This is very much a scene setting chapter. Remember , donate to Nifty http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html
It was a rainy Friday afternoon and I had popped to the corner shop. Such visits were usually quick in and out. Annoyingly there was a queue, less annoyingly one or those in front of me caught my eye. Six foot tall, with a rugby player's build. Close cropped salt and pepper hair. I turned off my iTunes, just in time for the last few words of the conversation with the shop assistant. Deep, resonant and a Northern Irish burr. My eyes followed him as he walked to the noticeboard and pinned something to it, and continued to watch as he left the shop.
Oi mate your turn a less than friendly voice behind we shouted. Lust had meant that my attention was less than full. I paid for my goods and walked to the noticeboard. I very rarely paid attention to it , so was unsure which of the notices were his. Something from the local council took up most of the space and the rest were five postcards. I read each one Baby sitter wanted, pushchair for sale, room for rent, the contact details were all women so easily discounted, Car for sale contact Darren, and Wanted: Dog Walker. Call Kyle. It was one of the two, but which one. I looked round, no one was paying attention, and I quickly unpinned both cards, and slipped them into my pocket.
My flatmate was in the lounge when I got back, the tell tale of poppers in the air. I gave him a look. of disgust "Do you ever not wank." "Fuck off" he replied using a tissue to wipe his recent expelled cum from his belly. I went to the kitchen, made a coffee and went back to the lounge, hoping he had at least cleaned up after himself.
The next morning I pulled on my jeans and found the postcards in my pocket. I smiled and laughed at the fact that my lust yesterday had led me to take the postcards, I was about to rip them up when I thought - why not find out which one belonged to the man in the shop. I dialled Darren the one selling the car. It was answered by a woman with a strong South London accent. I could have put the phone down, after all this was a sign that he want going to be gay , but hate it when that happens to me so asked to speak to Darren.
`Ello', the voice was South London so I knew it wasn't the object of my lust.
"I'm calling about the car" I said, releasing as a non driver I had no real knowledge about them, so hoped I could wing the conversion.. "Sorry mate it's sold". "No worries" I hung up, my relief was huge as I realised that there was no way I could convince anyone I knew anything about cars. I twirled the card with Kyle's number in my fingers. I knew his name, what would calling achieve, other than just hearing that voice. "Fuck it." I thought and I dialled the number.
Hello (that voice). Um, um, dog walk. Um. I'm calling about the Dog walking card at the shop.
Yes? Are you interested? A matter of fact, I was unsure if it was friendly or not. "Yes I replied. "Do you have any experience?" "Not really?" "Hmm you are not really selling yourself to me. I like dogs, my voice squeaked Ok. I've got your number. I'll text you my address. I expect you here in twenty minutes. No later no earlier. Understand.
Yes I stammered. The phone went dead. He had hung up, then a text message came through Nothing but an address Immediately followed up by another. Remember to be on time. Twenty minutes starts now. It was 10:28 A quick search indicated he was less than ten minutes away. More if I ran. I quickly gargled some mouth wash and headed out the door I was at the end of his street with plenty of time to spare. Not early, not late. I was pleased that I was local, so that at least some of those who walked by me recognised me and didn't think I was some odd stranger. 10:43. Five minutes. 10:46 I was immediately outside his front door. My eyes were fixed on the time, 10:47. Butterflies began to form. What the fuck was I doing. Lust will always get you into trouble I told myself.
The 7 turned to an 8, I pressed the bell. The door opened, I took a deep breath. Yes? It was him as handsome as I remembered, he was in a terry towelling dressing gown, tied loosely around his waist showing off a body that was once almost pure muscle, which had become softer with age. Um dog walking. He looked at me as if I was crazy. I've come about the dog walker advert He looked at his watch, "On time. I like men who follow orders. Come in."
I could hear barking at the back. I stepped inside, and shut the door, Three leads hung from the coat hanger besides it. The barking continued. Kyle. He said offering his hand. I took it, he squeezed mine hard and shook it. Pete, I responded meekly. I followed him as he walked down the hall way. In the kitchen a Bull terrier was barking , and running around. Sit snapped Kyle. The dog suddenly stopped and looked obediently at him. Without turning he, pointed at a kitchen chair. "You too" I pulled it back and sat. "Coffee." he said I was about to answer when an up was put before me. It wasn't a question. But was it an instruction?
Ok. This is how it will work. Mornings at 6.30, evenings thirteen hours later. Seven days a week. Rain or shine, Each walk will last thirty minutes from leaving to returning. Not 29, not 31 but exactly 30. I was taken aback at the abruptness of his conversation. So still interested?
Yes I blurted out
Good 10 quid a day. Is that alrightI'd not even considered money so silently nodded in agreement. He looked at me silently, as we drank our coffees. I was trying not to overdo the staring as I feared my tongue might hangout as the more I looked the handsomer he became.
So why id you call? I tried to think of an answer? Why? Money? Love of dogs? What?
I was grateful that he gave me a hook , I've always liked dogs, always had one as a child , and I miss not having one in London. This wasn't all true and I hoped that he'd not probe further.
Ah! He said not sounding fully convinced." And the money would always be useful." This was true, I was temping, and the hours were haphazard. "As long as they don't interfere with your job here." He responded. "Prove yourself I might find other things for you to do. "
He raised the flap of his dressing gown, and scratched his balls. He looked directly at me and smiled. Ok see you at 7.30. I returned home , to find my flatmate in the kitchen half naked, with someone who he picked up the night before. I surveyed the mess over the work surfaces. Fucks sake I thought to myself. I knew that I'd end up cleaning ,and not get thanked.
I needed to find somewhere else.
At 7.15 my phone had a text. Remember! Nothing else. I briefly toyed with not going, I'd ghosted Recon dates on a number of occasions , would this be any different. But something told me that I had to go? 7.30 the door opened. Kyle was standing there. This time not in his dressing gown but leather trousers and shirt and knee length boots. He handed me a lead. and walked toward the back of his house. "Boy come here." he shouted Something stirred inside me. The dog came bounding towards us. "Good Boy."
I forgot to ask what's his name.? What I just called him Boy. I've always called my dogs that, I bent down and attached the lead to Boy's collar. As I did I caught my reflection in the shine of his boots. As we were walking towards the gate, Kyle shouted, "See you in thirty minutes Boy" Was he talking to me or the dog?