Veering off Course (The Navigation Quartet Book 1)

by Chris Cheek

  “Mmm. I can imagine. Do you enjoy the job?”

  “Very much,” David replied. “I love dealing with the people, and I get to talk more to them on this sort of journey than on local buses. Yorkshire folk can be a bit taciturn, especially first thing in the morning,” he added.

  “Yeah, don’t I know it? I live with one,” Simon responded. “He’s a real grump first thing. Come to that, he’s not very cheerful most of the time,” he added with a giggle.

  “So what do you do for a living?”

  “Ah, I’m a young man who sells antiques. I work in a shop at the unfashionable end of the Kings Road. I hope to get to the fashionable end one day.”

  “How did you get into antiques?”

  “Lifelong passion, I suppose. I fell in love with my grandmother’s Victorian and Edwardian furniture, and it all grew from there. I did a Fine Arts degree and went straight into the trade.” Simon paused and then giggled again. “That’s probably the only straight thing I’ve ever done in my life.”

  Initially nonplussed, David suddenly saw the joke and started to laugh. He definitely liked Simon and warmed to his sparkle. “Unlike me, who’s done rather too many straight things for his own good.”

  “Yes, Alan rather hinted that life was a bit complicated. I do hope you manage to work it all out, because he’s been a different boy since you came on the scene. When he got back from his auntie’s funeral I expected him to be very sad, and he was in a way. But he had a sort of luminous quality about him – and eventually I understood why. He told me that he’d met you again.”

  David looked at him open-mouthed.

  “Oh Gawd,” Simon said hurriedly. “Have I put my foot in it again? My trouble is that I don’t know when to shut up. Never tell me a secret unless you want it broadcast on the BBC the same night.”

  David laughed again. “No, no, it’s no problem. It’s just that… I know this’ll sound daft, but I’ve been so busy trying to cope with my fears and feelings that I’ve never stopped to think about how it’s affecting him.”

  “I can certainly understand that, dear boy. Coming to terms with being gay or bi or whatever can be a bit challenging at any age – but in your mid-twenties when you’ve already got a wife and child…’

  “Two…’

  “…sorry, wife and two children. It’s enough to give anybody the heebie-jeebies. By comparison, I was lucky. I always knew, from at least the age of twelve, and with me there was no hiding it anyway.”

  “Goodness. Was that hard, Simon?”

  “I’d be lying if I said it was a piece of cake, love. There was a certain amount of bullying at school – but it helped that I didn’t actually care what anybody thought of me. They couldn’t frighten me by threatening to out me, because I was already the one who put the ‘out’ in ‘outrageous’. They could call me names and they could beat me up – but ultimately bullying only works if the person being bullied can be made to feel frightened. I never was. When they did beat me, I made sure that they didn’t know whether they’d hurt me or not. I never reacted in front of them. Oh, I might have cried all night with the pain and humiliation when I got home – but I never let them see. Eventually bullying me ceased to be any fun. So they stopped and went and found some other poor bugger.”

  “Thanks – I’ll try to remember that, when my turn comes.”

  “Oh, you’ll be all right. Don’t worry. Times have changed a lot in the ten years since I was at school.”

  “Not that much, I suspect – and certainly not in my part of Yorkshire. I shall be lucky to get out of this unscathed.”

  “And does that scare you so very much, David?”

  “Yeah, it does. But … but not enough to make me spend the rest of my life in my home town living a lie.”

  “Amen to that, love. We shall be fast friends, I can see. I shall be there, cheering you on.” Simon laughed again. “And if you ask nicely, I’ll even hold your coat.”

  “Aw, gee thanks, pal,” David replied, joining in the laughter. At that point there was the sound of a key in the door and voices in the hall.

  “Ah, I hear the wanderers returning,” said Simon. He called out to his partner, “Peter, don’t let Alan go upstairs. Bring him in – we’ve got a surprise for him.”

