Throughout the pandemic, Adrian had been trying to limit the amount of work on-site, and his boss, Tom, had been fully supportive. But this latest venture had been for an LGBTQ+ housing project—a couple of charities coming together to provide secure housing for gay kids thrown out of their homes or already on the streets. Tom had mentioned the cause to them, and Adrian had jumped at the chance to help. Ever since their house-warming in Wales, they had both agreed to devote more time to various gay charities.
“Around seven. Sorry, love, we’re running behind finishing up tiling the roof while there’s still daylight. And what with tomorrow being Saturday, we don’t want to chance bad weather over the weekend and end up having to mop up a whole lot of mess on Monday morning.”
“Totally understood. Any preference for dinner tonight?”
Dinner was already arranged but he needed to keep up the pretence.
“Have you checked with the flexitarian?”
Tommy’s diet included fish but also occasionally chicken. In his case, this usually meant once a week at the most. Fortunately, tonight’s three-course meal ticked all his boxes.
“How about Thai? Something for everyone?”
“Perfect. You know me. I’ll eat whatever you’re ordering as long as you order lots. Got to go.”
Great, thought Leonard, because Jack would be cooking his delicious Thai food tonight. Tom Kha Het, vegetarian coconut soup with mushroom for starters, with his fabulous prawn cakes, while the main would be his version of Panang chicken curry with deep-fried vegetable spring rolls, Thai mixed vegetables and jasmine lemon steamed rice. Adrian and Tommy adored Jack’s variations, but those got the largest number of likes in the Day-Lamperton-Piotrowski household. Dessert would be a simple store-bought cheesecake with summer berries and ice cream, followed by a special anniversary cupcake served with coffee.
“Is that the smacks we’re having tonight, Len? Takeout? Why all the fuss?”
“I told you. It’s our unofficial anniversary,” said Leonard, realising Jack would shortly be there. He’d told Tommy about the secret anniversary dinner, but he’d managed to keep the surprise about Jack cooking to himself all afternoon. “And Jack’s on his way right now. He’s tonight’s chef.”
“Jack?” said Tommy, appearing wide-eyed from where he had been rummaging around in a lower cupboard, the lights in his hand. “Shut!Up!Tell me he’s not cooking me his savage Thai.”
“Just a quick FYI. This is our show tonight. Not everything’s about you, Tommy.”
“You didn’t answer my question, Leonardo.”
Once again Leonard had to snort out a laugh. If any of the social workers ever tried to take Tommy away from them, they would have a serious fight on their hands. The blockade at their front door would put any production ofLes Misérablesto shame.
“Yes, Tomasz,” said Leonard, pronouncing Tommy’s name in its original Polish form, which always had Tommy cringing and pulling a face. “Jack is cooking his special Thai dishes. Forallof us.”
“Fuuu—” Jack stopped, slapped a hand over his mouth before throwing a panicky glance at Leonard. “Funtastic news.”
Although they never punished Tommy for the occasional expletive—apparently some families had—they didn’t encourage him either. But Tommy had sometimes been overcareful around them, not wanting to spoil a good thing. He knew only too well that foster parents could give up on kids they felt they couldn’t handle. Leonard shuddered at the idea of such a lovely kid being passed from pillar to post.
“Fucking fantastic news, you mean,” said Leonard, which managed to get a grin and an eye-roll from Tommy. “And I bought the salted caramel cheesecake, the one you like, from your favourite cake shop. Now, let’s get these lights up, and then I want you to lay the table for five while I chop vegetables with Jack.”
“My choice of—?”
“Everything, including place settings and centrepiece. Make the table shine.”
“Seriously?” asked Tommy, a glint in his eye.
“Shine, Tommy. Shine and sparkle, but no glitter, please. Makes too much of a mess.”
“Gucci.”
* * * *
Half an hour later, as Leonard opened the front door to Jack and Toni, the table already looked spectacular. Christmas lights faded in and out around red and white feather boas that Tommy had somehow magicked up, the table laid with matching red and white table decorations and cream-coloured candles.
“You, young man,” said Toni, emerging from their downstairs bathroom and stepping over the large holdall she had dropped in their hall. She stopped before Tommy, kissing him on each cheek. “Are a natural. Your nails are too perfect for the building trade, but if you need a few connections in the interior design world when you leave college, just let me know.”
“Fashion, Toni,” said Leonard. “He’s thinking about fashion.”
“He,” said Tommy, giving Leonard one of his looks, “is standing right here. And he is not thinking much further than passing his exams next year. If they work out okay, then I’ll consider the next step.”
“He’s being modest,” said Leonard.
