Elemental Love Read online

  “Behave, Gregory, or I’ll tell Coryn.” Evrain swiveled back toward the aisle. “He’s married, Samuel, and old enough to know better.”

  The steward mixed their drinks and handed them over. “Call me Sam. I fully intend to grow old disgracefully myself. Perhaps you could give me a few tips?” The last remark he aimed at Gregory.

  Gregory opened his mouth but Evrain jumped in. “Please don’t get him started, Sam. You’ll still be here in eight hours’ time and I’m sure the other passengers have need of your services.”

  Gregory pouted. “Stop spoiling my fun, Evrain.”

  “You’re sixty-five, not six, Gregory. You’re supposed to be keeping an eye on me, not the other way around.”

  Samuel gave them a couple of menus. “Here are the choices for lunch. Please have a think about what you’d like and I’ll be back in twenty minutes or so to take your orders.” He pushed his trolley to the next row and began to chat to the passengers seated behind Gregory and Evrain.

  Evrain wasn’t particularly hungry. He put the menu aside. “Why don’t you tell me something about my new home? I’ve done a bit of research on the net, but I’d like to hear about it some more.”

  Gregory downed his drink in a single gulp. “Christ, I needed that.” He smacked his lips together. “You’ve stayed with Agatha dozens of times, you know the area pretty well by now I’d have thought.”

  “It’s true I spent most of my school holidays with her, but she rarely took me out of Hood River. I’m going to be living in Portland, which I don’t know very well at all. I think I’ve been there twice. I’m starting a job with a company I interviewed for over Skype—and don’t pretend you didn’t have some influence over that, Gregory, because I know you did. What firm takes on a new graduate with no experience on the basis of a forty-five minute conversation?”

  “One with a chief designer that knows talent when he sees it.” Gregory fiddled with his empty glass.

  Skeptical didn’t even begin to describe how Evrain felt about that statement. “You can’t lie for crap, Gregory.”

  Gregory sighed. “That’s Coryn’s fault. He always knows when I’ve been bullshitting him and he has this look.”

  “Look?” Evrain cocked a quizzical eyebrow.

  “You know. That whole narrowed eyes ‘tell me the truth or you’re sleeping on the couch’ look.”

  “He makes you sleep on the couch? Even after how many years together?” Evrain chuckled. He loved the idea that Gregory had visited the doghouse, a place Evrain was all too familiar with.

  “Almost forty years. Forty amazing, astonishing, unbelievable years. Something I hope you’ll have with someone one day, Evrain.”

  Evrain was tempted to tease his godfather but the wistful, dreamy look in those normally cool eyes stopped him.

  “I can’t imagine what it must be like to spend so many years with one person. Coryn deserves some kind of award for putting up with you for that long.”

  “Time is a strange thing. When you’re young and curious, it drags its heels. When you’re old and crotchety like me, it speeds past in the blink of an eye. Make every moment an adventure, Evrain. Don’t let the weight of responsibility bow those young shoulders before their time.”

  “Wow, getting a bit deep there, Gregory. Why don’t we get back to what you were lying through your teeth about?”

  “Ah. Well. I suppose I should confess that I do have a small stake in ThInk.”

  “A small stake. What exactly does that mean?” Evrain forced himself to keep his voice low. “You have a few shares in the place, or you were best man at the chief executive’s wedding?”

  “I might own the company,” Gregory mumbled.

  “You own it. The whole company. Well, fuck.” Evrain downed the rest of his drink in one and regretted the lack of alcohol. “Unbelievable. Grandma’s been trying to persuade me to move to the States for the last three years. Is this all a collusion between the two of you to get me out of the UK?”

  “Get off your high horse, boy. I showed Chip Franklin some of your work. It was his decision to offer you an interview. I had nothing to do with it.”

  “You’re not messing with me? Because I can get off this plane in Seattle, buy a new ticket and head straight back across the pond, you know.”

  “Evrain, I don’t want to swell that already cocky head of yours, but you have talent. You graduated a year early, for Christ’s sake. Your work is original, fresh… Perfect for a company like ThInk. Chip isn’t stupid. You’ll bring in big commissions and make him look good to the board. If he didn’t think you were worth the investment, he would have had no hesitation in kicking you into touch.”

