LIBERA ME

Author:     Eggbert
E-mail:     mbejane2000@yahoo.com
Rating:     R

Summary:    Sometimes letting go can be the hardest thing
            to do.

Disclaimer: Not mine, with one notable exception. Just
            borrowed and will be wiped down nicely and returned
            when I'm finished.

Pairings:   Many, but this is a Craig/Luke story. With
            Des and Reg as the Greek Chorus.

Spoilers:   None, completely AU.

A/N:        Clayton Street nick does not exist; though
            Clayton Street does. What the hell, if it's good
            enough for 'Spender'...

Dedicated to Sioux and Shar.



The persistent ringing of his doorbell awoke Craig
from his doze. Mumbling about how long-term sick leave
had turned him into an old man he got off the couch
and answered it, rubbing the stiffness from his neck
as he did so.

The door opened to admit Inspector Gina Gold. Craig
ushered her into the living room, taking her coat and
hanging it up.

" How're you doing? " she asked.

" Fine. " said Craig. " Actually, I'm bored out of my
mind. Coffee? "

" Sod that, " said Gina emphatically. " The sun's over
the yardarm somewhere in the world. "

Grinning, Craig poured her a large whisky and a
well-diluted one for himself to be companionable.

" Good news about the medical board yesterday, " she
said. Craig had been certified as being completely fit
for duty after a three-month absence, which had come
as no small relief to him.

" Yes, it's great. " he agreed. " Now I just need to
find out where my transfer will be to. The Board's
taking its time. "

" I've got some news about that as well, " said Gina.

When she couldn't quite meet his eye Craig felt his
heart sink.

" Well? " he demanded.

" You're coming back to Sun Hill. "

" No. " Flat, downright denial.

" I'm sorry, Craig. The Board refused your transfer
application."

" But why? " he almost wailed.

" We've been seriously under strength since Matt was
killed. Sheelagh does her best but this is her first
Sergeant's post and June's desperately needed back in
CSU. I need someone experienced that I can trust and
who knows the station and the relief inside out. I
need you. "

Craig slumped forward with his head buried in his
hands.

" I don't think I can face it, Gina. " he said
quietly.  The sight of Luke and a rapidly expanding
Kerry playing Happy Families would be intolerable.

" If Luke Ashton is the problem then you have no
problem, " she said firmly.

" How do you mean? "

" He's on compassionate leave for a while. He won't be
bothering you. "

She noticed how Craig's expression instantly became
one of concern at the thought of Luke needing
compassionate leave.

" What's happened? " he asked. Gina sighed heavily.

" Kerry miscarried. She lost the baby. "

" Poor Kerry, " he breathed.

Gina remained silent. There were a lot of things she
could have said about the state of the Ashton's
marriage. Sun Hill was a proper rumour mill and she
thought it was probably true that Kerry was playing
away. But she didn't mention any of this to Craig.
Luke Ashton did not deserve one single scrap of this
noble man's endless compassion.

" So, " said Gina as she drained the last of her
whisky. " I'll see you Monday morning for parade. "

" Yes, ma'am. " said Craig with a grin.

*~*~*~*~*~*~

After twenty-four hours, Craig felt as though he had
never been away. Every single member of the relief had
come to him to tell him how pleased they were to have
him back. Even Des with his 'better the Devil you
know' speech had left him feeling quite touched.

Tuesday morning found him in charge of custody. He was
typing some stats into the computer when a deep
Northern voice said,

" You //have// to be Sergeant Gilmore. "

Craig looked up from the screen into a pair of the
most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. As green and
clear as Bristol glass they were surveying him with
amused interest. The eyes and the voice belonged to a
man, roughly six feet tall with the build of a rugby
fullback. Short, spiky reddish-blond hair crowned a
good-natured face, which was lightly sprinkled with
freckles. The man was further distinguished by the
elegant cut of his dark grey suit and immaculately
knotted tie.

" Yes, " said Craig. " Who are you? "

The man grinned and offered Craig a large hand.

