ODDS OF LOVE - SEASON 14

Episode 57

It was beginning to look and feel way too tense inside the party room at Richard and Nigel's so after he had emptied the dust pan of glass shards , put everything back in the storage closet  and washed his hands in the kitchen Nigel retreated to the empty peaceful  office he once had shared pre family company days. The one that now belonged solely to his new manager Amanda Simpson  and assistant manager Mark Mills but bloody hell it was his restaurant so it and everything belonged to him , right ? He could hide away for a few minutes , why not ? 

Nigel sat behind the cluttered desk in the swivel chair with the wobbly wheel on it. The moment he sat in it he felt like he had came back home again oddly enough. Leaning back in the chair he sighed wistfully. Truthfully he missed the restaurant. The staff. The customers especially the regulars. It was funny but he had not experienced that much stress at the restaurant. Not like working at his father's company as an executive. He enjoyed working for Nicholas. And , of course , Alexi , who was the president and a bit of a " hard ass " himself when it came to business. He had done some stuff he was proud of deeply. Creating the magazines for example ; Baby Bloom and the cooking one.  He missed working there too but not as much as he missed Richard and Nigel's. Maybe in January he really would leave the company. Stick to taking care of the family and maybe rejoining the restaurant as the " face " of it so to speak. Meeting and greeting the customers , putting out any immediate " fires " as far as the staff and such. He didn't want to be a pain to the current management but he knew he could find the right fit for himself there. One that did not neglect his family like he had been , was sensitive to his health situation and didn't have him " bored senseless " as Alexi said. It wasn't like he would be financially hurting if he resigned from the company. He still had Richard who always alluded to being independently wealthy. And , he had the restaurant proceeds which according to Spencer were very decent numbers.  Perhaps he could even capitalize on the restaurant's current success  by opening the second one that had been dancing about in his mind for the longest time. Another Richard and Nigel's but maybe in Hyattsville nearer home if he could find a space. And ..... maybe this one could be called something different...... maybe Family ? Or , in a hat tilt to his stepson who needed a boost lately , Lewis's  ?  Something more colorful and even more family friendly ? A place to attract young families and their kids ? A sit down restaurant with a fast food flair ? 

He was feeling rested and relaxed as he sat in the chair with his head lost in thoughts of the future when there was a sudden almost timid knock at the door. It could not be Richard although his husband had to be wondering where he had gone. 

" Come in , " Nigel called. Then the office door opened swiftly and in walked that new neighbor of Spencer's. The one who was also now Richard's ..... what now ? Cousin ? Yeah , that was it. Cousin ? He wanted to laugh. His husband's bloody buggering family tree was growing as complicated as his own. 

Aiden Norris said softly , " Don't want to disturb you , Nigel. Although people were asking about you. My.... father can easily distract them though. " The man laughed in a bittersweet way and Nigel almost felt sorry for him but didn't know exactly why. The man looked miserable which was not how he had started the family wedding and lunch. 

" It's ok. I should be heading back in anyway. It's almost time for the cake and punch anyway. Not a big multi tier job , of course , but as your aunt said it was extremely short notice. Think my staff did an excellent job though. "

Aidan smiled gently as he stood there fidgeting before him. " It was very nice. I know my grandmother appreciates it a lot. I.... I had a question to  ask you. About your eye. "

Nigel sighed. He was used to the ultimate questions really. What happened to your missing eye ? And to your face ? He was used to it but it did get old fast. " It was a youthful fight. I prefer not talking about it if you don't mind. " 

Aiden looked surprised and he shook his head at him. " No. No , I didn't mean...... I meant the other one. The color. It is unusual. I've only seen it once. " He pulled out his worn black leather wallet from his back pocket and opened it to slide out what looked to be a worn old picture.  He showed it to Nigel who took it with a lot of curiosity shining on his face. " Her eyes look like your eye. Do you know her ? "

Nigel did not know her but he had actually seen her before. In old pictures his mother Matilda had shown him after they reconnected as mother and son. He lifted his eyes from the picture he held to the man's anxious face , asking , " I know of her. Who is she to you ? "

Aiden hesitated as he took the picture back and gazed at it wistfully. " She is my mother. I never actually had her in my life. After I was born my father left me with his parents. My grandparents. Alice Rose and her first husband Roger Norris. I don't know.... I don't even know her name. Who is she ? "

Nigel sighed once again. " You should talk to my mum. Or my Aunt Margaret. " But , not Nance , he laughed inwardly. He didn't wish his outspoken grandmother on anyone really. And , especially not about something like this. 

" Who is she ? , " Aiden asked again more insistently. 

" Her name is Maeve Glover. She is my mum's younger sister. My Aunt Margaret's identical twin sister. Was anyway. My mum told  me she actually ...... passed away when she was seventeen.  It's a tragic story really. At least I suspect it is. Mum won't talk of it beyond the basics. And , Aunt Margaret never talks of her twin. Like I say , Aiden , you need to talk to one of them about it. If they will tell you more. Now ..... I think we should return to the lunch. "