Chapter 9
Now the decision had been made, Kaden felt…
He didn’t know what he felt, but frightened was one of the emotions in there.
It could all go right. It could also all go wrong.
And that was what he kept thinking about.
It all going wrong. So much for believing he was an optimist. He waited for Joe to chime in and reassure him, and he didn’t.
That said everything. But really, he should be glad Joe wasn’t going all out to reassure him.
There was no point assuming everything would turn out right.
But there were things he needed to do. He wanted to go and see his dad. He wanted an evening out with his friends. And he needed to see Alistair. And he’d like to eat something he loved and to see something he loved… Just in case. Just in case. He swallowed hard. Joe stayed quiet.
Well, he’d brought this on himself. He’d touched when he wasn’t supposed to and it had finally come back to bite him.
He’d helped when he should have left well alone.
He didn’t blame Joe who’d just been doing what he needed to in order to survive.
How could Kaden be angry with him for that?
Wasn’t it the instinct of all creatures to stay alive?
If things didn’t go the way they hoped, Kaden felt sad to be leaving his dad because he’d take it the worst.
But he had to stop himself sliding down. He and Joe were going to be fine. Remaining positive was important, as was being pragmatic.
Joe patted his back, somehow put his arms around him and held him tight. Kaden wished he was doing it for real. Maybe tomorrow, he could.
What do you want to do now?
“See Alistair.” Kaden had created some outlines for fictional stories for him to think about. Non-fiction had been harder because he didn’t know how much Alistair would be allowed to say. But then…maybe Kaden wouldn’t be writing with him anyway.
He called Alistair and arranged to see him. Then he sent a text to his friends. They agreed to meet at eight that night, which gave him time to go and see his dad after he got back from the school where he worked.
Are you tying loose ends?
“Maybe.” No maybe about it. That was exactly what he was doing. A little dog having his last day in the sun.
Rupert Brooke’s Little Dog’s Day.
Kaden smiled. He understood that Joe only knew that because he knew the poem, but it was still nice. Harris had probably never even heard of the poet let alone the poem.
Elsie came to the door with Alistair to welcome him in. Kaden couldn’t help wondering if this was the last time he’d see her waggy tail. He swallowed hard.
“Come on in,” Alistair said. “I ordered paperbacks on . I don’t know if anyone will want to read the book but my friends will all be having a signed copy for Christmas whether they want one or not.”
Kaden chuckled as he followed Alistair to the kitchen. He emptied his backpack of everything Alistair had let him take away.
“Coffee?” Alistair was already on his way to the machine.
“Please.”
There was a newspaper on the table. Army Denies UFO Search.
Kaden read the article quickly. They now believed a meteorite had landed and been taken and the UK Fireball Alliance were pleading with people to hand it in because it was likely to be of significant scientific interest. Apparently, it was ‘finders keepers’ if you discovered a meteorite in the UK, provided you had permission to be on the land. Did that apply to alien spacecraft?
“That alien story?” Alistair chuckled as he put Kaden’s coffee in front of him.
“Sounds like it’s a meteorite story.”
“Odd that the army were involved.”
“Did they say where it was found?” Kaden sipped his drink.
“No. The area would be besieged. Though I guess it’s only a matter of time.”
“That’s true.” Kaden nodded towards the box. “There’s money in there, Alistair. I didn’t count it but there’s a lot of US dollars in an envelope, and a medal.”
“Oh, was there? I’d forgotten about those. Good thing I didn’t just throw it out.”
“Your medal?”
“My father’s. Distinguished Service Order. A step below a Victoria Cross.”
“Oh wow, well you don’t want to lose that.”
When Alistair sat down, Kaden handed him the four sheets he’d printed.
“I made rough outlines for fictional stories. Two set in Russia and the UK and the other two set in the UK and Afghanistan. I’ll leave them with you to read through and have a think about.
Two are spy thrillers, one is more of a psychological thriller and one is a murder mystery featuring a United Nations investigator. ”
“One of my cover stories.”
“I wondered when I looked through your papers. I had trouble coming up with something factual. It was too difficult to judge what needed to stay secret. But I’ll leave these with you and you can let me know which one you’d like to go with. If any.”
“What made you choose Afghanistan?”
“Taa vallata talali yay.” You’ve been there. “Ao zaa zaba poheegam.” I know the language.
Alistair gaped at him. “You speak Pashto, Russian… Anything else?”
“A little French.”
