Page 38 of Coming Out at Crofton Hall

“There’ll be reporters there,” Dorian warned. “I’m likely to be their main target but don’t be surprised if they ask you questions. Don’t wander too far from me and I’ll protect you.”

“I’ve had media training thanks to the police so I know how to talk to the press,” Simon said. “I’ll just treat it like a press conference for a murder enquiry but giving less away.”

Robin smiled fondly. “We should probably get you some training for the non-murdery parts of your life. Ones you’re meant to be enjoying.”

“I’m not that good an actor, sweetheart.” Simon winked at Robin and drank his champagne.

Dorian laughed at Robin’s mock outrage and he topped up Simon’s glass. “People should get to see more of Simon, there’d be no questions about you wanting to get back together with me.”

“We agreed to keep Simon’s media presence light because of his job,” Robin said. “We tend not to share too many photos and I’ve been clear I wanted my private life to be private.”

The recent shitstorm had put paid to that but the adventures in New York hadn’t helped. “What’s the plan for after tonight? Few additional photo opportunities as a couple then return to the status quo?”

“I’ve a couple more months in New York so it’s not so easy to play a doting couple in public at a distance.”

Dorian thought Robin should come home but it wasn’t his place to say. “You’ll be over or Simon could come to you in New York.”

“We’ll figure something out,” Simon said. “It’s not like it’s for long.”

He wondered if they’d had another big talk after Simon had cornered Dorian after the dinner at Crofton Hall. There was something about the way Simon held himself that spoke to a new self-assuredness when discussing Robin being in New York that hadn’t been there before.

“Hopefully we’ll be house-hunting during my next visit. It’s been tricky finding properties in the right area.”

“It’s not the area but because Robin won’t live anywhere with less than six bedrooms and a stable block for his imaginary ponies.” Simon’s banter was playful, not accusatory. “At this rate, it’d be quicker to build something.”

“I’ve had people looking into the option,” Robin admitted. “But planning permission’s the issue. It could take forever and we’ve been waiting long enough.”

They fell into easy conversation about ideal properties, Dorian admitting he no longer knew what he wanted. “I had half a mind on buying one of those Georgian houses in Russell Square or Pimlico but I’m not sure I want to live in central London.”

“Ben won’t turf you out,” Robin reassured him. “Don’t rush into it. If you’re after something particular let me know, we might have something in the Flint portfolio that might suit. At least on a temporary basis.”

It was nice of Robin to offer but he hadn’t a clue at the moment and the idea of leaving Crofton Hall made him feel kind of queasy. A little voice reminded him, quite unnecessarily, that if he wasn’t at the hall he wouldn’t get to see as much of Alex.

The champagne bottle was soon empty and they debated opening a second but they weren’t far away now and Dorian would prefer to have his wits about him when he stepped out of the car. They should be guided into a staging area that would allow them to pull up to a pre-arranged point where he would wave to his fans and the three of them would then head inside after stopping to talk to the paps.

The car slowed and came to a halt, the window slid down to reveal a woman wearing a headset. “Good evening, Mr Marsten. You’ll be arriving behind Miss Andrews in about three minutes. If you could exit the car first followed by your guests, I’d appreciate it.”

He’d not spoken or been in any contact with Gail, his co-star, since he’d come out to the world during their interview. Not the best way to have handled this, but then he’d not been thinking straight.

“Perfect. You’re aware I’m not staying for the after-show?”

“Yes, sir. We’ll see to it that your car will be waiting for you as requested.”

Dorian sat back and took a deep breath. This would be his first public appearance since he’d come out. There were always bigots and arseholes but he hoped most of them would have stayed away.

“Are you okay?” Simon asked. “Big moment, right? But it’ll be fine, you’ll see.”

“Thanks, Simon.” He appreciated the sentiment, they were both facing the unknown. This was Simon’s first time at such an event, and for Dorian it was not knowing what reaction he would receive.

The car moved forwards and Dorian pushed the residual worries deep inside, he was an actor, a bloody good one, and now was the time to use all his skills to show the world he was still the same sexy, suave Dorian, and the only difference was he now admitted he liked to suck cock.

It was time. The car came to a halt and the door opened. Dorian stepped out.

The crowd had already witnessed the arrival of several of the other actors from the movie, they were warmed up and screaming and cheering, and at the sight of Dorian exiting his car the noise rose exponentially. He stared around seeing huge banners in the crowd, rainbow flags and placards proclaiming their devotion. His heart swelled at the acceptance, that his fans loved him no matter who he might end up loving. As he made his way down the red carpet, he was aware that Robin and Simon were following.

He waved and winked just as if he would have if nothing had happened and he saw Gail waiting for him, smiling with her arms wide open. He broke into a run, gathered her up in his arms and spun her around, much to the delight of the audience. Reporters were closing in but they knew the boundaries and he could spot the unobtrusive security circulating a mile off.

From out of the corner of his eye he saw Robin had also been approached but he’d lost sight of Simon.

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