Page 21 of The Good Neighbour

“At last,” Hugh said, making him jump.

Josh scrambled up in bed to find Hugh lying on the floor reading a magazine.

“How long have you been up?”

“About an hour. I don’t have time to lie in. I’ve got to find a drag character and quick.”

Josh rubbed his eyes then squinted at the magazine. It was one of the gossip rags. Hugh had it open on a double page feature on Madeline.

“I hope you’re not looking in that direction for inspiration,” he said.

He plumped the pillows up. When he got comfortable, he found Hugh staring at him in an unsettling way.

“What?” Josh said. “You’re not…”

“Not a carbon copy,” Hugh replied, getting up and jumping on the bed. “You have to admit. She’s pretty bloody rich in possibilities.”

Unease crept up Josh’s neck.

“I’m not sure she’d welcome that, Hugh. Madeline is known for getting a bee in her bonnet at the slightest provocation.”

Hugh shrugged and stared down at the magazine. Josh marvelled at how adorable he looked in a pair of blush-pink pyjamas, his blond hair tousled from sleep.

“I’m only after an essence of her. She can’t complain. Her whole life is up for public consumption.”

Josh raised an eyebrow. “You’d be surprised. That’s what she wants you to think.”

Hugh’s eyes widened. “Tell me more.”

“Not a chance,” Josh replied. “There will be no secrets shared from me. I’m her friend.”

“Fair enough. Can’t blame a boy for trying.”

Josh realised how he’d missed simply sitting and chatting with someone like this. His life had consisted of visits that had to be borne before he returned to his solitude.

“You okay?” Hugh asked.

“Yeah,” he replied. “Thank you. For all this.”

Hugh’s face lit up. “You’re welcome. The first of many, I hope.”

Josh gazed into his eyes. Every part of him wanted to trust Hugh. Something about being with him felt right.

“Me too.”

The moment passed and Hugh stretched. “I’ve got to get moving soon.”

“Oh, I was going to buy you breakfast at the Bluebird.”

“That would be amazing but I’m meeting Michael. We’re going to Brighton for the weekend. Gotta pay the bills. Plus, we’re going to be in search for a second character for Michael.”

It got worse. Josh could entertain the slight possibility that Madeline would find a drag alter ego flattering. Once she found out the character they were pairing her with had been dreamt up in the clubs of Brighton, she would go crazy. Although the comedy potential couldn’t be ignored.

Then his smile dropped. Hugh would probably be on the pull in Brighton too. Not that Josh had any right to complain. Yet, it still bothered him.

“What’s up? You look like you lost a dollar and found a cent.”

Josh beamed. “Sorry. I was thinking how fired up you are about this. I think I’ve missed that in my life.”