Ambitious teacher Anthony, who is firmly in the closet, works at a very conservative school, carefully living up to expectations in order to further his career.
After drinking too much at a wedding, however, he meets a gorgeous man and can’t resist having a passionate liaison with him.
Weeks later, Anthony is engaged to his girlfriend, but then his secret lover turns up at school as the new teacher in his department…
Note: This book contains my characters acting out scenes from ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ by Oscar Wilde and ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by William Shakespeare.
A different waiter arrived with the Daiquiris, a tanned, bleached blond with earrings in both ears.
“Here’s your drink, mate,” he said to Anthony, as if asking him a question. Anthony smiled at the Australian accent, and the waiter gave him a subtle wink, making him quickly look away as the man gave Francesca her Daiquiri.
“Shall we eat here too?” said Francesca. “Could we have a menu please?” She smiled, fluttering her eyelashes at the waiter, who smiled back, showing a gold tooth.
“Of course, I’ll get it.” He strode out, reminding Anthony of Blondie at the wedding. How would it feel if this Australian lay on top of him on the huge hotel office desk? He turned back again to his girlfriend. His proper, steady girlfriend.
Lunging to kiss her, his lips hit her cheek, and she twisted her head so their mouths could meet, but he moved the wrong way and kissed her hair. His hand slipped on the arm of her chair and he fell forwards onto her shoulder. A sudden gust of wind, carrying the rotting, fishy smell from the tide going out, forced him to stifle a cough.
“Here you go.” The Australian accent conveyed a hint of amusement as the couple untangled themselves and sat up.
“Oh, thank you.” Francesca smoothed her hair and blouse, while Anthony sat back in his chair and accepted the menu.
“Sorry. Hope I didn’t bite you,” he said after the waiter left.
“No, no. We just need more practice, that’s all.”
