Eddie and I have worked together for over 10 years now. We get along well because we're about the same age, mid forties and we're both in the rut that comes with being married for a long time.
At lunchtime, if the weather's fine, we take our sandwiches outside and sit on the grass, so we can talk without the other guys listening in to our conversation, which is sometimes quite personal.
I know for instance that he and his wife barely speak and she's withdrawn what Eddie calls his conjugals, so they lead separate lives.
He's always moaning about her, yet neither of them want a divorce strangely enough, but I know that the lack of sex really frustrates him.
I can relate to that because Susan, my wife, doesn't have much time for my needs either. She's always too busy with her career and all the committees she's on, plus she works away from home a lot.
One Monday I see a change in him. He's looking much brighter and relaxed, so at lunchtime I tackle him about his change of mood.
"You look happier today, Eddie. Did Annie let you get near her at the weekend?"
"No such luck, but I got taken care of elsewhere."
"Don't tell me you've got a bit in the side, that never ends well."
"No, nothing like that. It was more a casual thing."
He clammed up after that, so I let it rest.
Most Mondays after that I could see a much happier Eddie, but despite some probing on my part, he wouldn't give anything away, just answered with a sly secretive look on his face, something that Eddie is good at.
"Oh it's just some place I go."
Now Eddie earned the same as me, so I knew he couldn't afford a prostitute or a visit to a massage parlour and that left me wondering where he was getting laid.
One lunchtime we were sitting outside in the sun and I decided to ask him outright.
"So Eddie how about spilling the beans and telling me where you're getting all this sex."
"Naw Barry, I'd rather keep that to myself if you don't mind."
"Come on Eddie, we share everything, don't we."
"I wish I'd never said anything now, but if I tell you, promise to keep it to yourself."
I gave him a look.
"How long have we been friends? You must know you can trust me. Just tell me who this girl is for pity's sake."
"Well you know the Ship Inn down by the harbour?"
When I nodded, he continued
"There's a lane runs down the side and halfway along there's a little sex shop. It's also got a porn cinema through the back and private cabins to rent."
I was slightly confused.
"So what kind of girl goes there?"
"There's no girls, only guys. We help each other out, if you know what I mean."
Then he waited, studying my face to see what my response would be.
Well I don't judge, which Eddie was well aware of, but I thought carefully before I answered.
"I suppose it's a way to get relief, but aren't you worried someone spots you?"
"Most of the guys that go there are married like me and I'm really careful. I dress different and leave the car in the pub car park."
"Fair enough. At least it's making you less grumpy, which can't be bad. Just be careful."
"Always careful me."
We went back to work after that bombshell from Eddie, but when I had time to think about it later, I was intrigued.
Now back in my college days I had played around with guys a few times and it sounded like an anonymous way to get some kind of sex, which I could definitely do with, instead of my own right hand.
Eddie had told me that he went on a Saturday night, while his wife was at the bingo, so on Friday I thought I'd give it a try.
I parked at the Ship and walked down the lane. The shop was pretty run down, with the window blacked out and a solid door so you couldn't see inside, plus a security camera above. The only hint was a small black sign above a buzzer that said 'Eros Please ring.'
As soon as I pressed the button, the door released and I found myself in a dingy little sex shop with all the usual toys and dvds. Behind the counter was an older guy watching porn on his monitor.
I didn't even bother looking at the merchandise, just went up to him and asked for the cinema.
After paying him £10, he drew back the curtain and told me to turn left.
At the end of a short passage, I found myself in a small dark cinema with about 40 seats, most of which were occupied.
I slid into an empty one at the end of a row and let my eyes get used to the semi darkness.
The film was showing a threesome between two guys and a girl, as she sucked one while the other guy was inside her.
Most of the men watching had their eyes fixed on the screen, their hands busy inside their trousers, but a few of them had their cocks out, openly stroking.
