He’d been too tired to pack before he went to sleep the night before, so he had to hurry now. He showered, had breakfast, dressed, and brushed his teeth, packing a few things into an overnight bag as he went. He hadn’t booked a train ticket, so it didn’t matter too much what time he got to the station, but he wanted to try and get home as early as possible so he could spend the maximum amount of time with his family.He made it to Victoria Station shortly after half nine and was on a train by ten. He texted his mum to let her know what time he’d be getting in and told her he’d get a taxi so he wouldn’t need a lift from the station. Ed settled back with his earbuds in, listening to Vampire Weekend as the train carried him south, towards the coast and home.As always, in the moments when his mind had time to wander, Ed found himself thinking of Alec. Regret tugged in the space below Ed’s ribs, like a fish hook trying to reel him in. He replayed that final conversation they’d had in the hotel for the umpteenth time in his head, wondering again whether he’d made the right choice.
