Page 19 of Thrill

They burst into giggles.

“The night is yet young. Are you new to Brighton?” Scott asked.

Tyler nodded. “Yeah. I fancied a change and thought I’d come here.”

“Gay?”

“One hundred percent. You?”

“Even more. Me and Eddie call our flat the penthouse of pleasure.”

“Are you and him…”

“God no,” Scott said, clutching his chest. “Flatmates.”

“You lucky things. I’m in a house share with a guy permanently off his tits and a singer who thinks she’s Amy Winehouse. Maybe if you were five streets away with headphones on.”

“Sounds horrific.”

“It won’t be for too long. Once I’ve passed my three-month probation, I can get a place of my own.”

“How very mature,” Eddie said, as he placed three glasses down on the table.

“Not everyone spends their wages before they’ve even got them, Eddie,” Scott said, helping himself to one of the glasses.

“Says mummy’s prince,” Eddie replied. “Work is more of a hobby to our little Scotty.”

“Fuck off,” Scott replied. The happy expression on his face suggested this to and fro had happened on more than one occasion.

“Maybe if I have a few of these, I’ll sleep through the noise at my place,” Tyler said, taking a deep gulp.

“I’m only staying for one,” Scott said. “Got a date with a university professor. A very handsome university professor, I might add.”

Eddie raised an eyebrow. “This is the third time you’ve seen him. Wow.”

“We’re practically going steady,” Scott replied. “For Brighton anyway. Have you helped yourself to some stock, Tyler?”

“Not yet. I don’t think I’m really in need.”

“Nonsense,” Scott replied. “You’re a good-looking guy. Who knows when opportunity will come knocking?”

“Chance would be a fine thing,” Tyler replied. “Either way I wouldn’t take anyone home to where I’m living. It’s pretty rank.”

Scott and Eddie exchanged a smile. “Maybe we should ask around. We might be able to help.”

“Are you serious? That would be amazing. Three months seems like a prison stretch at that place.”

“Leave it with me,” Eddie said.

As far as first weeks went, this one had gone pretty bloody well.

SIX

DANNY

The early evening sun still had a kick to it as Danny ran along the promenade with his father just behind him. Danny hadn’t sweated so much in years. They had chosen the sweet spot when tourists had gone in search of food and partygoers were still revving up for a night on the town.

That wasn’t to say Danny didn’t have to keep his wits about him. He’d nearly knocked a child over when he’d allowed his thoughts to stray to Tyler.