Chapter 17

Scott and Prin were staring up at the ceiling. They'd only got to sleep about three hours ago but Scott didn't care. He found that he was loving being awake with Prin.

"Are you tired?" Prin asked.

"Nah, I'm ready for the day to begin," Scott replied. "Besides, we can always factor in a siesta later."

Prin wrapped his arm around Scott's waist and cuddled into him. "That sounds like it might be more strenuous than a nap."

Scott chuckled. "You have to earn the slumber, my friend."

They lay there for a little while longer. Scott was enjoying the stillness. Even if Prin's weird neighbour was playing Barbra Streisand at top volume.

Scott had always been partial to a bit of Babs so if he thought he was annoying them, he could think again.

"What do you want to do today?" Prin asked.

"It's early yet," Scott replied. "I suppose we could go for breakfast somewhere lovely, then pick up supplies and come back here?"

"Another naked picnic?"

Scott grinned. "Now you're talking."

"It means getting dressed though."

"Worth it to undress you all over again."

They kissed. Scott had never been this corny before and he was more than happy to explore this new side of him. Not that he would be letting Tyler and Eddie see it any time soon. They would rip into him mercilessly.

Unfortunately, their Sunday morning smooch was interrupted by Prin's mobile going off.

"Sorry," Prin said, tearing himself away.

Scott lay back on the pillow. There would be plenty of opportunity for more.

"It's Colin," Prin said, frowning at his phone.

"You'd better answer it," Scott replied. "Or he'll panic."

Prin took the phone into the lounge. Scott could hear his soft voice. That was another thing he liked about Prin. He seemed to exude calm from every pore.

It was sweet that he'd befriended Colin too. Prin had told Scott all about his teaching and students. Colin sounded like the type of character that Scott would get on with.

The only thing that was wrong with his current situation was the location. Prin's flat was bare to say the least. The bed was hard and the shower ran hot and cold at will.

I wonder how much longer he'll feel uncomfortable going to mine.

Scott pined for his super king-sized bed and feather duvet. It would be so nice to share it with Prin.

His ponderings were cut short by the man himself coming through the door. He looked upset.

"What's the matter?"

The flats where Colin lived were modern and soulless. Scott followed Prin through the corridor.

When they reached his door, Prin banged on it.

"Colin. It's me."

Slowly the door opened to reveal an older man with red-rimmed eyes that flitted this way and that.

"Oh Colin," Prin said, leaping forward and putting his arms around him.

"I'm sorry to be such a nuisance," Colin replied.

"Not at all. Come on, let's get inside."

Scott followed them into the flat. Prin had told him it was full of treasures but he hadn't quite prepared him for the volume. It was incredible.

They went through into the lounge where Prin settled Colin on the sofa.

"You must be Scott," Colin said.

"That's me."

Colin turned to Prin. "You're right. Very good-looking indeed."

Scott grinned at Prin, who was cringing.

The smile soon faded from Colin's face. He pointed to a piece of paper on the coffee table.

"I got that this morning," Colin said. "Don't upset yourself by reading. In summary they don't want me here. They may be old but they don't want to catch AIDS."

Scott gasped. "What the fuck? Sorry."

"No need to apologise, young man. What the fuck indeed," Colin said. "It's not just that either."

Prin looked ready to explode. "What else?"

"I can't prove it but some of my parcels ended up destroyed," Colin said. "I'd bought some old music hall photos. Ruined. It was supposedly a water leak but I don't know."

Scott couldn't believe what he was hearing. Anger was burning up his spine.

"This is appalling," Prin said. "Can't you complain to someone?"

"The council, I suppose," Colin replied. "I don't know if I can face it."

"Right," Scott said, clapping his hands together and making Prin and Colin jump. "One thing we won't do is hide away."

Prin seemed wary. "What did you have in mind?"

Scott sat on the arm of the sofa next to Colin. "Nothing major. Why not have a picnic on the beach?"

"Yes!" Prin added.

"You don't want an old codger like me ruining your day," Colin said. "Thank you for coming over. You've helped me see things a little clearer."

Scott shook his head. "Refusal is not an option. Imagine their faces when you walk out for a date with two of the most handsome men in Brighton."

"You don't have to," Prin said to Colin. "If you think it might inflame things."

"I think Scott could be right. I've never been the type to hide my light under a bushel. Why should I start now?"

Scott clapped him on the shoulder. "That's the spirit."

Already the colour had returned to Colin's cheeks. "I've not been to the beach in years," he said.

Scott got up and helped Colin to his feet.

