2016 Top Ten Gay Romance

“Well,it’s kind of her job…”I was thinking.I can do that and talk at the same time,although the results are sometimes unreliable.“Hey,do you want to come with?There’s nothing like a good Midnight Mass for getting you into the mood for Christmas.”

Neil was shaking his head again,but not that fast little jerk that means No.It was the slow,rhythmic sway that means Yes,God help me.“You know,you’re just one surprise after another.Course I’ll come.Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Right—this way then.”I tossed back my drink and stood,and Neil followed suit.“Grab your Oyster card—it’s just up the line at Camden.”

“Is that where you live?I’m the other end—down at Stockwell,or Saint Ockwell as it used to be known back in my youth.”

I smiled.“Two stations,both alike in dignity.Looks like we’ll have to keep meeting in the middle,then.”

“Dignity?On the Northern line?How many of those beers have you had tonight?”

“Ah,everyone knows drinks don’t count at Christmas.”I waved him ahead of me through the station entrance.

We ker-chunked our way through the turnstiles,and hot air blasted up the escalator at us.It carried the scent of sweaty commuters with alcoholic breath,all staggering home after the pubs closed.And over it all,that distinctive Northern Line smell.I breathed in deeply.“Can’t you just feel it coating your lungs with soot?”

“Worst Tube line ever for dry-cleaning bills,”Neil agreed fondly.

“Worst Tube line ever,full stop,”I said with a smile.