  As the two friends walked into the room, Peter was saying, “Oh God, he’s picked up another waif and stray. Have you been out on the Common again, Simon?”

  Simon winked at David. “No, no, I didn’t need to. I found this one on the doorstep.”

  Alan followed Peter into the room. If David had doubted the truth of Simon’s observations about Alan’s feelings, he now had ample proof: Alan’s face lit up and he beamed from ear to ear.

  “Now there’s a sight for sore eyes! Davy, what on earth are you doing here?”

  David found himself wrapped in a big hug, whilst the other two looked on, smiling broadly.

  Simon caught David’s eye and winked at him again. “See?”

  ***

  “Sorry I couldn’t warn you. About tonight, I mean. It was all such a rush,” said David. He was tucked into Alan’s side on the sofa, lights low, music playing – pretty much his favourite pastime these days. He smirked to himself. Well, second favourite, anyway.

  “Didn’t Mona mind? About the extra overnight?” Alan asked.

  “I don’t think she was best pleased – but she understood. As she said, it would do my reputation no harm either, if I’m going to make inspector in the autumn. Anyway, she’ll come round quickly enough when she sees the tips I earned this afternoon.”

  “Do you want to be an inspector, Davy?”

  David shrugged. “Not particularly, and especially not if I’m not staying.”

  “What would you do, then? In an ideal world, down here in London.”

  “Something to do with computers, I think. I used to love maths at school…”

  “God, I remember that!” interrupted Alan. “You saved my bacon more than once, helping me with my homework. I was really dumb when it came to figures – still am, I suppose.”

  “Yeah, I remember doing your maths homework on the bus.” David laughed. “Anyway, I’ve often thought about getting some skills in that area. I looked into doing some evening classes at one stage, but with my shift patterns and Mona and the boys, I couldn’t make it work.”

  “Another good reason to get you out of there,” remarked Alan, kissing David on his forehead. “As I said the other day, you were always much brainier than me.”

  “At some things, I suppose. Anyway, you were better at the important ones – pinball and football … and cricket. And you always had more common sense, too.” David dropped his voice to a whisper, before adding, “And you’re quite good at sex.”

  Alan threw his head back and laughed. “You always did have your priorities right, Davy. That’s why I love you so much.”

  David reached up to give Alan a peck on the cheek. “Love you too.”

  “Changing the subject, what did you make of Simon?”

  “I was a bit thrown at first. I’ve never met anybody quite that feminine before, you know? But once I’d got used to that, I really took to him.”

  “Yes, he’s a good-hearted soul. He’s been very kind to me since I moved in here.”

  “Yes,” said David drily. “I worked out that he’s some form of father confessor.”

  “More agony aunt – I don’t somehow see Simon as very paternal.”

  “No, I know what you mean. But it threw me a bit when he knew about me … us.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry, Davy. I never thought – I was so happy the other week that I had to tell somebody or I’d have burst. Were you very cross?”

  “No, not at all. As I said, a bit thrown, no more. And it only lasted a moment. Besides, he was so sweet about it all.”

  “Yeah, he would be. And once he’s on your side, he’ll fight like a tiger for you.”

  David nodded. “Yeah, I got that impression. He was telling me about school a
nd bullying. He may not look it, but I think he’s a very brave man underneath it all. I’ll remember that when I need to.”

  Chapter 22

  Alan

  Having received visits from David two nights in a row, the flat seemed very quiet for the rest of the week. Somehow the idea of a quiet evening at home on his own, which had seemed so attractive when he first moved in, was now losing its appeal.

  Alan made himself a quick supper of scrambled eggs then prowled around the flat, remembering snippets of his conversations with David. At one point, he went into the bedroom and picked up David’s pillow, sniffing it in attempt to catch a hint of his scent.

  He held it to the side of his face, rubbing gently for a few moments, looking down and remembering how beautiful David had looked that morning, lying there having just woken up, hair tousled, smiling up at him as Alan brought him a cup of coffee. It was funny how it was the tender moments that always came back to his mind so vividly. Getting sentimental in his old age, perhaps.

