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Chapter Six

Frank

Frank stood still for a minute after Marcus closed the door in his face.

"What?" he said out loud to himself in disbelief.

That was unexpected.

The window box to the left of the front door was slightly crooked, and there was indeed a gap behind it. Frank slid the key into it and turned to make his way down the garden path.

Oliver and Gareth were walking up the road, wheeling a bicycle between them.

"All right boys?" Frank said, trying to put on a casual smile.

"Hey," the teenagers replied in unison.

"You missed the food," he said, forcing a chuckle.

"Damn," Gareth sighed. He looked like he was in a gloomy trance. "No food and our plan failed."

Frank noticed Oliver elbow the husky in the ribs, but he chose not to inquire further.

"I'm sure there's stuff left, you can run and grab it before Elizabeth puts everything in the fridge," Frank replied with a more genuine laugh. Both of the boys were now eyeing the car up. "Fancy, isn't it?"

"Yeah," Gareth sighed. "I hoped the guy who owned it would take me for a ride."

"I suspect the guy who owns it has his paws full," Frank muttered. Gareth seemed to realise who he was talking to and Frank notice his ears splay with embarrassment. Yup, I know the feeling. However, Frank put on a friendly smile. "Shall we go and see if there's any food left?"

"Okay," Oliver said.

Frank walked ahead with the two teenagers behind him. He was sure he could hear them whispering to each other and a thought suddenly occurred to him.

"Do you know who owns that car?" he asked them.

"Yes, his number one crush," Oliver piped up.

"Shut the fuck up," Gareth hissed.

"I think it's best we keep that fact to ourselves for now," Frank asserted. The boys looked confused but nodded. "Good, now when I left there was still a lot of dessert and wine out. I think we should go and grab some."

The two teenage canines hurried past him as they reached the Durrence's cottage. Frank felt like he was in need of some alcohol himself to get over the surprise.

Marcus and Ralph Rivers, now that's a plot twist.

The way the two teenagers had been whispering and gazing at Ralph's car also intrigued Frank and a gut instinct told him to warn the boys not to try anything silly.

He followed the boys up the garden path and through the front door of the Durrence's.

Mrs Durrence was in the kitchen putting some cling film over a bowl of left-over salad.

"Sorry I disappeared Elizabeth, I remembered the contact details of two men I meant to give Marcus. I thought I'd stop by and do that whilst I remembered," he explained. "He hasn't texted me his number yet."

And I suspect he'll forget to.

"Oh that's quite all right," Mrs Durrence replied. "Are you all right Francis?"

"Yes, I'm fine," Frank replied, putting on a smile and realising that a vexed expression must still be etched onto his face.

"There's still dessert left!" Oliver's voice shouted from somewhere.

"There was a strawberry tart Mary made, or chocolate sponge," Mrs Durrence called back. "That's if we haven't eaten all of them," she added with a smile to Frank.

Most of the guests seemed to be gathering their belongings and making for the front door.

"I must be off Elizabeth," Frank's mum said. "Would you like to come back with me in my car or make your way home?" she asked Frank.

"I'll make my own way back," Frank said, giving his mother a hug and a quick nuzzle. "Would you like any help clearing up?" he offered Mrs Durrence.

"Oh no Anne, it's quite all right," she replied.

"There's loads of dessert left!" Oliver called.

"Would you like to take some home with you?" Mrs Durrence offered. "If Oliver is being correct I doubt we'll get through all of it."

"I could take some of the strawberry tart," Frank shrugged. "I didn't get to try some."

"Oliver, could you wrap up some of the tart for Francis!" Mrs Durrence called.

The Border Collie appeared a moment later with what looked like a thick wedge of tart wrapped up in kitchen towel.

"Thanks," Frank said as he took it. "And thank you for inviting me," he added to Mrs Durrence.

"Thank you for building a beautiful deck and giving us an excuse to show it off to everyone," Mrs Durrence replied.

Frank followed the guests as they made their way out of the front door. Everyone said their goodbyes.

"Ah, I'm glad I got to say a goodbye. It was most interesting to meet you," Professor Denton said, shaking Frank's paw.

"Likewise," Frank replied.

"Off home, eh?"

"I think so," Frank nodded. "What are your plans?"

"I'd like to walk around the village and explore the place, perhaps stop by the pub for a pint if my stomach isn't too full, but a cool drink sounds like a nice idea on a warm evening like this," the older Border Collie chuckled.

"Well, my place is in that direction, if you want to walk with me?"

"Most certainly," Professor Denton smiled.

Both Honeysuckle Lodge and the Durrence's place were on a country lane that led out of the village and everyone began following the road back towards the centre.

"Have you been to the pub yet?" Frank asked.

"Not yet, although I'm keen to try it. I only arrived this morning so I need to explore. I wouldn't mind retiring somewhere down here, not that anyone ever retires in academia."

"I see," Frank chuckled as he sniffed at the wrapped up tart in his paws. "Would you like some of this? Oliver cut me a rather generous slice."

"Oh, thank you but I've lost my sweet tooth lately," Professor Denton replied. "Which is funny as I thought you developed one with age."