“I’m surprised the Foreign Office didn’t make you an offer.”
“I’d have to have applied first.” He smiled. “It wasn’t on my radar.”
“You think I applied? I was approached at university. What made you learn Pashto?”
“I game online with a guy in Afghanistan. His name’s Jalis. He’s about the same age as me.” Kaden pretended to hesitate.
What are you doing? Joe sounded frantic.
Shush. “Jalis wants to come to the UK. In fact, he’s already on his way here.”
“I assume not legally. There are no visa stations there.”
“No, not legally. His parents died when he was ten and he was brought up by relatives who want him to marry. He refused and they’re threatening him because he’s gay. A month ago, there was an attempt on his life. I told him to try and get here, and said he could stay with me.”
Alistair nodded. “I understand that instinct to protect. I’ve lived through times when being gay was dangerous.”
“It still can be.”
“It can. Less so in this country but still… It’s appalling what families will do to those they should care for.”
“I thought, if I can help and I don’t, then who am I?”
Joe sighed. You are a good person.
“A noble sentiment. Is he coming over on a small boat?”
Kaden nodded. “That was his plan. We’re not in touch now. I don’t know if he’s lost his phone. I hope that’s all it is. I suppose I’ll only know if he made it when he turns up. He has my address, my email and phone number.”
“Are you sure you’ll be safe?” Alistair regarded him anxiously.
“I trust him. As long as he gets here safely, it’ll be fine.”
“I don’t think what you’re doing is without risk but I applaud your bravery. I hope it doesn’t come back to bite you.”
“Well, that’s a cheery thought. Let’s get another book out before that happens. You’re one of my few sources of regular income.”
Alistair laughed.
When Kaden saw his dad, he struggled to hold himself together. He knew the hug he’d given him was not only too hard, but had lasted too long. He hadn’t been able to help himself.
“What’s wrong?” his dad asked.
“I’m just happy to see you!”
His dad smiled. “And?”
“And nothing.”
Kaden followed him into the kitchen. “Going to stay for a bite to eat?”
“Yes, please. I’m meeting Euan, Danny and Ben, and maybe a few others at eight for a drink, so I can only stay for a couple of hours.”
“I’ll get cooking. So what happened with Harris? Will you tell me? Or is it not fit for my delicate ears?”
“Finally realised we’re just not a good match. The bastard stopped laughing at my jokes.” Kaden waited. “You’re not going to say I told you so?”
His dad shook his head. “No point.”
Harris had been obnoxious when Kaden had brought him here for dinner.
He quietly picked fault with the house, did the same with the meal and had talked down to his dad as they ate.
Kaden had called him out on it later, but even though Harris had said he was sorry, that he was stressed and tired, he shouldn’t have done it in the first place.
He always had an excuse and it was never a good one.
This house had always been Kaden’s family home and he loved the chaos of it, one large communal living area with the kitchen at one end, the sitting room at the other taking up most of the space.
His dad had a library-cum-study just off the sitting room, opposite the utility room and there were three bedrooms upstairs.
Nothing matched, not the furniture, the cushions on the couch and chair, not the curtains, nor the rug, but it was home and special to Kaden.
There were paintings on all the walls, pictures of his family everywhere, some of him with his mother and dad, and lots of his mother.
His dad had never gone out with anyone again, not that Kaden knew. His wife had been the love of his life.
Kaden felt Joe stroke his back.
Show me your room.
Later.
“Any more thoughts on aliens?”
The stroking stopped.
“Not ones from outer space,” Kaden said carefully. “But one from Afghanistan.”
His dad shot him a look, the one where he narrowed his eyes and made Kaden feel guilty even if he hadn’t done anything, though he usually had. Oops.
“What are you up to?”
“I’ve been playing on my PS4 with a guy in Afghanistan.”
“How did you get to know someone in Afghanistan doing that?”
“Through an international game lobby. His name’s Jalis. He’s the same age as me. He’s also gay.”
“And?” His dad pinned him with his gaze.
It was a bit like knowing you’d been picked out in a sniper’s scope. No escape.
“He’s on his way to the UK.”
Kaden expected the long, drawn-out sigh and he got it.
“On a plane? With a passport? With a visa?”
“No, no and no.”
“Oh my God, Kaden!”
Kaden told his dad everything he’d told Alistair. His dad was far less understanding.
“How do you know he’s telling you the truth? He could just be using you. He could be a middle-aged man. He might come over here and kill you!”