Page 39 of The Good Neighbour

“I can’t,” Josh blurted out. “That’s a step too far.”

She stared across at him. “Oh shit, sorry. I totally understand. Okay, you’ll have to take him out for dinner then.”

“He might be busy.”

“Only one way to find out.”

“I’ll make a call. Before that, I’ve got something else to do.”

The Bluebird Café did a great evening service. Josh had got them a table. Hugh sat across from him, looking way too gorgeous for his own good. Now Josh had explored every part of him, he fancied him all the more. Tonight, he wore a red and black checked shirt. It was open at the collar. If the intention was to tease Josh, it had worked.

“You do know we’ll get noticed,” Hugh said.

Josh shrugged. “So what? It’s only people round here. I’m allowed to buy my neighbour dinner and introduce him to the area. Besides, most of them saw us in spandex. The game is up.”

Hugh stared at him over the top of his menu.

“You’ve changed your tune.”

Josh took a breath. “I spoke to Madeline today. She’s got me a lawyer.”

Hugh almost dropped the menu. “You did?”

It felt weird saying it out loud. After being holed up in his house for weeks, life had started to lurch forward at an alarming pace.

Before he could answer, someone waved at him from another table. It was Sergio Martino. They’d gone through fashion school together. He returned the greeting and waved.

“Is that Sergio Martino?”

“Yes, he’s a decent guy.”

“Have you?”

Josh raised an eyebrow. “Once.”

“Wow,” Hugh replied. “I’m impressed.”

“I did have a life before Winston, you know.”

He certainly had. Not all of it good of course. Even so, he’d been independent once upon a time. He was determined to find that version of himself again.

“When are you meeting with the lawyer?”

“Tomorrow,” Josh said. “Amazing how they can clear a space in their calendars when there’s a shitload of money potentially changing hands.”

Hugh began to peruse the menu again.

“What’s the matter?” Josh asked.

“Money,” Hugh replied. “You do know I don’t have a pot to piss in.”

Josh reached for his hand across the checked linen tablecloth. “So what? It’s not the most important thing in the world.”

Hugh rubbed the back of Josh’s thumb. “So speaks the rich person.”

Money had always been a by-product for his work. Josh had never had to struggle even though he hadn’t come from affluent means of the standard of Queens Crescent. His main aim had been to spend his days doing what he loved. Of course, he’d never refused the cash that came in. It did make life easier in a lot of respects.

“Fuck that,” Josh said, making Hugh jump. “If you take me to a fish and chip shop for dinner, I’ll be just as happy. Besides, if Winston has his way, I’ll probably have to give most of it up.”