Sad Return

Terry sat in the car staring into space. They were parked up outside the house that, until recently, he had been blissfully happy sharing his life with M in.

Paul sat next to him, staring out of the other window. Terry had ignored him on the flights home, and the drive from the airport. He still wasn’t sure if he wanted to kill Dino or hug him for sending one of the boys back to Oz with him. Deep down inside he guessed he was pleased Paul was there.

Terry was tired and unshaven, a grim look on his face and his weary eyes hidden behind his shades. He didn’t seem to have the will or the strength to get out of the car. Paul understood and waited patiently for him to make the first move. He was amazed that Terry had got into the drivers side of his car that had been parked at Coffs airport. He got them both to The Glen safely though, even if he seemed to be driving on autopilot.

A sigh from Terry broke through his thoughts, and he turned to face him. “You okay, Mr. Thorne?”

“Terry…call me Terry, mate.”

“Okay then, Terry. Do you want to make a move?”

“Not really, Paul; it’s a case of needing to though, isn’t it. Come on then, let’s do this.”

“Do you need some time on your own, Terry?”

Terry sat there for a moment before answering. “I don’t think so. I thinkI’m in need of some moral support.” He opened up the driver’s door and swung round ready to get out. For a second he wasn’t sure his legs would carry him, but he took a deep breath and exited the car.

Paul followed him inside, noticing that Terry seemed to be heading for the back of the house, not bothering with any of the doors that led to rooms either side of the hallway.

Terry seemed aware of this and spoke over his shoulder. “Kitchen, mate. First order of business a nice cuppa, although I guess you’d prefer coffee.”

“Terry, I’m originally from Kenya, I grew up on the best tea in the world. Perhaps you can introduce me to what you drink here in Australia.”

“Deal, mate,” Terry almost smiled and he turned to fill the kettle and got the teapot ready. “Just for you, Paul…real loose leaf tea, not a bag.”

“I’m honoured, Terry,” Paul replied, thinking that he saw the ghost of a smile on Terry’s lips. This was the first time he’d met Terry, even though he knew that Dino and he had been best friends and worked together for years. Dino had told him Terry had chosen love and a life with M over his K&R work with Dino. He couldn’t help but wonder what it would have been like to work beside both of them when they were a team.

While the tea brewed, Terry looked in the cupboards to see if there was anything he could offer Paul to eat with his tea. He found a tin of luxury chocolate biscuits that M had been hiding from him and broke the seal, offering the full selection for Paul.

“Thanks, Terry. The biscuits are almost as good as the tea, which is excellent.”

“Ta, mate,” Terry replied. He had a sudden thought. “How are you getting back to the airport, Paul, and when?”

“I’ll call a cab, Terry. Dino booked me on the first flight out in the morning. I thought I’d find a room in the village.”

“No, mate; you’ll do no such thing. There’s more than enough room here for you to stay, and plenty of tucker in the freezer.”

“Are you sure, Terry?”

Terry looked into Paul’s eyes before replying. “Positive, mate; I don’t think I can be alone tonight.”

Tbc…