  Evrain slumped in his seat and tried not to smile. Pride had his lips twitching.

  “I am good, aren’t I?”

  Gregory rolled his eyes. “And arrogant with it. It’s time you learned to deal with the real world. It’ll do you good.”

  “Hey, it’s hardly my fault that I’ve never had the chance.” Evrain picked at a loose thread in the seam of his black jeans. “You and Grandma saw to it that all my holidays were fully occupied. I could have stayed at home and flipped burgers to earn some pocket money.”

  “The last time I ate one of your burgers at a family barbecue, I almost broke a tooth. It was like chewing on a lump of coal.”

  “Flames don’t like me, you know that,” Evrain protested. “It just got away from me, and, before you ask, no I didn’t throw extra fuel on it.”

  “Oh, believe me, I know you didn’t.”

  Evrain gave his enigmatic godfather a sharp look. “Why is it that I always get the feeling there are double meanings in half the things you say? Grandma is just as bad. I’m convinced there’s some deep, dark family secret that you’re both keeping from me.”

  Gregory drummed his fingers on the armrest of his seat. “What’s on that lunch menu? I’m starving.”

  Evrain growled. He knew it was pointless to carry on interrogating Gregory. Once his godfather decided to clam up, there was no prizing open his lips. He retrieved his menu.

  “Roasted cod, minted lamb shank or spinach and mushroom pasta. You’ll go for the lamb,” he said with some confidence.

  “I’m getting predictable in my old age. You’re probably deciding between the fish or the vegetarian option.”

  “I like the sound of both.”

  “Bat your lashes at Samuel and he’ll probably let you have one of each. I’m paying enough for the damn tickets. He should be accommodating.”

  “Think I’ll stick with the pasta.” Evrain glanced around the half-full cabin. Samuel was still serving drinks.

  “Probably wise. There are some great seafood places in Portland if you know where to look. Of course, it’s not the same as being able to eat al fresco. Damn place is so wet.”

  “I enjoy the rain,” Evrain said. He wasn’t kidding, he loved the romanticism of wild weather.

  “Well, you’ll have plenty of fun in Oregon then.”

  “I’m looking forward to city living. It’s great to have an apartment set up ready for me.”

  “You’ll pay rent just like all the other tenants. No family favors because I own the building. It is in a nice spot, though, and I had to fight off several potential tenants to keep this unit free for you. It’s fully furnished but I’m sure you’ll add your own touches. Though Coryn has already been in there. He said it needed to be more ‘homey and welcoming’.”

  “That’s kind of him. If you had your way, everything would be gray and black.”

  “What’s wrong with that?” Gregory said.

  “A bit of color warms a place up, makes it cozy.”

  “Now you sound just like Coryn.”

  “It overlooks the water, doesn’t it?”

  “Indeed, and there’s a balcony. The building is close to the Streetcar line and there’s South Waterfront close by for shopping. It’s a good spot—if you have to live in the land of the living damp, you should at least live there
in comfort.”

  “I like being close to water. It’s soothing somehow.”

  “Hmm.” Gregory waved Samuel over. He took their food orders and supplied more drinks before moving smoothly away.

  “Why do I get the feeling that there are certain subjects you try to avoid discussing with me?” Evrain made eye contact with his godfather and held his gaze.

  “You need to learn patience, Evrain. Some things are better for the waiting. Like fine wine, some subjects must be allowed to mature before they can be fully appreciated.”

  Evrain sighed. “You talk in riddles.”

  “Have you ever thought that I might just like to cultivate an air of mystery?”

  “Well, it’s working. I feel like I’m on the edge of a precipice. Everything in my life is changing. New job. New country. I’m being tugged in so many directions…”

  “What do you mean?”

  “It’s hard to describe. It’s like there’s a dam in my head and tiny cracks are starting to appear. I know there’s going to be a flood. What I don’t know is whether I’ll be able to surf the wave or I’ll drown in the torrent.”

  Gregory frowned. “You’re twenty-one in three days’ time, aren’t you?”