" Charlie Easton. Duty solicitor. I heard you were
back off sick leave. "

Wondering what had happened to Martin Porter, Craig
shook his hand. Was it his imagination or did Charlie
hold on to his hand slightly longer than was
necessary?

" Nice to meet you, " said Craig and meaning it.

" Likewise. Do you have a first name, Sergeant? Or
don't you mix business with pleasure? "

" Craig. And that depends. "

Craig felt his heartrate increase the longer he looked
into those amazing eyes. He felt drawn to this man. It
was insane; he didn't even know him.

//Remember what happened with Luke. One glance at his
naked body and you were hooked for life//.

Charlie smiled.

" What are you doing tonight? "

" Nothing, actually," said Craig.

" Do you know Luigi's on the High Street? "

" Yes."

" How would you like me to buy you dinner there
tonight? Around eight? "

" I'd like that very much. "

" Good. What's the matter? " Craig had started to
laugh.

" I've never been picked up in a custody suite
before."

Charlie joined in.

" Stick with me, pet. " he said, grinning. " I'll show
you there's a first time for everything. "

Charlie put his hand in the pocket of his suit and
extracted a business card, scribbling something on the
back. He passed it over to Craig.

" Office number, mobile number, pager number and
e-mail address. My home number's on the back. Just in
case you change your mind. If you can't reach me at
any of these, I'm probably dead. "

" I won't change my mind, " said Craig softly. " But
thanks for that. "

" See you tonight then, " said Charlie and walked away
whistling.

Shaking his head in utter disbelief at what had just
happened, Craig started typing again.

*~*~*~*~*~*~

" Fancy a drink tonight, Craig? " asked Gina.

" I can't. Sorry. "

Gina looked intrigued. Craig appeared far more happy
than usual.

" Why not? "

" I've, er, got a date actually. " And to her utter
amazement Craig blushed.

" Ooh, who? "

" Charlie Easton? The new duty solicitor? "

Gina smiled. Charlie had a vicious reputation in legal
circles. He was a bloody good lawyer and London
prosecutors who thought they were dealing with some
provincial soon found themselves, metaphorically, on
the ropes when they came up against him in court. Gina
had liked him immediately on meeting him and, now that
he had put a smile on her favourite sergeant's face,
she liked him even more.

" Have a good time then. Charlie's a hoot. " she said.

Craig smiled but didn't reply.

*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dinner proved a raging success, Craig arrived to find
Charlie already there and three-quarters of the way
down a pint glass full of some rich, brown liquid
while the other diners sipped red or white wine and
eyed him suspiciously. When he saw Craig, his whole
face lit up and he stood as the waiter obsequiously
ushered Craig into a chair.

" Hi. I'm pleased you made it. " he said sincerely.

" Drink, sir? " the waiter asked Craig.

" Get the lad a bottle of Broon, " said Charlie
authoritatively.

" Eh? "

" Newcastle Brown Ale. The only beer of which God
Himself approves, " said Charlie with a twinkle in his
eye. " Miles better than the cat's pee they serve down
here. "

Craig grinned and asked for two bottles.

The beer was as rich and nutty and full of flavour as
Charlie had promised and, over the most delicious
linguini Craig had ever tasted, he found out more
about his enchanting date.

" I grew up in Jesmond, the posh end of Newcastle. "
said Charlie. " Dad's a lawyer, it's all I ever wanted
to do. Used to play rugby for the school and suspected
something was wrong with me when I started fancying the
scrum-half. When me mates were going on about the lasses
they had kissed, I was eyeing up the lads. Had my first
boyfriend at eighteen at university and carried on from
there. Came to London after a relationship went down the
pan and I've been here ever since. Support Newcastle
United, drink Broon Ale when I can get it, drive a Jag
because fast cars are my one real vice, currently single
and making the most of life. What about you? "

" Born In Swansea, I came out to my parents when I was
nineteen. But I'd always known I was gay. Long-term
partner, Sean. Lasted two years until I finished it.
Then there was Carl, possible junkie, and certainly a
known criminal who nicked my car, crashed it and ended
up paralysed. Oh, and he was HIV positive as well. "

Charlie's eyebrows nearly disappeared into his
hairline.

