Chapter 2

Vincent felt a twinge of guilt as he examined Daniel’s page, perhaps only slightly less guilty than if he’d been reading the man’s diary.

It was difficult to describe what else he experienced as he looked through Daniel’s photo album. He felt joy that Daniel was happy and a family man, but also a sense of loss. Had circumstances been different, it might have been him in the photos with Daniel. And he also felt desire. The man was still so handsome, so heart-achingly handsome, but he’d never been arrogant. Many men Vincent had met over the years, men who weren’t as drop-dead gorgeous as Daniel, had had tickets on themselves. They’d strutted about as if they owned the place, as if their good looks meant the masses owed them adoration. But not Daniel. He’d always been down-to-earth and quietly confident. He’d been caring and gentle. He’d been friendly, talking to anyone who wanted to talk to him. People of both sexes had flocked to his side, drawn in by his looks and mesmerised by his charisma.

Vincent sighed and returned to Daniel’s main page. He wondered whether to say “hello.” Or perhaps a “poke” might be wiser. But Daniel had disabled the “poke” option. What about a message then? What would he say? Remember me?And the point? Daniel had a husband and children. He lived in another country, halfway around the world. They might “friend” each other and exchange a few messages, a few reminiscences. Or Daniel might want to leave the past in the past.

Vincent logged out of Facebook. He closed his laptop, but remained seated, his hands resting on the top of his computer and his eyes staring into space.

He half-regretted ever looking in that damned photographic book. Images of Daniel swam about in his mind’s eye. Memories came flooding back. And with them, a tsunami of feelings and emotions.

* * * *

Two days later, Vincent hadn’t been able to stop thinking about Daniel. Their affair had been brief, perhaps six months. Maybe not even as long as that. Yet the mark Daniel had left on him had obviously been indelible. It must have been if he was so obsessed with the man twenty-one years later.

He returned to Holbrook’s Bookshop and Café on his way home from work, entering the building with a certain amount of trepidation.

“Oh, hello again,” said the girl he’d spoken to two days earlier.

“Er, hello…” He squinted at her name badge.

“Kylie,” she said, smiling at him.

“Hello, Kylie.”

“Can I help you today?” She looked over his shoulder at the world outside. “It isn’t raining today.”

Her forthrightness made him smile. “No, it isn’t. You’ll be pleased to hear I’ve come in to make an actual purchase.”

Kylie put her hands on her hips, a comical expression on her face. “Get out of here.”

“No, it’s true. I’m gonna do it.”

Kylie stood aside and made a sweeping motion with her arms. “Then go right ahead, sir.”

Vincent gave her a wink and walked to the back corner where he’d originally discovered the photographic book. At first he couldn’t see it, and his stomach lurched at the possibility someone else had bought it. It didn’t take long to notice it had been put on a nearby shelf by mistake, on top of a small pile of travel books.

Opening the volume, he flipped through, taking care not to leave greasy fingerprints on the pages. When he found the photo he’d been looking for, he stood looking at it, seeing Daniel McClary, not the actual model.

“He’s cute, isn’t he?”

Vincent slammed the book shut and turned. “Oh, yes.”

“There’s a guy who looks exactly like that who’s been coming in here a lot recently.”

“W-what?”

“Yeah. Every week, usually on Thursday, because we’re open a bit later on Thursdays. But sometimes on a Friday.”

Today was Friday. “Did he come in yesterday?”

Kylie shrugged. “I wasn’t rostered on yesterday. I can ask, if you like.”

Vincent shook his head. “No, no. That’s alright. I was just…curious.”

“Can I take that? I’ll put it through for you.”

Vincent gave Kylie the book and followed her to the checkout. After paying her, she put his purchase in a bag and handed it to him.

“I guess I’ll be seeing you again,” said Kylie, nodding at the book.

Vincent chuckled. “You’re not a shy thing, are you?”

Kylie laughed. “I like to add a personal touch to my customer service.”

“I can’t argue with you there.”

“Well, have a lovely evening.”

Vincent hesitated, looking over his shoulder in the direction of the cafe. “I think I might have a coffee.”

Kylie winked at him and nodded. “Okay. You shouldn’t have long to wait.”

Vincent opened his mouth to protest her assumption, but he didn’t have an opportunity to speak before she continued.