The Reunion

Chapter 3-1

Chapter 3Friday night found me standing in the main concourse of Truro train station at 7.00pm as we had arranged during the week via text. I was slightly nervous as we hadn’t actually spoken to each other since last Sunday; we just never seemed to both be there at the right time. We kept leaving messages for one another and when the call was returned it was only to be met by the answer phone! Never mind we got there eventually, resorting to texting as being more reliable – and quicker! As the day was still hot I decided to wear my favourite dark blue collared shirt, grey pinstriped three quarter length trousers, blue flip flops and matching sunglasses. Not bad I had thought to myself as I admired my reflection in the bathroom mirror putting the finishing touches to my spiked hair.

Ten minutes later I was beginning to get nervous as the tannoy had already announced the arrival of the St. Ives train and the ensuing rush of passengers had already been and gone with no sign of Gary. There had been no text message so where was he? I kept looking around getting more and more anxious when suddenly I heard my name called out. Automatically I turned towards the sound and with a sigh of relief I saw the figure of Gary striding towards me from the direction of the gents toilets. Duh why didn’t I think of that? I thought to myself. He looked even more handsome to me than the last time I saw him. Like me he was dressed for the heat, he was wearing a black muscle vest, over which he wore a yellow checked short sleeved collared shirt open to the waist, full length jeans with black flip flops. His hair had that just washed fluffy look about it, he didn’t have a trace of a five o’clock shadow and his goatee was immaculately shaped and trimmed. I felt so tempted to forget all about the date lark and simply drag him back to my flat and screw the brains out of him there and then! But then this had been my idea and if I was serious about taking it one step at a time then at least I should stick to my own rules.....

All this played out in my head in the time it took him to cross the floor and give me a hearty hug announcing that it was so good to see me again; he then informed me that he was starving and hoped that the restaurant was not far away! I smiled and said that I hoped he would not be disappointed in my choice of restaurant because I had been there many times myself, the food was gorgeous and service excellent.

It was only a ten minute walk to “Some Like It Hot” Restaurant, yes, you’ve guessed it, the theme was all around Marilyn Monroe specialising in North and South American dishes. It sounds very tacky but the owners Dawn and Ted have made it look tasteful and classy, they have spent a considerable amount of money at auctions and sale rooms obtaining genuine pieces of memorabilia which are displayed (securely) throughout the restaurant. My personal favourite piece is a photograph of Marilyn gazing out over a railing in New York with a wistful look on her face; it has apparently been signed by her. When I booked the table I had asked Dawn for a private table as it was going to be a special occasion, as a regular customer over the years we have become firm friends and being the discrete lady that she is, she asked me no questions, just assuring me that I would have the best seat in the house.

Gary groaned to himself at the cliché title of the restaurant, laughing I asked him to bear with me as he will have a fabulous meal. Raising one eyebrow but saying nothing he followed me inside where we were greeted by the Maitre De (Ted), led to our very private table and given the menu cards.

As Ted pulled out my chair he whispered in my ear “Good choice Sir.”

“Thanks, that’s what I thought.” I replied grinning as I did so.

“What’s a good choice?” Gary asked innocently.

“You of course” I said equally innocently.

He laughed out loud at my candidness, flushed a little in embarrassment and examined the menu intently. Having ordered starters of Enchiladas (for me), Nachos (for Gary) and a bottle of red wine to share we chatted about what we had been doing since we had last seen each other. This opened up the subject of what we do for a living. Gary told me how he has three part time jobs – as a graphic designer, an interior designer and as a supply art teacher for Cornwall County Council. Ah I thought to myself; that ties in with what Emma had said. I disclosed that I worked at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro as a pharmacist and gave a brief outline of what I do trying not to bore him with the details. Fortunately the starters arrived before his eyes started to glaze over. Conversation was limited as we ate and then studied the menu for the main course. I ordered “Chimichurri Chicken en Croute” and Gary selected “Grilled Fish with Plantain and Coconut Salsa in Banana Leaves”, my mouth watered at the thought of it. Gary refilled our glasses with the wine and suggested a toast to us and the future, as the glasses c*****d together I grinned and prayed that we do indeed have a future together.

The conversation moved onto our favourite activities; Gary listed sailing, windsurfing, art, swimming and walking as being his top five. As for me I listed keeping fit, art, socialising, walking and films as being mine. For a minute we simply looked at one another, then something clicked and simultaneously we burst out laughing, once we had calmed down we both admitted that we had left an activity off the list and it was the one at the top of the list – s*x and plenty of it. One more thing we have in common we agreed. The main courses arrived and once more the conversation ground to a halt while we ate and savoured the food, finally our plates were empty although full I simply couldn’t say no to having a dessert followed by coffee. This time we both ordered Key Lime Pie. As we waited we openly held hands and studied each other’s faces, taking in the beauty before us. Clearly the wine had overcome any nervousness being on a date had caused.

Gary asked “So what have you planned for the rest of the evening?”

