Page 26 of Four of Hearts

Harry had his mug halfway to his mouth, didn’t know what to say.

‘I’m assuming you don’t mean Molly.’ He regretted his flippant remark immediately, and added, ‘Sorry,’ then, ‘Yes, I know she does, Arthur.’

Arthur gave a firm, very serious, nod.

‘Just thought you should know, that’s all. You’re a good man, Harry. A bit of a gruff bastard at times, like. Stubborn, too. But we’re all a bit like that, sometimes, aren’t we?’

Harry sipped his tea, wondered where Arthur was going with what he was saying.

‘I couldn’t be happier for the both of you,’ the old man continued. ‘Which is why I want you to have something ...’

Harry watched Arthur reach into a pocket and take out a small box.

‘These,’ he said, and opened the box. ‘They’ll need resizing, I’m sure, and I know you’ve probably sorted ones out yourself, but I just thought, well, money can get tight, can’t it? And ... and I thought you might appreciate ... er ...’

Inside the dark, silk-like interior of the box, sat two gold rings.

‘These were our wedding rings,’ Arthur said, and held the box out for Harry. ‘Me and Grace’s mum, I mean.’

Harry took the box from Arthur’s hands, spotted the sad smile on Arthur’s face. The rings had a weight to them beyond the physical. These were important. And what Arthur was doing, even more so.

‘Are you sure?’

‘Never been more sure of anything in my life,’ Arthur replied. ‘It’s what she would’ve wanted, and it’s what I want, too.’

‘Does Grace know?’

Arthur shook his head.

‘I’ve tried to say something about it to her, but I’ve never known what, and then the time would pass and, well, you know how it is.’

Harry closed the box.

‘This ... Well, it’s very kind, Arthur. Honestly, I don’t really know what to say.’

‘You’ve already said it, Harry,’ Arthur smiled. ‘You’ve made my lass happy, and me, just so’s you know. That’s enough, plenty enough, I think.’

Harry had a sudden urge to say something deep and profound, but he hadn’t the faintest idea what. He was relieved when there came a knock at the door. Standing up, he placed the rings on top of one of the kitchen cupboards, so that if Grace was home before him, she wouldn’t find them. He then opened the door. Matt filled the space with his grin as much as with the outfit he was wearing.

‘Now then, King Arthur! Your knights await!’

‘Then why the hell are you dressed like that?’

Matt was wearing a long cloak and a large, pointy hat. He also had a staff.

‘Like what?’

‘Like Gandalf!’

Matt did his best to make himself look taller, which was rather pointless when stood next to Harry.

‘Gandalf? I’m Merlin, Harry!’

The laugh burst from Harry’s mouth unheeded.

‘Of course you are, Matt, of course you are!’

From another minibus parked behind Matt, a raucous cheer sounded out.