London Calling

Chapter 14

“Hey, Pop, we’re back,” Gus said as he and Ray came in from their excursion to Baker Street. “What’s cookin’?”

“I’m planning a little sightseeing,” Brian said.

“Can me and Ray come? Westminster Abbey, right?”

“You and Ray want to accompany us old guys?” Brian asked with a smirk.

“Yeah,” Gus replied.

“Yeah,” Ray added. “You’re cool, Mr. Kinney.”

Brian snorted. “That is a well known fact, my boy.”

Ray laughed in response. “We went by ourselves to see Baker Street because I really wanted to see where Sherlock Holmes worked his mystery magic,” Ray explained. “I didn’t think you guys would be interested.”

“You do realize that Sherlock Holmes is a fictional character?” Brian asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Yeah, I know,” Ray said sheepishly. “But he’s cool.”

“Like me,” Brian stated. Ray nodded and Brian smiled.

“But that doesn’t mean we want to do everything else by ourselves,” Gus chimed in. “So what have you planned for today, Pop?”

“Lindsay and Justin are at the gallery, so I thought I’d take the kids to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.”

“That sounds good,” Gus said looking at Ray for confirmation. Ray nodded.

“I thought we’d go to the oldest pub in London for lunch and then to Westminster Abbey. We can drive by the Parliament Buildings and see Big Ben. Maybe go up in the London Eye if we feel like it.”

“I’m in,” Gus said enthusiastically.

“Sounds great,” Ray agreed.

Sometime later they were assembled along the parade route that the Queen’s Guard would take to arrive at Buckingham Palace. Bree was perched on her father’s shoulders, while Patrick stood beside his father deciding he was too old and too tall for that. They had been able to drag John away from his library to come with them all. Gus, Ray and Bobby were also there. They had managed to fit themselves into one car.

“Dada, what am I going to see?” Bree asked from her perch.

“There’s going to be a band and horses and soldiers.”

“Horses?” Bree asked.

“Yes, horses,” Brian said with a smile at the wistful tone in Bree’s voice.

“I miss riding the horses.” There hadn’t been much time for the children to go riding at the Farm during the fall.

“I think you’ll like the parade,” Brian said. “Oh! I hear music.”

Bree perked up and looked down the road to see the first of the horse guard come into view. With rousing music and lots of color the procession made its way to the front of Buckingham Palace.

“That’s where the Queen of England lives,” Gus said to Bree after he had taken more than his share of pictures of the parade.

“Who’s she?” Bree asked.

“She’s the head of England and a very gracious lady,” John informed his niece.

“Oh,” Bree said thoughtfully. “That’s a big house,” she said pointing.

“It’s called a palace,” Brian said.

“Why?”

“It just is.”

“Oh.”

“Shall we be off to lunch?” Brian asked looking at his watch.

They all enjoyed their lunch in the basement of the oldest pub in London. The walls were very thick and the décor left something to be desired. Brian, John and Gus all had to remember to duck their heads when passing through doorways. The food was passable and the ale very good.

During lunch Bree wanted to know something. “Dada, why does the Queen have all those guards?”

“It’s a ceremony, Squirt. She doesn’t really need all those guards.”

“What’s a ceremony?” Brian sighed. How did he explain this?

“Did you see all the funny clothes the guards had on?” Patrick asked his cousin.

“Yes,” Bree said with a giggle. “They looked kind of silly.”

“They’re historical, right, Dad?” Patrick asked his father. John nodded approvingly. “The parade and the guards are like out of history. They’re putting on a show for the tourists. Us!” Patrick added with a little laugh.

“Thank you, Patrick,” Brian said sincerely. “I’m not sure I could have explained it that well.”

“You’re welcome,” Patrick grinned. “Understand, Bree?”

Bree nodded and looked adoringly at her very smart cousin.

“Off to Westminster Abbey,” Brian said as he handed their waiter his credit card to pay for lunch.

They all stood and admired the façade of the great church when they arrived. Gus took pictures of the building and of them standing in front of it. He also got another tourist to take a shot that he could be in. He made sure he was close to Ray when that happened.