Pretending to think for a minute I replied “After we have finished here, I thought we would drop in to the ‘Sailors Mate’ Public House which a friend of mine owns and runs. We’ll a few drinks, perhaps dance a little and then go back to mine for.........”

“That sounds good to me especially the ‘for’ bit!” Gary smiled seductively.

With the desserts eaten and coffee drunk I paid for the meal personally thanking Dawn and Ted for their hospitality and excellent food, to my surprise Gary joined me and echoed my words of gratitude. Dawn gave me a hug and told me not to be stupid, the pleasure was all theirs.

As we headed off to the pub we made small talk preferring to take in the sights and sounds of the evening in the city centre. Arriving at the Sailors Mate, it is immediately obvious that the place is heaving because the guys had spilled out into the beer garden and onto front steps. Pushing our way inside, we finally reach the bar where I buy two pints of beer. Handing one to Gary we step away from the bar and people watch as we sip the drinks. There are many faces I recognise and I make a point of acknowledging each one in turn. I feel a nudge in my ribs from Gary who appears a little bemused.

“You seem to know a lot of people here; I’ll have to keep an eye on the competition as you’re one very good looking and popular guy!” he said semi-joking.

“Oh you don’t need to worry about me” I said with a shrug of the shoulders “the Truro gay scene is close knit, shall I say, and everyone knows everyone if you get my drift. It pays to be courteous otherwise you only get back stabbing going on and I really can’t be bothered with all that rubbish.”

Gary nodded his understanding but I noticed he put an arm round my waist and it was not removed until later on. In the meantime as if to emphasise the point he pulled me to him and started the first of many tender kisses. My c**k almost immediately sprang to attention which didn’t go unnoticed by Gary who slyly dropped a hand down between us and gave it a quick grope before returning it to my waist.

I don’t know how much time passed in this way but our activity was interrupted by a loud cough behind us making us both jump in the process.

“Evening boys!” exclaimed Simon the landlord, and one of my closest friends.

I saw Gary give him a wary look as he didn’t know him from Adam. Laughing I said “Evening Simon, let me introduce you to Gary, an old school friend of mine. Gary, this is Simon, he’s the owner of this pub and is a very good friend of mine. I have known him ever since I moved down here; in fact it might have been before.”

Gary shook Simon’s hand to break the ice but took a little step backwards as it was clear that Simon wanted to speak to me.

“Luke, have you spoken to Clive recently?” he asked me, giving Gary a careful glance.

“No, why? Should I have?” I replied frowning a little.

Simon ignores my warning frown by continued to say “Clive has mentioned a couple of times to me that he wants to discuss a possible project with you but isn’t sure how receptive you will be.”

Given the history between us the last statement isn’t surprising to me, to say the least.

Choosing my words carefully so as to give the appropriate response to Simon but not give too much away to Gary I replied “Tell Clive I may be interested and that I will call him to discuss the project early next week.”

Simon nods and then winks in acknowledgement before leaving us in peace once more.

“Who’s Clive?” Gary asks.

“Long story, I’ll tell you later” I reply changing the subject.

The rest of the evening passes all too quickly and as we’re about to leave Gary decides he needs to have a pee as the couple of pints of beer have gone through him! He was gone for several minutes, long enough for me to wonder if he had got waylaid (almost as it turns out). He rejoined me with a puzzled look on his face.

“Luke, I think I’m going mad. As I came out of the loos I am sure I saw a painting in the foyer with a guy that looks just like you! Come and have a look and tell me what you think, please.”

“Okay, but I don’t have a clue what you’re talking about” I say as I follow him into the foyer.

But he was right; sure enough there is a large oil painting in the foyer. It was almost life size featuring a naked man with his back to the viewer on a beach facing the sea. He was standing on the edge of a picnic rug with food, drink and crockery behind him. Although he had his back to us he was looking over his shoulder at someone just visible in one corner of the painting, allowing us to see his face in profile. There was no mistaking it, that face belonged to me. I must admit I was a little taken aback by the picture as I had genuinely forgotten all about it.

Gary noted my expression before asking “I am right aren’t I? I knew it; even if the face wasn’t visible I’d know that bum anywhere. Did you know about it being here? You must have, surely. Who painted it? It’s very good.”

“In answer to your questions” I said having gathered my thoughts. “Yes that is me in the painting. I had completely forgotten about it being here otherwise I would have warned you. Clive painted it a couple of years ago as part of a charity fund raising event for World Aids Day and it was auctioned off. Simon won the auction intending to have it on display in the main lounge but it was simply too big, this is the only wall big enough to accommodate it. I’m glad you like it; I think it’s rather good too. Does that sound a bit narcissistic?”

“Only a little bit. Not really, I’d be the same.” He said thoughtfully before continuing “So, if you don’t mind me asking why is Clive worried about your receptiveness?”

“I’ll tell you on the way home, there are too many ears around here and I don’t like to be the cause of gossip” I replied in a low tone before leading the way out of the pub and in the direction of home.