CHAPTER 1
"Fuck sake Aaron! Get a move on! That's Finn and Greg left Hexham!" Jackson was standing at the bottom of the bed. He was naked. "C'mon, this text came through ages ago!" Jackson felt his face begin to colour under the short curls of his beard, he remembered the slight distraction of the ping of the text message arriving, but he hadn't wanted to stop what he was doing to answer it.
Aaron stretched under the sheet that was the only cover on the bed. His body was glistening with sweat, his breathing still rapid although it was gradually slowing down. He slid lower in the bed, making himself comfortable and running his tongue over his lips, he looked at Jackson.
"You are such a slut, Livesy," Jackson chuckled, "but if you're hard again you'll just have to sort yourself out, I'm going for a quick shower. They could be in Hotton in an hour and we've still got heaps to do."
"Not that much," retorted Aaron, "we're more or less packed."
But there's nothing in the van yet," said Jackson emphatically, "We need to get the mattress in; I'm guessing you don't want to sleep on the floor!"
"Okay okay! I'll get up...if you're sure?" He quirked one eyebrow, glancing towards his groin, his blue eyes dancing with mischief.
"You're insatiable!" laughed Jackson, picking up a towel and pulling it loosely round his hips, covering himself and the evidence that Aaron could so easily have him again.
"Only for you Jay, only for you," smirked Aaron. "Besides, we're on holiday, days and days of nothing to do!"
"Except meet Finn and Greg, Robbie and Simon in less than two hours! Now get up!"
"I am up!" Aaron began to push back the sheet from his chest.
"And I'm out of here!" laughing Jackson, pulling his towel more firmly around himself before he left the room.
There was no sign of Aaron when he returned from the shower a few minutes later. He dressed quickly, unable to stop a smile creasing his face as he caught sight of their two holdalls haphazardly tumbled, one on top of the other, in the corner of the room, a bulging plastic bag with things forgotten beside them. It took him moments to dress, the day was already warm and it was a matter of seconds to pull on the boxers, cut-offs and tee shirt that he had left handy the night before. He took the bags with him as he went downstairs, shrugging the handle of one high up his arm so the weight of the bag lay across his back, catching the other two up by the handles in one hand. It was a bit awkward negotiating the doorway from the room and the narrow staircase but he managed it, dropping them unceremoniously by the front door before heading to the kitchen. He could hear raised voices.
"I'm not saying you've got to phone her three times a day," Cain snapped, "just text her every couple of days or so; she's your mother, she worries."
Scowling, saying nothing, Aaron turned back toward the kettle, flicking it on.
"I mean it Aaron," growled Cain, fixing him with a dark, warning stare. "Now make me a coffee then do one. I want to talk to Jackson."
A chill ran the length of Jackson's spine. However long he knew Cain, however well they seemed to get on, there was always that dark, brooding air of menace about him that he heeded as a warning.
They both watched in silence as Aaron made two more mugs of coffee before he left the room. Cain said nothing until he heard Aaron's feet on the stairs, climbing to their room
"Muppet!" said Cain, almost affectionately. "Just make sure he texts her occasionally," he sighed, sipping his coffee. "You know what Chas is like; none of us will get any peace if he doesn't, if she starts worrying."
"Will do," replied Jackson. That couldn't be it all, he thought, there must be more. He hugged his mug to his chest, waiting.
"The van's sorted, spares fine, full tool kit and there's a double layer of carpet in it," continued Cain. "You alright for money?"
"Yeah, we're not too bad between us," replied Jackson.
"There's a couple of hundred in an envelope under all the rubbish in the glove box," said Cain, "for emergencies. Don't tell him," he nodded in the general direction of the upper floor of the house, "it's not for burgers and beers."
"Thanks," said Jackson.
"And if there are any problems, we're just at the end of the phone, me or Paddy," he pulled a wry face, "but call us, anytime. You've got our numbers in your phone?"
"Yes," affirmed Jackson quickly, pulling his mobile from his pocket and scrolling through his call list. "You, Tug Ghyll, garage and mobile," he read, "Paddy home, mobile and surgery. Chas."
Cain nodded, satisfied. "Just take care, all of you. And have a good time."
The door clicked open; Aaron came back into the room.
"Finished?" he questioned.
"More or less," said Cain. "Send us a postcard and don't go without saying goodbye." He got up, with a last piercing look, he sauntered from the room. Seconds later the back door slammed behind him.
