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You are here: Home > Story Shelf > All Authors > N Fourbois > N Fourbois | The Ghetto, Gone but not Forgotten | Part 4

The Ghetto, Gone but not Forgotten

Part 4

by N Fourbois

Chapter 1

Most self-respecting adolescents when they wake up on the morning after school has broken up for the holidays would expect to be permitted a lie-in. Adam and Simon, however, had forfeited that little luxury so that Adam could attend the cross-country event some fifty miles away where Adam had been selected to represent the county. Brabazon, the butler, called them on the house phone to ensure that they were awake in time and that there would be no great rush. Barring accidents at least the roads would be empty on a Saturday morning. Philip had willingly given up his morning's round of golf to drive Adam there and to support his adopted son, and only shackling Simon, Adam's best friend, boyfriend, lover and adoptive brother, to the bed would have prevented him from joining them. Philip could after all have detailed Brabazon off to provide the transport.

Adam ate a light breakfast and took a stroll round the back garden while the other two were eating more heartily. He wanted to test the temperature and was pleased to see that the spring warmth was continuing without a hint of rain. He could wear his lightest and most comfortable kit, which by the by happened to be the least fashionable, but that didn't matter because Simon found him absolutely, and at times irresistibly sexy in it. Fortunately Simon had a sense of occasion and knew he would have to behave himself today. There would be plenty of time for fun and frolics when they got back home. Adam was not nervous. He found that nervousness was infectious and only suffered when the atmosphere around him was highly charged. He wanted to do well, he knew he could do well, but there was also an air of indifference. After all he ran for fun, because he enjoyed it, not out of ambition. Competitiveness was part of his nature. He fully understood that the standard would be much higher than at school. Ah, the loneliness of the long distance runner. That meant he had his fate in his own hands. He was more likely to agonise before a rugby match where success depended on the team effort. He went up to his room and packed his chosen kit into a sports bag. As they left, Brabazon handed him a pack of banana sandwiches.

"Easily digestible and full of energy, Master Adam."

"Thank you, Brabazon."

The van den Berg family arrived at the venue an hour and a quarter before the race. Six counties had sent teams in three age groups and so there were over a hundred competitors. His race was at eleven. He reported to the officials and the teams were duly given a briefing on the course, its length, its gradients, its terrain, its expected times. No part of it entailed running along roads, only crossing them. There were adequate markers and little chance of going wrong. He would just be running with his own age group. He was impressed with the slickness of the organisation.

Adam went off to change. In the changing room he found the usual temptations. A hundred youths at the peak of physical condition. The words 'I bet you've never met an ugly cross-country runner' resounded in his head. God, how he loved the smell of male adolescence, epitomised in the atmosphere of a changing room! He found it invigorating. Plenty of time for that after the race. Concentrate. He went outside to warm up. When he felt ready he handed his tracksuit top and bottoms to Simon, checked his number was securely pinned to his vest and went off to the start along with good wishes. As Simon watched him in his skimpy kit the little man in his Levi's became a bigger man. He knew every inch of Adam's body intimately, but still could not understand why he reacted so hornily when he saw him in any sports kit. 'Don't knock it, enjoy it,' he thought. Adam teamed up with his rival from the previous races. They hugged. They both hardened up as their groins pressed against the other. But that was it.

Suddenly it was the off. There was the usual jostling for position at the start. It forced Adam to understand the competitive level. After all, some of these would be going forward to national trials and represent England, maybe eventually the United Kingdom. It jogged him out of any complacency he may have had. Another difference - the bunch didn't open up. He kept with it but at the back. At the moment he had plenty in reserve and he didn't like some of the nasty tricks that he saw going on up front. These were the seasoned campaigners and they obviously knew one another. He liked the way some of the markers not only pointed the way, but held up cards indicating the distance. The bunch was beginning to string out. Adam felt good. He had his second wind and his body was working well. He thought it was time to move up. They were in an open field and so he could overtake without the risk of being jostled. He could tell which runners were running on empty and who had something in reserve. He kept an eye on them. The field run ended with a stile. He jumped over with ease and to his surprise found he had moved up to fifth. The leader couldn't have been more than twenty yards ahead. The pasture had changed to longer, coarser grass. It was getting wetter underfoot, which visibly slowed number four down and Adam took his place. He was starting to get dirty from the splashed of mud. He was sure number three was kicking it up on purpose. The land started to rise. The hill to the wishing well proved its worth. Adam ran into third place. He splashed his rival as he went past. At the top of the hill he still had plenty in reserve with two miles to go. He thought back to the 5000m he had run at his new school's sports day. He only had just over half of that until the finish. Both number one and number two looked over their shoulders to see the competition. Neither recognised the new kid on the block. They were not happy. For the moment Adam was content to remain third. He kept on number two's shoulder. Only a mile to go. Uphill, if he remembered correctly just before the home str8. If he was going to do anything that's when he would do it. From the foul play he had seen he wanted make sure there were officials around. Still plenty in reserve. The entry to the playing fields was a large five barred gate and it was open. No stile, nothing to jump. Now was the time to take number two. Adam had a picture of Lucy in his mind's eye, racing ahead up the wishing well hill. This time he had to beat her. He unfortunately didn't see the look on number two's face as he took him. It was sheer disbelief. He was on the flat with the funnel in sight. Five yards to number one who could still sprint. Now Adam had a rugby ball in his hands. He'd beaten the three-quarters, needed to beat the fullback. Number one caught him in his peripheral vision and as Adam tried to pass him he shoulder-barged him without realising he was up against a powerful, hunky rugby player. The lightweight harrier bounced off and stumbled, right in front of officials who could easily tell the aggressor. Adam ran in through the funnel and over the line. He didn't hear the cheers or the applause. He was in a state of private euphoria, near to being over oxygenated, but he kept on his feet and finally comprehended what was going on when an official took his arm and led him to the recorder's table.

Once his particulars had been taken down, Simon who up to now had held back came up and hugged him, closely followed by Philip. As the excitement died down, they went to watch the others coming in. They applauded. Adam was in time to see his local rival come in and they hugged again. Adam said he was getting cold and the two went off to shower and change. He was pleased to be standing under the streaming hot water. He let the water spill down the front of his tight body and it cascaded over his sensitive dick and balls. His dick expanded.

"Do you want something done with that?" said a voice close to him. It was his former rival.

"What makes you think I'm gay?"

"C'mon. I'm gay, I've got gaydar and you've got 'gay' tattooed across your forehead."

"You can give me a quickie hand job, if you want. Sport always makes me feel horny. But I want to do yours as well."

"Deal." They moved over to the corner of the shower and turned their backs on the rest.

Outside he met Philip and Simon again.

"Are you free to go?" asked Philip.

"Not yet. There's a presentation and we have to wait for the juniors' race to finish."

"Let's go and watch that," said Simon with an unintentionally exaggerated keenness. As they got to the funnel, the first two could be seen running in. The boys had their eyes glued on the competitors as they came in and Simon took his camera out of his pocket.

"I love that age group," said Simon. "They're all so cute." Philip rolled his eyes, but maintained his silence.

At the presentation Adam received a medal and a certificate. His county had come second in the U16 age group, never so high before he was told. It was his first place that had made the difference and he was to make sure his school put him forward the following year as he was young enough to run in that age group again. The county manager congratulated him personally and said he would be writing to his school.

After this Philip took his boys home, stopping at a wayside inn for lunch.

Chapter 2

Chatting over lunch Adam described his race in graphic detail, mainly because it was such a change to be in a competitive event. At school the only competition was against the stopwatch. He told how one of the officials had taken him on one side and told him he had a good chance of training for the national team, but once he mentioned he was into rugby the subject was rapidly dropped. Cross-country runners were by and large tender creatures and he could so easily be injured in a rugby match. When it came to str8 opposition between rugby and cross-country Adam knew unhesitatingly where he stood.

"A pity, young Neave, you could have had quite a bright future before you," said the selector.

It was mid-afternoon by the time the van den Bergs arrived home.

"I want you two boys to take it easy for the rest of the weekend," said Philip. "You've had a hard term and..." Here he paused and looked from one boy to the other. "I'm expecting your school reports to confirm that."

"No worries, Dad," said Simon. "I shall get an excellent hockey report," he added cheekily.

"I'm sure you will, but that's not the bit I'm concerned about just at the moment."

"No worries for me, either" added Adam.

"To change the subject, and no pressure either way, Simon, would you like Adam and me to come up to Oxford to support you next week?"

"I was not expecting it, but do you think you could?"

"Well, I don't think the three generation old family firm will go into administration just because I'm out of the office for two days. Are you happy about that, Adam?"

"Why sure. I wasn't looking forward to spending two days on my own."

"That's settled then. I'll get us both booked into a hotel. Let me see the details about where you're playing and staying, and when, and I'll see where we can stay."

"It's just that it does say..." Here Simon hesitated. '...that we have to stay together, eat together, live together as a team to foster team spirit and because there may be tactics to discuss."

"Can we cope with that, Adam?"

"I think so. We'll see each other from the touchline and it's not really as much as two days, is it?"

"By the way, boys, don't forget that the clocks go forward tonight and you'll lose an hour in bed." Both boys looked absolutely aghast. Exasperated Philip said "Don't you two ever think of anything else?" Simon burst into giggles and Adam guffawed. "And that's a rhetorical question by the way."

"Do you want a rhetorical answer?" replied Adam facetiously.

"And something else that does need thinking about is your celebration which is now just over a week away."

"It's all right. Everything's under control," said Adam.

"We've talked to Brabazon and he knows what we want and he's got it all organised and Mrs Green's helping with the cooking."

"One last thing before you go off and relax, we'll be going to church tomorrow to receive our palm crosses."

"That'll be two weeks running," protested Simon "with Easter next week."

"A little spiritual refreshment won't do either of you any harm. So what are you doing now?"

"We're taking Lucy off to see the ducks and the geese and then we'll just flop around the house for the rest of the day."

"Okay, I'll get Brabazon to cook one of his high teas."

"With chunky, blunt ended chips?" said Adam.

"With chunky, blunt ended chips," answered Philip. "I'll go and talk to him now and then search for a hotel booking."

"And somehow I don't think we'll be 'flopping' round the house," said Simon when his father had disappeared.

"I so love you, Simon van den Berg," replied Adam, affectionately stroking his bum.

They did not have to call Lucy. Immediately she heard her name mentioned she was there. Simon clipped her lead onto her collar. Adam looked for a ball and a frisbee and then they were off. They couldn't spend long in the park and they knew once she was off the lead Lucy would make str8 for the lake. They had to be careful with her for the waterfowl were starting to nest. They did not want her to disturb the ducks, and she might find she came off worse if she upset the geese or a swan. Fortunately most of them were nesting on little islands in the lake where there was more cover, but some did unwisely select sites on the shore where they had more to fear from marauding foxes than from dogs. Once Lucy had had her swim she was content to come and play and Adam and Simon used throwing the frisbee to one another as a good opportunity to dry her off and the game was not that one sided for she was often quick enough to snatch it out of the air before it reached the other boy. When they got her home, they just had time to give her a good brush and comb before it got dark and Brabazon summoned them for high tea.

After tea the boys joined Philip in the television room where they watched a repeat of Dad's Army. When it was over Philip went off into his study to get the week ahead organised so that he could take two days off. Beforehand he had told the boys he would go up to town on Sunday evening, stop the night at the club, do a whole day's work and be home Monday evening. Simon had to be in Oxford for eleven with his first match at half past two. The boys decided to stay downstairs and read. Lucy wandered in through the open door and climbed up onto Adam's lap. He was reading Julie Kavanagh's biography of Rudolf Nureyev.

"Hey, Si, did you know he was born on a train?"

"Who?"

"Rudolf Nearenough," replied Adam, holding up his book.

"He was gay."

"I know that. That's why I wanted to read it - that, and he looks so gorgeous in tights."

"Goes without saying. You must read this article in GY mag."

"What's that?"

"You must be very careful which lube you use when you're having sex."

"We know that," said Adam. "Nothing oil based with condoms. It rots the rubber."

"Aah, but there's more. You mustn't use silicon based lube with rubbers, and... especially not with dildos that are made of silicon. It can turn them toxic. Also the lubes themselves can be absorbed by the inside of your arse. Anyway, you can read the article for yourself, and there's a source on the internet: 365gay.com/news/study-4-of-the-6-most-widely-used-lubes-are-toxic/ Did you get that?"

"In one."

"I think when I go off to Oxford I'd better pack that chastity belt thing from the de luxe valise."

"Why's that?"

"Didn't I tell you? I've been allocated that Oscar as a roommate."

"That's just what you need when you're trying to concentrate on a hockey tournament. Unless..."

"Unless?"

"Unless we give him the treatment."

"What treatment?"

"The treatment we gave to Owen and the treatment we're going to give to Sam."

"Ooh, that treatment. Now you're talking. We'll have to think about how we're going to smuggle you into my room."

"How about if I walked up to the team manager and asked if I could go and see my brother?"

"Mmm, I suppose we could give it a go," said Simon. Don't forget to pack a valise."

The boys read for another half an hour or so when Simon looked up and said

"Adam, I think we ought to take a bit of notice of what Dad said earlier."

"What was that?"

"About the clocks going forward and losing an hour in bed."

"What? You want to go to sleep?"

"Now I didn't say that, did I?"

"Oh, that little man between your legs is stirring again."

"Hey, not so much of the little. He's longer than yours."

"But not so chunky, eh?"

"Let's go and see if Brabazon has got any cocoa on the go."

As they made their way towards the kitchen, Lucy in tow, Brabazon was already going round the house putting the clocks forward.

"I'll be with you in five minutes, Master Simon, Master Adam." Meanwhile Philip had appeared from his study. All three sat round the kitchen table.

"I haven't really congratulated you properly, Adam, for this morning's effort. You must feel really proud of yourself."

"It came as a bit of a surprise. I thought the competition would be stronger than that."

"What about training for the national squad?"

"I think I made the right decision. I couldn't really see myself standing on the touchline next September and not being able to join in the rugby. I think if cross-country had been stronger in the school I might have a different view. No, if I've got to choose between the two, I'd go for rugby any day." Meanwhile Brabazon had returned from his journey through time and was mixing the hot chocolate, strictly speaking, but the family preferred to call it cocoa.

"I don't think you can still buy real cocoa these days," advised Brabazon "and if you could, I doubt whether it would be to your taste." Lucy was being given her dog biscuits. After her family had consumed their human biscuits and cocoa they said good night with a hug and a kiss. Philip retired to his study, the boys to Adam's room.

"What are we going to do tonight?" asked Simon.

"Nothing," said Adam. "I just want to hold you in my arms and see what happens."

The boys took off their slippers and socks and climbed onto the bed where they just lay on their backs with an arm round one another, occasionally caressing, occasionally running their fingers through the other's hair, the odd kiss given and received, always the threat of a stiffie without its becoming a fully fledged boner, a warm moist feeling.

"Si, have you ever thought about why we like boywatching?"

"Not really. I suppose it's so that we can just see and appreciate some beautiful boys and wonder whether we'd like sex with them or not."

"Sure, but for me that's only part of it. Quite often I don't even get as far as that."

"What? Wondering whether you want sex with them or not?

"Exactly. A lot of them I wouldn't want sex with and yet I find them beautiful for their own sake."

"So what do you look for exactly?" asked Simon.

"I'm not quite sure. It's like looking for something and never finding it because you don't what it is you're looking for."

"Now you have got me puzzled. Tell me what goes through your head when you see a boy you fancy."

"Now you see, that's an odd word 'fancy'. What does it mean exactly? Do you want sex with him? Or just get to know him and have him as a friend, be in his company?" Adam was silent and thought for a few moments. "Okay, how does this sound? Imagine I'm out and about, in town, at school in the locker room, at an away match watching you play hockey or me playing rugby, on holiday even, and I spot a boy."

"What do you look at first? His face or his crotch?"

"Let's say his head or his crotch because sometimes it's his hair that attracts my attention, and the answer is it depends. I might see his face and think let's look at his trousers, and more often than not he's walked past by then and I haven't had a chance to inspect them. Or I see his bulge and wonder whether he's got a pretty face to go with it."

"Why do we look at their bulges? What's interesting about them?" asked Simon.

"Why do str8 guys look at the bulge made by girls' tits?"

"The anthropologists would say it's because the bloke's subconsciously sizing her up as to whether she would make a good mother, but that doesn't apply here. Do you like looking at the bulge in my trousers?"

"Oh, yes, ninety-five per cent of the time," answered Adam without hesitation. "Even though I know intimately what's making the bulge. But that's the difference. With strange boys I don't know in detail what's making the bulge and I want to, and it's not just a sexual thing. It's also an aesthetic thing. I really have an intellectual interest and appreciation of other boys' equipment."

"But why not a hundred per cent of the time?"

"Because it's not the right occasion, particularly formal occasions such as when we're wearing our suits. Or suppose you were at a funeral. It would be inappropriate."

"What about in church?"

"In theory wrong. That's not what you're there for. In practice okay. That's why choirboys wear surplices. They're sexless until the service is over and they take them off and then it's open season."

"And school uniform?"

"Definitely okay. Bulges should be encouraged cos boys are growing and changing and it's fun to see if they've got a boner or not."

"So for you, Adam, boywatching's not just about sex?"

"Certainly not. I'll give you a for instance. Back where I lived when my parents were alive there was a group of boys I would play with, football, cricket, whatever in the street. Age range eight to thirteen? I don't know. Now you know I have no sexual interest whatsoever in pre-adolescent boys. But there was one there who stood out from the group and I must admit I boywatched him quite a bit. Must have been all of ten. He had it all. He was physically skilled and well coordinated, but he knew too how to deal with people, children and adults, and he had natural charm. And yes, he was a goodlooker. He was the one they sent if the ball had gone into someone's garden. He was another William. Nothing to do with William Legge."

"Adam, you certainly do think of some funny things. Well, I suppose we ought to think of getting some kip." Adam leant over and gently, but deeply kissed Simon.

"Do you still feel like going to sleep?"

Chapter 3

Tuesday was slow in arriving. Yes, Simon was displaying some nervousness which Adam did his utmost to calm down. Here was a difference between the two boys. Adam was far more stoical, a strength in his personality that had helped him cope with his parents' death. He tried to divert Simon's mind on Monday by making plans for the coming bank holiday, taking him swimming and going on a run with him, although anticipation of the coming hockey tournament absolutely disrupted their lovelife.

