49
CHRIS
Chris had played it cool as if being kissed by his boyfriend in a crowded public space was an everyday thing. It was not. Not even for Chris.
After living as a successful, single, and independent gay man for so long, he didn't know any other way. He could function like that. He could organize his life and survive in the world.
He couldn't remember a life without his loyal, dependable boyfriend. A man so proud of their relationship and so in love that he’d kiss him in public without hesitation.
A man who'd attend functions with him, because he wanted to be with him, not because he was seeking status, connections, or a few minutes of fame.
Frank bought so much into Chris's life that he hadn't realized what he was missing. He hadn't been aware of the loneliness and the gaping emptiness that his friendships had almost filled, but weren't quite enough.
Frank changed everything.
And Chris wanted to be everything for Frank.
It must have been difficult for Frank to kiss him right there in front of everyone. But if it was difficult, Frank didn't show it. If anything, he appeared to relax. The secrecy was over. Frank could be himself, and right now they were both surrounded by friends.
And Chris could relax too, now that Frank knew who he really was.
A name among those in the know. Someone who was photographed and interviewed along with his art for glossy Sunday magazines when he had an interesting new commission or an exhibition.
Chris didn't see himself as a celebrity and didn't crave it, but when people paid thousands of pounds for a piece of contemporary art they brought into a brand that included the artists themselves. It was how that market worked.
"You're waiting in for the estate agent tomorrow, aren't you? You have no other plans?" Chris asked when Frank returned with his drink.
"No plans. Just waiting at home in the morning. And hoping to see you."
"Great. I've spoken to Nicola Marsh and sent her photographs of your work, and she's really keen to come and have a look. She's available tomorrow."
"By all means let her come."
Chris had introduced Frank to Nicola at the private view two weeks previous. She owned a furniture shop in Islington. Not just a run-of-the-mill shop selling mass-produced furniture; Nicola's customers sought something different. She offered them limited editions, unique, handcrafted by artists, or bespoke commissions.
Having had the same experiences, Chris understood how much this meant to Frank. Not the money or prospect of selling the things he made. No that at all. The encouragement that came from people appreciating and valuing the items. Having support and a positive outlook.
Frank had heard so much negativity from other people over the years he could barely believe people like Chris and Nicola were actually excited by what he made.
Chris knew Frank didn't believe him when he'd said the wooden furniture should sell for three and four-figure sums. Things that others had said were just good for the bonfire.
"She was intrigued when she met you, but now she's seen the photographs she's really excited. She's eager to come by tomorrow and strike a deal."
"I might need an agent." Frank chuckled.
"I'll step in, if you like. I still owe you commission for the snow globes. And if they keep on selling at the current rate, you'll be on track for a tidy bonus."
"Hi, fellas." Kevin appeared beside them, along with a few other scaffolders. He looked as if he'd been in the bar for the afternoon.
"Kev, mate. How're things since I saw you last?" Ben asked.
"That was yesterday, Ben. We worked together, remember? Moving a bit of scaffold from under a bridge that went over a river. I thought you were going to get your feet wet at one point."
"Oh, yeah."
"What I want to know is, Chris, how's your exhibition going?" Kevin asked.
"I think good," Chris replied. "I leave it all in the hands of Sebastian, the gallery owner, he knows what he's doing, and it's got a couple more weeks to run."
"The boss hasn't told us who's going up to collect the scaffold. Do you know, Lee?"
Lee shook his head.
"Oh, Chris, what you did there with the sheets of glass instead of scaffold boards was amazing, and the life-like people doing things on the boards. So simple," Ben said. "I was a bit nervous about going to the exhibition with Tom because I wouldn't know what to say if I didn't like it. But I was impressed. It was really interesting. Simple stuff that made me think."
"Good. I'm relieved you liked it. Yes, it was supposed to be simple. Just about looking at things from a new angle."
"I didn't get why you called it the Glass Ceiling?" Ben confessed.
"In the last century, the phrase was coined to explain why women didn't reach the highest points in their profession. In some cases, there were rules preventing them from taking the top jobs, but most often the barriers were invisible. There were social factors or prejudice. Hence, the glass ceiling, women couldn't get any higher, but you couldn't see the barriers holding them back."
Everyone looked enthralled.
"The exhibition wasn't about women. I think art means whatever you want it to mean. For some people, they saw a scaffold with glass on it. They saw a house made of glass. They saw paperweights for sale."
"And snow globes," Frank added.
Chris nodded. "If they enjoyed what they saw, then great, it doesn't have to mean anything. The hidden barriers that stop different social groups fulfilling their potential were my inspiration when thinking up these things. But the spectator doesn't have to see that."
Chris noticed he'd gathered a small audience of strangers, presumably other scaffolders, who all listened to his philosophizing.
"That's very interesting," said one of the men. "I'm Dave; this is Josh and Kellan. I couldn't help noticing you seem to be a friend of Frank's. If we didn't come and introduce ourselves, we'd have to wait forever for Frank to tell us who you are. But I gather you're an artist."
"I'm Chris." While Chris wondered what else to say, Frank took that problem away.
"Chris is my fiancé. Yes, Kev, he really is. I'm not just saying it for effect. We haven't made our wedding plans yet. I'm thinking I should probably tell my parents I'm seeing a guy first. In fact, if you could all avoid any Greek restaurants for a while and don't breathe a word until I've told them."
"Frank, I think you may have a full schedule tomorrow. Seeing Nicola, the estate agent, and coming out to your parents."
* * *
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* * *
Readers of the whole SHS series will have recognised the staff in the sexual health clinic. Greg is an old friend of Chris and would recognise the name Chris Cooper as soon as Frank mentioned it. Both nurses are characters in Friends with Benefits.
Connor and Lee first got together in Our Secret Wedding and more of their relationship is revealed in Our Secret Christmas and Tread the Boards.
Ben and Tom get together in Tread the Boards.
Kevin and Perry become a couple in A Secret Boyfriend.
Kevin's bother's story is in Friends With Benefits. In this book we also meet the workers at the Sexual Health clinic.
These books are part of the Sky High Scaffolders series
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