There’s a vibrancy about Manchester in the late 90s that’s unmistakable. The Manchester bombing on 15th June 1996 changed the future for the city center. Luckily nobody was killed when the 1 ½ tonne bomb detonated on that fateful afternoon. Luckily the I.R.A. Who had planted the bomb, had sent a warning and the city centre had been evacuated, but still, the Millions of pounds worth of damage it caused was the Catalyst for the redevelopment and regeneration of the city center, which (it is hoped) will bring prosperity to Manchester in the coming 21st century.
But it’s not only that, the Hacienda nightclub that opened in the 1980s, but, closed 2 years ago, gave a home to the more bohemian people and students, and a place for the trendy indie bands that gave rise to the Madchester phenomenon, that dominated modern popular music in the mid 90s, Much like Liverpool did in the 1960s. Bands like The Verve, The Happy Mondays, The Stone Roses and by far the most popular, Oasis, among others, all recorded their unique music at factory records, now closed and its building turned into a nightclub called Paradise Factory. Although the scene has faded somewhat, it’s still incredibly popular.
And to top it all off Manchester's gay Village and Canal street in particular. Is the most popular gay village in Europe and is the center of nightlife in Manchester. The recent tv drama Queer As Folk, that recently aired on British television has helped enormously. Sam, Mel and I watched it together, eating snacks and drinking, enjoying the drama unfolding before our eyes. Sam and Mel also love watching the Word, a popular youth culture program that airs on Fridays at 6pm. I give it a miss, preferring my books and cds in my own room whilst researching or writing.
It was Saturday night and I was in the kitchen leaning against the cupboards with a glass of milk in my hand sipping it slowly. I was dressed in smart dark trousers, a plain blue shirt and smart black shoes. The other 2 were still upstairs getting dressed. The fact that there was only 1 shared bathroom meant that getting showered and changed needed military-like precision. I had showered first. It had been Sam’s turn to cook. Well at least try. A meal of beans on toast supplemented with a jacket potato, which he had recently learned to cook, was the usual fare when he cooked. I suppose it makes a change from the takeaways we usually have when it’s Sam’s turn to cook. Mel had washed up. I glanced around taking in my surroundings. Brown cupboard doors with white work surfaces. A cooker, microwave, washing machine which both saw constant use, an aluminum sink and gray lino flooring all meant it was a utilitarian space.
“What are you doing”? Asked Sam as he walked into the room.
“Drinking milk, it helps to line the stomach and prevent hangovers as does drinking water when you get home”.
“I don’t get hangovers”. Replied Sam smugly.
I just grunted in reply.
I looked at Sam’s attire. Slim fitting white t-shirt, tight fitting faded blue jeans and white Nike trainers. His hair was fashioned in the latest just got out of bed style and thus gelled to perfection.
We glanced at each other momentarily, I colored, and turned away embarrassed. There was silence for a few seconds, then I picked up the courage to speak.
“Y- y- you look really nice Sam”.
“Why thankyou Andy, I didn’t know you cared”.
“I do care, really I do, I’m just not very good at articulating it, at getting my message across and stop calling me Andy”.
“Andy, you’re intelligent, smart, good looking though a little out of condition. Come to the gym with me. I will soon have you looking like a complete stud.”
“For some reason I don’t think I could ‘rock’ the stud look”.
Sam gave a small laugh and replied.
“Don’t put yourself down Andy”
Mel took the opportunity to walk into the kitchen to join the rest of us. She was wearing baggy, faded blue Jeans with the stars & stripes on one leg and assorted patches on the other, a yellow top and a black wooly hat on her head with her usual black doc martens on her feet.
“What are you two talking about”?
“I’m just telling Andy to stop putting himself down, tonight is all about bringing you out of your shell Andy my man”. Sam put his arm around me and pulled me in for a hug.
“You spend far too much time in your books Andrew, let your hair down for once. Group hug?” Asked Mel
All three of us hugged, despite our differences we are a close knit trio.
“Thanks guys, I will try to enjoy myself”.
“Andy, there's no trying, about it, tonight will be awesome”.
“Come on guys, let’s Pardi on.” Squealing, Mel ran out of the door waving her arms above her head.
Sam and I glanced at each other. I shook my head. Sam grinned.
“Pardi”, shouted Sam, following Mel.
“Fucks sake, it’s going to be a long night”. I muttered to myself and wandered out the door, switching lights off and locking the front door behind me.
