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

“Mam,Da,this is Andy.”Luke made the introductions as soon as they stepped inside Luke’s parents’house.


Andy wasn’t sure what he was expecting Luke’s parents to be like.But on meeting them,he knew immediately that they were good people.Luke’s dad was tall,with thinning white hair.Hewas probably in his late fifties,and he still looked in good shape.Luke’s mother was plump;she wore her greying hair tied in a bun.Although he’d shaken hands with Luke’s dad,he got a maternal hug from Blodwen,as Luke’s mother had asked Andy to call her.She was,Andy thought,a real Earth Mother type.Though,with eight children,he thought that probably was a good thing.


Conversation around the huge dining table was lively.Andy thought he would feel like an outsider,but almost everyone was keen to include him,telling him funny stories about Luke’s childhood,much to Luke’s embarrassment.The longer they talked,the more Andy noticed that Luke’s voice was changing to match the accent of his family.


Chapter 50