A David Blaine Story

by Atonia

Chapter 1

I shall desire more love and knowledge of you (Act I Scene II As You Like It)

Trevor Blaine stepped out into the farm yard as David’s vehicle pulled up, followed closely by a blue van. He supposed this was the contractor with David. They hadn’t really come to an agreement about how to pay for the refurbishment of his farm house, but he figured he could pay for the assessment if he needed to.

He wasn’t a rich man by any means but he was comfortable. With only himself and his flat in Chelsea to expense he had acquired a nice bank account. He’d never been a man to spend foolishly and he lived quite simply when he was at home. He travelled so much with his job that extravagant holidays didn’t interest him. He lived a very narrow existence for a man in his early fifties who was single and still quite handsome. It never occurred to him that he’d fallen into a rut, or that there was anything else he should be doing. That is until his tenant farmer had to quit working Linden Hill farm.

He’d been at the farm now for about three weeks and had succeeded in cleaning it as best he could considering there was fifteen years of neglect to wash away.  Somehow he’d let his nephew and Margret Langston talk him into bringing the farm back to life. Now David was here with his contractor to do an inspection and evaluation.

“Hiya,” he greeted David.

“Uncle Trevor,” David smiled. “I’d like to introduce you to. Robert Webb and Jim Connelly. These are the men who worked Gravesend back to beauty.”

Trevor shook hands with them. “Well, I have no idea what it is you do so I guess I’ll let you get to it.”

David walked around the house with them and then inside for a little while. Trevor leaned on David’s big Rover and thought about his little BMW tucked away in the garage. He was still trying to understand his nephew. He was a hard nut to crack, more inside than out. You never knew what he was thinking behind those slightly oriental eyes. He was thinking about the difference between them when David came out alone.

“They are off and so we leave them to it.”

“How long before we know the damage?”

“Should get a detailed report within a week. They will take pictures today and investigate everything. I told them your well was suspect. Someone else will have to test the water, electricians and plumbers will be called in after today.”

“Sounds like a big project. I’m still not convinced it’s worth it. I ought to just sell the place and be done with it.”

“It is your heritage, your mother’s lands. You will not sell it.”

“You’re getting mighty bossy lately. The fact is they are MY mother’s lands and therefore MINE to sell or turn into a holiday camp if I want to.”

David looked at him a moment and grinned. “You want to tell me to go home?”

“Nah, if I wanted to tell you that you wouldn’t be here now.”

David lit a cigarette and offered one to Trevor. He took it although he was off them at the moment. They began walking past the outbuildings to a field beyond. It was not mown and the grasses and wildflowers were knee high.

“How much land do you have?”

“Oh, I don’t know exactly. There’s a stream down past those hills that marks the boundary on that side.” He turned around toward the other side and hadn’t a clue.

“You don’t know how much land you own?”

“It’s in the papers somewhere.”

“Why do you not know? Do you feel no connection with this farm?”

“Well, let’s see, I was about eleven or twelve when we moved here. I was a kid with a bicycle. I learned to ride a horse here when I was home. I was sent away to school, David, so I didn’t really spend that much time here; and when I was here I was wanting to be with my mates somewhere else. Then I went into university and from there to the Royal Air Force. So…no I don’t feel the pull of the land here.”

“What do you feel the pull of…what grounds you?” David sat down on a stacked rock wall.

“Grounds me? Ah, I couldn’t say. I don’t know that I’ve ever thought about it.”

“You just float.”

“Hmm, I guess I do. Something wrong with that?”

“No, for you maybe it does not matter. Do you ever feel lonely?”

“Sure I do, until I decide what pub to go to and find somebody to talk to. I think you’re only alone if you want to be. Sometimes I’m comfortable in front of the TV watching rugby or soccer and I don’t want company.”

David shook his head slightly.

“You see, your problem is that you don’t frequent pubs. If you did you’d see that the whole of the world passes before your eyes and your ears. If you feel like discussing the state of the world or sports or the size of the barmaid’s tits it’s all there. And if you want to sit and cry in your beer or sulk alone it’s okay.”

David chuckled, “I have never been one to turn down a trip to the pub, but it’s not where my life is centered.”

“Well, you got kids I guess that makes a difference.”

“Even when I didn’t have a child I was more connected with my house and garden.”

“You’re a different sort of bloke.”

“Yes…I know.”

“I didn’t mean that in a derogatory way, David.”

“I have always been different, but I think at last I have come to understand why, and it’s not just my sexuality.”

“As long as you’re comfortable with yourself that’s all that matters. Fuck the rest of the world.”

David looked over at him. “Are you comfortable with yourself?”

“Hell yes. I don’t go in for all that psycho- babble.”

“You said you were burned out with work. What will you do, Uncle Trevor?”

“I don’t know…stay here until I feel like going back into it.”

“And what if you don’t? What if the ashes go cold?”

“I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.” If he was honest with himself he’d recognize that bridge before him. He just didn’t want to think about it yet.

“I see your mates are outside again.”

“We should go back and see what they say.” David rose and started back toward the house. Trevor followed a few steps behind. Damn the lad for bringing up bridges. He squinted toward the house and wondered why he was here. He should go back to London and forget this place. Sell it and take the money and…what? He shook his head to clear his thoughts and caught up with David.

“Pretty soon you’ll be running. You’re walking pretty fast.”

“I would love to run. You have no idea.”

They talked with the contractor for awhile and after they left Blaine and Trevor went inside.

“So what have you got going for the rest of the day? Going back to Coventry?”

“I thought I might go over and see Margret before I go back.”

“Not staying over?”

“Would you like for me to?” Blaine asked.

“Yeah, I’d like the company unless you need to go.”

“No…I can stay. I’ll call home and let them know.”

They crossed the bridge leading into the village. “You know about this place don’t you?” Trevor asked from behind the wheel of his BMW.

“The battle of Hastings was fought here in 1066.”

