Page 87 of A Secret Cornish Wish
‘I think I will. If only to see what it’s all about.’
‘You’ll have to tell us what happens – send us a group email or something.’
Eddie nods.
‘While we’re talking about secret hopes and dreams,’ Mandy says, taking a swig of her bottle of beer. ‘I have a secret to share with you all.’ She glances quickly at me. ‘I’m gay.’
There’s silence on the rocks as the others process her sudden announcement.
‘You never are?’ Eddie says in astonishment. ‘But you love men.’
‘Used to, perhaps,’ Mandy says. ‘Not now.’
‘Well, of all the things I thought you might say, Mand, that’s certainly not one of them,’ Rob says, grinning. He lifts his bottle of beer. ‘Congratulations!’
‘Thank you,’ she says, doing the same to him.
‘Gosh,’ Suzy says, looking a bit shocked. ‘I can’t say it’s not a surprise, Mandy. Is this something new, or have you known for a while?’
‘A while,’ Mandy says. ‘Just took me a few years to accept it.’
‘You’ve had . . . partners, have you?’ Suzy continues. ‘Sorry, is that too personal?’
‘No, not at all,’ Mandy says. ‘Yes, I’ve had partners. My first was at Claire’s wedding.’
Claire looks surprised. ‘Really? Who?’
‘Rob knows her,’ Mandy says, looking at him knowingly.
Rob thinks about this for a moment. ‘Jenna?’ he asks, getting it right first time.
Mandy nods. ‘Yep, she was my first.’
‘Wait, Jenna – that American talent scout?’ Eddie asks as he remembers. ‘No way.’
‘It seems she was instrumental in changing both Rob’s and my life – in different ways, of course.’
‘Well, I never expected to hear that tonight,’ Eddie says, blinking. ‘Anyone else got anything they want to share with us?’
Claire glances at me. But I give a tiny shake of my head. Our secrets need to remain secret – for a while longer at least.
‘Mack?’ Eddie asks. ‘Would you like to share anything? Since you’re hearing all our secrets tonight.’
Mack has been quiet until now, and I wonder what he’s making of all this. We’ve all known each other for years; Mack has known us approximately twenty-four hours.
‘No, my life is an open book,’ Mack says. ‘Isn’t that right, Rob?’
‘I’d say so,’ Rob nods. ‘No secrets under the bed for Mack here. He’s as straight as they come. Oh, no offence,’ he says hurriedly to Mandy and Eddie. ‘I meant straight as in straight as a die, not, well, you know?’
‘Rob, you’ve been offending me for years with your heterosexual comments,’ Eddie says, grinning. ‘I’m not going to start taking offence now.’
‘You’re good, babe.’ Mandy takes another swig of her beer. ‘Ooh, I’m empty. Another, anyone? Claire?’
Claire, to all our surprise, takes the beer Mandy is offering her.
‘What?’ she asks innocently. ‘I do drink, you know. Besides, tonight is a new start for me. Tomorrow things are going to change in my life.’ She reaches for the bottle opener and pops the top off the beer. ‘Here’s to new beginnings!’
‘To new beginnings!’ we all agree, and those of us with a bottle lift them in a toast.
