“Tell Me”
Gid burst into the kitchen panting. He looked around and spotted Arthur by the sink. Thank Merlin. Everyone else was out in the garden, he’d only just escaped Molly, but Arthur was who he needed.
“Arthur, you’ve got to help me.” He began, pulling Arthur away from the window so that no one would see their conversation.
“Of course, what’s wrong?” Arther asked looking concerned. Gideon was counting on Arthur’s endless generosity but he still worried at his lip, hesitant to confess his crime. Arthur was his favourite brother-in-law (ignoring the fact that he was his only brother-in-law), he didn’t want him to look at him differently, or think badly of him. He respected Arthur and having Arthur’s mutual respect was very important to him. But he was the only person here who he could trust, the only person who might be able to help him.
“Look, I didn’t mean to, it was a complete accident, you have to believe me.” Gideon shot a worried glance out the window. “It just slipped my mind, and before I knew it, it was today and it was too late, and I don’t know what to do.”
“Gideon, mate, just spit it out. Whatever it is, we can fix it together.” Arthur assured him. Gideon had no doubt that Arthur honestly meant it. Arthur was one of the most genuinely selfless people he knew.
“I forgot to get a present for Percy,” Gideon mumbled into his chest, ashamed. It was out in the open now, Arthur could judge him appropriately. Gideon looked back up astounded when Arthur began laughing. He had to hold onto the table to keep from falling. Gideon was almost offended. “It’s not funny Arthur!” Apparently, Arthur thought otherwise.
“Is that all? Percy just turned two. He’s not going to notice. He’s not going to care one jot.” Arthur chuckled clapping Gideon on the shoulder. Unfortunately, Gideon was not consoled.
“That, is not that point! First of all, Molly will kill me. She’s been reminding me for weeks now, and I was always going to go tomorrow, but then tomorrow was today and I still hadn’t gone, and-”
“Gideon! Please stop worrying, it’s not a big deal.”
“It is, Percy is my favourite and I forgot his present!” A moment later Gideon realised what he’d just admitted. He clapped his hand over his mouth, eyes going wide. “You didn’t hear that.” The words were muffled through his hand.
Arthur was laughing again, shaking his head. Gideon was very frustrated and upset, this was the worst birthday party he’d been to in a while.
“Look, we’ll go to the shed and see what I have kicking about that we can wrap and give to Percy to keep Molly happy.” Arthur offered after he’d finally stopped laughing. Gideon’s lip wobbled at Arthur’s kindness, even after what he’d just confessed. “And don’t worry about the other thing. As a father, I’m not allowed to have favourites, but maybe it’s different rules for uncles. As long as the other boys never twig, I’ll keep your secret quiet. And they all better have astounding gifts from you on their birthdays.” Arthur started to urge Gideon towards the shed, but Gideon stopped and wrapped his arms around Arthur in a hug.
“Thank you Arthur. They’re all getting top of the range broomsticks every birthday until they’re 70, I promise. I love them all so much, too much to bear sometimes, I promise. I don’t even know why Percy is, he can’t even hold proper conversations yet. But one time he gave me a slug he found in the garden and, Merlin, I love that little boy so much. I’m so sorry Arthur.”
“Well, the sentiment is appreciated, but please don’t get them broomsticks anytime soon. We can barely keep track of them all on the ground, never mind in the air.” He grinned, and clapped Gideon on the shoulder once more. “Come on, we better get back to the party. You know Molly can sniff these kinds of things out. Let’s not give her anything to find ey?”
Gideon nodded and wiped his nose, ready to rejoin the party.
That year Percy received a rubber duck wrapped in an old daily prophet from Gideon. He much preferred the piggyback rides Gideon gave him around the garden.
