Chapter Six
He woke early and realized with a start that he was not alone in bed. He stretched with contentment as he registered who was in bed with him. He would recognize the essence of Ruari anywhere. It was a luxurious, awareness of another person that he relished. For a while he just lay there, watching Ruari sleep, his chest moving steadily. On impulse he moved his hand under the duvet, steadily nearer to Ruari's body.
"It's awake and raring to go," a sleep-filled voice mumbled. "I'm not quite there yet, so feel free to start without me."
He did.
"Wow, you can wake me up like that anytime." Ruari's voice was no longer sleep-filled, more sexually sated.
"Greedy. It'll be you're turn tomorrow," Seb teased him, a sense of well-being filling him with happiness.
"Better remind me to set the alarm, then. I don't do mornings. Well," Ruari amended. "I didn't. But now I think I might just have to."
"Yup, you sure might. Normal weekdays, I'm up at seven, out at eight. I like to get in to school early."
Ruari groaned good-naturedly. "And I'm out at work most nights till well after midnight. I have someone else to do the early morning grab-and-go coffees. How the hell are we going to manage this? Learn how to become sleep deprived?"
Shit. I hadn't thought about that.
"We'll manage." Seb hoped he sounded confident. "Fuck it, we will manage. This relationship is too damned important not to."
Ruari was obviously wondering aloud. "And I don't get that much time off at weekends. I usually have time off midweek."
Seb tried to sound upbeat. "So that's two sex evenings, then." He didn't add as long as I don't have meetings, parents' nights, concerts, or any other school stuff . He'd worry about all that later. "And on weekends I don't have to get up early, so another two sex evenings. Good eh?"
Ruari laughed. "And I'm rather in favor of a quickie here and there."
"So am I." Seb lunged and pinned a laughing Ruari to the bed. "Especially here and now."
***
"Well, that's the here and now quickie, or should I say quickies. Understood, and working," Seb said, satisfied somewhat later in the morning. "So, do you need to go to the pub? What?" Seb asked, puzzled, as Ruari groaned and threw his mobile down in rare flash of temper.
"Bloody voice mail from Struan. Can I meet him at the bar half an hour before it opens. That gives us, shit, an hour. Bollocks."
"Look on the bright side, at least it's going to open, Ru. That's a positive thing. Come on. You shower while I make coffee. Then I'll shower. And at least my car is here, so we don't have to walk." He moved out of bed and toward the door as he spoke, unconcerned about his nakedness.
"We?" Ruari said, his word a query, his tone hopeful.
The uncertainty hit Seb like a ton of bricks. How could Ruari even contemplate him not sharing his trouble? Seb turned. "Not if you don't want me with you."
"Don't be fucking stupid. I couldn't want anything more," Ruari said. "But I don't want you to get involved if it's going to cause you trouble at school."
"Ru," Seb said. "I am involved. And if it causes trouble at school, I'll deal with it if and when need be. Okay? Now move."
Ruari smiled saucily. "Yes, Sir ."
Seb laughed. "And don't you forget it. Coffee's coming up."
They made it to the bar with a few minutes to spare. Even so, Struan was there before them, standing next to a P.C. who was obviously on guard.
"Because you didn't get to set the alarm," Struan said when Ruari asked if there had been any more trouble. "There's been nothing else happen, has there?" Struan addressed the police constable, who shook his head.
"One couple staggering back from the beach, a few cars, and a dog needing somewhere to pee," the constable answered Struan.
"Not just on guard then, but to see who if anyone walked by to have a look at what had happened?" Seb asked shrewdly. He wasn't surprised when Struan nodded.
"We've discounted the couple and the dog, and I've run a check on the car number plates. They seem in the clear as well. Let's go in now, eh? I'm overdue my coffee."
Struan stood back while Ruari opened the doors, and after waiting for Seb to also precede him, followed the two of them into the bar area.
Ruari lifted the bar flap and switched a kettle on. "If you're wanting coffee, it'll have to be instant as there was no grab and go today," he said. He spooned grains into mugs and made the drinks rapidly.
"It can be made however you like as long as it's strong, I'm knackered for all the wrong reasons here." Struan took the mug handed to him and waved his hand over the top to cool the contents before taking a hefty swallow. "Nectar, thanks. I've asked young Dan to come in, in about ten minutes," Struan said as they sat at one of the tables. "But wanted a wee word with you before then." He paused and looked at Ruari and Seb in turn. "What do you know about C.A.U.B.?"
