Before I knew it, New Zealand had weaved its particular brand of magic and cast a spell over me. I loved everything about it – the people, the climate, and the more relaxed way of life. As I guessed when I walked through the terminal at Manchester Airport, I never returned to England.

Five years seemed to pass by in the blink of an eye and it only seemed like yesterday I’d said goodbye to the two most important men in my life. I missed Declan and Jake so much, but kept in touch with both of them, emailing and skyping weekly. We went through so much together and heartbreak aside, we all still cared deeply for one another.

I was pleased they’d formed a close bond with one another.

The passing of time brings changes to everybody’s lives, but the most change was to mine.

The ‘dirty’ money gifted to me from Margaret Ryan was a godsend. I no longer had to sell my body to make ends meet. I thought I’d miss it, the danger and thrill of being desired, but I never looked back. There was no Kiwi boyfriend to think about, but that’s not to say I haven’t had my share of naughty fun – I certainly have. After all, I was in my dirty thirties now, but still hot, and more than raring to go. There was still a lot of lead left in my pencil.

What have I been doing these last five years? Well, the last thing anybody would have expected would be my best guess.

I applied for a work visa, did my time, then I was awarded residency before starting up a little business selling the latest fashions. Working my perfectly manicured fingers to the bone, I watched proudly as it thrived. It wasn’t long before my online presence was huge, and I was shipping to international markets. The money from Margaret helped put me on the right path, and I’ve made more than double that amount of profit back since my first store opened its doors. Still, I was never totally comfortable taking the money and once the profits poured in, I donated the exact amount gifted to me to children’s cancer charities. Some good had to come of it, and I felt the money from Jack O’Malley had been washed clean.

That was the past though. All done and dusted, but the future looked promising.

Today was a good day for two reasons.

Due to demand, I was opening a store in Wellington. My wildest dreams were coming true.

I was a nervous wreck and chewed at my fingernails.

“Stop it,” my mum said, slapping my hand away. “Your hands will look a mess.”

Flying back and forth over the years, she’d flown in three months ago to help me set up the new store and I couldn’t be happier to have her by my side. Things hadn’t worked out with my dad. He refused to accept the fact I was gay. Mum said he hadn’t changed that much after all, but he was no loss in my life. What I never had, I’d never miss.

“Sorry, but I’m shitting myself.”

She tutted at my bad language. “Why?”

“What if nobody comes?”

“Don’t be daft, Matthew.” She never would call me Matt. “Of course, they’ll come – your Auckland shop makes a fortune, you told me that yourself.”

“I know, but…”

“Enough with the worrying. You’ll be there yourself in a few days and can see the success for yourself.” She cupped my face in her hands. “I couldn’t be prouder of you if I tried, do you know that?” She leant in and kissed me. “It was the worst day of my life when I lost you, but the best of days when I found you again. Well, despite you cracking your head open, but you know what I mean.”

“Oh, Mum,” I said, trying not to laugh. “Only you.”

“No. Let me say it.” She paused. “I did the worst thing any mother could do when I abandoned you, but against all the odds, you forgave me and that means more to me than anything in this world. You’re all my dreams come true and I know whatever you do, you’ll be a success.”

I pulled her into a hug. “I love you, Mum, and want you in my life, which is why I want you to run the Auckland store for me.”

She gasped. “What? Really?”

“Yes, I trust you above everyone else, and as soon as your residency is confirmed, you’ll be here with me permanently. I can flit between the two stores – it’s only an hour’s flight from here. If you want to do it, that is?”

She burst into tears. “Do you really mean it?”

“I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t. It’s what I want.”

“You’re a good boy,” she said. “I don’t deserve you.”

“Aw, shucks, Mum, you’ll give me a big head.”

She ruffled my hair. Not many people could get away with messing my hair up.

“What time does his flight get in?”

“Around midday. I checked earlier, and the flight is on schedule.” I was trying to forget about it – waiting for the day I’d see him again was tantamount to torture. I thought this day would never come.

“Are you nervous?”

“Terrified.”

“You don’t need to be.” She patted my hand, trying to comfort me. “All those hours you spend talking on Skype must mean something. I can’t get a word in edgeways when you both start yapping.”

“Guess so,” I grunted.

“It does.” She eyeballed me. “Look at me. You’re my beautiful boy. Kind, gentle, caring, and he’s not coming all this way to let you down gently. He had five years to move on. He never did, and now he’s flying to the other side of the world because he can’t bear to be apart from you any longer.”

“Oh, yuk, Mother,” I said, making balking noises. “You make it sound like one of those cheesy romance novels you read.”

“Knock it off, Matthew,” she scolded with a smile. “It’s better than any of those books because it’s a true story.” She winked at me. “Just you wait.”

“What about his commitments back in England?”

“Nothing he can’t do here.” She groaned. “Stop throwing obstacles in the way before he’s arrived. He loves you still, mark my words.”

I wanted to believe she was right, but tempting fate was never a good idea. I’d dreamed of him every night since we’d been apart. He literally was the man of my dreams and I couldn’t wait to hold him in my arms and kiss him.