IT WAS one of those rare and wonderful days when the British weather got it just right. It was warm but not sweltering, bright but not blinding, and the whole of Oxford seemed to be out enjoying the spring sunshine. Scott was sitting outside The Royal Oak, a book resting in his hands and Barney lying at his feet. He was amazed by how much Barney had grown, and he bore almost no resemblance to the ball of fur he’d brought home twelve months ago. Scott hadn’t realized how much hard work owning a dog would be, but the enforced exercise had helped his recovery, and he was good company when Nat was away.
Scott was thinking about buying another drink when a studenty type bent down to fuss over Barney.
“What a lovely dog. What’s his name?”
Scott smiled courteously at the dark-haired young man with deep-brown eyes and a confident grin.
“It’s Barney.”
“Hello, Barney.” The student stroked his fingers through Barney’s fur. “I’m Will, by the way.”
Scott had been enjoying a few moments alone with his book, but he didn’t want to seem rude. “Hi. I’m Scott.”
Will stood up, brushing Barney’s golden hairs from his jeans, then nodded toward an empty chair.
“Do you mind if I sit down?”
Scott could see he wasn’t going to finish his book today, so he folded over the corner of the page and placed it on the table.
“Sure. Go ahead.”
Will casually sat down on the chair.
“I’ve not seen you about before. Is it your first year here?”
Scott nodded. “I guess so, yes.”
There was a pause in which Will seemed to weigh up the situation; then he gestured to Scott’s empty glass.
“Can I buy you another drink, Scott?”
As Scott considered his response, he wondered how old this guy was. Scott thought he must be about twenty-one and supposed he should probably be flattered.
“I may have completely the wrong idea here, Will, but I am married, you know.”
Will crossed his legs uncomfortably. “To a bloke, yeah?”
“Well, yes.”
Will settled back into his chair again. “That’s a relief.” The look on his face could only be described as flirtatious. “So can I buy you that drink?”
Scott instinctively ran his thumb over his wedding ring. “I said, I’m married.”
As Will edged a little closer, his moist pink lips eased into a smile. “I don’t mind if you don’t.”
Staring back at Will, Scott genuinely despaired at the morals of young people today. He had every intention of telling Will where to go when it occurred to him he might have a little fun. “So, Will, what subject are you studying?”
Will’s expression was totally self-assured. “Physics. Final year.”
Scott looked quietly impressed. “Scientist, eh? Brainy, then.”
“So they say.”
Scott lightly licked his lips, deciding exactly how much fun he was going to have. “Go on, then, Will. You can buy me a drink.” Scott leaned conspiratorially toward him. “But I think it only fair to warn you that my husband is a very jealous man.”
Will looked furtively around. “He’s not here, is he?”
“No. He’s away. Working.”
“Thank fuck for that.”
“But if he were to see me with another man, I dread to think what he might do. If he saw me talking to you, for instance, or if I were to….” Scott cast his eyes across the late afternoon drinkers. “See that bloke over there?”
Will curiously followed Scott’s gaze. “Yeah.”
“God, I bet he’s good in bed. You can just tell, can’t you?”
The look on Will’s face was surprised but undeniably excited. “I guess so.”
Scott’s eyes were fixed firmly on his target. “I wonder what would happen if I…?”
Will’s mouth fell open as Scott’s lips formed a silent, seductive kiss.
“Shit, he’s coming over. You’ve done this sort of thing before, haven’t you?”
“Once or twice. But if Nat—my husband—were to see me now, I simply couldn’t be answerable for his actions.”
AS NAT approached, he wondered what Scott was talking to the dark-haired student about. Nat didn’t recognize him, but they seemed to be deep in conversation, even though Scott was looking Nat’s way with outrageously come-to-bed eyes. Barney barked in lively greeting. Then, as soon as Nat was within touching distance, Scott stood up and grabbed him by the shirt. He proceeded to slide his tongue into Nat’s mouth and grab his backside with an eager hand. Nat hadn’t been expecting this kind of a welcome. He’d only been away for a couple of days. Suddenly aware that they were in a very public place, Nat eased himself away from Scott.
“Wow. I have to go away to conferences more often.”
Scott’s fingers were still tangled in the buttons of his shirt. “Don’t you dare.”
After a moment, Nat noticed the young man staring at them, his mouth slightly ajar. “So who’s your friend?”
“Nat, this is Will.” Scott smiled coolly. “Will, this is my husband, Nat.”
