Under New Management by June Hopkins Page B

this occasion was perhaps not the best one to choose for a coming out party, however David (when he found out about it) had thought it would be perfect.
    On Wednesday night Kevin had thrown the invitation away when he got home from the station but David had found it. They had argued the rights and wrongs, the pros and cons and as usual, eventually David had won him round.
    Kevin had even agreed to wear the ludicrous fancy dress outfits chosen by David. David had wanted to leave no one in any doubt of their new identities; it was supposed to be ironic.
    What they definitely hadn’t been counting on was that they would be the only ones in fancy dress, which really was ironic. They also hadn’t counted on bright lighting, no loud music and being the centre of attention. They had deliberately arrived late as they wanted to give people a chance to settle in, have a few drinks, and be in a good mood. The plan was to blend in with the other party goers and not cause a stir.
    He knew they looked a right pair of plonkers and now they had to face off with Jim and Dan.
    Before David can answer, Kevin steps in with his policeman’s hat on, “Now look here Mr Brown, we don’t want any trouble. We have as much right to be here as anyone else and we have an invite,” he says nervously, his voice slightly high-pitched.
    The entire room is mesmerised by the proceedings. People have slowly moved away from the food queue to a safe distance from the performance.
    Mollie moves next to her brother and hisses at him, “Dan, do something, don’t let him kick off.” Dan just winks at her.
    Before Jim can answer, Lord John steps in between them and directs his gaze at the latecomers. He knows all about it, not from Mollie of course, too discreet, but from the local gossip. This is intolerable, this is his party and he is not having it.
    “David, Kevin, I would like you both to leave please.”
    David splutters indignantly. “What? Lord John, we haven’t done anything wrong. They are the ones who are causing the trouble,” David points rudely at Jim and Dan. Jim snarls loudly at him and David steps back.
    “David, this is my party, I say who stays. I will not have you making a spectacle of yourselves.” Lord John puffs out his chest to enforce his point.
    David takes in Lord John’s words. Who does he think he is? Clearly he is referring to their costumes and, much more importantly, their sexuality. Typical upper classes, they can’t cope with being confronted with reality, yet they are the worst for it; all behind closed doors; keep it hidden like it’s something dirty. Well, David refuses to be treated like this. These people were the reason he had not felt able to be himself for the last sixteen years of his life, but not anymore. David is going to stick up for himself and the man he loves. Carried away by his own paranoia and insecurities he pulls himself upright and confronts Lord John.
    “This is intolerable! You are throwing us out because we are gay? You can’t do that, there are discrimination laws you know for that sort of thing,” David blusters at him drunkenly. He’d consumed over half a bottle of whisky for Dutch courage, and mixed with the adrenalin it is starting to take effect.
    Lord John actually goes slowly purple, he is so angry at the insult from David. Mollie is worried he may have a heart attack. “How dare you insult me in my own home! I am not interested in your sexual preferences, you ridiculous young man. I am asking you to leave out of respect for your wife. How dare you think you can come here to her staff party and disrespect her in public! That David is intolerable, please leave the premises immediately.”
    David unfortunately is not to be moved. He has convinced himself of his own innocence: it has to be everyone else’s fault and he is not going to stand for it.
    Kieran has moved through the gathered audience to the front and stands close to Jim. He is slightly sickened by the behaviour of these