Vic walked into the empty dining room, looked out to thesparse garden area, and took a deep breath. She’d encouraged Orla to get a counsellor and she still hadn’t done it herself. Maybe if this guy were as effective as Chrissie implied, then she could ask if she could see him privately. And this would be a decent way to suss someone out, in a group setting. Reading up on counsellors, Vic had learnt that it was important to feel an affinity with the person who was going to delve right into your soul and out again.
She was just checking her phone for messages when a short, stocky, good-looking blond guy walked in. His long, black paint-spattered shorts showed off tanned muscular legs.
‘Hello,’ Vic said nervously. ‘I’m Victoria.’
‘All right.’ The man nodded. ‘I’m Cole. ’Scuse the work clothes, I’m working on a site down the road this week and went to the pub before I came here. I haven’t seen you in here before, have I? Never forget a pretty face, me.’
‘No, first time.’
‘And before you ask, Victoria, I’m not gay.’
Wow, Vic thought, not quite expecting this level of directness from a stranger. ‘Er, I wasn’t going to.’
The painter continued without filter. ‘You on meds yet, then?’
‘No. I only found out in December.’
‘It’s a shock, innit? But that does wear off.’
‘Are you on meds, then?’ Getting with the lingo, Vic took in the young lad in front of her. He must be late twenties, she assumed, with a textured crop hairstyle that faded out to his ears. He had a cheeky face – not unlike Albie’s, she thought.
‘Yeah, just started and – touch wood’ – he rubbed his hand on the table – ‘I’m feeling OK, so far.’
‘So do you come here often?’ Vic cringed at what she’d just said.
‘Ha! Yes. Slough’s greatest pick-up joint. We all come in positive, at least.’
Vic laughed. ‘Jesus, I do so need a relationship coach.’
‘I disagree. What you doing later, love?’
They both then started laughing. Vic shook her head. ‘Now wouldn’t that be just too easy, but I’ve got a lot going on at the moment.’
‘Haven’t we all, princess? Joking aside, this place is great – has been a lifeline for me when I felt I couldn’t go on.’
‘Oh, Cole, I’m sorry you’ve felt that way.’
‘Par for the course with all this shit, isn’t it?’
‘So have you told anyone?’ Vic was genuinely concerned.
‘It’s not really good pub banter, is it?’ Cole suddenly looked quite sad. ‘Can you imagine?’ He pretended to hold a drink in the air. ‘“All right, boys, so, I was on a lads’ holiday, there was this girl, she was hot. I fucked her bareback and now I’ve got a virus that could kill me if I don’t take medicine all my life. And you probably all think you can catch it by sharing a pint with me.” No, thanks. I’m not putting myself through it. What if they couldn’t cope with it?’ His voice tailed off. ‘It’d be shit.’
‘You might be surprised.’ The level of irony around Victoria’s own similar worries about Jerico suddenly hit her.
‘I don’t want to take the chance. Not everyone is willing to be educated. Don’t tell me you haven’t had minutes of feeling unclean or unlovable,’ Cole asked, sounding far wiser than his years.
Vic sighed deeply. ‘Yeah, yes, I have, and one of my friends did freak out… but she came around. I’ve realised that people who care about you, care aboutyou. What about your family?’
‘Nah. I can’t. I don’t wanna upset my old woman or my sisters. I’m so grateful for this place. Means I can talk about it openly and not feel ashamed.’
‘We shouldn’t feel ashamed. Weallhave sex. It just annoys me that the stigma is so rife.’ Vic smiled at Doug as he brought in a flask of tea and coffee and some biscuits and put them in the middle ofthe table.
‘You really are a newbie, aren’t you?’ Cole reached for a biscuit, shoved it in in one go, then spoke, sending crumbs flying everywhere. ‘I’d rather keep in my bubble. I find it easier that way. Sorry, I’m starving – should’ve eaten at the pub.’
Doug popped his head back through. ‘I can make you a sandwich, lad, if you want one? Got some ham in the fridge.’
‘Wicked, mate. Yes, please.’