Tuesday morning Brabazon stowed the luggage in the boot of Philip's car and shortly after breakfast the three embarked on the journey to Oxford. They arrived in good time and Simon was able to report to the team manager and get settled in his room well before the team meet. Coincidentally Oscar turned up at the same time and, as he greeted both boys, his eyes lit up with memories of their last encounter flooding back. He had been looking forward to meeting Simon again, but had no idea that Adam would be there as well. That was an unexpected bonus in his mind, not a drawback, and as all three boys hugged his thoughts were certainly not on hockey. Philip just stood back in a state of wonderment at the ritual of these three boys meeting. The words 'modern youth' were circulating in his head somewhere. Adam helped Simon take his bags to his room so that he at least would know where he was spending the night. They hadn't developed their strategy for meeting in the evening and countering any ideas that Oscar might have had. Philip and Adam quickly left Simon to get on with the things he had to do before the match and motored off to their hotel.

They reached the hotel within ten minutes. From the outside it looked comfortable and well-to-do. They walked up to reception.

"Good morning, sir," said the receptionist, an iron lady with a severe hairstyle and matching horn-rimmed glasses.

"Good morning. I have a reservation for two rooms in the name of van den Berg," Philip replied as she surfed the computer screen in front of her.

"I regret that I can't let you have the rooms until two o'clock, sir."

"But we do need them now," Philip protested mildly.

"I'm sorry, sir. It's the management's regulations."

"In that case I'll cancel the reservations. I am sure in March there are plenty of hotels in Oxford with accommodation. It's not the tourist season."

"But..."

"Thank you, madam, I am sorry to have inconvenienced you. Good day. Come along, Adam, I noticed a very nice hotel as we turned into the road." Adam and Philip turned to go. As they reach the door, Philip went back to the reception desk. "I'll leave my card if I may. I run a multi-million pound company and we use your chain of hotels quite frequently. On Thursday I shall be asking my PA to remove you from our list and cancel any reservations we might already have. My compliments to the management," and he smiled. As he said that, a man appeared, obviously the manager.

"Good morning, sir. Is there a difficulty, Mrs Forbes?"

"None as far as we are concerned," interjected Philip. "I am sure Mrs Forbes will be able to explain." The look on the receptionist's face was a picture.

Adam was standing by the entrance, open-mouthed. He had never seen this side of Philip before. He marvelled at how such a bitter dispute could be dealt with so urbanely, and so drastically. Calmly Philip said

"I simply do not understand how anybody in these times of financial difficulty can afford to lose business through bad service. Perhaps I am spoilt by my London club." They climbed back into the car and drove back down the road to the hotel Philip had already spotted. As they went up to reception they were greeted by an aged gentleman in a morning suit, wing collar and black tie.

"Brabazon Mk II," Adam remarked. Within five minutes they had booked in, been shown to their rooms and placed their order for lunch in the dining room.

After lunch Philip and Adam drove to the venue for Simon's first match. All three were taking place on the all-weather pitches at the sports ground belonging to one of the colleges. They arrived just as the official team photographs were being taken. Adam was relieved to see that Simon hadn't been appointed captain. That would relieve him of some pressure. In fact, in front of the camera he looked relaxed and resplendent standing next to Oscar in the strip the country provided, white shorts, of course, with shirts of black and white quarters. Adam felt proud. He didn't attempt to communicate in any way, realising how important it was for his boyfriend to concentrate on the game. Meanwhile Philip had found out which pitch he was playing on and he walked across to it with Adam.

At two-thirty play got underway. It was a fast and furious game. Even as someone who had never picked up a hockey stick in anger in his whole life Adam could see that the level was a step above what he had watched at school. Whereas in school matches Simon had always stood out, now he blended in. There were no obvious stars and it was a credit to all the players that after so little practice together the teamwork was so good, something the England soccer team could learn from. What was said about Simon's team applied equally to the other side. It was a hard fought match and a fair result that it ended in a 3 - 3 draw with Simon and Oscar each scoring a goal. Philip and Adam clapped the players off and finally had a chance to talk to Simon.

"That was great," said Adam, "far better than anything I've seen at school."

"Yeah, different from anything I've played. It's not only more demanding physically, but you have think about the game as well."

"Congratulations on scoring that goal, Si."

"Thanks. It should guarantee that I make tomorrow morning's team. You see, there's a squad of sixteen and everyone's been guaranteed at least one game."

"So what's your programme now?" asked Philip.

"Get changed and team tea. Then we've got a session back at the hostel for the post mortem and team tactics for tomorrow. The morning's team will be announced, then it's supper followed by free time from seven-thirty until nine."

"I'll be across for half past seven then. Is that all right with you, Philip?"

"Sure. I'm planning on finding a cinema or a theatre. In a city like this there's bound to be something on. By the way, Simon, we've changed hotels. We're at the Winter Garden Hotel and it's in the same road as the other one."

"Why did you change?"

"Adam will tell you all about it. You'd better run along and get under the shower before you stiffen up." Adam and Simon looked at one another grinning. Philip rolled his eyes, but otherwise ignored them. He was getting used to the fact that his two teenagers could be so grown up at one moment and so immature at the next.

Oscar was lingering in the background. He obviously wanted to say hi to Adam. Simon introduced him to his father.

"He scored one of the goals, Dad."

"Congratulations, Oscar."

"And he's my roommate."

"I'll see you later," said Adam.

"And I'll see you tomorrow," said Philip. Philip and Adam went back to the car. Adam was pleased it was easy walking distance between the hostel and the hotel, easier than in the car because of the one way system. When they arrived back at the hotel Philip enquired at reception about films and plays.

"I'll fetch the local newspaper," said the receptionist.

"Can you recommend anything?" She described a production she had been to herself.

"Would you like me to order tickets for you?"

"One, please. My son will be doing something else. And can we eat at six?"

"Certainly. Would you like to pre-order to make sure you arrive at the theatre on time?" She handed them the menu and they placed their order.

"I'll meet you in the lounge at a quarter to six, Adam."

Meanwhile Simon and Oscar walked back to the changing room together.

"You know, Simon, you're lucky to have a boyfriend like that."

"I know."

"You wouldn't like to feel my balls in the showers, would you? Seeing you and Adam reminded of when we played your school and you took me off to the changing room."

"The short answer is yes, but be a bit patient. We've got something else lined up for tonight, if you're interested."

"As long as it doesn't involve girls, I'm interested. Do what you like, but be gentle." Simon couldn't believe what he is hearing.

"Haven't you got a boyfriend at home?"

"No. I can't keep one. I'm too much of a slut, you see, and with what I've got dangling between my legs I don't find it difficult to get sex at school, although most of them won't admit to being gay."

Chapter 4

After dinner Adam said goodbye to Philip who drove off to the theatre and Adam went upstairs to change into a polo shirt, sweats, trainers and a hoodie. He was sufficiently streetwise to know the importance of blending in whether you were gay or str8. He rejected 501s because sweats were much easier to slip on and off, even though they hid his package. He checked his valise for the umpteenth time to make sure it had condoms and K-Y and hid it in a Sainsbury's bag in case someone thought it was a laptop and mugged him. As instructed by Philip he handed in his room key, so that on his return he could check that Adam had arrived back safely. Now the clocks had gone forward it would remain light until eight o'clock and so he found the hostel with no trouble. As he went through the door he asked where he could find the staff and was shown into a canteen area where there was a group of adults sitting in a corner talking. He went up to them and said

"Good evening, I'm Adam Neave van den Berg. I wonder if I could see my brother Simon." He thought it would be too bold to say 'boyfriend'. The man who appeared to be in charge found one of the boys and asked him to find Simon. Good security, thought Adam. Simon would then identify him. It took five minutes. The last place the messenger thought of looking was his room. Simon greeted him like a long lost friend. ID check successful. They hugged.

"You don't look like brothers," said the team manager.

"I'm adopted," retorted Adam, hoping to cause a little embarrassment after such a direct challenge to his veracity.

"Oh. Sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry about," said Adam. "We enjoy being adoptive brothers." Meanwhile Oscar had turned up. This was the first time Adam had seen him in casual clothes and he caught his breath. There he was in well washed, form hugging 501s and with his equally tight tee shirt tucked in so there was no way that the world was going to be protected from the sight of his package. Oscar was open for business and the goods were on display. As he turned round, Adam noticed from the label on his hip that he had a twenty-eight inch waist. Already there was a moist shifting around taking place inside Adam's sweats.

"Is it all right if Adam comes to my room?" asked Simon.

"Sure, but he must be off the premises by nine."

When the three reached Simon and Oscar's room, Simon drew the curtains and Oscar locked the door. They didn't want any interruption. The room was simply furnished, twin beds, two closet type wardrobes, two tables and two chairs and a sink. The toilets and showers were at the end of the corridor.

"So what are you two meaty boys going to get up to with little me?" said Oscar in a submissive and seductive tone. "Is it the hand job or the blow job?"

"Kids' stuff," replied Adam in a peremptory manner. "We're going to give your arse a good pounding and then it's your turn to sort us out."

"Ooh, you know how to win a girl's heart," said Oscar in the campest way possible, batting his eyelids.

"Do you know Hulka's law?" said Adam. Oscar shook his head.

"You soon will do," said Simon.

"Up against the wall," said Adam. He pushed against Oscar and left him in no doubt that he was hardening up as their packages met. Adam forced his tongue through Oscar's lips. Any resistance he might have shown up to then immediately collapsed and he responded. Adam felt for Oscar's belt, undid it without any difficulty and started unbuttoning his jeans. It was then he discovered that Oscar was wearing no underwear. His hand felt those chicken egg size balls of his and then grasped the shaft of his throbbing boner. Hulka's law had been fulfilled, sweet surrender and Oscar was his. "How do you like it? Doggy fashion or on your back?"

"Ooh, on my back of course."

"Okay, Si?"

"Okay, Adam," and Simon went into their well rehearsed routine. While Adam was stripping his clothes off, Simon got Oscar to kneel on the bed so that could he lube his hole. It was tight.

"We're in for some fun tonight." Oscar took up the position while Simon washed his hands and got ready to roll a condom over Adam's shaft. Oscar had stirred Adam up. He wasn't making love tonight, he was shagging, and this was an old scrubber. He climbed onto the bed, got Oscar to raise his legs, lined up his dick with Oscar's rosebud and took the plunge. Oscar's swift intake of breath soon changed into an aah! and he was giving Adam as good as he was getting. It didn't last long and Simon only just had time to strip off and slip a rubber over his already stiff shaft by the time it was his turn to take over. Simon was in a calmer mood and took his time, making it last. It was part of the game plan to avoid giving Oscar a prostatic orgasm. It was a game of two halves. Simon came, pulled out, removed the condom and knotted it.

"All right?" asked Simon. Oscar nodded and Simon pulled up Oscar's tee shirt and kissed his nipple. Then pulled the tee shirt off completely.

"Your turn now, Oscar" said Adam uncompromisingly. "Lube me up, Si."

"I warn you, Oscar, Adam's tight. With that elephant's trunk you keep between your legs you'll find it a bit of a challenge."

"I can't wait," said Oscar with a big grin on his face. "Missionary position again?" Adam nodded. Simon lubed up his boyfriend, rolled a rubber over Oscar's trunk and sat back on the other bed to watch the fun. It was a tight fit and Oscar had to work skilfully to push it all in, but push it all in he did. Adam grunted his pleasure until Oscar's body shook and he deposited his load in the teat of the condom, and a bit more. He withdrew slowly, removed the condom and knotted it. Adam wiped the excess lube from his bottom and the precum from his dick with tissues and slicked up Simon's hole ready. Simon assumed the position, Oscar pulled on a fresh condom and climbed on top. He found Simon easier to mount, he moved slowly inside him, but despite every effort he failed to produce a convincing orgasm. Finally he pulled out and removed the rubber. Simon went across and lay on his bed with Adam, Oscar rested on his.

"Nice to have sex with people who know what they're doing," he said finally. Adam looked at his watch and said

"It's ten to nine. I'd better be going."

"What do we do with these?" said Simon pointing at the four pieces of débris from their fun and frolics.

"That's okay," replied Oscar. "When no one's about I'll deposit them around the shower room and get the tongues wagging." The boys were dressed by now.

"I shall see you two tomorrow and Oscar, you leave my boyfriend alone tonight because you'll find it hard playing hockey with a broken arm."

"Boyfriend? I thought he was your brother."

"He is," replied Adam.

"As well," said Simon at the same time. "I'll tell you all about it later." Oscar went off to dispose of the evidence, leaving Simon and Adam a few minutes to say good night.

Adam said good night to the team manager as he left, but not in the same way. He soon regained the hotel, collected his key and went up to his room. He read for an hour and went to bed. This was the first time he had slept alone since he had been adopted into the van den Berg household and family a year ago.

Adam lay naked between the sheets thinking. His first thoughts were that he and Simon were becoming a formidable team, ready to take on any willing youth they found attractive. First it was Otto, then Owen, tonight it was Oscar and if all goes to plan by this time next week Sam Welham will have been added to the list. They must have worked through the letter O by now he thought flippantly. As a committed couple should they be doing this? After all, they were not married - yet. They were acting in concert, each with the other's permission. They were giving their 'protégés' experience, but more important than that they were gaining the experience they would have gained had they not come together. Oscar was hot. Oscar was significant. Adam could still feel him inside him from their experience earlier in the evening. He was proud that he and Simon could count him amongst their conquests. Come what may it could never be said that they suffered from sexual frustration. Like the Canadian Mounties they always got their man. Adam found that whatever happened between them and other boys it never reached the degree of satisfaction their own lovemaking provided. And when all was said and done, it was fun. While he was thinking all this through he was unconsciously playing with his balls and rubbing his dick. He soon needed a proper wank. When was the last time he did that by himself? He couldn't remember. Suddenly his balls tightened and he ejaculated, the warm liquid squirting all over his hand, his abdomen and the crisp cool cotton sheets of the hotel bed. He had no tissues handy, no night clothing to soak it up. He turned over and let the bedding aided by the warmth of his body absorb and dry his seed. He immediately fell into a dreamless sleep.

Fifteen minutes' walk away at the hostel Simon and Oscar had decided to turn in for the night. They were both looking forward to playing two games tomorrow and wanted their rest. Oscar continued talking. As an uncommitted homosexual teenager he had a fund of stories about his experiences. Simon didn't feel he could even start to match them out of loyalty to Adam, but he had no need to either for Oscar was willing to carry on relating his own exploits. Suddenly Simon said

"Shh! Can you hear something?" Both boys sat up in bed and strained their ears. Oscar put on his bedside light, got out of bed and fetched their tooth mugs. Simon was fascinated by the way Oscar's elephant's trunk swung from side to side as he walked. Had pyjamas gone out of fashion?

"Here, Simon, use this," he said handing him one of the mugs and Oscar placed his against the wall and his ear against the other end. Simon did likewise. They could plainly hear the bed springs in the neighbouring room being exercised hard and in a regular rhythm. "Hmm, I would expect statistically to meet one other gay in the squad, but three others. That's more than I could ever wish for. I must make some enquiries tomorrow. It looks as if I might have my work cut out tomorrow between the matches." Suddenly both boys burst out laughing as their tooth mugs enhanced the sound of a decidedly orgasmic scream. "It's all right, my dear Simon. You can sleep safely in your bed tonight. I must build up my reserves of the old white liquid gold for tomorrow."

"I never thought otherwise," replied Simon drily.

Chapter 5

Adam got up in time for breakfast at eight. There was nothing to hurry for. The first match was at ten and he knew it would not be on to interrupt team preparations before then in order to see Simon. He felt a little ashamed when he saw the state of his bed after his nocturnal activity. I suppose the chambermaids are used to that sort of thing, and worse, he mused. He thought back to a television documentary he had seen about Henry VIII when on the morning after one of his wedding nights, the court officials rushed into the King's boudoir to inspect the royal couple's bed and satisfy themselves that the marriage had been consummated. At least there were no bloodstains on Adam's sheets. He took a long shower letting the hot water cascade onto the acorn of his semi-erect dick. It was enough to bring him to the brink and it took only a few quick strokes of the hand to send him over the edge and for the spunk to trickle out of his dick and be washed safely down the plughole. During this time he thought of the forthcoming anniversary celebrations. There was a lot to be done and he needed to talk to Simon about some of the arrangements, but not before his hockey matches were over. They must look their best the following weekend. Simon must shave him on Friday. They needed some photos of themselves naked. They could take them and then get Sam Welham to take some of them as a naked couple. There would be shopping to do. Saturday morning the hair stylist, not the barber's this time. He fancied getting some highlights in his hair. Must discuss with Simon first, and oh, wouldn't it be nice if they had some official anniversary photos taken by a professional photographer. After the hair appointment. They wouldn't get them back in time for the dinner, but that didn't matter and they would make nice presents. Must speak to Brabazon about that too. Adam dressed and knocked on Philip's door on the way down. He w as just about ready.

Over breakfast Philip talked about the play he had enjoyed the previous evening. Adam mentioned the arrangements he had been thinking about, though he hadn't discussed them with Simon. Afterwards they read the newspapers in the lounge until it was time to check out. They put their luggage into the boot of Philip's car and drove off to the sports ground. They had a quarter of hour to wait until the teams ran out and started to warm up. It was another high quality match, far better than inter-school level. Adam could see that without knowing anything about hockey and he was proud of the way Simon played especially since he scored two goals. Oscar scored one as well, which Simon set up for him when they were looking for the square ball, but unfortunately the game ended with a 5 - 4 loss for Simon's team. One draw, one loss. Honour was certainly at stake in the afternoon.

Philip and Adam had a brief chance to talk to Simon, who could reassure Adam that he had survived the night unscathed, before going off for team lunch and a tactics talk. Adam asked if they could go into the city centre for lunch as he needed to do some personal shopping. Philip was content with that, especially as they had time to kill until the afternoon match at two-thirty, but they'd go in by taxi as he was unhappy about parking there. They ended up in a restaurant called Quod on the High, where they had an early and excellent, if crowded, lunch. They could see why it was so popular, even out of season and outside of the university term. It was the domain of local people. Afterwards Philip said that he would be quite happy to browse in Blackwell's bookshop while Adam did his shopping.

"Have you got enough cash, Adam?"

"I think so, but I can always get some from the hole in the wall if I need to."

