Five years ago, I was 25 and on a solo backpacking tour around Britain. I had seen Stonehenge and now wanted to see Avebury, which is older and much bigger. I also wanted to see the West Kennet Long Barrow and Silbury Hill. I had pre-booked the hotel in Avebury, because there is only one hotel there.
I planned to have a breakfast and then explore the area for a full day.
TRAFFIC DELAY
To get to Avebury, I had to catch a bus to Devizes and then another bus to Avebury. But my plans were thrown out of the window due to a road traffic accident which meant that I arrived after the Avebury bus was due to depart. If I didn't get the Avebury bus I would lose the full cost of my booking because I would be considered a "no show".
The alternatives were to take a taxi or find a place to stay in Devizes. I was already low on funds and paying Β£50 for a taxi would be a criminal waste of money.
An old man, perhaps even in his 50s, sat on a bench and watched as people dispersed. I was left alone at the bus stop, hoping that the Avebury bus was also delayed, with my rucksac and daysack on the floor.
It became obvious that I had missed the bus. The old man still sat there watching me.
He came over and asked me "Did you want the last bus to Avebury?"
I replied "Yes. But I assume that it left already."
HIS OFFER
He replied "I'm afraid so. And don't even think about finding accommodation here. It's canal boat week. All the hotels are full as are the Bed and Breakfast places. But I can offer you a place to stay for the night."
I didn't think he was being kind. He sat there hoping to pick up a stranded stranger. But beggars can't be choosers. I didn't want to look a gift horse in the mouth.
The old man said "If I had a 2 bed flat I would have rented out the spare room. But I only have one bed. We can share it or you can sleep on the floor."
This confirmed it. He was there hoping to pick up a stranger. I suspected that he wanted be to accept the former option of sharing his bed.
I AM GAY
The old man said "Full disclosure. I am gay. If that offends you then I understand if you don't want to stay with me."
I didn't want to miss out on the only accommodation available. It was kind of sweet that the old man was upfront about being gay. I had nothing to lose by accepting his offer.
I said "I have had a few gay relationships but I am mainly heterosexual. I have a girlfriend back in Newcastle."
This was a fib. I only had been with one man and then only for one night. Like the poet wrote
"I ain't no rookie
At male-male nookie
Fucking once before.
I'm no male whore"
THE AGREEMENT
He said "I won't charge you anything. We can have a fish supper. I will make you a good breakfast breakfast and then you can get the first bus to Avebury."
I replied "That is very kind. My name is Brian, What's yours?"
He replied "I am William."
I picked up the daysack and the rucksack and we went to his flat.
HIS FLAT
The lounge/diner and bedroom had photos of the old man in his younger days with another man. They were artistically posed and both were naked. But you couldn't see all of William because he was partly hidden by the other man.
I said "You both had good bodies. Who is the other man?"
WILLIAM'S HUSBAND'S DEATH
William said "He was my husband but he died 3 years ago. He tried to cross a road and didn't notice the car. The one consolation was that it was over quickly. I had to attend the inquest into the death. Across the court room I saw the car driver who killed him.
I asked "What did you do?"
I told the car driver "Don't blame yourself. You didn't have a chance to avoid him."
William was nearly in tears. I didn't know what to do. The old man struggled to continue his discourse.
He explained "The car driver feared the inquest would determine it was an unlawful killing. Instead it gave a verdict of accidental death."
I said "I am so sorry for your loss. You look like you loved him in that photograph."
William replied "I did, and still do, love him."
LIFE IS FOR THE LIVING
He then changed the topic and said "But life is for the living. I try to find some form of happiness every day. That is why I made the offer to you. It gave you happiness and it gave me company for the night. I miss having Paul around. It is good that you are bisexual. It makes life easier when a man is comfortable with another man. Heterosexuals can be very uptight when they see the photos of Paul and I naked and in love. I was glad that you just looked at the photo as artistic, appreciating Paul's lovely naked body.