Tenement Funster

Seaside Rendezvous...

Meanwhile...back in London

John double checked his suitcase for the items he planned to bring.  A smile erupted on his face and he gently placed the wrapped package in between his clothes.  A birthday present for Freddie.  He had collected it on his way home from work the day before.  John had taken today off so they could leave for the seaside this morning.  He heard a knock on the door to his room.  The door was opened and Freddie leaned in.

"You packed?"  he asked John.  The man nodded as he closed the lid and secured the latches.  

"All set..."  he confirmed as he pulled on his coat and grabbed his suitcase. Freddie smiled at him.

"If we leave now we can stop for an ice cream in the town before we go to the hotel..."  Freddie proposed.  John smiled back.

"Let's go then..."  he responded and Freddie switched off his light as John vacated his bedroom.

The men rode in the back of the car together and enjoyed the scenery on the drive from London to Devon.  

"How did you meet these friends?"  John asked.  Freddie grinned at him.

"I met Duffy when I was in art college..."  Freddie replied.  "Duffy is the man who owns the hotel..."  he explained.  "It was an estate house that had been in his family for a long time but interest waned in it over the years...so he bought out his brother and is sole owner now...he lives there and runs it as a private club for his friends...mostly of the homosexual persuasion..."   John found it interesting.  

"Then there's Hugo...my oldest friend...I met him in boarding school ages ago..."  Freddie advised.  "He is an artist and lives in Paris...he comes over every year for my birthday...he's a loyal friend..."  

"You mentioned him to me..."  John remarked.  "You and Roger stayed with him in Paris..."  he reminded him.  Freddie nodded.

"That's right..."  Freddie confirmed and smiled invitingly at John.  "Maybe you and I can visit there one day..."  he suggested.  John formed a wide smile at the idea.  

"I've never been..."  John told him.  "I'd love to go..."    Freddie patted his arm.

"We will have to see about a trip sometime soon..."  Freddie said.  "Now the other two guests besides us and Roger and Brian are Griffin and Teddy..."  Freddie advised.   "They are together...well on and off really..."  he commented.   "They run hot and cold with each other but never really seem to break up..."  he said as John listened and found that odd.

"Why are they on and off so much?"  John asked with curiosity.  

"I think it's something to do with Teddy's constant cheating..."  Freddie answered casually.  John was alarmed to hear they would stay together if one of them was unfaithful.

"I wouldn't stay if my boyfriend cheated on me..."  John informed Freddie pointedly.  Freddie loved hearing John use the term 'boyfriend.'  He hoped it might apply to him in the near future.

"Yes...well...everyone is different dear..."  Freddie remarked.  "That should be everyone unless Hugo or Duffy have a date for the weekend..."  he advised.  John nodded understanding.  It wasn't too many people to absorb.  He could manage meeting them all.

"Will you have a birthday cake?"  John then asked.  Wanting to know what to expect.  Freddie gave him a confident smile.

"Of course!"  he confirmed.  "I let Duffy surprise me with whatever concoction he dreams up...I never know what I will get..."  he said with clear pleasure.    "Do you have a favorite kind of cake?"  Freddie asked him.