"Syed! My heart feels funny!"
"Aw, Michael!"
Turning anxiously to Christian, Syed asked;
"Should we call Afia's dad?"
"No, he means he's experiencing emotions other than lust, which has come as a shock to his system.."
Michael clutched Syed to him, smothering him with the strength of his hug. Pushing his face into his hair, he murmured.
"I'm sad and I smell of sick."
Syed sniffed, wondering whether to tell him that what he could really sense was alcohol, cigarettes and a very expensive aftershave. And something else, the scent of his skin igniting sensations of a time that seemed long ago.
"No, no you don't. You smell of school."
"Floor mops and watery cottage pie?"
"Silly.." Levering Michael's arms away from his neck with difficulty, Syed smiled at him. "…Memories, you smell of memories. Why are you sad?"
"Rory doesn't love me…"
Catching Christian's eye over Michael's shoulder, Syed mouthed "Who?"
"Boyfriend." Christian answered, aware of Sam and Roxy stirring from their position on the bed, propelled by curiosity.
"Bollock friend." Michael snorted. "He thinks I'm a tart."
"You are a bit of a tart.." Christian reminded him gently, trying to prise his fingers away from Syed's.
"Fair point. I could change.. TAMWAR!"
Tamwar jumped out of his skin and tried to hide behind Afia.
"Oh, hi, Michael. Nice to see you. Again.." He stepped back as Michael grabbed his elbows.
"And you! You look so smart! Though I liked you in your jim jams.."
Eyes as wide as saucers, Afia looked from Tamwar to Syed and then to Michael.
"Oops!" Michael grinned charmingly. "Don't worry, there's only one gay Masood, although I did sometimes wonder about Shabnam…."
"Michael!" Syed stared at him in shock. "You know full well she used to positively dribble whenever she saw you, kept making excuses to come into my room when you were there, asking if I knew where her dolls were.."
Michael giggled. "Were we playing with them?" The question drowned out by Christian's interjection;
"What was he doing in your room?"
"No, and homework.."
Both Syed and Michael sensed Christian glowering, Syed reached out for his hand and Michael tried to ease the atmosphere by conversationally asking;
"Did you play with your sister's dolls, Christian?"
"I was too busy with my Action Men. They had a very healthy sex life as I recall…"
"Oh mine too, maybe not that healthy thinking about it, they'd do anything, Barbie, Lego Men, Bears, My Little Pony, the dog.." Michael began to look downcast again and Syed and Christian mimed to each other behind his back, trying to decide which one of them should take him away and give him a talking to.
Sighing, Christian realised from Syed's frantic flapping that it was going to have to be him. He put his hand on Michael's shoulder, preparing to steer him towards the kitchen, but the way was blocked by Sam and Roxy, both almost combusting with nosiness.
"Ooh, hello. Who's this then?…" Sam put his head to one side and carefully scrutinised Michael. "….I don't think I've had the pleasure.."
"Well, you never know your luck!" Michael held out his hand and laughed. Sam stroked the palm briefly and pouted seductively.
"Oh for fuck's sake.." Christian groaned. "This isn't the back room at Trade. Sam, Michael, Roxy, Michael. Syed's friend from school."
"Ah!" Roxy's eyebrows shot up so high they nearly disappeared into her hair.
"I've seen you before, in the pub that time!"
Michael leaned towards her, his face close enough for her to feel his breath on her cheek.
"I've seen you twice, the first time you were being a very, very naughty girl.."
Roxy wriggled with delight.
"Was I?"
" Sorry to break up the party, but Michael's just coming with me, he needs a drink.." Christian frog marched him over to the kitchen, ignoring his shouts of "Champagne!" and pushed a glass of water at him.
Studying it with disgust, Michael suddenly remembered something and downed it in one,. Slamming the glass into the sink, he made a dash for the discarded goody bag.
"Michael! Not champagne, please…"
"No, not champagne. A present." He held out a brown card envelope. "Look!"
Christian unpeeled the flap and pulled out a photograph, his eyes misting with tears as he saw Syed's image, young and seemingly carefree. He lounged on the grass, white shirt open, cricket bat discarded beside him, smiling into the sun.
"Oh, thank you…"
"S'alright. I've got more, but that was always my favourite, so I made you a copy."
"Did you take it?"
"Yep, I'm good, aren't I?"
"Yes, Michael, you are. Though you are being a right royal pain in the arse tonight. Can I trust you not to misbehave while I show it to Syed? Then I need to talk to you about a certain Grease video.."
"Ah ha! You want the Grease video, then you'll have to let me drink champagne!"
"Just shut up and stay there, I'll be back in a minute. I'll bring Sy and he can sort out your love life for you."
Syed paused in his conversation with Zahida and held out his arm as Christian approached, sliding it around his waist.
"Hey baby, what have you got there?"
"You.."
Taking the photo, Syed grimaced. "I've got a spot on my neck, and look how short my hair is! I remember that day, I think we'd lost, but we were having a right laugh.." He suddenly froze.
"You didn't ask him about the Grease video did you?"
Zahida took the photograph from him.
"Aww, so handsome. What Grease video?"
Tapping the side of his nose, Christian whispered;
"The one Syed wants none of us to see, but that might end up on YouTube. Are you having a good time?"
"Yes I am, Barry's found himself some new chums, and is therefore out of my hair for a bit, I've had a dance, I've had a giggle, got to perve with the girls at your delicious friend…"
" Oh shit, where is he?" Syed scanned the room in alarm and located Michael, lounging very near to Calum, who he seemed to have trapped against the wall. Calum's glasses had misted up and two small patches of colour on his cheeks blazed, contrasting, clown like and vivid, with his deathly pallor.
Matt stood nearby, unhappily stuffing Tortilla chips, one straight after the other, into his mouth, trying not to mind.
Syed and Zahida both turned wordlessly to Christian.
"Have I got to go again?" He clutched his head in despair.
"Think of it as practice for when we've got kids.."
"Hmm."
"I'll make sure Matt's alright, then bring Michael over to me. Oh, and can you get me a glass?"
Christian half closed his eyes and stared at Syed's mouth.
"As long as you don't call me names…"
" I promise, only the one's you like…"