Chapter 7: Naked And Shivering In Fear

‘Miriam didn’t reappear until late Sunday evening. She looked radiant. ‘It was amazing,’ she said, ‘I’ve never experienced anything so lovely. And having someone in bed with you to hug was fantastic too. Geoff is so considerate. I er, I’ll be staying over next Saturday too.’ she added.’

‘That’s lovely,’ I told her, ‘I half expected it, I’m so glad you’re happy. Actually, I had a man over on Saturday night too.’ When she looked surprised, I told her all about Austins visit. ‘But how would he know where we lived?’ she asked.’

‘I hadn’t given that a thought. ‘Perhaps Geoff told him.’ I suggested. ‘Anyway, it doesn’t matter he was lovely.’ On Monday night Miriam said she had asked Geoff about Austin. He said he is sure he hadn’t told him where we lived, but he could have known that I was staying over at his.’

‘I often chat away to him, Geoff had told her, because I know he’s not likely to repeat anything I say.’ The following Saturday I went into town shopping. When I’d finished it was mid-afternoon, so I went over to the town centre.’

‘I didn’t see any sign of Austin, so I sat down to rest my feet and people watch. It’s quite fascinating to watch everyone dashing around in a world of their own. Then I spotted Austin arriving on the other side of the square. He stopped and looked around, so I waved.’

‘He came over, looking very happy to see me. As he reached me, he hesitated, so I patted the seat alongside. ‘I wondered if I might see you,’ I told him, ‘I’ve just finished doing my weekly shopping, so I thought I’d rest my feet before heading home.’

‘Have you got any plans for this evening?’ I asked him. ‘No.’ he said shaking his head. ‘Would you like another Chinese and some more reading?’ I asked him. His face lit up. ‘Yes, please.’ he managed to say, nodding like mad to emphasise it.’

‘We stood up and he took my shopping bag off me. As we walked back, I linked arms with him. It was so nice walking along like that. Back at mine I put everything away then made us a coffee each. When we were sitting on the settee with our coffees, he pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket.’

‘I didn’t expect I would ever see you again,’ he began, ‘But I wrote this just in case. I know I’m odd,’ he said, ‘But at the dance hall when I was pushed onto you, you were so understanding and patient. When I called last week, I expected you to take the flowers, say thank you and close the door.’

‘Instead, you invited me in, gave me a lovely meal and a fantastic evening. You even discovered a way I could talk to people.’ he waved his piece of paper at me as he gave me a smile. That evening was the happiest day of my life, thank you.’ he said as he put the paper in his pocket.’

‘I had tears in my eyes by the time he’d finished reading. I moved along the settee to his side, put my arm around his shoulders and kissed his cheek. ‘That was beautiful, Austin.’ I told him. He turned to face me and asked, ‘Is it ok if I put my arms around you?’

‘Yes,’ I told him smiling. We sat with our heads on each other’s shoulders and our arms around each other. I felt so strange in his arms. It was almost as if I belonged there. When we parted, I gave him another kiss on his cheek. He had a lovely smile on his face.’

‘That is the nicest hug I’ve ever had,’ he told me. ‘Actually, it’s the only hug I’ve ever had.’ I could only vaguely remember hugs as a child. I began to wonder if he had had a similar childhood to me. I remembered when Miram and I had our first hug just after I moved in with her, how wonderful it felt.’

‘Austin,’ I told him, ‘I’d like to get to know more about you and be friends, although I think really, we already are. After we’ve had our meal if you are willing, I’ll ask you some questions. Every question you answer about yourself, I’ll answer the same question about me.’

‘Will you do that?’ ‘Yes.’ he said as he nodded. I ordered our takeaway whilst Austin laid the table and poured the wine. (I’d got another bottle) Whilst we waited for the delivery, Austin started reading the next chapter to me.’

‘I sat opposite him watching him read. He was so easy to listen to. I realised with a shock that I was starting to feel close to him. I’d never felt that way about anyone before. At least anyone who knew I existed and seemed to like me.’

‘I was deep into the story now too, so as well as loving hearing Austin speak, I was agog with each new twist and turn. Halfway through the chapter the food delivery arrived. Austin helped serve it all up and we sat at the table eating. With another glass of wine naturally.’

‘After we had eaten, Austin helped me clear up and wash up. Then we sat down at the table with our coffees. I passed him the pen and notebook then I asked him, ‘How many of your family and relatives are still alive?’ ‘None.’ he said without needing to write it down.’

‘I’m the same,’ I told him smiling sympathetically. ‘Have you ever had a girlfriend?’ I asked. ‘No.’ came the reply. ‘I’ve never had a boyfriend either.’ I told him. ‘Do you feel lonely sometimes?’ I asked. ‘Yes, most of the time.’

‘Except when I’m at work with Geoff,’ he added. ‘I do too,’ I told him, ‘Although living with Miriam has eased that a lot. How did you know where I lived?’ I asked. He blushed and started writing. ‘After the dance I asked Geoff what your surname was.’

‘Then on the Saturday morning I went to the library and found you on the electoral register.’ ‘That was very clever.’ I told him with a smile, I’d never have thought of that. I don’t know where you live.’ He wrote again, then told me, ‘I live in a hostel in Cardiff Street.’

‘I was told that I wasn’t considered able to live on my own. Because of my problem talking, people tend to feel I’m thick.’ ‘When my parents died, I was put into care,’ I told him. ‘I lived in a home too, until I moved in with Miriam two years ago.’

‘So that’s why he has to be in by eleven,’ I thought. ‘But you are far from thick,’ I told him, ‘Why do you stay there?’ He wrote feverishly once more then read out, ‘I don’t earn enough to have a place of my own and few people would want to share with me.’

‘So, it was easier just to stay where I was. I suppose I’ve just got in a rut now.’ ‘Tell me about your hostel.’ I asked. After more writing he read out, ‘There are twelve of us in a big old house. We have a bedroom each but everything else is shared.’

‘Some of the others are nice and are good to me. But some of them laugh at me and two of them bully me from time to time when no one else is looking. About half of them are like me, but the other half are either on bail, or a court has made them live there.’

‘Do you have any questions you want to ask me?’ I asked. More writing then, ‘Do you mind if I ask you why you are being so nice to me?’ ‘I try to be nice to everyone that I meet, I told him, but I like you, so I try to be extra nice.’

‘He sat staring at me across the table, then he burst into tears. I didn’t know what to do for a moment. I got up and went round to him. I put my arm around his shoulder and kissed the top of his head. ‘What’s the matter?’ I asked.’

‘He stood up and put his arms around me. With his head on my shoulder, he cried a little longer, then managed with great difficulty to say, ‘No one has ever told me they like me before.’ We held each other a little longer, then he sat down and wiped his eyes.’

‘After another scribble, he read out, ‘I think Geoff must like me because he’s so nice to me, but you’re the first person to actually say so.’ ‘Do you feel up to carrying on with our book?’ I asked him. ‘Yes.’ he replied with a big beam. ‘I love reading.’

‘He went and sat at the end of the settee and opened up my Ipad. I sat down next to him, and I think it was without thinking that he put his arm round my shoulders. A second later he took it away saying, ‘Sorry.’ ‘It’s ok,’ I told him, ‘That was nice, put it back if you would like to.’