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

“We’ll come back to that,but don’t think you’re off the hook.”Tom clicked a few more times.New images appeared and disappeared.It stopped on one where Andy was looking directly into the lens.He closed his eyes,not wanting to see.


Andy felt Tom’s hand on his shoulder.“Please,love,look at the screen.”Andy opened his eyes,looked at Tom,then finally at the screen.“Even when you’re facing the camera,”Tom clicked the mouse a couple more times and zoomed in on Andy’s face.


“Your scars aren’t that noticeable.”


“That’s because you don’t have them.”Andy wasn’t convinced.He was ugly,deformed,disfigured.There was no getting away from it.


“No,look closer.”Tom blew the picture up even more.“Honestly,Andy,I’m not lying.Your scars aren’t that bad.I think maybe they’ve faded over the years.”


Chapter 30