The obligatory warnings which everyone skims over. Do not read if you're not old enough to access such adult material. Do not read if you are unlucky enough to live in a repressive regime which bans the reading of stories like mine.

Also if you think you are likely to be offended by stories of two men loving each other, then you too should leave. I would hate to try and widen your narrow and bigoted mind.

This story is copyright, unauthorised copying or archiving is strictly prohibited. All rights reserved.

This is fiction, folks. It didn't happen, the people depicted aren't real.

I am particularly lucky to have gathered around me an excellent team of helpers. Fellow authors, Michael Arram, Tim Mead, Horatio Nimier, Cole Parker, Tinnean, Terry O'Reily and Gerry Young. My friends Jere, Joe and Matthew also provided invaluable assistance.

What follows is dedicated to the real Andy, thank you, friend.

Surface Tension

By Drew Hunt

[drew.hunt@blueyonder.co.uk]

Chapter 9

"But most important of all. . . ."

"Take it easy. Yes, I know," Luke told the blonde fracture nurse whose left bosom was labelled Amy.

"Well, see that you do."

Luke flexed his arm. "I'm glad to be rid of the cast. Though my elbow is a bit stiff."

"That's normal. It'll ease soon."

Amy walked him back into the waiting room where Andy was sitting uncomfortably in one corner. Craig was eyeing up a rather attractive brown-haired man in his late teens, who seemed totally oblivious of Craig's interest.

"Thanks again," Luke said to Amy.

"My pleasure." She smiled.

"You all right?" Andy asked, standing up and approaching.

"Yeah. Look." Luke bent his elbow and waggled his fingers. "Good as new."

"Uh huh. Let's get out of here, then. Craig, come on."

Andy hastily made for the door; once through, he almost collided with a food trolley. "Sorry."

But Luke could tell he wasn't sorry. He knew his boyfriend hated hospitals, had done so ever since his enforced stay in one after Afghanistan.

"He's anxious to get out of here," Craig said, holding the door open for Luke.

"Ya think?" Luke grinned. He walked through the double doors and just saw Andy turning a corner.

"I hope he knows the way out," Craig said.

"I'm sure he took orienteering or something like that in the army."

Craig laughed. "How's it feel?" he asked, nodding at Luke's arm.

"Fucking marvellous." Luke flexed his arm again..

They turned the corner and saw Andy waiting at the top of a flight of stairs, tapping his foot and looking anxious to be off. "Come on, you two."

"What's wrong with the lift?" Craig asked.

"The exercise will do you good," Andy grouched.

Andy was stressed; Luke itched to comfort and reassure him. He smiled to himself as an idea began to form. Usually it was the 'I'm in charge' Andy who did the reassuring. Well, the tables were about to be turned.

"Uh, I need the loo," Luke said. Fortunately there was a gents just across the corridor.

"Need me to hold anything?" Craig smirked. This had been a running joke since Luke had had the use of only one hand.

Andy, as expected, stepped foreward. Luke didn't need help; in fact he didn't need the toilet at all.

Once inside the gents, he headed for the handicapped cubicle, Andy following, obviously too involved in his anxieties to remember that Luke had use of both his hands. Luke closed and locked the door and turned round to Andy, wrapped both arms around him and laid a big wet kiss on his lips.

"I love you."

"Uh." Andy seemed startled. "What was that for?"

"To calm you down. I know you don't like hospitals and with good reason. I'm really, really proud of you for coming in with me." Luke punctuated each 'really' with a kiss.

"'Course I came in with you."

"But you could have stayed in the van. Craig would have come in with me."

"You're my boyfriend." That summed everything up. Even though Andy hated, was possibly even terrified of, hospitals, he'd put aside all of that for Luke's sake.

Luke touched Andy's face. "My hero." He knew what Andy was about to say, so stopped him by kissing him again. "Sit." Luke pushed Andy toward the toilet. Andy sat, but looked questioningly up at him.