  He was woken from his reverie by a ring of his doorbell. He put the pillow back into place and headed downstairs to answer the door. It was Simon, standing there with a big grin and a bottle of wine. “As I’ve been deserted tonight as well, I thought we could be two lonely souls consoling each other.”

  “That sounds a great idea, come on in. I’ll fetch some glasses and a corkscrew.”

  The mechanics of opening and pouring done, they settled in Alan’s sitting room.

  “So what’s your man up to tonight?”

  “Oh, dinner with Mother.”

  “Really? On his own?”

  Simon let out a groan. “Absolutely. I simply cannot stand the woman. I never have done, from the moment I set eyes on her ten years ago.” He paused before adding, “Mind you, it’s entirely mutual. Peter was told, in no uncertain terms that if he must live a ‘deviant lifestyle’ he must do so off the premises and in strict privacy.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “Absolutely not. He is summoned for dinner about once every six months – you know, birthdays and so forth. He does the minimum necessary to keep his trust fund intact and no more. He’ll be in a foul mood when he gets home, poor love. Always is.”

  Alan shook his head and there was a pause while he topped their glasses up.

  “I loved meeting David last night, by the way,” Simon said. “He’s lovely, and very sweet. No wonder you’ve fallen for him. ‘Good looking and so refined’, as the song has it.”

  Alan laughed. “I’m glad you approve.”

  “Very definitely – especially because of how much he’s cheered you up over the last few weeks.”

  “Has it been that obvious?”

  “You didn’t have the sunniest of dispositions when you first moved in, darling, now did you?”

  “No, suppose not.”

  “Quite. Anyway, you’ve been a different guy since David came back into your life – much more relaxed, and content with the world somehow.”

  Alan nodded. “I know what you mean. I have felt better – like my life has some meaning again. I was restless. I was being successful and loving the job, but it didn’t mean much. What was the point of all the success? There was nobody to tell, or to spend my money on, or indulge. It seemed like an endless slog simply to watch the bank balance increase. God, I began to feel like Ebenezer Scrooge, amassing cash for the sake of it. Then Davy happened and gave me an objective in life – something to look forward to. He was a part of my life for so long when we were young, and we fitted back together like we’d always done. It felt – feels – so special, Simon.” Alan was surprised to find tears welling up, whilst his own vehemence almost took his breath away.

  Simon’s eyes opened wide with surprise, quickly turning to amusement as he spoke. “My goodness, you have got it bad, haven’t you, sweetheart? God, I hope it works out for you. He did look a bit lost at moments last night.”

  “Not surprising, Si. He doesn’t know London very well, you’re the first gay person he’s ever met socially aside from me, but then he has to go home and act straight to his wife and little boys.”

  “We’ll have to make sure that we look after him. Make his trips down here so special that he always want to stay. Now let me see…” Simon paused, taking a swig of his wine. “Here’s two ideas to be going on with: you should absolutely take him to a musical, number one. And he should meet some more gay people – your Tris, for one, and Ian. And perhaps a dinner, chez nous. A domestic scene with some nice respectable gays. What do you think?”

  “I think they’re both marvellous ideas. I’m sure he’ll be terrified at the idea of meeting people, but it’s the right thing to do – and the musical idea is pure genius!”

  They talked some more, and the dinner was fixed for the next Friday night David had in town.

  “We should have six altogether,” Simon said. He paused, drumming his fingers on the side of his glass for a moment before his face lit up again. “I know, we can invite Gerry and Andrew – you know, my boss and his boyfriend. They can be a bit piss-elegant at times, but they’re good people at heart. Anyway, who knows? Some of their high culture might rub off on you,” he added with a giggle.

  “It hasn’t rubbed off on you, yet,” Alan laughed.

  “Cheeky bitch. I’ll have you know that my culture is very high, thank you very much.”

