‘We aren’t. We’ll be in constant touch with each other. The whole point of this is that we get to share in what the other person is doing, without having to physically be there. A half-hour trip through the tunnel and then it’s the open road for me. But Aiden’s dream has always been to travel to far-flung places and he deserves to have his trip of a lifetime. I’ll also get to see what he’s doing and learn about his experiences, but everyone knows…’ I’d ground to a halt at that point, unable to find the right words. ‘Anyway, I’m looking forward to picking up a paintbrush in earnest.’ I’d tried so hard to make it sound convincing, but the person I’d really been trying to convince was me.

‘And I’ll be getting myself into shape with more exercise than I’d get in a month at the gym,’ Aiden had endorsed, his smile and genuine enthusiasm had been abundantly clear.

Hannah had simply shrugged her shoulders, clearly not at all convinced. ‘Well, just make sure you keep us all in the loop. You guys are Mr and Mrs Predictable, and to have everyone worrying about you two while you’re on your mad adventures is kind of crazy. As the youngest family member, I think I’m the one who’s supposed to be causing the angst,’ she’d added with a half-hearted smile.

Aiden and I had both started laughing at that point.

‘It won’t be out of sight, out of mind. We’ll keep everyone in the loop, no matter what else we’re doing. But I think you can spare us for a year as there are enough people around to keep you on the straight and narrow. Besides, your sister is only a phone call away,’ Aiden had replied with mock seriousness.

In the seconds before the Skype session disconnected, a fleeting moment of vulnerability had flooded through me. Was I scared of facing the world alone? I’d thrown off that thought, too worried to consider where it might lead, and had immediately switched into practical mode.

‘God speed. And can everyone please take good care of themselves until we’re all together again? And for goodness’ sake, check in with Mum and Dad so they don’t spend every waking hour worrying about every single one of us.’ My plea had been heartfelt. There was a moment of silence before we’d been disconnected and I filled it with: ‘We love you. Please take care of yourself, Owen.’

Sometimes the next step is as scary as it is exciting, and no one – including me – had thought that Aiden and I would be going in this direction. Dreams are only dreams, unless you choose to turn them into reality. I could only hope that the decisions Aiden and I had made together would turn out to be the right ones.

July 2018