The following morning, after breakfast with the gang, we were on the forecourt of Greenall Manor about to get in the Range Rover to head off to my parents, when Izzy and Jason came to see us off.

“Don’t let Gayle bully you into letting her take over. If you stand up to her from the off, she’ll know where she stands. Can’t say she won’t overstep her boundaries, but at least she’ll know you aren’t a pushover.” Izzy clapped Bastien on the back and smiled at him much as you would a lamb to the slaughter. Bastien knitted his brows.

“Je ne comprends pas.” He looked rightfully confused by Izzy’s warning.

“What my tactless boss is trying to say, Bas dear boy…” Jason rolled his eyes hard at Izzy, “is that Jewish mothers are horribly overbearing and insufferably nosy. However, if you get into Gayle’s good books, you’ll be coddled and indulged within an inch of your life.” Jason descended into peals of giggles. He repeated the whole thing in French, but poor Bastien still looked none the wiser.

“Get in the car, baby. I’ll explain on the way.” I flipped off my two friends and tutted loudly at them. They laughed at me. Jason stuck his head in the car on Bastien’s side and in fluent French spoke to him at length, during which time my young man nodded a lot; bit on his lip; gasped, then giggled. I caught the odd word but the speed at which Jason regaled Bastien was too fast for me to follow. I was intrigued as to what the Good Lord was telling my young boyfriend, but I had the good grace not to ask.

“Here Tal, let me help you in.” G offered me his arm and I leaned heavily on it. I was so much better after another hot bath and plenty of rest, but still nowhere near back to normal. I appreciated the assistance. Bastien fussed over me and fixed my seatbelt. He had a few small pillows that he placed strategically around me to help prevent the impact of bumps along the way. I settled in and yawned. Even the smallest effort exhausted me.

The car swayed slightly as the Twins got in the front, and then we were off. G & T chatted to Bastien along the way and the quiet murmur of their banter lulled me to sleep. I didn’t stir until we reached my parents’ home. Bastien peered out the window. He had a weird expression on his face that wasn’t quite nerves; to my shock, I realised he was excited.

“Hey,” I croaked. I held out my hand and Bastien squeezed it. He was practically vibrating. “Remember, Gayle might not be too keen at first, but I promise she’ll love you as soon as she gets to know you. We’re a fairly traditional family – well, my parents and sister are anyway.”

“You English have a weird saying, that my skin is thick, or something?” I laughed wanting to correct him, but it got lost in the whirlwind that was Gayle Roth.

“Tally, bubbeleh, let me see you.” I rolled my eyes as the Range Rover door flew open and my mother launched herself at me.

“Oof, Mum, get off me.” I fiddled with the seatbelt catch to try and escape. Bastien leaned across the seats and popped the button to free me. My mother gave him a cursory glance before trying to extricate me from the car. It was already too much. “Guys…” I needed help. G & T were out of the car, running around it to rescue me.

“Let us help, Mrs Roth. Tal’s a big lad.” They took an arm of mine each, effectively dislodging her in the nicest possible way. She was left with no other course of action than to greet Bastien.

“Madame Roth.” Oh, Bastien was laying it on thick. We all faltered at the richness of his tone and turned to witness the effect it had on my mother. With wide eyes, I watched as my lover took my mother’s hand, bringing it to his lips. “Enchante,” he murmured.

“Oh my God,.” I huffed, there was no way Gayle was falling for this.

“Well, er, hello, young man. Bastien, I presume?”

I gaped. Who was this woman apparently reduced to a puddle of goo by a pretty face and a French accent!

“Mais, oui.” He batted his eyelashes at her and blushed beautifully. What a fucking flirt.

“Well, um,” Gayle cleared her throat, “do come in. I made lunch.”

We all followed her up the garden path and into the house. The familiar smells assaulted my senses making me feel glad to be home. It offered a security that I hadn’t realised I needed. Damn Isadore Woolf for always being right.

The kitchen table was a huge wooden slab atop chunky legs that took up most of the back room. My parents had recently re-done the living space to make the back part of the house an open plan cooking, eating, and living space. It was modern, yet still homely.

“Bloody hell,” G blurted when he saw the feast laid out for us. I shrugged because it was nothing out of the norm.

“Sit. Eat!” Gayle commanded. “I’ll get some cold drinks.”

