Initials Only by Linzvonc

Author:Linzvonc [Linzvonc]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-09-20T18:30:00+00:00

Twenty-One

B A G G A G E

"Have you ever been here before?" Parker asked, slipping his glasses off in exchange for sunglasses in the form of aviators. Of course, that would be his sunnies of choice.

"No, I haven't. Have you?"

"Nah. I went to Prague on a stag do."

I wrinkled my nose up when he winked, nudging me in the ribs as he did.

"Wait, how have you been on a stag do? Who do you know who is married at your age?" I asked, genuinely interested.

He dragged my case behind him, refusing to let me carry it despite my protests that I was more than capable.

"Taxis are this way. My uncle got remarried a few years back, so I went along."

"Wow, remarried? That sounds dramatic.” I laughed, stopping when his mouth set in a firm line.

"Yeah, it was actually. Let's just say his new wife came with baggage that I couldn’t stand."

"Ouch. Do you have to see them often, your uncle, I mean?"

I hurried after him, trying to keep up with his long strides. We walked up to the front of the taxi queue, and I noticed his gaze hardening.

"I try not to. It's Christmas and birthdays that I can't avoid."

The taxi was spacious enough inside for us to carry our baggage with us. I pulled out my phone, giving the address to the driver, who pulled out slowly into the traffic. I texted Lucy, letting her know that we had made it, and she sent me the party’s address.

"Are you close to your family?" Parker asked, gazing out of the window. I studied him, aware his eyes were still clouded over from our previous conversation. I wanted to press him further, but I decided just to answer his question.

"Yeah, I'd say so. My dad is a typical white van man.” I laughed as Parker turned to me with interest. "We are the sort of family that has a chippy tea every Friday, and my Mum insists we watch Catchphrase and stuff like that. They can be so embarrassing."

"Why? They sound nice enough.” Parker smiled, and for once, I saw the man behind the jokey facade.

"They are," I said quickly, "they met in school and have been together ever since. So they are constantly cuddling and kissing and stuff which is so embarrassing. Then there's my middle name."

"Oh, tell me."

"Promise not to laugh?"

"No.” He chuckled, his eyes twinkling.

"Ah, whatever. It's Lux."

"No shit? That means light," Parker murmured to himself, surprising me.

"You know that?" I smiled, delighted that I'd finally met someone who knew what my crazy parents were aiming for all those years ago.

"It's a unit of illuminance, a measure of flux per unit area. Trainee electrician, remember?" Parker tapped his temple before our eyes met. "Rose Lux. A light flower, more or less."

"Ha, yes. My Mum and I love pink, and instead of naming me pink, she figured a light red was pretty close to it. So there you go, name history."

"Interesting."

The cab slowed, and I was slightly disappointed that our little conversation had ended so abruptly.

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