"What?" they both spoke at once.
"Caub?" Ruari asked. "Who's that?"
"Not who but what. C.A.U.B. Citizens Against Unnatural Behavior."
"Never heard of them," Seb said.
Ruari groaned before he spoke "Shit, not another load of gay bashers," His words reverberated around the room.
"Who or what are they, then?" Seb asked. "And were they responsible for this crap?"
"Well," Struan said. "That we don't know. There's been a bit of talk about them, a few meetings and such like, but nothing specific. No targets mentioned. Chaired by that barmy poet type, that Alan Corbett bloke who is always sounding off in the paper." His tone was one of disgust. Seb couldn't help it. He had to stifle a laugh. Ruari had no such compunction. He didn't bother to stifle his laugh.
"Hell, Struan, tell it like it is, why don't you."
"Ach well, Ruari, we're all friends here. And I'd deny I ever said anything like that about such an upright, upstanding citizen. Or him."
Seb did laugh, then. "Way to go, Struan."
"What happens now? Can I open?" Ruari was anxious. Struan nodded.
"We can't see any reason why not. Ally or Hamish will be out and about and keep an eye on you. But I'd, er, we," he corrected himself quickly, "would prefer it if you don't stay upstairs overnight for the time being."
"He won't." Seb spoke up quickly before Ruari said anything. "Even if I have to tie him to the bed."
Ruari laughed.
"Oh, heavens, Seb, don't be promising him that." Struan chuckled. "You'll never get rid of him."
"That's the idea," Seb said simply.
"So." After planting a kiss on Seb's forehead, Ruari turned to his cousin. "Now you can pass the word around any of the family who is interested, I'm being well looked after."
"I'll do that, Red, but I'll not be letting on just where you'll be at. Maybe the fewer people who know that, the happier I will be. So, keep it to yourselves please."
They both nodded.
"Good. Well, we did everything that was needed overnight, so you're all set to open.” The door opened, and Dan walked into the bar." Ah, the very man. I'll just have a wee word with Dan and let you get on." He waved Dan over.
"Dismissed, by God," Ruari said under his breath as Struan waved them away.
"So, what next?" Seb asked as Ruari moved behind the bar and began to separate clean from dirty glasses. "What do you want me to do?" He waited. "Hello, Ru. What shall I do?"
"You don't have to do anything," Ruari said. "It's your day off."
"No, don't be an ass. It's the day I help you. So?"
"So, I love you—" Ruari stopped speaking suddenly. "I really do. Shit, Seb, I love you. I know it. And fuck, I hope you know it too. I might have only known you for a matter of hours. But hell, what we have done together during those hours adds up to a hell of a lot longer. So, my love, my lover. Oh fuck, I love you." He shook his head. His deep red hair flew around his face, his eyes were bright, and there was a big grin on his face. "I am officially in love, and boy, it's great."
Seb laughed, lighthearted and happy. Uncaring of Struan and Dan sitting watching without any pretense of not listening to the conversation, he put his arms around Ruari and hugged him hard before giving him a long, lingering, loving kiss.
It was returned with fervor
"Well, shit, Ru, thank God for that. Because I'd have been fucking miserable if I thought all those loving emotions had only been on my side. So now what the hell do you want me to do? I'm in your hands. In more ways than one it seems."
"In every way, love. In every way. So d'you think you'd like washing some glasses for me?" Ruari threw a clean glass cloth at him.
***
Ruari found himself scrutinizing every face that came through the door. Looking for signs of guilt, glee, gloating? He wasn't sure. Seb and Dan watched him closely, and mentally he shrugged. He couldn't help himself. Someone had walked in the night before and deliberately set out to cause trouble in his pub. When he and the person who meant the most to him in the world were together in a potentially dangerous place above the bar. Someone had not only jeopardized his livelihood, but their lives. Was it a regular? Someone he spoke to laughed and joked with? He knew he was being a pain, but didn't know how to stop.
"Where's Dan gone?" Ruari asked, not really interested in the answer. He watched Damien mince in. Damien was all Ruari needed. He gritted his teeth.
Seb took hold of his arm in a loving but warning gesture. "I'll sort him," Seb muttered with a wicked glint in his eye.
Ruari watched as Seb moved to the counter directly in front of the man as Dan with a nod returned to stand next to Ruari as they watched what was happening.
"This is gonna be interesting," Dan murmured. Ruari nodded, and they both looked toward Seb and Damien.
