Free Love and Robotics by Rachael Eyre Page B

“Hail.”
    Alfred let Josh pull him into the doorway as it scattergunned. There must have been a crack in the awning. Stray hailstones were getting through, landing on Josh’s shoulders. Gems glistened in his hair, melted down his neck and into his collar.
    “I’ve - oh, what a stupid place to say this, you can’t hear a thing -”
    “What is it?”
    “I’ve really liked spending time with you. They expect us to wrap it up, but - I don’t want to. I want to go on seeing you.”
    “I’d like that,” Alfred said softly.
    “Isn’t it funny? A month ago I didn’t know you existed.”
    “I knew of you.” Alfred felt a twist of guilt - but what Josh didn’t know couldn’t hurt him. “Lucky we had a sink handy, eh?”
    The artificial’s laugh was a rare, precious thing. “Lucky you didn’t buckle under the weight.”
    “I’ve lifted heavier.”
    “What I’m trying to say is: I want to be your friend. If you’ll have me.”
    “Of course.” Alfred was reminded of blood bonds at school, where you cut each other’s hands and mixed your blood. He shook Josh’s hand instead. “Friends for life.”
    “The rain’s easing off. You can’t keep Gwyn waiting.”
    Again, half a minute before any change. “You should do the weather.”
    “I’ll mention it in my next meeting. Don’t forget this.” Josh pressed something into Alfred’s hand. “My key card. Visit as often as you like.”
    Alfred crossed the bridge to where Gwyn was tethered, drumming her fingers on the panel. “You took your time,” she said.
    “Ssh grumping. How do you know Pip?”
    Her blush spread to her ears. “Through the grapevine.” She knew about his flings, he’d hinted similar revelations would meet with sympathy, but she refused to budge.
    He looked back at the twenty sixth floor. Every other light in the building was off, but the one in Josh’s suite was burning bright.
    ***
    Fisk let herself into an empty house. Nothing could quench her elation.
    When she had chosen her career, back when robotics was an eccentric hobby, she’d thought she could hide in a backroom. Now she had to pull on unflattering gowns, hope one would transform her into a social butterfly. Invent pithy quotes. ‘Julia Fisk, his handler ...’ She remained herself - overgrown, gaunt and repellent.
    Noah Sugar had vanished early on. She hoped he wasn’t drinking. Somebody had to be the joke of the evening, with the Earl reformed. Now there was a talking point. Josh thought it meant something, but she knew better. Langton was using him to give his craggy mug one last airing before he expired in a whore’s armpit.
    Still looking for Sugar, she wandered into the grounds. The beauty of the night was lost on her.
    “Hello, Dr Fisk. Are you having a good time?” Josh was by the fountain, dabbling his fingers in the water.
    She smoothed out her dress as she sat beside him. “I don’t like parties.”
    “Maybe we did something terrible in a past life.”
    “Everybody?”
    “Your collective guilt must be pretty big.”
    “You have no idea.”
    This was the sort of daydream she’d once indulged in too often: a stranger at a party, drinks, the promise of more –
    What was she doing? This wasn’t a random hook up, this was Josh .
    The part of her that wasn’t addled by wine confronted it. The pastel shades. The smiles. The haircut. Confiding in him, holding his hand. The addition that, should anyone discover it, would blacklist her from robotics forever –
    “Are you alright?” he asked.
    “A bit cold.”
    She headed towards lights, music, the Mayor’s cretinous bray. When she was sure he wasn’t following, she took a detour into the walled garden.
    “I love you!” she whispered, pressing her hand to her heart.
     
    The next few days were hideously dull for Josh. After congratulations for the launch, his team bickered about his future. A meeting here, a meeting there, nothing settled. After a screen test they agreed he couldn’t act. He