Jeremy and I had spent most of the next morning finishing off the rest of the fence. Leia had woken before me and left me to sleep. I think she was in as much of a rush to catch up with Sarah, as I was to see Jeremy. She had decided to go shopping with Sarah which is highly unusual.
To be fair, Jeremy was a total gentleman when I asked him how it went with Sarah.
"I am an old man, Mike."
"So, it did not happen again?"
"Well, I would not say that" he smiled with a glint in his eye.
"Remember though, I am twice her age."
I looked at Jeremy closely, he was in his 60s but looked extremely fit for his age. He had spent most of his life working outdoors in the sun.
We had just finished erecting the last part of the fencing. All that was needed now was a coat of weatherproof to protect it from the elements. I could do that by myself, over the next few days.
"Come and join me over here Mike, I want to chat with you."
I must have looked a little concerned, "Nothing to worry about, well not yet anyway."
"Mike, let's talk about emotional attachment."
My heart sank; I knew what was coming.
"She is married you know, and he will be coming home."
"I know."
"Do you?"
"What happens if he comes home and surprises her, how would you feel?"
I could already feel the guilt, and the jealousy at those words, fuck he was right.
"Yes, I thought so," he said.
"What should I do?" If I am honest, I was already upset with what I thought the response from Jeremy would be.
"Nothing."
"Nothing, what, you mean stop what is happening?"
"No Mike, you have the time of your life, why it lasts," he smiled.
I was confused, what sort of advice is this, I wondered?
Jeremy noticed, "Mike, your aunt wants this to happen because of what is going on between Tony and her. In 90% of the scenarios that could play out, she will remain with Tony."
"They have been together for a long time, and they will probably work it out," he added.
"What about the 10%?"
"You should be focussing on the 90% Mike, but I guess in the 10% scenario, he has been cheating on her, and she leaves him".
"You two get together, and fuck like bunnies for the rest of your days."
"That's unlikely Jeremy."
"Why, there is only 6-7 years between you?"
He could see me drifting off into deep thought, "Mike that's not what I want you to focus on, it is so unlikely to happen."
"So, you are saying I should focus on the 90%, have a good time but be prepared to step aside, depending on what Leia wants?"
Jeremy stood up, he hugged me, "Yes, that is exactly what you need to do, no matter how hard it is."
"It does not necessarily mean things will stop though Mike."
"What do you mean?"
"You and Leia now have a bond forever, whether you like it or not."
"Is it not your No1 University choice to be at Capital (name changed)?"
"Yes of course, it is the one Uncle Tony went to," I said that with a lot of guilt.
"It's 20 minutes away from here, Mike, you are bound to be around this place more regularly, and who knows what that will mean."
"So, let Leia play this out, and who knows what it might mean for you."
I spent most of the early afternoon thinking about those words. I went for a swim to clear my head and then heard the phone spring to life with a very loud ring.
"Mike sorry we are running late, but something has come up and I need your help," Leia did not sound too concerned, just a little frazzled.
"Tony called me; his EA who is overseas with him, completely forgot about a charity auction event that is being held this evening. Tony was supposed to be attending and has paid for a table. On that table is some very important people, and as I also have a relationship with them from my Not-for-profit board work, he has asked me to go and keep them happy."
"Okay, what do you need me to do?"
"It's a black-tie event Mike, I need your suit size, Tony has arranged for you to escort me."
"Oh okay, I guess."
"I will make it worth your while Mike, trust me," she said seductively.
"I am at the suit hire store now, they have a lot of good stock, so if you have your sizes, we should be okay. They will also give me the size above, and below just in case."
"Its lucky that I was measured for a suit for the university interview, I have the sizes in my room."
"Okay, all being well, we will be home in a couple of hours. A car will be picking us up at 7pm, so we have a lot of time to get ready."
True to her word, Leia and Sarah were home within a couple of hours.
Leia was in a rush and asked me to try on everything she had bought to see if it would fit okay. The place they were hiring from was exclusive, and they clearly knew how to tailor, as everything that was in my actual size fitted perfectly. If I am honest, better than the suit I recently bought.
I came back out into the kitchen to see Leia and Sarah, finally relaxing with some lunch.
'No fashion show Mike?" Leia looked disappointed.
"It all fits, you can wait until later."
"I really am sorry Mike, we would normally blow it off, but this one is important, and besides the Dean of Capital University will be at the table."
I knew this had the potential to be an opportunity to network but I was slightly worried about the actual Dean being at the table. Leia assured me that all would be okay, especially after the drinks started flowing. She then took me into the formal lounge room to go through each of the people at the table. Besides the Dean and his wife, there was an investor and his wife, a bank manager and his partner, and an entrepreneur and his girlfriend.
I had a good brain for people and could memorise most of the basic facts about them.
"That's really good Mike, impressive, I am so glad that you are coming with me."
"I can't believe Tony forgot about this, considering its importance."