Page 117 of Rhymes with Metaphor
“You have my support now,” said Reg.
“Juliet said this wasn’t what dad would have wanted.But it’s what I want.They threatened to cut contact with me until I come to my senses.”
“And what did you say?”said Reg.
“That I’m sorry they feel that way, and they know where to find me if they change their minds.Because I won’t.”
Chapter 28: Marked (for Life)
Joel started narratingVic’s novel in the recording studio in the basement of M.House.Reg would drive him there in the mornings, then go upstairs to work on his poetry.Joel finished work by the early afternoon.They’d have a leisurely lunch, after which, Joel would work with Reg on poetry submissions, as Reg was producing new work daily, and it all needed to be bundled and submitted to markets.Joel would then go over the manuscript for the next days’ recording and make notes.They generally spent their evening having sex, which they had done on nearly every available surface in the loft.Reg still refused to fuck Joel properly, though Joel continually asked him.
One day, Reg was working on a poem in the loft, for a change of scene from M.House, when he heard a knock at the door.It was unlike Joel to forget the passcode.
Reg opened the door to find Juliet standing there, looking strained, her hair up, wearing a nice raincoat.
“I want to speak to Joel,” said Juliet.
“He’s at work.I won’t tell you where.If he wanted you to know, he would have told you himself.”
Juliet looked sceptical.She peered over Reg’s shoulder, looking for Joel, presumably.
“Would you like to come in?”said Reg.
Juliet examined the loft with forensic interest.
“He isn’t hiding in any of the cupboards,” said Reg.
Joel kept the loft tidier than Reg tended to between visits from his cleaner, so the place looked respectable.And thankfully, Reg had bothered to shower and dress that morning as he’d had to drop Joel off at M.House, so he looked practically respectable as well.
Juliet sat on the settee facing the windows.Reg noticed she wasn’t wearing an engagement ring yet and felt a faint glimmer of hope.
“Would you like some coffee?”said Reg.
“No, thank you,” said Juliet stiffly.
Reg sat on the settee facing her.
