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

The sun was beginning to set as he drove up through Holland Park towards Notting Hill Gate.He was forced to admit that Mrs Bossyknickers had been a real help.He’d had to detour from her suggested route a while back because of a traffic jam on the M25,but she recalculated a new route for him.Despite his dislike for modern gadgets,he wondered if he oughtn’t to get one for himself.But then he realised he hardly ever went anywhere new.Such thoughts stopped him from brooding about Luke.He was grateful for the distraction.


Finally reaching Luke’s street,Andy looked around for somewhere to park.There were cars parked on both sides of the road.The houses were terraced,built long before the motorcar had even been thought of.Finally finding a space that was barely long enough,Andy spent a few minutes trying to manoeuvre his van into place.Parking up as straight as he could,Andy turnedoff the engine and sat for a moment listening to the engine give an occasional tick as it cooled.


Chapter 16