Page 64 of Glow

“You’d better answer it,” Scott replied. “Or he’ll panic.”

Prin took the phone into the lounge. Scott could hear his soft voice. That was another thing he liked about Prin. He seemed to exude calm from every pore.

It was sweet that he’d befriended Colin too. Prin had told Scott all about his teaching and students. Colin sounded like the type of character that Scott would get on with.

The only thing that was wrong with his current situation was the location. Prin’s flat was bare to say the least. The bed was hard and the shower ran hot and cold at will.

I wonder how much longer he’ll feel uncomfortable going to mine.

Scott pined for his super king-sized bed and feather duvet. It would be so nice to share it with Prin.

His ponderings were cut short by the man himself coming through the door. He looked upset.

“What’s the matter?”

The flats where Colin lived were modern and soulless. Scott followed Prin through the corridor.

When they reached his door, Prin banged on it.

“Colin. It’s me.”

Slowly the door opened to reveal an older man with red-rimmed eyes that flitted this way and that.

“Oh Colin,” Prin said, leaping forward and putting his arms around him.

“I’m sorry to be such a nuisance,” Colin replied.

“Not at all. Come on, let’s get inside.”

Scott followed them into the flat. Prin had told him it was full of treasures but he hadn’t quite prepared him for the volume. It was incredible.

They went through into the lounge where Prin settled Colin on the sofa.

“You must be Scott,” Colin said.

“That’s me.”

Colin turned to Prin. “You’re right. Very good-looking indeed.”

Scott grinned at Prin, who was cringing.

The smile soon faded from Colin’s face. He pointed to a piece of paper on the coffee table.

“I got that this morning,” Colin said. “Don’t upset yourself by reading. In summary they don’t want me here. They may be old but they don’t want to catch AIDS.”

Scott gasped. “What the fuck? Sorry.”

“No need to apologise, young man. What the fuck indeed,” Colin said. “It’s not just that either.”

Prin looked ready to explode. “What else?”

“I can’t prove it but some of my parcels ended up destroyed,” Colin said. “I’d bought some old music hall photos. Ruined. It was supposedly a water leak but I don’t know.”

Scott couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Anger was burning up his spine.

“This is appalling,” Prin said. “Can’t you complain to someone?”

“The council, I suppose,” Colin replied. “I don’t know if I can face it.”