Stolen Summer by S.A. Meade

Author:S.A. Meade [Meade, S.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Gay MM/Contemporary
ISBN: 9780857156372
Publisher: Total-E-Bound Publishing
Published: 2011-08-25T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

I peered out of the window as the runway rose to meet us. London was washed in a soft, autumn drizzle. Droplets of water streamed across the glass. The captain said that the temperature was a chilly fourteen degrees. It could’ve been minus fourteen for all I cared. My hands shook. I kept staring out of the window, at the industrial gloom of Heathrow, the brilliantly coloured liveries of other planes. I watched the little lorry with its flashing light come out to guide our plane to the gate. Seat belts unclicked up and down the cabin. Luggage containers popped open. I stood up and retrieved my backpack. We were in first class, a first for me. Vaughn stood up behind me. He’d explained that, once off the plane, I’d be taken to a private room so I could be reunited with my family in peace and privacy. Afterwards, there’d be a brief press conference. As brief as I wanted it to be. It was my call. It would be strange, to be on the other side of that bank of microphones.

The cabin crew were very kind. They knew who I was and had spoilt me relentlessly on the long flight. They all lined up to shake my hand when I walked off the plane. I shouldered my bag and walked along the gangway, surprised to see airport workers, all in their uniforms, lined up and clapping. Shit, I hadn’t been expecting this. I felt my face burn while I smiled my thanks. One of those golf carts with the flashing light waited at the gate. Feeling horribly conspicuous, I climbed aboard, Vaughn behind me. I was glad of his presence, glad he was there to negotiate my way through the unexpected hoopla around my return. Passengers parted as the golf cart passed through. I gazed at the everyday chaos of the airport as if I was seeing it for the first time. Lucky people, heading with purpose to baggage claim, going home to quiet lives that had never been disturbed.

I tried to remember to breathe. Colin was here, I would see him. My pulse was all over the place, fluttering until I was almost dizzy with it. I wiped my clammy palms on my jeans and willed the cart to hurry.

The cart slowed, turning into a quiet corridor. It stopped in front of a plain metal door.

“Are you ready?” Vaughn asked.

I took a deep breath. “Christ, yes.” I leaned against the door and pushed it open. My legs could scarcely hold me.

“Oh, God.” That was Mum, all tears and bright eyes. She was across the room in an instant. She threw her arms around my neck and wept loudly. My dad followed, a touch more reticent. He held us both. I fought tears and held on to them. Inhaling the scent of Mum’s perfume, inhaling the scent of home and childhood. After months without a kind touch, it was almost too much. But I was aware of Colin, standing in silence, waiting.

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