Chapter 1: Saturday Not Friday

Aaron was in Ian’s arms, having just admitted to him he had been the victim of a terrible attack at the first home where he had been in care. The attack had put him in hospital. ‘I’ll understand if you don’t want me to move in now.’ he had told Ian.

‘Why on earth would I want to stop you moving in?’ Ian asked him. ‘I invited you to move in with me for the same reason I invited you for dinner. Because I liked you. Nothing I’ve learned about you so far has done anything to change that, it has just made us closer friends.’

‘Whatever terrible experiences you’ve had in the past, can never alter that. I’m not going to continue with helping you tonight, because you’re so upset and I don’t want to make it worse. But I hope you’re not going to give up on the idea.’

‘If in the future you want to, and feel able to try again, it will be up to you to tell me. When you do, just look me in the face and say, ‘Yes please.’ But until you do, I won’t mention it again, never ever, if that’s what you decide. But nothing, absolutely nothing is going to stop you moving in here if you want to.’

Aaron held him even closer, ‘Thank you,’ he said, ‘Nothing could make me happier.’ He showed no sign of wanting to let go so they just sat there quietly. Eventually Ian glanced at the clock. It was half past nine. He knew Aaron was supposed to be in by ten on a weekday, so he gave him a squeeze.

‘It’s time for you to go,’ he said, ‘Stand up now.’ When they were standing, Ian took him into his arms and hugged him. Then Ian kept his arm around him and led him into the bathroom. He handed Aaron his clothes one at a time and watched as he put them on.

Alvin was about an inch taller than himself and broader in the shoulders. It wasn’t until tonight that Ian had ever thought of him as being black, he had just seen him as a nice person. ‘It’s bad enough that he was attacked,’ he thought to himself, ‘But that it was done just because of the colour of his skin seems even worse.’

At the front door they had another hug. Aaron told him, ‘I’ve never ever got dressed in front of someone else before,’ he said. ‘I wouldn’t have been able to do it. I would have been far too embarrassed. Yet it’s only just this minute that it’s hit me that I’ve just done exactly that.’

‘But the wonderful thing about it is, it didn’t bother me in the least because it was you.’ ‘You see,’ Ian told him, ‘That shows you’re still relaxing more and more.’ Aaron hugged him once more and kissed his cheek. ‘Thank you so much.’ he told him.

Then realising what he had just done he apologised. ‘No need,’ Ian said smiling at him, ‘Close friends don’t just hug, they often kiss too. Can I give you a kiss back to show you its ok?’ ‘Yes, please.’ Aaron said looking even happier. They held each other close, and Ian kissed his cheek.

Aaron once again walked back to the home as if he was walking on air. He really felt his life was about to improve so much.

FRIDAY AFTER WORK – IAN & ALVIN

They met up at the main entrance and Aaron joined them briefly. Ian and Aaron walked part way with Alvin, who stopped at the bus stop to go to
Travina’s. After saying goodbye to him, Ian and Aaron walked on two blocks, then they too went their separate ways.

Alvin arrived at Travina’s to his usual warm welcome. They had decided to go out for dinner as they were going to be walking for the next two days. Over dinner in the restaurant, Alvin told Travina that things were moving with the flat and they now had to wait for an inspection visit from social services.

‘We’ve no idea how long that will take.’ he said. ‘Let’s just hope they need Aaron’s place in the home.’ Travina said. They taxied home afterwards and went straight up to bed. After making love they fell asleep in each other’s arms.

The next day they were up early as they had a two-hour drive to Offa’s Dyke. Their two-day hike was to continue from where they had left off last time.

FRIDAY – FLAT – IAN & CHRISTINE

Ian reached the flat and had his shower. Christine arrived ten minutes later. They rang for a takeaway so they would have more time together. As soon as they had ordered and set the table, Ian sat on the settee and Chrstine lay down.