Search the Skies on Christmas Eve - 1. Rudy & Trevor

On the bright, crisp morning of Christmas Eve, Loch Arkaig sparkled and glittered like a mirror covered in diamonds in the early morning sun. Ben Nevis rose beyond like a sleeping giant, like a monster out of Celtic mythology. Rudy Mortimer swayed on the snowy shoreline, hands clasped behind his neck, breathing deeply, savouring the familiar biting air in his lungs and cold numbness of his cheeks. Nothing felt more like Christmas than being back home.

Without question, he loved much about his life in the south, especially returning every night into the embrace of the love of his life; Trevor. Love of his life. How easy and natural the expression popped into his head now. Hard to believe they had met four years ago almost to the day. But coming back north, to the tranquillity and sheer ruggedness of this part of Scotland always filled Rudy with a sense of relief and rightness and calm, away from the bustling metropolis.

"Where are they? Don't tell me you've lost them?"

Trevor approached from his left along the shore, his tone more good-humoured than irritated. Over one shoulder hung a handmade hessian bag, bought from a local tourist craft store, and patterned in purple thistles. Trevor recruited Rudy to help find smooth, interesting pebbles or small but attractive pieces of flotsam and jetsam along the lakeside, to decorate the kitchen table.

"I let them wander off on their own. Enjoy the scenery together."

"And you? Are you going to help, or what?"

"Och, Trev, the lodge looks great, like the set for A Midsummer Night's Dream. Native firs, pine-scented kernels, tartan and red ribbons. Maybe the same as last year, but in my opinion, it's the only choice. Complements the lodge perfectly, better than any of those other fairytales or hair-brained Christmas themes you told me about. And anyway, Mr Masterchef will be here soon to claim every kitchen surface with all the goodies he's bringing, so I reckon we head back, knock up a quick breakfast for the four of us, then clear the decks. Need to make sure you get your money's worth."

Trevor clamped his arms tightly around Rudy from behind, something Rudy loved despite Trevor being smaller in stature. Rudy allowed himself to be unbalanced backwards and dragged into Trevor's warm body. They stood awhile glued together, letting the embrace linger, rocking gently from side to side. Rudy decided the more difficult conversation he needed to have with Trevor, one he had deferred twice already, could wait until later when more people were around.

"Marcus insisted on cooking." Trevor's hot breath tickled his ear. "No money changed hands. So don't talk to me about bribing a maestro chef to come all the way up here, because you and I could just have done the job ourselves, without Brenda and Cheryl's help."

None of Trevor's usual pals would be making an appearance this year. Cheryl and Jenna had persuaded Cheryl's mother—the usual chef of the season—to spend Christmas in the sunshine. And although other friends dropped out for one reason or another, they still found themselves with new additions to continue the tradition started by Trevor and Cheryl many years ago.

"Where is it they're heading? New Zealand?"

"I told you. Perth."

"Perth? That's barely three hours' drive—" joked Rudy.

"Perth, Australia, smartass. Could hardly have a sun and sand holiday in Perth in Scotland."

"Aye, well you could. Along the banks of the Tay. But in December, you'd freeze your nadgers off. So is it going to be really fancy fare this year?"

"I told you. Marcus is a traditionalist when it comes to seasonal food. No idea what he's rustling up tonight for Christmas Eve, but tomorrow it'll be turkey with all the trimmings, and Christmas pud. And knowing Marcus, it'll be amazing."

"And you told him we've got an Aga?"

"Of course I did. And he's pretty stoked about using one."

"Aye, well. Let's see if he's still as stoked by tomorrow evening when he's had to stoke the bugger a hundred times."

Last year, Brenda had done nothing but complain about the old oven. Rudy hoped Marcus had at least some experience using one; otherwise, they would need to cook everything up at the big house, and ferry food down in cars.

"Do you have final numbers? All the rooms are ready, but do we have a final count? Marcus will want to know. I told him to plan for twelve."

Trevor let go of Rudy, pulled out his phone and checked. One couple, a pair they had not met, had been hesitant because the doctor working for Médecins Sans Frontières didn't know if he might be needed to attend a seasonal festive function. Still behind him, Rudy heard Trevor heave out a loud sigh and guessed he had no satellite signal.

