Companion Required

by Brian Lancaster

  Len had invited Kieran, the girls and Pete and his father for a relaxed dinner and drinks in his hotel in Lang Kwai Fong. Stylish and yet still retaining some old Chinese charm, the restaurant served Peking cuisine—Peking duck with paper-thin pastry rolls, finely chopped cucumber and spring onion, and sticky hoisin sauce, huge tiger prawns cooked in a light chilli sauce, broth-like chicken soup, fried noodles, and various stir-fried vegetable dishes. Kieran enthused about everything, having only ever sampled English-style Chinese food—usually as takeaway.

  Sitting between Len and Laurie, Kieran conversed genially with them all until Len leaned in to talk to Kieran. Steph must have sensed something between them, because she diverted their attention to the exploits of Pete and his father, while Len lowered his voice to talk to Kieran.

  “My human resources manager emailed me an employment contract for your new job. Give me an email address so I can send it over to you. Ideally, I’d like you to look through it over the next couple of days—I don’t want to spoil your holiday, but if you could do this sooner rather than later, I’d be grateful. Let me know if there’s anything missing and if you’re happy with the package, so we can get you to sign on the dotted line and get you on board as soon as you get back. Are you okay with that?”

  “More than okay.”

  “The starting salary and bonus scheme might seem a little generous, but it’s only slightly above market rate for this kind of role, and besides, I am reliably informed by someone not here right now that you will not only work your ass off but are worth every penny.”

  Kennedy. Even when he was not physically present, he still impacted Kieran’s life. He had to look away from Len’s gaze for a moment, to level his emotions.

  “Send it over to the email address you’ve already got for me,” he said, after a few calming breaths, “and I’ll do the honours tonight. Get everything back to you first thing tomorrow.”

  “Okay, that’s impressive. Are you always this efficient?”

  “I’ll tell you what, Len—and we can make this official if you want and write this into my contract—I guarantee that in six months’ time, I will have increased revenues across all of your businesses by between fifteen to twenty percent at the very least. How does that sound?”

  “Like I should have hired you a few years ago.”

  After dinner, Len, Pete and his father opted for the hotel bar, while Kieran and the girls decided to explore the bustling bar scene in Hong Kong. In the balmy evening air, they wandered Wyndham Street, filled with bars and restaurants and people spilling out onto the pavement. Eventually they hit an outdoor escalator and decided to see where the moving staircase would take them. Steph spotted them before anyone else—Richmond, Mike, Patrick and Joey, with another male couple Kieran recognised from the cruise, standing just inside a bar called Staunton’s on Staunton Street.

  “Should we go and say hello?” asked Laurie, who appeared a little unsure.

  “Kieran?” asked Steph, always sensitive to his feelings.

  “Honestly, I don’t mind,” he said, assessing the gathered group. “Looks like Joey might need saving.”

  “Let’s grab a quick drink. And if it gets too much, tonight’s time-to-escape word is douchebag. If anyone uses the word douchebag, then it’s time for us all to get the hell out of there.”

  “Since when did we have a time-to-escape word?” asked Kieran.

  “Since tonight.”

  “And why douchebag?” asked Laurie, frowning. “English people don’t use that word.”

  “Exactly.”

  When they approached the group, Patrick spotted them first and waved them over. After kissing each of the girls, he even shook Kieran’s hand and smiled in a way that appeared genuine. Would wonders never cease? Richmond and Mike simply nodded their hellos. Joey’s face positively lit up when he saw Kieran and he came straight over to chat. Once Patrick had bought them all drinks—another first—Joey and Kieran excused themselves to move away from the group to a quieter part of the bar. They shared stories about their time in Hong Kong and what they’d each seen. After a while, Joey’s face became serious.

  “So, listen. I need to fess up. I talked to my sister, Chloe. She’s still friends with your ex-girlfriend, Jennifer. They catch up every other week. I hope I didn’t drop you in it, but I told her about you being on the cruise with your new boyfriend.”

  Oh, hell, thought Kieran. That should go down like a heavily loaded depth charge.

  “What did she say?”