"Give me five minutes to make myself presentable," he said.

"You look fine but take as long as you need," Prin replied.

Colin disappeared through one of the doors leading off the lounge, presumably to his bedroom.

"Are you sure about this?" Prin asked.

"Of course," Scott replied. "He's great."

"I meant, could we be inviting more trouble if we poke the bear."

Scott put his arms around Prin's shoulders and kissed his forehead. "The bear can shove it up his arse."

It wasn't the warmest of days but they had had a wonderful afternoon huddled together on three deckchairs.

"I'm so glad we had fish and chips," Colin said. "Nothing else seems quite right when you're by the sea, does it?"

"You British and your fish and chips," Prin replied with a laugh. "I didn't realise quite how important it is until I went to study in Leeds. Wow."

"The best meal in the world," Scott declared.

"I'll cook for you," Prin said. "Your palate needs rescuing."

Colin chuckled. "That sounds like fighting talk."

Seagulls were swooping around as usual. The tide was out and the beach was full of kids digging. Scott had no idea what for.

"Once when Mum and Dad took us to Southend, they told us the first to get to Australia would win as many sweets as they could carry," he said. "We were going at it for an hour before they told us the race was over. We'd all lost."

Colin threw his head back and laughed.

"Turned out, they admitted years later, they had stinking hangovers and needed to sleep it off. Bastards."

Prin reached over and took his hand. "That's brilliant," he said. "Poor Scott."

"It's quite ingenious," Colin added. "I'm so glad I didn't have children. I'd never have kept up."

"Did you not want them?" Scott asked.

He realised it was an intrusive question but after spending a few hours with Colin, he didn't seem the type to be phased.

"I never really considered it possible and worked on the principle that you can't miss what you've never had," Colin replied.

"Do you want kids?" Prin asked.

"Me?" Scott replied. "God no. I would stretch to a dog. That's my limit. Why, do you?"

Prin shook his head. "No thanks. I worry enough."

They gazed out to the sea a little more. It was getting cooler and they would have to make a move.

"I've had a lovely afternoon," Colin said. "Thank you both. Honestly, I think I might have driven myself mad if I'd stayed in there."

"Anytime," Scott said. "We'll fix this, I promise you."

Prin sat up. "You're in for it now, Colin. When Scott gets an idea in his brain, he doesn't let go."

"Too right," Scott said. "There are three of us on the case now. What chance to those bigoted twats stand?"

"What chance indeed?" Colin said. "Right, let's get moving. For the short-term at least, I have to return to my ever so tastefully decorated jail cell."

They got up from the deckchairs. It took Colin a couple of goes to much mirth from Scott and Prin. He managed it with style though.

"Once a dancer, always a dancer," Colin said.

"I want to know everything. I bet Prin hasn't asked half the important questions."

Colin glanced at Prin. "He hasn't asked anything about my life on the stage."

Scott could well believe that. Ever-practical Prin didn't seem the type to hang off stories about celebrities.

I, however, am.

Prin and Scott were wrapped around each other on Prin's sofa. Another piece of furniture that was playing havoc on Scott's back.

"When can we stay at mine?" he asked.

"Don't you like it here?"

"Of course I do. It's just…"

"The furniture?"

"Is so bloody uncomfortable."

They both laughed. Scott had his head resting on Prin's chest.

My new favourite place.

"Soon," Prin said.

"I might as well tell you, they all know," Scott said. "So there's no secret to be kept."

Prin stroked his hair. The light touch of his fingertips sending shivers down Scott's spine.

"I figured as much. I don't mind."

The television was on in the background but Scott had no idea what it was playing. He was totally in this moment with Prin. It was an alien experience for him. One that he found he really liked.

"Thank you for today," Prin said. "You were right. Colin needed to blow his cobwebs away."

Scott smiled. "I like him. He's done so much. I'll tell you one thing, I'm going to fix those bastards. How fucking dare they?"

Prin stayed him with a hand on his head.

"We'll do it together," he said.

Scott let the calm wash over him. Finally someone could stop him in his tracks.

Fuck, that's all I've ever wanted.

He sat up and looked Prin in the eyes. "We're a good team, aren't we?"

"I think we are."

He kissed Prin. Scott luxuriated in the feeling of Prin's full lips and the heat from his body.

"Can we go to bed?" Scott asked.

"It's very early."

Scott narrowed his eyes. "Despite the fact that the bed is marginally comfier than this Swedish monstrosity of a sofa, I have plans that simply can't be done here."

Prin held him close. "Oh yes? What might they be?"

"Only one way to find out."