Seb stopped and stretched his arm over the counter as if to shake hands. Damien took a step back, his expression wary.
"Well, he-llo." Seb did a good imitation of a simper. He fluttered his eyelashes and puckered his lips.
Ruari listened as Dan stifled a snort of laughter as he did his best to do the same. He heard Dan mutter "Shitty little worm," under his breath and shushed him. He didn't want to miss anything.
Seb was leaning over the bar toward Damien. Damien's eyes were wide and apprehensive, and he moved back even farther.
"I saw you last night," Seb said. "And do you know? I thought oooh, nice. I must get to know him much better." The inference was obvious. "I'm Seb, and who are you?"
There was a gobbling noise, and Damien muttered something under his breath.
Seb moved farther over the bar counter. "Sorry?" he said loudly, attracting the interest of several regulars, who up until then had been trying to take a discrete interest in what was going on. They stopped the pretense and listened openly. Seb was still talking. "What did you say? I thought you said fucking pervert! But that can't be right, can it?" His eyes widened, and he shook his head in an exaggerated movement. "This is a bar for gays. You inferred to me last night you were interested in me. That makes you gay in my book. So, what's wrong?"
The smaller man was red-faced and indignant. "How dare you, you, you…"
"Pervert is the word you used," Seb offered helpfully.
"Yes, that's right. I am not…not like that. It's an insult." Damien turned to leave.
Ruari watched in amazement as Seb vaulted the bar and stood in front of the door.
"No, it's not an insult. But you are. Now I suggest you owe a few apologies to people in here. For a start, your deceit. I for one am glad you are not gay. You're the sort to give us a bad name. Shut up," Seb said as Damien opened his mouth to speak. "You pretended to like us, enjoy our company, and all the time you were saying pervert under your breath. You are the pervert. Did you hope someone would come on to you so you could cry rape? Or secretly hope they would come on to you, and you could pretend you hated it? You disgust me, little man. And now I'm wondering, well, you were in here last night, and the message we received was certainly not from a friend. So, I wonder what the police will say when they interview you and take your fingerprints. Will they find Damien written all over it?"
Hamish had entered while Ruari was talking.
"Mr. Mathers? I'd like to ask you a few questions. Would you come with me please?" It was not a request. The man was still complaining about perverts and police harassment as he was escorted from the building.
"Well, that was fun." Seb looked at Ruari. "You ready.
He was confused. "What for? And how did you know to get Hamish?"
"Two separate scenarios."
Seb was pushing him along the bar to the hatch as he spoke. As they reached it, three men came through the door.
"Hi, boss."
Ruari looked at them. "You three aren't at work today. What's this, then, a busman's holiday?"
"We are now," one of the men spoke as they walked behind the bar. "At work. And before you talk about balancing the books, this shift's on us. Enjoy yourself."
"He will," Dan spoke as Ruari just stood there, looking somewhat bewildered. "Right. I'll see you tomorrow, Red. D'you want me to do the beer delivery?"
"What?" Ruari still had no idea what was happening, but decided to play along with it. "Oh no, I'll do it. Don't come in until six. Suze and Annie are on at noon. Where am I going?"
"Out." Seb propelled him through the door and into the street. "With me. And don't argue, it's all arranged."
Well, he wasn't going to. His mood was better already, just walking to where Seb had left the car. As they got in, a thought struck him. "What about my car? I'll need it to get to work.
"Nope. Dan says the beer delivery is just after eight, so we can come in together. I'll leave the car near the pub so you can use it if you get a chance to go home during the day. I've got meetings after school. Won't be finished until sevenish. Dan says whoever does the beer leaves early. In theory, about then. So perfect."
"Got it all sorted, haven't you?" He knew he sounded waspish and then could have bitten his tongue out when Seb squeezed his arm.
"Well, I love you."
Oh shit. Now he sounded a right sanctimonious prick.
"Sorry, I love you too. I'm just a bit out of sorts at the moment. Do you think that shit Damien had anything to do with last night?"
Seb looked thoughtful as he started the car and drove away. "Well, I didn't until he started going on about perverts. Hamish arriving then was pure chance. Dan had gone to make some phone calls to see if he could get some staff to come in so we could have the afternoon and evening together. The blokes were more than willing to help. Damien? If I'm honest I just thought you'd got enough on your plate and wanted to get rid of him. Worked out even better than I could have hoped. Especially as Hamish called in."
