What he had said had surprised her. In all the years she had known and worked with David, she had never seen behind the personal mask that he had created for himself. Never had he asked her such a question? 'Is it serious?' Her tone matched her words.

'Yes!' She could see it in his eyes. 'My diabetes has got very much worse!' He put the glass down. 'They've told me, I may well have to stop driving, as I'm liable to collapse at any time.'

She had not known about his illness. 'Is this in connection, with your new Head Office job?' She knew they would want a full medical examination. She tried to cheer him up. 'I'm looking forward to you being in the same building. There's too many humourless MBA clones in the office!'

'They're doing more tests.' His eyes dropped again. 'But apparently the diabetes is rather bad and they don't offer much hope of a normal life from here on in.' She thought she saw a tear. 'I'm almost impotent, now!'

She reached across and touched his hand. 'I am sorry! Surely, the Bank will help.' She knew that their policy towards the disabled and the sick, was strictly to the letter of the law. In David's case this would probably mean an offer of early retirement or being shunted into a siding.

'I haven't told them yet!' He put both his large hands around her much smaller, outstretched hand. She could feel the sweat and a strong fast pulse. 'The doctor said to wait, in case they can control it! They're not hopeful though!'

'There must be something, that can be done.' She felt rather helpless and didn't like to see anybody in such a state. 'Have you any family, like a mother, father or sister?' She thought further. 'Or you could get a chauffeur? Or somebody to drive you around and look after you?' She knew he lived alone, so that he could probably afford it. She was also sure, he didn't have any expensive habits. Other than his golf!

'No family! And I've thought about the hired help!' There was obviously more to this than he was telling. 'But I really wouldn't want to share a house with anyone. I've lived alone so long!'

'Well!' She tried to make things seem a lot better. 'She!' She used the feminine word deliberately. 'She could just come in the morning. Make you a cup of coffee or breakfast and then drive you to the office! What could be simpler?' She thought about adding a joke about an appropriate uniform. But she thought better of it!

'I suppose so! But the doctor says that I really ought to have someone around at all time. So that would mean two people.'

'Or a wife!' She was sure that there are plenty of eligible widows or divorcees in Houston, who would jump at the chance to be seen with a local sporting hero. 'You could always get married.'

'I couldn't, do that!' His reply was almost sharp and hostile.

'Oh! Come on David!' She couldn't really see his problem. He could afford help. He was eligible. She would fancy him herself, if she were really desperate to get married. But she needed a very special type of man. She was almost laughing at him! 'It's not an insoluble problem.'

'It is!' He paused, but much longer than any time before. 'I'm gay!'

***

She put her hand across and offered him comfort. Now she did understand his problem. The macho-male dominated Houston society, was not really the place for a respected footballer and Bank manager to come out! 'You should have moved somewhere more liberal! California! Florida!'

'You weren't born here.' She had been born in Boston and didn't share the Houstonians affection for their city! 'But I was and I want to die here!'

'But does that really matter! Surely, you could have a house-keeper?' She thought about her conversation a few nights ago on the Internet. 'A sort of Mrs. Bridges from Upstairs, Downstairs! Cook for you! Drive you about! Check you at night! That would be a nice job for someone!'

'Mrs. Bridges?' He looked puzzled.

'Didn't you watch that on Television in the 60's?'

'No! If it was on the Public channels, you wouldn't have dared watch it where I lived.' At least he laughed.

'But wouldn't your Mrs. Bridges be about my age!' She knew he was right there! 'She'd know my history! I couldn't be sure to hide the fact I was gay! I'd be worried all the time.'

'What about a Mr. Bridges?'

'The same would apply. Unless he was gay! And then the neighbours might talk!'

She added a second hand. 'You are in a mess!' She had to calm everything down, before the Bradfords arrived. 'Have you got any sort of plan?'

'No!' He shook his head for emphasis.

'We'll start by getting the doctor's report.' She stared straight at him, so that she was sure he was taking it all in. 'I'll come with you, because you'll need support on any bad news!'

'Thank you!' He visibly cheered in front of her. 'I'll let you know about the appointment!'

'I'll also talk generally to Susannah Fell, the Vice President of Human Relations at Head Office.' She knew the lady well and although she had a hard reputation, she felt that an anonymous, third-party approach might be a good way to proceed.

'And I also think you should find a house-keeper!' She knew a good agency. 'I'll find one for you. Get her now for a few weeks and if it doesn't work, you'll know that route is closed.'

***

'I must say I do feel so much better now!' He was taking another small sip of the champagne. 'I hope that they let me keep drinking! Or at least the good stuff!' He smiled at his joke. 'Thanks! Vee-Bee. You've been a great help.

'All I've done is listen.'

'No-one's ever done that for me before.' She saw his smile turn to a half scowl. 'Well, not since dear old Fred died!'

'Who was Fred?' She wondered whether he wanted to complete the disclosure of his secret life.

'We were lovers for about fifteen years. We had met at college. It was very long-distance, as he used to work in New York as a lawyer!' He stopped, as if deciding how much to reveal. 'He died ten years from a heart attack! As no-one knew his secret life, I wasn't even invited to the funeral. It was a sad end to a wonderful relationship.'

'I'm sorry!' There was little else she could say.

He was actually smiling. 'The hurt is all gone now. I just remember the good times in my private thoughts and dreams. Fred will still give me the strength to get through this one.' He reached towards her. 'With your help. I'll do it. I will! Vee-Bee! Help me!'

***

'You and Catherine share a secret don't you?' He was returning to his normal bouyant self.

'Do we?' She felt that she would have to reciprocate.

But she was given a reprieve. At that moment, David rose from his chair, walked past her and held out both hands. 'Peter! Catherine!' She turned and stood herself. 'It's so good to see you!'

Copyright 1999 by Ewart Higgins