They went inside and Bobby wanted to go to Poet’s Corner first. They all trailed along behind him. Chaucer’s tomb was the center of this area of the Abbey. Other literary icons had been interred nearby. The group spent quite a while finding the markers for poets like Browning and Tennyson, for authors like Dickens, Thomas Hardy and Samuel Johnson. Brian spotted the burial site of Sir Laurence Olivier and paused for a moment in front of it. Being an aficionado of old movies, he was well aware of Olivier’s stature among thespians.

“Dada,” Bree said pulling on Brian’s hand. “Do we have to look at dead people all day?”

Brian chuckled. Trust Bree to put things in perspective. “No, Squirt. Let’s look at the main part of the church.”

He took Bree’s hand and led her out into the nave. The sheer height of the building with its arches and radiating chapels took all their breaths away.

“We have nothing like this at home,” John said reverently.

“It was started so long ago in a different era,” Brian replied.

“Before America even existed as we know of it,” Bobby added.

“The architects were really something, being able to make the ceiling so high without it falling down,” Gus said staring up at the high pillars.

“A lot of the early churches did fall down,” John explained. “The architects were trying to reach God with the height of their spires and roofs. The higher they went, the more likely the structure was to fall down. These pillars are massive because of the weight of the walls and roof.”

“What happened if they fell down?” Ray asked.

“They started over, modifying their plans,” John said. “Sometimes the whole thing was abandoned because of the expense, but usually they were built in some form, modified to take more weight. They invented things like flying buttresses to take some of the stress off the walls.”

“Wow,” Gus said. “You know a lot about architecture, Uncle John.”

“It is my business,” John said with a smile.

Brian squeezed his arm affectionately. It was just this kind of education he had been hoping they’d all get by coming on this trip.

“Do you like the church?” Patrick asked Bree.

Bree nodded her head. “I wish there was singing,” she said, remembering how much she liked the music in the churches at Christmastime.

“Maybe we could go to a concert in a church,” Bobby suggested. “I think they have concerts at St. Martin’s in the Field. The acoustics there are supposed to be amazing.”

“Let’s look into that,” Brian said.

“Are we done here?” John asked. “I could spend all day, but I’m sure the rest of you wouldn’t like that.”

“I want to see where Sir Isaac Newton is buried. Remember that scene from the DaVinci Code?” Bobby asked.

They all agreed and made their way to the area dedicated to the famous scientist.

“Who’s Sir Isaac Newton?” Bree asked.

“An apple fell on his head and he invented gravity,” Patrick said.

They all chuckled.

“He didn’t invent gravity,” John said softly to his son. “He just explained it.”

“Oh?” Patrick replied.

“What’s gravity?” Bree asked.

“I think we should let Auntie Lindsay explain that during one of your lessons,” Brian replied with a wink at his brother. John merely shook his head as he chuckled to himself.

After leaving the Abbey, they drove through London and past the Houses of Parliament. They did take a ride on the London Eye, the huge Ferris wheel that had been erected for the millennium. It gave spectacular panoramic views of the city.

By the time they returned home, they all felt they had seen some great sights and had begun to get an idea of the layout of the city and a taste of the myriad of things available to do in London.

“Pop, me and Ray could use a nap,” Gus said with a gleam in his eyes. The family had returned to the townhouse pleasantly exhausted from their adventures. Truth be told, the children were tired. Bree and Patrick hadn’t totally adjusted to the change of time zones. Bree had fallen asleep on the ride home and Patrick’s eyes were drooping.

“Brian, I think we can all use a nap,” Bobby said reasonably and John agreed.

“You go ahead, I have an errand to run and then I’ll go over to the gallery to pick up Justin and Lindsay,” Brian said as he gently transferred Bree into John’s arms.

“And what kind of errand are you running? Who do you know in London?” John asked as he arched his own Kinney brow.

“I’ll explain later. I’m just going to take a quick shower then go. We’ll be back in time for dinner,” Brian reassured his brother.

Brian went to his room. Just before jumping in the shower in the ensuite bathroom, he lifted the private phone to dial Hudson.

“How may I help you, sir?” the housekeeper asked.

“I’m going out for a while. Could you have the car brought around in about fifteen minutes?”

“Very good, sir,” Hudson replied without question then hung up.

Brian stared at the phone for a brief moment. “I wonder if Hudson has a sister I can lure back to the States,” Brian mumbled with a smirk.

