Page 54 of Merry & Bright

Gomorrah’s every weekend? Thathadto mean that Cam was gay, didn’t it?

“It’s my Christmas present to him,” Eilidh said. Her comment broke the odd, new tension and Rob shifted his gaze to her gratefully. “He needs a good night out,” she added. “He’s been all work and no play for far too long.”

“Well, he’ll have a good night at Gomorrah, I’m sure.” Rob made an attempt at a relaxed smile, though he suspected it looked strained because, right now, all he could think about was Cam McMorrow laughing and drinking shots and dancing, bare-chested, in a sea of hot, willing bodies. God, they’d all be after him—he was undeniably gorgeous.

“What about you, Rob?” Eilidh asked. “What are you doing for Hogmanay?”

“I’ll probably go up to The Stag,” Rob said. “The landlord usually invites the locals for a lock-in.”

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he wished he could call them back, because, of course, Cam was a local now, but he hadn’t been invited.

Cam didn’t look up at Rob’s words. He just grabbed a couple of packs of sugar from the bowl on the table and began doctoring his coffee with them—busy, busy. He was acting like he hadn’t heard, leaving Eilidh to carry on the conversation alone, though Eilidh wasn’t even looking at Rob anymore. Her attention was all for her brother, her gaze concerned.

“I’ll, uh, probably just stay in actually,” Rob added awkwardly. “It’s not like it’s a proper party, just a few people, having some drinks.”

He was protesting too much. He knew it, and Eilidh did too—when she finally spared him a glance, her expression was cool. “Well, have a nice time, whatever you do,” she said politely.

It was a clear dismissal and Rob took the hint, urging them to enjoy their lunch—again—before turning on his heel and heading back to the counter where another customer was waiting to settle his bill.

For the next half hour, Rob watched Cam and his sister on and off, his glances surreptitious but frequent. He watched as Eilidh pressed half her sandwich on her brother and most of the cupcake too.

Once they’d eaten, and Cam had gone to the gents, Eilidh jumped up. She was already putting her coat on as she crossed the floor to the counter and by the time she reached Rob, she was opening her purse.

“Keep the change,” she said, handing Rob fifteen quid—enough for the bill and a generous tip besides.

He wondered whether Eilidh knew what had happened between him and Cam. If she did—if she’d heard Cam’s version—she’d probably think Rob was petty and small-minded. It wasn’t a nice thought, and Rob wished he could refuse the tip—but there wasn’t a way to do that that would sound anything other than churlish and bad mannered, so instead he just murmured his thanks and dropped the coins into the tip jar for Val.

“Will you tell Cam I’ve popped into the Spar for something when he gets out?” Eilidh said then. “I’ll see him outside.” Before Rob could reply, she was off, flying out the front door just as Cam emerged from the gents.

Cam glanced at the empty table for a moment then he approached the counter, that wary expression on his face again that looked so wrong to Rob.

“How much do I owe you?” he asked, reaching into his back pocket.

“Nothing,” Rob replied. “Your sister already paid. She said she had to get something at the Spar and she’d see you outside.”

Cam looked weirdly embarrassed at that and a little colour stole into his cheeks, but all he said was, “Okay. Thanks.”

Just as he turned to go, Rob found himself blurting out, “Hey, um—Happy New Year when it comes. You’ll have a great time, in Gomorrah I mean. We used to love the New Year party there.”

We.

As though he was speaking for him and Andrew, although in fairness, the last time Rob had been in Gomorrah, Andrewhadbeen with him. That must’ve been six or seven years ago now.

Christ, he was ancient. A widower, for God’s sake.

Cam’s eyebrows furrowed in a faint frown. “Yeah—um, thanks. You too. Enjoy your lock-in.”

Rob could have done without that reminder. He gave a weak smile and after another moment of raw silence, Cam turned and walked out.

**

VAL SLUNK BACK IN FROMthe kitchen a few minutes after Cam and his sister left.

“Has he gone?” she asked carefully.

Rob didn’t look up from his mindless task of wrapping up pairs of cutlery in Christmas napkins.

“Yup.”