  “Yes. What’s that got to do with anything?”

  “Everything, dear boy. Everything. I promise things will become clearer, but for now just try to relax. Enjoy the flight and anticipate all the adventures that await you in your new life.” Gregory closed his eyes. His mouth was set in a stubborn line.

  Evrain realized he was going to get nothing further from his godfather. A vague sensation of nausea knotted his stomach, something that had been happening more and more frequently in recent months. Even as he dismissed the feeling, Evrain knew, deep down, that something was amiss. He realized that he had clenched his fingers into a tight fist and forced them to relax. He peered out of the window and watched the scudding clouds tinged with orange and red.

  “Even the sky is on fire. Grandma would say it’s an omen.”

  Gregory patted his hand. “The omens are all good, Evrain. You’ll see.”

  * * * *

  With no direct flights operating from the UK to Portland, the journey had been long and tiring even in the luxury of first class. The route had taken them from Edinburgh to Seattle and, after a short layover, from there to Portland. Almost twenty hours in total. Evrain was relieved to escape the confines of the plane and reach the bustle of the arrivals hall. He pushed a trolley loaded with his own large cases and Gregory’s compact weekend bag. Needless to say the damn thing had a wonky wheel and a mind of its own. He managed to steer it across the concourse without causing actual bodily harm to other travelers but gained a bruised shin for his trouble.

  Gregory, looking as fresh as if he’d just spent twenty hours at an upscale spa, strolled confidently ahead. “There’s Coryn.” He waved toward the crowd of people collected behind a barrier.

  Evrain glanced up and spotted his second godfather. Evrain’s smile was instant. Coryn had that effect on people. Tall and lean with short silver hair, he had lightly tanned skin and laughter lines that crinkled the corners of his eyes. He wore beige chinos and a chunky cream cable-knit sweater. Several women clustered around him and he seemed vaguely amused by the attention.

  Gregory increased his pace. He held out his arms, and Coryn stepped into them as if they were the only place in the world he belonged. They kissed, long and slow. Evrain’s temperature rose.

  Fuck, those two are hot. Ugh! Why am I even thinking that?

  Evidently, he wasn’t the only one. A couple of wolf whistles sounded and there was the obligatory comment of, “Get a room.”

  When they finally separated, Coryn’s eyes were glazed and dreamy, and Gregory had smug satisfaction all over his face. Evrain raised an eyebrow.

  “Hi, Coryn, nice to see you.”

  “Evrain! How wonderful. I hope this cantankerous old miscreant hasn’t caused you too much trouble on the flight over.”

  “Oh, I’d say he was his usual self.” Evrain gave Coryn a hug. As always, Coryn’s arms became a haven of safety and security. In all the times Evrain had stayed with Coryn and Gregory during his childhood, it was always Coryn who’d dealt with scraped knees, extracted splinters and removed the layers of mud that Evrain had attracted on his adventures. Coryn exuded calmness.

  “Oh dear. Well, you’re here now. Did you manage to get any sleep or are you exhausted? We can go straight to your place or stop for something to eat on the way.”

  “We got a fair amount of sleep but I’ve lost all track of time. What meal should we be eating?”

  Coryn checked his watch. “Well, to you, it probably feels like early afternoon, but it’s breakfast time. How about a big American breakfast?”

  “Can I have pancakes and bacon? The bacon here is so much better than at home. I love those crispy strips.” Evrain’s mouth watered.

  “You can have all the bacon you want. I know the perfect place.” Coryn took control of the luggage trolley and guided them toward the exit.

  * * * *

  Two hours later, with a belly stuffed happily full, Evrain finally got to see his new home. He heaved his cases into the hall, grateful that the building had a working lift. The unit was compact but perfect for one. There was a large combination kitchen-cum-living area, and a spacious bedroom with a modern en suite. In a nook in the lounge area a full-sized tilting design table was set up under a bright light. Evrain stroked its smooth surface.

  “Wow, this is top of the range.”

  “An early birthday present from the two of us, along with all the linens. The rest of the furniture comes with the apartment,” Coryn said.

