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Quint puffed out a laugh. “I honestly don’t know. I just have the recollection of us being together and can picture where we lived, what we did, but not much else, I’m afraid.”
Leo looked disappointed, frustratingly tearing off bits of his beer mat. “Shit.” He reached to his pocket as a message notification cut through.
“What is it, are you okay?”
Leo thumbed at his phone, then dropped his head into a hand. “I can’t believe it. I’ve been so distracted with everything that’s gone on today, I totally forgot to tell my best mate whether or not we’ve got a new career or not. I’m such a bloody idiot.”
“I feel a bit responsible.”
Leo glanced up. “No, not at all. It’s my fault. I should have buzzed him straight after the meeting, but it went so well, I was still on a high, and then I bumped into you and… well-” He offered a shy smile. “-you know the rest.”
“It’s okay, really, it’s been a big day. I’m sure he’ll understand if you explain. Do you need to speak to him?” Quint tried not to appear sullen over losing Leo’s company while he made the phone call.
“He was supposed to come down to London for the meeting with Kris but was ill, so couldn’t make it. He still is, I think. Bloody hell, I didn’t even check on him about that. I need to call him, make sure he’s okay. I am such a shit mate,” said Leo.
“Look, maybe we should call it a day anyway. I think we’re both exhausted, mentally mostly.”
“Maybe you’re right. I feel like I could crash as it goes. How do I get back to Hammersmith from here?”
Quint tried to hide the hard beat of his heart that Leo was staying in West London, not a million miles away from his place. “Oh, that’s near to where I’m going,” he said, failing to hide his smile.
“I should have guessed. It’s got to be destiny, then, right?”
“Sorry.” Quint blushed. “I sound like a bit of a stalker now, don’t I?”
“That came out wrong. I’d actually love it if you could take me home. Like it, I mean.” Leo shied and looked embarrassed… but not in the same breath.
“Don’t worry, I know what you mean.” First meetings could be awkward no matter how many times someone lived them, it seemed. “We can just go to Victoria and jump on the District Line. It’s really easy.”
“Okay, I’m just gonna call Kai and check he’s okay, then we can get going.” Leo pushed away his stool and made his way outside.
Quint was grateful to see him weave through the crowd for privacy. At least he wouldn’t have to hold back from blurting the truth. It was already so hard to keep it from him.
Leo’s animated gestures came through the stained-glass windows of the bar, and Quint frowned. It seemed as if there was some kind of argument going on. Kai was probably quite rightly pissed off that Leo had neglected to tell him about the outcome of the meeting. Maybe more so if this Kai was warning Leo off having a drink with a stranger. Kai definitely seemed like the sensible one that kept Leo in check.
Things seemed to have calmed down as Leo threw his head back in laughter, which made Quint smile. Leo finished his cigarette, stubbed it out on the metal plate near the door, flicking the butt in the ashtray, then made his way back inside, shivering at the temperamental winds that had swooped over the West End this evening.
“Everything ok? asked Quint.
“Huh? Oh, yeah. He was a bit moody about me not ringing him, but I smoothed it over with the offer of a Chinese takeaway on me when I get back.”
“Oh, you’re good.”
“I know… it’s a gift. Anyway, how much do we owe?” Leo gestured to the leather case on the table, a receipt hanging out of it.
“It’s okay. I paid,” said Quint.
“You didn’t have to, really.”
“I wanted to. Please, it’s fine.”
“Thank you. That’s really nice of you.”
Quint stood up and shook out his coat. Leo was still wearing his, so they were ready to brave the elements. They waved the bar staff goodbye and made their way down to Oxford Circus tube station, catching the train to Victoria.
On the train, the carriage was packed, so they weren’t able to stand together, let alone sit, and the sound of the carriage was too loud for them to start a conversation. A mixture of late-night revellers filled the seats, people silently contemplating their lives after knocking off a night shift and lovers with that air of first-date passion about them.
As they finally alighted the next train at Hammersmith, Quint instinctively grabbed a hold of Leo’s hand, relieved that Leo seemed to tighten his grip. In the mix of crowds, it wasn’t so noticeable. London was a diverse city and had come a long way over gay rights in Quint’s lifetime. He was just so glad to see Leo relaxed as he glanced to him, catching a smile coming his way.