  “She said I must have you mixed up with someone else. Until I forwarded a photo of you and Kennedy dancing, and then she went quiet. I have to ask you, Kieran. Are you really gay, or are you putting on a show here? Richmond seems to think you’re not the real deal.”

  Kieran laughed at the question. Three weeks ago, he would have confessed to Joey about the whole thing being a sham. But now? No fucking way was he denying what was so blatantly true.

  “I am one hundred percent the real deal. Steph and Laurie were grilling me about the same thing over lunch today. How could I be with Jennifer for so many months and now be with a man, and not be freaking out? I suppose some men might. And I don’t have a perfect answer except, objectively, I’ve always seen the beauty in both forms, male and female. You know, like in the James Bond movies where Halle Berry comes out of the sea in her tangerine bikini. Do I appreciate the sexiness? Hell, yes, I do. And then, when Daniel Craig does the same in his light blue briefs, can I appreciate his sex appeal? Sure I can.”

  “So you’re bi?”

  “To be honest, I hate labels. But if I had to label myself right now, I’d say I’m Kennedy Gay.”

  Joey laughed at that, a nice, infectious laugh that had Kieran grinning.

  “Can I ask—and you don’t have to answer this—what’s he like in bed? Kennedy?”

  “You can ask,” said Kieran, his voice lowered. “You ever been to Oxford Street at Christmas when they turn on the Christmas lights?”

  “Nope.”

  “One minute the street is normal, dull street lamps and dark pavements. The next—wham—above the road, lights of all colours, shapes and sizes, sparkle and shine everywhere, bringing everything to life. That’s what sex is like with Kennedy.”

  “So Kennedy’s your Christmas, then?”

  “Yep, except he definitely does not come just once a year.”

  Once again Joey laughed aloud, and he clinked his glass with Kieran’s bottle of beer.

  “Cheers for that. You know, I had a girlfriend in university, too. Felt such a fraud, as though I was cheating on her every time we went out, especially when I checked out another guy. Coming out was such a relief. At medical school nobody gives a flying fuck whether you’re into guys, girls or both. It’s so liberating.”

  At that moment, Steph and Laurie appeared in front of them, both looking excited, and Kieran wondered if they were about to use the douchebag word.

  “Kieran, we’re just going to have a quick browse through that cute little shop opposite. Mike says they’re selling these darling Chinese bowls and plates and other pottery items at absolutely bargain prices. Can we leave our drinks with you and Joey for a couple of minutes?”

  “Of course you can,” said Kieran, laughing.

  Kieran and Joey watched them disappear into the small store.

  “A few minutes my ass,” said Kieran. “Those two can’t resist a bargain. Dragged me kicking and screaming around an outlet mall today. Bet you ten quid they’ll be gone at least half an hour, and then come back with a couple of shopping bags full of goodies.”

  In their absence, Kieran and Joey chatted happily together, and with no Kennedy by his side, he was grateful for the distraction, to be able to talk about their own favourite parts of the cruise. From time to time, both of them peered over the heads of the other patrons in the crowded bar to where Richmond was holding court. Patrick wasn’t there, and must have excused himself to use the toilet. Richmond’s voice rose above the hu
bbub in the bar, and a few people had begun to move away or give him annoyed stares. Richmond appeared to be addressing his comments to the gay couple they had met on the boat.

  “S’like it’s become some kind of fucking holiday competition, who can bring the prettiest, dumbest, barely-above-the-age-of-consent sidekick to parade around on a leash with them, like they’re showing their pedigree puppies off at Crufts Dog Show.”

  “Okay, Rich,” said Mike, his tone quiet and placating.

  Richmond had clearly knocked back a few drinks too many, and both Kieran and Joey could hear every word of the tirade over the sound of other voices in the bar.

  “Have you had to put up with that all holiday?” asked Kieran.

  Joey huffed out a sigh and shook his head.

  “They go way back, him and Patrick. So I try to ignore him most of the time. But honestly, sometimes I’d like to punch the guy’s lights out.”

  “…freeloading off their fucking sugar daddies. Makes me want to puke.”

  “Okay, dial it down, Rich,” came Mike’s voice, more urgent this time’.

