'There would be plenty of work for Tom here.'
'Too much, I'm afraid. He's capable, but he works on his own. Never had much chance to develop management skills, and he lacks confidence. He's not doing badly for himself now, with a bit of luck perhaps he'll do even better.'
'Luck, and your help?'
'To an extent. He's been a big help to me, always giving my work priority. Sometimes I worry that he may be... too easily led.'
'Are you saying that I'm leading him on?'
'That's not what I meant. Some well educated gay men develop a taste for...'
'Rough trade?'
'Ghastly phrase. For a bit of a dalliance with someone down to earth.'
'And these well educated men, do they know from the very start that they're leading someone on? And how this "bit of a dalliance" will end? All that is immediately obvious to them is it, being well educated?'
'Aah... you've caught me again! No, as you already said, without a crystal ball... Look, however illogical the question may be, let me ask you this, please don't be offended. Should things between you two develop, and a time comes when you have to drop him, do it as considerately as you can.'
'All we've done is to spend one night together. Anyway, Tom and I are about the same age. Why should it be me who is taking advantage of him? Was that why you went to all the trouble of bringing me here, so you could say that to me?'
'No, of course not. Tom was... so full of happiness when he came into the shop this morning. I was tempted by the idea of nipping up the stairs to the flat to see you, to say good morning, it was an impulse. Asking you to come and look at this house gave me an excuse. There was no more in my mind than that. Perhaps I am a little over protective towards him. You feel I'm interfering, wasting your time.'
'No, no... the house is well worth seeing, it has atmosphere, character. You're right, someone ought to rescue it. Thanks for bringing me, but we've seen it now.'
'Good. I appreciate your company.' For a minute or so we surveyed the street, with its Victorian terraces and London plane trees, then made our way indoors and back to the stairs, locking up behind us. 'Look, if you're free, why don't you and Tom come to have dinner with me on Sunday?'
'We don't know what his plans are.'