Robbie's Story by Stuart Carey

Author:Stuart Carey
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Gay novel;contemporary fiction;northern England setting;gay hero;education;leeds;teaching
Publisher: The Conrad Press
Published: 2019-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

11

Despite all of the terrible things that were happening to us, not all was desperate. Tyrone found himself with a rather nice pay rise. It was completely unexpected and therefore all the sweeter. And then Fiona, my new head of department gave me my final report. I had passed my probation period with flying colours and my post was made permanent. And so it was back to that Italian restaurant for more celebrations and lashings of red wine and special afters. Clara, the moggie, was due her M.O.T. I decided to give Billy my business. He was now chief mechanic at a garage just off the town centre. Tyrone, more out of nosey curiosity than any other reason, wanted to drive down to the garage with me.

‘I want to get a good look at this old flame of yours,’ he said.

‘Well don’t be getting all jealous on me, cos he’s a complete dish,’ I said.

I was feeling just a little bit nervous. This was the first time we had met since our tearful parting. I wondered would I still have all those same feelings for him. He came out to greet us. I’d phoned him before hand, so as not to shock him. He and Tyrone shook hands warmly.

‘Well,’ said Billy, ‘I’m glad we’ve got that out of the way.’ And then the three of us laughed.

It was strange, but although he was still as gorgeous as ever, I did not feel the urge to climb into bed with him. The passion I had felt for him was gone. He was now just a fond memory. I also knew he had a little boy, taking up most of his time these days.

‘She’ll get my full personal attention,’ said Billy patting the bonnet of the car.

Dad came round with the dog, to look at all the damage. He brought Gary round, somewhat in-toe, giving him an impromptu lecture about the evils of bigotry and homophobia. Gary was sullen as usual, and said very little. I didn’t expect much else from him.

It was a few days later that there was a loud knock on my front door. It was Gary. He ran into my arms, burst into tears and told me he was sorry. Later that evening, we also had some more company. It was Matthew and David.

‘We’ve been a couple of right prats,’ said Matthew.

‘I don’t know what got into the pair of us,’ said David.

They both looked shame-faced.

‘And hay, as our way of making amends, me Matthew and your kidder there,’ he said, ‘ will clean up the front of your house and re-paint the front door.’

‘Thanks lads,’ I said.

I told them that after they had left that night, I’d been barred from the pub. ‘You leave Selwyn to us,’ said David.

I brought them up to date with all that had been happening at work and they listened sympathetically.

‘Well it’s times like this that you need your friends,’ said Matthew. ‘We are both here for you.’

I told Tyrone about the sea-change the following day, round at his mothers’.

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