What If? (Lost and Found) by Barbara Elsborg

Author:Barbara Elsborg [Elsborg, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: self pubbed
Published: 2021-11-10T18:30:00+00:00

While Crispin played, Garrett didn’t take his gaze from him. Every time Crispin looked at him, Garrett smiled. It was just background music for the others who were drinking and chatting, but Garrett could have listened to him play for hours. He went to sit on the piano stool next to him and pressed his thigh against Crispin’s.

“Want to play a duet?” Garrett asked.

“I didn’t think you could play.”

“I can’t, but I could.”

Crispin swallowed hard. “You told me that if you used it, it left traces.”

Garrett shrugged. “It does and I already have left traces. But no one knows I’m here, we’re a long way from London and we’ll be gone from here by tomorrow morning. Sleeping recharges my energy so…”

“Okay then.”

Crispin switched to Carol of the Bells and Garrett played an accompaniment. Brilliantly. All those years practising and all I needed was a touch of magic.

The chattering stopped when the two of them were playing, and everyone, including his mother, turned to them and listened. When the tune was over, they clapped. Well, his father started the clapping and everyone else joined in.

“How long have you been playing?” his mother asked Garrett.

“Not long.”

Crispin bit his lip to stop himself smiling.

“That was delightful. You should have played with Crispin sooner.” She turned away. “Time to change for dinner, everyone.”

Only his mother could turn a compliment into a criticism so quickly.

Crispin stood and felt the twinge in his head almost immediately, the start of another headache. Fuck! This time he was going to try and hide it from Garrett. He wanted him to enjoy Christmas dinner.

Once they were in his room, Crispin slipped into the bathroom and took two Tramadol. Please let the tablets kick in quickly. He put his hands on the sink and lifted his gaze to the mirror. His face looked drawn. Maybe he wasn’t going to be able to fool Garrett.

Garrett was already in his suit trousers when Crispin emerged.

“Okay?” Garrett asked.

“Yep.”

“I think you’re going to have to tie my tie for me.”

“Are they not called for in the faerie world?”

“No.”

Crispin began to change. “What do you wear?”

“Trousers and shirts but not shirts with stiff collars like these.” Garrett made a choked sound as he fastened the top button.

Once Crispin was ready, he stood behind Garrett to help with his tie. “Right, you need this wide end to hang longer, then go across the road, around the roundabout, through the tunnel and under the bridge.” He came round to the front of Garrett, pulled up the knot and turned his collar down.

“Who taught you that?”

“My father, but he made me swear not to tell my mother the instructions. Said it was a secret.” He smiled.

Garrett pulled on his suit jacket and Crispin’s heart floundered. “Oh God. You look so sexy.”

“So do you.”

“If we weren’t expected downstairs within the next few seconds…”

“But we only need a few seconds. We don’t always have to be super-beings.”

They grinned at each other.

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