23The first morning of his exam leave arrived, but not the promise of lying in bed for a few glorious hours. No sooner had his dad closed the door and stomped off to work than the telephone range. It didn't stop. Relentless. Eventually, Jed dragged himself from under the covers and groped his way downstairs.
“Have you spoken to your dad yet?”
Jon, voice as dispassionate and detached as ever, nevertheless bringing with it that familiar buzz, the yearning. Jed, his weariness disappearing as if it had never existed, went light-headed, joyous, happiness brimming over in a wild upsurge of adrenalin. He pressed his palm against the wall for support, tongue thick with desire. “Jon! My God, where have you—”
“The trip to Scotland? Remember, we talked about it? Have you asked your dad whether you