  “And there’s only one thing I want to rub off on at the moment, and it isn’t high culture.”

  “Talking of things to rub off on, is David gracing us with his presence again this week?”

  “Not before next Friday, no. Unfortunately, everything’s back to normal on the railways.”

  “Oh what a shame. So we’ll see you both next Friday. About eight?”

  “Yeah, that should be fine. Davy should be here by seven – that’ll give him time to have a quick shower and change.”

  “Provided you don’t interfere with him whilst he’s in the shower…”

  “Oh, I don’t know. A quickie, perhaps…”

  Simon laughed. “I forbid it! I don’t want you wearing the poor boy out when he’s got to be all wide awake and appreciative about my cooking all evening.”

  With that, he swept off down the stairs, leaving Alan roaring with laughter.

  Chapter 23

  David

  Back in Yorkshire, David found the week dragging. He did a couple of trips to London, but also had his two rest days ahead of the weekend. He could have worked one of them as overtime, which could have been useful, but life had been hectic of late so he fancied taking the time off.

  However, when he awoke early on the second morning he rather regretted the fact that he was not working. The day glowered at him through the curtains and, when Mona drew them back, it was pouring with rain. That put paid to any idea of doing the garden. He volunteered to take Tommy to school and told Mona he was going to look in on his sister on the way back, explaining that it was a couple of weeks since he’d seen her.

  Mona didn’t get on with David’s sister, though David was never quite sure why. They seemed to strike sparks off each other, and there was an unease in the room whenever they were together. By tacit agreement they rarely met; consequently David’s principal contact with his siblings tended to result from his calls at their houses.

  His sister Jennifer lived on the other side of Sedgethwaite in a classic 1930s’ housing estate. She was a bright kid and had won a place at the local grammar school when she was eleven. A great success academically, she had gone off to university – the first in the family to do so. She’d gained a good degree, stayed on to do her teaching certificate – and promptly met the love of her life, Mark Andrews. Mark was now an HR manager in a local engineering plant, whilst Jenny stayed at home and looked after their growing family of three children and numerous cats, dogs, hamsters and guinea pigs.

  “I wondered when you’d turn up,” Jennifer said gruffly, when he appeared at the back door.

  David beamed at her. �
�Aye, like the proverbial bad penny, me.”

  “That’s not far from the truth,” she replied, pulling him into a hug. Jennifer was slightly taller than David and had a generous figure, so he more or less disappeared into the folds of her dress. David, being the youngest of the three Edgeley children by some margin, had always had a special place in her heart.

  “Nice to see you anyway. Mark’s on holiday this week but he’s out playing golf. Should be back in about an hour. Are you going to stay for lunch?”

  “That would be great. I’m on a rest day, so no hurry – but I’d better be around to pick Tommy up from school. I’ll stick around and say hello.”

  They went into the kitchen and she put the kettle on. “How are you doing, then, baby brother? Enjoying the London job?”

  “Yeah, it’s great. Makes a change from flogging to and from Leeds all day and every day.”

  “Mum saw Len Hedges in town the other day. He said you were doing really well – you helped him out during the rail strike, he said.”

  David nodded. “Yes, that was fun – and the tips certainly made it worthwhile.”

  “Good. Apparently, Len told mum that you’re staying with a friend when you’re on the overnight duty.”

  “That’s right. Alan Foreshaw. You remember him. I bumped him into him the other week when he came back for his Auntie Mary’s funeral.”

  “Yes, I remember Alan very well. You and he were … very close at school, weren’t you?”

  David looked quickly at his sister. She didn’t return his stare but busied herself making the coffee. Finally, when she handed him a mug, she looked him straight in the eye. “I was always surprised you didn’t go off to London with him.”

  “Really? You never said.”

  “No, well. It was your life. But why didn’t you, David? Why did you stay here and marry her?”

  Momentarily thrown by the question, David paused and once more caught his sister’s eye. Realisation dawned and he sighed. “You know, don’t you? About Alan and me?”