**A Bond of Brothers**
James parked his Range Rover outside the shopping centre, reluctant to leave the warmth of the cabin. Yesterday’s sleet had turned to rain, and by morning, the streets had frozen over, the wind biting through the air. Pedestrians slipped on the jagged ice, their steps unsteady.
His mother’s birthday was tomorrow, and he’d left the gift shopping to the last minute. A big department store would have something.
Stepping out, the wind tore at his coat, flinging one end of his scarf over his shoulder. Clutching the fabric, he locked the car and moved toward the entrance—only to slip on the slick pavement. The council hadn’t gritted the paths yet, and his polished loafers had no grip.
He made it inside with relief, pausing to gather himself. He almost headed for the scarves and gloves section before remembering he’d given his mum a silk shawl last year.
*“Jimmy! Long time, mate!”*
The voice came from beside the jewellery display. Henry—his oldest, truest friend, and lately, his only one—stood there grinning.
*“Blimey, look at you. Been ages, hasn’t it? Suit’s sharp—foreign label?”*
*“Just got back,”* James muttered, caught off guard.
*“Funny, I was just thinking about you. Fancy a cuppa?”*
*“I’m here for a present,”* James said.
*“Wait—Margaret’s birthday’s coming up, yeah?”*
*“You remember?”* James brightened. *“Tomorrow. Left it late, as usual.”*
*“Alright, pick your gift. I won’t keep you.” Henry held up shopping bags. *“But don’t disappear again, yeah? Here—take this.”* He handed James a business card.
Choosing a pair of earrings for his mum, James couldn’t shake the surprise of seeing Henry—or the guilt that he’d seemed cold. He *had* been happy to see him, just stunned.
He reached for his wallet at the till, finding Henry’s card tucked inside. *Associate Director – Brighton Stoneworks.*
*“Sorry,”* James muttered, realising the cashier was waiting. *“Ran into an old mate—been years, you know?”*
Later, driving home, he couldn’t stop thinking about Henry…
***
They’d met on their first day of school, clutching identical bouquets of daffodils. Both wore nervous, eager smiles. When they lined up, their hands found each other’s without a word. They shared a desk.
That was the start. They quarrelled, of course—stupid, childish fights—but Henry always made peace first.
Even when they chose different universities, they didn’t argue. They understood life would pull them apart, but no one could stop them staying friends. That was up to them.
Henry studied engineering, James languages. Weekends were spent catching up, talking for hours.
Engineering was a bloke’s world—few women in Henry’s lectures. James’s department, though, was full of them. Bright, laughing girls who turned heads.
Only one caught James’s eye—Anna. Petite, quick-witted, her laughter infectious. Her curls bounced as she walked, and he couldn’t look away.
It took weeks to approach her. One day, he asked for help with a translation.
*“You could’ve just said you faniced me.”*
*“I… I’d like to walk you home. If that’s alright?”*
*“Walk me, then,”* she said, smiling.
They wandered through spring streets, James’s heart near bursting. That night, he replayed every glance, every laugh—though not a single word.
He walked her home nearly every day. Cool April warmed into May.
Still, he couldn’t bring himself to kiss her.
Exams loomed. She’d leave for the seaside with her parents, then stay with her gran all summer. The thought hollowed him out.
His birthday—the last Sunday in May—was his chance. He’d invite her home, introduce her to his parents, finally tell her how he felt.
She agreed instantly, no games. Emboldened, he asked her to bring a friend—*“That girl you’re always with, Lily.”*
*“Lily? What if she doesn’t like him?”*
*“Just so he’s not bored.”*
His mother fussed in the kitchen that morning. James, jittery, got in her way more than he helped, darting back to ask: *“Tie or no tie?”*
*“Set the table. And relax—I’ll like her if you do.”*
*“You’re brilliant.”* He kissed her cheek.
Henry arrived, settling James’s nerves—until the girls were late.
*“What if she changed her mind?”*
*“Lasses are always late,”* his dad said.
The doorbell rang.
His mother sighed. *“This infatuation won’t end well.”*
James returned with the girls. His mother and Henry immediately noticed Lily—tall, blonde, poised. Henry had only seen women like her in films.
But it was Anna James introduced. Sweet, plain Anna.
At the table, his father gave a toast. Soon, the parents left the youngsters to it.
Both men were handsome—James quiet, Henry the life of the party, telling jokes, making Anna laugh until she forgot James entirely.
Finally, James dragged Henry onto the balcony.
*“What are you playing at? Anna’s *mine*.”*
*“Not my fault she fancies me.”*
*“So you show off?”*
*“Got it. I’ll stop. Prefer Lily anyway.”*
Back inside, Anna pulled Henry to dance. He shrugged at James—*what could he do?*
James danced with Lily instead, stealing glances at the other pair—until Lily stopped, clutching her eye.
*“Something’s in it—my mascara’ll run.”*
He led her to the bathroom. She grabbed his wrist.
*“See anything?”*
Nothing. When they returned, the others were gone.
*“They left,”* Lily said. *“Henry walked her home.”*
She left soon after. His parents returned.
*“Not seeing her out?”* his mother scolded.
Later, he called Henry.
*“Sorry—but she asked me to walk her.”* Their first real fight.
James sulked. After exams, he bumped into Henry and Anna.
*“Fancy the beach?”* Henry, ever the peacemaker.
James stayed silent the whole way.
At the shore, the water was still cold. Only reckless teens swam.
*“Honestly, you two,”* Anna snapped. *“I never promised you anything. I like you both.”*
Henry shrugged. James squinted across the water.
*“First to the other side gets me. Fair?”*
James swam well—better than Henry.
*“It’s freezing. Could cramp up,”* Henry muttered.
*“Turning me down?”*
*“He knows I’ll win,”* James taunted.
*“We’ll see.”* Henry plunged in.
James gave him a head start, then swam—smooth, strong. He overtook Henry, who floundered.
Anna watched, lips tight.
Then Henry vanished under the waves.
James turned back at the shouting. Others rushed in. He dove, grabbing Henry’s collar, hauling him ashore.
Henry spat water, coughing. Anna knelt beside him.
*“I didn’t know you couldn’t swim!”*
Henry staggered up, gathered his things, and left without a word.
James followed.
*“Congrats,”* Henry gasped outside his flat. *“You won.”*
*“Don’t be daft. You’d have saved me too.”*
Henry gave him a strange look and vanished inside.
Calls went unanswered. Anna rang, furious Henry wasn’t picking up.
During exams, James realised: he could live without Anna. Not without Henry.
He stopped calling. Their friendship cracked.
Years passed. James never married. Henry did.
From a distance, James watched a wedding car pull away. He assumed it was Anna.
He didn’t envy them—just wished he’d been invited.
***
James called the next day. The grudge was dead. No war, just a girl they’d both loved.
*“Hiya!”* Henry answered, bright. *“Been too long!”*
They arranged to meet.
*“Can’t today—wife’s just had a son. No one to mind the little ‘un.”*
*“Congratulations. You and Anna must be chuffed.”*
*“Anna? My wife’s Lily.”*
James’s heart leapt.
*“That Lily?”*
*“Aye. Put on a bit since the first, but still stunning.”*
They laughed.
Suddenly, the years of silence meant nothing.
They talked for an hour—school, memories, avoiding Anna’s name—until HenryJames left the store with arms full of gifts, heart lighter than it had been in years, finally understanding that some friendships, like the deepest roots, could weather any storm.
