Page 10 of Topped

I bit my lip because I didn’t know if laughter would be appropriate. His enthusiasm was sweet though. And I could empathise with his upset about being pet-free. “I understand that—the being pet-free thing because of work commitments. It’s partially why I got Lizzie, because she doesn’t mind if I’m out a lot, and she’s more active at night anyway so it fits well with my schedule. Plus, I’m lucky enough to have two bedrooms, so I was able to turn one into her room.”

“Nice! Sounds pretty sweet.”

“Yes, it is. I’ve been quite lucky.”

He nodded, then he said, “Okay, I’ve got a question for you. Several actually. I’ve been on Snake-Tok for, like, a week because I wanted to know more about royal pythons, but it’s given me this huge fucking list of things I wanted to ask.”

“Er, sure. Fire away.” If I sounded taken aback, I hoped he hadn’t noticed. I just hadn’t expected him to be this enthusiastic and it had caught me off guard. Not that I minded. I’d happily talk for hours about my beautiful girl.

Milo peppered me with questions for the entirety of our twenty-minute walk through Heather Bay to my flat, which was on the top floor of a Georgian townhouse overlooking the bay. It had belonged to my uncle and had been willed to me, along with Saltgate Sweets, upon his death nearly ten years ago.

“Shit, this is gorgeous,” Milo said as I unlocked the glossy, deep blue front door of the building and led him inside.

“Thank you. I’m on the top floor, just up the stairs.” I pointed to the set of winding stairs in the far corner of the entrance hall. They were carpeted in a similar dark blue to the door, which we’d all decided on, as a building, several years ago. Every time I looked at them, I was glad I’d managed to veto the idea of cream.

Milo climbed them slowly, his head on a constant swivel. There were a few pictures on the wall, again chosen and donated by those of us who lived or owned the flats here. A new rush of anxiety filled my chest as I tried to figure out what he must be thinking. I’d never really brought anyone here before, and objectively, I knew I must look obscenely wealthy. Especially considering how much property in Heather Bay went for these days.

Oh God, did he think I was showing off? Would he judge me? Hate me?

“My uncle bought this place,” I said suddenly, as we began to climb the final set of stairs. “The flat, I mean. In the seventies. I think it cost him about eight thousand pounds.”

Milo whistled. “Fuck, seriously? Eight grand?”

“I know. And I think it was considered expensive then, especially for a two-bedroom flat.”

“God, if I could buy a flat for eight grand I’d cry.”

“It’s, er, I’m very lucky.”

He nodded. “Any reason you’re telling me this?”

“Oh, well, I… I suddenly realised how living here must make me look and…” I trailed off, my cheeks heating as I gazed down at the carpet, my hand clenched into a fist around my keys in my pocket.

“You’re fine,” he said softly. “Seriously. I’m not judging you.”

“Oh… I…”

“I promise. I’m not.” He sounded so sincere and I had to believe him. For my own sanity. “This place is really fucking fancy though. Seriously, you’ve got fucking art everywhere.”

“Most of it belongs to Nancy. She lives in number two. She’s, um, well, she’s a little bossy. She was the one who decided we needed to redo all the stairs to make them look presentable. Carpet, paint, art, the lot.”

“She sounds delightful,” Milo said with a conspiratorial grin, leaning in close like he was sharing a secret. “I’m surprised your carpet isn’t cream.”

I chuckled. “It was vetoed. Strongly.”

“Good, I fucking hate cream. It’s so bloody boring.”

“I don’t mind it in small doses. But not a whole house.”

“Exactly! Why are people allergic to colour? Like, I get if you’re renting and can’t redecorate, but cushions are a thing! Blankets! Art prints! The random tacky knick-knacks you get from the souvenir shops on the front. Or B&M!”

I chuckled, taking out my keys. Milo clearly had strong opinions but I liked that. It made it easier to know where he stood. “I take it your flat looks like a rainbow exploded across it then?”

“Hey, I have taste!”

“Do you?”

“More than some people.”