Page 73 of The Last Kiss

His galloping heart all but vaulted out of his chest. Christ alive, was he delusional or was that Harry’s voice?

“Ashleigh!”

Delusion or not, Ash jumped up and pushed down the dirty carriage window, leaning out to see better. “Harry?”

“Ash!” Like a miracle, the steam parted and he saw Harry, not ten paces away, pelting along the platform. He looked like an angel emerging from the clouds, golden hair flying back from his face, hat lost.

“Harry! Harry, come on!”

But the train was picking up speed and Harry would never manage to open the door. No matter, Ash could do it for him. Bracing himself with one hand on the frame, he reached through the window and turned the handle, letting the door swing wide.

“Close that door!” the platform guard shouted, blowing his whistle again.

Harry just grinned and put on a burst of speed as Ash, good foot braced on the wooden step, stretched out his arm. “Come on!” Harry reached for him and after a desperate moment their hands met and clasped. “Jump,” Ash barked and Harry launched himself forward. Ash hauled back and they landed together in an undignified heap on the carriage floor.

Harry scrambled up immediately and yanked the door shut just as the train whooshed out of the station. Then he bent over, hands on his knees, gasping in great lungfuls of air while Ash lay winded on the floor, staring up at him.

At which point, the compartment door opened, and the train guard appeared looking none-too-happy. “What in blazes did you think you were doing, son? You could have got yourself killed.”

Ash struggled to his feet, using the seat to push himself up and grabbing onto the luggage rack for balance. He kept himself between Harry and the guard. “M-my fault entirely,” he said, channelling his father’s most imperious tone. “Sent my m-man back for one of my bags” — a casual wave toward Harry’s holdall — “and your blasted train left early.”

“I can assure you, sir, it left precisely on time. And I need to see your man’s ticket.”

Harry started to say something, but Ash cut him off. “No time to b-buy one, I’m afraid.” He reached into his wallet and handed the guard a couple of ten bob notes. “That should cover it.” And some.

After a moment’s consideration and a distrustful glance at Harry, the guard decided to turn a blind eye and pocket the money. “No more funny business,” he warned with a wag of his finger.

Ash bared his teeth in a smile and closed the door firmly behind the guard. Pausing there, he pressed his forehead against the blind-covered window. He hoped so badly that Harry had changed his mind that he could hardly bear to ask in case some other wild reason had brought him here.

“Ash?” Harry sounded tentative.

Straightening his shoulders, Ash turned around, leaning on the compartment door to brace himself against the swaying of the train. “If you’ve n-not changed your mind about us b-b-being together, then tell me at once.”

Harry took a step closer, hanging onto the luggage rack as the train swayed. “I haven’t slept since Saturday. Couldn’t close my eyes without seeing your face and regretting what I — ” He swallowed, still breathless from his sprint. “You were right. Iwasafraid, Ash. I didn’t know what to do. But this morning Kitty found me reading your letters — ”

“My letters?”

“I kept them all. Course I did. And she found me reading them and — andweepinglike a bloody child. And, Ash, she guessed. She’d already suspected about me and she wasn’t disgusted or anything. She — I can’t say she understands, exactly, but she said life’s short and hard and I should grab happiness where I find it. And I find it with you, Ash. You make me so bloody happy I can hardly stand it. And I’m sorry I was a coward. I’m sorry I hurt you. I never want to hurt you again because I love you. I love you so much and, if you’ll have me, I want to be with you for as long as this blasted world will let us be together.”

Harry ran out of air at the end, stood there breathing heavily and watching Ash with such anxious hope that Ash had to cover his mouth to muffle his ugly sob of relief. He couldn’t find words, could barely believe this was real, just held out a hand to Harry and Harry came, enfolding him in his arms as Ash buried his face into the collar of his jacket with another harsh cry.

“It’s alright,” Harry said softly, pressing Ash up against the compartment door, their joint weight holding it safely closed as the swaying train rocked them together. “Everything’s alright now.”

And it was. Ash could feel the darkness lifting, his heart warming as if blessed by the rising sun. He lifted his head, drinking in the sight before him. “Am I dreaming? I’d given up hope.”

Harry grimaced, pained. “I’m so sorry. I was afraid and blaming Kitty for — ”

“Hush.” Ash curled his hand around the back of Harry’s neck and brought their lips together in a soft, yearning kiss. “My God I want you, Harry. Every single beautiful part of you. Always.”

“Then you’ve got me.” Harry smiled against his lips, Ash could feel the curve of his mouth and smiled himself when Harry’s hand slid down over his backside and squeezed gently. “But we’d best behave ourselves, eh? No need to court trouble.”

Still grinning, Ash pulled back far enough that his head bumped against the door behind him. “No need to rush. We’ve got all the time in the world. A lifetime together.”

Harry cupped his face with one hand. “God willing.”

“God can mind his own damn business. And so can my father and anyone else with an opinion on the matter. We’re going to spend our whole lives together, Harry, you’ll see. And it’s going to change the world.”

Harry’s smile grew fond. “Is it now?”

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