Page 73 of Glow

“This is true,” Scott said with a sigh. “And he’s all I want. Sorry, Dan.”

Danny shook his head. “I never thought I’d see the day. I’m very happy for you.”

“Me too,” Eddie added. “Imagine not having to lock all our valuables away because yet another stranger is in the flat.”

Scott sent a peanut flying his way.

“Less of that talk. I have a wealth of embarrassing stories about you in my arsenal.”

“In your what?” Eddie replied. “Oh yourarsenal. Is that what you said?”

“Too funny.”

The doorbell went. Scott leapt up off the sofa. He trusted his friends not to make a fool of him now. He also knew how nervous Prin would be.

“Anyone who makes a stupid joke at my expense will be severely reprimanded,” he said. “I like this guy and I want to make a good impression.”

“Bloody hell, Scott,” Eddie replied. “Billy is the only person who doesn’t actually know him, remember.”

That had slipped Scott’s mind. It had taken him so long to realise how wonderful Prin was he’d forgotten that most people in the room had actually worked with him for quite some time.

“The rule still stands,” he said.

Without waiting for further debate, he stomped off to the front door. He opened it and found Prin holding up a bottle of wine.

“Bang on time,” Scott said.

He pulled Prin close. Scott was rapidly becoming an addict of Prin’s hugs. There weren’t many places Scott was totally relaxed. Prin’s arms seemed to be one of them.

“Are you okay?” Prin asked as they walked upstairs.

“I’m a bit nervous,” Scott replied.

“Youare?”

“Ha. Believe me. They’ll give you a much easier time than me.”

As it transpired, Scott’s fears were misguided. His friends were more than respectful. After the first bottle of wine, they were listening to Prin’s stories of studying in Leeds and how different it was from Bangkok.

“Shall we have another bottle?” Scott asked.

“Too right we shall,” Eddie replied. “It’s Friday night.”

As Scott got up, the doorbell rang again.

“Who the hell is that?” Scott asked.

Prin looked nervous. Scott winked at him. “It’s fine. We often get people ringing for downstairs. I’ll go.”

As he went to answer it, he silently prayed it wasn’t one of his previous conquests. There were a few who thought nothing of knocking on the door out of the blue. He did not fancy a repeat of the Matteus situation.

He pulled the door open, ready to tell whoever it was to bugger off. His jaw dropped when he saw his mother staring back at him.

“Mum!”

“Oh, darling. Thank God you’re in.”

She flung her arms around him.