  Evrain hugged Gregory and Coryn in turn. “Thank you. That’s so generous and a wonderful gift.” He spotted a coffee maker in the kitchen. “Please tell me there’s coffee?”

  “The fridge is fully stocked. I did a grocery shop for you yesterday,” Coryn said. “I didn’t think you’d want your first stop to be the local market, though it is a good one. Plenty of organic local produce. I got all your favorites. Well, I assume they’re still your favorites, you haven’t turned veggie since I last saw you, have you?”

  “Still carnivorous, if white meat and fish qualifies,” Evrain confirmed. “Have I ever told you how much I love you, Coryn?” He pounced on the coffee machine.

  “You love that machine more,” Gregory said with a grin. “We’re going to give you some space. You should unpack, get some rest, explore. Your car keys are in the kitchen drawer. The car is in the parking garage underneath the building. The exit barrier has number plate recognition for residents, but there’s a code if you ever have visitors over. It’s a company vehicle so if it doesn’t suit you, let me know. And, for goodness’ sake, remember we drive on the correct side of the road over here.”

  “Funny, Gregory. I have driven here before. Don’t you two want to stay? You’ve had a long journey too.”

  “No, thanks for the offer, though. I have a hotel booked for a few days. Very chic, with a fabulous restaurant and a spa. There’s even one of those Jacuzzi baths in the suite.” Coryn spoke to Evrain but winked at Gregory. Gregory grinned right back.

  “We’ll join you at Agatha’s for your birthday and hang around to make sure you’re settled before we head back to Florida.” Gregory grabbed Coryn’s hand. “We have some catching up to do. In the bedroom.”

  “Oh my God. Too much information! Go, before I’m psychologically scarred for life.”

  “We’re out of here.” Gregory towed Coryn toward the door. With a final wave, they were gone.

  Enveloped in silence, Evrain took a deep breath. He strolled across to the balcony doors, pushed them open then stepped out into the fresh autumn air. Storm clouds gathered on the horizon, promising rain. Evrain rolled his shoulders in an attempt to ease the tension building at the base of his skull. His head throbbed. A sudden gust of wind ruffled his hair. The sky darkened and the air pressure felt like
a physical weight on Evrain’s shoulders. He couldn’t wait for the coming storm to break. He took deep breaths, his head pounded. Fat drops of liquid spattered the balcony, making a pattern on the dry surface. Evrain let out his breath in a whoosh. As he exhaled a monsoon began, soaking him instantly. Evrain turned his face toward the sky, spread his arms wide and laughed. The invisible pressure around him shattered and his spirits lifted. “Welcome to America, Evrain. The past is well and truly washed away.”

  Chapter Two

  The day of Evrain’s twenty-first birthday dawned with the perfect crispy-crunch of autumn. He stood on his balcony sipping coffee, enjoying the nip in the air. The river was virtually motionless, glistening, the surface like glass. A layer of wispy mist hovered above its surface, parting here and there to allow the early morning light to catch the water in golden gleams. Evrain fancied that the atmosphere was always different on this particular day and it wasn’t just because it was his birthday. On All Hallows’ Eve, everything seemed full of potential. The light had a quality particular to the time of year, setting off the blaze of color in the trees perfectly. Across the river, fallen leaves carpeted the ground in ocher and amber.

  Steam rose from Evrain’s drink, mirroring the river. He blew gently on the surface, dissipating the heat haze. Above the river, a light breeze parted the mist. Evrain sipped his coffee and watched, intrigued, as the tendrils of fog merged once more.

  Inside his apartment, the phone rang. Reluctantly, Evrain retreated inside, placed his coffee on a side table then grabbed the handset.

  “Hello?”

  “Sweetheart. Happy birthday! I wasn’t sure you’d be up yet.”

  Evrain’s heart warmed at the sound of his mother’s voice. “Hi, Mum. How you doing?”

  “Tsk. You already sound like an American. I’m perfectly well, thank you. Your father is here with me, we have you on the speaker phone thingy.” Evrain’s mother had never been bothered with learning about technology of any kind.

  Evrain smiled. “Hey, Dad.”