Ever since meeting Andy, Luke had wanted to make love to the man, show him how much he meant to him. The injuries to his ribs had put a stop to virtually all sexual activity, leaving Luke frustrated as well as horny. He was sure Andy was the same way.

Even though his ribs were still a little tender, Luke was determined to do this. Andy was stressed and Luke would do all he could to help. He ran his hands along Andy's wide shoulders, down his broad chest and into the man's crotch.

Just as he began to lower the zipper, Andy groaned, "Luke, no."

Luke nodded his head. "Yes. This might be the wrong place, but it is the right time."

He knelt, his tongue immediately swiping at the weeping tip of Andy's sex as it peeked out from its sheath. Andy tasted sweet. His smell was clean, but overlying the faint odour of soap was the familiar muskiness that was Luke's beloved Andy.

Knowing he didn't have much time, Luke allowed his mouth to fill with saliva. Expertly he bobbed up and down on Andy's impressive tool, taking more in on each down-stroke. This was nothing like those blowjobs he'd performed with a camera team and director looking on. This was private. This was his Andy. This was love.

Luke felt Andy rest his hands on his head and hold it gently. He was gratified that Andy seemed willing to let him lead. Andy didn't force him to swallow more than he was ready for. Luke swirled his tongue on the underside of Andy's penis, causing his man to groan low in his throat.

"Oh, God."

Luke employed every trick he knew to bring the maximum amount of pleasure to his partner. He wished he could take his time, make it even better for Andy, but despite his lust, Luke didn't lose sight of where they were, and that Craig was waiting.

Soon enough Luke felt Andy's balls draw up. If this had been a scene in one of his films, Luke would have pulled off and licked at his partners scrotum until the danger of ejaculation had passed. But knowing he didn't have time, he swallowed Andy to the base and used his throat muscles to massage the head of Andy's dick.

"Oh shit, I'm. . . I'm. . . ."

Luke pulled back, until only his lips were around Andy's glans. There wasn't a second to spare because Andy shot several loads of semen into Luke's waiting mouth. This was Andy's seed; he would swallow it with pride. Finally some part of his lover would be a part of him.

Luke reluctantly disengaged and rested on his heels. Looking up at Andy's flushed but relaxed face, he asked. "Now are you ready to walk out of this hospital, rather than going hell-for-leather like you were being chased by a brigade of army nurses waving syringes at you?"

Andy opened his mouth, but no sound came out. Luke knew he'd done his job well. He kissed the head of Andy's penis before tucking it back inside Andy's shorts.

"Jesus Christ," Andy eventually said, rubbing his face.

"I love you, Andy. I just needed to show you how much."

"Thanks. Uh. You're all right? Your ribs, they're not hurting?"

At Andy's concern, Luke fell that bit more deeply in love. Andy's first concern had been for his partner, even though Luke knew his brain must still be melted.

"I'm fine." Luke felt his ribs protest as he got to his feet.

Andy stood, none too steadily. "God, Luke. You're. . . you're. . . ." Andy pulled Luke into his arms and hugged him.

Luke's ribs might have been protesting, but he'd be damned if he'd tell Andy to loosen his hold. Andy gave the best hugs.

Andy kissed the top of Luke's head. "But, uh, you. Let me take care of your problem." Andy pressed his hand to the swelling in Luke's jeans.

Luke kissed him. "No, love, that was just for you; I don't need you to return the favour. It's not that I don't want you to; Its just Craig will be sending out a search party." He reluctantly disengaged from Andy and began to straighten up his man's clothing.

"As soon as we get to your flat, you're mine, all right?"

Luke smiled. "Don't go getting a speeding ticket. I've waited weeks for this; a few more minutes won't make any difference."

Andy kissed him.

They left the cubicle, turned right and almost walked into Craig, who had his arms crossed over his chest and a knowing smirk on his face.

Glaring at Craig, Andy said, "Not one word, understand?" Andy's voice was commanding; Luke was glad it wasn't aimed at him.