"I wonder what he wanted?"
"Dan probably," Seb said. "Okay. We're here."
He stopped the car, and Ruari looked around him. He hadn't taken any notice of which direction they had been heading. Now he saw they were parked outside a gate on the side of a narrow road, which petered out into a dirt track just past where they had stopped. There were no buildings in sight. He rolled down the car window and listened, to silence.
"Where's here?"
"Here." Seb was not being helpful.
"Yup, you moron, but where exactly is this place called here? And don't say not far from there or any such crap, or I may do you an injury."
"Ooh, rough, eh?" Seb was rolling his eyes, laughing. "It's a piece of land I own about twenty miles from town half a mile from the nearest village. One day, if you like we can build our dream home here."
Well, that took his breath away.
So here is along a lane just outside a small village where one day we can live together in our dream home . He liked the sound of that. He followed Seb's lead, got out of the car, and looked about him with ever growing interest.
The forest came to the boundary on one side of the track, and there was a field with sheep in it on the other. At the bottom, a fair distance away and through some trees, he could see the sunlight reflecting off water. It was peaceful and serene. His spirits lifted.
"River or loch?" he asked quietly, unwilling to break the silence.
"Loch. D'you like it?"
"I love it. When can we start? Building."
Seb laughed, sounding relieved. "When we decide on what we want. I've got planning permission, so if you like the plans, we're all set."
"When can you show me?"
He heard the pleasure in Seb's voice as he replied, "When we get home."
They wandered around the site as Seb described what he hoped to do. Ruari was impressed and said so. As they reached the farthest point and stood looking over the placid water, he realized that he had needed to get away from the bar and the town and spend this time with Seb. He also realized how lucky he was.
They sat side by side on a log. Content to just sit. Ruari slipped Seb's hand in his and was reassured by the way Seb turned his fingers to entwine them with his own.
"Okay?" Seb asked him softly.
He nodded. "More than okay. Thank you, love."
Seb smiled. "Seriously no need to thank me. You'd do the same thing for me." It was a statement not a question. "D'you want something to eat?"
"What?" He looked into Seb's twinkling eyes and saw the love there. "How? Where? And please."
Seb laughed. "Wait and see. When Dan phoned the lads to come in to work, he asked them to go to the deli for us. Then he put the stuff in the boot for me. And how about just here? Where one day we can have a proper bench to sit on. Hold on. I'll go and fetch it. No, you stay there, love, I'll get it."
Seb's lips were a soft caress on his cheek. He turned his head to kiss him back and then walked toward the gate. Seb went to the car and took a cool bag from the boot. Ruari watched him as he retraced his steps back to him.
Ruari's cheeks were damp with tears and with happiness—again.
***
"I think Dan may have overdone the ordering," Seb said sometime later as he sat down and opened the cool bag. "There's enough food in here to feed a family of four for a fortnight."
"Pity we just can't stop here until it's all gone, then." Ruari popped a plump, juicy olive into Seb's mouth before taking one for himself.
"Mmm, good." Seb's voice was indistinct as he savored the fruit. "Maybe we need to bring a tent out sometime and have a few days au naturel" His eyes twinkled as he saw Ruari's face crease with laughter at the deliberate double entendre. "I know it's going to be difficult to make sure we get us time, but we must. Other couples do it, and we need to. Find time to get away and enjoy ourselves. Without worrying about anyone or anything else."
He watched as Ruari nodded in agreement.
"I tell you, Seb. This shit is really getting to me. Sunday evening, my luck changed for the better. Sunday night, some fucker tried to put a damper on my happiness. Why? After all this time? There's been no problem at all for ages and now?" Ruari shrugged, his eyes clouded. Seb wished he could get rid of all the worry and unhappiness for him. His heart ached for his lover.
"Bastards whoever they are." Ruari looked up and must have seen Seb's face. "Shit, Seb, don't for one minute think this has anything to do with you. The more I think about it, I don't even think that little git Damien has anything to do with it. I mean, let's face it. He might have done something tomorrow after today's run-in, but not before. And nothing like this. He's not got the guts. So maybe it's this C.A.U.B. lot, whoever they all are. So, coming here with you was the perfect antidote for everything. And seeing where we are going to live one day is the icing on the cake. When we get to the cake." He waved the sandwich in his hand toward the cool box. "And if it's the cake I think it is, jeez, the icing is amazing."