"Are those my flowers in the road?" Mrs Hinchcliffe asked in a bemused tone.

Out of the corner of his eye Frank noticed Gareth mount his bike and pedal away quickly, but he decided not to inquire.

Instead, he continued walking with Professor Denton in tow.

"That's a car for someone in a hurry," he said, gesturing to Ralph's Lotus. "I haven't one of those since the seventies."

"Yes," Frank said rather tersely. "It belongs to a friend of Marcus."

"Ah, it's like the one from that film. What was it called?"

"The Spy Who Loved Me?" Frank asked.

"Yes, and also that one with all the fast cars, where they race, and in the last one they used the white Lotus to help steal some plutonium from Russian gangsters," Professor Denton chuckled. "It's nonsense yet great fun to watch."

"Fast & Ferocious," Frank said with a laugh of disbelief.

"As I said, I might be old, but I'm not sheltered," Professor Denton replied.

As if on some horrible cue, the front door to Marcus' house opened and both the fox and Ralph appeared.

"Are you making a habit out of hanging around my doorstep or do you have another list of tradesmen?" Marcus asked with an amused grin as he and Ralph walked down the path.

"No, I'm walking home, I have to go this route," Frank replied, raising an eye brow at Marcus.

Marcus responded with a cheeky grin as Ralph appeared at his side.

"Hey there," Ralph said, fixing Frank his trademark smile.

"Hey," Frank replied, feeling more disheartened than excited to see Ralph again, although he elected to hide this and play it casual. Ralph opened the front of his Lotus and retreated a cooler box. "Moving in?"

"For the time being," Ralph replied. "Although we should probably keep that hush, hush," he added with a wink.

"Aye," Frank nodded. "Not that you'll get many photographers around here, but don't worry, we're not the gossiping type."

"Much appreciated," Ralph said, pausing to give Frank's shoulder a gentle punch. "You take care now." He picked up the cool box and began carrying it to the front door.

"So, I guess you're well stocked with food now. I'll tell my mum not to bring any more around," Frank said as Marcus stepped forwards to lift another small cool box from the car. "Are you planning a party, that's a lot of food?"

"Cripes, I didn't realise these cars had so much storage space," Professor Denton chuckled.

"Not a party, tonight I'm planning a nice dinner together with some wine," Marcus explained. "And later shower sex now I have the hot water turned on," he added in a whisper, fixing Frank a wink and a grin.

"Tart," Frank said. "I mean would you like some tart?" he asked after a pause, offering the wrapped up slice to Marcus. "There's a lot here, I'm not sure I can finish it by myself."

"We have plenty of food, so no thank you," Marcus said as he tried pulling what looked like a very heavy box of food out. "Fuck, this is heavier than I thought."

"Want help?" Frank asked as Marcus almost dropped the box on the ground.

"I'm okay," Marcus panted as he tried lifting it again.

"Here," Frank said, rolling his eyes as he handed the tart to Professor Denton and took the other side of the box. Together they manhandled it to the front door. "What does he have in there?" Frank panted. "That was heavier than some of the building material I have to carry."

"Lots of caviar, more wine, some of his protein stuff too," Marcus explained.

"Protein stuff, eh? Sounds like a nice party you have planned," Frank chuckled.

"That's not for the meal," Marcus retorted.

"Really? You might need to build those muscles if you're carrying stuff."

"No, I'll have you to carry the stuff, that's what I'm paying you to do," Marcus grinned as he triumphantly put his paws on his hips.

"Charming, you're welcome," Frank sighed.

"No, genuinely, thank you," Marcus said, softening his tone slightly.

"Genuinely you're welcome."

Ralph reappeared at the door.

"Thanks man, catch you around," he said with a grin to Frank before picking the box up with both paws and carrying it down the hall.

Frank sighed as he watched Ralph's muscles ripple and flex beneath his tank top. Even though he was a muscular wolf, he'd met his match.

"Well, I'd best leave you two to it," he said. "You don't mind if I stop by tomorrow to do some measurements for the kitchen?"

"Sure, well, see ya tomorrow," Marcus replied.

"See ya."

And with that the front door closed.

Professor Denton was waiting patiently by the gate.

"You know, I think I'll join you at the pub," Frank sighed. "I could use a drink."

The pair made their way through the village, past Mrs Hinchcliffe's house (the badger was poking around her front garden flowers with a confused expression on her face) and to the pub.

The evening seemed to be getting warmer and Frank could feel himself panting as they stepped through the door.

"Evening," he called to Don. "What do you want Professor?" he asked, turning to Professor Denton.

"Oh, allow me to get it, you seem like you need it," he chuckled. "And please, call me Philip."

"Thanks," Frank said. "I'll take a pint of the guest ale."

"I'll have the same," Philip/Professor Denton said.

Don poured their drinks and Philip paid. They sat down at a table near the window and Frank took a long sip of his ale.

Part of his mind couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy that Marcus was with Ralph. The other part was more amused than anything.

"You can't make up your mind whether you're old partner being with his new partner is a good thing or not?" Philip asked.