“Yep, and this bridge is in the exact spot that famous bridge sat. You know your English history.”

“I am educated.” Blaine looked over at him and grinned.

“More so than me, I’m sure.” Trevor was taking Blaine to a pub in Stamford Bridge.

“I doubt it.” Blaine looked back at the bridge and though he’d like to paint it sometime. “I did not finish at Cambridge.”

“Doesn’t matter, you’re an intelligent man. At least you use your education.”

“And you don’t? What were you reading for?”

“The easiest thing I could to get through so I could join the RAF. Mathematics…dull and uninteresting like me.”

“Are you fishing, Uncle Trevor?”

“Nope, facts my dear David. It’s a fact of life. What do you reckon, The Stamford?”

“You are the expert here.” David climbed out of the BMW. The pub was on the corner and beyond was the river. He stopped and watched a family of ducks crossing the road toward the river.

“Did you see that?” Trevor pointed to a sign that said duck crossing.

Blaine smiled and followed him into the pub. Seated on the high stools at the bar a little elderly lady came forth behind the bar and asked their pleasure. She stood on tiptoe to reach the pumps and filled their pint glasses.

“How long have you been doing this?” Blaine asked her.

“Since I was a girl.” The woman smiled and pushed his glass toward him.

The pub began to fill with locals as the afternoon wore on. The Blaine’s were of interest especially those that knew the farm.

David turned around on his stool and looked around at the patrons. Young women with weird makeup and piercings hanging onto young men with weird hair and piercings. Tired looking men in suits, weathered men in jeans and khakis. Women with their friends taking over a round table and casting about for eligible men. A few caught his eye and smiling he turned back to the bar. It didn’t matter where you were, London or country pubs it was all the same. He mentally took himself out of the eligible category.

Much later and a bit wobbly they left the pub and walked down the street to a small grocery. Trevor looked around at the aisles without an idea what to buy.

“Leave it to me.” Blaine took over and filled the little cart with some fresh vegetables and a half chicken. He bought rice and seasonings and paid for it all. Trevor added a carton of beer.

Though feeling the beer, Blaine drove them home to the farm. “I could have driven, David.” Trevor poured out of the car in the farm yard.

Blaine had never seen him like this. He usually held his drink. “Are you not glad you didn’t have to?”

“You’re a good kid.” Trevor helped him carry the bags to the kitchen. “Can you cook too? I might just marry you…go mano mano.”

“I think it is against the law to marry your nephew. Sit and I will cook for you.” Blaine dug around and found a frying pan. He’d make do with that in the absence of a wok. He made a stir fry while Trevor sat at the table with an open beer in front of him.

“Is this what you eat?” Trevor asked.

“I eat whatever Fish cooks for me. Occasionally I would cook for myself in Hong Kong. My houseman taught me to cook.”

“So you had a Billy in Hong Kong too.”

“No, I did not. Lee was not like that. He looked after me, my clothes, my house and my kitchen.”

“I didn’t mean anything. You’re the first gay man I’ve ever really known.”

Blaine set a fragrant plate in front of him. “Eat.”

“This is really good, David.” Trevor cleaned his plate.

Blaine set the pates in the sink and opened himself a beer. “You are not drinking?”

“I’ve probably had enough…ah, one more.”

Blaine took a couple of drinks from his bottle and aware that something was bothering his uncle he squared himself in his seat. “What is it, Uncle Trevor?”

“Ah…bridges. I don’t know what I’m gonna do. I ain’t a farmer, David. I’ve never lived in my flat for more than a month at a time. What the fuck am I going to do?”

“I cannot answer for you. You don’t have to farm…find another tenant.”

“And then what, sit up here on my arse for the rest of my life?”

“Are you going to retire?”

Trevor looked at him and didn’t answer.

Blaine wanted to help him but he didn’t know him well enough. That was something he hoped to accomplish.

I am alone in spite of love, in spite of all I take and give- (S. Teasdale)

Chapter 2

Blaine dutifully did the washing up after Trevor took himself off to bed. The victim of too much beer and the fear of the future.

After he finished in the kitchen he went outside and lit a cigarette. He had memories of this place. There had been a horse. He walked toward the old stable and stood at the open doorway. His father had put him up on the horse and led it around the yard. He could almost feel the excitement and fear he’d had then. He didn’t remember Trevor being there, perhaps he’d been at school.

He looked back at the house. Except for light coming from the windows it was dark, almost blending into the night. Was he right in trying to bring the farm back for Trevor? He looked up at the sky. Trevor wasn’t of this place.  Nevertheless, it was family land, and it would not be turned into a holiday camp if he had to purchase it himself.

The next morning Trevor was up early and made coffee. Blaine was coming out of a restless sleep. He’d awakened several times in the night hearing different sounds. The old bed smelled old and he realized what a pampered sod he was. He came downstairs in his uncle’s pajama pants.

“Morning, David.” Trevor glanced over him. “Sleep all right?”

“No, I did not. I think you have mice or something in the walls.”

“Probably do. There are squirrels in the attic, but as long as they stay up there they don’t bother me.”

David took a cup of coffee and walked to the hall and out into the yard. The early morning air chilled him but the air was fresh and good. Trevor stepped out behind him.

“Should have found you a shirt.” For the first time he saw the scars on Blaine’s lower back. He winced and looked away. He’d had two different surgeries to repair the damage.

“It’s cooler up here than at home.”

“Yeah, guess a few more weeks and the weather will be changing.” Trevor took a drink from his mug.

“How are you this morning?”

“I know I had too much beer yesterday. Good meal you cooked last night. You’re a man of many talents.”

“You must cook, you have to eat.”

“I heat up, that’s different from taking this and that and making something out of it.”

Blaine smiled and did not say what he was thinking. Trevor needed a woman.

“I hope you cook breakfast because I am starving and I have a long drive ahead of me.”

“Now that I can do.”

It was Blaine’s turn to sit at the table and watch his uncle at the stove.

