The Longest Day
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CHAPTER 1:
They had gotten too close. That was the only way John could explain how he felt. He had liked Steven, and had found a form of relief in their relationship, but things had just gone too far. There was no way they could ever have continued, especially now that everyone knew about Steve, and so while it hurt like hell, he was going to have to leave this part of his life behind. In fact, what better way to get on with the rest of his life than to go back to his parents and his friends to celebrate the day’s achievements and honours? Surely with time his love for Steve would fade, and maybe he could get himself a girlfriend.
John gathered his senses, wiped off his face and stood up. He slowly strolled back to the school, where he found his parents waiting beside the car. They looked a little annoyed, but on seeing their son they both cheered up.
“Ah, John, there you are” said Raymond, patting his son on the back. “We thought you’d got lost.”
“Sorry Dad. I was just chatting with some of the lads from the running team” John replied, quite convincingly. “You know, I might not see them again for a while.”
“Fair enough” said Veronica, “but we need to go. Your father and I are due at the Beaumont’s tonight, and we have to get ready.”
“Are you coming back with us John?” asked his father.
“Yeah, I wanna get some dinner before I go out.”
With that, John got into the back seat of the Mercedes, leaving his parents outside. They exchanged knowing glances and then also got in. On the journey home, Veronica and Raymond talked meaninglessly about which bottle of wine to take with them, and whether Pamela and Brian would be likely to show their faces after last time. However, both were aware that their son was staring out the window, occasionally wiping his eyes.
* * * *
Linda beamed at Steven as he returned to the car with two cans of Pepsi and a ludicrously large Mars bar. He got in, and handed her one of the drinks. Just to tease her, he held on to the chocolate bar, but when he saw the expression on her face, he quickly handed it over.
“Cheers darling” she said, hungrily ripping open the Mars wrapper. “I’m absolutely starving.”
“So, where to now?” asked Steven, squinting in the evening sunshine. “How about a go on the M3?”
“Steve, I need to get home soon. I promised Del I wouldn’t be driving after dark.”
“Oh, right” said Steven, barely attempting to hide his disappointment.
“Sweetheart” said Linda, sighing a little, “you have to face your dad sometime. Why don’t you just go back, get it over with and then come over to mine.”
“Yeah, OK.”
“Look, I’ll probably get next Saturday off work. We can go up to London or something. Check out Soho.”
“Yeah” Steve mumbled in reply.
“Don’t be too enthusiastic.”
“I’m sorry Linds. I’ve just had a shit day.”
“No you haven’t” laughed Linda. “OK, so John’s a prick, but you’ve managed to tell everyone you’re gay. You should be happy.”
“Well I don’t feel happy” responded Steven, a little too loudly and angrily. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s OK.”
“Look, maybe we should just go home. I’m actually quite tired now.”
“Whatever you say.”
Linda started the car again, and they drove off away from the petrol station.
* * * *
After his dad had opened the front door, John started heading for his room, but his parents had other plans.
“John, could you just come and sit in the living room for a moment?”
“Why?” he asked, suddenly feeling a little nervous.
“Your mother and I just want to talk to you about something.”
“What?”
“Why don’t you just come in and sit down, eh?”
John reluctantly came back down the stairs and slumped into one of the armchairs. His parents seated themselves on the sofa opposite, and both turned to look at their son. John began to feel like he was on trial, even though nothing had been said yet.
“Dad, I need to get ready. What did you want to talk about?”
“Son” his father began, somehow managing to sit up straighter to gain an extra inch in height, “I want you to tell us the truth.”
“The truth about what?” John replied, trying to sound unconcerned.
“John, you lied to me earlier. I want to know why.”
“Oh, that was nothing. I wasn’t really thinking straight, you know with the race and such.”
“Rubbish!” Raymond angrily replied.