Over a deli lunch, Gayle grilled G, T and Bastien, so that when my Dad finally arrived to join us, she recounted everything she’d found out about them, which took a good twenty minutes. The boys looked amused and Bastien looked transfixed. My heart fluttered to see him in my home looking like he loved every minute so far. I stifled a yawn. The journey and lunch had really taken it out of me in my somewhat weakened state. Bastien side eyed me. He laid a hand on my thigh and twisted around to face me.

“I’m ok,” I reassured him. I didn’t want my mother to make a fuss, but when I darted my eyes over to her, I was pleasantly surprised to find her expression was filled with loving approval. My boy had won her over effortlessly and I was so proud of him.

Bastien leaned to whisper in my ear. “Where is our room, mon cher. I want you to rest.”

I used the close proximity of his cheek as an opportunity to rest my lips on his cool skin. I inhaled his familiar scent and nodded. “You’re as bad as she is!” I joked. “I’m perfectly capable of taking myself off for a snooze, if I need one.”

Gayle tutted. “Bubbeleh, you’re falling on your knees. Listen to Bastien. I made up your old room. For the both of you.” She blushed a little, but I appreciated the effort she was making because I knew it took a lot for her to tamper down her natural domineering nature and let Bastien take care of me.

In the end, G & T helped me up the stairs to my bedroom. They got me settled and promised to return the following day to check on me. I mumbled my thanks as they bent to kiss me goodbye. Before they were even out of the door, I’d fallen asleep.

The next couple of days were spent under the watchful eye of Gayle and her newest devotee, Bastien. Between the two of them I was fawned over and coddled back to health. Luckily, we had a wedding to attend this coming weekend, which meant they had to let me get up, get dressed and leave the house at some point soon. I had grooming to do and a dinner suit to fetch from my apartment.

G & T had visited and I’d had calls from Izzy and Adam, Jason, Remi and Angel, Rob, Liam and Sanjay and even Ron. Izzy had informed me that Hayley had mysteriously vanished, but that G & T were trying to find her. He was more convinced than ever that she had been feeding Tolya information about me, which devastated him. Izzy was inconsolable which broke my heart. For all his arrogance and bluster, Isadore Woolf was fiercely loyal to his friends. When he loved it was unreserved which meant his protection extended to those of us in his inner circle. Adam confessed to me on the phone yesterday, that Izzy’s failing to keep me safe was crushing him with guilt.

“What can I do?” I asked Adam. It was killing me that Izzy was distressed. It was nothing to do with him the choices that Hayley made.

“I’ve been helping him…” Adam’s voice wobbled and he hastily cleared his throat to hide it, but I’d heard it.

“Helping him? How?” I thought I had an inkling, but I wanted to hear it from Adam.

He snorted. “Let’s just say I won’t be sitting without a cushion anytime soon.”

I gasped audibly. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry.”

Adam giggled. It was an incongruous sound coming from one so large. “Oh, please don’t apologise. You know I love it when Izzy gets all macho and shit. He beat the living daylights out of me and I haven’t come that hard in months. I should be thanking you.”

I rolled my eyes. As long as I lived, I would never understand Adam’s desire for pain. He was such a gentle soul, but undoubtedly the kinkiest motherfucker I’d ever met. “Well, that’s as may be, but I still refuse to let Izzy take any blame for what happened to me. It was a series of unfortunate events, totally out of his control.”

“You try telling him that,” Adam sighed.

“We’ll see you at the wedding, won’t we? I believe Valerie and Jack are equally close to the groom’s family, as my parents are.”

“Yeah, and my Mum and Dad will also be there.” Adam made a weird noise. He was clearly not looking forward to this any more than I was. Still, the thought of seeing us all decked out in penguin suits was quite exciting, which reminded me. “Gotta go; Myer should be here any minute for Bastien’s fitting.”

I was excited to give Bastien this experience. Myer was a first-class tailor who I had hired to design and sew Bastien a dinner suit. After I had received my first big pay out from Doron, Izzy suggested I treat myself to a bespoke suit. He recommended Myer and the rest, as they say, is history. We have all benefitted from the man’s refined skill at producing garments that enhance our God given qualities to make us feel a million dollars when wearing them. Recently, Liam was telling me that his special ops squad had stayed at Greenall Manor where Myer had kitted them all out in new made to measure uniforms. It was something to do with boosting the profile of the London Met by making their team Instagram worthy. I had seen Liam and Rob in their new garb and they are a worthy testament to Myer’s expertise.

