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

Once he’d taken a long pull from the drink,Craig gestured with the half-empty glass,“This is Harry,”he pointed to the kid who Andy had labelled the squealer.“And Toby.”Craig indicated a smaller,more thickly-set teen.


“Pleased to meet you,though I’ve already met Harry.”


Returning to his table,Andy found Luke holding court with another group of friends.Sitting,he felt a pang of guilt that he’d be taking Luke away from all this.There,undoubtably,were gay pubs in Yorkshire,but he’d never visited any of them.


Eventually they decided it was time to hail a cab and go back to Luke’s flat for a final night.The taxi ride was filled with an exhuberant Craig telling Luke and Andy all about Harry and especially Toby.The latter had given Craig his email address and phone number.


“I gave him my email address,but I thought it’d be better to give him your phone number.”


“What am I,a bloody gay dating service?”But Andy was smiling.From what little he’d seen of Toby,he approved.


Chapter 41