"Why can I get a full connection on the footpath on the way down here, and not around the lake? This place is bizarre. I'll know for sure when we get back to the lodge and the WiFi kicks in. But so far? Ten confirmed, including us. Possibly the full twelve. All new people to the lodge this year, apart from you and me, and all gay. Tom and Marcus, of course. Kieran and Kennedy, if they haven't got lost somewhere out on the glen."

Rudy laughed. Kieran and Kennedy had arrived the day before because they needed to fly back on Christmas morning to be with Kennedy's parents and their twins for Christmas Lunch.

"They'll no get lost. On higher ground, they'll spy the lodge and then it's just a case of finding the right path down. All paths eventually lead down to the loch. Shame they couldn't have brought their wee ones."

Rudy had grown really fond of Kieran and Kennedy with their twin baby boys, cemented after they'd all met up in Singapore with the stopover at the house owned by Kennedy Grey's parents. When they had first met, Kennedy came across as formal and cold—even Trevor agreed—a little like Rudy's own father when he held court in the boardroom. But when Kennedy had sat down with them, in a casual flannel shirt, cradling one of his baby boys and expertly feeding him a bottle, Rudy had revised his impression.

"Did you ask Kennedy why not?"

After settling in at lunchtime and being directed by Trevor where to pin decorations, they had all enjoyed dinner together at Mortimer House with Rudy's folks, mainly so Kennedy could once again thank Rudy's mother for the use of their house for their wedding. Rudy enjoyed watching Kennedy hold his own against his father, the two disagreeing amiably about politics and business. But his father's later 'quiet word' with Rudy had been somewhat less enjoyable.

"With my dad monopolising him, nobody got a chance to ask Kennedy anything. But Kieran told me he was the one who persuaded Kennedy the boys' grandparents should have quality time alone with their grandkids. And in case you hadn't noticed, Kieran always gets what he wants. So they have a couple of days of quiet—and a bit of catching up in the bedroom department if you know what I mean—and then they'll fly back after an early breakfast tomorrow."

"In the private jet."

"I know. How the other half lives. But it means they land back in time for Christmas lunch with their kids and the rest of the family."

"Fair enough. Long way to come for two nights, though."

"What is it you always tell me? It's the quality, not the quantity that counts. Kieran reckons it's best to keep out of his mother-in-law's hair when she's preparing Christmas lunch. I'm happy they came if only for Christmas Eve. So with them, there’ll be six of us. And I know it's a bit last minute, but I've invited Nathan from the gym and his partner, Jaymes."

"Are they okay?" Trevor had only ever heard Rudy talk about Nathan but had never met him or his partner. "I mean, I know you work with Nathan from time to time, but do you think they'll get along with everyone?"

"Och, Trev. Nathan's pure dead brilliant. I've no met his partner yet. He's some hotshot college professor who teaches life sciences or ecology or something like that. But if he's anything like Nathan, I'm sure he'll be great. Told me they're coming up with their friends Martin and—um—Galahad, I think his name is. And the last two of their friends, who may or may not turn up, are a doctor called Stephen and his husband, Anton."

"All men, then?"

"For a change, aye."

"And all married?"

"Not all. Nathan and Jaymes only just met."

Although he said nothing, Rudy worried whether there might be something else behind the question. When Rudy first met him, Trevor had recently split from a guy called Karl who decided he preferred sex with women. Poor Trevor had been devastated and suffered horribly during the dreadful divorce pantomime. The whole ordeal had left him scarred for life. Rudy had talked to Trevor about them getting married—once in front of Kieran and Kennedy while they were in Singapore—but ever since then, Trevor shut down both times Rudy had made any mention of the idea.

"Who knows whether we'll all get along. But it's only a couple of nights, and there's enough of us that we don't need to be in each other's faces all the time."

"At least my ex-husband and his new wife and baby won't be here."

Rudy made a point of never mentioning Trevor's ex-husband. But every now and again, Trevor felt the need to revisit his past.

"Surprised they didn't invite themselves again."

“She's pregnant."

“Again?” Rudy spun around in Trevor's arms, to witness a smirking Trevor. "It hasn't even been a year since she had the second.”

"Got a call from Karl just before we set off. The doctor confirmed last week."