The doorbell rang and I hurried to the door to greet him. My movements were almost pain free now, so much so, that I looked forward to getting back in the gym.

“Mr Roth!” Myer exclaimed warmly as I led him to the back room. “You look to be in excellent health, thank God.” It was no surprise that everyone had heard about my attack.

“Yes, Myer, but thank Izzy first!”

“Ah, the infamous Mr Woolf, of course.” Myer and Izzy were old friends, and it was clear from the old man’s expression that he was rather fond of him.

Bastien was waiting patiently at the kitchen table. He smiled nervously at us. “This is your young man?” Myer asked.

“He is indeed. Bastien meet Myer.” They shook hands. Myer cocked his head looking thoughtful.

“Midnight blue. To compliment this exquisite colour.” Myer lifted the ends of Bastien’s hair. “You can see it is so dark, that the black shines with a blue tinge.” Bastien’s cheeks heated and he lowered his eyes. Myer tutted. “No, no, no.” He lifted Bastien’s face upwards. “I need to see what I am working with, boychick. Don’t hide from me.” Myer winked at Bastien who giggled nervously, but he looked a little more relaxed. I was filled with warmth. Izzy was a master at many things including finding people who brought out the best in others. Myer was such a person, both with his art at creating incredible fitting clothes, coupled with his grandfatherly manner.

The afternoon passed pleasantly with Myer taking Bastien’s measurements, followed by them pouring over swatches of material in order to find the right one. Bastien asked Myer a million questions of which I understood very little, to do with the cut of the suit; the lay of the fabric; how the stitches would look and what kind he would use. Question after question, which Myer patiently answered. I was stunned that Bastien took such an interest in something that seemed rather banal to me. I coveted the end product; who the hell cared about the rest? Bastien apparently.

“Do you want to be a tailor, Bastien? You’ve asked me many astute questions.” Myer had a curious expression on his face. Bastien flushed bright red looking a little startled. “I wonder…” Myer pondered out loud. I cocked my head at him while Bastien frowned. “Are you perhaps interested in an apprenticeship?” Bastien’s eyes grew so wide I thought they’d get stuck like that. My heart thudded in my chest. I couldn’t believe Myer would offer such an opportunity just like that. “It doesn’t pay too much, but I would teach you everything I know. Your curiosity is inspiring; really.”

Bastien’s mouth fell open. He snapped his head to me, then back at Myer. His hand flew to his chest and his breath stuttered. I frowned at the all too familiar signs that he was struggling. In a flash, I gathered him into my arms. “Breathe, baby boy.” I whispered in his ear. I remembered Liam had made me count when I was having my panic attack. “Count with me, Bas.” He looked startled. “Une…” I encouraged.

“Une,” he choked out.

“Deux,” I urged.

“Deux,” he sputtered. “Trois, quatre, cinque, six, sept.” By twenty he was breathing normally and I mentally congratulated myself for helping stave off a full-blown panic attack. Bastien inhaled deeply before turning to face Myer, who stood stoically with a patient expression on his face. “It’s ok to take it back,” Bastien wheezed.

“Take what back?” Myer enquired. “My offer?” Bas nodded. My heart squeezed with sorrow. “No, I don’t think I will. I see great potential, boychick. I can deal with a few wobbly moments; believe me, we’ve all had them.” Myer gathered his things. “I will bring your suit on Friday morning. You can let me know then.” He reached out to shake Bastien’s arm and we both stilled as the old man’s sleeve rode up to reveal a series of several digits tattooed on the inside of his arm. He noticed us staring. “I recognise survivors,” he told Bastien gently. “I think we’ll make a great team; please think about it.”

Tears pricked the backs of my eyes. My own recent experience, as horrendous as it was for me, could no way compare to what this old Jew had endured as a concentration camp inmate. I had a blinding moment of clarity that put everything into perspective. “Thank you, Myer. For everything,” I told him, my voice thick with emotion.

He grasped my hand. “Enjoy the present, Tal, but always look to the future, my friend.” And with those words of wisdom, he bade us goodbye until Friday.

The front door closed and with it the last of Bastien’s ability to remain calm. He was a ball of excitement who babbled endlessly about Myer, fabric, sewing machines, thread, tailor’s chalk, and all manner of things. While it was amazing to see him so animated, it was also incredibly arousing. I decided the only way to shut him up was to shove my cock down his throat. I dragged him up to our bedroom and seduced the living fuck out of him.