“If you could go anywhere or do anything you wanted what would you do?”

“Oh, I don’t know…somewhere with a beach and warm weather.”

“You should go to Corfu.”

“Corfu, eh, what happened in Corfu?”

“I was sent to find someone. In Corfu I came to the realization that I needed to be free. Not to be defined by a relationship.”

“That’s pretty deep.”

“I dug deep.”

“Did you find the person you were looking for?”

“Oh, yes, I did.”

“Male-female?”

“Female.”

“Hmm…female in Corfu…David wants to be free. Yep it all adds up. Was she…you know?”

“Yes, she was.”

“I tell ya, Sir Brennan has got to do better by me. Sends me off to God forsaken deserts and you get the girl.”

“I did not get her…not that way. She was very nice and good company while we were there.”

“Did you shag her?”

“That is not any of your business.” David grinned and took the plate from Trevor.

“I take that as a yes. There may be hope for you yet, kid.”

“Well, you know if the opportunity arises then why not?”

“What happened with Renee?”

“Ah, I hope to see him again. He said he needed some time. I don’t think he was surprised, but still it was a hard thing for both of us.”

“Maybe you just had the hots for him and once that was over it all looked different. Happens sometimes.”

“I don’t know. He’s very special.”

“So basically you’re a single guy right now, not going with anybody?”

“That is correct. There are times when I think I have made a mistake, but I don’t want to live with anyone.”

“Who’s the mistake?”

“Billy Wright.” Blaine shrugged, “We have a child together and I have deep feelings for him. I know…I am crazy.”

“I don’t think so. Smart maybe, but not crazy. Being single is the best way to go at least it is for me.”

“Do you really think so?”

“I’ve been on my own for 18 years now. I ain’t marriageable material anymore.”

“You don’t have to marry, but maybe you need someone.”

“Well, the problem I have is if I meet somebody I immediately get sent off to God knows where and when I get back she’s moved on.”

“But if you don’t go back, if you retire, there is the possibility of a more permanent relationship.”

“You trying to get me in trouble? Worry about your own predicament.”

It was his own predicament that he thought of on the way home. Billy had Willy for nearly a month now and he’d spoken to him once. He’d tried to step back and let him have some time with his son and not interfere. He trusted Billy to take care of the baby, but he was teething now and Toomes had a time with him before he left. He tried to imagine himself alone with the child. He’d had Lyssa after her mother was killed, but she’d been older, a toddler of three and able to feed herself and communicate.

As he neared London he called Billy.

“Hello, Blaine.”

“Billy, I’m on my way home from Yorkshire and as I’m near London at the moment I thought I would call and see if you are ready to return Willy.”

“Well, I was going to bring him at the weekend. I know we’d agreed on a month. If you want to stop by for him…I hate to let him go.”

“I will stop by, I should be there within the hour.”

Billy lay his phone down and looked across the room at Willy sitting in his walker chair banging a toy on the tray. He’d bonded with Willy right after he was born, taking over his feedings and bathing him. He’d been more of a mother to him than Mandi. When he and Blaine split he’d felt the loss and missed him. It was bad enough losing Blaine but Willy…

Reluctantly he rose and went into Willy’s room to pack his things. All was ready when Blaine arrived.

Blaine went through Billy’s newly redone flat and approved. “I like it, very tastefully done, Billy.”

The flat was done in warm golds, dark brown leather sofas, a soft gray comfortable chair, flat screen TV mounted on the wall above a fireplace, shiny dark furniture. Masculine but warm. Only the artwork here and there spoke of the inner Billy Wright. Male forms dominated.

“When I moved up here I found I couldn’t live with what was here. I think you influenced me in that direction. So it’s…yeah, it’s good.”

“I like Willy’s room.” Blaine stood in the doorway to the baby’s room. “How has it been having him here?”

“Oh, a little rough for the first few nights. We had to get used to each other again. I got some drops to put on his gums and that seems to help. He’s a good baby, fine lad.”

Blaine went back to the living room and picked him up holding him close and inhaling his baby smell. Billy’s eyes stung seeing him with his son. He still loved Blaine. His mind tumbled about with what could have been and wasn’t. He knew him about as well as anyone did. He’d known what he wanted before he could ask, and had been there through some terrible times with him. The intimacy between them couldn’t be forgotten, pushed aside as though it never was.

“I could make some tea.” He heard himself say.

Blaine’s eyes were soft when he looked up at Billy. “I’d like that.”

It was good to have something to do…making tea.

Blaine watched him go about filling the kettle. A cup of tea was always Billy’s answer. A comfort he needed right now. Something familiar in a strange place for the flat was strange to him. He rocked the baby against his chest until his eyes drooped and he put him in his crib. Billy had the tea made and poured him a cup.

“So, ah, what’s happening in Yorkshire?”

“I’ve been with my Uncle Trevor. I had my contractor go over the farmhouse.”

“You gonna do it up for him?”

“With his help, I hope. I’m not sure it’s the right thing to do, but I cannot stand by and let the house go to total ruin. It was my grandmother’s house. Billy, my mother is dead. I got a box of photos from her and a letter.”

“Oh, sorry, Blaine, wish I’d known.”

“It’s all over now. I’ve finally forgiven her. I had to; there was nothing left to hate.”

“It’s better, it’ll be better for you now. You didn’t talk about it all the time, but I knew it lay there in your belly eating away at you.”

“I am surprised sometimes I have any belly left. So many things lie there ready to consume me.” He lay his hand on the tabletop, travertine marble. It was cool to the touch.

Billy looked at his scarred hand. “Are you still doing the exercises…for your hand?”

“When I think of it I do. There is no one to remind me. Do not think it is easy for me because it is not. Daily I think of things to say to you and you aren’t there.”

“Why don’t you pick up the phone.”

“I was afraid…afraid to hurt you further.”

