“No. And honestly, I don’t really care.”
“A lot. And by some very famous people.”
“Who will happily surf in the wake of your fame but will drop you in a heartbeat if your career ever floundered. Don’t ruin what you have, Cliff. Raul is a keeper.”
Clifton went quiet again, but his posture remained stiff and aggrieved.
“Look, Cliff. I’m always going to be your friend, no matter where you are in the world. You and your mother helped to get me through losing my mum, and I’ll forever be grateful. What I’m trying to say is that I’m always going to be here for you.”
“And what about you?” said Clifton, his tone softening.
Nathan laughed softly. “I always believed there was somebody in this world for me, although I admit I was giving up hope. Imagine my surprise when that somebody turned out to be a treehugger with an appalling sense of humour who has just flown halfway across the world.”
“How can you know he won’t jump the bones of someone else while he’s away?”
“Apart from the fact that I trust him, I just know.”
When Clifton still didn’t make eye contact, Nathan reached across and squeezed his hand.
“Friends still?”
Clifton turned and sighed at that, his face blooming into a smile that reminded Nathan of his young, innocent friend who had disappeared in the night.
“Always. What are you doing tonight? Seeing Polly Wynter?”
“No. I am staying in tonight, on my own, with leftover lasagna, a can of Pilsner, and a movie that’s just popped up on my streaming service calledTangerine Smilestarring an ex-resident of Crumbington. I will text you my verdict later tonight.”
Chapter Eighteen
Launch
Two weeks later, half an hour before the doors opened to the press and public for the calendar launch, Nathan moved slowly down the length of the village hall, assessing preparations. Along the far wall, regiments of various-sized glasses stood next to bottles of alcohol, with an assortment of platters of cling-wrapped finger foods still being brought in by caterers and arranged on tables. Free-standing boards with the official calendar pictures stood at the far end of the hall. Two hundred chairs had been arranged for the official opening, facing the projector screen. However much a person disliked or doubted Arlene Killroy, the woman knew how to put on a show.
For Nathan, the evening’s highlight had to be the entire wall on the opposite side of the hall. Jenny was still putting the finishing touches to boards containing unofficial and candid photos from each of the players’ photo sessions. Some informal shots included the player’s partners, such as Mikey’s wife smirking as she held a small bottle of baby oil in one hand and applied a handful to Mikey’s muscular arm and shoulder. Someone Nathan assumed to be Ken Mills’ partner, good-looking and significantly older, laughed happily with Ken, the thick gym rope Ken was about to use tied with a hangman’s noose and placed around his neck. Benny Cheung’s new girlfriend spread what appeared to be dark motor grease over his face, biting her lip in concentration, her eyes betraying the fact she was trying hard not to laugh. George Collier’s larger-than-life wife, in a horizontal-striped white and navy top, modelled the postman’s hat he was about to wear and looked like a saucy seaside postcard. If any of the team had been nervous about tonight, one look at those unposed, natural photos, and Nathan just knew the laughter in the room would become not only infectious but positively endearing.
When Nathan’s gaze landed on the pictures of him and Jaymes at the end of the row, his heart gave a tug, a combination of affection and yearning. He’d had no idea Jenny had taken them. In one picture, Jaymes smiled affectionately, tucking a lock of hair over Nathan’s ear while Nathan stared nervously off into space. The expression in Jaymes’ eyes was nothing short of adoration. Another had him and Jaymes kissing chastely, clearly convinced nobody had seen.So much for discretion.
“All the way back then?” Polly’s voice sounded next to him as she nudged her shoulder into his.
“Yes. Only just, though. Saturday before the photoshoot. But, yes.”
“Aren’t we the dark horse?”
“Sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
Polly linked her arm with his, and Nathan felt tears burn his eyes. For all his recent bravado and self-control, certain things still managed to pierce his armour.
“I miss him so much it hurts.”
Transferring her arm around his waist, she pulled him against her.
“You’re allowed to. I bet he’s missing you, too.”
“You think so?”
“I know so.”
Nathan believed her. Jaymes’ daily messages and regular calls told him as much. Even without those updates, he knew in his heart Jaymes missed him just as badly.
