Thomas stared wide eyed out of the window as the Yorkshire countryside whizzed past. He had never left his home county, and had no idea what to expect as he headed further south. He'd brought a book to read, and a sketchbook, but he felt like he could stare out of the window all day, watching the world go by, and never get bored.

I hope this wasn't a bad idea.

Ordinarily, when Thomas took leave, he returned home to his father. It was always excruciating, but Thomas always felt obliged to go home, out of some kind of familial duty.

I'll see how long I can put off seeing him before he gets angry.

The butler of the house, Mr Martin, had reminded Thomas recently that he would be better off taking his leave while the family was in London. Mr Martin had been kind enough to offer him a few days off for his 16th birthday.

Thomas promptly wrote a letter to his father, saying that he was terribly busy and might not be able to visit for a while. An hour later, he sent his first ever telegram, to James, telling him that he would be there to visit the next day. On his return to the house, Thomas had packed a small trunk, and fallen into an excited, agitated sleep. In the morning, he rushed to the train station and booked his ticket.

He could not remember being more excited. The last time he'd been that happy was three years ago, during the most glorious summer Thomas had ever known – the summer when he'd finally realised that it was James he wanted, more than anyone else in the world.

The following summer was almost as good. Both boys happened to be home at the same time, although Thomas only had a week off. The problem was, farmer Smith had cut the old tree down, to use the back fields he'd never farmed. James and Thomas had spent as much time together as ever, but they had to meet in public. It hadn't been quite the same.

I hope we can see each other properly this time.

Thomas watched anxiously as the train pulled into his station. Within moments, he found himself exiting the carriage, and moving along the platform with a crowd of people. He held his small trunk close to his body as he swerved through the crowd towards the exit. He bought a map, caught a bus, and suddenly found himself staring at a school gate.

It was half-past 3 in the afternoon, and Thomas realised that he had no plan whatsoever of how to meet James. His decision had been spur-of-the-moment – he had not even waited for a reply.

Perhaps this was a stupid idea.

Thomas approached the gate cautiously. There was no one around, but he felt that barging into the school was not the best way to get James's attention. He loitered for nearly 10 minutes. He was about to leave when finally, footsteps rung out on the other side of the gate.

Oh Lord.

Thomas quickly straightened up, dusted off his jacket, and stood ready to speak with whoever came. He hadn't thought of what to say.

"Boy! Who are you? Why are you lurking out here?" a short, chubby man in a brown suit asked, puffing from the strain of walking down the long drive.

"My name is Thomas, sir. I was hoping to visit James Emery. I'm a friend of his, from Yorkshire."

"Humph!". The man replied, frowning. "Today is Friday. He's still in class."

I can do this.

"I know that, sir. I thought he might finish soon though. His father asked me to come and see how he was. James hasn't been replying to many letters lately." The lie came easily to Thomas, and he paired it with his most charming smile.

The man tilted his head in consideration. "Hmm…yes…alright. If you'll follow me, please."

A sense of relief washed over Thomas – it had worked. The man unlocked the gate and ushered Thomas through, before promptly locking it again.

"Well don't dawdle boy!"

The two of them walked up the drive, Thomas with considerably more ease than the gentleman beside him. He was red in the face by the time they approached the main building, and Thomas held in a smirk – the man looked quite ridiculous with his dark red face and puffed out cheeks.

"If you'll come in here, and sit down." He wheezed. He pointed to a chair, and entered an office down the hall.

Perhaps I should have claimed to be a relative…

Thomas sat anxiously, and pulled out his book. The wood-panelled corridor was silent, though he could hear muffled footsteps above. He tried to read his book, but only managed a few pages before another man stepped into the corridor.

He was a taller, thinner, sterner-looking man than the gentleman Thomas had met at the gate. He eyed Thomas with contempt, like a rat he wanted to shoo outside.

"Reading Pride and Prejudice I see? I thought only ladies read such books." He looked down on Thomas, who stood, tucking his book back into his shoulder-bag.

"It was a lady who gave it to me. I thought I'd read it to get on her good side, sir." Thomas was a little shorter than the gentleman before him, but he stood as straight as he could, and stared the teacher in the eyes, daring him to say Thomas might be lying. "Is my cousin coming?" he asked coolly.

This had better work.

The gentleman looked taken aback.

"Cousin?"

"Yes. Well…second-cousin. Of James Emery. Did the other gentleman not mention me? He did look rather tired after the walk up from the gate."

"Perhaps it slipped his mind." The gentleman frowned at Thomas. "Cousin you say? And his father sent you?"

He believes me…

"That's right. I know it's probably a big thing to ask, to let James spend some time with me over the weekend, but his father thought it would do him some good to see a familiar face. He hasn't been replying to our letters you see."