Rudy knew Karl kept in touch with Trevor, and never challenged the fact, but initially felt a pang of jealousy, even though he knew Trevor always told him everything, and would never keep secrets or go behind his back. At one time he thought about phoning Karl and telling him to stop calling. Until he realised big-hearted Trevor had no special feelings left for Karl—except perhaps pity—because he lavished all his good feelings on Rudy. Even if he didn't want to get married, Rudy had the best, most generous-hearted man in the world, right by his side.

"But you told me Karl's not coping as it is—“

"Not my problem, is it? They'll survive. In the meantime, we've got a lodge full of friends and strangers we need to look after. Let's get going."

Side by side, they started walking away from the lakeside, back on the familiar path leading to the back of the lodge. Although snow had fallen throughout the week, most of the trail remained navigable, and today the sky shone a cloudless blue.

"Oh shoot," said Rudy, stopping abruptly. "Did you remember our Secret Santa gifts?"

Trevor turned back, smiled patiently, and folded his arms. Rudy knew the gesture well. Trevor had much better, far more creative ideas for things like presents than Rudy. Which is why Rudy simply followed his instructions when decorating the lodge for Christmas, or redecorating any of the rooms in their small apartment. But for Christmas Eve, Trevor instigated the idea that each couple be assigned another couple to buy gifts for, up to a certain amount of money, to prevent people from feeling obliged to bring everyone a gift.

"Of course I remembered. But I had a call or two, asking to shift a few of them around. Not sure exactly what's going on, but a couple of our guests are planning surprises for their other halves."

About to speak, Rudy was suddenly interrupted as a bundle of curly-haired red dynamite came hurtling down the path and began circling Rudy and Trevor's feet, yapping happily.

"Ed! Where the hell are you now?" came a familiar voice, the owner out of view.

Instantly, the dog bolted back up the path just as the lean figure of Kieran West appeared, laughing at his bundle of joy, and kneeling to pet him. Kieran and Kennedy might have left the kids at home, but they brought their Cockerpoo pup with them. Kieran had phoned and asked permission to bring him. Although Rudy said yes, he worried some of the guests might not be so comfortable. But Kieran, he found, was difficult to say no to. Unlike Kennedy, everyone seemed to take to Kieran with his big brown eyes, shaggy brown mop and scruffy nine o'clock shadow. Currently sporting rosy red cheeks, his good-natured smile was warm and generous enough to melt the snows on Ben Nevis. Rudy half suspected Kieran called the shots in their relationship.

"Hey, you guys."

"Where's Kennedy?" asked Rudy as they caught up with Trevor.

"Making calls." Kieran stood and rolled his eyes for effect. "Checking in with his mother to make sure the boys are fine, and now dealing with supposed work problems. After the fifth time he stopped to check and answer text messages, I sent him back to the lodge."

Trevor and Rudy walked either side of Trevor along the path.

"What do you mean, supposed work problems?" asked Trevor.

"Because they're probably petty issues they can easily deal with on their own, without Kennedy getting involved. But when he answers their text messages, they know he's online, so they expect him to help with any tiny, stupid thing. It's almost like an addiction. On the day my company closed down for the holidays, my boss, Leonard Day, announced at the staff drinks party that if any single one of us sent or answered any emails or text messages about work over the holiday season, he would personally drive round to their houses and confiscate their work phones. He's a big believer in work-life balance."

"I've never met him," said Rudy. "But I like him already."

"You have no idea. The man is an inspiration. And he bats for our team."

"Married, too?" asked Trevor. Rudy looked sidelong at Trevor.

"Ought to be, but no. Kennedy had a thing for him once. But lucky for me, I got there first. And anyway, he likes his men even older than Kennedy."

"So what's he doing for Christmas?" Rudy managed to sidestep Ed who weaved in and out of the three men's legs. "Should we have invited him?"

"He wouldn't have come. As sociable as he is at work, he's a bit of a loner outside. Prefers his own company, according to Kennedy. Takes all sorts to make a world."

"Ain't that the truth," muttered Trevor.

"Aye, but, you know. Nobody ought to be all alone on Christmas."

"Oh, heavens. Tell me you're not about to burst into song?" Kieran grimaced at Rudy before bursting into laughter. "No, we'll get him over to ours on Christmas night. He won't be alone."

"So are you ready for some breakfast? Big Scottish fry-up to start the day off right? Smoked salmon and scrambled eggs on toast," asked Rudy. "Before the rest of the congregation starts arriving?"

"As long as there's a fried sausage in it for Ed, then lead the way."