“No, no I’ve been there, Blaine, and dealt with it. Otherwise I couldn’t be sitting here calmly talking to you."

“Are you calm?”

“No.”

Blaine moistened his lips with the tip of his tongue. “Neither am I. I…I don’t want to live with anyone ever again.”

“The only clothes in my closet are mine. I’m with you on that.”

Blaine looked up at him intensely.

Billy looked back for a moment. “Ah…come on while he’s asleep. You haven’t seen my bedroom yet.”

That was all the invitation Blaine needed.

Before he left the bed he held Billy a moment. “I wanted to have your baby because I loved you. I still love you and I love our son. Yes he is ours. I can’t give him up to you entirely. He carries my name but your blood. It is up to you how we raise him. I want to share him with you.”

“I won’t take him away from you because I know you do love him. We’ll share him, he’ll have two fathers.”

“I’m glad we had this time. It releases a lot of tension between us. We know where we stand with each other, I think. And now I will visit your bath. I didn’t bathe at Uncle Trevor's because I’m not sure of the water. I am funny about some things.”

“You’re fastidious to a fault. Go have your bath, I’ll feed Willy before you take off and maybe you’ll have a quiet trip. Thank you, Blaine, this meant a lot to me.”

“I should thank you.” Blaine ran his fingers down Billy’s face and left for the bath.

After Blaine left with the baby Billy went around straightening and picking up towels in the bath. He wondered who picked up after him at home. He was in a better mood, a better frame of mind now over Blaine. He and Blaine still shared their lives and their love for each other. He could live with that.

He found his phone and called the Emergency Services office. He was now available for full time employment and he was ready for it.

Chapter 3

Go lightly on your pilgrimage unburdened by desire (S. Teasdale)

Blaine and Willy were met by Lyssa and Toomes. Lyssa had to kiss him and hold him before he even got out of the car.

“Let’s have him then.” Toomes bypassed Blaine and reached in to take him from Lyssa. Blaine took his elevator up to his room and changed out of yesterday’s clothes. He stopped by the kitchen on the way out and let Toomes know when Wiily had last been fed. He kissed the boy’s head and smiled.

His next stop was out in his garden. Lyssa soon found him and had to tell him everything the kitten had done since he left the morning before. He sat down on a bench and petted the kitty.

“…but when his mommy comes I have to give him up.” Lyssa sat down in the gravel and waved a flower stem at him. “When is his mommy coming, Daddy?”

“I do not know, darling. We will get a phone call one day.” He wondered that too. Soon the kitten would be half grown. He’d heard nothing from Lara since that last day on the Medea. She had his phone number and email address.  He had her phone number but he didn’t want to call her until he knew her circumstances.

 She’d spent one night in his room and left long before the sun came up while they were on the island in Corfu. The second moonlight swim had not produced the dolphin but things like that don’t happen very often. It had been a special night for both of them. Blaine had no illusions about Lara. What happened between them had been purely physical, an attraction that had born fruit. He liked her a lot and her little daughter Janine, but love had not been part of the experience for him. They’d parted as friends.

Up in Yorkshire Trevor spent the day walking the property. He came upon the tenant farmer’s house. It was empty now and he went inside. It was a small four room cottage, two up and two down with a kitchen bumped out on the back along with a bathroom and utility room. It needed cleaning, decorating and new flooring, but it was a sight better condition than the main house. He decided to make that his project since professionals would be taking over the main house. It was good physical labor…nothing to slapping some paint on the woodwork and putting up new wallpapers. This was exactly the kind of thing he’d come up to the farm to do.

The two young men who’d been taken on by his former tenant came around. Trevor asked them what they did. They’d come to mow and bale up the feed for the livestock in winter.

“What livestock? I know of the handful of sheep up there beyond the big house.”

“The cows, Sir.”

“Cows…I’ve got cows?”

The older of the two punched the other on the shoulder. “Beef cattle they are, bout fifty head.”

“Where the hell are they?”

“Down back of field.”

“Back of field. You’d better show me.” Trevor walked with the two hands across a small rise and sure enough back of field was a herd of cattle grazing  and lounging about under shade trees. “Well I’ll be damned.”

“Caufield sold off half of ‘em and was t’do for tha rest of ‘em. He took sick.”

“Yes, I know. Well, I guess you’d better get on with the mowing and baling.”

“Right, Mr. Blaine.”

Trevor went back to the tenant house. What the hell was he going to do with a herd of cattle?

On Friday, Blaine got a call from the contractor and they were ready for a meeting. He arranged for them to meet with him at the farm on Monday. Trevor agreed as though he had a choice in the matter. Blaine had already been in touch with his interior decorator. He would also be accompanying them to the farm. He felt rather proud of himself. The project was going forward.

Later that same day he received a call from Lara Holdridge.

“I was just thinking about you the other day. How are you, Lara?”

“Very well, thank you. I’m in London at present. I’ve had a meeting with my solicitor and I’ve come to pick up Janine. She’s been staying with my…former husband’s sister for a couple of weeks. I thought while we were here we might visit if it’s convenient.”

“I would love to have you visit. Lyssa has been asking when Muffin’s mommy is coming.”

“Oh, dear, you still have the kitten?”

“Yes we do and Lyssa has been taking very good care of it.”

“That could be a problem, you see we’re living in the south of France right now. I have a very good friend who has offered me shelter until this divorce is settled.”

“She does not like kittens?”

“It’s not that it’s how to get it into the country.”

“Ah, well maybe I can help you there. When are you coming?”

“Would tomorrow be too soon?”

“Come tomorrow and stay a while.”

“Thank you, you’re very generous.”

Blaine went to find Mrs. Martin. “I need two bedrooms  done up by tomorrow morning. We are having guests.”

Word went quickly into the kitchen. “Well that’s all right. A bit of notice might have been nice. And what am I to cook?” Fish with her hands on her hips was asking, but Mrs. Martin didn’t know.

Blaine was standing on the front steps with Lyssa and Willy when Lara drove up the next day around lunchtime.

