back option.”

A breath of laughter escaped his lips as Fizz smiled. He wanted to show his gratitude, even if he

wasn’t entirely sure what Ash’s motives were in this. He picked up his fork and plunged it into the

food. He took a tentative bite, in case it was too hot, but it was perfect, in every way. Fizz was

surprised. He took another mouthful, then looked up to see Ash watching him.

This time it was Ash’s turn to look away, with a nervous smile on his lips. It seemed Ash’s shyness

only crept up on him occasionally. Fizz felt like slightly less of an idiot to know that even confident

people like Ash could be affected. Even if it was only small glimpses. And that thought brought up the

question of why Ash was nervous. Fizz realised it must be down to him. He swallowed, his throat felt

tighter all of a sudden.

Luckily, Ash started chatting again, distracting him. “You know, my favourite films are the ones

that make absolutely no sense.” He looked at the TV, barely glancing down as he shovelled in his

food. “But they have to be fun, you know? That’s why I like Austin Powers, with the random dancing

and songs. It’s almost like watching Bollywood.”

Fizz looked at him, trying to understand what he meant.

Ash caught the look and asked, “You ever seen a Bollywood movie?”

“Sorry,” Fizz shook his head. He didn’t want to add that his father had been more than a little bit

racist with regards to viewing choices. Anyone other than white on the TV was either shouted at, or

turned off. Another reason Fizz chose to stay in his room most of the time.

“Oh, boy!” Ash shot him a heart stopping smile. “You have got to watch some Bollywood. It’s the

answer to everything.”

“It is?”

“Of course.” Ash grinned down at his food, as he loaded up his fork. “If you watch a Bollywood

movie, you’ll understand.” He stuck the food in his mouth and chewed, looking thoughtful.

Swallowing, he said, “Of course, that does depend on the movie choice. Some of them are a bit –” Ash

arched his back, tilted his head up and put a hand to his forehead, striking an overly dramatic pose.

Fizz smiled in response. “Aren’t all films like that?”

Ash lost the pose and grinned. “Yeah, I guess. But nothing like a Bollywood tragedy. I’m not so

keen on them, I like the more modern ones. As far as I’m concerned, the more random, happy dancing

in a movie there is, all the better.”

“Dancing?” Fizz wasn’t sure he could picture what Ash was talking about.

“Yeah, well,” Ash began, staring down at his food. “I could lend you some DVDs, if you wanna see

‘em. Ryan and I were gonna have a movie night soon anyways. Or maybe...you and I could watch a

movie sometime?”

Fizz felt fire heat his face, and it had nothing to do with the curry. Placing his fork down gently, he

hid his hands under the table, wringing them together. “Ash, I – I don’t...I can’t –”

“Hey, it’s cool,” Ash said easily. “We’re friends, right?”

“Um, we are?”

“Sure we are.” Ash smiled at him. “We can watch a movie, right?”

Fizz was torn. He should in all honesty tell Ash that it really wasn’t worth his effort; Fizz could

never give anything back to him, no matter how much he wished he could. Even friendship would be a

struggle. He could remember those words his father had used, whilst on the phone to Fizz’s most

recent medical consultant, his conversation blaring out through the house: “He’s not all there. We’ve

done everything we can, but trying to talk to that boy...it’s like sweating over an old car that won’t

start. There’s no spark there.”

It was harsh, but pretty accurate, Fizz thought. That was his father all over really; blunt, and to the

point. So how was he supposed to deal with Ash and this situation? Fizz already felt guilty about it.

The way Ash looked at him so hopefully crumbled his resolve. Shit. Fizz took the coward’s way out,

and plastered on a smile. “Um, I guess we could watch a movie.”

Ash’s face lit up. “Great! I’ve got just the ones in mind. It’ll be ace, I promise. You’ll love

Bollywood.”

“Okay.”

They continued to eat. After laughing at a few more scenes in the movie that was still running, Ash

brought up a new topic. “I think Ryan will be pleased.”

“Huh?”

“You know, the reason he shoved us upstairs tonight, so he could stay downstairs.” Ash definitely

had a twinkle in his eye. “With your cousin.”

“Huh?” Fizz wasn’t sure he understood. “They’re low on staff.”

“Yeah, I heard.” Ash shook his head. “Poor Sammy. Ryan said they’re keeping him in hospital

overnight, just to check for concussion.”

Fizz nodded. That was right, and Ryan was doing a double shift to cover it.

“Then Rachel called in sick,” Ash went on. “But Ryan and Ginger are both workaholics, so really,

they’re probably enjoying this chance to work themselves to the bone so they can whinge about it

later. Quite alike, in lots of ways. I can see why Ryan likes him.”

“I...I don’t understand?”

Ash gave him a look. “Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed?”

“Noticed what?”

“Oh, man!” Ash started laughing, covering his mouth with his hand. “Oh! I’m sorry to break this to

you. Especially as Ginger’s your cousin and all...”

“What?”

“Ryan kinda likes him.”

Fizz blinked, staring. “What? Are you sure?”

“Sure, sure.” Ash nodded. “Just watch Ryan the next time he’s around Ginger. Then compare it to

how mopey he is when Ginger isn’t around.”

“Oh.” Fizz thought about it. “I guess...I didn’t notice.”

“Well, I’ve known Ryan for a while now. There’s not much he can hide from me.”

“Um, has Dan – I mean, has Ginger said anything about it?”

Ash pulled a who-knows face and shrugged. “He doesn’t say much to anybody, never has done.

That’s why Ryan’s had a face like a wet weekend for the past...God knows how long. No one even

knows if Ginger...well, you know. If he swings that way.”

“He does,” Fizz blurted out.

Ash looked genuinely shocked, and sat up in his chair. “No way! For real?”

“I shouldn’t have said anything.” Fizz flushed hard. “Please, don’t tell anyone.”

“Oh, no way. You don’t need to worry, I’m not a goss. Ryan’s my best friend.” Ash shook his head,

smiling. “Wow. I never thought. I mean, how do you know?”

“Promise you won’t tell?”

“Cross my heart.” Ash smiled, drawing an X over his chest. Fizz had to tear his eyes away from

Ash, because he suddenly started imagining what was under that t-shirt. He cleared his throat.

“Um, well, Luke – my older brother – and Dan, they were pretty close, growing up. So, it’s just

what Luke mentioned to me. When Dan was in London, he...he had a boyfriend. I don’t know the

details, but it ended badly. That’s when he moved down here. Luke said Dan hasn’t been with anyone

since. Not that we know of.”

Ash was rapt. “Oh. My. God. No way! And Ryan doesn’t even know! Are you sure about this?”

Fizz took a deep breath and nodded. “We came to Brighton to visit him, before Luke moved in with

his fiancée. But, I guess I was young, and excited to be away from home. I didn’t get much chance to

speak to Dan, and I didn’t notice how upset he was. That’s when Luke told me about it on the drive

home. I felt so bad, but I don’t know how to bring it up now.”

“Hey, don’t worry,” Ash said, calm and understanding. “Like you said, you were young. You didn’t

mean anything bad, and Ginger obviously likes you. He’s letting you stay here now, right?”

Fizz smiled wanly. Yes, but for how long? The thought of overstaying his welcome was enough to

make him want to run away before things turned sour.