I first met Kevin in Morrisons supermarket, he was just another till cashier, but it seemed most every time I did my weekly shop I saw him there, happily doing his work.
At the time I thought nothing of it that I liked him, I guess because of his cheerful and spirited manner, and so every time I shopped at Morrisons I mad sure I was on the queue to be checked out by Kevin.
It came to the point where he started to greet me by my Christian name rather than just plain "Sir" but of course our chats, he was a great conversationalist, were always limited because of "Tut-Tut's " from another shopper behind waiting to be served.
Before very long I felt I was getting frustrated, simply because I could not get the opportunity to talk with him properly. In fact I found myself attracted to him. Nothing unusual about that I told myself, he is just another guy you like and want to make friends with.
But I slowly realised it was more than that. It was something that had not happened to me since I was at high school and had a crush on my male teacher. It happens I discovered, nothing unusual about that, doesn't mean you are "that way inclined" so to speak. So I shrugged it off and soon forgot him when I left school.
So could this be the same, with Kevin I mean. Lately he had seemed to take more of a personal interest, asking me what I did, and all that sort of thing. I decided I would try and ask him if he would like to come surfing with me down at Newquay one weekend. With nothing more in mind than just a simple friendship. But who was I kidding, only myself - because it was something else I felt, but I was confused and could not understand. If it had been a girl cashier that would have seemed more natural, but a Guy?
However, disappointed I could not see Kevin at any of the check outs for weeks, had he given up the job, got sacked (which I doubted, he was such a keen worker) - I just had to ask at the information desk.
"Kevin? do you mean Kevin Thomas?"
"Don't know his second name," I replied.
"Well if you mean Kevin Thomas, he was promoted to Manager and it now at out Totnes store, it has to be him because he was the only cashier with that name."
Totnes wasn't far from Paignton so I decided to shop there instead, with the hope of meeting Kevin again. As if it was meant to be I saw him talking to some shelf fillers. I hovered around to see if he noticed me, I was not confident enough to interrupt but I noticed, although he was firm, he still had that wonderful cheerful disposition about him and he did look so smart and good in his manager's outfit. Then a thought flashed though my mind which made me hesitate in approaching Kevin. I realised my feelings for this guy were more than just casual, I felt it was much more than that, I felt sort of physically attracted, like I wanted to be with him - which really took me back. So confused was I that I decided to back off before he saw me and quickly went to continue my shopping.
But as if by destiny I heard this shout behind me, calling my name, swung around and it was Kevin. "Aren't you going to talk to me then?"
My heart fluttered, what was happening to me. I was so thrilled that he had noticed me and wanted to chat again. He asked how I found him at Totnes and how he wanted to tell me about his promotion and everything but it had happened so quickly as the former manager had been sacked for misconduct..
"Look, come up to my office, Pete. It is my break time, come and have a coffee with me."
Of course I submitted. It was how it all started really, we hit it off straight away and gradually we grew to know each other more intimately when we spent time together a lot, surfing, at the cinema and at his place.
But what really sparked off something deeper than being simply buddies was when he complimented me on my casual way of dressing. It was when he said I looked divine that made me come out of myself and accept that I was as much inclined as he was to the alternative sexual leaning - as Kevin liked to call it.
"It is just somehow I have never quite understood myself that way" I confided. We were having a real close conversation, he sat next to me on the sofa in his flat.
"In which way do you mean. Pete, can I call you Pete rather than Peter?"
I paused but he prompted me to come out with my thoughts, not to be shy, to just let them flow. In fact that was Kevin all over, his great Charisma was so comforting.
"I have always thought tit is unnatural that's all" I submitted in a very guarded way.
"If it is right for you, it is natural for you, Pete" he reassured, touching my hand with his for the very first time, except that when we shook hands when we departed.
Now was different because his fingers gently stroked mine in a way which was most stimulating. I felt so very much drawn to this lovely guy, it was like a new life had come for me, he made me feel so wonderful and at peace with the world.
"So, Pete, just let it flow Huh? You are what you are, simply that. Let us get more acquainted I would I'd like that, are you for it?"
I gulped. Lost for words immediately. Kevin said if I wanted time to think about it, that would be fine.
But I found myself at perfect ease with Kevin, He was such a wonderful guy. I knew than out relationship was about to grow to a new and thrilling crescendo, when we would be so much more than just simply new friends.
I felt his hand tighten over mine as he so gently lifted my chin up, so that his lips were level with mine, then I felt the touch of his lips, just a touch, on mine. Closing my eyes to this new and strange sensation I felt my whole being stir, and all at once I felt just like putty in his arms as we embraced and kissed.