Page 54 of The Mission

The adults were making a concerted effort to stuff all the wrapping paper into bin liners and within a few minutes, the room was mostly clear of paper. The majority of the kids were playing with their presents on the other side of the room and Arlo’s father handed out glasses of champagne. “Merry Christmas.Frohe Weihnachten!“

They went round touching their glasses and wishing each other happy Christmas. He and Arlo sat snuggled together on a large armchair and within minutes, another wrapping paper bomb was detonated. Conrad was glad he’d bought the relatively expensive scarves for Arlo’s parents. He’d have felt bad if he’d not had anything to give them, and they did seem to like them. While Arlo’s brothers and their wives were busy unwrapping their gifts, he and Arlo exchanged theirs.

“Oh, what’s this?” Arlo asked as he took the wooden box from the paper. “Wow! A puzzle box?” He turned it in his hands. “I love it. Thank you. It’s so intricate.”

“There’s a message in the middle from me. The guy in the shop said it takes a long…”

Conrad watched in disbelief as Arlo managed to open the first two sections at almost the speed of the man in the shop.

“How did you manage that?” he asked. “Do you already have one?”

“No. I’ve never seen one before.” He leaned closer. “I’m just good with my hands.”

Conrad stopped Arlo before he figured out the next bit. He didn’t want him to see the message too soon. “Do it later. I thought it would take you ages.”

“Define ages.”

“At least a month.” Though to be honest, if Arlo read the message now, maybe it would be okay.

Arlo set it aside. “What’s this?” He picked up a tiny package and began to open it.

Conrad had bought him a blue marble of the Earth, showing all the continents and major rivers.

“In case you get lost and end up in space,” Conrad said. “You’ll know which planet to look out for.”

“It’s really beautiful. Thank you. I wonder if you’ll think the same about this. Open this.”

Conrad had to work his way through ten layers of wrapping paper before he realised Arlo had bought him the same marble and his face creased in a smile.

“You can keep it in your pocket and follow my route when I’m flying,” Arlo said.

“Something else.” Conrad held out another package.

Arlo spluttered when he opened it. Three tubes of Superglue.

“Careful how you use it,” Conrad told him.

“Now this.” He handed Conrad an envelope.

Inside was a piece of card. It saidBe at Heathrow Terminal 5 on 31stDecember at 5.00am for 7.20am flight. Dress warmly. We’re going to Iceland. We’ll be back the next day around three in the afternoon.Conrad’s jaw dropped.

Arlo smiled. “I’ll be your pilot. I thought—why am I letting us spend New Year’s Eve apart when we can spend it together? That’s not to say I don’t want your New Year’s Eve entertainment another day. You promised that light show.”

Conrad kissed him. He didn’t care that all Arlo’s family were watching.

When they broke apart, Arlo whispered, “Whatever you do, don’t move or my family will see how much you turn me on.”

“Thank you, Arlo.” Rurik had come over to them.

“What for?” Arlo pulled paper over his lap.

Rurik raised his eyebrows. “The flight vouchers.”

“You’re welcome. Thank you for all your presents too.”

“You haven’t opened them.”

“I can thank you without doing that.”

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