Andy's tone didn't seem to affect Craig as much; he just made a zipping motion across his lips. He didn't lose his smirk however.

"Remind me why we brought him?" Andy said, heading for the sinks.

Luke knew full well why Andy had allowed Craig to come with them to London. Even though he had reminded Andy that there was just the one bed in his flat.

To both Luke and Andy's dismay, Craig's relationship with "Dennis the Menace," as Andy privately dubbed him, was still going strong. Andy thought if Craig was with them during the Easter holidays, he couldn't be with Dennis. The matter of the sleeping arrangements had been dealt with by Andy suggesting they take an air mattress.

* * *

"Oh, cool," Craig said as they descended the area steps outside Luke's flat. "It's so Upstairs Downstairs."

"Huh?" Luke said.

"Even I'm not old enough to remember that programme," Andy said.

"Really? I thought you were old enough to. . . ."

Andy glared and made to swipe at Craig, who deftly moved out of reach.

"There you are. I've not seen hide nor hair of you for weeks." Mr Jenkins, Luke's neighbour from upstairs, had sprung out of his flat. If Luke didn't know better, he'd have sworn the old bastard had been lurking behind his front door. "Though that shifty looking boyfriend of yours has come sniffing around a time or two."

Luke froze at the mention of Roger. He'd changed the locks. Sam had insisted. So there was little chance Roger had got further than the front door. Mr Jenkins would have spotted any signs of a break in, Luke was sure of that.

Andy immediately went into protective mode, putting himself between Luke and the old codger. Luke had to smile. Mr Jenkins was hardly a threat.

"Hello, Mr J. Nice to see you, too. How's your arthritis?"

He scowled. "Letter came for you. I had to sign for it. The postman woke me up. No consideration for old folk who need their sleep."

Luke knew the old fart hardly ever slept. He seemed to always have one hand on the side of his net curtains, ready to twitch them the moment anyone came past.

"Official looking, too." The old fart didn't seem in any hurry to go get the letter.

"Could I have it then, please?" Luke tried to stay happy. One wrong word to Mr Jenkins and he'd complain for days about how the young had 'no respect.'

"Kids today, always in a hurry," Mr Jenkins grumbled as he hobbled indoors.

"You go in where it's warm," Andy said.

"It's okay. He might not let you have it anyway. Even though he probably knows who you are."

Andy looked at him.

"Trust me, he knows everything. More than MI-5. Wouldn't surprise me if he hasn't steamed the letter open and read it."

Craig chuckled.

The old man soon reappeared, the envelope held in the gnarled fingers of his left hand. "Thank you." Andy plucked the letter away from him and turned to face Luke. "Come on, let's get inside. You're starting to shiver."

Andy ushered them down the steps, leaving Mr Jenkins to glare after them.

"Right, first things first," Andy said, picking up the mail from the doormat and putting it, along with the recorded envelope, on the table in the living room. "I'll turn the heating on."

It was cold and damp in the flat. "No, I'll do it," Luke said. "It can be a bit temperamental."

Luke followed Andy into the tiny kitchen and started pressing buttons on the gas boiler while Andy filled the kettle to make tea.

"Shit," Andy said. "There's no milk."

"Sorry." Luke paused his pressing of the ignition. "There's some powdered skimmed milk in the cupboard I think."

Andy gave Luke a look that made him think he'd asked Andy to take a dose of poison. Luke turned back to the boiler and bit his lip to stop himself from laughing. Andy was so old-fashioned. Luke loved him for it.

"I'll go down the shops. We'll need a few things for breakfast tomorrow, anyway."

"Uh, okay." Luke was relieved to hear a small whoosh and see little blue flames leap into life through the inspection window.

"Craig, you coming?" Andy said, leaving the kitchen and heading for the hallway.

"Uh, no, I'll stay here."

"Suit yourself. I'll be back in a bit."

"Here, I'll give you some money." Luke reached for his wallet, but Andy was already closing the front door.

