Page 60 of The Good Neighbour

Hugh emerged from the bathroom about half an hour later. His eyes were red and he looked exhausted.

“Come here,” Josh said, holding his arm out.

To his relief, Hugh flopped down and soon snuggled into Josh. The bed was huge and it was like they were huddling together on a raft in a sea of stress and upset.

“I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“It’s not only you,” Hugh replied. “It’s everything.”

They lay awhile in silence. Josh nuzzled his nose into Hugh’s curls.

“Have we had our first argument?” Josh asked.

Hugh chuckled. “I think we might have.”

Yet more silence followed. This was a new experience for Josh. With Winston arguments were dramatic affairs. Pots flew. Insults were traded. Separate bedrooms usually ensued.

“How are we going to solve it?” Josh ventured.

Hugh got up so he faced Josh. He placed his hand on Josh’s chest. The gesture suggesting that he wanted to work together to fix things. Josh relaxed a little.

“Whatever this is, I’m very much enjoying myself,” Hugh began. “I’m not going to lie, Josh. I am developing feelings for you.”

Josh went to form words when Hugh silenced him by putting his finger to his lips.

“You’ll get your turn.”

Hugh got himself more comfortable, sitting cross-legged. All the while maintaining some form of physical contact with Josh.

“I know we’ve only known each other a short time,” Hugh continued. “I think you’re amazing. Life is all over the fucking place at the moment and don’t get me wrong, I totally get why you’re nervous. The problem is, the irrational side of me feels like your dirty secret. Sometimes that takes over.”

Josh flinched. That was the last thing he had wanted. Yet, he could see it from Hugh’s point of view. They might have agreed to keep things quiet at first. However, feelings didn’t always follow logic.

“I’ll let you in on a secret,” Hugh said. “I’ve never really had a relationship before. Sad but true. Of course, I’ve had more flings than you can shake a stick at. In my world it’s rare to meet someone with staying power. Call it intuition or call it foolishness but I think you have that.”

He stopped and bit his lip. Josh reached forward and took Hugh’s hand.

“Is it my go now?” he asked.

Hugh nodded.

“When I met Winston, I was not in a good place.”

“What do you mean?”

“Hey, you,” Josh said quietly. “I’ve got the floor now. Play by your own rules.”

Hugh grinned. “Fair enough. Go on.”

Josh took a second to summon the courage. He very rarely spoke about this. It was as raw today as it had been all those years ago.

“I had been in a relationship with a guy called Nicolai for about three years. Boy was I in love. He was a model who worked on one of my first collections and we hit it off.”

Nicolai’s beautiful face came into his mind. When they’d been together, Josh would watch him sleep and marvel that someone so gorgeous would be with him.

“The label was on the up and I bought Queens Crescent,” Josh continued. “I thought I had a charmed life. Three years later and Helga approached me to buy half the shop. The Olympics were in London, it was such a time of hope. I went for it and so glad I did. Nicolai was doing a shoot in Vegas and due home in a couple of days.”

His heart pounded. Hugh stroked his leg.