They met at the appointed hour and then had the task of searching for a cab and getting back to the sports ground in time to see Simon's team running out of the changing room. He and Oscar did look so hot in their kit, Adam couldn't help remarking. Philip just smiled to himself.

There was grim determination on the face of every player; they were spitting tacks. It was not that they had ever played badly during the contest. It was just that they hadn't got the score line they were looking for. The game was fast and furious from the start. Although neither of them was the captain Simon and Oscar led the team by their own examples. It made the others want to play like them and the strategy worked. After ten minutes Simon put the first goal away and within another five Oscar had scored. The team had their tails up and the opposition was already looking tired and demoralised. Three matches in two days was always a test of stamina, particularly for adolescents, and although boys together on a sports tour might well want to boogie the night away, if they were serious about their sport, they made sure they got their rest and sleep, one reason why the county authorities refused to book accommodation with the competing teams. Half time came quickly, Adam was so enthralled in what he was watching. When the final whistle went, Simon's county ran out the winners 4 - 1 and although he had only scored one of those goals, anybody could see that he had been instrumental in setting up the others. At the end of the game they clapped their opponents off. Simon came across to his father and Adam to say that they would be having tea, a brief team chat and then they would be free to go. They both hugged him.

"It was my lucky shorts," Simon whispered in Adam's ear. He looked down and saw that Simon was wearing the pair he had lent him, not team issue.

"Whose lucky shorts?" As Oscar scurried past he called over to Adam

"I'll see you just before we leave. I've got a date in the shower." For once Philip didn't grasp the significance of the remark.

"By the way," said Simon, "can we give Oscar a lift to the station?"

Philip and Adam went and sat in the car and in the warmth of the spring sun shining through the window they both dozed off to be woken by Simon tapping on the window. He had Oscar with him. Philip unlocked the boot so that they could deposit their sports kit and luggage. Adam got out and went to sit in the back where Simon joined him, making sure that Oscar would have to behave himself in the front. All three boys were very talkative after the win and they had obviously enjoyed their couple of days' hockey, whether as player or spectator. After they'd said goodbye to Oscar at the railway station, Simon said

"I've got a feeling we have not seen the last of him."

"I do hope so," said Adam as he made himself comfortable in the back and dozed off again.

The noise of the car's tyres on the gravel of the drive woke Adam up. He was semi-hard and moist from where Simon had been fondling his crotch out of sight from Philip's rear view mirror. Brabazon immediately appeared on the doorstep to greet the family and Lucy rushed forward to give her humans a more rapturous welcome.

Thursday and Philip felt bound to make an appearance in the office because of the extra long weekend holiday ahead. In the evening he got caught up with the holiday traffic vying to leave London and the rain didn't help. And he was slightly grumpy when he eventually arrived home. Brabazon immediately noticed the signs and did what he could to alleviate the symptoms, chiefly by supplying a large gin and tonic before dinner. The boys were starving because they'd had to wait that much longer.

"So what have you two been up to today?" Philip enquired over dinner. They started to tell him, but he heard the expurgated version and if he wanted to know the full version he would have to read this story.

After almost a week since school had broken up Thursday was really the first day of the holidays for Adam and Simon and they were determined that they were going relax. Nothing more strenuous than a swim or a run with Lucy. The later sunrise helped them to sleep in and after a passionate bout of love-making the previous evening to compensate for their forced separation and to reinforce their commitment, they were going to take their act of union far more leisurely this morning and if they fell asleep again afterwards, so be it. Apart from having to run the gauntlet of Brabazon's disapproving glances when they eventually surfaced, there was no reason why they shouldn't remain in bed until lunchtime when the only compelling reason then for getting up was lunch itself, especially after missing breakfast. Brabazon did not serve breakfast in bed. When they woke up for a second time, Adam reached for his watch. It was coming up to ten. He and Simon just lay there under the duvet, an arm round the other's shoulder, giving and receiving the occasional kiss, from time to time feeling the other caressing the nipple, the abs or lower abdomen, even the groin, balls or dick, nothing serious enough to stimulate another orgasm, though.

"So go on, Si. Finish off the story about Oscar."

"There's not much more to tell. After we sorted him out, he behaved perfectly overnight, I'm glad to say. I didn't want to have to thump the bloke. I like him for a start and with luck we're going to play together in future years." Adam giggled. "Hockey, you dork! Then we heard the bouncy bed in the next room. First thing in the morning he found out who was sleeping there and went off with one somewhere during lunch break and had the other in the showers after the final game. He said he was absolutely amazed. Statistically it was sheer luck if he met another gay boy in a squad of sixteen, but to meet three, plus one among the spectators..."

"That's me, I suppose," interrupted Adam.

"...is far beyond expectations and to have had it off with all four of them was beyond credibility."

"So he won his own tournament 4 - 0," said Adam.

"He didn't mention any refusals."

"Hey, Si, I meant to tell you last night, but I got distracted."

"By my body?"

"Goes without saying." He got up and fetched a plastic carrier from his desk. "I bought these for us while shopping in Oxford. Two for you, two for me for summer wear," he said as he handed Simon a black and a white thong.

"Hey, CKs, cool. Thanks, Adam. What can I do to thank you?"

"Wear one, because today I feel really gay and I want to show it. I'm going to wear my lycras."

"You certainly will show it in those," giggled Simon. "Okay, it sounds like corporate identity day today."

As he was first up Adam went and showered and while Simon was in there, he got dressed: white lycras showing off his black bulge underneath, a tight black tanktop tucked in, white socks and trainers, and he topped it off by wearing his black, leather choker and his rainbow leather bracelet. After drying himself off Simon went through to his room and dressed identically.

"Hmm," said Adam "I've got nowhere to put my handkerchief."

"Oh, I thought you already had it in your thong," sniggered Simon.

"Now that's an idea." The boys went downstairs and Brabazon greeted them in the kitchen. His eyes were out on stalks.

Chapter 6

The doorbell rang. Brabazon shook himself, regained his composure and went to answer the door.

"Master Anthony Legge and Master Benjamin Carlton," he sombrely announced.

"Show them in, Brabazon," said Simon. The boys were shown into the kitchen. They all said hi! and hugged. Brabazon looked on.

"Would you like a snack or anything?" said Adam. "We've only just got up and we're having breakfast." Brabazon served the visitors with a mug of tea each. While Simon was chatting with Ben and Tony, Adam went and had a chat with Brabazon in his pantry. He wanted him to organise hair styling and a photographer, and put some final touches to the arrangements for Sunday and Monday. Then he rejoined the others and got on with his breakfast.

"Hey Adam, I've just been telling the lads about the hockey and cross-country."

"And Oscar?"

"And Oscar."

"I don't know how you attract all these people," said Ben. "We don't."

"Pure good looks and personal charm," said Adam with a str8 face.

"And gaydar," added Tony.

"I adore the kit," said Ben "especially the dog collars."

"Chokers," corrected Simon.

"Dog collars, I think you'll find," contradicted Ben. "Look, there's even a ring to clip the lead onto."

"The shorts aren't bad either," said Tony. "My trouble is that even the stretchiest of stretchy lycra on its own wouldn't be able to cope with my tackle."

"Boasting again," remarked Simon.

"I think not," said Ben. "Have you seen it recently?"

"Not for just over a week," replied Adam.

"Well, I'll tell you," said Ben reducing his voice to a conspiratorial whisper "every time it gets big it never goes down to as small a size as it was before."

"So who's a lucky boy then?" said Simon.

"Me," said Tony.

"Wrong, me," said Ben.

"Hey guys, does my bum look big in these lycras?" said Adam. Ben took a good look, used the opportunity to run his hands all over and finger his crack.

"Nope," he replied decisively.

"Are you coming down to the games room," said Simon, "or do you want to kick a ball around on the lawn?"

"Let's go outside," said Tony. "We'll take our bikes round the back if we may." Simon fetched a ball and Adam went round the back with Tony and Ben as they stowed their cycles away."

With the game underway Adam said

"Are you two looking forward to the weekend?"

"Yeah, great," replied Ben.

"It is both Sunday and Monday night we're stopping?" enquired Tony.

"Sure," said Simon "and you've got the guest room to yourselves."

"Wicked," said Tony. "We haven't had a chance to do any stuff together for ages."

"Sam Welham's staying over as well. He'll be in with us. Er, you know..."

"Yes, we know," replied Ben and Tony simultaneously.

"Training session as it were?" continued Tony.

"That's a good name for it," replied Simon. The boys played for another half an hour, went for a swim and then it was time for Tony and Ben to cycle back to the Legges' place.

"What's for lunch, Brabazon?" Simon called out when he and Adam returned to the kitchen.

"Vegetable soup and a ploughman's lunch," Brabazon announced. "We shall take the main meal when your father returns from town. Meanwhile I have made the arrangements you asked for, Master Adam. Your father has agreed that on Sunday you will attend Communion at eight o'clock." The boys groaned. At ten the hair stylist will arrive. She's one of those who travel to people's homes. She would appreciate it if you would telephone her and discuss any particular wishes so that she can ensure having the right materials and equipment with her. Likewise the photographer who is booked for twelve. He assures me that he can have the photographs ready by the end of the afternoon. Lunch will be a light snack. No brunch that day. After that I would ask you not to disturb Mrs Green or me as we shall be busy preparing for the evening. At seven your guests will begin to arrive. I believe Mrs Anstruther will be arriving earlier. Mr Philip will be looking after her."

"Thank you, Brabazon. That's great," said Adam.

"Now if you two young gentlemen would like to go and wash your hands, the soup will be à point when you return."

The boys scuttled off upstairs to their rooms to get ready.

"Hey Simon, did you notice Brabazon at breakfast when we turned up in our lycras?"

"Yeah, his tongue was hanging out. We always had our suspicions about Brabazon, but you can't get close to him and he so rarely ever shows any emotion. Dad's known him all his life and yet he still doesn't know him. But yes, we suspect he is gay. That's why he tolerates us with all our friends visiting... and it is toleration. Still, he's never done or said anything improper and who are we to judge him?"

"It's just that it surprises me that he should find us attractive."

"Well, just think about it. We go boywatching. Think how many others of all ages do as well. Haven't you noticed some of the looks we get in the street? Or even at school from some of the masters? And quite a few of those will have gaydar. I'm not bragging, but I think you have to admit we're both very cute boys."

"Hmm, I have to admit I've never thought about it from that angle," said Adam. At that moment they heard the dinner gong, which meant that they were taking longer than Brabazon thought they should.

The boys sat down at the table in the kitchen for their soup and ploughman's. Brabazon did not join them.

"Si, I wanted to ask you. I'm thinking of getting some highlights put in my hair and I wanted your opinion."

"It won't go down very well at school."

"I realise that and I'll have them taken out before we go back, but I feel I want to be myself a bit more. I don't mind conforming at school. I don't mind that and I understand the need, but we're not at school and I want to be me. After all, the very fact that we're gay means we're not normal. I'm quite prepared to stand up and admit it. I get fed up with those letters in GY mag that whinge that we're not accepted as normal. I'm proud I'm not normal and while I wouldn't actually have chosen to be gay, I just am and as a lifestyle I enjoy it and intend to go on enjoying it."

"But to get back to your hair."

"Sorry, I started tub-thumping a bit there, and preaching to the converted."

"I don't mind. I think you'd look great."

"Okay, so what's it to be? Black with blond highlights or blond with black highlights?"

"The first one. If you're going to be blond though, no highlights, and sandy blond, certainly not bleach blond."

"And you're cool with that, Si?"

"Yeah, sure."

"And what about some curls?"

"I like that idea. You really needed to let it grow longer for that, but it's too late now. The hairstylist will advise."

"I'm not suggesting you do it, but do you realise you'd make a good emo boy? You've got just the right hair for it."

"Are you into emo boys?"

"Got a soft spot for them. Have you ever seen a fat one? And have you ever seen a str8 one?"

"You don't see many around here. The fashion doesn't seem to have caught on. I'll think about it, Adam, for a fancy dress party maybe."

"Oh, and will you shave me on Saturday, please?"

"Full shave?"

"Except for the pubes above my dick and my treasure trail, but balls, perineum, butt buns and crack, yes. I don't really want to go through all that itching again when the pubes grow back."

"Unless you want to keep them permanently shaved? Then they won't itch."

"I'll get back to you on that. Makes you look a bit prepubic."

"With your equipment you'll never look prepubic again."

"And you're happy about us doing our own nude pics and Sam taking some of us as a couple?"

"He won't see anything he hasn't seen before and if wants, he can have a signed print. It'll give him something to wank to."

"He's got a boyfriend for that, Si"

"I know, but I've got a feeling in my water that's not going to last too long, especially after a session with us. He'll want things Miles is not prepared to give." They put their dirty crockery and cutlery into the dishwasher and went upstairs for a rest before taking Lucy out for walkies.

"I think we'd better put joggers on over these," said Adam "unless we want to get beaten up."

"Or killed in the rush to molest us." They both chuckled.

On Good Friday Philip decided that they should have a family day out walking so that they could remain as far away as possible from a computer screen. Lucy was in full agreement. Nothing too strenuous, for the next three or four days would be hard work for everybody. They had lunch at a wayside inn.

"What's wrong with a ploughman's lunch?" said Philip. The boys laughed.

"Nothing," said Adam.

"Except that we had one yesterday," said Simon.

Saturday passed very quickly with work for everybody to do. Mrs Green and Brabazon did the Waitrose run and then visited the specialist shops. The butcher had delivered the meat order. Simon and Adam had shopping to do, menus to design. They couldn't print them until the photographer had been. Placenames to print and a table plan for Brabazon to go by. Then early to bed for they had to be up for the early service in the morning.

Chapter 7

" Just one more kiss, Adam. Please."

"No, Si. If we have another kiss, you know what it will lead to and we'll be late."

"Oh, you're no fun any more."

"And Simon, you won't get round me by fondling my balls." With a determined effort Adam pulled back the duvet, leapt out of bed and went across to the window, drew the curtains and opened the window letting in a blast of cold air that made it impossible for Simon to lie there in comfort any longer.

"You know, Adam Simon Neave van den Berg, you can be a cruel bastard at times."

"I know, my love, and you adore me for it," grinned Adam. "Looking at the state of this bed I think we'd better ask Mrs Green to put some fresh linen on it if we're expecting Sam to sleep in it."

"He won't be getting much of that with us around," giggled Simon.

"And you did check yesterday that we've got enough 'something for the weekend, sir', didn't you?"

"That's the least of our worries what with stocking up for the school holidays, and if push comes to shove we could raid the small or the executive valise."

"And we must make sure there are plenty of supplies in Tony and Ben's room because I doubt they will have had the chance to bring their own."

"Mmm, that's true," said Simon. "They haven't got the parental freedom we enjoy."

"But they have got parents." Simon got out of bed and hugged his loved one.

"I'm sorry, Adam. I didn't to bring that up. Don't be sad."

"I'm not sad, and there's nothing to say sorry for. I thought of it because it's part and parcel of our celebration today. We wouldn't even have met, let alone been together if my mum and dad hadn't died in that wretched crash. Do you think of your mum still?"

"Every day, even if it's only for a few seconds. C'mon, Adam, let's get showered... together."

"Okay, but I need to do something else first. I'll use the guest bathroom."

The dress for church was smart casual. They didn't want climb into suits yet. There would be enough of that for the photographer and then for the dinner party itself. When they arrived at the church the first thing they noticed was how bright and cheerful it looked with the floral decorations after its sombre Lenten appearance on Palm Sunday the previous week. The great thing about the said Eucharist at eight o'clock from the boys' point of view was that it lasted little over half an hour and that there was no sermon. Afterwards they went into the church hall with Philip for parish breakfast.

"I thought this would take some of the burden off Brabazon as he'll be so busy today. Good morning... good morning, how are you?" he said as various parishioners greeted the family and trying to avoid the rector for fear he would talk to him yet again about the Roof Refurbishment Fund. He might be well off, but he felt that he made more than sufficient contribution already, conscience money for not attending services every week he considered it. He'd rather make contributions to school activities that his boys were interested in. Many in the locality admired him for adopting Adam, but as both Adam and Simon were out at school it didn't take much for the information to trickle through the neighbourhood and Philip knew he had his detractors. He was quite prepared to stand up and defend the boys and himself, but there was a time and place for everything and parish breakfast was not, at least to his mind, one of them. Basically he despised the people who whispered and railed at him and his family, behind his back mainly, but it was important to keep up an appearance of cordiality.

As the three walked home, Simon and Adam held little fingers. They had come round after breakfast compensated for their early rising and were talking about their first weekend together. It hadn't been Easter the previous year. It had been a steep learning curve, not so much because they were gay and that they had to get used to 'married life' as it were, but because they were both only children and neither had lived together with another child in such close confines, sharing every aspect of their lives with one another.

"I admire you both for the way you have coped and adapted," said Philip. "I'm just sorry that I've been away for so much of the time. But you haven't any major disputes, have you?"

"I just wish Simon would cut his toenails occasionally. It's vicious the way he scratches me in bed."

"And you need to shave before making love," retorted Simon.

"So I gather there are no major issues between you," concluded Philip with a laugh.

When they arrived home Lucy came bounding out to greet them.

"I'll take her for a walk while you two are getting tarted up." Lucy barked in excitement. It was not long before the hair stylist turned up in a little van. Brabazon let her in.

"Where would you like me to work?"

"In the scullery," answered Brabazon. She gave him a quizzical look.

"The utility room," explained Simon who had just turned up with Adam. They had changed into jeans and tee shirts.

"There are two sinks there and plenty of hot and cold water. I have put some towels out for you and if there is anything else you need, please ask the young gentlemen or me." Adam and Simon went and helped the hair stylist bring in her kit, a proper barber's chair and a standard hair dryer from her van.

"I'm Sandra, by the way. I expect you knew that."

"I'm Simon and this is my boyfr... er, my brother Adam." He blushed.

"Boyfriend and brother," explained Adam. "I'm adopted, you see."

"It's all right by me," replied Sandra. "In this trade you work with all sorts of people. I'll just remember not to rub my thigh up against your elbow as I work." The boys laughed as they remembered some of their experiences in the barber's chair in town.

"We've had many a male barber do that and more," said Simon. Sandra put on an expression of mock surprise. They knew they were going to get along.