"He doesn't like anyone else paying," Craig observed, coming into the kitchen.

Luke knew that if they were to have any future, he'd have to put his foot down about Andy always paying for everything. If necessary, he would mention Sandy, and how Andy's stubbornness had contributed to that relationship failing.

"Yeah."

"Luke, can I ask you something?"

Uh oh. That sounds ominous, Luke thought. "Of course."

"You and Uncle Andy. It's, uh, serious between you then? I mean the toilets. . . ."

Shit! Luke thought. "Let's go sit down."

Luke needed a few seconds to collect his thoughts. Parking himself on the sofa, Luke expected Craig to take the armchair. But the teen sat next to him.

"What we did in. . . in the toilets shouldn't have happened. It was . . . well your uncle was stressed and. . . ."

"I know." Craig held up a hand. "It's just. . . . Oh shit."

Luke put an arm around Craig's shoulder. The kid looked upset. He didn't think Craig was bothered by the thought of his uncle having had sex within his hearing, but the minds of teenagers worked in mysterious ways.

"So, it is serious, between you and Uncle Andy, then?"

"Yes," Luke nodded. "You were there when we said that we wanted to be boyfriends. You kinda pushed us together, remember? Not that we wouldn't have made it on our own, eventually."

"Yes, I know. It's good that Uncle Andy has got someone, but. . . ."

"But?" Luke didn't know where this was heading.

Craig twisted to face him and moved his face closer. Luke turned his head to the side; Craig's lips brushed his cheek.

"I'm sorry. I've messed it all up. I'm sorry."

"Hey, it's all right. But you shouldn't be kissing me."

"I know, sorry. I sorta wondered, hoped. . . ." Craig buried his head in his hands. Luke just stayed quiet and waited. "I sorta hoped that maybe you liked me. . . that you might sorta be, uh, interested in me. But when I heard you in the toilets I, uh, knew that I didn't have a chance."

Luke closed his eyes. "Craig," he swallowed. "You're a great guy. . . ."

"There's a 'but' coming."

"Yeah." Luke opened his eyes again. "You know how you imagine what your ideal man is like?"

"Uh huh." At least Craig didn't say Luke was his idea of an ideal man.

"Well, it took me a long time and lots of failed relationships to realise what my ideal man is like. He's big, strong, and protective and. . . ."

"And not an annoying bratty teenager." Craig sounded so sad.

"Oh, Craig. You're not annoying". To himself Luke added, Well, not all the time.

He pulled the teenager in for a hug. Craig put his arms around Luke and sniffled.

"I feel awful. It's like I want to steal you away from Uncle Andy. I don't, honest. You two are great together. He's really happy since you showed up. I know you'll be good for him; you'll not hurt him or anything."

"No, I won't. I've told him that I love him, and he's said the same to me." Luke wasn't sure why he decided to share that piece of information. "You'll find someone. A great bloke like you won't be alone forever. Maybe it won't be Dennis, but your guy is out there somewhere, it just takes time to find him."

Luke and Andy had been very careful not to forbid Craig from seeing Dennis. They realised they couldn't enforce it anyway, as the two went to the same school. Luke had warned Andy that telling Craig he couldn't do something would only make him more determined to do it.

Quiet fell between the two of them. Luke ached for Craig; he knew exactly how the teenager was feeling.

"When I see you and Uncle Andy together," Craig said, breaking the silence, "I say to myself, 'I want some of that.'"

"Things between you and Dennis aren't going too well, then?"

Craig shook his head. "He's. . . he's not interested in a relationship. I mean he's fun to be around and everything, but. . . ."

"But he's not boyfriend material?"

Craig shook his head again. Luke refrained from asking who was good boyfriend material. He feared the answer might be him.

"It's not fair," Craig eventually said.

"Life isn't. And though you probably don't want to hear it, you're still really young. You've got years to find your special man."

"Suppose. Look how long it took for Uncle Andy to find you."

