Page 4 of The Good Neighbour

Adrenalin coursed through Josh’s veins.

“Okay, fine,” he said. “I’m sorry. I misjudged things. I only wanted to make you happy. Why is that so hard for you to understand?”

“Why don’t you go back to your fan club?” Winston interjected. “I’m going to edit all night anyway. I need some space.”

This project was driving Josh crazy. He understood that it had been a lifeline for Winston. Yet, deep down,heyearned to be that instead of a stupid documentary.

“What are you going to do when this film is released?” he blurted out. “You’re obsessed and it will be a hell of a comedown.”

“I’ll make another. That’s what I do, if you remember. Or do you think we should sit on our arses all day? You’ve thrown your career away and now I’m expected to?”

“I stopped working to support you.”

“Oh here we go. Another instalment in how great you are,” Winston fired back. “I should have just filmed you. I can call itJosh Winterton, Hero.”

Winston got up to leave the room.

“This is the best we can do, is it?” Josh said. “The day comes that we prayed for and we’re going to spend it arguing and apart. What the fuck is going on with us?”

Winston stopped. They were facing each other. The room had never felt so big.

“I don’t know what to say to you,” Winston replied. “I…I think I’m done.”

Each syllable hit Josh like a bullet. If he searched deeply, it wasn’t a shock. Even so, hearing them finally uttered hit him like a sledgehammer.

He opened his mouth but words refused to form.

“I’m sorry, let me rephrase that. I know I’m done,” Winston continued. “We haven’t been operating as a couple for ages. You have to admit that.”

Tears pricked at Josh’s eyes as he nodded miserably.

“I thought it would get better once we were through all this shit,” he said. “Can’t we try?”

Winston shook his head. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while now. I don’t love you anymore.”

“Did you ever?” Josh asked.

Winston shrugged. “Who knows? I’ll go to Nice for the autumn. Get this film finished. Perhaps don’t contact me.”

“Are you sure?” Josh managed.

Winston stared into his eyes. Josh searched frantically for that glint that used to shine, even when they were quarrelling. He couldn’t see it anywhere.

“Yeah. I’m sure.”

“Then there’s no more to say, is there?”

Winston shook his head and walked out of the room. He closed the door softly behind him. Josh would have preferred a slam than that defeat.

He sank down on the sofa, trembling.

Was it really over?

“I’m back to square one,” he said to the empty room.

CHAPTER TWO

SIX WEEKS LATER