"Now, Adam, you're the one I spoke to and you want the make over. Now let's see. Yes, I think I can give you a few curls. It won't be a full perm. Your hair's not long enough. Black with sandy blond tints or streaks, no problem. I'm glad I came early. Have you got to go on to anywhere afterwards?"

"We've got the photographer at twelve."

"Okay, we'd better get a move on. Now, Simon, I'm going to need a lot more time with Adam and so I'll start with him and while he's under the dryer I'll wash, cut and set your hair."

"Set?"

"That's really grooming it into the style you want, and then I'll finish off Adam. You can stay and watch or go and do something else and I'll call you when we're ready."

Sandra set about washing Adam's hair. She worked quickly and said she wouldn't be chatting as she needed to concentrate and work. When Adam was under the dryer, it was Simon's turn. Finally at a quarter to twelve she was showing Adam the final result, holding up a mirror in front while Simon held one behind him. Both boys were impressed.

"If you give your account to Brabazon, he'll pay you," said Simon.

"And we'll give you a hand to pack away your gear," said Adam. Just at that moment Philip came into the kitchen.

"My, we have got two smart boys," he said. "Perhaps I ought to get mine done."

"No time now. You should have thought of that earlier," said Simon in an imperious tone redolent of something that Philip might well have said to Simon at some time in his life.

The boys said goodbye to Sandra and rushed upstairs to get changed for the photographer. As Brabazon let her out he let the photographer in and showed him into the library. Up in their rooms the boys put on their school uniforms fresh back from the cleaners and additionally valeted by Brabazon.

"God, Adam, I never thought you could possibly look more handsome than you did already. You look fantastic with that hairdo. Let me kiss you."

"No, Si, you'll ruin my hair. They'll be plenty of time for that later. You'll just have to control yourself."

They went downstairs to find Philip talking to the photographer. He introduced himself as Chris. Photographers don't wear a uniform, but from his appearance he could have been nothing but.

"Now where are we going to have these photos taken?"

"What about in the garden?" suggested Adam.

"The sun's hidden by cloud, yet it's quite bright out there," replied Chris. "Shall we go and look for a location?" As they walked across the lawn Chris looked at the summerhouse and shook his head, then he spotted a group of trees by the bridge over the stream. "Perfect," he said. "Could we have that bench ready? Your father gave me the list of photos you wanted. I'll bring my gear round. Can I get my car round the back here?'

"Yes, certainly. I'll ask Brabazon to assist you and show you the drive round," said Philip. It took a few minutes for Chris the photographer to set up his gear. He immediately set about getting the boys to pose in their school uniforms. He had an easygoing manner which made them relax and he got the best out of them. When that was done, the boys quickly disappeared indoors and returned dressed in their suits for the evening's celebration. Again Chris got them to pose in a relaxed way. As far as the boys were concerned these were the most important poses and he got them into a brilliant one where they were half turned towards each other, holding both hands and looking into each other's eyes with an expression of the utmost devotion. Next came the family poses and Lucy as well as Philip were required for these. Finally after another quick change into slacks and short sleeved shirts they were all photographed in informal poses and this was where the bench was used. A couple of Lucy by herself and the session was over. Most of the gear was taken back to the car and Chris took his camera and laptop into the library. Meanwhile Brabazon had served coffee.

The family joined Chris in the library where he already had a slide show on the screen of his laptop.

"Now," he said "I suggest you pick out the ones you want for this evening and I'll get the prints back to you at about five this afternoon, maybe earlier if there are no snags. I like to enhance them a little with Photoshop. I'll also bring all the photos on a CD so that you can look at them at leisure and order what you want. You'll notice for a small surcharge, I will sell you the copyright so that if you want to use them commercially or in the local paper you can without further reference to me. All I ask is that if you buy the copyright you credit the photos to me. You'll understand that I have to protect my business interests." The boys picked out one of each of the different poses and Philip ordered a number of medium size prints. "They come in folders," added Chris "and with more notice I can have them framed and enlarged up to life size. Even larger with more notice." The family thanked him for giving up his Easter Sunday to take the pictures and assured him they would be making further orders.

After Brabazon had shown Chris the photographer out the boys went upstairs to change back into the jeans and teen shirts.

"What did you think of Chris then, Adam?"

"A bit dodgy, especially with that leather bumbag he wore on his hip."

"Dodgy? Do you mean gay?"

"Who knows? There were pictures of him and his family among his stuff. Let's just say dodgy."

The family reconvened in the kitchen for the light snack they were going to have instead of lunch. Mrs Green was already on duty. She was cheerful, Brabazon unusually so, the infectious cheerfulness caused by the challenge to their professional skills which lay ahead. After Philip and the boys had been watered and foddered, the kitchen became a no-go area. Even Lucy and her basket were exiled. Only Mr Philip dared even to knock the door between now and the bewitching hour. The boys went upstairs to relax. Adam was absorbed in GY mag. Simon surfed the web until they both dozed off and had rather a long afternoon nap.

Chapter 8

The boys were woken by the house phone.

"The photographer gentleman has returned," Brabazon announce tersely. "He is in the library with Mr Philip." They splashed some cold water on their faces to wake themselves up properly and ran downstairs. When they saw the photos printed and mounted in their folders they were amazed at the quality. It had really been worth the effort of calling in a professional. The one that won their heart was, as they knew all along, the photo of them holding hands and looking into each other's eyes. Chris had captured that perfectly. He handed over the CD with all of the pictures on and took his leave. The boys went into the downstairs study with Philip and put the CD into the computer. As the pictures came up they were dismayed to see that they were heavily watermarked to render them useless for downloading and printing.

"He was right when he said he wanted to protect his business interests," said Adam.

"Pick out the ones you want and write down how many," said Philip "and I'll order them. I'm going to have a couple of enlargements framed and one hung in the house and one in my office. And while we're at it, we'll pick one out for the family Christmas card."

"April, and he's already thinking of Christmas," said Simon. "That's the sign of a sick mind."

"You're so kind," said Philip and left it at that.

"He was still wearing that bumbag on his hip, you noticed," said Adam. "Decidedly dodgy," and the boys looked at one another and giggled.

"He might be dodgy," said Philip "but he's a gifted photographer."

The front door bell rang again. Soon after Brabazon appeared at the office door.

"Mister Philip, Mrs Belinda Anstruther. Shall I have her luggage taken to her room?"

"Yes. I'll come and greet her. We'll have tea in the sitting-room." The boys grinned at each other because of Brabazon's pompous manner.

"'Shall I have her luggage taken to her room?' Who else does he think is going to take it there? There's only him."

"Now, Simon, a little charity, please," said Philip as he got up to go and greet his guest."

"We'll give them five minutes," said Simon "and go and join them in the sitting room. You know that bedroom's like ours with a connecting bathroom through to the other, don't you?" said Simon with a grin.

"With tonight's activity I hope those chandeliers in the hall are fixed securely," said Adam "for they're sure going to swing." Adam guffawed at his own joke.

"It'll be okay providing we're all shagging out of synch," said Simon. "Elementary physics."

"Simon! Who mentioned anything about shagging? Go and wash your mouth out with soap and water," and the two boys just rolled around in a fit of the giggles.

Once they had composed themselves they went off to the sitting room to greet Belinda. She had lost her suntan since their last meeting, but otherwise looked well. She shook hands with the boys. At least they didn't have to kiss her, they thought individually, and felt relieved. They sat down and chatted sociably between sips of tea and mouthfuls of biscuit. She was in fact a very good conversationalist and knew how to draw people out, even adolescent boys.

After half an hour she said "If you'll excuse me, I shall go and unpack and perhaps have a little rest before this evening's celebrations."

"We're expecting the first guests at seven, Belinda," said Philip, but come down at half past six, earlier if you wish, and we'll have an aperitif." The boys looked at each other and smiled. Brabazon came in to clear the tea things.

"Now, can you two boys disappear for a bit? Brabazon asked earlier that we should keep away from the dining room until it's time for dinner."

"We'll give Lucy a walk and that should settle her down for the evening," said Simon.

"There's not a lot we can do as we don't want to spoil our hair," said Adam. 'And we want to keep our virility up to strength for tonight,' thought both boys, but didn't want to say so in front of Philip. It was a walk for Lucy for although the boys made their way to the park and then to the lake she was kept on the lead, much to her frustration when she saw her feathered friends. She couldn't swim, she couldn't play ball. There were plenty of people enjoying the uncustomarily warm sun that Easter Sunday, taking their dogs for a walk and letting them off the lead. They all came up and sniffed and she wagged her tail. Her doggy body language was always open and welcoming and so she never got involved in a fight. The boys took her home. Simon looked at his watch.

"We ought to be ready for half past six. That gives us about an hour." They went up to their room and took another look at the photographs and decided what they wanted to order. A large portrait of Lucy to be framed was one of priorities. Meanwhile Philip had handed some of the pictures delivered that afternoon to Brabazon to be used as table decorations

"Good heavens!" said Adam. "You know what we haven't done? Put our photo on the menus." Adam booted up a computer while Simon ran downstairs to retrieve their particular one from Brabazon. He was not best pleased. When Simon got back the scanner was ready, he scanned the photo and placed it on the menu card. His part was done. It was Adam's job to print the final product. He printed twenty and took them down to Brabazon. That way they would share his disapproval. Looking at his watch Adam said "It's time we got ready. We've got a shower cap somewhere, haven't we? I daren't get this wet."

At twenty-five minutes past six Adam and Simon descended the main staircase, hand in hand, immaculately dressed in their suits, long sleeved cotton shirts, silk ties knotted to perfection and highly polished shoes. On this occasion Brabazon had acted against his principles and shone the boys' shoes for them. They went into the library where their father and Belinda were already drinking sherry, served themselves with fruit juice and sat down to chat, not forgetting to compliment Belinda on her gown, and thus getting her onside for the evening. They felt very grown up. For half an hour of their waking life they did not think of sex even once, but that was to revert to normal once their guests began to arrive.

The first were the Carltons and the Legges. Since there were nine of them plus luggage they had ordered a nine-seater minibus taxi. When Brabazon announced them Simon and Adam lined up in the hall to greet them. They were utterly amazed, in the first instance because they couldn't have imagined Tony and Ben, Mark and William more beautiful than they already were, but that evening they had made greater efforts. They hugged them while shaking hands with their parents, but the greatest surprise was to come. Angelica, the Thelwell girl in her jodhpurs, was transformed. Attired in a long ball gown in cerise and wearing her hair up she was an absolute beauty. The boys broke the rule of a lifetime and kissed her on the cheek. Ben and Tony returned outside to fetch their bags for their stay. A car drew up and a lone boy got out carrying a large overnight bag, said goodbye to his father and was announced by Brabazon.

"Master Samuel Welham." Adam and Simon gave him a hug, a close one so that their packages ground together, to set the seal on his sojourn. Finally could be heard the diesel engine of a farm Land Rover from which alighted the Banks family, Mrs Banks as always bearing gifts, despite the request on the invitation. "Mr and Mrs Giles Banks, Master Robin Banks and..." Brabazon waited for a prompt from the younger brother. "...and Master Martin Banks." The boys in their role as hosts welcomed them and followed their guests into the library. As Mrs Banks was greeted by Philip and introduced to Belinda, she said

"I just brought these. Our geese are going mad breeding this year and if we keep them we won't be able to cope. So here's a fresh free range goose. It was plucked only this morning and so if you keep it in a cool place, it will be just right for next weekend and here are half a dozen goose eggs to go with it. By the way you could put it in the freezer as well." Philip thanked her and handed the goodies to Brabazon.

"Did you hear that about keeping it for a week, Brabazon?"

"Yes, Mr Philip."

Simon and Adam could finally join their guests in the library. They acted as perfect hosts, circulating among all the guests, young and old alike, and although they found it hard work, they also felt at ease. The one person they didn't really know was Martin Banks. They'd met him on the farm, knew that he'd be coming to their school in the following September and that he was thoroughly heterosexual, and so they had no intention of trying to persuade him otherwise, although they did find him extremely dishy.

"Give him another couple of years and he'll be irresistible," Adam whispered to Simon as they went off to talk to Angelica.

"Hands off, my love. We're not in the business of conversion."

At that moment the dinner gong summoned the assembly to the dining room. When the boys saw how Brabazon had set out the table they was absolutely amazed. He had not used his skills since Mrs van den Berg had fallen ill, and this time he had excelled himself. Simon had been too young to join his parents' dinner parties and had no memories of such splendour. Philip sat at one end with Belinda on his right, Simon at the other with Adam on his right, and in between fourteen guests seated in such a manner as would enable the conversation to flow. After thanks was offered, Philip formally welcomed the guests and wished them an enjoyable evening. Brabazon had taken up his position behind Mr Philip and two of Mrs Green's daughters, dressed in black frocks and white aprons, flanked the dining room door ready to act as waitresses. The table decorations consisted of posies, a selection of the family photographs taken that afternoon and naturally the menu cards. Adam complimented their guests, but in particular their young guests on their appearances. They were all a credit to their families, and, although it was left unsaid, to their school where appearance and discipline in dress were impressed on the pupils. To begin with the assembled company was served with vegetable soup, homemade vegetable soup produced by Mrs Green. The boys had deliberately kept the menu simple, well knowing that lack of sophistication would be compensated for by top quality ingredients well cooked and well presented. The waitresses made sure everybody's glass was filled, whether it was with wine or soft drinks. William kept his part of the table entertained despite being under the close supervision of his sister. After the soup plates had been cleared dishes of fresh vegetables were placed on the table and the next course was eagerly awaited. The menu simply said 'Roast Pork', but when Brabazon arrived with a large, long silver platter on which ther e was a decorated hog sizzling, there was a spontaneous round of applause. Philip congratulated Brabazon who modestly said that Mrs Green was the one to be congratulated. As head of the family Philip symbolically carved a few slices which he left on the platter for Brabazon to take back to the kitchen and it re-appeared daintily sliced on large plates and set before each individual diner.

"It's a good job Isabella isn't here," announced Ben intentionally to Tony, unintentionally to the whole table. "She would have turned that down flat and made a fuss. She's recently turned veggie." It was one of those moments when by chance everyone is silent except for the single speaker. "'Oh, you don't eat dead animals, do you?' I certainly don't eat live ones, I told her." He suddenly realised he was the only one speaking and blushed. His mother was giving him one of her 'if looks could kill' looks. Apart from her the assembled company burst out laughing at the imitation. Even Peter Carlton was allowing himself a chuckle. He could never understand why his wife went on defending the indefensible as far as their daughter was concerned. He couldn't even understand where she got her attitude from. No one else in the family was like it. Even the milkman's a pleasant enough guy, he'd joke, providing of course that Judith Carlton was not within earshot. "Wow, am I glad I shan't be going home until Tuesday," Ben said to his neighbours in a quieter tone of voice.

Mrs Green's daughters offered second helpings of carved pork and because it was so succulent, many accepted the offer. The third course consisted of home made lemon meringue pie and cream with fresh fruit salad as an alternative, or even as a supplement for those with a younger appetite. Throughout the meal glasses were replenished according to wish and need. The cheese and fruit course was served, then coffee, tea or traditionally cocoa and after clearing as much as they could the staff retired to the kitchen. But before the hot drinks were brought in, Philip suggested a comfort break and that gave him and the boys an opportunity to go to the kitchen and thank Brabazon, Mrs Green and her daughters for the success of the evening.

"I know, Brabazon, this has stretched your resources, and so I want you to take a long weekend off next weekend. We'll look after ourselves, and Mrs Green, you are to take tomorrow off. It is bank holiday after all. Now who's taking you home tonight?"

"Now don't you worry about that, Mr Philip. I've got my daughters to look after me, and if you need anything next weekend, you just have to telephone me." Simon and Adam added their thanks and said how much they had enjoyed the food and how impressive the setting and presentation were. The family returned to the dining room and with a full complement the hot drinks were brought in. Even Lucy was allowed to join them now that there was no longer any food on the table.

The conversation was loud and animated. Philip lightly tapped his wine glass with his coffee spoon and there was silence.

"Ladies and gentleman, excuse my not standing, but I don't want to make this too formal. I really must say a few words, firstly to thank you all for coming, especially as it's Easter Day, secondly to express our gratitude to Brabazon, Mrs Green and her daughters for the hard work they have put into providing for us and preparing this splendid meal, and thirdly to remember why we are here.

"We are celebrating the completion of a year, the anniversary of Adam coming to live here and as a companion, friend, partner, brother and most importantly as a lover to Simon, and I do mean celebrate. When it happened it was an experiment and we did not know whether it would be a success or not. What we have in common here tonight is that we are all families with gay teenagers and together we have helped each other, not just to cope with the fact, but also to turn it into a positive experience. The experiment succeeded and we have a group of young people who are prepared to help others like themselves. At school they refer to themselves as the Cockatoo Club and we won't dwell on that." The members of the club all looked at one another and grinned. "We just want to support their aims and encourage their school to continue supporting them.

"Finally I want to propose a toast to Simon and Adam. I want to recognise what they have achieved in so many ways. We are sufficiently aware of their circumstances that I don't need to talk about them now. Therefore I would ask you to remain seated, but raise your glasses and drink a toast to Adam and Simon and their first anniversary."

Philip and the guests raised their glasses in response of the toast and everyone burst into applause. The two boys blushed at the attention they were getting. Adam stood up and said

"May we say a few words?" The guests assented and Adam began. "As you know, nearly two years ago the bottom fell out of my world when my parents were killed in a road traffic accident. While I was living in the orphanage I met Simon by chance and something magic happened. I don't know what. By subterfuge Simon searched for me and made it possible for me to come and live here and we have never looked back. I want to thank him and Philip for the opportunities they have given me.

"The invitation we sent out clearly stated 'No gifts, please', but I didn't receive an invitation and so I have a gift for Simon." He pulled a small package out of his inside pocket and handed it to Simon and kissed him on the lips, hugged him and kissed his lips again. Simon unwrapped a box opened it and took out a hallmarked silver identity bracelet engraved with Simon's name and on the other side a simple message of love. "Thank you, everybody, for coming tonight." Adam sat down to hearty applause. Now it was Simon's turn.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I don't really know how to respond to that. As you can imagine, my life was at rock bottom after the death of my mother, but I fleetingly met Adam at the wishing well in the park. The only thing I knew about him was that he was called Adam and that he lived in an orphanage, but he churned something up inside me and I had to meet him again. Talking to Dad we devised a plan and it ended up with Adam consenting to live here with us. He is now such a great part of my life and of the family that I don't know what I'd do without him. I do know that I love him dearly.