 

*****
 

“You remember me, don’t you?” Henry asked Justin.

Lindsay and Charles were discussing the details for the opening in Charles’ office for most of the afternoon, while Justin was fine tuning his corner of the gallery. His corner turned out to be half of the second floor. Sidney and Charles had deliberately chosen many of Justin’s largest pieces so they needed a lot of room to be properly displayed. The Fractal Movie was going to be shown in its own “amphitheater” fashioned by Justin’s Seasons paintings surrounding several rows of benches under a skylight. Justin was subtly rearranging some of the groupings when Henry came into the gallery. Justin was just about done for the day. Lindsay and Justin would be back in the morning to finalize the opening event.

“Yes,” Justin said curtly, his eyes downcast.

“I never thought I’d see you again.”

“Me either.”

“I wish we could have met under different circumstances,” Henry said hopefully.

“Henry, what I did back then … my behavior was inexcusable.”

“Are you denying that you were attracted to me?”

“No, I’m not. I was very vulnerable during that time and I enjoyed your attention but it was very wrong of me.”

“So can I assume you’re still with your ‘wife’?”

“Yes, you can,” Brian’s voice boomed across the quiet gallery. Brian was dressed in a cashmere sweater, designer jeans that accentuated his long legs and an Armani sports coat. He was one hunk of walking talking sexy man.

“Brian, you’re here!” Justin exclaimed with astonishment and a touch of relief.

“And not a moment too soon,” Brian murmured to himself. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your little friend, Justin?” Brian snarked with an edge of anger in his tone.

“Brian, this is Henry Higgins. Henry, this is Brian Kinney, my life partner.” The two men grudgingly shook hands. “Henry is the son of Charles Higgins, the chairman of the procurement committee. It’s Charles who is responsible for my exhibit here.”

“I’ll be sure to thank him,” Brian snarked, as his glare was burning a hole through Henry’s head and other body parts.

“Do you work with your father?” Justin asked hoping to distract Brian from killing Henry. Justin hadn’t had the chance to speak with Henry since his startling appearance that morning.

“Yes, although I haven’t always. For many years I didn’t think that procuring art was very exciting. I was intent on making my own way in the world. In New York,” Henry added. “Then after a visit home with my parents and enjoying many an artistic debate with my father, I soon discovered that I missed London, so I stayed. However, I do a lot of traveling around Europe for the gallery, procuring interesting pieces to be shown.”

“When’s your next trip?” Brian sneered.

“I’m here until after the opening,” Henry replied. Brian snorted.

“Um, Bri, can I show you around?” Justin asked as he looked up into Brian’s face and batted his blond lashes. Brian nodded. Justin took Brian’s hand to guide him around.

“This is quite a spread, Sunshine,” Brian remarked as they slowly strolled past the Old Masters collection.

“You’re not angry, are you?” Justin had to ask.

“No, but don’t ask me to be nice to him.”

“All I ask is that you don’t kill him. I don’t think the head of the procurement committee would appreciate it.”

“I’ll restrain myself,” Brian said then grabbed Justin’s hand to draw him in closer for a kiss. They hid behind Justin’s rendition of Monet’s “Water-Lilies”. “Justin, for a long time I told you there were no locks on our door. There was nothing to bind you to me other than your desire to stay.”

“Brian, we’ve exchanged vows. We wear rings and I’ve never taken off the bracelet you gave me. And I know that you rarely take off the necklace I gave you.”

“Those are just things.”

“They’re symbols of what we mean to each other. Look, Bri.” Justin pointed to the edge of a nearby canvas where his signature was visible. “See, the cowry shell with the sun. That symbol is on every painting, every drawing I’ve done since I gave you your necklace. I am bound to you.”

Brian hugged the smaller man close. Justin could hear the beating of Brian’s heart.

“I love you, Brian,” Justin whispered and he felt Brian’s arms tighten around him in response. They stood there for a moment then Justin continued to show his husband around.

“So what do you think?” Lindsay asked as she came into the gallery. She was surprised to see Brian.

“I think I’m hot,” Brian said with a smirk.

“Is it warm in here?” She felt comfortable herself.

“No. Hot,” Brian repeated as he cocked his head toward his portrait.

“Oh, you,” Lindsay giggled. “What are you doing here?”

