Burchester Tales 20: The Old Station

Mike's evening doesn't go quite to plan in the latest instalment of Burchester Tales.

Burchester Tales: Episode 20

The Old Station by H. Lewis-Foster

Mike hoped he wasn’t blushing as much as he feared. He’d always found tutorials with Gus awkward, but this was positively excruciating. He wasn’t sure if it made him feel better or worse, that Gus looked equally uncomfortable. It was such a shame, too, as Mike had been having a lovely time with Hywel on Friday night.

As Stan had arranged, Hywel had been sitting in the Old Station pub with a slightly tattered copy of Wuthering Heights—and he was actually reading it. Mike had always found the book rather miserable and melodramatic, but Hywel seemed utterly engrossed. Mike had to cough loudly several times before Hywel noticed he was there.

When Hywel looked up from his book, Mike was pleased to find he looked much the same as in the picture on Stan’s phone. His short black hair was neatly combed, his smile was open and friendly, and he was wearing a casual shirt and jeans, which showed he’d made an effort but not too much.

The only real difference from his photograph was that Hywel was wearing glasses. They had small oval lenses and fine silver frames, and gave him an adorably intelligent air. Mike was almost disappointed, when Hywel took them off as he stood.

“Hi. You must be Mike.”

Mike had been expecting a Welsh lilt to match his name, but Hywel’s soft accent was northern, possibly Geordie.

“And you must be Hywel. Stan said you’d be reading Wuthering Heights.”

“He does have an odd sense of humour sometimes. Getting me to read a story of tragic love on a blind date.” Hywel shook Mike’s hand, his grip reassuringly strong but relaxed. “I’m not complaining, though. I’d forgotten what a good book it is. Even if it is a bit grim.”

Mike had wondered how many first dates began with literary critiques. In a place like Burchester it probably wasn’t that rare, but as Mike wasn’t a huge fan of fiction, classic or otherwise, he was relieved when the conversation turned to work, travel, and even politics. As they drank their pints of beer, and then a couple more, the talk became more personal. Mike recounted his nightmare with Ben, while Hywel told of the disastrous affair which led to his arrival in Burchester two years ago.

Hywel wasn’t looking for sympathy, but Mike couldn’t help feeling sorry for him, as he described his boyfriend’s adulterous and generally shitty behaviour, which made Ben look like the perfect partner. Hywel had been encouraged to move here by Stan’s other half, Jeremy, with whom he’d been friends since they all lived in London. He loved living in Burchester and was grateful for the opportunity he'd been given to get some perspective on his problems. With Stan and Jeremy’s help, he’d successfully put his life back together, but only now did he feel confident enough to consider a new relationship.

Dating someone with more emotional baggage than himself was a somewhat daunting prospect, but Mike wasn’t put off by what Hywel confided in him. As Stan had told him, Hywel was a straightforward kind of guy, but he was also funny and clever and compassionate. So when they decided to leave at eleven o’clock, Mike had no hesitation in asking Hywel if he’d like to meet up again. Neither did he falter when Hywel leaned in to kiss him as they stood outside the pub. It was a wonderfully romantic moment; Hywel’s kiss was gently assured, his hands delightfully curious. Then the moment shattered into a million calamitous pieces.

Gus McAvenny was staring in amazement on the other side of the road, as was his first-year boyfriend. Mike had pulled abruptly away from Hywel, said a hasty goodbye and jumped into the nearest taxi. Mike had felt such a fool, and he felt even more of an idiot now, as Gus intently studied his textbook, avoiding his ludicrous tutor’s gaze.

By the end of the longest hour of Mike’s life, Gus looked as eager to leave as Mike was to see the back of him, but he inexplicably lingered in the doorway when his fellow students had departed. Gus still seemed unable to look at Mike as he spoke.

“Sir, I’m sorry if I ruined your evening on Friday. I don’t even go to the Old Station as a rule. It was Lee’s idea. We were meeting some of his friends.” Gus paused, apparently aware that he was rambling. Then he raised his eyes with a timid smile. “I hope I didn’t spoil things for you. Your—your friend looked like a really nice bloke.”

Mike suddenly realised quite how stupid he’d been, to run away from Hywel, not to answer his calls, and to let himself get so wound up by a pefectly pleasant lad like Gus.

“You’re right, Gus. He is a nice bloke. And you haven’t spoiled anything.” Mike ushered Gus out of his study, knowing exactly what he had to do. “In fact, I’m about to call him now.”

© H. Lewis-Foster 2015. All rights reserved.