I rarely frequented the pubs and clubs in the gay quarter of Manchester. It wasn’t that I was ashamed of being gay, I was gay, simple as that, I wasn’t into the lifestyle. Neither did I want to hook up or have one night stands. Sam loved that type of life, live life to the max. That was his mantra. Mel had sex with just about anyone. She described herself as pansexual, she didn’t bring anyone home very often, preferring to go to the homes of her hookups. I on the other hand wasn’t really interested in sex, it was almost as if I was a gay asexual. I would like a life partner at some point, but at this moment in time I prefer to study. School, college and University have been my life since I was 5 years old. Now I’m 29, and coming to the end of my studies, and was starting to wonder what I was going to do next, maybe Lecturing would be a good choice for me. Helping students with the knowledge I have gained over the last few years would be a good fit for me. That’s if I could get over my shyness.
“How about him?”. Asked Sam, pointing out a guy standing at the bar.
We were seated at a table in a pub called Paddy’s Goose. It was an ordinary pub in the gay quarter that on certain nights catered for transvestites, its look was white walls with brown wood and pictures on the wall, a red carpet on the floor covered in beer stains and cigarette burns from long forgotten boozy nights, slot machines dotted the walls. But at the weekend it was full of older people who weren’t interested in the noiser bars and clubs down Canal St.
I took a gulp out of my bottle of bud thinking. I turned my head to see who Sam was looking at.
“Er no Sam, he looks a bit old to me”.
“Why not? He's hot”.
“Hot? Why do you say that? Do you know him?”
“Erm no, not really”. Sam replied a little too quickly, taking a swig from his bottle.
We were looking a man at the bar with a head of gray hair, dressed head to toe in black leather with his back to us. He looked well built, but not fat, just big, the look suited him. He must have sensed someone looking at him, so he turned to look at us, and gave us a slight smile, as he leaned against the bar on his elbows. He had a trimmed gray beard and a rugged but handsome face.
“Wow, silver fox. I’d have him”. Said Mel. She picked up her bottle of bud and walked over to him. I just shook my head. Sam smiled.
“Go girl”. He shouted.
The conversation between the 2 of them was brief. I saw him shaking his head, and pointing at one of us, probably at Sam I surmised. The next thing I knew he was walking in my direction. I shuddered.
A large, leather glove appeared on my shoulder making me jump as Mel took her seat opposite me. The sound of creaking Leather was heard as a large presence crouched by my side looking at me.Leather, and a musky smell invaded my nostrils. It made me think of power, of a dominant force invading my personal space. His leather glove brushed my cheek, making me flinch. Finally he spoke, his deep voice reverberating, seemingly all around me.
“Hey mr intelligence. Want a drink”?
I looked sideways into a pair of gray eyes, full of worldly experience. I gulped and my heart beat fast, sweat beading on my brow.
“Erm, n-n-no, erm t-t-thanks”. I stammered.”
“Oh that’s a shame, I’m sure I could bring you out of that shell of yours, mr intelligence.”
“S-s-sorry,b-but I’m not into that lifestyle. I’m not into p-pain and b-bondage”.
Sam and Mel held their drinks to their mouths, hiding their smiles, trying not to laugh at my discomfort. I glanced back at them, glaring.
The man looked at me smiling as I turned my head to glance at him, his gray eyes seemingly piercing my very soul,he spoke again.
“There’s more to my lifestyle, as you call it, than pain and bondage. I could take you to heights of ecstasy that you could never have believed possible”.
“Erm n-no thankyou, er sorry I didn’t catch your name”.
“Sir Mathew. But friends call me Matt, you can call me sir Mathew until we get to know each other better. He gave me a card with his name and phone number on it.
“Do you have a name, mr intelligence”?
“Andrew”, I replied, taking the proffered card without thanks, placing it on the table in front of me without looking at it.
“Maybe I will see you later, when you’ve relaxed a bit”.
“I doubt it”. I muttered. And turned my back on him.
“Never rule anything out. You only get one life, live it. Don’t you agree, Samual”.
Sam dropped his eyes to the floor. “Yes sir Mathew, you’re quite right”.
He stood, patted my shoulder and walked slowly away. Both Mel and Sam watched him intently.
After Matt had returned to the bar. Before I could ask Sam what that was all about, Mel spoke up.
“Andrew what on earth are you doing? He is a stud. I asked him if he fancied a night teaching me a few things, but he declined saying he was only interested in you. You were in there”.
“I don’t know. That sort of human interaction makes me feel very uncomfortable. I’m not used to this sort of thing”.
“Human interaction? This sort of thing? Andrew, have you heard yourself? you make it sound like a delicate operation. It’s just sex, you need to lighten up Andrew, have a few drinks, relax and let the night happen naturally”. Mel said.