" Why did you waste your time on him? "

" He was incredible in bed. He was young and he made
me feel alive. "

Charlie nodded sagely.

" There was someone else, wasn't there? "

" How did you know? "

" You've got an air of melancholy about you. It can't
//all// be because you're Welsh."

Craig smiled sadly. He barely knew this man yet he
felt he could trust him. Craig was getting an inkling
of what made Charlie such a success in the courtroom.

" I fell in love. With another copper. But he was so
far in denial it would never have worked. He got
married a few months ago, but what his wife doesn't
know is he spent his stag night in bed with me. "

" You're still carrying a torch for him, aren't you? "

" No, not really. I always said when I met another..."
Craig stopped himself in time. Charlie didn't need to
know Luke's name. " I'd be honest right from the word
go. "

Charlie merely smiled and changed the subject.

After dinner they emerged into the soft spring night.

" I'd like to see you again, Craig" said Charlie as
they made their way to the taxi rank.

" It's been a laugh, " admitted Craig. After baring
his soul to Charlie the other man had kept Craig
hugely entertained with scurrilous stories about the
legal profession and Craig had laughed till his newly
healed ribs had ached. " When? "

" How about tomorrow night? There's a film you might
like opening at the Odeon. "

" Yes, okay then. "

Charlie paused with his hand on the door to the cab.
As swift as summer lightning he reached up and kissed
Craig on the lips.

" Goodnight, " he said and vanished into the taxi.

*~*~*~*~*~*~

Des nudged Reg in the ribs as they took their seats in
the briefing room.

" Looks like the Sarge finally got lucky, " he said.
Reg tutted his disapproval but had to admit, Sergeant
Gilmore was practically glowing that morning. And it
would take more than Luke sloping in late to remove
that smile from his face.

Craig was indeed a very happy man. The past months
with Charlie had been some of the best he could ever
remember. Charlie was a wonderful companion, mature,
educated and they shared many common interests. They
spent every available minute together and, last night
at Craig's house when Charlie had picked up his car
keys Craig had dissuaded him by kissing him. It had
been the spark they had both needed and the resultant
passion had left them both breathless and hungry for
more. It had soothed Craig's sore heart to have
someone desire him so much and being with Charlie,
being held and protected and being made love to, was
just what he needed.

" Good of you to join us, PC Ashton, " he said
sarcastically. " My office after the briefing, please.
Now then...." and he carried on, no one guessing at
the turmoil that raged beneath his calm exterior.
Every inch the professional he fought the urge to
break down and cry. Just a glimpse of Luke had made
his heart fail. This was too much to bear.

He closed the door of his office behind him and stared
at Luke Ashton. Luke stared back but there was none of
his usual belligerence or arrogance in his gaze. He
looked defeated and decades older than his twenty-four
years. In spite of himself, Craig's expression
softened.

" How's Kerry? " he asked.

" I've got no idea. " replied Luke. " I haven't seen
her for nearly a week. Why don't you ask Cameron? He's
the one she's sleeping with. "

Craig was taken aback by such vitriol and how much
hurt and pain there was in Luke's eyes.

" Sorry? "

" After you were attacked, after all that bullshit in
your hospital room she finally stopped denying what
was under her nose. She asked me again if I was gay
and I told her the truth. There didn't seem to be a
lot of point in living together after that. No one
else knew. She was going to keep the baby and bring it
up herself, but even that didn't work out. She's with
Cameron now, I've got no idea how long it's been going
on and I don't care. I should never have married her,
it was a mistake and I've wrecked her life, mine and
probably yours as well. "

Craig slumped into his chair.

" I can't believe this, " he muttered.

" If I'd had the courage to follow my heart instead of
worrying too much about what other people thought then
things might have been different for you and me. "

" They still could be, " murmured Craig, ignoring the
protests of his conscience. What was he thinking of
with the memory of Charlie's sweetness and the taste
of him on his lips?

" Maybe, " said Luke.

