I do enjoy sitting on a bench on Calton Hill looking over the centre of Edinburgh. Since retiring last year I come here a couple of days a week while my wife is at work. I bring a book but am often distracted by the view. Most of the other folk here are tourists but there are a few regulars like myself.
One of them cannot be much more than 19 and, judging by the books he takes from his rucksack when he sits down, I assume he is a student. I have seen him three or four times and now we acknowledge each other with a smile. But today he has sat down on the same bench as me. I introduce myself as Robert and he tells me his name is Duncan. We chat amicably.
I discover that he is studying English Literature. We are on common ground, I tell him, as I too studied English Literature many years ago and used to own a bookshop in Bristol before I sold it ten years ago to a well known bookshop chain. We talk for half an hour or so and then I tell him that I am going to have a light lunch at the cafΓ© at Holyrood Palace and ask him if he would like to join me. He does and we walk down the hill towards the Palace. There is a cemetery on the way and I suggest we take a short cut through it. As we walk through the entrance I notice a guy standing just inside looking along the path ahead. We follow that path, walking past a row of mausoleums. There are a couple of guys lingering and my mind drifts back six months when, on a whim, I met a guy from Fabguys in the mausoleum on the far corner. I do not mention this to Duncan.
But Duncan has noticed them and he asks me what they might be doing. I tell him they are cruising. He looks puzzled and I tell him they are looking for guys. They are gay or bi and this is one of several places they meet in Edinburgh. The interiors of the mausoleums are out of sight. We approach the corner and I point out the mausoleum in the corner. 'Let's have a look' I say and walk towards the entrance. Duncan hesitates but follows me and bumps into me as I stop because two guys are already there, one on his knees with the other guy's cock deep in his mouth.
Duncan looks open mouthed as I apologise to the two guys for disturbing them. We retrace our steps and carry on walking to the cafΓ©. Duncan says nothing. At the cafΓ© we order sandwiches and a glass of wine each. I tell Duncan that I had not expected anyone to be in there but they will not be the only ones there today. I ask him if he was shocked. 'No, just surprised' he responds. 'Not your scene? I ask. He says nothing.