"I too did not receive an invitation and so I have a small gift." He handed it to Adam with a hug and kiss. Adam unwrapped it to find a box with a silver fountain pen, again hallmarked and engraved. Simon put his hand into his jacket pocket. "And here's a bottle of your favourite colour of ink."

"Turquoise to match your eyes," said Adam. Everyone laughed and he thanked Simon with another hug and a kiss.

"Thank you, everybody, for coming this evening. You've made us feel very proud," and Simon and Adam sat down to rapturous applause and cheers. Philip stood to announce that there was a table decoration for each lady to take away as a gift and that if anyone wanted to take the menu card or the photographs as a souvenir, they were welcome to.

"But it's not compulsory," added Adam to general laughter.

After that the whole company retired to the sitting room where Brabazon served drinks and people could circulate and talk to those they couldn't talk to over the dinner table.

Chapter 9

It was almost midnight by the time Adam and Simon had said good night to their non-resident guests and wished them a safe journey home. Despite the late hour William and Mark were particularly lively and excited. Those staying remained in the sitting room where Brabazon provided more drinks. Mrs Anstruther congratulated the boys on the success of the evening and the way they had performed their duties as hosts.

"You deserve a lie-in in the morning." Philip added that there would be brunch and they could come down when they were ready. In the afternoon their friends from school would be coming and staying for a barbecue in the late afternoon, early evening. Tony was the first to break ranks and say that he was tired after such a long day. Ben backed his boyfriend up with a polite yawn behind his hand and the pair said good night.

"We'll just show you to your room," said Simon. This was the first time they had had a room to themselves. They usually used either Simon's or Adam's. The four hugged before saying good night.

"I'll go too," said Sam. After he had been shown to Adam's room, Simon said

"We'll just say good night to Dad and Belinda and we'll be up as well."

"Don't go to sleep," added Adam "and get your running kit on. Fun time's about to begin."

Simon and Adam disappeared downstairs, said good night to Philip and Belinda and went into the kitchen to say good night to Mrs Green, her daughters and Brabazon and thank them again for making the evening such a success. By the time they returned upstairs Sam had showered and changed into his running kit. His white vest was a nice tight fit emphasising his nipples and tight upper body. Adam already had a semi and was licking his lips just looking at his white translucent shorts and the outline of the black jockstrap underneath. He wanted to feel him up to express his appreciation, but held back as there were a few niceties to go through before the boys' carnal nature completely took control of them. Simon was hard for a different reason. He was aroused just by watching his boyfriend and adopted brother, lover and partner, himself getting aroused by another boy.

"So how's your love life with Miles?" asked Simon.

"Okay, but..." replied Sam.

"But?" said Adam.

"We snog a bit and that usually leads on to a wank. If it's good, he lets me give him a BJ, but he won't give me one back, and going further is completely out of the question at the moment. It's taken us so long to get that far and I don't want to lose him as that would just leave me sleeping with Madam Palm and her five sons again."

"I think in the long term you've got to look for someone else," said Agony Uncle Adam. "But I haven't any suggestions at the moment. What about you, Si?"

"I can't think of anyone, either."

"So what are you looking for tonight, Sam?"

"Ever since you took me behind the holly bush and tossed me off that time, Adam, I've been wanting the return match. You know, I probably think of that and you more than I think of Miles. I don't really think we're boyfriends even, just good friends and sex buddies."

"Okay," said Adam. "You're going to have the chance tonight of getting even and more."

"So what are we going to do?"

"With your full consent," said Simon "chapter two of the van den Berg - Neave Volume of Sexual Training for Homosexual Youths."

"Why not chapter one?"

"You've covered that already," Simon assured him.

"And what does that mean?"

"Basically," said Adam "we both screw your arse."

"To show you two different techniques, you understand," interjected Simon.

"And then you screw us two, either one of us tonight and the other in the morning or, if you can manage it, both of us tonight."

"Deal or no deal?" Sam's eyes lit up. Without hesitation he replied

"Deal," and they shook hands on it.

"Fine," said Adam. "This is how it happens. You're sure you don't want to take a dump before we begin?"

"No, I had one before I left home this evening."

"And you had a good shower just now?" Sam nodded. "Okay. Simon's going first because he got a dick like a hypodermic needle and he'll open up your sphincter nicely. We take it you're still a bottom virgin from what you said. Then you'll get me and as you jolly well know from all the checking out you've done, I've got a dick like a cold chisel and you need to be well prepared to take it. Similarly, when you top us, you'll take Simon first as he's dead easy to penetrate, but despite all his efforts my hole is a tight as a duck's arse..."

"And that's watertight," completed Simon. "Now we know we are clean," he continued "and you're a virgin, but we still use protection if we have sex with anyone else."

"House rule," said Adam.

"Still okay with everything?"

"I sure am," said Sam. "My jock's moist already. Hey, by the way, why did I have to wear running kit and a jockstrap?"

"Pure lust," replied Adam. "I have a jockstrap fetish. I just adore it at school when I watch you warm up and I can see those straps stretched across your buns."

"I shall have to watch that in future," said Sam.

"Oh no you don't," said Adam. "That's pay back for what you're getting tonight. You also turn me on in PE when you try a cover the bottom half of your leotard with those skimpy shorts of yours."

"Yeah, my mother keeps saying I ought to get some new ones and threatening to give the old ones to the charity shop."

"You'd better hide them from her."

"You know Adam's saved you several times from being raped?" said Simon.

"What? How?"

"I've controlled myself," said Adam.

"Ho, ho, ho," said Sam, going into laughing policeman mode.

"Still happy, Sam?" said Adam.

"Can't wait."

"You're going to have to. We're going to freshen up. Just lie on the bed patiently."

"And no fiddling with yourself," said Simon. "We don't want any premature ejaculations. They spoil the fun."

Ten minutes later Simon and Adam emerged from the bathroom into Adam's bedroom dressed just in white towelling loincloths.

"We start off with Hulka69's rule," said Adam.

"We got it off the internet."

"What's that?"

"You'll see." Adam was taking over. "Stand up against the wall." Sam did as he was told and Adam pinned him against it kissing him deeply. The little groans emanating from Sam showed he was enjoying it until he gave a short intake of breath as Adam slipped his hands inside his shorts and caressed the bulge they were guarding. He felt Sam's semi hard dick rebel against his jock and spring to attention. At the same time he brought Sam's hand down and under his loincloth so that he too could have a good feel. Adam struggled to pull down Sam's shorts and jockstrap. Sam helped and smiled. Ah! The sweet surrender. Meantime Simon had pulled the duvet off the bed and arranged the requisites on the bedside table. Adam told Sam to kneel on the bed and Simon started applying the K-Y. Sam flinched at the sudden cold in his crevice. Simon's fingers met little resistance.

"You're ready now, Sam." Adam took the loincloth off his boyfriend, carefully squeezed a blue condom out of its foil and slipped it over Simon's already erect prick and drizzled some more K-Y over it. Simon lined up with Sam's rosebud and pushed. He sank in a treat. Sam was obviously a born gay bottom. While Simon was performing, Adam stripped off his loincloth, walked across the room, picked up Sam's jock and in front of him took a deep sniff at it. Sam and Simon watched him grow instantly hard again. Adam could tell Simon was about to orgasm and so he peeled another jonnie, a red one, from it foil and slipped it along the length of his shaft, ready to go as soon as Simon pulled out. Adam lined up Sam's hole which was oozing with excess K-Y and carefully pressed in. Sam's sphincter offered no resistance. Simon had done a superb job. Adam pulled out, told Sam to lie on his back with his legs on Adam's shoulders. Adam lay prone in between them, found Sam's hole again and pressed home.

"All right, Sam?" he asked with a re-assuring smile. Sam smiled back and nodded. Adam leant forward and gave him a deep French kiss. He worked his thrusts slowly and carefully. He didn't want Sam's prostate to give him an orgasm. He would much rather have Sam topping before they went to sleep. Finally Adam could hold back no more. He gave a little shout as his seed squirted into the teat on the end of the condom. He withdrew quickly, took the condom off his dick, knotted it and held it up to the light for inspection. He was amazed that his seminal produce had filled far more than the teat at the end.

"You now know why my arse ends up as cream pie. You always produce twice as much spunk as anyone else I know," said Simon obviously proud that his lover was capable of so much production. Sam relaxed, recovering from his little adventure into the loss of his virginity.

While Simon tidied up the room Adam just stood there admiring Sam. On his dick the bedside lamp just caught a drop of precum which acted as a prism scattering the light into several colours. Adam fetched his camera to try and capture the moment. Several more snaps were taken for the guestbook. Then Sam's dick raised its head announcing that it was ready for the second half. Simon knelt on the bed, Sam diffidently lubed him up and Adam fetched the green rubber he was about to roll down Sam's shaft. Sam lined up his dick with Simon's hole as he had felt it done to him and gingerly pressed home. He found it easy to penetrate and from then on just did what nature told him to. It was a feeling far greater than anything he had so far experienced, more satisfying than when Adam had jerked him off behind the holly bush. It seemed like ages, but eventually his balls tightened and he shot his load. Like Adam he withdrew, knotted the condom and admired what he had produced. It was the first time he had used one outside PHSE lessons.

"How was that?" asked Simon.

"Fantastic," Sam replied.

"Not many people say that after their first time," said Adam. "It's Simon's fantastic technique. He's the best bottom in the world, better than you even, though you were very good. Fancy some more?"

"I don't think so. I'm going to have to save it up for the morning."

The boys tidied up the room. Adam picked up Sam's jockstrap.

"You're going to lose this, I'm afraid. It's going into my collection. Don't worry. You'll get a new one before term begins." Sam was on too much of a high to protest. Adam put the article into a resealable plastic bag and left it on his dressing table.

"That reminds me," said Simon. "I'll need some. I'm down to one after the hockey tournament. I forgot to tell you I did a swap with Oscar after the final match."

"Mmm," said Adam. "I look forward to sniffing that."

"You two can be really gross at times," said Sam.

"Oh, sorry, luv. Forgot you were there," said Adam in a camp voice.

"Humph, that does a lot for a boy's ego after you've just shagged the living daylights out of him. I feel like a used condom..."

"That's all right. I think I can find one for you."

"Discarded." The last word was drowned out as all three boys dissolved into uncontrollable mirth.

"We'll look on the net tomorrow and then you can decide which model you want." Sam climbed into Adam's bed and said good night. He fell asleep instantly. Adam and Simon finished off what they were doing, cleaned their teeth, kissed each other good night and climbed into Adam's bed, one either side of Sam, three naked boys together.

Chapter 10

The bank holiday dawned grey and still, not that it concerned our three boys for they were still fast asleep. Across the corridor the old married couple, Ben and Tony, were still out for the count. It had been half past one before they got round to putting the light out and going to sleep. The only ones stirring were Philip in the shower and Brabazon in the kitchen. It was the kind of grey where the spring sun is still slowly drawing the winter moisture out of the ground and as it gained height it would disperse the mist with a promise of a sunny late morning and afternoon, guaranteed by the glass which had risen over the past few days. When Philip got downstairs, he said good morning to Brabazon who immediately provided him with some coffee.

"I'll wait for breakfast until Mrs Anstruther comes down, but that may not be for a while yet, and I don't think you'll see the boys for some time either."

"Very good, Mr Philip."

"I'm surprised to see you here so early. Don't you ever sleep?"

"If you are in service you get used to house parties with a late night followed by an early morning. It's expected and is part of the job."

"I must say everything went brilliantly last night."

"Thank you, sir. I was impressed with the way the young people comported themselves, and the way they made an effort with their dress."

"Simon and Adam wanted black tie, but I pointed out that would be a financial burden on their younger guests."

"It's nice to hear of such standards. Your father would have approved, Mr Philip."

"But my father and mother would have sent me to bed early and not allowed me to join in, and certainly wouldn't have even countenanced inviting young people of school age."

"No, sir."

"I'm going to take the hound as you call her for a walk." Lucy gave Philip a baleful look. It was bad enough being referred to as 'the hound' by the snooty butler, but when her own humans did, that was insult added to injury. "If Mrs Anstruther comes down, tell her where I am and I'll join her for breakfast as soon as possible."

"Very good, Mr Philip."

Meanwhile upstairs in one of the guest rooms something was beginning to stir. It was Ben's dick although the rest of his body was still pretty immobile. It wasn't morning wood; he had emptied his bladder earlier. It was caused by lust. Finally he summoned sufficient strength to awaken his boyfriend with a kiss and Tony responded. In the beginning they had faithfully kept the six month rule and now that they no longer used protection it added to the spontaneity of their lovemaking. As Belinda passed their door on her way downstairs, she smiled to herself on hearing the noises emanating from their room. 'After all, I am in no position to judge other people,' she said to herself as she thought back to the night she had just spent in the van den Berg household.

Of the threesome Simon was the first to wake. He went into the bathroom to relieve himself, then back into Adam's bedroom where he drew the curtains, opened the windows to let some air from outside replace the foetid atmosphere generated by three teenagers after a full and flavoursome meal. By now the other two were wide awake, assaulted by the toxic fresh air flowing in from outside. Adam looked at his alarm clock.

"Eugh! Half past nine. Is that all?"

"We don't need to go down till eleven," said Simon. "That's what I told Tony and Ben and they've been here enough times to know they can amuse themselves in the games room or even go for a swim if we're not about."

"They'll be amusing themselves," said Adam "but I don't think it will be in the games room." The three boys sniggered.

"Talking of which," said Simon "are you ready, Sam, to take advantage of my boyfriend?"

"I think I'd better go and do something first," said Adam "and out of fairness to Sam give myself the dreaded e-n-e-m-a. I'll use the guest bathroom." He picked up a case from his own bathroom, looked at his hair in the mirror - "That's survived the night well." - put on a dressing gown and disappeared into the corridor.

"Enema? What's that?" enquired Sam.

"Chapter 3 of our manual. Human bodies can be sordid and it's how to make yourself more pleasant for your partner, especially if you're barebacking or rimming." Sam looked even more puzzled and so Simon sat him down for a full explanation.

"By golly, I feel better for that," exclaimed Adam on his return. "Everybody should have one. Are you ready, Sam? This is what you've been after ever since the holly bush."

Sam had a stubby dick with nice round, tight balls. In a relaxed state his foreskin just revealed his peehole and little else. Together they formed an aesthetically pleasing package in shorts or in a speedo without being too showy, but still arousing the curiosity of the connoisseur. He was what one might call average in size, I suppose. However, he was definitely a grower and Adam was anticipating some fun once they had finally conjoined. Sam was made to lube Adam up as part of his education, and as it was its wont to do, and Simon had often found out to his own cost, his sphincter clamped down on Sam's courting finger. He yelped.

"Careful," said Simon. "That can happen to your dick as well and it's completely involuntary. I said Adam was tight." The preliminaries over Adam lay down on his back and spread his legs. Under Simon's instruction Sam completed the dirty deed.

"Can you take a bit more?" asked Simon.

"I can always take you," answered Adam with a lascivious grin. Simon climbed on while Sam watched a bareback performance. When Simon had shot his load, he said to Sam

"Because he's had an enema, we can do this," and Adam took up a kneeling position on the bed exposing the spunk dripping out of his hole. Simon licked it clean which made Adam gasp and with his seed still in his mouth then gave Adam a long French kiss. Instead of being grossed out as they expected him to be Sam was absolutely enthralled. Losing his virginity back and front had released his curiosity. He was now initiated.

The boys showered and Adam was amazed to see that his curls fell back into shape after he'd dried his hair with a towel.

"Now, Sam, we've got a favour to ask of you."

"What's that?" asked Sam. "You don't want me to rim your arses, do you? I'm not that far advanced yet."

"Shame," said Simon.

"No," said Adam, "nothing like that. You know the photos we had had taken for our anniversary? We'd like some like those, but naked."

"We couldn't ask the professional photographer to do that. He was..."

"Dodgy," completed Adam.

"And we'll try not to get stiffies."

"It doesn't matter if we do. You can still photograph us."

"The difficulty," said Simon is finding a decent background."

"I've got it," said Adam. "The summerhouse. Ben and Tony can come and watch if they like."

"They won't see anything they haven't seen before."

"Or handled," added Adam.

"We like to share." The boys finally managed to get dressed, Adam and Simon in white rugby shorts and red polo shirts.

Do you always dress the same at home?" enquired Sam.

"Quite often," replied Simon.

"We always do at school. We call it corporate identity at home."

"We call it school uniform at school," quipped Simon.

"And because we're roughly the same size we often share clothes and don't worry whose we're wearing."

"What? Even underclothes?"

"Well, you've seen how close we get. Do you think a little thing like that is going to worry us?"

Tony and Ben were already having brunch when Adam, Sam and Simon finally emerged in the kitchen.

"Did you have a good night?" asked Adam.

"And a good morning," grinned Ben.

"How about you?" asked Tony.

"We'll let Sam answer that one," said Simon. The smile on Sam's face and the way he had walked into the kitchen were sufficient to answer that question.

Belinda arrived in the kitchen at that moment to pour herself another cup of coffee, but on seeing the boys decided to sit down and chat to them. She asked them what they were going to do when their friends came and explained that she would be leaving shortly after the barbecue, especially as Philip would be motoring up to London that evening and staying at his club.

"Yes, he's away for the rest of the week," said Simon. "Got a conscience because he took a couple of days off last week to watch me play hockey... and he's the boss."

"He's going to take us away for a long weekend next weekend," said Adam.

"Where to?" asked Belinda.

"He doesn't know yet," Adam replied.

"Not till his PA has booked it for him," added Simon with a laugh.

"And how have my fellow guests enjoyed their stay?" All three boys faces lit up at the question, but their answers were confined to the previous night's celebration. At that moment Lucy pushed the kitchen door open, came in and greeted everyone in turn.

"I'd better let you boys get on with whatever you're going to do." Belinda refilled her coffee cup and returned to the sitting room where Philip was reading the Sunday papers.

"This is the plan," explained Simon. "The first thing is that Sam is going to take some photos of us in the summerhouse." He omitted the essential word. "Then we've got to help Brabazon set up the barbie, then it's brunch part two, and then our time's our own until the lads turn up at about two o'clock."