Luke smiled. "Thanks."

The pair fell silent again. Luke wanted to tell Craig to ditch Dennis and find someone worthy of his love, but didn't feel it would do any good. Craig would have to decide for himself who he should give his affections to.

Craig said, "You really are special. Uncle Andy is so lucky to. . . ."

The doorbell rang. Saved by the bell, Luke thought. "That'll be your Uncle." He got up and opened the door.

"Those prices." Andy came through the door, a shopping bag in one hand, a stick of French bread in the other. "Daylight robbery." He stopped in the middle of the living room, obviously sensing something. "You both okay?"

"We're fine." Luke didn't want to lie to Andy, so opted to tell him most of the truth. "Craig and me have been having a bit of a heart to heart. We both agree you should be made a saint."

"Piss off."

Luke kissed Andy, he so knew his man would say that.

"What did you get? I'm starving." Craig reached into the shopping bag.

"Get out of there." Andy hit his nephew with the French stick. "We'll be eating at Luke's friends' place soon."

"But I'm hungry."

Luke was glad to see Craig was bouncing back. "It's all right; I'll make you a sandwich or something."

"Thanks, Luke, you're the greatest."

Luke took the bag from Andy and went into the kitchen. He hoped there wouldn't be any more embarrassing incidents with Craig. He was a nice kid, but that's what he was, a kid. As he cut into the bread and spread the butter Andy had also bought, Luke remembered his own teenage years. No way would he want to relive those times.

"You and Craig really all right?" Andy asked, coming into the kitchen.

"Yeah, fine."

"Okay, but you'd tell me if there was something?"

Luke bit his lip. "Yes, of course."

"What was in that letter?" Andy stole a piece of the French bread and began to chew it.

"Shit, I forgot all about it."

"Here, let me finish this, you go and read it."

Luke headed into the living room and picked up the envelope. It did indeed look official. The embossed crest was that of the firm of estate agents who acted for his landlord. As he tore open the envelope he got a sinking feeling.

Skimming through the contents, he read,

. . .instructed to inform you that due to the breach of the terms of your agreement, (Section 3, subsection F) our client has decided not to offer a renewal of your lease that is due to end on 30 June.

Consequently we would request that you vacate the property no later than. . . .

"Bastards!"

"Luke?" Andy appeared at his side.

"Here." Luke handed over the letter.

Andy read it. "Can the landlord do that?"

"Uh, yeah. I think so."

"What's all this section 3 subsection whatever, business?"

"I gave Roger the rent money, only he spent it on other things, drugs probably. Even though I paid the arrears as soon as I found out, explaining to them what had happened, they're still kicking me out." Luke felt hollow, cold. He needed to sit down.

Andy folded the letter and put it back in the envelope. "Look, I know it's probably not the best time to bring this up, but, uh, I sort of thought. . .hoped you'd be moving in with me at some point. I mean, that photo, it was to show your fans that you had retired to the country and. . . ."

Andy had never asked him to move in. Though, Luke knew that he'd not asked if he could move in, either. It was another example of them failing to communicate. He'd lived in London for years, ever since he left the valleys. His work, his friends were here. But then he remembered he didn't have a job, and how many friends, save for Sam and Donnie, did he really have?

"I. . . ." Luke didn't know what to say. He reached out for the sofa and sat down heavily.

"If you don't want to move in with me, uh, could your friends put you up if you don't find anywhere else before the end of June?"

Despite his own turmoil, Luke could tell Andy was struggling not to show his disappointment. He looked up at Andy -- his Andy -- who was staring back at him with something in his eyes that, at first, Luke couldn't fathom. Then it hit him. Vulnerability.

Luke made a snap decision. "You sure it'd be all right? Me moving in permanently?"

"Yes of course," Andy said in an 'I wouldn't have asked if I didn't mean it,' tone.

A sense of, Luke wasn't sure, relief? Washed over him. Andy had come through for him again. Feeling euphoric, he asked, "Would you help me pack? I might as well leave while we're down here."