Janine was out of her seat and trying to open the door before she could get her seat belt off. Lara opened the back door and let her out. She ran to Blaine but stopped about a foot from him when she saw the other little girl by his side.

“Hello, Janine, this is Lyssa and Willy.”

“Hi,” she shyly  rocked back and forth on her feet.

“Are you Muffin’s mommy?”

“You have Muffin?”

And the two little girls went through the house to the back garden.

“Lara,” Blaine hugged her around the neck.

“Well, you are a bit different here aren’t you?” She kissed him softly on the lips.

“No, I do not think so.”

“I guess it’s seeing you with children. This is Willy? He’s a lovely boy, David.”

“It is good to see you, come inside.” Blaine settled Willy in his walker and led her into the living room. “How are you, Lara?”

“I’m doing okay. I flew back to London after I left you and faced my reality. There was a scene and I walked out and went straight to my solicitor. He first thought to contest the divorce and then thought better of it. A lot of publicity might be released that could prove to be embarrassing for him. How about you?”

“I am fine. I too had a reality to face and I did. It’s not always easy especially when you know someone is going to be hurt.”

“No, no I don’t imagine it is.”

“I would call for tea but lunch is nearly ready.”

“Good, we didn’t stop for anything to eat. I let Janine stay with her aunt. Malcolm had access to her there when he wanted to see her. We left there and drove straight for Coventry. This is a nice house. You’re a bit of a surprise.”

“Am I?”

“The yacht was rather impressive but you live quite comfortably don’t you?”

“I am comfortable. What did you think to find?”

“I don’t know really.” She looked at him a moment and then glanced around the room.

“Well, this house sat empty for many years. I lived here until I was eight and my father was killed in an accident. I moved to China with my mother. No one had really lived here until I came back to it about three years ago.”

“Why China?”

“My mother was Chinese.”

“Really? I think you told me you were half and half. Your father must have been a very handsome man.” She smiled at him and then reached over to pick up the baby’s toy he’d tossed in the floor.

“Are you paying me a compliment?”

“I am. Janine’s not going to cause any trouble out in your garden is she?”

“I’m not sure, shall we go and see?” He picked up Willy and led her though the house.

“I see Fish has set up lunch out here in the garden.” He noticed the table and chairs out under a tree.

“You have a lovely garden. Did you do this?”

“Yes, most of it. There they are, by the fountain.”

They enjoyed a nice meal outside. Toomes had collected Willy and the girls followed her upstairs to the nursery where all of Lyssa’s toys were kept. Blaine gave Lara a tour of his gardens.

He told her about the garden he’d designed for Burnby House. She was familiar with the house.

“It’s a museum now I believe.”

“Yes, and very nicely done. My uncle has a farm not far from there. We are about to begin a restoration of the house. In fact, I have a meeting there on Monday with the contractors. Will you still be here?”

“Well, I…I really don’t have any plans.”

“Why don’t you come with me to Yorkshire. Janine would be fine here with Toomes.”

“Oh, I don’t want to-“

“You wouldn’t be.”

She linked her arm in his. “All right, if you’re sure. The truth is, David, unless I go home to Mum and Daddy, I really don’t have a place to live. I’m presently relying on friends. Malcolm has a house in London and of course his country estate. I’ve asked for the London house but he hasn’t agreed. He may not. I’m in limbo right now neither here nor there. I just want it all settled so I can get on with my life.”

“And what will you do, Lara?”

“I’ve been offered a position with a well known and circulated magazine as an editor. It would mean living in London.”

“Since you have no place to call home what are you doing about Janine and her school. Is she not in school?”

“I haven’t enrolled her. I know…bad me, but with everything up in the air it’s…difficult.”

“He has not asked for custody of Janine?”

“No, he hasn’t and I wouldn’t even consider that. He spent little time enough with her when we were together. He was always around for family photo shoots… I’m not saying he doesn’t care for her because he does. I suppose I’m just bitter right now.”

“Do not let that color your life, Lara. You are a beautiful desirable woman and a good mother to Janine.”

“You are a darling. I’m so glad I met you even if you were on assignment.”

“I am glad to have met you.”

She spent the weekend at Gravesend with Janine, and although they were affectionate with each other, neither ventured into the other’s bedroom. For Blaine, that special time they had in Corfu could not be replicated here at Gravesend. Had she presented herself at his bedroom door it might have been different, but she didn’t. Lara had enough on her plate at the moment. She found him attractive, sexually and otherwise, but there was a friendship developing between them that she didn’t want to complicate. Their daughters were becoming good friends and played well together.  Lara relaxed at Gravesend, swimming in his pool and enjoying the comforting atmosphere he created.

Chapter 4

O lovely chance what can I do (S. Teasdale)

Trevor had been watching for them. Three vehicles pulled up in the farmyard and he stepped out to greet them. Blaine had called ahead and said he was bringing a friend.

Before Blaine and Lara got out of his vehicle he leaned over to her and said, “Do not mention that you were in Corfu with me.”

She looked at him with a little smile. “Okay.”

“Uncle Trevor may I introduce you to Lady Lara Holdridge.”

Trevor was speechless for a moment. “Lara.”

Lara smiled broadly, “Trevor Blaine, I had no idea. How are you?” She went to him and gave him a brief hug.

Blaine hung back…well.

“It’s been a long time,” Trevor said.

“Yes it has, close to ten or twelve years I’d say.”

“How are you?”

“I’m well. I had no idea who David’s uncle might be.”

“I would introduce you but…” Blaine smiled.

“No need, David, Lara and I are old friends. We met when I was in hospital.”

“I was having some minor surgery done and he was there having the same, weren’t you?”

“I had an ankle fix. You look good.”

“I’ve just spent the most enjoyable weekend with your nephew. In fact, my daughter is still there.”

“I read somewhere you had a daughter.”

“Janine is five years old now.”