"It doesn't feel like a Monday," said Adam apropos of nothing. They all looked at him and exclaimed 'Duh!' Simon fetched his camera, checked the battery and the boys made their way out to the summerhouse with Lucy bounding after them. They found a white sheet which they hung up as background. They stripped off their kit. Sam took several pictures of them as a couple, solo, with and without Lucy. Tony and Ben sat quietly in the corner while this was going on. Nothing surprised them any more, but they were both nursing stiffies and not looking forward to the time when they would have to stand up. The shoot over Simon put his camera away safely in his room and everyone went to help Brabazon. They could upload the pics later in the week. There was no hurry.

As the hour of two approached the members of the Cockatoo Club arrived in dribs and drabs, some on cycles, others conveyed by Dad's or Mum's Taxi Service. You heard when William accompanied by Mark turned up. On Miles's arrival Sam went and greeted him and gave him a hug. It was interesting that Martin turned up with his brother. Not that anyone minded. Finally all twelve were assembled and the football could begin. They picked teams and the two youngest were made captains and allowed to choose. The only rules were that items and brothers had to be on opposing teams. That would make it more open and competitive. Mark volunteered his team to be skins and as the skins took off their tops they made goals with them at either end of the lawn. Adam brought out the football and they could get started.

Philip and Belinda sat together on the sun lounger and watched. Now that the barbecue and the chairs had been brought out onto the patio Brabazon seemed quite happy going about his business getting the fire going, bringing out the plates and the cutlery and providing drinks whenever necessary.

"You know, Philip, you wouldn't think those were the same boys that were sitting round the dinner table last night."

"No. Yesterday they were civilised to a degree you couldn't demand of pubescent teenagers. They were so polite, responsible, urbane, smart. Today they have reverted to type. I can't say I like the soccer behaviour. You just have to look at their body language. It's so truculent when something doesn't go their way. Yet the strange thing is you never see it on the rugby field. They just get on with the game. Nor the hockey field, come to think of it."

"It's interesting too," said Belinda "that those fifteen year olds are allowing themselves to be bossed around by the youngest two."

"In one way you're right, my dear. In another it shows what supreme confidence they have in themselves that they don't have to be proving themselves all the time. I am so pleased that I sent my boys to that school. It has done marvels for them. It helped Simon through that difficult time after his mother died, and the way it's transformed Adam in just a year."

"And you're telling me that they are all from the same school and that they are all gay?"

"That's not quite right. Two of them don't go to school there. The smaller captain starts in September and also one of the boys is not gay. I wonder whether you can pick them out." Belinda sat there and mused for a few moments.

"No, I haven't a clue."

"Well, doesn't that tell you something? How well integrated they are. I'm not going to tell you because it's not important." Lucy sauntered along and climbed up and sat on Philip's lap.

The sun had done its job. It was a warm, fresh afternoon with not a cloud in the sky. It was soon time for Brabazon to call the boys in and serve them with cold refreshing drinks. As they wandered off the field toward the patio they were wiping their foreheads, faces and bodies with their shirts. It was sweet to see Sam and Miles sitting together chatting. I wonder if Sam was telling him about his adventures overnight. After they had had time to recover, Simon stood up and announced that it was time to go swimming.

"All right, Dad?"

"Yes, I can hear the house phone from here, Simon." The boys disappeared down the steps, into the games room and through to the swimming pool which he unlocked.

"Before you get changed, just a reminder to shower before and after, and that there must always be at least one person out on the side watching in case anyone gets into difficulty."

"I'll volunteer to do first watch," called out William.

"It's watching for difficulties, Will," said Tony, "not boywatching."

"I'll cope with both, bro," he grinned back. The boys were used to the routine. They stripped off without further ado, ran under the shower to rinse off mud, grass and excess sweat and jumped or dived into the pool. They played games, dicktag being a popular one, divebombed and ducked their friends. Eventually Will allowed himself to be relieved as lifeguard and ironically the only one to pop a boner was Martin, the one str8 guy, but he'd seen plenty of those among the stock on the farm for him to become embarrassed about it and he simply dived into the water. Simon and Adam stood on the side watching their fellows.

"Am I glad you shaved me last week. One or two here could do with getting the Gillette out. OMG!"

"What?" said Simon.

"I've just realised we're breaking a cardinal house rule."

"What's that?"

"No, absolutely no, skinnydipping when there are ladies on the premises."

"Oh dear," said Simon. "It's a bit too late to do anything about it now. I'll tell you what. If you promise not to tell Dad, I won't mention either and we'll just have to rely on our friends not to open their big mouths at the wrong moment."

In due course Adam and Simon called time and reluctantly the boys got out, went under the shower continuing their game of dicktag, finally switched the water off, grabbed a bath towel from the pile, dried themselves off and got dressed. By the time they emerged into the light again Brabazon was already inviting Philip and Belinda to select their food from the barbecue, a proper one with charcoal, not one of those cheating ones with the propane gas bottle. The boys took plates and cutlery and queued up. In their animated state no one noticed Sam and Miles, carrying plates piled high, walk off to the summerhouse together. Simon and Adam walked across to Robin's brother.

"That's a mean game of soccer you played, Martin," said Adam, "especially against kids our size."

"We play soccer at my school."

"You'll have to swap that for rugby next term."

"I'll cope."

"Are you looking forward to coming?" asked Simon.

"Yes and no. Rob says it's a great place to be, but I won't be able to spend so much time on the farm and Mum and Dad need all the help they can get." Adam and Simon went across to Steve and Fran who were talking.

"Have you got over that game?" said Simon.

"Too much for me," answered Fran. "Not the sort of thing for a lady, and I am a lady," and he gave an outrageous look, just like the television character in Little Britain. He lowered his voice. "You know, I'm going to a fancy dress party next Saturday and I really am going dressed up as a lady. I can't wait." They passed on to Mark and William.

"How did you enjoy last night?"

"Fab," said Mark. "I've never done anything like that before."

"And Will didn't keep you awake?" said Adam.

"I kept him awake, more like it," grinned Mark.

"He's a randy little bugger," said William. Adam raised an eyebrow at the language." William blushed. Philip stood up and said above the other voices

"Come along, lads. Don't hold back. There's plenty of food and drink and it will be wasted if it's not eaten up." At that moment Adam noticed that they hadn't seen Sam or Miles.

"What's happened to them, Si?"

"The last I saw of them," said Ben "they were walking towards the summerhouse." Simon walked across and peered through the window. He saw them in deep conversation. At least they had eaten their food. He knocked on glass. They looked up startled.

"Come on, you two. You're missing out on the grub."

"Okay, give us a couple of minutes," Sam shouted back. Simon wandered back to the crowd on the patio and filled his plate. He and Adam had been so busy talking that they had forgotten to eat and were feeling hungry. Finally Miles and Sam could be seen making their way back to the barbecue. They went up to Simon and Adam.

"We've got something to say," said Sam.

"And we'd like to tell everybody," said Miles. Not suspecting what it might be Simon clapped his hands and asked everyone to listen. It was Miles who spoke. "We have decided to split up. We're not going to be boyfriends any more." There were groans and cries of 'aaah!'.

"But we're going to remain friends," added Sam. Everybody clapped them for being so open and brave. They hugged and then everyone crowded round.

Chapter 11

The light was beginning to fail, parents were arriving to take their offspring home. They were offered a drink and sustenance and they chatted amongst themselves.

"Philip, I really must slip away," said Belinda. "I want to be home before midnight." She sought out Simon and Adam and said what a fabulous time she had had, thanking them and saying she would see them again soon. Her luggage was already in her car and Philip walked her to it. He kissed her on the cheek as she climbed in, waving as she drove down the drive. He rejoined the barbecue.

"All right, Dad?"

"Yes, fine, thanks, Simon," he said. "I must get changed and go as soon as the guests have gone. I'll be back Friday afternoon and see you when you get home from school."

"We're not at school, Dad. We've got another couple of weeks' holiday."

"Of course you have. How silly of me. That's even better. Be prepared for anything. And congratulations on this weekend. You've kept up the family traditions."

"Thank you, Dad."

One guest leaving is the catalyst needed and within ten minutes the last visitor had gone. Adam and Simon, Sam, Ben and Tony helped Brabazon to clear away. It was dark now. They then sat in the kitchen and helped to devour the remains and drink cocoa. Simon and Adam still hadn't had the opportunity to eat very much while they were looking after their guests. The boys then retired to the TV room and Adam put on a DVD of Alan Bennett's The History Boys.

"As recommended by P Jamieson," said Adam.

"Who's he?" said Ben.

"The media critic in GY mag."

After the film had finished, the boys decided to turn in. They were just about beginning to feel the stresses and strains of the last thirty-six hours and they also wanted to make good use of the time they had together. When Brabazon was finished he would retire to his flat and the boys would have the house to themselves. The following day was his day off and they would be cared for by Mrs Green. Okay, no naked swimming, but they could live with that for a day. Tony and Ben said good night and the boys hugged. Simon let Lucy outside for five minutes, said good night to Brabazon and joined Adam and Sam upstairs.

"Do you want to talk, Sam?" said Adam.

"Sure, if only to get it off my chest." Simon joined them. "From what I said last night it was obvious that the relationship was going nowhere. We wanted different things. And then you taught me what it was really like to have gay sex and I thought that's what I want. So anyway, I thought it was a good chance to talk to Miles today. I didn't have to tell him about last night, though I mentioned it in passing. The upshot of it all is that he doesn't think he's really gay. He said he was curious and after we'd snogged and jerked off together, he didn't really want to go any further and he felt his curiosity had been satisfied. He thinks he might be bi, but at fourteen he was too young to know and didn't want to rush into anything, and he didn't want to hold me back. So we decided to make a clean break, put it down to experience, let everyone know and still be friends."

"And are you down about it?" said Adam.

"No, not in the least. That's the odd thing. I feel free."

"Are you up for a bit of fun tonight?" asked Simon.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world. And tomorrow morning. It looks as if a bit of rumpy-pumpy is going to be scarce for a few weeks." Simon and Adam admired the good humour with which he accepted his situation.

At ten o'clock the following morning there were five very cheerful boys sitting round the kitchen table being looked after by an equally cheerful Mrs Green. She always enjoyed having someone to cook for and so each boy had a large plate of scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, mushrooms and baked beans in front of them. Outside the sun was shining in a blue sky and the weather looked set fair for a few days. An SUV drew up outside and Mrs Green went to open the door. She came back with Amanda Legge, closely followed by William. She was doing the day job, Mum's taxi service. She had deposited Mark at his home and had now come to whisk away Tony and take Ben back to his parents. Mrs Green poured her a mug of tea from a large pot and asked William if he wanted a drink. It would be a little while before the full English was fully devoured. Another vehicle drew up and Mrs Green brought Mrs Welham into the kitchen. Amanda Legge introduced herself. She vaguely knew Sam's mother from school functions, but soon they were chatting together as mums do. It was eleven before the two mothers parted with their respective charges and after two days of hospitality an eerie silence descended on the van den Berg household.

"I don't think you'll be wanting much lunch today," said Mrs Green. "What I'll do is cook you high tea and if you're hungry in the meantime I can always find some nibbles for you. You'll have to put up with my pointed chips. Now, have you two stripped your beds? I didn't think so. Off you go. Do it now. Put any dirty clothes in the linen basket and tell me you're ready and I don't want you back in there for another hour. I'll give your rooms a jolly good cleaning. I never know what I'm going to find tucked under your pillows or shoved under the beds." Both boys blushed and thought they'd better have a thorough tidying session before giving Mrs Green the all clear. "I'm just used to daughters. They're tidier than boys."

Simon and Adam thanked Mrs Green for cooking them such a superb breakfast and went up to get on with their chores. They then went out onto the patio and sat together on the swinging sun lounger, that is until Lucy decided to come out and lie between them and that soon stopped any hanky panky. The boys were grateful that they were their own bosses until the weekend. They soon dropped off in the warmth of the sun for despite the hours they had spent in bed they had in fact not had their full quota of sleep and with the pressures of cross-country and Oxford hockey they felt that they still had not recovered from school.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday they spent doing their own thing - running, walking the dog, swimming, amusing themselves in the games room, trying a little work with weights, reading and in between lots and lots of sex. They made love night and morning, but it was the spontaneous little adventures in between, which could best be described as fooling around, that they found were so much fun. They thought they might have seen some of their friends, but no one came near. Some appreciative notes arrived in the post from their guests. They recognised the one from Belinda Anstruther immediately from the high quality envelope and the large open handwriting in black ink. Even Angelica had found time to dismount from her horse and write a note, which, she explained, was also on behalf of her brothers as boys just don't how to write letters. Ben had put pen to paper, but as the boys read it they could unfortunately almost see Judith Carlton standing over him as he did it.

By Thursday it was beginning to feel more like the school holidays. The boys were sitting in the sun on the lounger waiting for Brabazon to call them for lunch. The days were getting noticeable longer and they were waking earlier. Before breakfast they had already made love and gone for their run, taking Lucy with them. After breakfast they read the newspapers, waiting for their breakfast to go down before going down to the pool, swimming fifty lengths and practising tumble turns. Adam had had to teach Simon how to do them and he was very pleased with the progress he made. Now dressed in shorts and a tanktop they were happy to absorb the sun's rays and manufacture vitamin D. Lucy had inveigled her way in between them and was now fast asleep.

"You know our party, Si?"

"Mmm."

"If we could have invited whoever we liked as guests, who would you have had?"

"You'd have invited Tom Daley for starters."

"Yeah, and you would have invited Daniel Radcliffe."

"So who else then?"

"Well, David Beckham, but he'd have to promise to leave Old Spice at home..."

"Posh Spice."

"Whatever, and he'd have to promise not to keep saying 'you know'. That would have driven me up the wall. Who else?"

"Ben Silverstone from the Get Real movie," said Simon. "There must be a lot of others."

"We'll think about it." At that moment the dinner gong sounded. "Time to go and wash our hands. Talking about Tom Daley, you don't wear his speedo."

"Difficult one that. Do I wear it and risk wearing it out, or more likely bleaching the colours or do I keep it in pristine condition? I love wearing it, but I don't feel I do it justice in the lunchbox area."

"What you? Have you taken a close look at his bulge?"

"As close as I can, but I've never seen him naked."

"Well, I reckon you'd match him any day."

"Of course, it's one of those funny things. You look much bigger when you look at yourself in the mirror than when you look str8 down and that's why other boys always look bigger." At that point they'd reached the kitchen and saw that Brabazon had prepared a salad.

On Friday morning the boys returned from their run, Lucy leading. With sweat pouring down their faces they burst into the kitchen to let Brabazon know that they were back and that they just going down for their swim.

"Ah Master Simon, Master Adam, I have just received a communication from your father." He still winced a little if he caught himself referring to Mr Philip as Adam's father, albeit foster father. "I shall pack cases for you and provide you with some money and you are to meet him by seven o'clock at Euston Station in London this evening." The boys looked surprised.

"Where on Euston Station?" asked Adam.

"Platform seven."

"Did he say anything else?" Simon wanted to know.

"Only that there would be time to dine before the train left."

"Fine," said Simon.

"Okay," said Adam. The boys looked at one another nonplussed and shrugged their shoulders.

"We're just going for a swim, Brabazon," said Simon. As they walked down to the swimming pool Simon said "Hey Adam, where do trains go to from Euston?"

"Dunno. Birmingham? Liverpool? Manchester? Places like that."

"Doesn't tell us very much." They slipped into their speedos, Adam into his Tom Daley one to please Simon, and got on with their fifty lengths. Adam would always finish before Simon, then climb out on the side and watch him.

"Mmm, only three lengths behind me, Si. That's great. I'll have to do some work or you'll be overtaking me."

Late afternoon Adam and Simon were ready to travel. Brabazon gave them each an envelope with some banknotes in.

"Now you should have sufficient there for the train fare, single, and a taxi across London, and anything you might need on the journey. Now have you got some pocket money?"

"Yes, Brabazon, but we've got our bank cards and can go to an ATM if need be."

"I've put your cases into my car and I'll run you down to the station. Oh, you'll need your anoraks. It can grow quite cool in the evening in London this time of year." Adam took his rucksack packed with the things he thought Brabazon might have forgotten, such as K-Y, and the new edition of GY magazine which had arrived with the newspapers that morning. They said goodbye to Lucy who would be spending the weekend with Mrs Green and went out and got into Brabazon's car.

Simon and Adam felt quite grown up at being allowed to do things for themselves such as buying a railway ticket and travelling unaccompanied. By and large they had both lived sheltered existences. They realised how lucky they were to be travelling up to London against the rush hour as they saw the crowded trains going the other way. Simon looked out of the window, Adam was leafing through his magazine.

"Hey Si, I like this one."

"What's that?"

"You know they put a quotation above the editorial. Well, here's this month's. 'Teenage boys are like flowers - bursting forth in glorious beauty, precious because their beauty will fade so fast!'"

"Isn't that what we've always said? Even about ourselves?"

"Oh, yes. About how attractive we all were in Year 9, but we lost it when we went into Year 10."

"Who's it a quotation from?"

"Doesn't say."

They arrived in London on time. Since it was gone six the rush hour was quickly easing. They had no difficulty finding a cab as there were plenty bringing in commuters to catch their trains to the suburbs and the countryside.

"Where do you lads want to go at Euston?"

"Platform seven."

"Okay, I'll take you to the cab rank. Then you'll only be a few yards away."

"Thank you, driver." They climbed out of the taxi with their luggage and Simon paid the driver.

"That's too much for a tip, son," and the driver gave him fifty pence back.

They looked around and immediately saw Philip waiting for them near to the entrance to platform seven. He gave both boys a hug and said hello.

"So, Dad, what's this all about?" said Simon.

"We'll go and get something to eat and I'll tell you over dinner. Let's register our luggage first." They went into the left luggage office, Philip showed the man behind the counter his train tickets, paid, and the cases were taken off them. "It's all right. We'll find these again in our cabins."

"Cabins?"

"Sleeping berths, whatever. I'll explain later." They went into the station restaurant, were seated and they ordered.

"Now what's this all about?" demanded Adam who was as curious to find out as Simon.

"We're booked onto one of these special steam trips on the railway. We're going on the sleeper to Glasgow. That's a normal scheduled service by the way. Then we catch a luxury train pulled by a steam engine that will take us to Fort William. We stay the night there, then Sunday the train takes us on to Mallaig. From Mallaig we catch the ferry to Armadale, stay at a hotel on the Isle of Skye, then we're taken to the Kyle of Lochalsh where we catch another chartered steam train to Inverness, and finally we catch the sleeper back to London Euston. And don't worry about your bags. They all mysteriously turn up in you room or sleeping berth."