Seb took hold of the waving sandwich in his mouth and bit a piece off. "Eat it, not wave it. Mmm, good. Almost as good as eating you. Well, at the moment, if I am being honest, better than eating you, because until I eat food, I won't be able to do eating you justice."
Ruari laughed. "Eat away, then. Keep your strength up."
Seb smiled and rubbed his hand over Ruari's arm. "Oh, don't worry. I intend to. I'll need all my strength for what I'm going to do later."
He did.
They lingered, sitting in the sunshine, happy and at ease in each other's company. Ducks swam by quacking indignantly at them and the odd fish jumped and disrupted the smooth serenity of the water. Eventually they made a move and walked hand in hand back to the car, before they took a slow journey home.
Once there, Seb showed what he needed his strength for. Admirably, so he was told, as Ruari professed to be amazed with his creativity. In return, Ruari showed he wasn't lacking in the creativity department himself and proved how useful the headboard of their bed could be.
***
The alarm went off all too soon.
"Shower or make the coffee?" Seb asked as he hit the silence button.
Ruari yawned. "Oh shit, I've got a sneaking suspicion we fucked all night."
Seb laughed at him. "That is because, my love, we almost did. So coffee or shower?"
He watched as Ruari sat up and shook himself to wake up. "Don't mind."
"I'll shower then, and let you make the coffee."
"Or we could shower together?" Ruari looked at him speculatively.
"Mmm, we could , but I need to be at school in an hour and you have the draymen coming. Knowing us, d'you think we could shower together and hit those targets?"
Ruari sighed. "Guess not. Okay. I'll get the coffee going." He got out of bed and walked toward the door.
Seb watched his tight butt. "Nice ass," he called. He laughed as Ruari waggled the aforementioned area of his body.
He hadn't realized just how good it was to sit at the breakfast table and chat to someone very special about the day ahead. He sat with his coffee in front of him and watched Ruari slide onto the chair opposite. It filled him with hope and happiness.
He put the cups in the dishwasher. "I'll leave the car with you, and then walk down to the bar when I finish at school. Is that okay? If you're ready to leave earlier, let me know, and I'll walk home."
Ruari stopped him talking by putting his finger over his mouth. "I'll wait for you, Seb. Always. Remember that."
Seb nodded and nipped the finger, which was still placed over his lips. Then sucked the place he had nipped. Ruari's moan of appreciation caressed his digit and sent shivers of awareness skating up his body. "Something to think about during the day," he said.
Ruari nodded and laughed as he replaced his hand with his lips. "And that's to keep me in your mind."
They left the cottage and walked toward the car. Seb deactivated the lock and hung his suit jacket up on a hook behind his seat before he got in. Ruari settled himself in the passenger seat.
"Talk about chalk and cheese," he commented. He looked from Seb's sharply creased suit trousers, immaculate pale-blue finely striped shirt, and totally, nonconservative tie to his own old jeans and T-shirt. Tuesday mornings were always hard manual work for him.
Seb chose to misunderstand him. "I refuse to conform altogether," he said. "And therefore, I consider my tie is the best way to express my individuality."
"Well expressed. But I meant you in a suit and me in jeans."
"But it's what is underneath that counts, and it's not chalk and cheese there. More cream and cream."
"Whipped?"
Seb laughed. "If you want." He raised his eyebrows.
"No, I'll pass, I think."
"Good. Because so will I." He pulled up in a parking space next to the bar, switched off the engine, and handed the keys to Ruari. "House key is on there if you want to go home. Take any stuff over or just to get a break. I'll see you sevenish." He leaned over for a kiss that Ruari gave him willingly.
"Er, Seb, I love when you do that, but for fuck's sake, don't let it cause you any trouble."
Seb smiled. "I won't. Right. See you later." He retrieved his jacket, slipped it on, and with a wave, walked along the road toward school. As he turned the corner, the brewery lorry passed him. Perfect timing, then.
It was a pleasant walk along tree-shaded, residential streets. The school was situated on the outskirts of the town but still less than a fifteen-minute walk from the center. The sun was beginning to share its warmth, and he took his jacket off and slung it over his shoulder. A couple of pupils rode past on bikes with a cheerful "Woo-hoo, sir." Several younger girls entered from a side road, saw him, and hurried ahead. A car slowed, and he recognized Ruari's sister Stacy in the driving seat.
"Hello, Mr. Keo. Is your car off the road? D'you want a lift?"
