Page 6 of In at the Deep End

He nodded. “And then they dried up—from both ends. Did you stay in Southampton?”

Owen shook his head. “I moved to Reading. I’d started up a few companies by then—that was about 2012—and then I bought a hotel. Except I didn’t stop at one.”

Jeff’s face glowed. “We always knew you were cut out for business. You were top of our class for a reason.”

“What about you?”

“I started out working in Finance in the City.” Jeff huffed. “And I’m still there, although I’m thinking of retiring. I’ve put by enough to do it, and I want more time to enjoy my grandkids.” He settled against the cushions. “How many hotels do you have?”

“None—now. I’ve taken early retirement, sold them all, and bought this magnificent property.”

“Wow. I’m impressed.” Jeff peered at the door. “How old is Callum?”

“Twenty-seven.”

Jeff’s easy grin hadn’t changed a bit. “Get you, a married man.” He looked around. “So where are you hiding the wife?”

“It’s just me now.” Owen smiled. “Actually, I’ve been married twice, the first time to Cyn Rainer.”

Jeff’s mouth fell open. “Oh my God. You and Cyn?”

He nodded. “We married in ’97. That lasted until 2011, when Callum was twelve. Then we got divorced.”

“I’m sorry.”

Owen gave a shrug. “It was the right thing to do. And Cyn and I are still close. I lost a wife and gained a best friend.” He grinned. “And you’ll get to see her here. She’ll be visiting once I’ve got the house sorted.”

“That sounds wonderful. So who was wife number two?”

Owen raised his chin. “His name was Ben Driscoll.”

Jeff blinked. Blinked again.

Callum walked into the room, carrying a mug of tea. He stopped next to the couch, took one look at Jeff’s face, and smiled. “Ah. Let me guess. We’ve got to the Ben part.”

Owen chuckled. “Jeff might need a moment before he tries drinking his tea.”

“Then I’ll leave you to it. If you need me, I’ll be in the kitchen, emptying boxes.”

“Thanks.” Owen threw him a grateful glance. He waited until Callum closed the door behind him. “Well, you’re still breathing, so I guess it wasn’t that big a shock.”

Jeff whooshed out a breath. “Was this a sudden thing? You know, a later in life realisation or something?”

“Not exactly.” Owen paused for a second. “Okay, do you remember Professor Stevens?”

He nodded. “He wasn’t much older than us, really.” Jeff grinned. “We called him Baby Prof, didn’t we? He had to be in his late twenties or early thirties.”

“Well, when I was twenty-one, we were in a relationship.”

Jeff’s jaw went slack again. “You sly dog. You never said a word.”

“No one knew, okay? But everything changed when he told me he wanted us to continue after graduation.” He swallowed. “He told me he loved me.”

“Oh. My. God.” Jeff shook his head. “You are so much better than me at keeping secrets. Honestly, I’d never have guessed.”

Owen took refuge in his rapidly cooling tea. “There was no way, of course. My parents would’ve exploded if I told them I was gay. I didn’t think my friends would’ve understood either. So we parted company.”

“And then you started dating Cyn, you fell in love, and the rest is history?”