The contractors and the decorators were now milling around the yard. David suggested they go inside to the dining room.

Trevor hadn’t expected to see Lara again although they both sent little get well cards to each other after their stay in the hospital. Now, of course, he was full of questions he couldn’t ask. He had to be interested in the farmhouse. He really tried to contribute and he really tried to comprehend what the contractor was talking about, but his attention was on the blond woman he could still see examining a table in the living room.

Blaine could see his concentration was distracted and he basically took over the meeting. He asked the questions that should be asked and offered suggestions that were way beyond Trevor’s abilities. Blaine negotiated a fair price with the contractor and pushed the contract over to Trevor.

“You must sign, Uncle Trevor.”

“What? Oh, right.” Trevor signed off on it and pushed his chair back. “Is that it, are we done?”

“Go on, I will take care of the details.” Blaine half smiled at him.

Trevor had no idea he’d committed himself to a substantial amount of money for structural work on the farmhouse.

Trevor walked into the livingroom. “I have to say this was a surprise, seeing you again. How do you know David?”

“Oh…we met in London years ago at a dinner party, one of those charity events. I didn’t expect to see you today either. How’s the, um, ankle?”

“Oh, it fluctuates with the weather. You have a daughter now.”

“Yes, Janine. I don’t know if you’ve heard but, well…Malcolm and I are getting a divorce. It’s in the early stages yet.”

“Oh, well, sorry to hear things didn’t work out for you. You were married for quite a while.”

“Long enough. So are you still working for Bren?”

“I think so. I’m taking some much needed leave right now. I, uh, came up here for a little R&R, but David’s decided that’s not enough.”

She laughed, “He’s quite excited about bringing this old house back to life.”

“Yeah, I think he gets into that kind of thing. Are, um, you and he…?”

Lara smiled and shook her head. “We’re good friends.”

He breathed. “Not to be outdone, I’ve been doing a little work myself here. Oh, not here in this house but down at the tenant’s cottage. I thought if this project goes then I’m going to need a place to stay.”

“You’re not going back to London?”

“Oh, yeah, I will…you know…whenever.”

She smiled and moved around the room.

The two contractors came in and shook his hand. They would begin immediately; be up the next day.

“Well…good, do I need to do anything?”

“You might bring in a supply of bottled water.”

“Would you like to see the cottage?” Trevor asked her when the contractors had left.

“Sure, why not.”

“Uncle Trevor, I have the decorator, Pete Milano here if you’d care to…?”

“Ah, David, you know…I haven’t a clue, man.”

“All right,” David grinned, “I’ll take care of it…anything in particular you would like?”

“Comfort.”

David took the decorator through the house while he made notes and took pictures and measurements. There were several very old and valuable pieces of furniture in the house that would have to be treated for woodworm. David wanted to keep as many of the case goods as possible since they were family pieces. While he worked with the decorator Trevor took Lara down to the cottage.

“It’s just a typical cottage, nothing fancy about it at all. I had a tenant in here until about six months ago.”

“Are you planning on having another?”

“I don’t know yet. Honestly, I don’t know what I’m doing up here.”

“Maybe you’re becoming a gentleman farmer.”

“Maybe not. I’m not sure I’m a gentleman and as for farming-“ He shook his head.

She laughed a little. “You are a gentleman, Trevor. It could be a weekender. It’s very  quite and peaceful here…beautiful views.”

“Yeah it is, it’s nice up here.”

David walked out into the farmyard and lit a cigarette. He narrowed his eyes an looked toward the dirt road that led to the cottage. He’d been surprised that Trevor and Lara were acquainted. He thought they might be well acquainted, but he wouldn’t ask. It was clear to him that Trevor wasn’t that interested in redoing the farm. He was an odd sort, David thought. Floating…yes.

It would be refurbished and made livable whether Trevor was especially interested in it or not. For David it was holding onto what was part of him. His grandparents lived there as they’d lived in his house at Gravesend.  It was family property. He and Trevor still hadn’t come to an agreement about how the work was to be paid for. For now, David had given the contractors a check to get them moving. That transaction took place after Trevor left the diningroom to talk to Lara.

“This is quite nice. It would make a great little holiday rental.”

“I acutally thought about that. I thought about turning the whole place into a holiday camp but David put a stop to those thoughts.”

“Is it his to have a say?”

“It’s mine, but he’s down as my next of kin and will inherit one day if I don’t have kids, and it’s getting a little late in the day for that.”

“You’re not that old.”

“I’ll be 55 this year.”

“I’ll be 43. How old is David?”

“Somewhere around 35, I think. I don’t believe I ever sent him a birthday card.” He grinned.

“He’s, um, a bit of a surprise.”

“He’s a lot of things but he’s a good man and his heart is in the right place. He’s had a difficult life, a lot of tragedy. I wish I’d known him when he was growing up. I only really met him last year. Strange, I know, but he disappeared out of our life when he was eight. He grew up in boarding schools.  I had no idea he was back in England and he didn’t even know I existed.”

“Do you think he’s gay?”

“I know he is. It doesn’t matter to me.”

Lara smiled and walked out to admire the view.

“I believe I’ve got all I need from here, Blaine.” Pete Milano came out to the farmyard. “I’ll be getting in touch with you.”

“Remember…comfort. We are not doing Gravesend here.”

“But Gravesend is comfortable isn’t it?”

“Very,” David smiled, “it is  comfortable for me but this is a man who eats in front of the TV. Keep that in mind.”

Pete rolled his eyes and stuffed his notebook in his shoulder bag. He gave David a long look and held his hand a little too long. David smiled back and wished him a safe trip home. He pulled his hand away and stuck them in the pockets of his jeans. Pete was a good decorator. No need to complicate things.