"Cool," said Simon.

"Wicked," said Adam.

"I thought we would get a bit of pampering, see some great scenery and most important of all it would force us to relax and rest. All three of us tend to be active all the time and it won't hurt any of us to do nothing for three days." Meanwhile the main course had arrived. "You'll see that Brabazon has packed your suits, formal shirts and ties, as well as proper shoes. Oh, and those things right on top of your cases are called pyjamas. I know you don't usually use them, but you'll need them in the sleepers if not in the hotels."

Chapter 12

Excitement had already taken over the boys while they were eating their meal.

"There's no use hurrying," said Philip. "We can't board until half past ten. The train will leave when it's ready and even then it will probably be shunted into a siding at Glasgow until it's a reasonable hour for people to get up. Then we'll have breakfast on Glasgow station. After breakfast we catch a taxi to Queen Street station. Once we leave we'll have lunch on the train, but I don't know which sitting we've got. The second one's better as you'll feel hungry by then and afterwards there's no pressure on you to leave your seats in the dining car."

They wouldn't have called their sleep on the train perfect, but it was better than dozing slumped up in the corner of an ordinary train compartment. They blamed it on the almost forgotten experience of sleeping alone in single bunks and wearing pyjamas. However, they were fast asleep when the attendant called them at seven. They managed a shower, but not together, and were obviously feeling the strains of no sexual contact since the previous morning.

"Hey Si, do you realise that this is the first time I've had to wank myself off since I came to live with you?" Adam said as he towelled himself down.

"It's all right, my love. I'll make it up to you tonight. I hope you were thinking of me as you did it."

"Who else?"

A few minutes later Philip knocked on their door and asked if they were ready. Glasgow Central was already quite busy, even on a Saturday morning. They headed str8 for the station buffet. Simon immediately let himself down by asking for a full English breakfast.

"Ye'll nay get a Sassenach breakfast in Glasgie, laddie," chided the friendly native waitress in the enchanting tones of a Glaswegian working class accent. Adam dug him in the ribs and giggled.

"Ask for a Scottish one," he said in a half whisper which could be heard all over the buffet room. "You'll get the same with a double helping of black pudding and a deep fried Mars bar." From that moment the family were marked men, despite Philip's efforts to disown them, all exacerbated by the boys' exaggerated English public school accent. Even at an early hour after a less than satisfactory night's sleep the team was sufficiently acute to wring the last drop of humour out of a situation. Philip was relieved when they had finally finished and they left to go to the taxi rank. Philip couldn't tell them off because he'd enjoyed the joke as much as they had, but he did warn them that they might not get away with it next time and that keeping a low profile was the important thing, particularly in Glasgow and even more so if you're English.

Their train was waiting for them, but the locomotive wasn't attached yet. The first job was to hand the luggage in, then to find the carriage and reservation. Philip and the boys were greeted by the attendant and settled in their seats, given details of the journey and served with a hot drink. It was distinctly cooler in Scotland and Simon and Adam put their anoraks on before going out to see if the engine had arrived and to take some photos. Finally it was time for the off. The guard blew his whistle, the remaining passengers boarded and the train left. At first the railway followed the Firth of Clyde, then turned north past Gare Loch on its way to Crianlarich where there was a break for the passengers to get out, stretch their legs and take photos. After this the train began its climb over Rannoch Moor. The first lunch started and Philip had been fortunate in securing second sitting. There was another break at Rannoch station. The train was in no hurry and killing time to stretch out the normally four hour long journey. It stopped briefly at Courror, noted for being inaccessible by road and the highest station in the Kingdom. Philip and the boys sat over their late lunch taking in the bleak scenery as the train started on the long descent into Fort William. Despite its reputation for the highest rainfall in Great Britain they finally arrived at today's destination in sunshine. A coach was waiting to whisk them off to their hotel.

After a day of mainly sitting on their backsides Adam and Simon were ready to explore and they asked Philip if he wanted to accompany them. He replied that he would slowly acclimatise himself to the northern air and that they should be back in time to change for dinner at seven, code for climbing into a suit and tie. Late Saturday afternoon in Fort William proved to be unexciting. Even the prospects for boywatching were severely limited. They sat by the waters of Loch Linnhe, wishing they had a football to kick around. They were slowly comprehending what Philip had been getting at when he said he had organised this trip to force them to relax and rest. They knew he only had their welfare at heart, but OMG, wasn't it boring! It was all right on the train with plenty to see, plenty of people to talk to even though most of them were older than Philip. Not even any young nerds trainspotting. You had to be well off to afford a trip like this and they realised not many young people were in the same league as they were. They probably couldn't even afford to go second class. They slowly made their way back to the hotel. As they climbed up the steps and went through the revolving door they saw standing in front of the desk at reception the most incredible sight. Adam spotted him first.

"I don't believe it," he said to Simon in hushed tones. "That is the most beautiful Chinese boy I have ever seen." Simon looked and at first saw nothing. "Look at the bellboy." Because a hotel employee was as it were to Simon a non-person he had looked str8 past him, but he overcame his natural prejudice and looked at him, nay stared at him. Fortunately the bellboy hadn't noticed. He had completely black hair, a rugged face with a smile and his body was accentuated by the uniform he was wearing, white shirt with bow tie, a waistcoat which scarcely came down past his navel and, in light grey, a tight pair of those flat fronted trousers often worn by pageboys which have a flap instead of fly and which leave nothing to the imagination.

"Adam, close your mouth," Simon whispered to him. Fortunately the bellhop hadn't noticed them. He turned round to talk to the receptionist and revealed the cutest buns ever, closely clad in the light grey with a well defined crevice. Simon and Adam went and sat down on a sofa in the foyer from where they could get a good view. For a moment they thought they had been busted as the bellboy looked across at them, but knew they'd got away with it.

"Si, I've got to talk to him."

"But you can't just go up to him and say 'Hi, gorgeous', pat his bottom and then come and sit down again." The boy had long lashes and he knew how use his eyes to add to his appeal. "I thought they said all Chinese boys are small."

"Well, he obviously isn't," replied Simon with a giggle and a nudge in the ribs. Adam's nob had taken over control from his brain. He got up, walked across the foyer and said

"Excuse me. Do you do room service?"

"Yes, certainly, sir." Adam was knocked back at his reply. "I'll just get you a menu. Would your friend like one too?" Adam thrust his hands in pocket, not only to prevent himself from handling the goods, but to re-arrange himself. He could see Simon giggling to himself. "Here you are, sir. If I can be of any further help, don't hesitate to let me know." He took the menus across to Simon.

"My god, Adam, you are so easy to read and don't think the bellhop didn't know what you were up to."

"But guess what. He spoke with a perfect Highland accent. He's as English as you or me, Simon."

"Scottish, or rather British if you're making the comparison. We've already made one booboo today with that."

"Oh yeah," laughed Adam. "That's the trouble with a sleeper. You don't get the feeling that you've travelled anywhere when in fact you gone hundreds of miles." They read the menu trying to put on an air of innocence. "'Room service until 10 pm.' What's this little card stapled to it? 'Charlie Lo. Personal out of hours services on request.' Then there's a printed pound sign followed by per hour and twenty-five written in biro."

"Let me see." Simon guffawed. "Hey Adam, he's on the game. He's touting for business. Obviously a born businessman. Pitches his price according to what he thinks he can get from the customer."

"Or according to how much he fancies us. How did he know we're gay?"

"Oh c'mon, Adam. We've been ogling him for a quarter of an hour, you're wearing a rainbow bracelet and you were fiddling with yourself when you went to talk to him, plus he's probably got gaydar."

"Are we that obvious?" exclaimed Adam.

"Are you that obvious?" retorted Simon.

"C'mon, Si, we're in this together. Mind you, if I were here on my own, I'd be tempted. I'd be more than tempted. But... I've got you and tonight I want to bury myself deep within your hole farther up than I've ever buried myself before and feel my balls squeezed up against your butt."

"I love it when you talk dirty to me, Adam Simon Neave van den Berg. I think you've got yourself a date. In the meantime we had better get ourselves into that shower or Dad will be complaining we've abandoned him."

"And the way I'm feeling tonight I think we'd better take separate showers."

"Mmm, please yourself. I thought we were men enough to cope with both times."

"Get the excess water off our bellies, I believe the expression is," said Adam.

"Where do you get these expressions from?" Simon asked as they walked up the stairs.

"Remember I read more than you and I haven't had quite such a sheltered existence as you have."

"Mmm, that's true," I suppose.

When they came downstairs again, Philip was talking to a couple he had met on the train. They heard the lady say

"So these are your sons, Philip? Which is the runner and which is the hockey player?"

"Hello, boys. Come and meet Mr and Mrs Carstairs."

"Harry and Ruth," they said as they shook hands.

"This is Simon. He's the hockey player and this is Adam. He's the runner. Mr and Mrs Carstairs are sharing our table for dinner."

"Harry and Ruth," they insisted. "Mr and Mrs make us sound so old," Ruth protested. The party complete they went and joined their fellow travellers in the dining room. The two boys had the gift of being really companionable in these situations and regaled the Carstairs with tales of their holidays, sporting exploits and how they came to meet, all without the slightest mention of their relationship. Of course for their part the Carstairs were good at extracting the information and getting the boys to talk about themselves. Time flew past and it was half past nine by the time coffee and mints had been consumed. The party broke up naturally for despite the luxury of the day, travelling had that effect of making people tired even though they were doing virtually nothing. The boys said good night while Philip retired to the bar with Harry and Ruth.

Out of idleness they took the lift to their first floor room. Just as the doors were shutting, Charlie Lo, the bellboy, dived in. He said

"Hi, we meet again." The accent just did not fit the body. The lift was a tight fit with three of them in it. Charlie took out his passkey, inserted it into the lock and switched to manual control. He pressed the buttons. The lift started going down. He pressed himself against Adam. Adam could feel his butt against his dick and pressed into him. The doors opened. No one there. Charlie pressed some more buttons and the lift slowly creaked and clanked its way nonstop to the top floor. He saw Simon looking at his package.

"You can feel it if you like." Simon put his hand up between Charlie's legs and felt his balls jiggle in his hand. They were loose and were they big! "You can have a look if you like." He undid the two buttons that held the flap to the waistband. Underneath the two ends of the waistband were fastened together by two more buttons and his package in tighty whities bulged through the gap.

"Wow! Adam, take a look at this."

"Go on, Adam. You can feel too." Finally the lift reached the top floor. Before the doors could open Charlie had rebuttoned the flap. He pressed the lift buttons again. When the doors opened he said "I think this is your floor. Don't forget. I finish at ten and I'm free."

"Thanks, Charlie," said Adam "but I'm already on a promise," and he smiled at Simon.

"Well, what do you think of that?" said Simon after they had closed their room door behind them.

"Nothing like letting the customers touch the goods before buying them. You said he was a born businessman."

"Let's get these suits off. I've waited long enough for you. I want you to make it last or I'll have to ring for room service," joked Simon.

"But how do they know we're gay?" said Simon. "They always do."

"I think we've answered that question before."

Chapter 13

The following morning dawned grey and misty. The tourists hauled themselves out of an early breakfast and their luggage was loaded onto a van that would take it directly to their hotel on the Isle of Skye.

"This place is absolutely dead," remarked Simon. "We're the only people about."

"You might think this is dead," said Philip "but it's not so many years since absolutely nothing happened on the Sabbath in the Highlands. No trains, no buses, no ferries, the only things open were the churches. And the hotels as they were the only places you could get a drink, and on some of the islands it's still like that. There were big demonstrations when they started to run ferries on the Sabbath."

They could have walked to the station from the hotel, but the clientele on these trips paid for and expected luxury. When they arrived there the train was waiting for them, the Hogwarts Express astonishingly. This was the train used in the Harry Potter films and on the way to Mallaig it would be travelling the route used in the films. The scheduled journey was about ninety minutes, but this train would take a little longer as it slowed and stopped for photo opportunities. The star of the journey was the Glenfinnan Viaduct. As the sun gained height it started to break through the mist and cloud. They would be lucky with the weather. When they reached Mallaig the wind off the sea was fresh, but not cold. Again, apart from the activity round the station and the harbour, the little place was dead. Seagulls called overhead to add sound. Here the travellers did have to walk to the ferry. The crossing took only half an hour, barely time for all of them to have morning coffee, or in the boys' case hot chocolate. Once they landed at Armadale a coach was waiting to take them first to a hotel for lunch and afterwards on a minitour of the island, ultimately ending up at their hotel for the night.

As Adam and Simon reached their room Adam screamed out

"I've got to do some exercise for heaven's sake. All this sitting around is just too much." Simon delved into his case.

"Yess," he hissed. "Good old Brabazon. Trainers, shorts, sports vest and speedo. Have a look in yours, Adam."

"Yep, found them. We're up and running. And..." He went to one of the side pockets of his rucksack. "One jockstrap. Never travel without one." They quickly got changed and Adam was ready to go.

"Hang on a minute," said Simon. "I'm just reading through the information for guests. They've got a gym, swimming pool and sauna here. We'd better ask at reception whether there's a recommended running route. After all we haven't the slightest idea where we are."

They were pleased to get out onto the open road. They took it easy, at least easy for them. They had been sitting around for two days and they didn't want any muscles to seize up. At reception they had been given a printed route to follow. The sun had gone in and cloud was building. They could already feel rain in the wind. They were about half way round a five mile route when the rain proper started. The wind was behind them, which at least meant they weren't running into the rain.

"Why are you running behind me, Adam? You're usually in front. Are you carrying an injury?" Adam burst out laughing.

"No, you dork. It's just that your butt in those shorts is so hot and now the rain's making them wet and see through I'm getting hornier and hornier." By the time they got back to the hotel they were soaked to the skin. Dripping they went up to their room, grabbed large towels and some dry clothes, Adam his speedo, and went down to the swimming pool. They looked around when they got there. Only one other swimmer and when he surface on reaching the shallow end they noticed it was Philip. So much for his good intentions of having an enforced rest. Dinner wasn't until eight and so until then the boys returned to their room and took the opportunity of lying on the bed naked side by side. Simon rolled over to kiss Adam when he exclaimed

"God, Adam, you stink of chlorine!"

"Mmm, so do you, but I won't hold it against... or rather I am going to hold it against you," he giggled while rolling over and giving Simon the kiss he hadn't taken. Simon rolled over against him and ended up on top of the length of Adam's body, their faces inches apart.

"Oh, Adam, why do I adore you so much?"

"Because of my dick."

"That was supposed to be a rhetorical question. And anyway, I could get hundreds of dicks if I wanted them."

"But not one like mine that has the second most gorgeous hunk in the world attached to one end."

"Second most? Who's the first most?" Adam kissed him passionately on the lips.

"Why, you are, silly."

They lay there quietly in each other's arms for a few moments. Eventually Simon said

"Adam, can I ask you something?"

"You just did... and without permission."

"What?"

"Is that your question?"

"No, let's start again. Adam, I want to ask you a very personal question."

"Go on."

"You know occasionally we service someone on the side, as it were?"

"You mean like Oscar?"

"Yeah, and Sam and Otto."

"You don't want to order room service, do you?"

"What? Charlie Lo?"

"No, I don't believe in paying for what you can get free."

"What then?" Simon was silent for a few moments.

"What would you say to a bit of wife-swapping? I mean we're so young and lacking in experience."

"Have you anyone in mind?"

"Tony and Ben."

"Hmm, Tony would be quite a challenge the way he's grown. And I remember Ben from our holiday in Germany before he and Tony became an item."

"If they were willing," said Simon "we could invite them for a weekend and spend one night each with one and one night with the other." Adam lay there and pondered.

"If you were happy with it, okay... but I have one reservation which has always been in the back of my mind." Simon feared from the tone of voice that he had opened a can of worms. "We're both fully aware that what we do when we make love is illegal and while we keep ourselves to ourselves - keep it in the family, say - I don't worry too much, but if it got out, social services might force me to go back into care. In September when we're sixteen we'll be entirely legal. Then all we've got to wait for is Tony and Ben's birthdays and they'll be legal too." Simon was learning how deep and thoughtful his boyfriend was, how under the extrovert exterior there lay a sensitive interior. He didn't know that Adam had been fretting over this kind of thing. He could only manage a weak

"I see what you mean." They wrapped themselves in the duvet and dozed off. When they woke up the mood had changed. Simon pulled back the duvet.

"I've been thinking, Adam. I want you to do something for me."

"What?"

"First of all, just remain lying on the edge of the bed like you are now, but with your hands behind your head. Yes, that's it. Just like that." Simon shifted one the bedside tables and set up his camera on its mini-tripod so that it was facing Adam's naked body. He took a test shot. "Now keeping you hands where they are now, I want you think naughty thoughts."

"What kind of naughty thoughts?"

"Well, sexy thoughts so that you get an erection."

"Why didn't you say?" It worked and as Adam lay there his weapon reacted in the requisite manner and while it was doing so, Simon took a number of shots, one str8 after another in quick succession, first as it lay limp across his scrotum, then as it began to swell, his foreskin peeled back, the shaft moved through the vertical and ended str8 as a ramrod pointing north towards his navel.

"That's great. Now let it go down and I'll do the same while it does." Adam remained lying there for a while.

"No, nothing's happening."

"Try and make your mind go blank."

"No, it's still as stiff as it ever was. There's only one thing for it and you won't be able to snap it."

"I don't want to snap it. I want to photograph it." They both giggled.

"It would be like that film," said Adam, "Brokeback Mounting." Again giggles and snorts from both boys, but Adam's dick just wouldn't go down, and if it had, the pose had been ruined. Adam got off the bed and went and sat in an armchair. "I need you to suck me, Si." Simon went and knelt between Adam's spread legs, gently clasped his scrotum in his right hand and guided Adam's dick towards his mouth with his left. He licked the glans, then massaged it with the inside of his lips. Adam lay back with his eyes closed and softly groaned. "Now run the tip of your tongue under the rim of the acorn." Simon altered his position, made sure Adam's foreskin was pulled right back and did as he was bid. "Aah, ecstasy. Slow down or it won't last. Aagh! Too late." Simon didn't have full control of Adam's spasming cock and the spunk shot all over the place, into his face, into his mouth and finally onto his body. He grabbed a towel and quickly wiped himself, but was careful not to swallow as it was an important part of their bonding now to kiss and share the proceeds of their passion, to glue it together symbolically.

