Chapter 2

Prin Lum stood in the front of his class feeling a little choked up. Twenty people he'd thoroughly enjoyed getting to know stared back at him.

"You've all come such a long way since the first class only three months ago," Prin said. "I want you to congratulate yourselves. I'm very proud."

"It's all thanks to you," Cathy said. "When I showed my grandson how I can use the internet? Well, he was bowled over. He said he's getting me a smart telephone. Whatever that is."

Prin smiled. "That's great news, Cathy. I'm so glad you're confident now." He glanced around the room. "Does anyone else have any success stories?"

Not long after Prin had arrived in Brighton, he had approached the college about running an over-fifties computer course. He had loved every second.

Colin, Prin's secret favourite pupil, raised his hand.

"Yes, Colin?"

"Not sure you will think this is a success story," Colin said with a glint in his eye. "I went on the website for that company you work for."

Prin was sure he'd be blushing. He tried not to discuss Pleasure Seekers in the classroom. People often took it the wrong way and judged him as a wanton pervert.

"Did you get yourself anything, Colin?" Cathy piped up, apparently not one of them.

A ripple of amusement reverberated around the room.

"That's between me and my credit card," Colin replied.

This time everyone hooted with laughter.

Colin always entertained. Prin guessed he would be in his mid-seventies. Colin had the biggest selection of colourful blazers and would wear a different one to each class. They'd had a union jack, pink sequins, tartan and the rainbow flag. Today he'd chosen one with clouds and dragons on.

Prin had no idea where Colin would buy something like that. Coupled with the rest of his immaculate appearance, Colin pulled it off with great aplomb.

In comparison, Prin usually felt a little dowdy. He generally opted for black jeans and a black T-shirt. Fashion had never been a huge factor in his life. He'd always been told he was good-looking. The combination of dark hair and a light complexion set off his chiselled bone structure perfectly. Prin preferred to think his mind his best feature.

"I hope you weren't shocked, Colin," Prin said.

"It would take a lot more than that to bother me," Colin replied. "I'm sure you kids think we're born old. You'll get here one day."

At twenty-seven, Prin wouldn't exactly describe himself as a kid. Still, he supposed in Colin's eyes he was.

"Ageing is a privilege," Prin said.

Colin's face grew serious. "Yes, you're right there."

The atmosphere had changed. Prin hadn't meant to do that. It was their last class together and he wanted a more jovial time.

"Anyway, it doesn't matter why you're going to the computer. It's the fact that you're no longer nervous about it that makes me the proud."

They all gave a little round of applause.

"Thank you, Prin," Colin said. "You've taught some old dogs new tricks."

"Hey, you," Cathy remarked, "watch who you're calling a dog."

This made them all howl. Prin had really enjoyed this cohort. Their sense of fun had come out from day one.

"All that remains for me to say is thank you," Prin said. "Don't forget I've sent you an email with my details on. If you want to talk about anything, please feel free."

The college had told him not to do that. Yet Prin hated setting his charges adrift without any support.

Prin had still not got used to being the teacher. Especially for students significantly older than him.

They all got up and made their way out, most stopping to shake his hand. Cathy insisted on planting a kiss on his cheek.

"You've changed my life," she said, grasping his hands.

"It's been a pleasure."

Prin had to fight the tears. In the short space of time he'd got to know these people, they had shared a lot.

"Me and my late husband travelled to Bangkok many years ago," she continued. "A wonderfully vibrant city."

That was one way of describing Prin's home. Bangkok could be everything to everyone. Sadly, he couldn't think of it like that anymore. Not since he'd been practically cast out.

"Yes, I was very lucky to grow up there," he replied diplomatically.

With one last squeeze of his hand, she followed her fellow students out of the room.

Prin noticed that Colin had been hanging behind.

"Colin? Is everything all right?"

Colin approached Prin. "Yes. I could do with some advice, actually."

"Oh yes? What's up?"

Colin sighed. He seemed a little tired today. For the run of the course, Colin had been the life and soul of the party. It had to take its toll.

"I wondered if you might give some tips on buying a new computer," Colin said. "Mine is kaput. It's so slow."