Nat nodded amiably, figuring the poor guy had never seen two blokes kissing before. “Hiya, Will. How’s it goin’?”
Will appeared to be lost for words as his mouth helplessly opened and closed. He got up from his chair and took an uncertain step away. “I have to… got an essay to write.”
Scott barely glanced at Will as he hurried away. “Bye, Will. Nice to meet you.”
Will disappeared into the crowd, and Nat looked suspiciously at Scott. “Are you winding up the students, by any chance?”
“I couldn’t help it.”
Much as he loved Scott, he could do the daftest things sometimes. “Scott, I could be his tutor for all you know.”
Nat had only been working at the university for a couple of months, and he still felt like an imposter. He was tutoring a group of students for a few hours a week while he studied for his doctorate, and he was sure Scott’s dad had used his influence to ensure he got the job. Nat was grateful for George’s help, but now he was working his arse off to prove he was worthy of his new position. His students were enthusiastic and his mentor seemed pleased with his work, so he didn’t want Scott messing things up for him by pissing off his students.
Scott smiled apologetically. “I checked—he’s not doing English.”
“Very considerate.” Nat knew he should be angry with Scott, but it was impossible on such a lovely day. “Did he deserve it?”
“He was a complete and utter prick.”
“That’s all right, then.” Nat grinned at Scott’s no doubt accurate assessment. “So did you miss me?”
“Of course.”
“And did Barney miss me?” Barney barked delightedly as Nat ruffled the fur on his neck. “Oh yes you did.”
“Only because you spoil him rotten.” Scott picked up Barney’s lead. “Come on, you two. Time to go home.”
Nat wound his fingers round Scott’s hand as they made their way between tables of students. He didn’t know how he’d survived the year after Scott’s injury. Spending so much time away from Scott was torture, so he was making the most of every second now.
“How come you’re not at the restaurant?”
“Debs and Toby were arguing about cushion covers. Do I honestly care if they’re magenta or fuchsia?”
Barney sat obediently while they waited to cross the road.
“Which would get you more years, killing a sister or a friend?”
Nat thought for a second as they strolled across the road and into the Parks.
“Sister, I reckon.”
“Sorry, Toby. Your days are numbered.”
Nat laughed and Scott let Barney off his lead. Toby had taken a fair bit of persuading to leave the Savoy, but the thought of running his own kitchen had been too tempting to refuse. Nat was so proud of Scott for pulling himself together and starting up the restaurant. George had offered to finance the project, but Scott had insisted on doing it all himself. He’d got a loan from the bank, while his friends had mucked in with some practical help, and he was now the proud owner of Alverley’s of Oxford. He’d wanted to call it Chez Nat, but Nat didn’t want to take any of the credit for all of Scott’s hard work.
“Is everything ready for opening night?”
“Pretty much.”
“Are all the England guys coming?”
“A free meal and booze? What do you think?”
Nat thought back to the crazy leaving party the players had given him six months earlier. “It’ll be good to have the gang together again.”
Without a hint of resentment, Scott smiled. “It will.”
Scott hadn’t picked up a cricket bat since his last game for England. He probably could have played the odd charity match or joined a local Sunday league side, but it would have been too painful. He could have managed it physically, as he could walk and run with barely a twinge, although he ached the next day if he overdid it. What he couldn’t have coped with was the memories it evoked. The feel of a bat in his hand and the turf under his feet would have been too much of a reminder of what he once had.
He did, however, love to watch Nat play. He’d been snapped up by the university cricket team the moment he signed up for his studies. Nat still found it hard to believe he was an Oxford blue. Of course, he never bowled to his full potential. Six years after his retirement, Nat could have wiped the floor with the opposing sides, but he just did enough to help his team win. He had to admit, it felt good to be playing again, and seeing Scott applauding on the boundary made his sporting comeback complete.
Nat slipped his hand around Scott’s waist as Barney returned to trot at his side.
“On a rather more mundane note, did you remember to put out the garbage?”
Scott gave him an indignant look. “I did.” He smiled mischievously. “Of course, it did involve running down the road half-naked after the binmen.”
Nat shook his head, only wishing he’d been there to see it.
“What am I going to do with you?”
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll think of something.” Scott pulled away from Nat with a grin. “But you’ll have to catch me first.” Scott jogged away with Barney in tow. “Come on, Barney. Come on, boy.”
Nat smiled to himself as he looked after Scott, and wondered if there was a luckier man alive than him. As he broke into a gentle run, Nat doubted it very much indeed.