  Joey looked away, but the hurt in his eyes said everything. “I’m not freeloading, you know,” he said. “I’ve paid my way. I do have my own money.”

  “Why does Mike put up with that jerk?”

  “No idea. Maybe Richmond’s dick is as big as his mouth.”

  Both of them chuckled at that quip, until their attention was drawn back across the bar.

  “An’ you know what sickens me most? Paddy’s now playing catch-up, bringing his own fucking useless little piece of shit cocksucker along with him, just so he can rub it in Kennedy’s face—”

  Kieran put down his bottle of lager, readying to go over and confront Richmond. But before he had a chance, a loud crack followed by a few screams and shouts of consternation, the smashing of glass and something else being overturned, brought the bar to silence. When Kieran turned around, he saw Richmond on the floor with Patrick standing over him, his face red with rage, pointing an accusatory finger at a shocked and bloody-mouthed Richmond.

  “If you ever refer to Joey that way again, so help me God, I will end you. Joey is a catch, by anyone’s standards. And I am not competing with anyone. I’m the one who’s lucky to have him, not the other way around. If you can’t deal with that, then you are no longer my friend.”

  “It’s okay, Pat,” said Mike, helping a shocked Richmond up from the floor. “He’s had a few too many. I’ll take him back to the hotel.”

  But Richmond hadn’t finished. While Mike set the small table upright and apologised to the people sitting around, Richmond confronted Patrick.

  “I’m on your fucking side, remember?” he said.

  “If that’s how you’re going to behave, I don’t want you on my side. Not if you’re going to be disrespectful of my friends,” said Patrick, about to move away, but then spotting Joey and Kieran standing together in stunned silence. Turning Richmond’s body to face their way, Patrick pointed to Kieran across the bar. “And, for the record, do you honestly think Kieran’s just a decoration? Did you see him and Kennedy on the dance floor? I have never seen two men so coordinated. Yes, men. They are both men, Richmond, and I really hope Kennedy realises how lucky he is to have Kieran. Because I sure as hell know how lucky I am to have Joey.”

  With that, Patrick pushed Richmond towards Mike and turned his attention back to Joey.

  “Come on, babe, let me pay up and then we’ll get out of here.”

  While Patrick disappeared into the depths of the bar, and Mike loaded Richmond and himself into a red taxi, a broadly smiling Joey quickly finished his drink.

  “Sorry to leave you alone, Kieran, but looks as though I’m going to get lucky tonight.”

  “You’re not sorry at all.” Kieran laughed.

  “No, I’m not. Patrick’s amazing when he’s in this kind of mood. So I’m going to make the most of it.”

  “Hey, we’re off to Bali tomorrow, so I probably won’t see you before we go. Let’s arrange to catch up when we’re both back in London.”

  “You’re on. You know, I wasn’t really looking forward to Hong Kong, but I wouldn’t have missed that little show for the world. Enjoy the rest of your holiday, and safe flight home.”

  “You too,” said Kieran, giving Joey a hug and waving at a departing Patrick, who actually smiled and seemed ready to leave, but then relented and came over.

  “Kieran, I owe you an apology. I was rude to you on the cruise and, in hindsight, that was unacceptable. I’m not too proud to admit when I’m wrong, so I hope you’ll accept my apology. I think you might be good for Kennedy. I just hope he appreciates you.”

  “Thank you, Patrick.”

  Joey and Patrick left in the next red taxi, leaving Kieran standing there, stunned and alone. Straightaway, Kieran wanted to call Kennedy, but had no idea whether he would be able to pick up. More than likely, he was in the air on his way back to Hong Kong. Fortunately, the girls returned from their forage, laden down with bags of goodies.

  “We’ve saved so much money,” said Steph, holding up one of the carrier bags.

  “I think you mean spent,” said Kieran.

  “Where is everyone?” asked Laurie, putting her bag down and getting her drink.

  “Did we miss anything?” asked Steph, also putting her bags down and peering around.

  “Nope,” said Kieran, grinning happily. “Apart from watching one serious douchebag go down in flames—metaphorically speaking—you missed nothing at all.”

  “Okay, Kieran,” said Steph, hands on hips. “Hand me my drink. Then spill the beans.”

