The Unmasking

Le Bistro Bleu was just the sort of place that Phil would choose. Decorated in shades of blue and stainless steel and with artworks from Picasso’s blue period adorning the walls. It was the place to be and to be seen and with a Michelin starred chef at the helm in the kitchen prices were enough to make you feel blue. ‘Well Min,’ Ben said to himself, ‘I might be able to afford a lettuce leaf and a glass of water!’

‘Ben, how nice to see you. How are you? Haven’t seen you in ages. What will you have to drink?’ Ben opted for a glass of wine and whilst Phil was at the bar Ben whispered to Lisa, ‘Does he know yet?’

Before she had a chance to say anything Phil returned and said, ‘They’ll bring the drinks over. We’re very lucky to get a table here, you have to book well in advance, but I know the headwaiter and he managed to squeeze us in. Opus Solutions puts a lot of business their way so it’s in their interests to be accommodating.’

Ben cringed thinking how pompous he sounded. He sneaked a look at Lisa who seemed busily occupied with her own thoughts. How had she ever fallen in love with him?

‘Min, do you think now is the time? Should I confront them both?’

‘I think I’ve guessed what it is you wanted to see me about,’ Ben blurted out. ‘I know your secret. I was in the gay bar, you know the Red Shoes, last weekend and I saw you with a young man.’ Ben was astounded when he saw Phil and Lisa smile at each other.

‘Phew, that is a relief. I thought it was you I saw there. That makes everything so much easier.’

Ben was completely perplexed. He looked at Lisa, ‘You knew about this?’ Lisa nodded. ‘Does Phil know about the…’

‘Of course I do and I’m thrilled. We’re going to start a trust fund for him as soon as we can. Put his name down for Eton, that sort of stuff.’

‘Or her.’ Smiled Lisa.

‘Let’s go to our table. Guy said he’d join us when he could.’ Ben felt his jaw drop. ‘Guy is the young man from the Red Shoes,’ explained Phil. ‘He’s collecting his stuff from left luggage and moving in with us for a while.’

They settled themselves at their table and filled time with small talk until their meals arrived.

Ben was aching to know the details of what was going on. Were they going to set up a ‘menage a trois’, or quatre when the baby arrived? Was Lisa prepared to share him with the young man?
His thoughts were cut short when Lisa said, ‘What was Grant Perkins on about when I phoned the office?’

‘Oh, just being his usual horrible self and trying to make trouble for me.’ Phil was quite distracted with his eyes continually drawn towards the door.

‘Lisa, who is Guy and how long have you known him?’

‘Have I never told you about him. I was convinced I’d mentioned him. You know how scatty I am! Well he’s Phil’s…talk of the devil, here he is.’

The young man, whom Ben had glimpsed, admittedly through alcohol glazed eyes, at the Red Shoes on Saturday came through the door. He waited and looked around. Phil got up with a huge smile on his face and went towards Guy. As they met they put their arms around each other and kissed on the cheek. Ben was stunned. He looked at Lisa who was smiling. Ben bent towards her and whispered
‘Do you know he’s gay?’ Lisa gave Ben a quizzical look, ‘Of course I know he’s Guy!’

‘No not Guy Phil!’
Lisa, quite rightly so, looked even more confused at this. She had no time to answer because by this time Phil and Guy were at the table. Guy bent over and gave Lisa a peck on the cheek. Phil introduced him to Ben and they shook hands.

Guy looked younger than Ben had thought, about eighteen. This made matters even worse. What was happening here?

Guy was shy and awkward and managed to knock over a whole bottle of water for which he kept apologising. When he spoke it was very quietly and with a stutter. His movements were slightly effeminate. He did not look well and had huge shadows under his eyes. When he smiled, which was rare, his whole face lit up. He had the air of a nineteenth century poet about him. The only person he seemed to be able to look in the eye was Phil. All of these things just confirmed Ben’s suspicions.
Ben was completely bewildered. What was Lisa thinking allowing this relationship to go on under her own roof? Maybe the hormones had already kicked in and her only concern was the welfare of her unborn baby. What was Phil thinking of, flaunting his lover under everyone’s nose? Opus Solutions would not look favourably upon such actions.

Ben was just about to make his feelings felt and plead with Lisa to leave Phil when Lisa said, ‘Ben you’re looking very baffled and you’ve stopped talking which is always a sign that you’re unsure of things. I’ve told you about Guy haven’t I?’ Ben shook his head. ‘I was sure I’d told you. He’s been living in France for some time with his mother; he doesn’t get on well with his father. He’s been having problems recently at school, being bullied, and made fun of. The other boys won’t go near him, call him names. You know what it’s like.’ She looked at Ben expecting some sort of answer. Ben just looked back with a blank expression. ‘Oh Ben, I thought you’d understand. He’s gay and he’s finding it very difficult to cope at the moment. We thought you could talk to him and try and help him through this.’ She was still looking for some response from Ben ‘But I thought Phil and he were…’

‘Yes, Guy is Phil’s nephew. His father is much older than Phil and Guy has really been like a younger brother. Guy’s father will just not accept the fact that he is gay and so he’s coming to stay with us for a while.’

Ben looked at Phil, ‘But why were you in the Red Shoes on Saturday?’

‘I’d got some mistaken idea that it might help Guy come to terms with who he is. The only thing that happened was that I got chatted up by a person who was six foot two and said he had been waiting for me all his life. Really! Do I look gay?’

Ben could not help himself, he burst out laughing. He now realised what the kiss had been. Guy had been living in France and had developed the Gallic habit of kissing friends and relatives as a form of greeting. In his slightly inebriated state he had mistaken a filial kiss for one of passion.
‘Easily done ay Min?’

Phil got his pompous look which got worse when Ben explained what he had thought when he had seen them in the club. Both Lisa and Guy saw the funny side of it but Phil did not and was forced to go to the bar to get another drink to save face.

It did serve to break the ice with Guy and Ben gave him his phone number and asked him to call him next week. He promised to do what he could to help.

They said their goodbyes with Ben promising to ring Lisa fairly soon. He declined Phil’s offer of a lift knowing that Phil was still feeling very uncomfortable.

He had nothing else planned for the day and decided to retrace his steps home. The frost had now melted completely and there was a brilliant blue sky, the park looked even better.

‘I think I’ll write my letter of resignation when I get back. I’ll have a month to sort something out. I’ll go over on the ferry and find a little B and B somewhere. It should be easy at this time of year, just have a little holiday to begin with – then who knows?’

He turned into his road and as he got closer to his house he could see Min sitting brightly, and it must be said smugly, waiting on the drive for him. This had made his day. ‘Min, it’s so good to see you. I’ve had an awful few days without you but now everything’s O.K. What do you think about a little holiday in La Belle France?

It will get you used to driving on the wrong side of the road!
 
She almost seemed to sit up and smile at this.