alone - we've never really discussed it, but it's one of those things that you know."
Almost immediately, both men took a year off from work and travelled
around the world. "My previous lover of seven years had got sick
and died very quickly," says David, "and I thought it would
be the same with me."
"Before combination therapy, we didn't know how much time we had
together, and so like a lot of people we pushed the plans faster,"
says Alan. "I'm used to taking gambles in life, and I didn't think
twice about it."
Fears that Alan might become infected with HIV have dissipated with 15
successive negative results.
"When we first met, for me personally it was much more of an issue
because of the lack of drugs available," says Alan. "Now it's
a different issue. We have an open relationship, but it would never come
up about him passing on the virus to me.
"You soon get used to using condoms," adds David. "HIV
hardly ever enters my mind. I have to take my tablets twice a day, and
I do."
Alan recalls: "When David started taking combination therapy three
years ago, he had to take it with food. That was a problem, and interfered
with our lives more. I
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used to remind David to take his tablets, but he's on automatic pilot
now and it doesn't intrude into our lives at all."
"I've never had anything wrong with me whatsoever," says David.
"David could outlive me," marvels Alan. "Our future plans
are now long-term. A home in the sun and a dog."
"And just living together as a couple for many years," adds
David.
"Yeah, we'll grow old together," concurs Alan.
Photo: Gordon Rainsford