“I had a meeting nearby and thought I’d pick you guys up. Hudson is very clear regarding dinner time. Are you finished for the day?”

“Yes, just let me get my purse. I’d like to introduce you to Charles Higgins.”

“By all means. It would be an honor to meet the man responsible for all of this,” Brian said as his eyes narrowed onto Henry. Justin wisely said nothing. A little posturing and marking of territory on Brian’s part was all right with Justin. He knew Brian wouldn’t let it go too far.

“Brian, I know we didn’t ask you, but are you all right with your portraits on display? We’ll understand if you don’t want them in the show,” Lindsay said sincerely. She, Sidney and Charles had a back-up contingency plan.

“Half the United States has seen my naked assets. It was only a matter of time until Europe would see them as well,” Brian dramatically sighed.

“Then you’re all right with this?”

“It’s fine, Lindz. As a matter of fact, I suggested those three paintings to our little Sunshine,” Brian said sounding very pleased with himself.

“I bet you did. Come on, let’s not keep Charles waiting,” Lindsay said. Brian and Justin followed Lindsay out of the gallery and up a staircase toward the gallery offices.

“Charles, do you have a minute? I’d like to introduce you to my life partner,” Justin said as they walked into the spacious office. Charles stood up from his chair and walked out from behind his desk.

“I agree with your assessment regarding your favorite portrait subject, Justin,” Charles commented as he extended his hand to Brian. “Mr. Kinney, I’m Charles Higgins. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“You’ve seen a lot of me too, and it’s Brian,” Brian quipped as he firmly shook Charles’ hand.

“My staff will be stumbling all over themselves to meet you,” Charles added.

“Then perhaps we should wait a while before you introduce me. I wouldn’t want to be the cause of unnecessary medical bills. Not this close to the opening.”

“A very wise decision,” Charles said as he chuckled then he addressed Lindsay and Justin. “We were very productive today but it’s time to call it a day. I’ll see you two here tomorrow?”

“Of course,” Lindsay said as she retrieved her purse from a nearby table.

“We’ll be here!” Justin said enthusiastically as he got his ever present messenger bag.

“Then I’ll walk you out,” Charles said gallantly, leading the trio out and down to the front doors of the gallery.

“It was very nice to meet Justin’s...”

Brian was ready to cringe at the word muse.

“...inspiration. Until we meet again,” Charles said as he bid them all a good evening. Brian smiled while he ushered Justin and Lindsay to their waiting car.

“Brian, what meeting?” Justin asked as their driver was winding his way through the London streets.

“Later, after dinner. I have a few phone calls to make before it gets too late in the Pitts. Then I’ll explain everything.”

“Okay,” Justin said as he placed his hand in Brian’s.

They had just about an hour before dinner. The kids were amusing themselves with some television. Justin was regaling Bobby on his day. John was holed up in the library as Lindsay took the time to kick off her heels and put her feet up. Brian was in the kitchen having a cup of coffee.

“Ted, what do you think?”

“I think you’ve been in London for less than forty-eight hours and already you’re trying to take over.”

“Your point?”

“None other than just the observation.”

“But is it feasible?”

“Yes, the numbers look good.”

“What does Cynthia say?”

“She likes it. She said she and Matthew have never been to England and she’s looking forward to it.”

“Schmidt!”

“Seriously, Brian, she’s all for it.”

“What about the other branches?”

“Stacey’s over the moon. Scott is salivating and Joseph wants to know when he can take his wife on a long overdue vacation and write it off as a business expense.”

“Does all this bullshit you’re spewing mean I should close the deal?”

“That’s exactly what it means.”

“Then why didn’t you fucking say so?”

“Because I enjoy torturing you when you’re almost four thousand miles away and can’t immediately take revenge,” Ted said smugly.

“I can still fire your ass.”

“Yes you can, but we both know that you won’t. Have a good night, Brian. I’m leaving the office soon and Allen is here making goo-goo eyes at me.”

“TMI, Ted.” Brian snapped his phone shut as he shuddered as the thought of Ted having sex.

“Will ya be having a refill then, sir?” Cook asked as he waved the coffeepot in Brian’s general direction. Brian smiled as he raised his cup which was quickly topped off by the large smiling Irishman.
 

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