" You'd better go, " said Craig. " Go and get on with
your duties. We'll talk about this later. "

Luke left and Craig sat with his thoughts.

Charlie was happily chatting to Sheelagh at the
custody desk as Craig came out of his office.

" Hello, pet, " said Charlie, his eyes full of
pleasure at the sight of his lover. " We were just
talking about you. "

" It's all lies, Sheelagh. " said Craig playfully.

She rolled her eyes theatrically.

" Oh, Sarge, "

" Yes, Luke. " the both chorused.

" You didn't tell me which beat I was on. "

" Sorry, " said Craig. " Six beat with Gary. But get a
move on."

Charlie looked from the unconscious face of his lover
to the young policeman and felt sick. Craig's eyes
were full of adoration for the young man, and what
made it even worse was that it was reciprocated. He
doubted if either of them realised. He was under no
illusions, if the young copper crooked his little
finger Craig would crawl over broken glass to get to
him. Craig was still in love with him, however loud
his protests to the contrary might be, and that meant
there was no place for Charlie.

He took his leave of Sheelagh and Craig and walked
slowly to his car, fighting the urge to kick
something. Back at his flat, he picked up a letter
that was dated three days before he had met Craig for
the first time. The royal blue scrawl was as familiar
to him as his own handwriting. He knew what he had to
do. He was in love with Craig; he had to give Craig a
chance of happiness with the man he still loved.
Taking out his pen, he drafted a reply and posted it
before he could change his mind.

He was meeting Craig for dinner that night, he would
tell him then.

*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Champagne? " Craig looked quizzically at a mildly
inebriated Charlie. " Oh shit, it's not your birthday,
is it? "

Charlie smiled and poured Craig a glassful.

" Nope. Guess again. "

Craig grimaced. " It's worse than twenty questions,"

" I've been offered a partnership. "

" Oh Charlie! That's wonderful! Well-deserved, I might
add. "

Charlie held up his hand to forestall any further
congratulations.

" In Newcastle. I'm leaving at the end of the week. "

" But..."

" Listen, Craig. Dad's retiring and I'm taking over
from him. I always suspected I'd end up back on the
Tyne. "

" And us? "

" I've always been happy to have what was left of you,
Craig. But I'll never have all of you, pet. Not while
you're still in love with someone else. I saw how you
looked at him today. You're only fooling yourself and
I'd quite like to get out of this in one piece."
Before I fall any more in love with you, was his
silent addition.

Craig looked devastated.

" I'll miss you, Charlie. " he said quietly.

" You know, we don't all eat our young north of the
Watford Gap. There //is// a police service outside of
the Met. In fact, there's a canny police station in
Clayton Street. "

Craig immediately guessed what he was driving at and
grinned sadly without answering. He placed his hand
over Charlie's on the table, his fingers sliding round
to caress the sensitive skin of Charlie's wrist.
Charlie's breathing quickened.

" Take me to bed, Craig. I don't want my last memories
of you to be sad ones. Just for tonight, pretend he
doesn't exist. "

Craig needed no second bidding and gestured for the
bill.

Craig's bedsprings creaked as they lay on it, every
touch, every caress laced with a bittersweet pleasure.

As he entered Charlie, Craig's eyes filled with tears.

//This is the last time I will ever be with him like
this// he thought, and drowned it before it could give
birth to an emotion he couldn't cope with. He
submerged himself in the sublime feeling of having
Charlie under him, the smell of his sweat, the taste
of his skin and as he came, he saw stars.

Neither of them slept that night, they clung to each
other like survivors, praying for the night to never
end.

*~*~*~*~*~*~

One week later, Craig pushed the luggage trolley onto
platform nine at King's Cross station. Charlie
appeared to be going to live out of three medium sized
suitcases.

" You didn't have to come and see me off, " grumbled
Charlie. " I'm a big boy now; I know which stop to get
off at. "

" I couldn't let you go without saying goodbye, "
laughed Craig.

" You're a good lad. I just hope he appreciates what
he's getting, " said Charlie seriously.

