Chapter 10

Prin frowned at his computer. Scott had sent him a meeting invite, the location being the men's changing rooms again. Terror swept through him. Ever since Saturday's incident, Prin had been obsessing over every little thing both he and Scott had said or done in that storeroom. Prin was terrified that Scott would make a complaint.

On Saturday night Jeremy, his neighbour, had asked him over for dinner. He'd refused. They both knew that Jeremy had an ulterior motive. Prin had vowed that they wouldn't end up in bed together and he meant to stick to it.

Even Colin had tried to get him to come out. Again, Prin had declined. The whole kiss would be picked over and analysed. He didn't have the strength.

When Prin had problems, he tended to retreat. Nanny had always said it wasn't healthy. Prin disagreed. Focusing solely on a big problem usually drew out the solution. Not this time though.

He couldn't decide if Scott had been winding him up or if the kiss had been genuine. It had sure felt like it to Prin. However, he'd only been kissed by Jeremy recently and that wasn't always the most pleasurable experience. For a man in his late forties, Jeremy's technique was severely lacking.

Elliott was already in the office, as was Richard, although father and son did not appear to be speaking. The rest of the team were not there yet.

Prin got up. He intended on hanging around the common area a little before making for the changing rooms. He passed Richard's desk.

"Did you have a good weekend?" Prin asked.

Richard looked up. "What?"

"The weekend? Did you have an enjoyable one?"

"Not really," Richard replied. "My wife has announced we're redecorating the whole house again. My daughter is going out with a guy who thinks our bedroom walls are soundproofed. As for my son…well let's just say we're not getting on."

Prin glanced at Elliott. The expression on his face suggested he didn't really care. Prin had a feeling that might all change by the end of the day.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Prin said. "I'm sure you and Elliott will iron things out."

Richard stared past Prin, presumably at Elliott. "I don't know," Richard said with a sigh. "You do your best and sometimes it's not enough."

He snapped to attention straight after and scowled at Prin.

"Anyway," he continued. "It's work time now. Did you want something?"

Prin shook his head. "Just passing the time. I'll speak to you later."

He left Richard and his dark mood. To the outside world, the Brammin family had everything. Money, jobs they loved and the perfect nuclear family. Even so, they were clearly unhappy if Richard's constant attitude was anything to go by.

Prin, in comparison, might be lonely. He still had no money worries thanks to the monthly dividend the business in Bangkok paid. Plus, he enjoyed his job. It wasn't so bad. Maybe the grass wasn't always greener.

He put his cup on the side and turned to the office. On cue, Scott crossed his eyeline, wandering over to the door used for the changing rooms.

A rush of exhilaration rushed through Prin as he saw him. He had a tight purple shirt and jeans on. It was perfect against his tan skin.

What is it like under there?

Never mind wondering about that. He needed to focus. Today could be a huge day for him. What did Scott want? Surely he didn't need him to make a statement. They had all the evidence they needed to accuse Elliott of theft.

There was only one way to find out.

He left the cup on the side and went discreetly over to the door that Scott had just used. His heart was racing and it had nothing to do with being discovered.

As he took the steps down, Prin thought he was going to burst into tears. Yet, when he pushed the door open and saw a worried Scott on the bench, he calmed.

"Hey," Prin said.

"Hi," Scott replied.

Prin sat on the bench opposite him. Prin had no idea what to say and it appeared that Scott felt the same.

"Okay," Scott said, holding his hands up. "I'm sorry for what happened on Saturday. I was totally out of line. If it makes you feel any better, I've been fretting about it ever since."

"You're fretting?" Prin asked.

"Of course," Scott replied. "If you put a complaint in, I've lost my job."

Prin nodded. "I can understand that. I guess we're both in the same boat."

Scott frowned. "In what way?"

"I'm not comfortable doing this interview with you," Prin explained. "You said my name would be kept out of it completely. If Richard Brammin finds out, he can do me a lot of damage."

"Want to know a secret?" Scott asked.

"I'm not sure but go on."

"I don't need to interview you. It was an excuse to see you."

Prin's shoulders dropped and he exhaled. "You could have said."

"I couldn't. What if they go through our emails? I can hardly say that I need to talk to you because I'm worried you're going to do me for sexual harassment."

Prin knew it was mean but he laughed anyway. He covered his mouth. Still his body shook.

