He sighs again. “We concede. Good game.” He shakes Granddad’s hand. “I can see why you’re a chess grandmaster.”
Granddad taps his temple. “I’ll be winning until the day I die.”
My chin trembles.
“I didn’t mean to make you sad, Quinn.”
“I know. It’s just…” I suck in a breath. “I hate thinking about it.”
“I’ve got years left in me yet.” He grins. “And lots more chess matches to win. Rematch?”
Stefan holds up his hands. “No! I think one humiliating defeat is enough for one day. Next time?”
I stare at him.
“I’ll brush up on some better openers,” he says. “Maybe I’ll need to study some of your games while I’m at it.”
Granddad’s eyes twinkle. “You do that. I look forward to a challenging game. And some proper coffee. You might have to bring something to make it in.”
Stefan grins. “I can do that. I’ll get you a coffee maker for your room. Is that allowed?”
“I don’t see why not.” Granddad rubs his hands together. “I could start a side business selling proper coffee. What do you think? Fifty pence a mug?”
“Where are you going to get the mugs from?” I ask. “Where will you wash them up?”
“I’ll sweet-talk one of the nurses. It’ll be fine. I bet they’d all like decent coffee too.” He sits back and flicks his gaze between us. “You’re good for my grandson.”
“You can tell that by looking at us?”
“And by the way you are around each other. You have my blessing. I’m sure that sort of thing isn’t required anymore, but you have it nonetheless. Take care of each other and come back and visit for chess. Bring chocolate and coffee. I’ll trade you for Jelly Babies.”
“Uh, thanks.” Stefan’s cheeks have turned a bright shade of red. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him blush before.
“I think we’re being dismissed,” I whisper.
“It’s almost time for bingo,” Granddad says. “I want to get a spot next to Ethel.”
“Ethel?”
He points out a lady with bouncy white hair sitting by the window. There’s a blanket over her knees with pictures of cats all over it. “She’s quite the catch, isn’t she?”
“Uh.”
Granddad waves his hand. “It’s fine. I know you don’t look at women that way. But she is.”
“Can she play chess?” Stefan asks.
Granddad snorts. “I’ve never asked. I want to woo her, not intimidate her. I’ll stick to playing chess with my grandson and his handsome lover.”
A strangled noise escapes my throat. There’s no way I’m standing and walking out of here in the next few minutes.
“And Francis?” Stefan asks.
“Yes! I have to win more Jelly Babies.”
“Do you like them?”
Granddad grimaces. “Of course not. Vile things. I give them away.”