" Never mind him. Will you be okay? "

" I'll be fine. Here, looks like the train's coming. "

As the GNER train slowed and stopped at the platform
Craig enveloped Charlie in a massive bearhug.

" I'm going to miss you so very much, " he whispered.

Charlie loaded his suitcases and jumped back onto the
platform to kiss Craig goodbye, completely oblivious
to the disapproving stares of his fellow passengers.
As the guard's whistle sounded, Charlie whispered
something in Craig's ear before he climbed back on
board. Craig had no time to respond before the train
pulled out of the station.

Charlie waved until the train rounded a corner and
Craig was lost from sight.

//If he'd asked me, just once, I would have stayed
with him. // thought Charlie sadly.

To the complete consternation of the man across the
table from him, Charlie Easton buried his face in his
hands and wept inconsolably.



*~*~*~*~*~*~

In the area car, Luke yawned and stretched. Des looked
at him curiously.

" Heavy night last night? "

" Not exactly. Gary's couch isn't what you'd call the
most comfortable bed in the world. "

Des frowned. He and Luke had never been what you would
call close but the whole disaster with Kerry and the
humiliation of seeing her nearly every day with her new
bloke had made Des feel a little sympathetic. He wasn't
sure of the wheres and whys but he knew pain when he saw
it, and Luke was full of it.

" You can't sleep there forever, " he said. Luke
grunted non-committally.

" You can tell me to piss off whenever you like, but
what happened between you and Kerry? One minute you
couldn't keep yer hands off each other, next minute
she's shacked up with Skippy and you're one step away
from being a basket case. "

" She found out I'd been sleeping with the Sarge. "

Luke felt his head thrown forward as Des slammed on
the brakes.

" Like older women, do yer? "

Luke gave him a tired grin.

" Not Sergeant Murphy, Des. Craig. "

" //Sergeant Gilmore? //" Des almost screeched.

" Yeah. I'm bisexual. Kerry couldn't cope with it and
that's how she ended up with Cameron. "

Des looked at him, his eyes wider than ever.

" Fucking hell! The quiet ones are always the worst,
aren't they? So what are you going to do now, eh? "

Luke slumped in the seat looking utterly defeated.

" I dunno. Craig and I need to talk but he's always
busy. "

" Yeah, with that ginger lawyer he keeps making eyes
at. Listen, mate, you need to sort yerself out a bit."

" Don't I just know it. " muttered Luke.

He knew Des was right, he couldn't carry on
freewheeling like this for the rest of his life. It
was time to do some tough thinking and even tougher
talking.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Des crept up behind Reg in the locker room and slipped
his arms around his waist, drawing him close.

" How do you fancy playing the Good Samaritan? " asked
Des.

Reg raised an eyebrow.

" I've heard of some kinky stuff in my time, Des..."

" No, listen, " said Des, quaking with mirth. " Young
Luke needs somewhere to stay for a while and I thought
we could offer him the spare room. Just till he gets
himself sorted out. "

" Or until he moves in with Sergeant Gilmore, " said
Reg acidly.

" You knew! Why didn't you say anything? "

" Mystic Reg knows all and sees all, " said Reg in
what he probably thought was a decent impression of
Mystic Meg. ""It wasn't anyone's business but theirs.
"

" So what do you think? "

Reg nodded. " Yeah, okay. Till he sorts himself out.
No more nude cookery though, eh? "

Des looked glum.

" No more shagging yer on the couch either 'cos I
can't wait to get yer to bed. Or slipping yer one
while yer doing the dishes. "

" You'd think we never stopped shagging each other, "
protested Reg.

" That's because we don't. " said Des smugly. " I'll
tell Luke then? Tell him he can move in whenever? "

"Yeah. " Seeing the locker room was empty Reg rewarded
Des for his compassion with a brain-meltingly
passionate snog. Des's hand slid down to caress Reg.

" Tomorrow, " he growled. " After that I doubt we'll
even make it to the living room. "

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Craig looked up from the file he was working on to see
Gina framed in the doorway.

" How're you doing? " she asked. It wasn't an entirely
professional question, it had been a week since Charlie
Easton had gone back to the land of coal mines and
shipyards and Craig had been drifting round Sun Hill
like an earthbound cloud ever since.