Now it was quiet in the farmyard. He walked toward the stacked stone fence following it down toward the tenant cottage. He could hear the low call of cattle in the distance. The air was fresh and cool with a slight breeze that busied his hair about his face. He could be happy here in the silence, but could Trevor? His uncle lived in the here and now. Blaine had not seen evidence of a deep thinker although he was an intelligent man, he’d have to be to survive as long as he had in the work he did. He paused and looked back toward the house. It needed landscaping and he would do that himself.

Blaine could hear Trevor’s laugh as he neared the cottage. He found them out behind it on a little stone patio sitting in garden chairs.

“Hey, David, sorry I ran out on ya.”

“That is all right, Uncle Trevor, you now owe ne 250,000 pounds.”

“What?” The laughter left his voice.

“You may have to sell your cattle.” Blaine was teasing him but kept a straight face.

“You’re not serious…are you?”

“Give or take a few coins, yes. I am sure we can work something out.”

“Jesus.”

“You think he will extend you credit?”

“He may have to.” Trevor sat back down in his chair.

Blaine sat down on the stone wall and looked at Lara. She smiled back at him.

“What are you doing here with this cottage?” Blaine asked.

“Getting it painted and papered. I’m thinking I’ll stay down here when the house is torn apart.”

“Is it furnished?”

“No.”

“Well, the contractor will be here tomorrow.”

“This is all moving pretty fast, isn’t it?”

“What did you want?”

“I don’t know…I mean.”

“You’d better find someone to move some things down here for you. The pieces you cannot bring are already tagged.”

Trevor ran a hand through his hair and looked at his nephew. “Now wait a minute, David.”

David looked off toward the undulating patchwork of green. “If I waited a minute what you would see out there is a holiday camp. That cannot happen here. There is history here that must be respected. Generations of our family have worked this land and preserved it and they did not preserve it for tents and tins on wheels.”

Lara spoke up. “I agree with you, David. They are a blight on the landscape. Too many landowners have gone that route. I understand why they do it. They can no longer afford to keep the property as a farm.”

“That is not the case here. We can afford to keep it and will.”

“Maybe one of us can. Maybe I should just deed it over to you.”

“No, Uncle Trevor, it is yours. Your mother gave it to you. I would not take it from you. I will help you to maintain it as it should be kept.”

“If you two are going to fight I’m going for a walk.”

“Nah, we aren’t going to fight, Lara. I’m just not used to his ways yet. He’s a steamroller when he gets going. I was warned about him.”

“Why don’t we ride up to your pub in Stamford Bridge and find some layabouts to move your things down.”

Trevor sighed, “And here I thought I’d spend the afternoon visiting with Lara.”

“You should come home with us and you can visit all you like.” David walked into the house.

“He’s awfully bossy isn’t he?” Trevor asked Lara.

Chapter  5

A wind is blowing over my soul (S. Teasdale)

Trevor found three young men and one of them had a van so he rode with them back to the farm. David ordered a drink for Lara and himself.

“I’m not sure he likes all this, David.”

“He does not know what he likes or does not like. He has a flat that I have slept in. It came furnished and he has added nothing in the years that he has lived there. It is a nice flat but he looks at it and says ‘okay, bed, sofa, table…yeah this will do’ and so it does for him.”

“You’re not like that are you?”

“No, I am not. Things must have some meaning for me, speak to me whether it is a color or a fabric or the way it looks. I chose the things at Gravesend myself with the decorator’s help. He had to tell me if it would fit or not.”

“You’re an artist. I’m sure that has something to do with it. Trevor is a man of simple needs. He wants to be comfortable in his surroundings. He’s never been one for flash or the latest thing. He wants serviceable pieces that don’t require a lot of upkeep. His military background requires neat and tidy and spare. He’s a little worried he’s going to end up with frou frou.”

“I would not do that to him. I am not a frou frou person myself.”

“I noticed you have few well collected and placed objects.”

“Yes…but you know when I ask him to help me he throws up his hands. He does not know what to do. Should I have left him alone, Lara?”

“No, absolutely not. He needed a good kick in the pants.”

“Do you care for him?”

“I like him. When I met him I thought…” she sighed, “but of course it was out of the question. He’s an attractive man as you are.” She reached over and squeezed his hand.

“It is none of my business.” Blaine lowered his eyes and played with her hand.

“I didn’t mention Corfu. I do think about it though.”

“Do you?”

“Yes. I never went  out on Malcolm all the years we were married. That is until you found me. You were…amazing.”

“Is it a good idea for you to be staying with me right now?”

“No one knows where I am except my friend in France and she wouldn’t tell a soul. I’d like to introduce you to her sometime. I think you’d like her.”

Blaine met her eyes and smiled. “Do you want to sleep with me again or my Uncle Trevor? Should I leave you here?”

She blinked. “No…no, I…you are direct aren’t you?”

“Not always but I’m getting mixed signals from you. Remember we are to be honest with each other.”

“I’m not sure I need to be with anyone right now. I think you and I have an understanding at least we did.”

He moved in his chair. “I do not think we could recapture what we had in Corfu. You are a beautiful woman, Lara, and I would love to take you to bed. I don’t want you to be disappointed with me.”

“You could never disappoint me. However, it’s probably not a good idea right now.” She was quiet for a moment. “It was just so…new.”

He leaned on the table. “If you keep talking about it we will be finding a room somewhere. Either that or I will take you to Trevor.”

“I don’t know him that well.”

“You did not know me at all.”

“True,” she grinned, “but you were different. It was the right time and the right place…dolphins.”

He smiled and tilted his head. “We had better start for Coventry.”

“I think we’d better.” She laughed and finished her drink.

It wasn’t easy for Lara to stay away from him and a bed because they’d been intimate, but not for the world would she have him implicated in a divorce.

I think when we get back I’m going to arrange for Janine and I to fly out.”

“So soon?”

“I wouldn’t want to wear out my welcome besides…it’s not a good idea for me to be staying with you.”

“Where does your friend live?”

“Just outside of Marsellies.”

“I have never been there.”

“It’s lovely I’ll make sure you get an invitation.”

