Page 52 of Thrill

“Of course not. He probably doesn’t want to come across as too keen. It’s a bit of a leap going from a quick shag to waking up together,” Scott said.

“For you maybe,” Eddie replied. “It’s how most people behave.”

Scott shook his head. “In a world of Jackie Collins, Eddie has to be Jane Austen.”

Tyler chuckled and helped himself to another sashimi.

“I wish I saw things as clearly as you, Scott,” he said.

“If I were you, I’d send him a dick pic and ask him when he wants it,” Scott replied.

Charlotte from reception was walking by and stopped in her tracks. “Well doesn’t this sound like an interesting conversation. Mind if I crash?”

Eddie pushed out the spare chair for her.

“You’re just the person we need,” Scott said.

“Scott, this isn’t common knowledge,” Eddie warned.

They all looked at Tyler. “Promise not to speak about it?” he said to Charlotte.

“Of course. You would be surprised at the things I know,” Charlotte said. She’d already taken two plastic containers from her bag.

Tyler glanced at his flatmates. Scott nodded encouragingly.

“Okay, I’ve been sleeping with a guy and we made the decision that it’s only that,” Tyler began.

Charlotte got another container out. She listened intently.

“Week two? I’m impressed,” she said.

“Just wait until you find out who it is,” Scott said.

Eddie shook his head. “He’s going to burst, Tyler. Put him out of his misery.”

Tyler leant forward. “Danny Healy.”

Charlotte’s jaw dropped. “Are you shitting me?”

“No, he’s not,” Scott said, almost squirming out of his seat. “He’s been to the flat and everything. Twice.”

Charlotte opened the first tub. It contained a green salad. “He’s fucking gorgeous,” she said.

“I know,” Scott replied.

“So, what’s the problem? You want more?”

Tyler was so confused. “I don’t know. I asked him to sleep over.”

She removed the lid from the second container. It had a perfectly sliced avocado in. “Did he knock you back?”

Tyler shook his head. “No, he stayed.”

Charlotte stopped and stared at Tyler. “What’s the problem then?”

“I’ve not really heard from him since.”

She seemed lost in thought for a second.