Page 98 of The Friend Zone Experiment

“We thought so, too,” said Ket Siong. He thought of his brother’s face before he’d left the room. His heart twisted. “Stephen could have told us.”

Helen’s face creased with sympathy. “You must try to understand. He was terrified. Your brother was the last person he wanted to expose.

“It was only very recently that I heard from him,” she added. “Only a few months before you contacted me. He was very cagey, he used a pseudonym. I had my suspicions from early on, but it took him a while to trust me enough to admit who he was. Getting asylum was a big deal. I think he’s felt much more confident since then.

“He’s been worried about you. Ket Hau most of all, but all of you. He told me you’re the closest he’s got to a family.”

Ket Siong realised Helen was trying to plead Stephen’s case with him. That she, a stranger, should feel the need to do this made everything feel more surreal than ever.

“He’s part of our family,” he said.

“And family is complicated,” said Helen. “I know you haven’t asked for advice, but you’ll forgive me for giving it. I’m much older than you and I feel that gives me the right to speak, you know. Stephen did what he thought he needed to. He really was planning to fly to Australia, after he was granted asylum. He even asked me for a loan. I told him he could have the money, but he should wait until he had a better lead. And now here we are. You will forgive him, won’t you?”

Evidently Ket Siong’s attempt to explain had not worked.

“There’s nothing to forgive,” he said. “We’ve been worried about him, too.”

“Right. I’m glad to hear that,” said Helen.

They both looked at the door to her study. It betrayed no hint of what was going on behind it.

“I wasn’t sure…” she said. “Your brother seemed upset.”

“He’s just shocked,” said Ket Siong.

But it was true Ket Hau still looked furious when he eventually rejoined them. His eyes were red and swollen, though at least he wasn’t crying anymore. He merely looked mad as hell.

He handed the tablet to Helen. “Thanks.”

Helen and Ket Siong exchanged a glance.

“Was it all right?” she said.

“The technology worked,” said Ket Hau.

Ket Siong wanted to be respectful. But after all, Stephen was his friend, too.

“What did he say?” said Ket Siong.

“Who?” said Ket Hau.

For a moment Ket Siong wondered if his brother had actually lost it.

Then:

“Stephen? You want to know what he said?” said Ket Hau. “I’ll tell you what that bastard said. He said gay marriage is legal here. Three years, not a single word, me having nightmares everynight. And that’s what he’s got to say for himself. Fucking hell. He’s lucky he’s in Geneva. If he was here, I’d kill him myself.”

On any other day, Ket Siong might have been staggered at the idea of Stephen proposing marriage to Ket Hau. But it was the least unlikely thing that had happened since they’d arrived at Helen Daley’s flat.

“Are you getting married?” said Ket Siong.

“What do you think!” snarled Ket Hau. He flung himself around and went to the window, standing with his back to them.

“If you want,” said Ket Siong, “I could talk to Ma.” Another thought struck him. “So is Stephen coming here? Or are you going to move to Switzerland?”

“I’m not going anywhere,” said Ket Hau. “I’m never talking to that bastard again. Unbelievable.”

Clearly this was not a point to pursue until Ket Hau had had a chance to cool down.