A pair of amused brown eyes glinted at her
interruption.

" I'm fine, honestly. "

" Heard from Charlie? "

Craig put down his pen. He knew of old that he would
get no peace until Gina's curiosity was fully
satisfied.

"No, nor do I expect to. It's over between us, Gina.
His decision."

" You miss him though, don't you? "

" He was a good friend, we had some great times
together but it didn't have a future. That's how life
goes sometimes. "

" Shame, you and he were good for each other. I
actually thought he might be the one. "

No, thought Craig, Luke was the one and Charlie knew
it.

Craig shook his head.

" There will be other Charlies, I'm quite sure. "

" I hope so, Craig. I don't like to see you so
unhappy. See you later, then. "

" Yeah, see you. "

After she had gone Craig stared at the file without
really seeing it. He had been subconsciously avoiding
Luke ever since Charlie had left, yet he wasn't really
sure why. The field was clear, wasn't it? This was his
big chance to make a go of a relationship he had
wanted for years. And yet...and yet....

//I'll always love you, Craig//

He couldn't get those last words of Charlie's out of
his head. It was time he sorted things out once and
for all.

He found Luke in the canteen with Des and Reg. All
three looked quite happy and Craig was reluctant to
interrupt but he steeled himself to do so.

" Luke, can I have a word? " he asked politely.

" Yeah, of course, Sarge. "

Obediently, Luke followed Craig into the corridor.

" I need to talk to you, Luke. "

Luke's hazel eyes looked searchingly into Craig's.

" Yeah, I know. But not here, eh? Listen, I'm staying
with Des and Reg for a while. Why don't you come round
tonight? Des is dragging Reg to the match and we can
talk for as long as we like. "

" That'll be fine, " said Craig with a smile.

*~*~*~*~*~*~

" Liverpool versus Wimbledon, " said Des with a
wolfish grin. " It'll be a massacre. Come on, Reggie
babe. "

With a long-suffering sigh, Reg followed his beloved
partner out into the street.

They hadn't been gone more than five minutes when the
doorbell rang. As Luke answered it he realised his
hands were sweating and rubbed them dry on his jeans
before letting Craig in.

They sat side by side on the sofa before Luke
remembered his manners and offered Craig a drink. He
poured hefty Scotches for both of them and sat back
down again.

" Luke..."

Luke couldn't bear to look at the beautiful man at his
side. He had rehearsed this moment over and over in
his head and found a counter-argument for every point
but it all flew out of his head when he had the sheer
physical presence of Craig so close to him. What harm
would it do to just lean back and open his arms to
Craig? Far too much. And that was the whole problem.

" I need to know something, " said Luke. " Are you
still in love with me? "

Craig was taken aback.

" Yes, I think so. "

Luke sighed.

" I only wish you weren't. Craig, ever since Kerry
left me, I've had to grow up fast. I'm out now, the
whole relief knows that I swing both ways and that's
fine. I don't mind. "

Craig was smiling at him, a sight to make anyone weak
at the knees but Luke ploughed on.

" You and me...I don't think it would ever work out. I
still like you a hell of a lot. But it won't ever be
enough. There will always be someone prettier or
cleverer around the next corner. What I've done to you
in the past...I hurt you more than I had any right to.
I know you'll say it doesn't matter but it does. It
matters to me. I don't deserve you, Craig. And if we
start seeing each other properly, have a relationship,
I've got the horrible feeling that I'll end up hurting
you again. And you're worth so much more than that.
What you need is someone who can love you properly,
someone who's okay about being gay. Not someone who
has about ten years of catching up to do. "

Finally, Luke risked a glance at Craig and was
appalled to see a single tear tracking its way down
his cheek.

" I'm sorry, Craig, " he breathed. " But I had to say
it..."

" Did someone come in the middle of the night and put
a Grown-Up spell on you? " wondered Craig aloud.

