Marcus laughed. “Try a building company.”
“Oh,” said Trevor, shrugging. Accounts were accounts at the end of the day, irrespective of business type. “No problem. What accounting system do you use?”
“Traditional. Pencil, book ledger, box files. And beginner’s-level spreadsheets.”
Somewhat dramatically, Marcus dropped his head into his hands. This time Trevor laughed.
“I know, Trevor,” said Marcus, looking up through his fingers. “With the help of his daughters I’ve been trying to get him to embrace the twenty-first century, but it’s been an uphill struggle.”
“Is it that bad?” asked Tom.
“Not really,” said Trevor. “Is your husband always this much of a drama queen?”
“What do you think?”
All three of them chuckled.
“But the truth is, Marcus is right. There are some great web-based systems out there that can save you a lot of time and effort. Depends on your business setup. Let’s arrange for me to come and see you, check through your current system, work with you and your bookkeeper to assess where we are with your accounts right now, then I can make a recommendation and give you a quote.”
Tom seemed genuinely relieved and grateful and sent a silent thank you to Marcus.
“Now that’s settled,” said Marcus, an unspoken message passing between the two men. “Are you going to tell us who this mystery man is that Michelle told me about? The one you’re meeting today?”
“Oh, God, Marcus,” said Trevor, raking his hands through his hair. “I am so nervous. We met at Christmas and had this intense connection. I know this sounds corny, but I just felt at home with him. I didn’t have to be someone else, I could just be me. Everything felt so…so…”
“Natural?”
“Exactly. Do you know what I mean?”
“I think I get the gist,” said Marcus, turning and smiling at Tom. “So you really like him?”
“Of course.”
“Then I don’t see the problem.”
“He is so far out of my league.”
“According to whom?”
“According to me! He’s from Scotland, the son of the Earl of Stratham, for heaven’s sake!”
Marcus turned to Tom, chuckling.
“Does he like you?” asked Tom.
“I think so. At least, that’s what he told me.”
“Where are you meeting him?” asked Marcus.
“In a wine bar. Off the Strand. In an hour.”
“Cancel.”
“What?” said Trevor, horrified.
“Tell him to come here instead. Not only can I feed and water you both, I can also give you my honest opinion. My gaydar relationship score out of ten.”
“Marcus,” said Tom, his eyebrows lowering.