Thomas has become rather accustomed to lying, though his ingenuity was surprising him as he continued to spin the web of lies.

"I assume it's alright? Mr Emery forgot to send me with something signed, but it's rather late now to ask for one. Besides, he's taking some time off from work and I wouldn't know where to reach him."

The gentleman looked sceptical, and uncertain. He did not seem to know what to make of the seemingly confident young man who stood before him. Thomas could almost see the cogs ticking in the back of the man's mind.

Thomas stood as casually as he could, willing the man to believe him.

"Naturally it is a great inconvenience. He will have to be back here by 8 o'clock this evening, and by 6 o'clock tomorrow if you wish to see him then. However, our boys are not allowed to leave on Sundays." The man finally replied.

"Quite right. Thank you, sir. Will James be down soon then?" Thomas asked with a grin.

The gentleman turned on his heels at that, back down the corridor and up a set of stairs to the right.

I can't believe that worked. As long as he doesn't check with Mr Emery, no one will ever know.

Thomas paced up and down the corridor, mindlessly running his hand along the walls.

He didn't even ask for my name. Pathetic.

It was another ten minutes before finally, footsteps rang down the stairs, and Thomas quickly returned to his seat, trying his best to look nonchalant.

"Thomas?" James's voice sang through the corridor.

Thomas had to fight the grin that seemed to want to cover his face. He tried to reduce it to a small smile as he stood to greet his friend. The gentleman behind James was still frowning.

"Hello James. I hope you're well?" Thomas asked, extending a hand.

"Yes, thank you cousin. I've been very busy, that's all. I haven't had time to write."

"Of course. Well we'll have dinner tonight, and see each other tomorrow, and hopefully I'll have plenty to report back to your father next time I'm in Yorkshire."

James looked nervously at the lanky gentleman behind him. "Certainly. If that's okay with you, sir?"

"Yes, yes, off you go boy. Be sure to be back by eight – no exceptions. Understand?"

"Of…of course sir." James stuttered back. "Thank you, sir."

The teacher snorted, and returned to the office. Once the door had closed, Thomas pulled James into a tight embrace.

"I really, really missed you James. More than words can say." He pulled back, staring into James's eyes for confirmation of the same feelings.

James looked around nervously. "I missed you too. I…I think we should leave now. Before somebody gets suspicious." He whispered.

Thomas felt hurt, but nodded. The two of them walked out of the building, down the drive, and out of the gate. They were half way down the street when James finally spoke again.

"Cousin?" He asked.

"Thought it would be easier to get you out. I told them your father was abroad so hopefully they won't write. Besides, I know you have a cousin around my age. I doubt your father will ever find out it was me who visited." Thomas replied confidently.

"I hope you're right." James smiled.

"I can't honestly believe it worked. I'm better at lying than I thought I was.

They kept walking, closer together now they were out of sight of the school. James led them further away from the school and nearby village, towards a quiet cluster of trees. They meandered through the trees towards a small pond.

"This is where I go. When everything feels...bad. I don't know. I love it here." James whispered.

"Bad?"

"The others still bully me. Even after all this time. But I've never seen anyone else here. It's perfect for getting away from everything."

They sat below a tree next to the pond. Thomas had his arm around James – in the years they hadn't seen each other, Thomas had grown taller than the older boy. James had his head on Thomas's shoulder. The boys sat like that for hours, just talking, and enjoying each other's company.

"How long are you staying down here?" James asked.

"Just for the weekend. I don't exactly get a lot of leave. But the butler thought I should take some time off for my birthday. That's what he said at least – it's really because the family is in London so there isn't a lot for me to do." Thomas laughed. "I imagine he'll have thought of plenty more for me to do once I'm back."

"Sounds stressful."

"Not really. The butler is kind to me. At any rate, a footman is leaving soon so if I stay on his good side, I might even be due for a promotion."

"Congratulations!"

The boys talked until they felt rumbles in their stomachs. They reluctantly got up and returned to the village, heading to the local public house. They ate a hearty meal, paid for by Thomas, before James said goodbye and returned to the school.

Thomas took out a room, and lay on his bed smiling. He couldn't bring himself to read or draw – all he could do was think about James.

Perhaps it's nearly time to tell him I love him.

He shuddered at the thought, but kept smiling all the same. He had not felt so happy for years it seemed. James was the only one who made him feel genuinely joyful.

After an hour of trying and failing to draw, Thomas finally fell asleep, excited and nervous about the next day. It might be the last time they saw each other for another two years.

Despite the tinge of sadness, Thomas fell asleep with the boy he loved on his mind.