Page 87 of Glow

“I think you should leave me alone,” Prin replied. “Or this is going to end in a way neither of us want.”

As soon as the workday finished, Prin headed for Colin’s apartment. He needed his calming advice more than ever.

“What a terrible day you’ve had,” Colin said when Prin finished his story.

“What am I going to do?” Prin asked.

“About Scott or about work?”

“Both.”

“What do you want to do? Right now, in your heart?”

Prin sat back on Colin’s sofa. He desperately wanted to believe Scott had been genuine in his feelings for him. Yet the nag of doubt that Prin had doubled in size since he’d left work. What if Scott had been making fun of him the whole time? He as good as said Prin was punching above his weight.

He shuddered when he thought about how he’d opened himself up to Scott. For it to be a lie would be too much to bear.

“What I want is to go home to Thailand for a bit,” he said. “Nanny has been on at me to visit. She wants me to see my uncle but I’m not sure about that. Even so, it would be nice to see her.”

Ever since he’d lived in Brighton, Prin had risen to every challenge. Now he craved familiarity.

“Are you talking permanently?” Colin asked.

“I doubt it.” Prin said, scrubbing his face with his hands. “I can’t face going into work. I’ll send my resignation and use leave to serve it. Richard won’t want me around anymore than I want to be there.”

Colin took hold of his hands. “Prin. You’re spinning. This is a very big decision.”

“I know,” Prin said. “That’s why I’m saying it might not be forever. I can keep my flat and all my things here. If I want to stay in Bangkok, then I’ll come over to pack it up.”

“You hate Bangkok and your uncle.”

The sad truth was he had nowhere else to go. “Maybe.”

“What is Scott’s view on this? Have you spoken to him?”

“No and I’m not going to. I…I don’t believe he was being truthful.”

“When? Today?”

“The whole time.”

“That’s the shock talking,” Colin replied. “Okay, go home for a bit and lick your wounds. My money is on you realising why you don’t like it in Bangkok and coming back before the month is out.”

Prin chuckled despite how wretched he was feeling. Colin probably had a point.

“I have news myself,” Colin said.

“Oh yes?”

“I’ve been accepted for the retirement project,” he replied. “It appears both of us are bailing on Brighton.”

Another reason for Prin to go. His only friend wouldn’t be here much longer.

“That’s good news though. You must be thrilled.”

Colin squeezed Prin’s hand. “I am. It’s all happening very fast though. But I said to myself to just go with the flow. Scott may have quietened them down but I’m still very much the enemy round here. I’ll be glad to bugger off.”

A stab of regret skewered Prin’s heart. When he thought about how Scott had singlehandedly solved Colin’s problems, it hurt. He had dared to dream that he and Scott would spend the rest of their lives fighting the world together.