"I don't know what's so funny about that," Scott said with a face full of indignation.

Prin composed himself. "Because I've spent the whole time panicking that you would do the same to me."

"How did you figure that?" Scott asked. "I kissed you, remember."

"And I returned it."

"So you did return it then?"

"Couldn't you tell?"

"Kind of. I convinced myself you were being polite."

"That doesn't say much for my kissing prowess."

They both burst into hysterics.

"If only I'd texted you yesterday," Scott said. "Do you have any idea how stressed I've been?"

"Would you like to go on a date?" Prin blurted out.

"I'd like to go on many dates with you," Scott replied. "But yes, let's try one and see how it goes."

They grinned. Now they had both unburdened themselves, it appeared neither had anything to say.

"I'd better go," Prin said.

"Call me," Scott replied.

Prin couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he went into the office. Someone would suspect something if he carried on like this.

He allowed himself one more second of joy before trying to dampen it down. He managed perhaps on the outside. His insides were a totally different matter.

This was the best day he'd had in England and it appeared that even better ones were on the horizon.

Even well into the evening, Prin couldn't believe his luck. He'd been on cloud nine all day. Instead of going home, he'd gone straight to Colin's to tell him the news.

"I wish you'd got in touch," Colin said. "I don't like to think of you at home mulling it over and over in your head. A problem shared is a problem halved, as my mother used to say."

Prin blushed. "Sorry. I'm not very good at asking for help."

"That makes two of us," Colin replied. "Although over the years, I've accepted I can't do everything myself. A hard lesson of getting older."

Sometimes Colin reminded Prin of his uncle. Not very often. More in the fierce independence he showed. The similarity ended there.

They were sitting in Colin's lounge. Prin loved this room so much. Every time he visited, he discovered a new knickknack with a story behind it.

"I don't know where to meet him," Prin said. "He wants it to be my choice."

"He sounds very nice. Is he handsome?"

Prin nodded. "Like you wouldn't believe. I don't know why he's bothering with me."

"Hey now," Colin said. "You're a good-looking man yourself. He's the lucky one."

"Any suggestions of where to go?" Prin asked. "I really don't want to be spotted by work colleagues."

Colin considered it for a moment. "I suppose taking him home to yours is a little forward."

"A little," Prin replied. "Plus, I don't want him to meet my neighbour."

"Why?"

Prin sighed. "We have had an arrangement in the past, if you know what I mean. I don't think he'll take kindly to seeing Scott in the building."

"I see. Is that going to be a problem?"

The situation with Jeremy also played on Prin's mind. What had started as a bit of fun had the potential of becoming a serious issue.

"He's made it clear he wants more from me than just the occasional…"

"Bunk-up?"

Prin laughed. "Yes, that."

"Oh dear and I presume that's not on your agenda?"

"Not at all. I'm not sure I even like him."

Colin shook his head. "What a tangled web you weave, Prin Lum."

That was putting it mildly. He didn't think that Jeremy would try to claim Prin as his own or anything. Still, he could be very opinionated. Prin didn't trust him entirely.

"I'll find a restaurant that's off the beaten track," he said. "Then there's no danger of us being spotted."

"I'm sure you will but if you take my advice, tell this Jeremy where he stands," Colin said. "It's not like he's got any hold on you."

Prin shifted uncomfortably. "We've been very intimate."

Colin waved him away. "This is Brighton, son. Intimacy is our favourite thing. From what you've told me, this Scott is not going to be put off because you've slept with your neighbour."

That was true. Scott most certainly had the reputation as a player.

"I guess I don't find it all that easy," Prin said.

"How come?"

Prin was giving too much away. "No reason."

"Are you sure? There's no judgement from me. I could tell you a tale or two."

Colin chuckled. Prin had no doubt that Colin had lived a full life.

"It's a matter of working out if you have the same tastes. It can be a minefield."

A knowing glint appeared in Colin's eyes. "So you and Jeremy share the same…interests."

Prin could kiss him for how careful he was being. "Kind of."

"What makes you think Scott won't?"

"I have no idea. I don't want anything spreading around the office, that's all. I'm already in enough hot water with the investigation."

Colin bent forward. "Scott has protected you completely in that. I would say that's the best sign that he's someone to be trusted. Prin, sometimes in life, you have to go for it. You'll kick yourself if you don't."

Prin stared back at him. Colin was right. It was time to jump and see what happened.