John’s face lost all its colour, but that was as nothing compared to what was going on inside him. So far today a rising panic had overtaken him three times, but this fourth time was the worst. His stomach seemed to be churning up, his bladder was screaming at him and he started to feel very hot.
“Son, you said that you didn’t know Steven Carter when you obviously do, the two of you couldn’t get your stories straight about what had happened over the weekend we were away, you’ve been acting strangely since the relay race and now you’re lying again. I want to know what is going on.”
“John, your father asked you a question” said Veronica, when John failed to speak.
“I heard” he muttered in reply.
“Then answer him!” she screeched, indignant that her son should be so insolent.
“Oh will you two just get off my back!” John suddenly shouted, angrily jumping to his feet.
“Sit down!” roared Raymond.
John had not heard his father shout for years, but the experiences of his disciplined childhood had taught him not to disobey. Shaken, he did as his father instructed, and resumed staring at his feet.
“You are not going anywhere until I know the truth” said Raymond, his eyes narrowed and his finger pointing in an accusing manner. “Do you understand?”
“You might miss your dinner” said John, sounding like a spoilt child. He immediately regretted it, as he knew that sort of tactic would achieve nothing.
“Don’t get sarcastic, young man” spat Veronica.
“No, John, for the last time, tell us the truth” said Raymond, reverting to his best court manner.
“OK, OK” said John, holding up his hands and breathing out deeply. “I knew Steven was gay.”
“And?” his father immediately asked.
“And he came to me for advice.”
“Why would he come to you?” asked Veronica.
“I don’t know! ‘Cos I’m the head boy I guess.”
“And what advice did he come to you for?” asked Raymond.
“He told me he had a boyfriend, but they had nowhere they could go to be together.”
“Uh-huh” his father said, urging John to carry on.
“I don’t know why, and I regret it now, but I invited Steve and, er, Danny over. They stayed here the weekend.”
Veronica’s face was a picture. “They did what?” she asked, her pitch rising to screeching levels again.
“They stayed here.”
“You let those boys do…God knows what, in this house?” Veronica was in complete shock, and started to look around the house as though she’d just found out it used to be a leper colony.
“Yeah. I thought I was doing the right thing. I’m sorry.” John was quite impressed with how convincing he sounded, and was glad to have found something his mother found shocking. He knew he’d be in trouble, but at least they wouldn’t find out the truth.
“I’m disgusted.” Veronica continued to look around, but finally settled her eyes back on her son. “John, I’m not happy about this, but at least you’ve told us the truth.”
John apologetically smiled at her. “Mum, I’m sorry.”
“Hmm, well, in future your father and I are going to have to have to think carefully before we leave you here alone.”
“I understand.” John was trying every tactic possible to charm his mother, because he really wanted to get away. Apart from the fact that he was supposed to be meeting Kevin quite soon, his father hadn’t said a word or taken his eyes off John for quite some time. He was finding it very uncomfortable, and he was beginning to understand what people went through in the witness box when his father was in full swing.
“OK. Well, I’m a bit shocked” his mother said, “but I suppose you can go now.”
“Thanks Mum” John said, getting out of his seat. He went across the room to kiss her on the cheek, and then he made a disguised dash for it, eager to get into the sanctuary of his bedroom. Once he’d gone, Veronica turned to her husband.
“Well, I wasn’t expecting that” she said.
“No, neither was I” Raymond replied, turning to face her. “I never knew John was such a natural.”
“I’m sorry?”
“Vee, you forget what I do all day. I have made a fortune out of spotting the lies from the truth. What we just heard was another bunch of lies.”
“But…”
“Take my word for it. He’s lying.”
Veronica’s shoulders sagged, as like on every occasion before, she would undoubtedly find out her husband was right. “So what’s the truth?” she asked, the weariness in her voice readily apparent.
Raymond sighed. “I think we both know that, don’t we?”
Veronica slowly nodded, and sat back in the sofa. Raymond took her hand in his, and they just sat there in silence together, wondering what on earth they were going to do.
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