The Whipping Turn

London - 'tis the season

Jenna stood by the turnstiles scanning the throngs of christmas travellers at St Pancras Station. She'd enjoyed her the peace of her first class seat, procured by Edward five months ago, alongside avoidance of the swarm disembarking but the boys had not been so lucky.

That they managed to get last minute tickets one week before the holidays started was indeed a christmas miracle, but they had been split up in single seats amongst the chaos of children, luggage and holiday stress.

Finally she saw Jean's dark head emerge from the train, an easy height above most of the people surrounding him and a dark expression on his normal cheery face. Jenna got the feeling he did not travel economy class well.

And then Oliver made an appearance several doors down, the yin to Jean's yang with an unreadable but calm face and his army rucksack slung over his shoulder.

Jean said nothing as he approached, just stood himself next to Jenna, out of the way, as they waited for Oliver.

"How was it? You ok?"

"It was horrific."

"Jean, it's hardly third world. It can't have been too bad."

"The child behind me kicked my seat for the first thirty minutes. The father did nothing, until I flashed my ID at it and then it cried for the remainder of the journey."

"You flashed your police badge at a small child?"

"It was a complete arsehole. A devils spawn. Damien, basically."

Luckily, before this could be dissected anymore, Oliver drew near with a wide grin. "Hey you two."

He looked his boyfriend up and down and turned to Jenna. "He is a terrible snobby traveller."

The snob in question huffed indignantly. "There's nothing wrong with standards, Oliver. Besides you're always happy to travel in First with me!"

Jenna started walking, merging back into the mass and the men followed, continuing their conversation.
"I am happy but also I'm fine wherever I sit. You, my love, are not. Now you're a grumpy snob."

They could rattle back and forth for a long time on this sort of thing. Jenna tuned them out, stretching on her tiptoes to see if she could see Edward beyond the border control. There was no sign of the elder man until they passed through and Jenna spotted him outside the WH Smith bookstore and made a beeline.

"Hello my girl." His smile was wide. "Good trip?"
She kissed his soft shaven cheek and hugged him tightly. "Better for some than others. I'm great."

The boys approached, thankfully quiet, and each gave Edward a hearty handshake as he wished a merry Christmas and welcomed them to London.

The city was cold and dreary, with a threaten of snow but the large house in Primrose Hill was warm and cozy, and the four shrugged off their coats, hanging them in them hall closet. The hall smelt of home and winter food, with a hint of cinnamon and coffee. The boys were quick to complement Edward.

He smiled graciously despite having heard it all before, and motioned towards the staircase. "Jenna will take you up to her room. Leave your stuff there and come down for some tea and snacks in the drawing room."

He nodded explicitly at Jenna, eyebrows raised in an expectation of hosting. She nodded back, smiling at his obvious parenting, even at nearly thirty. She still loved it.

Jenna hoisted her bag before either man could fight to be chivalrous and started her way up the tidy staircase. The boys lagged behind and when she got to the first floor and found herself without them, she called down, "What are you doing??"