It was that time of year where you had to attend the mandatory management funded office party, later to be called team building; for taxation purposes. Like everyone else you dread its arrival; this is one I remember.
I was single, no current girlfriend, not necessarily by choice but circumstance, I had planned to go stag; play the management game. My office friends had other intentions; some well-meaning but others not so, more to humiliate, for revenge or more likely their own self-gratification or interest. Someone whose girlfriend had an available but unattached friend was going to bring, an as yet unnamed partner for me.
It was to be held in a very nice hotel near Strathblane called the Country Club Hotel. It was about five miles out in the Scottish countryside, in the hills on the north side of Glasgow. I had elected to take my car so I could have an early escape; if needed. Most of the others were going to travel by private coach from the office that the company had organised.
We all arrived in good time to have pre-meal drinks; this was where I was to be introduced to my 'blind date' partner. The blind date organiser introduced me to Kevin; he was about my age and build, maybe a bit taller, blond hair and well-tanned. Although not camp in appearance, was in manner and speech effeminate; possibly he was gay. He was clearly embarrassed when he was introduced to me, as I was; hopefully not being noticeably so.
I think if the hotel had not been miles into the countryside, with no public transport, he had arrived by the company private coach which would not be back until after twelve thirty; would had made his excuses and left.
We exchanged introductory pleasantries with the group I was with; clearly they were all embarrassed by the situation that they created and found themselves in and did not want to aggravate the situation further. We all sat at the big round table that seated ten of us, I was sitting with Kevin, as all the place settings had names, other than Kevin's; whose card said my name; guest.
In many ways the situation provoked an inviting environment that overtly involved Kevin in the discussions; which negated any humiliating or negative intent that it was meant to have. In particular from my line manager, who had already been censured by the company, for some unguarded macho homophobic comments he had made while under the influence of drink. He had brought his car too, as an excuse not to drink; given the censure outcome from the previous company party; that I fortunately wasn't at.
The meal arrived, which was excellent as you would expect from an establishment of this calibre. The discussion round the table was pleasant and courteous, drawing both Kevin and myself proactively into the discussions. I did not have any opportunity to speak to Kevin alone and apologise for what had happened. After the coffee arrived and the inevitable speeches completed, we moved from the tables to allow the hotel staff to clear away.
I managed to get Kevin alone, but before I could say anything he apologised for what had happened to me. I said no it's me that should apologise to you. We found a table in the corner to talk and have some more coffee and mints. To any onlooker we were just two guys chatting away from the crowd.
Kevin started to explain why this had happened to us; he seemed to accept that we were both mutually the fall guys of someone's warped sense of humour. He started by saying, although he had no partner as such, that he was now certain he was gay. And that he had come out, only to his family that he was gay and nobody else. I was now the only person out with his family that knew.
Although his father was furious he accepted his choices and apologised for his comments made in the heat of the moment. His mother and sister where quite happy that he had come out; if that's what he wanted to do. They all agreed not to say anything outside the family, clearly someone knew or assumed; someone here tonight no doubt.
As we sat there, out of the way of the crowd, people I worked with came over to chat or just say hello including the CEO. Clearly we both had their sympathetic vote; support and possibly approval, even although we had done nothing, didn't even know each other before tonight. We both started to get the feeling we were now intruding on their night. I said to Kevin I have my car with me, do you want to leave and I can run you home. He said yes thankyou; we discreetly left.
Kevin had his own apartment in the trendy part of the west end of Glasgow just off Byers Road. Managed to get parked outside his apartment, which was a bit of luck or fate. He invited me up for a coffee, although I was reluctant as I was still embarrassed with what had happened; I said yes. His apartment was one of the new builds in that area and very modern inside, his sister, an art college student and her student friends had picked the furnishings and décor.
We sat together in his apartment couch, coffee in hand; Kevin felt he had to share with someone, how he thought all this might have come about.
He thought he might be gay, feelings, thoughts etc. To find out went to a Glasgow's gay nightclub he had heard off; called the Underground. He met someone there or rather someone picked him up their; they then had a three month affair which ended a couple of months ago.
