Guy flicked a glance at the stony face in the driver’s seat beside him, and decided he’d be wise to keep quiet. He couldn’t help smiling inside at the success of his strategy but he didn’t think the detective was ready yet to see the funny side of the evening. The look on his face when he saw Guy’s Batman teeshirt had been priceless! He looked sideways again.

If the detective’s teeth were gritted any harder he’d crack a tooth. An unexpected twinge of guilt wormed its way into Guy’s conscience. After all, the man had only been doing his job. It was hardly his fault if he’d stumbled on a secret that simply couldn’t be shared. Not with anyone who didn’t have extra powers themselves. It was too dangerous, for everyone.

Fifteen minutes into the drive and Guy couldn’t keep quiet any longer.

“Seriously, you don’t need to worry about me,” he told John’s stony profile. “I’m harmless.”

“Really?” said John, his lips twisting scornfully. “Tell that to the three guys you sent to hospital.”

“Well, you have to admit, it was their own fault,” argued Guy in reasonable tones. “If they’d left me alone, they would have been fine.”

John was silent. A muscle twitched in his jaw.

He pulled up outside Guy’s apartment and waited for him to get out.

“Thanks for the ride,” said Guy cheekily as he opened the door. He looked at John’s stony expression and couldn’t resist a final tease. The man looked so straight, he’d snap in half if he wasn’t careful. “I hope you won’t continue to follow me,” added Guy, “I was beginning to think you fancied me or something—”

John’s cheeks flushed scarlet.

Guy stared, speechless. He didn’t move. “Looks like I’m not the only one with a secret here. You’re gay, aren’t you?” he blurted out.

“In your dreams!” exclaimed John, then wished he hadn’t, as Guy’s face broke into a wide grin.

“Now if you’re quite finished winding me up, I’ll say good night,” said John crossly, looking pointedly at the half-open door.

He drove off with a roar, leaving Guy standing on the footpath.