After a few minutes, Kevin’s eyelids fluttered. Pete’s breath caught in his throat. ‘Praise Jesus.’
‘Why hello, sexy eyes. I don’t normally hear that from men who still have their clothes on.’ Kevin’s voice was rough from months of inactivity. ‘Have we met?’
Pete felt heat creep up his chest and into his cheeks. ‘You’re alive.’
‘Of course I am, darling.’ He smacked his lips. ‘Ugh, though I suspect something resident in my mouth isn’t. If you’re planning to kiss me, I suggest you wait until I find some toothpaste.’
‘I wasn’t.’ Pete’s blush only deepened. ‘I wouldn’t.’
The doctor picked that moment to return to his patient.
Kevin’s eyes opened wide. ‘Nice costume, love. But don’t you think you’re a bit overdressed for a hospice?’
‘This is Doctor with Orange Scales,’ Pete said before Kevin could say anything worse. ‘He’s been looking after you. While you recover.’
Kevin’s head whipped around, looking back at Pete. ‘Don’t toy with a dead man. There’s no recovery from AIDS, darling. I’m dying. In fact, I might already be dead – I haven’t decided.’
‘No, you’re not.’ Pete realised he was still holding Kevin’s hand, so he let go. ‘At least not any time soon. Don’t you remember? Grace brought you here. To save you.’
‘Where is young Mr Grace?’ Kevin looked around. ‘And don’t believe anything they tell you. They’re a liar, they are.’
Pete pinched his lips together. ‘They should be back in a week or so.’ He thought for the fifty-seventh time that they really should be here for this.
‘My head is absolutely swimming.’ Kevin pressed a hand over his eyes. ‘Must’ve been quite a night – especially since I don’t remember it. Whatever drug cocktail they’re trying on me now is probably earning someone an absolutely killing on the street because I couldn’t even tell you what pain was.’
Doctor with Orange Scales pulled a device from a nearby cabinet and studied it. ‘Your memory should be unaffected by the treatment. However, you have been in a stasis coma for the past sixty days.’
‘Sixty days?’ Kevin looked at Pete. ‘I’m sorry, darling. I feel certain we’ve met. But my memory’s not as good as it used to be. Did you say Grace introduced us? I take it you work here? And where is here? I know I was being moved to a hospice but this place is a lot classier than I expected on the NHS.’
Pete looked at the doctor, who turned and walked away. ‘Kevin, there’s something you need to know.’ He reached out to take Kevin’s hand – but stopped himself before he made contact.
