new girlfriend in the picture, though he swore it was nothing serious.All young, all beautiful, and all after one thing.
"You know what they say?Wealthy men are fools."Hamish raised his teacup with a nod.
"Foolish, but delightful."Claire smirked.
“Speaking of fools,” he said, “I heard about your break-up with Mr.Butterworth.I’m so sorry, my love.I hope you parted on good terms.”
Claire took a sip of her tea, debating how to answer.
He doesn’t want or need the entire soap opera.Keep it simple.
“Breakups are never easy.”Claire mustered a smile.“I wish him nothing but the best.”
“Too late for that.”Hamish covered her hand with his own.He already had the best.”
A breeze caught Claire’s long blonde waves, and she looked exactly like her celebrity doppelganger as she exited the limousine.She and Molly linked arms and walked in lock step.Inside the ballroom, they scanned the crowd in search of Hamish.
"Do you see him?"Molly strained her eyes.
Claire shook her head."No.Like a needle in a haystack."
After a minute or two they gave up, unable to locate Hamish in the sea of tuxedos.With a deep breath, Claire donned her most confident smile and pointed Molly to the closest bar.She ordered a glass of champagne, still moving her gaze around the room in search of her uncle.Just as she thought she'd caught sight of him, she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"You weren't kidding, darling.You are absolutely stunning," Hamish said, placing a kiss on her cheek.
"Uncle Ham!”Claire touched the lapel of his jacket.“You look so handsome!"
"Thank you, thank you."He turned to Molly."Well, if it isn’t the Unsinkable Molly Wise-Beyond-Her-Years.You're all grown up and absolutely breathtaking.My god!It's been too long.Much too long."
"Hamish Fielding, you look fantastic," Molly said, her eyes sparkling.
"It's the tuxedo and nothing more.Now, did you two get settled in at the hotel?"
"It's a beautiful suite.Thank you so much for treating us—and for the whole weekend."Molly smiled.
"My guess is it's been a while since you two had an old-fashioned slumber party."
"Well, it certainly wasn't necessary, but it's very much appreciated."Claire touched his arm lovingly.
"You ladies enjoy yourselves.If you have to break the seal on the mini bar, remember to drink the good stuff first,” he said.
"What do you meanif?"Molly grinned.
Hamish laughed.“I'd love to introduce you both to some of my business associates.”
"That would be lovely," Claire said, linking her arm through his.
The three made the rounds through the crowd.What Hamish described during tea as a small gathering of contemporaries turned out to be a first-class celebration of three hundred of London's power brokers.By the time they sat for dinner, Claire caught herself yawning, completely out of gas.She sat quietly on her uncle's right, offering little in the way of conversation.Nods and smiles she happily exchanged, but her aching feet cried foul, ready for the evening to wind down.Hamish's new lady sat on his left picking at her plate while he shared colorful tales with several guests.The room quieted and after dessert, a man approached a podium on a small stage and began expounding words of appreciation for her uncle's philanthropic contributions to the greater London community.
Applause filled the air as Hamish stood and made his way to the podium.The two men exchanged handshakes and a host of paparazzi swirled around the podium snapping shot after shot.Claire's uncle offered a few modest words of thanks, then encouraged everyone to stay and enjoy the evening before returning to his seat.
"Claire, darling, I am so happy to have you here with me tonight," Hamish whispered and kissed her hand.
