The shadow darkens at the sound of a life away, when the previous projects were a succession of short-term absences. But Loris loves him, so Charles blinks some light at the news.
‘What’s in Italy?’
‘Incredible art to learn from and amazing places to make art of.’
‘Parli italiano?’
‘Solo un po’.’
‘I can teach you!’
‘Okay… But how did you go from “You’re not leaving!” to “Let me help you”?’
‘Sex with you. It reset my brain. Besides, your plan sounds great. I can’t argue that staying in London is your best option.’
Loris noses along Charles’ collarbone. ‘Do you know what else is great?’
‘Sex with me? Is it, really? You don’t have to spare me, I can handle constructive criticism.’
‘It was very promising. But I meant us. So can we roll out a new rug for the time being?’
‘I’ll try my best.’ Charles runs his hand down Loris’ spine. ‘I think resetting my brain again would help.’
‘Can we eat and talk first?’
‘Howvery promising was it if you’re choosing a slice of quiche that you won’t share over it?’
‘We’ve got to address everything we left hanging.’
‘Refresh my memory…’
‘You were quite upset by my lack of understanding. You called me a hypocrite. You said I was misleading. And dense.’
‘There were many emotions involved and not much reflection.’
‘Still, let’s make sure nothing rots under the rug.’
Charles grumbles, but he won’t wrangle over the benefits of good communication with someone who’s ten times better than him at human relationships.
‘May we cuddle a little bit longer, as an appetiser?’
Loris smiles and Charles closes his eyes when their lips meet again for a slow and lazy kiss.
They’re in love with each other.
He will repeat it to himself, over and over, in every language he speaks and the one he’s creating with Loris, until it introduces and punctuates his every thought.
TWENTY-FIVE
‘And how do you feel?’ Elsy asks between two sips of her long-cold ginger tea.
‘Slightly disorientated. Like I can taste sounds and hear colours. You know…’
‘No, I don’t. And I’m mad envious.’
Charles lets go of the mug he was fiddling with while he talked and takes her hand to squeeze it. ‘Thank you for being so chill about it.’
Elsy lowers her voice, casting a mistrustful look at the group sitting down in their corner of the coffee shop. ‘I was certain you’d end up picking someone your parents would flip out about, but my money was on a foreign woman, twice your age. Jam maker by day, stand-up comedian at night.’
