Chapter 4

The cottage turned out to be perfect. It overlooked the sea and was situated just behind the B&B. It had white painted walls and a white picket fence and gate; it would even have roses around the door in the summer. There were two bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom. The living room had French doors which opened onto a small walled garden and gave a view of the beach below. There was a path that led down to the sea and Smithy spent a lot of time walking along the beach.

After a few days Ianto felt secure enough to leave Smithy on his own for a while. Owen had found him a car and was bringing it down to Tenby. He'd confirmed that everything was alright over the phone and that Hart hadn't blackened his name.

Ianto arrived at the pub first and ordered some drinks. Owen appeared about ten minutes later and allowed Ianto to hug him for a moment. They chose something for lunch and then sat down at the back of the eating area.

Not one for small talk Owen began his questions immediately. 'D'you know what you're doing, Ianto?' he asked. 'You've taken a lot on considering that you've only known him – what? Ten days? I've never seen you like this before, not even with Lisa.'

'I know,' Ianto said quietly. 'Don't ask me to explain. It's just that he needs me and I want to help him. He intrigues me. He has absolutely no idea who he really is.'

'Ianto, do you fancy him? I mean he's a good looking bloke, even I can see that and, as I said before, you've been known to dabble in the past.'

'So have you, Owen, so you can get off your high horse!' Ianto said, suddenly annoyed with his friend.

'Hey, that was only to get a part and I didn't get it anyway. I obviously wasn't up to scratch,' Owen replied indignantly.

'Anyway, it's not that simple, Owen. I have feelings for him and yes he's bloody gorgeous and he's so – oh I don't know, nice. We've cuddled a bit and I've kissed him but we've not kissed each other in that way.' He looked rather embarrassed for a moment. 'We have sort of slept together. He has these nightmares. I think he might have been in the services and his nightmares are about what happened. He does have that greatcoat after all.'

'Anyone can buy one of those in an Army and Navy store,' Owen pointed out.

'Yes I know, but some of the things he shouts when he has the nightmares are about guns and death and there's a name he mentions a lot – Angelo. It sounds like the bloke is injured or killed. When he has these nightmares, I get into bed with him and hold him until he goes back to sleep. I like it, Owen; I like him lying in my arms and I stroke his hair.' He saw Owen's face. 'Sorry, too much information, I suppose, for your delicate senses to cope with. It's just that I've no one else to tell, Owen.'

'So what's this place you're staying in like then?' Owen said, changing the subject.

'It's lovely; the whole village is lovely. Alice and Jenny own the B&B and they've rented us the cottage. We're lucky that they were going to have it renovated so it wasn't being rented out this year. We'll be able to stay there a while. The view of the beach is wonderful and Smithy likes to go walking along it. I'm thinking of getting a dog. I think a pet would be great for him. There must be a local Dog's Trust branch somewhere around here. It would give him someone to look after and company for when I have to leave him for work.'

'Are you alright for money?' Owen asked.

'Yeah, you know me, I'm pretty careful. I haven't spent much of the money from the tour and I've a few auditions for guest parts and voice overs in the pipeline. I'll just not be able to take anything long term until he's stronger and we find out where we're going.'

'Ianto, have you thought about trying to find out who he really is? He might get his memory back and then what will you do. He could be married for all you know. You could be heading for heartache here,' Owen pointed out.

'I figure that they must have tried to find out who he was. Smithy said that they brought this couple to see him. He has this strange dual accent thing. Sometimes he speaks in a Scottish accent and sometimes American, so I reckon that he must have lived in both places. Truth is, Owen, I just want him to be Smithy; I like Smithy. There's no side to him. He says what he thinks.'

'You're falling in love with him, aren't you?' Owen said.

'I don't know.' Ianto looked directly at Owen and swallowed some of his pint. 'Well, maybe a little but I'm not going to push him. I've no real idea as to whether he's gay or straight. He seems to like me being near him but I haven't pushed him into anything. Look, thanks for the car and everything. I owe you as always. Have you got anything lined up?'

'There's this audition for Casualty. They want me to play a doctor but they're not sure how big a part it's going to be yet. Imagine me playing a doctor. I'll have to do all the gore and stuff if I'm a surgeon.'

They ate their food and continued talking about things until Owen had to go.

'Look, Ianto, take care of yourself will you, and keep in touch and, well you know.' Ianto pulled him into a hug.

'You're a good man, Owen Harper, even if you try to disguise it and Tosh is a lucky woman.'

'I know, I keep telling her that,' he said. In the car park they got into their cars and went off in different directions, without really knowing how things might change for both of them.