“About the kitten, will you take it?”

“I don’t think so, David, right now things are so…it’s not even my house and she has dogs and cats of her own. Do you mind terribly?”

“I don’t mind but will Janine? In this period of upheaval in her life it might be good for her to have something of her own.”

Lara sighed, “We’ll find out.”

“I can fly you to Marseilles if you’d like.”

“Are you a pilot too?”

“No but I have a plane that mostly sits in a hanger.”

“Is there anything you don’t have?” she asked playfully.

He concentrated on the road ahead. “Yes.” He didn’t elaborate.

It was just going three the next day when they arrived at the private air strip. At the last minute David agreed to fly with them. He brought Lyssa along too. The cat carrier sat beneath Janine’s seat.

His pilot was landing at a private strip in France. David hadn’t intended to get off the plane but Lara insisted he come and meet her friend. He and Lyssa followed them  to the edge of the airstrip where a woman waited shading her eyes from the sun.

“They can’t stay, but I wanted you to meet. This is David Blaine and his daughter Lyssa. My friend Christine Aubertino.”

“How do you do?”

He shook his head slightly. “Christine, I’m very pleased to meet you.”

“And your daughter, lovely.”

Good byes were said along with hugs but David couldn’t seem to get his feet going toward the plane.

“You must come and visit with me sometime, you and your daughter.”

“Thank you.”

Later while they were in the air Lyssa turned to him. “She was a pretty lady, Daddy.”

“Yes, Lyssa, she is.”

It wasn’t enough. He wanted to go back and talk to her. The way she’d looked at him all knowing, but she didn’t know. He knew nothing of her and yet he did. She’d asked him and Lyssa to come and visit her. That was one invitation he intended to accept.

Blaine was soon immersed in the farm house and all thoughts of flying back to France to become better acquainted with Christine soon vanished. He was becoming increasingly frustrated with his Uncle Trevor’s lack of input, or for that matter interest, in what was happening to his house. He’d settled in the tenant house and was quite content.

A call from the contractor concerning some artifacts they’d uncovered while constructing a French drain brought him back to the farm.

“Yeah, they’re old.” Trevor squatted down picking up what appeared to be some sort of shield. David arrived and walked over to the things that were laid out on the ground near where they’d been dug up.

“I think we should call in someone from the museum in Stamford Bridge. These items could very well be from the Battle of Hastings.”

“We’re not going to have fortune hunters crawling around here are we?” Trevor stood up and looked at David. “There’s enough going on here right now as it is.”

“No fortune hunters, this is private property and they would have to have your permission for a dig,” David responded.

Together they went into town and to the museum.

Later in the day Margret Langston came over to have a look and it was she who met with the museum director and his assistant. Blaine walked down to the cottage with Trevor.

“Well, you have made yourself a nest here.” Blaine walked around the living room.

“Yeah, I like it here. It’s small and easy to keep up. Oh, by the way, I’ve got a buyer for the cattle so whatever comes from that you can put toward the house.”

“That is something  at least.”

“Hey, I know I’m not a player here. I don’t know what the fuck to do, David. I came up here to…to try and get my head straight. I needed some time to figure out what I’m going to do for the rest of my life. I’m sorry if I’m not up there directing traffic at the house. I know you’re pissed but I never asked for this…any of it.”

“So, I have made a mistake?”

“I understand why you want to preserve that pile of stones up there. I’m kinda glad you’re doing it, but lets be honest here. You ain’t doing it for me and that’s okay. This will be yours someday and you got kids you can pass it on to. I’m sorry, David, but old houses are not my thing. I grew up in old houses.”

“Gravesend.”

“Yeah, I was born there.”

“Would you rather have Gravesend?”

“Hell no, are you listening to me? This cottage suits me fine while I’m up here. I’ll go back to London.”

“And what will you do there if you do decide to retire? Sit in the pub all afternoon? I care for you, Uncle Trevor. You are the only family I have left besides my children. I want us to…to share our lives.”

“I know that, David, but I’ve been a lone wolf for a long time. I’m not sure I know how anymore.”

“Perhaps it is time you learned, time you came in from the cold.”

Trevor walked over to the back door and opened it looking out over the hills. “I’ve spent my life putting a distance between me and other people. Maybe it’s a form of self preservation. No commitments, no entanglements, no one to point out my shortcomings. When you live like that you become…cold. I can pack up my life in a bag and be gone tomorrow…gone without a trace.”

Blaine walked over and stood very close to him. Close enough Trevor could smell the scent he wore. It made him uncomfortable and even more so when Blaine slipped an arm around his waist.

“I understand that way of living for I did it myself in Hong Kong. There was no one in the world to love me except Ali and he was thousands of miles away in a different life. I had no father and my mother did not speak to me and so I left her alone. I did not have friends, I had business associates. If I wanted company I paid for it. For nearly ten years I lived this way. Most of my young life was spent alone until I met Ali. I know what it is to be a lone wolf. But I have come inside and tasted love.

“The door is open for you, Uncle Trevor, to come inside.”

Trevor was still for a moment letting David’s words sink in. He did a very un-Trevor like thing. He turned and embraced his nephew. “I don’t know what it is about you, lad.”

David held him tightly for a moment and then kissed his cheek. “I love you.”

Trevor’s eyes were wet when they parted. He nodded and then, embarrassed, pulled away.

Blaine stepped back giving him his space. He walked out onto the stone patio and lit a cigarette. Trevor wiped his eyes and took a deep breath. He stepped out to the patio. Blaine handed him the cigarette he’d just lit.

“It is all right, you know, to feel, to cry. I would like for you to come to Gravesend this weekend. I will share my children with you. I will share my cook, Fish, and you will be fed well. You can swim in my pool and feed  Lyssa’s dog. We are a family, Uncle Trevor. And Margret will come too, she is my adopted mother. You will come?” He turned and searched his uncle’s face.

“I’ll be there, David.”