‘That’s up to him,’ Matthew said. ‘He can do what he likes, within the limits of what’s possible online. Of course he’s not going to do anything that upsets you. Why would he? He’s your friend, after all.’
Beth still looked dubious. ‘I’m shy,’ she said. ‘And there’s another thing.’
‘What?’
‘He’s old,’ Beth said. She had seen several photographs of Charles.
‘I’m old too,’ Matthew retorted.
‘Not as old as him,’ Beth said. ‘I just don’t know if I’m comfortable with him like that. Sexually, I mean.’
‘You like him, don’t you?’
‘Yes,’ she said. ‘I like him a lot.’
‘And he’s kind to you.’
‘Yes, he is.’
‘Well, then,’ said Matthew, closing the discussion, ‘if you have a bit of resistance, that’s no bad thing. It’s good for you to be made to do things you aren’t too keen on.’
Beth was all
