47. Unwelcome news
This must be some misunderstanding, thought Duff. It can’t be what it looks like. Somehow there must be a rational explanation. I need to talk to Peter and find out more.
Duff didn’t usually call people in Thailand on the phone. He kept in touch by email. But he seemed to remember he had Peter’s phone number somewhere. Duff did a search for “peter hart + address” on his computer and an old email came up. It was a message Peter had sent when he moved to the place he lived now, titled “Change of address”. This email contained Peter’s home phone number. Duff started dialling. 00 66 2 671…
Duff heard the faint noise and the delay that marks an international call. A phone began ringing in Bangkok. Pick up Peter, thought Duff. Come on. I have to speak to you. Don’t let me wait.
- Hello, a Thai voice said.
Duff thought this voice was familiar. But they all sound the same, right? It must be his imagination.
- Hello, said Duff. Could I speak to Peter please?
- Him no home. Him go Emporium buy book.
- I see. Who am I speaking to?
- I am Bia.
Duff could not think of anything to say. He put the receiver down.
Next to the computer Duff had a stack of cash. It was 2 800 pounds the girl had paid for the Polo. Duff felt a sudden impulse to run after the girl and demand his car back. Give me my Fagmobile! He would reverse everything; tell his boss he had joked when he quit and tell the agent the apartment wasn’t for sale after all. Then everything would be back to normal and none of this had happened.
Next Duff became angry. Why didn’t Peter say something earlier? Peter was secretive about his boys, as if he thought his friends would steal them. Duff had felt the distrust as Peter went silent when asked about his private affairs. Duff didn’t even know that Peter had a boyfriend. Peter always said he was “dating”. And now this? What a bloody mess.
Bia had given the impression that he was free and single when Duff had met him. Duff had not asked but assumed it. You don’t ask questions when a cute boy knocks on your door and jumps you. Of all the boys in Bangkok… Actually the farang-Thai gay scene wasn’t that big. Such things could happen. Many farang knew the same boys, Thai boys who liked Westerners and therefore came to the right places. DJ Station, soi 4, Babylon sauna… For gay foreigners Bangkok was a small town.
That weasel Bia! How could he do this? On the other hand, maybe Bia didn’t really like Peter. Maybe Duff was the one he preferred. After all, Duff was younger and… Duff felt his pride intervening and stopped it. If Bia can cheat Peter he can cheat me as well, thought Duff. Now Peter will hate me. Bia will hate me too because I don’t want anything more to do with him. What does this boy expect? He can’t fool around like this and think there will be no consequences.
Duff began writing an email to Peter.
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