“You see, for all those reasons, I have to resign. I love him but I cannot live with this kind of fear.” Freddie says to Archie, explaining the threats from Hugo and how he feels about Horace on a visit to the London office. “Do you have something to go to?” Archie asks. “I’ve lined up a bunch of interviews with tech firms when I … Continue reading The Number crunchers 25

“Arabella, thanks so much for meeting me.” Horace says. “I had a date cancel, if I had anything better to do I wouldn’t be here.” Arabella snorts. “That makes me so unhappy. We were such close friends for so long.” Horace says. “I was given a very generous allowance as long as I stayed with you. Boosted my meagre trust fund no end and of … Continue reading The number crunchers 24

“I am gay. I don’t know how much you had guessed. I held off telling you out of fear, not for myself but that you would reject Freddie. Also because of Arabella, she has behaved badly since we split but she didn’t deserve to be the subject of gossip because of me.” Horace says to his parents at the dinner table. “Just get Freddie out … Continue reading The Number Crunchers 23

“Darling, what is wrong, you’re white as a sheet?” Horace asks when he comes back. “You wouldn’t come out for me, to your parents privately. But for Tris you’ll tell the whole world.” Freddie whispers. “What? What?” Horace calls to Freddie’s departing back. Horace sits at Freddie’s desk and reads the article with his mouth open. He can feel a huge wave of anger flowing … Continue reading The number crunchers 22

“Wow. Oh Horace, you did all this for me?” Freddie asks in amazement. No one has ever gone to so much trouble for him. Freddie is utterly overwhelmed by the flowers. “You deserve it. I hate that I feel like you’re slipping away from me.” Horace says. “Dinner and the show would have been enough. I love our house, you didn’t need to go so … Continue reading The number crunchers 21

“Be careful and don’t get too drunk.” Freddie says as the pair meet at the dessert station. “Are you sure?” Horace asks. “It would have been nice to be asked too but we don’t have to do everything together. I can go home and watch tv shows you hate and let my food baby go down.” Freddie grins. “That actually sounds better than an expensive … Continue reading The number crunchers 20

Horace looks over at Freddie and feels butterflies. The pair have split their team in two and are both leading a small group on separate parts of their current project. Freddie is sat having a lunch meeting with his group and is animatedly drawing a diagram for them as they eat. Horace watches for a few more minutes, his smile a mile wide. Ella who … Continue reading The number crunchers 19

Horace And Freddie are walking hand in hand along the strip, they are enjoying their final weekend before their new team arrive and they are having a fun date day and checking out some activities they might take the team on over the coming weeks. “I love not looking over my shoulder.” Horace says. “We’re lucky your set only come here for stag nights and … Continue reading The Number crunchers 18

Horace is lying on his bed after a shower, stroking himself gently, almost absent mindedly when Freddie comes in. “Getting ready for me?” Freddie asks with a big smile on his face. His boyfriend looks really, really hot. The daily swimming has toned the pair up and Horace with a tan is utterly smoking. “I am always ready for you. Just enjoying myself a little.” … Continue reading Number crunchers 17

“That was a good week.” Horace says as he, his mother and Freddie take the train back to London. “It was lovely to get away.” Horace’s mum says. “I’d never been to Scotland before. Thanks for including me so much.” Freddie says. “Oh it was lovely to have one of Horace’s friends to stay. I miss having a crowd during the hols.” Horace’s mum says. … Continue reading Number crunchers 16