Shadows: A Queer History Collection

By Naith Payton

 Queer modern historical short stories.
Snakes: Snapshots of a life divided by time and gender.
Sidney's Funeral: Two men say goodbye to the man they both loved.
Charming Light: A runaway from London discovers the countryside isn't all that different.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Naith Payton
• Release date: Oct 8, 2014
• ISBN: 9781502281333

Naith Payton

 Gay for clouds and not very good at hats. 25 years old, from Reigate, Surrey. Escaped to London. Trans, poly, queer. I really like food.

Book preview

Snakes

It was the first truly hot day of summer. The entire household decamped half a mile across the grounds to the meadow. The sky was a bright, open blue, the grass still crisp green and all the people dressed in blinding white.

Some of the younger men set up a game of cricket in the middle of the field. Alexander only joined in for show. He wasn’t sure whether cousin Gregory’s fast ball was thrown out of pity or frustration, but either way, he bowled Alexander out. Alexander left the field, knowing he wouldn’t go back. No one wanted him there. He went back to the shade of the large oak tree where the women and the older men sat.

Bad luck, Alex! Uncle Charles called.

Your son’s a fine bowler. Alexander sat on the ground a few feet away from everyone else.

Yes, destined for Surrey, that one! Charles exclaimed proudly. Maybe even England!

Everyone nodded and agreed. But of course, Gregory would never go on to play cricket for England. He could try, but he was destined to inherit the estate. One couldn’t be both Lord of the manor and England cricketer.

Alexander imagined, again, the sound of crunching metal and screeching brakes. A freak train accident that would kill all his cousins. A letter arriving at the manor. All the boys had died on their way back to school. Alexander would be heir. He smiled to himself, leaning back on his hands, watching his cousins at cricket.

Would you like a drink, sir? asked a footman.

Alexander glanced at what