"Yahoo!" Craig shouted and ran toward Luke to jump on him.

Old Mr Jenkins banged on the ceiling.

"My ribs," Luke said just before Craig crashed on top of him. "Besides, this place," he stood and gently accepted a hug from first Craig, then a longer one from Andy, "has too many bad memories."

"We'll make some new ones, good ones, up in Yorkshire," Andy said into his hair.

Craig made throwing up type noises, before grinning widely.

* * *

"No, honestly, I couldn't eat another thing." Andy rubbed at his belly. "But it was delicious, all of it."

"What about you, Craig?" Sam's serving spoon hovered over the large bowl of trifle.

"Um, just a bit more then; it's brilliant."

Craig had a line of cream around his mouth; Luke got a fit of the giggles looking at him.

"What?" Craig said.

Luke told him and Craig wiped his face.

"Haven't you had enough?" Andy asked, pushing away from the table. Turning to Sam, he said, "You must think we never feed him."

"You don't," Craig mumbled through his food.

"And you also must think his mother didn't bring him up with any table manners." Andy gave Craig a glare.

Craig swallowed. "I'm a growing boy."

That seemed to please Sam. Luke knew his friend partially judged a person by how much food he could cram into them before they left. Luke's diet had been a bone of contention between them for years.

"Don't suppose I could interest you in any more?" he said to Luke, who shook his head.

"I'm surprised he had any," Donnie said, putting down his spoon.

"I don't need to watch my weight as much now that I'm retired. But," Luke held up a hand to forestall Sam, "I still want to eat healthily. Even if Andy tries to feed me pork at every meal."

"I don't," Andy protested.

This led to a discussion between Andy and Sam about their favourite pork recipes. The others, feeling somewhat surplus to requirements, took their plates and bowls into the kitchen, where Donnie began to stack the dishwasher.

"I wish mum would get one of these," Craig said.

"They're a marvel. And with all the pots and pans Sam uses when he cooks, it's bloody essential."

"I heard that," Sam said, coming into the kitchen.

After coffee was made, the five of them retired to the front room. Sam put on some classical music, but fortunately he turned the volume right down. Luke could tell Andy felt comfortable in Sam and Donnie's presence. They had been warm and welcoming, but still gave Andy the space he always needed to get used to people he didn't know. Craig was showing signs of boredom. Sam and Donnie were in their early fifties and had lives that weren't of much interest to a teenager.

The post-dinner conversation had reached a natural pause, and Luke felt it was time to deliver his news. Draining his cup and setting it and its saucer on the coffee table, he said, "I made a decision earlier today."

"Oh?" "Donnie asked.

"That sounds ominous," Sam added.

"Well, uh, not really."

Luke looked at Sam and Donnie. It was surprising, given the difference in ages between himself and them, that they'd become friends, much less maintained such a friendship. They'd been there for him so many times with a reassuring word, a strong shoulder or just a smiling face. "I've decided to move up north and live with Andy."

Neither Sam nor Donnie spoke. Luke began to fidget. Did they disapprove of Andy; did they think he was making a mistake? Had all the earlier pleasant conversation just been out of politeness?

"Of course you're going to go live with him," Donnie finally said.

"This hasn't come as a surprise," Sam added. "Every phone call we've had from you has been about how Andy has done this or said that." He turned to Andy. "Forgive me, but I was half expecting you to be some kind of cross between Alexander The Great and Sir Lancelot."

Craig snorted. "Which would make Luke Hephaestion <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hephaestion>, or, "he chuckled, Guinevere" ."

Sam laughed. "I hadn't thought of that."

Andy glared at Craig, then turned to Sam and said, "Uh, glad I was able to disabuse you of that, then,"

"Normally at this point we'd get out the thumbscrews and ask if your intentions toward Luke are strictly honourable," Donnie said, "but I know they are."

"Thanks," Andy said, giving Luke's hand a squeeze.

