if nothing else, Preston has given, along with Beth, some solid, sensible advice...
Preston stared at him, "Hoping might be a boyfriend. Come on, hon. My advice to you? Get your head out of your arse and go for it."
Ralph simply stared at him.
"Oh, hon. I know what I'm talking about. I wasn't always the put-together, glamorous creature you see. I spent most of my 20s pretending, hiding in plain sight. I was acting a bit, had actor friends." He smiled, "Lots of camouflage."
Ralph nodded, "I'm beginning to realise, it’s just..."
Preston gave that tolerant, I know, smile, "It's warm, dark and comfortable having your head in your arse and no-one can shout at you. Get a life, hon." With that he returned inside. Ralph was surprised at the bloke's directness, but perhaps there was a lot of truth in what he said.