Londoner Ernest Porter wasn’t looking for love that Saturday morning. Nor was he looking where he was going. Fortunately PC Liam McAvoy was looking, and saves Ernest from falling into a hole caused by a missing manhole cover. The weather is hot, and wanting to thank Liam for saving him, Ernest offers the policeman a glass of ice tea. They talk and Ernest finds himself increasingly drawn to the young constable. But it can’t go anywhere. Liam isn’t gay, there’s a big age difference between them, and Ernest is still hurting from a previous betrayal. After weeks of internal struggle, Ernest finally confesses all. Liam’s reaction is not what Ernest expects.

Saving Ernest

He shook his head. “Whenever I start to get close to someone…when they find out what I do…it generally scares them off.”


“That’s a shame. I don’t suppose shift work helps.”


“Not really, no. And some people are turned off at the idea of going out with a policeman.”


I wasn’t. But of course I couldn’t tell him that. “I’m sure you’ll find the right person soon.”


Liam shrugged, not looking convinced. “Anyone special in your life?”


I sighed. “Thought I did once…a long time ago.” I shook my head. “But it didn’t work out.” I was well practiced at using non-gender-specific pronouns. “I came home one day and found a Dear John letter waiting for me on the table.”I tapped said table. 


Liam looked genuinely saddened. I wondered if he would still feel the same way if he knew the person who’d written the letter was another man.


“I’ll have to get back at it.” His eyes glinted again. “Loads more criminals to apprehend, you know.” 


Chapter 4