"My, you are a mind reader," Frank said with a chuckle of disbelief. "Nor are you sheltered."

"When I did my service, one of my best friends was homosexual," Philip chuckled. "Recently got married at the age of seventy five at long last."

"Good for him."

"Indeed, but I get the sense you and that fox have not been together for some time, yet there is still an energy between you," Philip said, sipping his drink.

"That's one way of putting it."

"Neither of you can put the other behind?" Philip asked.

"Probably not," Frank shrugged. "Or it could be that on the one paw, the way I dumped him was a horrible move and I still feel guilty, but on the other Marcus still has a major chip on his shoulder about it."

"And now he's with this Doberman film star."

"Yup, Ralph Rivers," Frank sighed. "If it's not a one night stand give it a week and Marcus will have driven him insane."

"With his colourful persona?"

"His colourful persona, as you diplomatically put it is easy to handle," Frank sighed. "I mean, he's not a bad guy at heart. I can't deny he looks great in his shorts. I couldn't pull those off, but he does it effortlessly, and I loved him for that. He's always been himself and never cared what anyone thought, even when he was young. It's that the words faithful, consistent or _loyal_are not ones that appears in his dictionary."

"Ah, a philanderer?" Philip grinned. "A strumpet?"

"Yes and no, I mean despite his appearance and the stereotypes about foxes he doesn't run around with a load of guys or cheats per say. But when we were together he'd always complain of being tired towards the end, having a headache whenever I wanted to do something, I'd think okay, fair enough, and then I'd find him looking at porn he'd stashed somewhere or sexting with a friend," Frank sighed. "It's more he gets bored of one person, and changes his perception of what an ideal man is, and when he thinks he's found better he'll hanker after them," he trailed off as he remembered a long-suppressed memory of talking to Marcus while sitting on a hill overlooking the village.

I like guys who have confidence, you don't have enough Marcus had said. You're nice, but too passive.

Does that mean we're over? I don't understand.

No, it just means I need to think.

This had come a year after I like you Frank, you're sensitive and not too pushy.

Frank sighed at the memory. Often the people who destroyed your confidence the most were those who were oblivious to the fact they were doing it.

"Ralph is a good looking guy but I'm sure once the novelty wears off Marcus will start saying things like you're too big, I want someone more lean not muscly or whatever he's in the mood for next and start making excuses not to be around them until they get tired and dump him, or he eventually dumps them," he continued.

"Yet, he's still upset at you dumping him?"

"I have no idea what he wants sometimes," Frank shrugged. "I'm not sure he does either."

"And do you still like him?"

"Honestly, I can't give an easy one word answer to that question," Frank chuckled. "We were each other's first love, and I still care about him I suppose. I mean he's alone and quite vulnerable in some ways, even if he doesn't show it, and he's the sort of person who'd burn down the neighbourhood whilst trying to boil an egg."

"Should I be worried?" Philip laughed. "I'm staying next door to him."

"Probably," Frank grinned. "You know, I rarely confide in people about gay stuff, but doing it to..."

"An old posh sounding academic," Philip cut in with a laugh. "As I say, I'm not easily shocked."

"And do you have any pearls of wisdom?" Frank asked, taking a sip of his ale.

"If you have a strong bonded history with someone, it's hard to shake off that energy," Philip said. "My pearls of wisdom as it were would be to bide your time and keep your options open."

"Bide my time?" Frank sighed. "It's not that long 'till I'll be thirty. By gay standards you've expired."

"Young man, I am not in my first flush of youth. I can tell you that you've got many years ahead of you, biding your time won't be an issue," Philip said, gently wrapping Frank's paw and fixing him a smile. "And besides, my friend got married at seventy five."

"I'm not sure I want to wait that long," Frank sighed. "No offense of course, I get the point you're making."

"I doubt he'll take offense," Philip laughed.

The pair gazed out of the window as they finished their ale in silence.

"I'd best be off," Frank said. "I feel like a cold shower after a hot day like this. Thank you for the drink."

"You're most welcome," Philip said. "You take care now."

Frank picked up the tart slice, left the pub and made for the direction of home.

He had recently moved into a new house which was set back on a quiet side road from the main road through the village.

It was a small red brick Victorian cottage with two bedrooms, but Frank had purchased on the basis it had a garage to contain his workshop and store his car. It had been a tenement cottage on the old grounds of Threapleton Manor and was falling down when Frank brought it, but with some design magic it had been renovated into a nice little home fit for a single wolf.

If only I had someone to share it with he couldn't help but think as he let himself in via the garage.

His two-seater Morgan roadster was under a sheet and all his tools were placed neatly along the work bench.

Frank smiled wistfully to himself as he made his way through the door that connected the garage to the kitchen, feeling glad to be out of the evening heat.

The kitchen was a mixture of traditional and modern; an old Aga stove he'd recovered, new countertops and a Victorian table combined with modern mood lighting. A fish tank sat in the corner casting out its blue light. A pair of angelfish were swimming around in circles.

Frank brushed one of the granite surfaces with his paw as he wondered where to begin on Marcus' kitchen.

_This will be an interesting project for sure. _