"It's about time you found somebody decent. We were beginning to despair," Sam said, smiling at Luke.

"Yes. I know I've hit the jackpot with Andy."

Andy cleared his throat and squeezed Luke's hand more tightly. "Stop it," he whispered.

"Uh, I think we should change the subject and spare Andy's blushes," Donnie said.

"Oh, I don't know," Craig put in.

"Craig," Andy growled.

"Okay, definitely changing the subject," Sam said. "What are you doing about your flat, Luke? Your lease isn't up for. . . ."

Luke explained how Roger's antics the previous year had prompted his landlord to not renew his lease.

"Can he do that?" Sam asked.

"Yeah. But it just made my decision to go live with Andy that bit easier."

"True. But what will you do, for a job?" Donnie asked.

Luke shrugged. "I don't know yet. I've got a fair bit saved up, so at least I won't be sponging off of Andy."

"You won't have any rent to pay," Andy said. Luke was about to protest that he'd pay his share of the mortgage when Andy added, "The farm is all paid off."

"A man with his own house and business. You have landed on your feet, Luke," Donnie said.

"I thought we weren't going to embarrass Andy any more?" Luke said. In a lower voice, he added, "Or me for that matter." Luke stole a glance at his man, who smiled reassuringly at him.

"Sorry, you're right, we weren't," Donnie said.

"What will you do with all your stuff?" Sam asked.

"There isn't that much. The flat came part-furnished; there's just really my TV and stereo equipment, plus my clothes. Oh, and my bed. I'd rather just dump that." It held too many bad memories of Roger.

Craig piped up with, "You could always sell it on eBay."

Sam and Donnie laughed; even Luke saw the funny side. The innocent look on Craig's face eventually dissolved into laughter, too.

"Just wait till we get you home," Andy said.

"Promises, promises," Craig smirked.

Andy stood. "I think we ought to be making a move. It's way past Craig's bedtime." He offered Luke a hand up.

"You two only want to. . . ." Craig began.

"Craig! That's enough!" Andy said, raising a finger.

Craig immediately clamped his mouth closed and had the good grace to look penitent. "I'm sorry," he turned to everyone to say.

"I imagine it's just teenage exuberance," Donnie said, smiling sympathetically at Craig. "I take it you can't talk as openly about gay things with your parents."

Craig bit his lip and shook his head.

"So of course you feel liberated, more comfortable when you're with Andy and Luke and their gay friends."

"Yes," Craig nodded. "And I get carried away, 'cause it's just so great that you all understand, you're all like me."

Donnie and Sam nodded in understanding.

Luke led them to the front door. Everyone began to say their goodbyes once he, Craig and Andy were standing in the street.

Sam shook Craig's hand. "Well, young man, if we don't see you again. . . ."

"It'll be too soon," Andy grumbled.

Craig's smile, which had only just started to return, disappeared. Luke put a reassuring hand on Craig's arm.

"No, no, not at all," Sam said. "If we don't see you again, you make sure you look after yourself."

"Thank you, I will. And thanks for the great meal and everything else," Craig said, accepting Donnie's hand.

"It was a pleasure." Turning to Luke, Donnie said, "And don't you be a stranger. We expect frequent phone calls, and the occasional visit wouldn't come amiss, either."

"I promise to stay in touch." It really felt like he was saying goodbye. Luke hated goodbyes.

"Once we're all settled in, you're welcome to come up to the farm and stay for a few days," Andy said.

Luke was surprised at the offer. He could tell Andy meant it, too.

"Thank you," Sam said.

Luke wasn't sure a pig farm in the middle of rural West Yorkshire was Sam and Donnie's thing, with its lack of opera houses, fine restaurants or gentlemen's clubs. A pint down the village pub wouldn't be quite what they were used to.

Handshakes, hugs and goodbyes over, the three climbed into the van. Luke waved to his friends as Andy pulled away. It had been a great evening, all things considered.

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