Sam, then piped up. “We’re here to guide Andy on his journey into the rainbow world of seedy homosexual sex, not berating him when things get overwhelming for the poor guy”.
Mel dropped into silence, preferring to tug on her bottle of bud. Obviously brooding. But I was grateful for Sam’s intervention. And smiled gratefully at him, Sam smiled back.
We were silent for a few minutes, nursing our drinks. My antisocial nervousness seemed to have cast a dark cloud on the evening so far. Sam and Mel’s natural cheeriness, somewhat subdued. I pondered the night so far. Should I have gone with Matt? He frightened me, his natural dominance shone through. That was what I needed though wasn’t it? A guiding hand, someone to show me the ropes so to speak? If he hadn't been dressed all in leather, and been dressed more normally, then who knows what would have happened.
“ Look guys, I'm sorry. He is a very distinguished looking guy, but all that leather made me nervous. If he had been dressed more normal then I might have been more interested”.
“He still has skin underneath all that leather. He’s still human. Don’t let appearances put you off”. Said Sam.
“He made me even more nervous than what I usually am. He’s probably amazing in bed, but I’m not the slightest bit interested in the bdsm scene”.
“You’re right about one thing Andy. He’s amazing in bed. But actually he’s quite sensitive. All that leather is just for show. Yes he’s naturally dominant but is amazing at showing his sub a great time”. Said Sam hiding a smile behind the rim of his bottle.
“And how do you know that then? Oh I see”. I blushed as I realized what Sam was getting at. “You’ve been with him? Tied up and everything”?
“Obviously”. Replied Mel.
“A boy never divulges his secrets. But it’s good to experiment”. Said Sam, winking at me. We went silent again, tugging on our bottles.
“Come on, let’s go to Yate’s”. Said Mel, finally, standing as she spoke.
As we rose to leave Paddy’s Goose I deliberately left Matt's card unread on the table.
Yates wine lodge is on Portland Street. Set in an ugly concrete box style building. The interior is all darkwood and Tiffany lampshades.With black and white floor tiles.
I got the drinks and gave one each to Sam and Mel.
“Cheers”, we all shouted and tugged on our bottles. We stood near the bar. It was crowded, but then, Yates usually is. Loud music played and the atmosphere was noisy. I surveyed the scene turning my head this way and that. The TV screen played the day's football highlights though the sound was muted, a group of guys were standing nearby watching the football intently. A group of girls whooped loudly, one of them wore a bride's headdress, obviously a hen party. It wasn’t really my thing. I didn't like crowded pubs and bars. I held on to my bottle of bud tightly. Sam was opposite me, and Mel was to one side next to him.
Suddenly Mel gave an excited shout. “ Molly”.
Sam and I watched as she stood and hugged an older good looking woman in her 30s with shoulder length blonde hair and blue eyes, she wore a floral dress and heels. Her shoulders were covered in a leather jacket.
“Mel, you look fabulous, who are these handsome looking young men”?
“These are my housemates, Sam and Andrew, Both gay by the way”.
“Such a shame, the most handsome men are always gay, how long have you two been together then”? She asked as we all shook hands
I spluttered, spurting Budweiser all around, raising my hand to my mouth apologizing as I did so. Mel looked on Horrified.
Sam just laughed. “Nice to meet you again Molly”, he said, hugging her. Andy and I aren't together, we're just housemates and friends. I’m sorry for Andy’s manners by the way”.
“That’s fine Sam, but you could have fooled me, you look like you’re meant to be together. Do you feel ok Andy you look all hot and bothered”? Molly asked, looking at me.
“Y-yes f-fine,t-thankyou, I’m s-sorry for getting you wet by the way. Your o-observation took me completely by surprise. Like Sam said, we’re not together, just friends”.
“You too are meant to be together, trust me, Aunt Molly is never wrong. Am I, Melly”?
The look of predatory affection that Molly gave Mell didn’t go unnoticed by me or Sam.
Mel went crimson, something that Mel never does, she’s always so confident and sure of herself.
“No Aunt Molly, you're right as always”. She turned to us. “ You should try getting together, I should have seen it, you’re meant to be together”.
Sam and I looked at Mel. She went even more crimson, if that was at all possible.
“Aw that’s my girl, always thinking of others”. She stroked Mel’s cheek and looked at her fondly.
Sam and I glanced at each other again. Before either of us could speak Molly spoke to Mel again.
“What are you up to later? I haven’t seen you for a while, and I’ve missed our little scenarios. You know where I will be later, if you feel like getting together again”.
“Thankyou for inviting me, Aunt Molly, but I’m having a night with these two, sorry”.
