Page 97 of Fe
“He’s not.”
“He’s not that bad,” Seth protested. “He’s a fantastic artist. We’re working together on something. Meet him again. Give him another chance? He was probably nervous.”
“I’m already seeing someone.”
“Oooohhhh. Oooooohhhhh! Dish! Right now. Details!”
“No. You’ll insist on meeting him and then once you’ve opened your mouth, he won’t want to see me anymore.”
“I’m washing my hands now. The Niagara Falls sound is not me peeing.”
“Seth! TMI!”
“So what did you want? Quick because they’ll send someone to get me if I linger. I don’t know what they think there is to do in here.”
“What are you up to at Christmas?” Fen crossed his fingers.
“Being tortured at Morgan’s parents. There’ll be finger bowls and I’ll use a spoon to drink the water and say ‘what a lovely soup’. Won’t be the first time. What does he see in me? Don’t answer. I know it’s my nine-inch cock.”
Fen sniggered.
“Eight-inch then.”
“If you say so. So, if you’re going away, is your flat empty over Christmas?”
There was a long pause before Seth spoke. “Ah. Are you okay? Well, no, you’re not. What’s wrong?”
“Mum’s going to Italy so…”
“Shit, Fen. We said Daniel could stay. To be honest, he’s already moved in. His landlord needs to sort out some water damage so he’s sleeping on the couch for a couple of weeks.”
“Right. Well, I’ll ask someone else. No problem.”
“I’d much rather have said yes to you. Sorry. He only asked yesterday.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Can’t you stay with your new bloke?”
“Probably. I better go. Holes to drill. Stuff to glue.”
“Inside leg measurements to take. I get it. If you fancy a drink before Christmas, give us a ring.”
“Bye.”
Shite.
20
It had crossed Ripley’s mind that Fen might have gone by the time he got back home. Then he thought about how much he was paying him to be there. How could he know if Fen was only staying because of the money?Thatwas a problem of his own making.
Ripley had been shocked for a moment this morning when he’d woken up lying next to Fen. He only vaguely remembered coming into Fen’s room.Ripley swallowed hard. Part of him had needed to be with him. He’d thought being close to Fen would help him sleep and he’d been right.
After a session on his new exercise bike, cycling down US Highway 1, he showered and dressed and there’d still been no sign of Fen. He’d left for work without speaking to him and there was no sign of him now Ripley had come home. No aroma of anything cooking. No sound. But as he walked into the dark kitchen area, he saw a light on in the summer house. Fen sat at the table with his back towards him. Ripley’s heart jumped and he found himself sighing.Still here.
Because you’re paying him!
When Ripley opened the door, Fen looked over his shoulder. “Wow. Is that the time?”
