“The hell you don’t.”
“Boys,” said Polly. “Play nicely.”
The phone in Nathan’s jacket pocket dinged a couple of times in short succession. Taking the opportunity to escape from Polly and Jaymes, he walked towards the pub window to check his messages. Behind him, he could hear the two of them start a heated exchange. On checking his phone, he noted the first message was from Clifton, sent before Jaymes had butted in.
Unknown: Cute as ever, Nate. Next Saturday at 7:30. Details to follow. Cliff xx
The second message came as a surprise because he hadn’t yet set up the message group.
Bob Collier: Been chatting with the lads over a pint. I’m in, and so is Norris. And I’m sure others will come around. It’ll be a hoot.
Nathan stared through the pub window, noticing a drizzle starting. Three members had already agreed to the photoshoot. Would wonders never cease? As he gazed out, movement caught his eye. Clifton came strolling across the car park in front of the short guy who had interrupted him and another, much broader and taller, who now held an umbrella over his head. They moved towards the spotless Tesla, Clifton stopping and waiting for the tall man to open the passenger door for him. Every action, every movement, looked perfect, as though the walk from the pub exit to the car had been choreographed. Had Jaymes been right? Was Clifton hitting on him because he thought Nathan would be an easy fuck during a dry spell? If anything, Nathan preferred to give people the benefit of the doubt. After watching the car reverse out and head to the main road, he peered down at the final message.
Unknown: My apologies. Bring your friend. Still need time alone tho. Lot of explaining. I’ve missed you, Nate. We were good together. Sending contact deets. Cliff. xx
Nathan bit the inside of his lip. He needed answers. Memories flooded back of Clifton's beautiful face as Nathan sucked him off. Even simple things came back, like how happy they had been in each other’s company and how well they had worked together on the football field. Clifton had become the best thing in his life.
Until the Hogmores had disappeared into the night.
What had soon come to light was that the head of school had known about Clifton’s departure more than a month before the event. That news had devastated Nathan. If Clifton had known he would be leaving, why had he said nothing to his best friend and lover? Nathan needed answers.
When he returned to Polly, she gave him an apologetic smile. In his short time away, the three young women who had been hassling Clifton now surrounded Jaymes, who was mid-speech, his handsomely rugged face animated as he enthused about his profession.
“And what people don’t realise is that the threat to trees from pests and diseases has never been greater. Your grandparents may have told you about DED, Dutch Elm Disease. Changed the face of the English countryside back in 1975. Even in our generation, we’ve had cases of Oak Processionary Moth—OPM—even though working closely with the EU, we managed to reduce the number of cases…”
“I forgot that Jaymes is a tree-hugger,” Nathan whispered to Polly.
“Do not call him that. He takes his work very seriously.”
“…may not be the most glamorous job in the world, but someone needs to protect our species of forest plants and animals for future generations. Despite what some world leaders may tell you, climate change is real, and we’re in danger of losing many of our native species, not only in terms of flora but also forest animals. You only have to look at the news in places like North America or Australia to know that a beautiful forest that has been around for generations could be gone in a matter of days due to a deadly combination of wildfires and adverse weather conditions. Our own Mosswold Forest doesn’t have a dedicated environmental specialist, which is why the Forestry Commission sent me here for a few months to carry a kind of stock and health check.”
“Does that make you, like, Saint Greenpeace for trees?” said one, which had the other two giggling.
“Except I get paid a wage. I’m not a volunteer.”
“You literally look like a superhero,” said another.
Nathan held his tongue even though a couple of comments began to form.
“Do you drive a Range Rover? And wear a flat cap and tweeds and green wellies? And go fox-hunting?” asked another. Hats off to Jaymes, he took the comments in his stride, kept smiling and answered good-naturedly. Out of the corner of his eye, Nathan noticed Arlene making a beeline their way.
“I do drive an old Land Rover, and yes, I also possess a pair of green wellies as well as a matching Barbour jacket. But both are old and purely functional.”
Without even glancing at anyone else, Arleen dragged Nathan away to a quieter spot at the back of the room. Nathan was getting a little irritated at being pulled around.
“You and Clifton O’Keefe are friends?” she whispered. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Years ago, Arlene. School friends. And I didn’t think he’d remember.”
“Well, he clearly does. And now he’s gone without even saying goodbye,” she said, sounding a little miffed.
“He probably has a busy schedule. But if you’re worried about him being committed to opening the fête, then don’t. He’s definitely on board.”
“Of course, of course. I know that. And did the two of you have a nice catch-up? I don’t suppose he gave you any contact details. I could ask my husband, but he’s already done so much. All I’ve been given is his manager’s email.”
For a fleeting moment, Nathan considered sharing Clifton's phone number with her, but Arlene did not come across as the type who respected boundaries.
“I’m seeing him next Saturday. He has my number and said he’s going to be in touch. If you don’t mind waiting until then, I can either give him yours or pass his details on to you. How does that sound?”
