Wounded by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan and suffering post traumatic stress as a result, Andy Johnson is given a medical discharge from the British army. Shunning attention, Andy lives a quiet and lonely existence on his pig farm in Yorkshire. His peace is threatened when his friends take him to the city for his birthday. They buy him a kiss from Luke Wales, a twink porn star. Overwhelmed and needing some air, Andy escapes outside. Luke finds him there. They talk and Andy begins to relax. It’s cold and Andy gives Luke his combat jacket. However Roger, Luke’s boyfriend appears and the momentary connection is lost. Weeks later, recently separated from Roger, Luke is back in the north of England. He decides to pay Andy a visit, using the excuse of returning the man’s jacket. A snow storm forces the two men to spend time together, and a tentative friendship begins. Neither man is convinced they are worthy of the other. It takes time, plus the encouragement of friends and Andy’s teenage nephew, Craig, to convince the reluctant couple that what exists on the surface only tells part of the story. Andy’s scars and Luke’s past employment shouldn’t stand in the way of them exploring what each feels for the other.

Surface Tension

Craig was growing increasingly exasperated.“He likes you.And I know you like him.If you asked him to stay,made him feel welcome,I know he wouldn’t leave.”Andy stood there not saying anything.“Come on.Go and tell him he has to stay.Then you can see to my hand.”


There was nothing for it,Craig had to play his trump card.“You’d never forgive yourself if he had an accident trying to drive in this lot.”Craig swept his injured hand over the landscape,blanketed as it was in white.


Andy seemed to snap out of his indecision.Moving past Craig,he headed for the house,looking determined.Craig breathed a sigh of relief.


Once inside,Craig followed his uncle into the spare room,his hand beginning to throb with theincrease in temperature.


“You shouldn’t go.Not with the roads like they are,”Andy said,finding Luke in the spare room.


“My friends back in London,who I’m staying with,they’ll be getting worried.”


“Well,give them another ring to tell them about the snow,”Craig put in.


Chapter 13