  * * * *

  In Kieran’s mind, Hong Kong airport appeared to have been designed to resemble a giant modern cathedral, with high vaulted ceilings and huge windows showcasing regimented rows of airplanes from all over the world, waiting to be boarded or disembarked, and distant planes taking off and landing. Moving walkways ran through the centre of the main terminal, lined on either side by departure gates and a few last-minute shops or eateries.

  Kieran stood at the departure gate, staring over the heads of those around him and shuffling from one foot to the next. Passengers were already boarding and there was still no sign of Kennedy.

  “Will you calm down, Kieran,” said Steph, for the third time. “He texted that he’s on his way.”

  Nothing could placate Kieran. He’d spent the whole three days wanting Kennedy by his side, and now, finally, the man had arrived back in Hong Kong just as they were about to depart for Bali.

  “If he’s not here, I’m not getting on the—”

  “Here he is now,” said Laurie, pointing past Kieran.

  Kieran turned and his heart gave a lurch, a grin forming on his face. As Kennedy approached, Kieran could not help noticing the small smile appear on his tired face. Wearing his travel attire—baggy and creased beige chinos and a wrinkled Indian cotton shirt—he still looked good enough to eat. He had only a carry-on bag with him, all he had taken to Los Angeles. Kieran had checked in the rest of their luggage. When Kennedy reached them, he first gave the girls a quick hug then came over to Kieran and hugged him tightly.

  “I really missed you,” said Kieran.

  Kennedy said nothing in return. Maybe he still felt tired, but Kieran wondered if there might be something more to his distance.

  Steph hustled them onto the plane, both girls being stopped as they boarded, something beeping on the scanning machine, and both being told that they had been upgraded. All of them would be together in business class. Kieran knew Kennedy had somehow worked his magic. As they marched down the ramp towards the plane door, once again Kieran noticed him focusing ahead, avoiding eye contact. While the girls went ahead, he put his hand on Kennedy’s arm and stopped him.

  “Are you okay, Kennedy? Did everything go to plan in LA?” asked Kieran.

  “No,” said Kennedy, a strained expression on his face, one Kieran had not seen before. “Everything did not go to plan. E
verything did not go to plan at all. But I’ll explain later, once I’ve had time to rest.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Kennedy

  Once they were airborne, Kennedy accepted a glass of water from a member of the cabin crew and settled back in his seat. After the two long-haul flights with very little rest in between, he felt shattered and looked forward to precious downtime in Bali.

  Kieran distracted him with their exploits in Hong Kong, but after he fell silent, clearly waiting to hear about Kennedy’s meeting with Milletto, Kennedy suggested he save the tale until they were somewhere less public. Besides, he said, he wanted to get his head down for a few hours. Kieran nodded his agreement. Relieved, Kennedy closed his eyes and thought back on the past thirty-six hours.

  During his trip—and despite how much he’d missed having Kieran by his side—he’d decided to dial down their closeness. To do anything different would inevitably hurt Kieran once they returned to their normal lives, and he could not live with himself if that happened. Even without taking into consideration their age difference, Kieran deserved someone fun and reliable, someone who would not eventually disappoint him. Kennedy knew all about the pain of losing someone ’he had come to rely on, and would not let that happen to Kieran. Kennedy eventually let people down—that seemed to be the rule in his life.

  Except the business trip had proven the exception to any rule. Yes, he had been taken by surprise during his meeting with Giorgio Milletto. When he’d finally come face to face with a clearly unsurprised Milletto, he’d told himself that someone, somewhere must have leaked his visit. Milletto had sworn to the contrary, that his arrival, however fortuitous, had come out of the blue. Rather than working to his detriment, the information meant there had been no subterfuge when Milletto had turned up in person, to meet him in Cold Steel’s tasteful reception area.

  “Mister Kennedy Grey. Thank the Lord,” Milletto had said, beaming, as Kennedy rose to his feet and matched the man’s warm handshake. “This is a pleasant, if slightly unexpected, surprise—you son of a gun. I saw this guy sitting here from the CCTV monitor in my office and thought ‘heck, it can’t be, can it?’ Seems like it is.”