CHAPTER THREE
It was the best part of a week before me and Freddie and were back at work on the same shift. He had really upset me and I had worried no-stop about the possible reasons for his behaviour on my days off. I decided before the shift that I would leave him alone and he could come and speak to me if he wanted to. He hadn't even bothered to say hello by lunchtime despite us working right next to each other on the tills. Him and Malcolm were even talking really loudly about how great their night out had been right in front of me.
At lunchtime, I sat with Diane in the canteen eating and chatting away. I was having a boring ham and cheese sandwich with crisps and a coke, whereas she was having a nice, healthy-looking home made pasta with fresh salad and a bottle of water. I wasn't sat with Freddie; He was on another table with Malcolm and few others, including Hannah who had taken a severe dislike to me from the start and has held a grudge ever since. I assumed she just didn't like me because I can't recall doing anything to her either.
As we were sat in silence whilst eating, Sarah sat down to join us. She's a very sociable person but has developed a bit of reputation for being 'easy' with the lads. She has shared a lot of stories about her conquests and doesn't seem to mind who knows her business. I always felt a bit nervous around her because she's obviously sexually experienced and I half expected an interrogation about sex at any moment.
“Did you hear about Freddie?” Diane whispered to Sarah as she flicked through the company magazine that was always kept on each table.
“No, what? And why are you whispering?”
“Diane, he's right over there. That's why” I jumped in to keep Freddie from noticing we were talking about him.
“I know he is, Dom. But he can't hear us all the way over there. So chill out!” Diane replied.
“Yeah, chill your boots,” Sarah agreed. “I want to know what Freddie has done now. This has been the worst shift of all time. I need something to perk me up.”
“So,” Diane carried on. “He only tried to kiss one of my mates.”
“Oh, really?” asked Sarah, only slightly surprised. “Have I met her?”
“Oh no!” I said.
I knew where this was heading.
“No, you don't get it, Sarah,” answered Dianne, full of glee. “He came on to a bloke! My mate is a bloke!”
“What?” came Sarah's sudden reply. “No way, I don't believe it!”
“It's true, isn't it Dom?” Diane asked me.
“I think so,” I responded. “I mean we don't know for definite but, like you said Diane, your mate has no reason to make it up.”
“I'm so shocked” responded Sarah.
Sarah had a look on her face suggesting he had something on her mind.
Diane had noticed. “Are you OK, Sarah? You look a bit startled.”
“Well, I didn't tell you lot this but awhile ago, like maybe a month ago, me and -”
Sarah paused in thought.
Me and Diane both gave Sarah a 'go ahead, we're listening' look.
Sarah continued. “Well I was hammered -”
“You always are!” I fired back, trying to bring some humour to the proceedings.
“Funny, Dom,” Sarah said sarcastically. “Hold on a minute!”
Sarah crept over to a drawer near where Freddie was sitting and picked out a spoon. She didn't need one as she was eating a tuna and sweetcorn sandwich. She obviously just went over to make sure Freddie hadn't heard anything.
I looked over and he didn't even notice she was behind him as he let out one of his big, adorable, belly laughs. He was obviously having fun and completely unaware that the rumour was back in full swing.
“Right, I'm back,” Sarah said.
“Can he hear us?” asked Diane.
“No, I don't think so. Anyway, I was hammered and me and Freddie were dancing very, how do I say it, intimately.”
“Fuck, no!” I accidentally let out.
I just knew what she was going to say.
Sarah confirmed my fears. “Well the next minute, Freddie pounced on me and started kissing me.”
I scowled, but discretely enough for no-one to say anything.
Diane laughed. “You kissed a gay man?” she fired at Sarah.
“Oh my god, did I?” Sarah asked. “I don't even fancy him. It just kind of happened. Blame the alcohol!”
She wasn't finished yet. “Oh my god, he slept with me that night. Are you sure he's gay? I'm not so sure. He seemed to know what he was doing in the bedroom!”
I winced.
Diane smirked. “Was he good in bed?” she asked.
“A lady never tells,” came Sarah's response.
“But you're not a lady,” Diane responded teasingly.
“OK, I'm not a lady,” Sarah said in agreement. “He was totally forgettable to be honest. It won't be happening again that's for sure.”
The conversation tailed off as the clock was about to strike one o'clock. We were due back on the shop floor.
Doing fitting room duty later on, my mind was fully occupied. Sarah had pissed me off for sleeping with Freddie; she didn't even fancy him. I was annoyed with Freddie as well. I was torn between fancying him and annoyed with him for ignoring me. It's like I didn't exist any more and I was totally unwelcome around him, Malcolm and Hannah. I got the impression that the three of them must be talking negatively about me behind my back because they were all pretending that I didn't exist.
I did feel bad for gossiping about Freddie. But I desperately wanted the rumour to be true and reasoned that by talking to people about it I could assess the possibility of him being gay and also gauge other people's opinions about gays. Neither Sarah or Diane had said anything homophobic which was a start.
My concentration was soon interrupted.
It was Malcolm.
“I'm on here now,” he told me, referring to the fitting room duty.
He wasn't friendly at all. What was his problem?
“So you can go,” he continued.
“OK, cheers mate,” I replied trying to be friendly.
I needed to find out what he problem was.
“What's up, mate?” I asked him. “You seem different. Have I done something to piss you off? And Freddie as well? He seems to be avoiding me.”
“Nothing is wrong with me!” he responded.
I got the impression he was lying.
He soon changed tact though. “To be honest, Dominic, yes there is a problem between us.
“What are you on about?” I asked cautiously. “We've had some good laughs in here and some nights out together. What have I done to offend you?”
He didn't even justify his actions. He just busied himself with tidying up the fitting room and just blanked me like I wasn't there.
Just like Freddie had.
I shouldn't have said anything else but it just slipped out. “Fuck you Malcolm. I haven't got a clue what I've done to you and Freddie. And there's nothing I can do to make amends if you won't tell me. But I bet you don't know Freddie is gay and has been lying to you the whole time, do you? Ask Diane if you don't believe me. He tried to kiss one of her male friends!”
I regretted that straight away.
A while later, on my afternoon break, my fears came true. I was sat with Diane. Freddie must have still been on the shop floor.
Diane looked flustered as we both sat down with cups of tea.
“What's up with you?” I asked worriedly.
“I think Freddie is going to find out about the kiss. Did you say something to Malcolm earlier?”
“Yeah he cornered me and it just slipped out.”
“Yeah he said you told him Freddie was gay and had kissed my mate, right?
“Sorry he annoyed me and couldn't help it.”
She tried to comfort me. “Anyway, I told Malcolm it probably isn't true. I said Stuart is known for making stuff up for attention. And I asked him not to saying anything more about it to Freddie.”
“I thought you told me Stuart has been a mate for years and he wouldn't lie?”
“That's true. But I thought if I dismissed the rumour then Malcolm would forget about it and we don't need to worry.”
I am a natural worrier and so used to fearing the worst in everything.