Chapter 66

Lee had been at

his side for the whole evening. Now they danced together, the flickering lights

reflecting off Lee’s face, the sweat running in a trickle down between

Patrick’s shoulder blades. Lee’s dancing was much livelier than Patrick’s but they

moved well together. They laughed even when they couldn’t hear each other’s

voice over the music, and drank beer, and hugged their friends, old and new

alike.

During an

interval in the music—and after a trip to the toilet—Patrick paused at the bar

to talk to Bryan. “This evening’s been great,” he said. “Thanks for all your support.”

“You deserve

it.” Bryan was unusually flushed. He hadn’t been dancing but Phiz was close by

his side, and from the mischievous look on Phiz’s face, and his hand resting

possessively in the small of Bryan’s back, Patrick expected they’d been making

out. “The pair of you.”

“Especially

Lee,” Patrick protested.

A frustrated