Page 2 of Glow
“Hang on,” Danny said. “I thought you were all about the social worker? He was a dead cert, you said.”
“Try to keep up,” Eddie replied. “He ate with his mouth open.”
“And picked his ear at the table,” Tyler added.
Ever since Scott had vowed to find someone serious about settling down, he’d taken on the mission with gusto. Perhaps a little too much. When he applied himself to something, he went the whole way.
“Can you stop?” he said. “You’re making me nervous. What are you four doing this fine evening?”
“Tyler’s cooking,” Eddie replied.
“Aww. A double date. Cute.” Scott pretended to gag.
At the beginning of the summer, he’d been the only person who’d actually wanted a relationship. Then Tyler had arrived in town and immediately fallen into bed and subsequently in love with Danny. Next, Eddie, who’d sworn off entanglements, had become hopelessly devoted to Billy.
It had left Scott very much on the periphery. Not that anyone made him feel like that. He did that perfectly well by himself.
Scott finished lacing his trainers and stood up.
“I’d better get a jacket,” he said. “It’s getting cooler. I don’t want to catch a cold and have to find out his bedside manner too soon.”
“Does he live in Brighton?” Danny asked.
Scott stopped at the doorway. “He’s only just moved here from Glasgow.”
“Fresh meat,” Eddie said, rubbing his hands together. “Are you waiting on the edge of town for new arrivals these days?”
“There are only so many men in Brighton,” Tyler added.
Scott narrowed his eyes. “You two are very holier than thou. Do I need to embarrass you in front of your lovers?”
“Please no,” Tyler pleaded, sarcastically. “Hey, this guy might need new furniture.”
“If he does and it gets to a second date, I promise I’ll bring him to your shop, Danny.”
When Tyler and Danny had got together, Danny had hated his job in the warehouse at Pleasure Seekers, the online adult superstore Tyler, Eddie and Scott also worked for. He’d left to take on a vintage furniture shop from his friend. A move that had been the making of him.
Danny held his hands up. “Don’t drag me into it.”
“Danny, I meant to say,” Billy said. “I want to push refurbished items for our new project. We’re converting an old department store into flats. Maybe we could talk.”
In a reversal of fortune, Billy had recently sold his family business, a souvenir shop down by the sea front. Now he worked for an architect practice in the centre of town and was thriving now he’d been released from the responsibility of a failing business.
“Definitely,” Danny replied. “Look at me doing deals out of hours.”
Tyler squeezed his leg. The pride emanating from him was palpable. It caught in Scott’s throat for a second. Scott wished his friends all the luck in the world. They were head over heels in love. Even so, that tiny pang of jealously still reverberated within him.
“Right, I’m going. Wish me luck.”
He left the flat to shouts of encouragement. When he got out onto the street, he sighed.
Here we go again.
By the time Scott got off the bus, he had found the spring in his step. Town was busy with drinkers spilling out onto the pavement, some to smoke and others to enjoy the late summer evening. For nightlife, Brighton was unrivalled. Drinkers of all persuasions rubbed shoulders, creating a melting pot of revelry.
He made his way past the Pavilion. Even after years of living in the town, he’d never quite got used to it. Once the royal residence of King George IV, the building appeared as if it had been transported from India. Its domes and minarets commanded attention compared to the dull square buildings that surrounded it.
Scott wholeheartedly agreed with that approach. Most of his outfits when out on the town did that also. Not today, apparently. He felt very subdued in comparison to his usual sartorial choices.