"What was that all about?" demanded Aaron
"Oh just Cain showing he cares," said Jackson quietly, "but it would never do for him to show it," he mused. "Right c'mon, let's get the mattress into the van; that needs to go in before we can put anything else in."
It took them longer to load the van than at least Aaron had expected. The mattress was awkward to manoeuvre down the narrow staircase of Smithy Cottage, then there was sheets, their quilt, pillows, the bags of clothes, bags of things that had been forgotten or were last minute additions. There were boxes that Hazel had packed with plates, mugs, cutlery and other kitchen equipment she thought they might need. Jackson tried to explain that Finn and Greg, Robbie and Simon were hiring camper vans that came with fully equipped kitchens. That they fully intended sampling plenty of take aways, but that cut no ice with her and a box of food was ready for them too. In the midst of all this chaos, Simon phoned; Finn and Greg had arrived, the kettle was on, where were they?
It was almost an hour after Simon phoned before they were ready to leave. All their stuff had been piled in the back of the van, neatly at first, more higgledy piggledy as the pressure of time passing mounted. Then there was the goodbyes; Chas, acting as though they were emigrating to Australia; Hazel, attempting to press two more carrier bags of goodies onto them; Paddy, his usual expression of bemused concern on his face as the preparations came to a frantic conclusion around him. And Cain; returned but saying little, just looking.
At last they were ready; Jackson jumped into the driving seat, with the window open, he could still hear Hazel talking, a much to herself as to him. The other side of the van, Aaron stood at the door trying to escape from Chas, from last minute instructions.
"Let them go," growled Cain. "They're big boys; they don't need you two fussing over them!"
Gratefully Aaron jumped beside Jackson; at last they were on their way! He stuck his head and arm out of the window and waved enthusiastically.
"Just get us out of here before they think of something else to say and chase us," said Aaron, turning his head briefly towards Jackson.
In seconds a bend in the road had hidden their concerned family from view.
"Go left at the junction down here," said Aaron.
"I know the way to Hotton," replied Jackson.
"I know you do, but I always tell you which way to go when we set off."
"Idiot!" Jackson grinned at him.
Fifteen minutes later they were in Hotton, pulling up outside Robbie and Simon's flat. Two camper vans were there already, reminding them how late they were.
Locking the van behind them, they ran up the steps to Robbie and Simon's front door, knocked loudly then opened it.
"At last!" exclaimed Simon, coming into the hall to meet them. He hugged each of them briefly, ushering them into the small sitting room where the others were gathered, waiting for them.
"Sorry!" apologised Aaron, we were a bit later than we planned getting away." He glanced at Jackson, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Oh don't tell us, we can imagine," laughed Finn, hugging Aaron tightly. The younger man had almost leapt into Finn's arms, such had been his delight at seeing his friend; it had been a couple of months since they had last spent any time together and now they were on the brink of a holiday that seemed to stretch endlessly ahead of them.
"Have we time for a coffee or are you guys anxious to head straight off?" asked Jackson.
"Plenty of time," said Greg. "I'll make it; I think Robbie and Simon still have a few bits to take down to their van."
Greg disappeared into the kitchen and began making coffee for them all. He wasn't unfamiliar with his friend's kitchen and soon found the mugs, coffee and even some biscuits. He could hear the excited activity in the rest of the flat as the other men went in and out with the last of Simon and Robbie's things.
"I'm sure Simon is taking his whole wardrobe with him," laughed Jackson, coming into the kitchen.
"Well you know what he's like!" replied Greg, "goodness knows how he's gonna cope in a camper van! Help yourself to coffee; they're all the same, sugars on the table."
It was more than an hour before they were finally ready to leave. As they drunk their coffee they poured over a road map, the front page of the book showing the whole of the country.
"So we're just doing what we said before?" questioned Robbie. "Straight down the motorway today, heading west?"
"Think so," replied Greg, looking round at the others.
"How long d'you reckon it will take us?" asked Finn.
Robbie shrugged. "Five hours, six maybe, depending on the traffic. But we don't have to go that far if it gets late or we want to stop somewhere else."
"C'mon then," said Aaron jumping up and reaching to take their empty coffee mugs. "What are we waiting for?"
"Well for most of the morning, it's been you, you slut!" laughed Simon
Aaron pulled a face at Simon but soon was smiling again. They were all excited, on the verge of their holiday, a holiday they had been planning for several months, by phone, by text message and email. And now it was here. At last they left the flat; last out, Robbie locked the door behind them, giving it a final rattle, checking it was secure. The door was locked fast; their holiday had begun.