Page 65 of Oz
“I’ve missed you too, Ozzy.”
He grabs me in a tight hug and I inhale the scent of Shaun which is one part weed to two parts Calvin Klein aftershave. It smells like home, or at least what home used to smell like.
I step back and he grins. “Bloody hell, Oz, you look good.”
I look down at myself. “Really?”
He nods. “Those bags have gone under your eyes and you look–” He hesitates. “You look rested.”
“That makes me sound like an OAP.”
He shrugs. “I can’t put my finger on it.”
“Well, don’t. You’ll catch something.”
He bursts out laughing and I smile at him affectionately. The next second he jerks. “What the hell is that?”
I look behind me and find Chewwy staring rather gloomily at Shaun. “It’s Chewwy.”
“Is it a yeti?”
“Yes, of course he is. Man has searched for the mythical creature for years when they could have just caught the train to Cornwall.”
I hear the sound of a door opening and I turn to see the other occupant of the car easing out of the driving seat. “Fuck, that was a shitty drive,” he says. “We got stuck behind a whole row of fucking caravans. Who the hell would ever want one of those?”
I look at his outfit of perfectly ironed beige shorts and a white shirt and his sleek appearance and grin. “I’m trying to imagine you in one, Jasper, but it’s just not coming.”
“Not usually a problem of yours,” he says, and I shake my head, looking at one of my old hook-ups. I met Jasper at uni. He’s from a very well-to-do family and I’d been fascinated by him for a long time. He’s funny, good looking, and effortlessly confident. We shared a house for a year and I willingly shared my arse, but we never moved beyond casual hook-up status despite my hidden wish. I’d taken him home once and the almost horrified fascination on his face had woken me up quicker than a bucket of water in the face. I’d ended things when we got back to uni, and after a slightly rocky reaction to that we’d moved into friendship.
He comes around the car and I look at him for a long second. I can’t help comparing him to Silas. Jasper is sleek and rich, like a Siamese cat who will always find the sunny side of any street. Silas is more battle weary. He wears his years on his face but it’s a face that fascinates me. I become aware that I’m staring and jump when he pulls me into a hug.
He pushes his nose into my neck and inhales deeply. “You still smell the same,” he murmurs. “Mmm, I like it.”
I wriggle back instantly. “Oi, watch the hands, Mr Grabby.”
He laughs but jumps back when Chewwy gives a low growl. “What thefuck?”
Shaun laughs. “Oz’s yeti doesn’t like you, Jasper. Better watch your step. He looks like he might rip your throat out,” he adds with gloomy relish.
“Of course he wouldn’t,” I scold. “He’s very gentle.” I look at Chewwy, who’s watching Jasper intently. “He’d be more likely to gloom you to death,” I coo, bending down to pet him. “Wouldn’t you, my furry baby?”
I look up and find Shaun and Jasper studying me as if I’m an exhibit in a museum. I flush. “Are you here to examine me or the house?” I ask, and as if synchronised they turn to look at the building.
“Oh my God, Oz,” Shaun breathes. “It’s so beautiful.”
The house is looking its best today, the mellow honey gold of the stones standing out against a periwinkle-blue sky. I feel a sense of pride and instantly want to fucking kick myself. This isn’t my house. I don’t have a house, and what home I have is in London with Shaun and my mum.
I shake my head. “What do you think?” I say to Jasper.
He’s less moved, probably because his family are very wealthy, but he’s still staring contemplatively at the house and chewing on the end of his sunglasses. “It looks good,” he finally says, and I nudge him.
“Okay, Captain Cryptic. Do you want to look around outside?”
He nods, and as we walk Shaun flings his arm around my shoulder. “What’s it like living here?” he whispers as Jasper paces ahead of us, stopping now and then to take a shot with the expensive camera on his shoulder.
I shrug. “It’s a house, Shaun. Just bigger than most. It took me a while to get used to it, but it’s not home or anything.”
“I never said anything about it being home,” he says in a bewildered voice, and we both look up as Jasper stops.