Prin frowned. Colin had made a big deal of telling everyone that he'd bought a brand-new laptop to start the course.

"Are you sure?" Prin asked. "It should still be working perfectly."

Colin shrugged. It made the dragons on his blazer look like they were dancing amongst the clouds.

"Maybe I need to do the next class up. Do you do an intermediate?"

Prin shook his head. "I'm afraid not. Now you mention it, that's not a bad idea. Tell you what, how about I come home with you and give it the once-over? That's if you're comfortable."

Colin's face lit up. "Would you?"

"Of course," Prin replied. "No time like the present."

Colin's apartment lay in a modern square box that overlooked pristine gardens. The building was white and sandstone. Some of Colin's neighbours were sitting on deckchairs, enjoying the sunshine.

"Welcome to the geriatric ghetto," Colin muttered.

"It seems nice though," Prin replied.

"Looks can be deceptive."

Sadness crossed over Colin's face for a moment before he resumed his usual cheery disposition.

"Come on. My place is up here."

Prin didn't feel it his place to push Colin any further. Instead, he followed him into the building. A stark white hallway greeted them.

Colin seemed so out of his place in his gaudy couture.

With shaky hands, Colin opened the door and ushered Prin inside. As soon as he walked in, he gasped.

"Wow."

The apartment was a riot of colour in rich contrast to the sterile hall. On the walls, posters of long-closed theatre productions jostled for space with colourful oil paintings.

"Go on through," Colin said.

Prin couldn't wait to see what else this place had in store. The lounge didn't disappoint.

Every surface was covered with trinkets. Prin wandered over to a bookshelf. It had nearly given up the ghost under the weight of biographies, stage books, photography collections and well-thumbed novels.

In front of this vast collection were photographs in clashing frames. Upon further inspection, they all held pictures of a younger Colin with various people. He looked so carefree.

Prin turned to see modern-day Colin opening the fridge in the small kitchen area that led off the lounge.

"Beer or wine?" Colin asked.

He was probably breaking a ton of rules about visiting students at home. However, Colin was no longer Prin's student and they were hardly going to find themselves in a compromising position.

"Wine, please," Prin said. "Any colour. Now where's this laptop?"

Colin pointed to a dining table that sat in the window. It too held many books and what appeared to be piles of theatre programmes.

Prin fired the laptop up. He noticed Colin had no password protection.

Perhaps I'll deal with that another day.

As soon as the welcome screen came on, Prin gasped. The sheer number of documents on there took his breath away.

"What are all these?"

Colin came over and placed a glass of wine gently down next to Prin.

"My missing theatre programmes," Colin replied, proudly. "I've been collecting real ones for years. I had some gaping holes from when I worked on the cruise ships. Some kind person has put them all on the internet."

There was a lot to unpack in that statement.

"Okay," Prin said. "These are massive files. You can't save that much data on your laptop. No wonder it's slow. We'll have to get some of these off it."

Colin's face dropped. "You mean throw them away? It took ages finding them all."

"No. Don't worry," Prin replied. "I'll set you up on the cloud. It will take no time."

Colin beamed. "You're a good lad. Thank you."

"Before I do that, did you say you were on the cruise ships?"

Colin got up and walked over to the window. "Absolutely. You're doing it again, you know."

"Doing what?"

"Being so amazed that I've lived a whole life," Colin replied.

Prin went over to him. "I didn't mean to make you feel like that. I'm sorry. You're wrong though. I totally respect everything you've been through to get here. Life isn't for the weak."

"Ignore me," Colin said. "I suppose I'm a little upset that the class is over. It's been a lifeline for me these last few weeks."

Prin followed Colin's gaze. He was watching some couples laughing and joking in the gardens.

"The same for me," Prin replied.

This caught Colin's attention and he prised his eyes away from outside and onto Prin. "I would have thought a handsome young man like you had a busy life."

Prin shrugged. "Seems not."

"I may not be much cop on the computer," Colin replied. "But I'm a dab hand at listening."

"Thank you, Colin. Maybe one day, eh?"

Colin patted him on the arm. "Well, you're welcome here any time you like. It makes a change to share a bottle with someone."

"Thank you. With wine this good, it will be my pleasure."