Luke smiled. " Something like that. "

" You'll always be special to me, Luke. " said Craig;
his voice dropping low as it always did when he got
emotional. " But you're right about what you say. I've
been doing a lot of thinking since I got back to Sun
Hill and tonight you've made the scales drop from my
eyes. Would you be terribly hurt if I told you I
wasn't in love with you any more? "

Luke smiled. " No. But I think you're in love with
someone, eh? "

" I'm an idiot, " admitted Craig. " I just hope it's
not too late. "

Smiling, he took Luke into his arms and kissed him. It
was a sad, sensual kiss with a definite air of
finality.

" I've got to go, " said Craig regretfully as he
released Luke. " Look after yourself, won't you? "

" Bye, Sarge" said Luke, his eyes overbright with
unshed tears as he watched the man who had taught him
how to love walk out of the door.

Some time later an euphoric Des burst into the living
room.

" Five nil! What a fucking result! "

His audience wasn't quite so excited. Luke was fast
asleep on the couch, his eyes were red and swollen
from crying and in his sleep he looked as plucked and
defenceless as a spent windflower.

" What the hell's the matter with 'im? "

With a glare at his lover's insensitivity Reg covered
Luke with a blanket from the airing cupboard and
dragged a protesting Des upstairs by the hand.

Whatever had passed between Luke and Craig would keep
till the next day.

*~*~*~*~*~*~

Charlie Easton switched off the lights in his office
and locked the door behind him. With a nod to the
security guard he quitted the office in Gray Street
and made for his car. As he put the key in the
driver's door of the S-type a voice said,

" Any chance of a lift to Clayton Street, mister? I've
heard there's a canny police station there. "

Charlie didn't turn round. This had to be some kind of
sick joke, surely. That voice, which had haunted his
dreams ever since he left London, it //couldn't//
belong to who he though, could it?

A pair of hands descended on his shoulders and gently
turned Charlie to face him.

" Craig? "

" Hi, Charlie. I was passing, thought you might like a
drink. "

Craig's eyes were dancing with mirth at the utterly
bemused expression on Charlie's face.

" Passing? Bit out of your way, isn't it? "

" True. It took a plane and two taxis to accidentally
bump into you but now that I have..."

" What are you doing here? "

" I had to tell you something and it couldn't wait. "

" Must be of national importance then, " said Charlie,
his emerald eyes twinkling.

" Only to me. I love you, Charlie. "

" What? "

" I love you. Do you remember what you said to me at
the train station that day? "

" Every word. And it's still true. But what about the
other bloke? "

" There is no one else, Charlie. It wasn't till you
left that I realised what I had lost. But I had to end
things properly back there before I could come and
tell you. You understand? "

" Oh aye. I can't believe you're here. Me mam's going
to wake me up in a minute isn't she? "

With a broad smile Craig enfolded the unprotesting
lawyer into his arms and kissed him thoroughly,
delighted and touched by the enthusiasm of Charlie's
response.

" Maybe she won't, " said Charlie breathlessly. " God,
I've missed you, Craig. "

" Could you get used to having me around? " asked
Craig casually.

" How's that like? "

" I don't believe in long-distance relationships, "
said Craig firmly. " I want us to be together. But I
can't ask you to come back to Sun Hill with me so..."

The expression on Charlie's face was answer enough and
Craig felt a great surge of love for him.

" Well, if you're planning on becoming an honorary
Geordie, you'd better get in the car and I'll give you
the guided tour, " said Charlie.

" No mines or anything like that? "

For the briefest second Charlie looked pained.

" No. But there's the Tyne Bridge, the Millennium
Bridge, all sorts of interesting stuff, love. You can
live here a lifetime and never see it all. And I can
introduce you to the delights of stotties and leek
puddings. "

" Can't wait, " said Craig wryly.

" You're Welsh! " exclaimed Charlie. " Don't tell me
you've never had a leek pudding? "

" I've never sung in the Eistedfodd either, " said
Craig with a grin.

" Just as well, said Charlie, smugly. " You've got a
great voice for shouting coal."

The midnight-blue car pulled smoothly away from the
kerb and vanished into the growing darkness.


The End.