Said Mel, getting some of her composure back.
Sam glanced at me with a grin on his face, winked at me, then said.
“Oh that’s ok Melly. You should get together with Aunt Molly, just for old times sake. What do you say Andy”?
I joined in, on what I thought was just banter.
“Oh I completely agree Sam, don’t hang around with us two boring farts, when you could have such a fantastic time with Aunt Molly”.
Mel glared at us, opening and closing her mouth angrily. Sam and I looked at her innocently.
Sam carried on. “ In fact why wait, you could go now, there’s no need to hang about with us two boring farts, go on Mel have fun with your good friend Aunt Molly”.
Mel once again glared at us, but before she could say anything, Molly spoke again.
“Well that’s settled then," said Molly looking pleased, she smiled at Mel with a predatory smile. She took hold of Mel’s bottle of bud and gave it to Sam, winking conspiratorially at us.
She took hold of Mel’s other hand. “Come along Melly, let’s have a really good time away from these two. Bye boys, I hope to see you again soon”.
“Bye”. We both answered in unison.
She left dragging a Shocked Mel with her.
Sam and I looked at each other, we both burst out laughing.
“What was that”? I asked.
Don’t you know about Molly”?
“No”.
“Well Aunt Molly is Mel’s old Dom, she lived with her last year before she moved to Laburnum st.”
“Oh”.
“Yeah apparently underneath that floral dress, polite expression and fussy Mother hen she’s a real kinky bitch, all tight latex, bondage and large strapons”.
“Oh, then”…...
“Yeah, we won’t see Mel for a while, later tomorrow at least and when we do, she will be extremely sore and angry with us”.
“Oh, then we need to”…...
“Your right Andy have a good time, come on Andy drink up, Canal street awaits.
“Stop calling me Andy”. I shouted after Sam as he walked away from me.
Canal street is one of the most exciting streets, in the most exciting gay quarters in Europe. At 9pm on a Saturday night it’s a heaving throng of all types of people, gay and lesbian, singles and couples. Straight couples mingle along with everyone else, Stags and Hens all having an uproarious night and generally taking in the ambience of the place, even though the weather was inclement.
We walked in and out of bars, drinking bottles of bud and shots getting more and more drunk, guys of all ages from young twinks to older guys, from gay couples to drag queens and leather clad men, along with Lesbians of all ages, singletons straight and gay couples, everybody seemed to know Sam, we hugged and chatted, Sam and I enjoying the night, both of us letting our hair down and forgetting about all the stresses of the last week.
Sam flirted with virtually every man, some women too. I understood why he was so popular. He was exciting to be around, he was good looking, smart and funny, and extremely sexy, and most probably at some point, had, had, sex with almost every man, Sam or I spoke to. I stood next to him, mostly in silence, taking in the ambiance of the bars we went in and out of. I was happy to be hanging around with Sam, basking in his presence.
At one bar Sam was dragged onto a small stage, where the drag queen was doing an act singing songs, telling rude jokes and generally taking the Micky out of the patrons. Sam was placed in a chair in the middle of the small stage and stripped of his shirt while the drag queen rubbed oil onto his chest. And then serenaded him with a rude song, all the time gyrating all over him. I laughed and clapped along with everyone else, Sam wasn’t the least bit bothered, he laughed along with everybody else, and showed off his physique, not bothering to put his shirt back on, letting everyone stare at him. I felt slightly embarrassed as, like everyone else, I couldn't take my eyes off him.
At the next bar I was dragged onto the stage, usually this would have sent me running for the hills in a desperate attempt to escape the situation, but by this time I was well on my way to getting hammered and didn’t care much about what was going on, Dutch courage it's called. Two young drag queens sat me on a chair and cavorted around me, miming to welcome to burlesque, being sung by Cher over the sound system.I was too drunk to care. Sam cheered and clapped along, his shirt hanging from his belt, much to the bouncers' shagrin. But the patrons' pleasure.
It had stopped raining and night air was fresh and welcoming, as Sam and I stumbled out of another bar. We walked along arm in arm, laughing and larking about, passing a quiet bar called Velvet, now normally that’s my type of bar I thought to myself.
“Where to now Sammy”? I slurred.
“Let’s go to Manto Andy." Sam slurred back, and danced down the street, between the revelers, the swaying twinkling lights hanging between the street lamps twinkling. Sam’s naked upper torso in a sheen of drying sweat, he finally donned his shirt. I somehow felt bereft, not being able to look at his body, though he still looked like the sexy male models you see in glossy magazines.
“Hey wait for me”. I shouted and stumbled after Sam.
End of Chapter 2.
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