He shook his head. "Thanks, Stacy, but I'm enjoying the walk. I'll be inside all day, so I might as well make the most of it.” He saw there was a young boy of about fifteen in the seat next to her. Ruari's brother maybe? There was some resemblance, especially in the deep red hair. On Stacy the color was more copper.
"'Kay." She waved and signaled to pull away. "Don't be late now."
He laughed and returned the wave. He was later than usual, but he’d still be at school well before eight fifteen. Why kids would want to be at school over forty minutes early, he had no idea. In his day, it was more a case of beat the bell as you ran down the school drive. Unless the breakfast club he had instigated the previous week was proving to be more popular than he'd envisioned. He chuckled to himself as he remembered the deputation from the school pupil council, who had requested a meeting the Friday before. They'd asked to speak to him and see if he could shorten the lunch break by ten minutes in order to start the school day ten minutes later. Some of the pupils who were bussed in from surrounding villages had complained they were being victimized as their transport didn't arrive in time for them to get something to eat and finish it before the bell rang. He made a mental note to speak to the staff about it before he approached the school board.
The phone in his pocked vibrated, and he fished it out to find a text.
Missing you already. Have a good day. R xxx
Those few words gave him a warm and happy sensation inside. Knowing you loved and were loved back did that. With a grin, he began to type. The message back was brief and to the point. Ditto. S xxx.
He popped his head around the dining room door on his way to his office. Forty or fifty teenagers from all of the school years were sitting at tables, eating toast, teacakes, or cereal and chatting. With a querying look to Dory, the cook, who replied with a discreet thumbs-up, he continued along the corridor. As he entered his office, his phone rang. He checked the number and spoke cheerfully into it. "Hey, Mum. How are you all? I'm fine."
He listened as his mum regaled him with family gossip and ended as always, "So when you coming to see us and bringing a nice young man with you?" in a hopeful-but-I-guess-it's-futile tone.
Was she in for a shock!
He grinned as he replied, "As soon as we can get a day off together. Half term probably." Her response was much as he expected. A screech of happiness followed by twenty questions. "Slow down, Ma. He's called Ruari, owns a pub here in town. And yes, he is the one."
He listened again, and then broke in. "Ma, I'll have to go. It's almost time for the bell to ring. I'll give you a call tonight. Yeah, love you. Love to everyone." He ended the call, thinking of just how different his mum's reaction was to Ruari's mum. There was the chalk and cheese.
A knock on his door heralded the entrance of Mrs. Clifford the school secretary. Short, plump, and in her mid-fifties, he supposed, she was a reserved woman, who always seemed to wear a navy skirt and a long-sleeved shirt, and never rolled the cuffs up. Today the skirt was indeed navy, and her blouse a peculiar shade of yellow. It just didn't look right. However, Seb thought that as long as she seemed happy in it, then that was all that mattered. In the few weeks they had worked together, Seb was yet to see her smile. However, he made sure he always smiled at her. He did so now. "Morning, Mrs. Clifford. How are you today? I hope you had a good weekend." There was no way on earth he would call her by her first name. Hell, I wondered what her first name was till Ruari told me. She'd introduced herself as Mrs. Clifford, and Mrs. Clifford she'd stayed.
Her lips moved in what was for her, he suspected, a pleasant smile. They would have to beg to differ there. "Fine, thank you, Mr. Keo. I achieved more than I anticipated. I wondered if you would sign this petition." She put a sheet of paper on his desk.
He picked it up. "What's it for?"
Her voice was the most animated he had ever known from her. "So we can get rid of unwanted people and things in our town. It's for C.A.U.B. That's…"
"I know what it stands for," Seb butted in. "Citizens Against Unnatural Behavior. Why, Mrs. Clifford, what do you mean?"
"Homosexuals, Mr. Keo, among other things. Perverts, all of them. We need to safeguard the reputation and people of our town. Get rid of that awful pub, the Jolly Roger, for a start. A den of iniquity. It's full of them. So will you sign?"
Seb looked at her. Put the paper down on his desk. He wondered why she hadn't realized how close to more than one type of discrimination the group was. They skirted the line between legality and not very closely.
"I think, Mrs. Clifford," he began. "You're laboring under a misapprehension here. You see, I'm one of these so-called perverts you are talking about." He tried not to laugh as her jaw really did drop. "And my partner owns the public house you are trying to shut down. So, no, sorry, I won't be signing the petition. I might also add the police will be more than interested to know where you were last evening. Apart from hassling two of the staff members of that pub as they went into work."