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“Yeah. He’s better. Tell me, what do you know about Harriet?”
“She’s outspoken. A little out there,” I said, unsure how to put it, out of respect for Miranda.
“By ‘out there,’ you mean she fucks around?” Aidan raised an eyebrow.
“Maybe. I mean, look, Miranda’s very different. She’s serious and is happier with a book and looking at art rather than hanging out at clubs.”
“You got a good woman. Like I did with Clarissa. Twenty-two years married, and I love her now as much as I did then. If not more.”
“I can see. You guys are inspiring. My dad wasn’t exactly a great role model.” I sniffed. “But seeing you and Clarissa and Sam and Juni… You’re all so suited. It’s always a pleasure visiting. None of that tension that one feels around unhappily married couples.”
“Yeah, I didn’t have much of a role model either. It hit me by surprise. But I knew right away, from the moment we got together, that she was the one.”
I glanced over at Miranda, who was chatting with Clarissa. They had a lot in common, and I imagined they were discussing art. Like Aidan with Clarissa, my soul told me that Miranda was the one.
“I’m a little concerned about Harriet,” Aidan said.
“Why’s that?”
“She’s older. She’s kind of wild, and Ollie looks at her that way.”
“Why did you hire her?”
“He demanded it.” Aidan wore a tight smile.
“He needs caring for, I imagine.”
Ollie took a drink and laughed with Harriet, who was also drinking.
“Is it her day off?” I asked.
“Nope. But Ollie insisted she drink with him.” He shrugged.
A loud squeal rang through the air. Grant, Aidan’s father, had arrived with his much younger wife, Tabitha.
“How’s your dad’s health?” I asked.
“He’s okay. He had that throat cancer scare. Had it cut out, and he’s doing well. He’s given up the smokes, and is now eating weed.”
Tabitha moved to stand by Ollie and cracked a joke, which made him laugh.
“Speaking of marriages, I never expected those two to last. They were both sex addicts. But she’s stuck around. Tabitha was great when Grant was going through chemo. She looked after him really well,” Aidan said.
“People change,” I said. “Hey, don’t worry about Harry. I’m pretty sure she’s going to do her darnedest to help Ollie walk again.”
Anguish seemed to leach from Aidan’s eyes, as though I’d revealed something vital. “Thanks. That helps. Clarissa’s not concerned. It’s just me. I don’t know. In my old age, I’ve grown conservative. I’m too aware of Orlando’s wild ways. The girls, I mean.” He smiled. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
“I bet you broke a few hearts,” I said.
He sniffed. “I fucked my brains out. It’s not something I’m proud of. But it was an escape. And for a while there, I had a thing for older women.”
“Then maybe turn a blind eye. Boys will be boys.”
Aidan nodded pensively. “Come on, let’s get another drink. And talk about Mustangs and Weather Report.”
“You’re going to talk about the weather?” Miranda asked, joining us with Juni.
Sam came over, and he and Aidan laughed raucously.
“It’s only one of the best seventies jazz fusion bands,” Sam said.
“Oh. You’re also into that style of music?”
Juni jumped in. “He’s obsessed. They all are. Mustangs, jazz, and beer. The three amigos, right here.”
I smiled proudly. It felt good being among those older, wiser friends.