Finally their excitement subsided and Simon looked at Adam's alarm clock.

"OMG, it's ten to eight," he cried. "We're going to be late. I hope that doesn't lead to an inquest." They showered together. This time it really was to save time. They used their school training to get dressed quickly and were out of the door at a minute past eight. They found Philip in the lounge talking to the Carstairs.

"Ah, there you are boys. We were about to send out the mountain rescue after you." They took that as an admonishment and said sorry so that the evening could proceed cordially. They said good evening to Harry and Ruth and the five of them moved into the dining room. The boys looked round hoping to see the odd tasty waiter, but were disappointed as it was entirely staffed by waitresses. They jokingly said to one another that they would make a strong recommendation on the hotel comments card that it didn't cater sufficiently for its young homosexual clientele, something that couldn't be said about the Fort William hotel, and then they remembered that it might be because of the strictly observed Sabbath. The meal passed in a convivial manner. Eventually the diners said good night.

Adam and Simon made love that night, fearing that there might be no time in the morning and knowing it would be a near impossibility on the London bound sleeper the following night.

The following morning the whole party was up and ready to go. The tour leader had to organise his charges and in particular ensure that the luggage was correctly labelled for it would again travel separately on a van ending up in the hotels of those staying in Inverness, the berths of those travelling on the sleeper and the left luggage office on Inverness station for those journeying on independently. The system was efficient and worked to the advantage of the passengers. The bus took them to the Kyle of Lochalsh where they had an hour and a half to visit the place for shopping before their special train left. When the boys were gazing in the window of a sportswear shop Adam exclaimed

"Ah, I always wanted one of those." He came out with two bags and handed one to Simon. He peered inside.

"What's that?"

"You can look at it later." However, Simon could not restrain his curiosity and peered inside.

"It's a jockstrap."

"Look at it closer."

"Oh, it's got a tartan pattern."

"That's right. Now you really can keep your balls in check."

"You fool."

"Thanks a bunch. It's a souvenir from the land where the Jocks are strapping." Philip just found his two boys in the midst of a fit of giggles with no apparent explanation. He just put it down to adolescence. They made their way the station. Their train was waiting headed by a steam loco ready to go. They took some photos and as the guard blew his whistle climbed aboard to be shown to their seats by the steward. As the train left, there was a call for the first sitting of lunch. Again Philip had secured second sitting.

The first part of the journey was along the seaboard, but once the train got into the mountains the scenery became really stunning. The passengers were lucky with the weather for if it does close in the journey can be miserable. So absorbing was the scenery that our family didn't notice the time passing until suddenly they were called to lunch. They continued to sit in the dining car for the view from there was at its best. At Dingwall they saw that they had left the mountain wilderness and regained civilisation and after a two and a half hour journey the train steamed into Inverness, journey's end. They now had five hours to kill until the London sleeper left. Part of that would be taken up with dinner.

Tuesday morning Philip, Simon and Adam alighted from the sleeper at Euston, feeling surprisingly refreshed. The first priority was breakfast. In the station restaurant Adam ordered a full English breakfast and was given a round of applause from the other two for finally getting it right. Over the meal Philip explained the plan of campaign. He would first of all call in at the office and deal with anything urgent that had cropped up there. After that a taxi to the club, luggage into the car and the journey home. That evening Philip would return to London for the rest of the week and the boys were at leisure until school on the following Monday. They were impressed with Philip's suite of offices, doubly impressed when they saw a picture of themselves framed and mounted in his own office alongside a photo of Simon's mother. The similarity between mother and son was even more stark than on the photos at home. Adam appreciated where Simon had inherited his beauty from. They had the opportunity of thanking Philip's PA for organising the trip and told her how much they had enjoyed it. By midday Brabazon was opening the front door and welcoming the family home.

Chapter 14

"Let's go and fetch Lucy and go for a run," said Adam.

"Lucy's out on the patio." It was Mrs Green appearing through the kitchen door. "You'd better go and say hallo to her before you do anything else." Lucy had already heard her family's arrival and, nosing her way through every door that was slightly ajar, finally arrived in the kitchen and unable to contain her excitement went round greeting each human in turn. "Before you do anything else, would you unpack, put all your dirty clothes in the linen basket and hang up your suits. Take Lucy for a run and I'll have a snack ready for you when you get back." The boys thanked Mrs Green for looking after Lucy and disappeared upstairs to do her bidding. As they started to get changed, Adam said

"Thong and lycras today, I think. I feel sexy."

"When don't you?" grinned Simon.

"Better put the long running vest on. I don't want to be interfered with on the way round."

"Oh, how disappointing."

"I didn't mean you, Si. Anyway that's hardly interfering. That's a way of life... our way of life." If Adam was going to wear lycras, so was Simon.

As soon as they started out they could sense that they were off form.

"These rests don't do you much good," said Adam. "We'll take it steadily today to get back into it and push ourselves tomorrow." They took a break to let Lucy paddle in the lake and then played ball with her to help dry her off.

"You know, that new hairstyle of yours works. It really suits you, and the curls have stayed in. Are you going to keep it?"

"For the moment. It's just that I'm a little worried it might not go down too well at school and'll cause me hassle."

"We'll look at the school rules later and see whether anything is mentioned. If it's not that's our line of defence, for the first day at least. But I really like you with it." They continued up to the wishing well. Lucy beat them easily and sat by the well as if to say 'what kept you?' Back at the house they showered and changed and went down to the kitchen to see what Mrs Green had prepared for them.

The rest of the day simply went by. Philip did a quick turn around and left for London after supper.

"What are we going to do tomorrow?" said Simon.

"We haven't done a long cycle ride for ages," said Adam, "but we must go for a run first."

"We can do that before breakfast. By the way I've got a school calendar here. It doesn't say anything about hair. The nearest to it is that 'Pupils must be smartly turned out at all times.'"

"They certainly enforce that one."

"No one can say your hair is not smart. So I think you're okay."

"Has your Dad mentioned anything about it?"

"Not to me."

"I'll risk it."

"You'll probably get more stick from the lads than you will from the staff."

"If I can get the hairdresser to keep the curls in, I'll let it grow longer. I just don't like it growing down the back of my neck."

"We must get that home hair stylist to come again. She's good and it'll save all the hassle of going into town for a haircut and arranging appointments."

They spent the evening in front of the television; watching it would be an exaggeration. Adam was reading a novel, Simon was leafing through GY mag.

"Wow!" The exclamation made Adam jump. "Have you seen this month's centrefold?"

"No, who is it?"

"Matyás Ramba."

"Let's see. My, he's grown up."

"Do you know him?"

"Do I know him? Only a Czech international gymnast, extremely good looking and gifted, then went through a bit of a rough adolescence and lost his edge. He just didn't make it to the national team any more, started to get scruffy and lose his good looks. That was the first sign and the last I heard of him he was making a comeback and growing into a handsome young man. Obviously he's got himself into modelling. He must be nineteen or twenty by now."

"Is he gay?"

"I wish. I honestly don't know. Doubt it. I never heard anything. What a hunk. Lost all those boyish good looks, but I'd pinch his butt if I met him. Phwaw! I've come over all unnecessary."

"Mmm, there's certainly something poking out through your jeans that wasn't there five minutes ago."

"Been checking up?"

"Of course," said Simon. At that moment Brabazon coughed and announced cocoa in the kitchen.

On the Wednesday there was a prolonged spell of rain which did put the kibosh on the boys' day's cycling, but didn't prevent them from going for a run before breakfast. It was an excuse to leave Lucy at home, although the wet was one thing that never worried her, but it did mean that they could get on with the serious business of running. It did in fact go better than the previous day, for the boys wore the minimum kit and had made up their mind that they were going to get wet and so they had better ignore it. Because it was raining they decided to wear nylon kit as it held less water than cotton; singlet and shorts with the integral support and a sexy slit down the sides. When they returned home they really felt that they had done some work.

Sitting over breakfast Simon asked

"What are we doing this weekend?"

"Not a lot, I hope. We've got to get ready for school."

"How about seeing if Tony and Ben are free? It'll be the last opportunity for them to have some quality time together for a bit."

"You only use that phrase to wind me up, Simon, don't you?"

"No, not really. I agree it's a horrible expression, but it does do very nicely as a code word for sex."

"Or making love."

"Or making love," repeated Simon and Adam grinned to show he was not being harsh on his boyfriend. "No, that's a good point. We'll use the term 'quality time' with that one meaning."

"I'll tell you what we could do this morning."

"Go on."

"We've got all those snaps from this weekend to download. Or is it upload?"

"Sounds good." They loaded their breakfast things into the dishwasher and went upstairs. Adam booted up his iMac and Simon fetched his camera. He plugged it into the computer and the pictures loaded, either up or down, but it didn't matter. Then Adam did the same with his camera.

Suddenly Adam felt something vibrating near his groin. He pulled his iPhone out of his pocket.

"Hey, it's Sam Welham. Hi, Sam."

«Hi, Adam. What are you doing this morning?»

"Not a lot. Sorting out the photos we took over the weekend."

«I was wondering whether I could come over and hang out this morning. My mother's going into town. So the choices are home alone, go into town shopping with her or hang out with you.»

"Hmm, difficult choice for you, I see."

«Yeah. Mum's almost got to pass the door and so you drew the short straw.»

"Can we cope, Si?"

"I reckon so. Ask him if he wants a bit of fun."

«Hey, I heard that. Now that I'm single again I might well take you up the offer. See you in fifteen.» Simon and Adam carried on sorting both their photos into one folder.

"I didn't know you'd taken a snap of Charlie Lo," said Adam.

"Yeah, he posed for me. He was still hoping to get the business."

"You've got to give it to him. He is a hunk. He looks good in his page's uniform, but I'd love to know what's underneath."

"You were in the lift."

"I don't mean that. You can see that perfectly well in those tight trousers. I mean his abs and his pecs."

"You mean his nips."

"Those as well." The house phone buzzed. Simon answered. The funereal voice at the other end announced 'Master Samuel Welham'.

"Thank you, Brabazon. I'll be down." Simon went str8 to the library where Lucy was making a fuss of Sam. She tried to follow them, but she was always discouraged from going upstairs. If Brabazon had his way, she would be in a kennel in the yard. But she was a fully paid up member of the family as far as Philip and the boys were concerned.

"Hi, Adam."

"Hi, Sam," and they hugged, making sure their packages pressed against each other.

"Hey, what have you got there?" asked Sam. Simon had just got to the stage where he was organising the series of pictures of Adam's dick as it left the relaxed stage and stood fully to attention.

"They've worked out very well," said Simon.

"I recognise that cock," said Sam. "It's yours, Adam."

"That's right. Once seen, never forgotten."

"Once felt, never forgotten," grinned Sam. He was already feeling randy.

"We'll photograph yours if you like."

"Okay, you're on." Simon moved on to the next pictures. They were of the boys kneeling on the bed, mooning to the camera.

"I recognise those as well," said Sam. "I like the contrast. I remember them well."

"And well you ought," said Adam.

"Simon, you're on the left with your hole naturally open and so easy to penetrate, and Adam, you're on the right with that tight rosebud of yours, almost impenetrable. The things you two get up to."

"I notice they don't gross you out any more," said Simon.

"Don't knock it before you try it, I believe the saying is," said Sam.

"He's our star pupil," said Simon.

"One of them," added Adam.

"So you've trained other people?" said Sam. "Anyone I know?"

"Client confidentiality," answered Adam.

"We're working on a new party game," continued Simon. "We want a number of butt shots like those and the party guests have to guess who they belong to."

"The interesting thing is that not many people will recognise their own butt."

"And the really interesting thing will be who gets whose butt correct."

"Shall we get on with the photo shoot while I'm in the mood?" asked Sam, already undoing the belt on his 501s.

"No, wait a few minutes," said Simon. "Brabazon will be bringing us up a snack. After that we shouldn't get disturbed."

"And we don't want you in the mood to begin with anyway."

Just before lunch the house phone buzzed again. Mrs Welham had arrived to collect Sam.

"By the way," said Adam, "here's that jockstrap I owe you."

"Mmm, Slazenger top quality, cricketer's pouch. Thanks," said Sam.

"It's great to be able to slide your hand into the pouch," replied Adam. Sam had a satisfied look on his face as the boys took him downstairs to meet his mother, but only a connoisseur would have been able to read anything into the way he was walking. As they waved goodbye, they noticed that it had stopped raining.

The following day was fine and sunny and so Adam and Simon asked Mrs Green for some sandwiches and they took their postponed cycle ride. As they were near the Banks's farm on the way back they telephoned ahead and found that it was tea break time. Robin's boyfriend Paul was there helping with the farmwork. They were both obviously impressed with their impromptu visitors, dressed as they were in full cycling kit and lycra splendour. Tea break consisted of tea, freshly baked scones and clotted cream from the Banks's own cows.

"I don't want to spoil your appetite for dinner, boys," Mrs Banks said as she put another tray of warm scones on the table. Fully refreshed Simon and Adam mounted their cycles and started for home. Robin and Robin's younger brother Martin went off with their father and Paul for evening milking.

Chapter 15

Friday was a domestic day: running, swimming, cycle maintenance, into town for school shopping and back home to get ready for Ben and Tony's arrival. After Judith Carlton had dropped them off in the late afternoon, Mrs Green's first question was

"Have you two eaten?"

"We had a burger in town," answered Tony.

"So can you last out till about seven? We'll have supper when Mr van den Berg gets home from London. Or I can get you a snack now?"

"We'll manage, thank you, Mrs Green," grinned Tony.

After dumping their bags in Adam's room, the four lads went outside to kick a football around until supper. Brabazon was going to cook some of his famous blunt ended chips. Adam couldn't keep his eyes off Tony. There was something different about him, something deliciously different. Then Adam got it. Tony was bulging out of his Levi's, back and front.

"Does my bum look big in these?" he asked, seeing Adam eying him up in an obvious manner and ignoring Ben running back and pulling his tee shirt up over his head after scoring a goal.

"No. It's just your butt is looking tastier than ever in those jeans."

"Oh, it's just I got a new pair of 501s and did the old trick of sitting in a bath of water with them on to make them shrink to size."

"It's done the trick. You're certainly not hiding anything."

"Mum wasn't best pleased. She doesn't understand these things and I made a bit of a mess in the bathroom."

In the distance they heard the dinner gong and went in to clean up for supper. They all said hello to Philip as they went into the kitchen and he gave Simon and Adam a hug. They settled down to a particularly laddish meal of burgers, chips, baked beans, fried eggs and tomato ketchup and as a sop to Cerberus Brabazon had put out a large bowl of mixed salad for them to help themselves from and there was only fresh fruit for pudding.

"So what are we doing this weekend, Dad?" asked Simon.

"I don't know what we're doing, but I have organised a round of golf for tomorrow, and another one for Sunday. I thought I deserved them after being busy for the last three weekends."

"Good decision, Dad," said Simon with the ulterior motive that the lads could get on with whatever they wanted to do.

"By the way," said Ben, "I've got to be home by ten on Sunday morning. Something my mum said I didn't really understand about getting ready for school. But that's the following day."

"It's all right," said Tony. "It's a parent thing. They do that. I've got to be home before lunch on Sunday. Something about how nice it is to see our children occasionally. That's what my mum says. But when we are there they're always complaining about us being under their feet and why don't we find something to do, especially outdoors." Philip couldn't help smiling to himself at the boys' views of their parents and wondered if Simon and Adam thought the same about him.

"Excuse me, boys. I'd better catch up with the post and e-mails and then I can have the rest of the weekend off. Brabazon, will you bring me some coffee in my study, please?"

The boys continued to sit round the kitchen table and chat, just as the Cockatoo Club did at school.

"Do you know something?" Ben whispered loudly in a conspiratorial tone. The others leaned in and stared at him in an exaggerated manner.

"No," they chorused.

"I think I've found out why my sister's so anti us."

"She's anti life," opined Simon.

"Shh," said Adam. "Let Ben speak. Go on, Ben."

"Well, you've heard the saying 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned'. When we were on holiday in Germany last summer, she evidently had the hots for Adam."

"Me?" exclaimed Adam, and his voice squeaked in surprise. "She was a right cow towards me."

"You can't blame her for that," said Simon.

"What, being a right cow to Adam?" said Tony.

"No, dumbo. Having the hots for him. I've occasionally been known to have the hots for him myself."

"Quiet, you lot. Ben's telling the story," said Adam.

"As I was saying, at the beginning of the holiday she had the hots for him and when she found out that not only that he was gay, but that Simon was his boyfriend too, she went ape and hated everyone."

"That explains a lot," said Tony, "except she already knew you were, Ben."

"That certainly didn't help, and it got worse over the holiday because she saw we were enjoying ourselves and she wasn't. But that was entirely her own fault."

"Oh, the utter shame of it," despaired Simon.

"What?"

"My lovely queer boyfriend being attractive to women. How am I going to live it down? You won't tell the guys at school, will you?"

"It's only my sister," protested Ben. "She's hardly the typical woman," and they all dissolved into mirth. They carried on talking, telling each other what they had been up to during the holidays. It seemed incredible that the lads hadn't met since the celebrations over the Easter weekend. Adam and Simon talked about their railway trip to Scotland and went into detail about Charlie Lo, the bellboy.

"You can see a picture of him later."

"Why are so many hotel staff gay?" asked Tony.

"Dad says it's the same throughout the hospitality industry," said Simon, "whether it's hotels or flight attendants or bars. Most of the male staff in his club are gay. It suits their personality."

"You have to be careful with that argument," warned Adam. "Would any of us want to go into the hospitality industry?"

"No, that's because we're all butch," said Tony.

"What? You butch?" they said pointing at him and laughing with tears rolling down their cheeks. While this conversation was going on, they didn't realise that Brabazon was listening from his pantry.

"Let's go and watch some TV," said Simon.

"Have any of you been watching My Family?" said Adam. "Michael's come out in this series."

"I've always fancied him," said Tony.

They trooped off to the media room and sat around on the sofas to watch My Family. When it was over they were summoned to the kitchen for cocoa. Simon took Lucy outside for a short run so that she could settle for the night and once the cocoa and biscuits were consumed the boys decided that with school impending on Monday they were in need of an early night.

Next morning Adam knocked on the connecting door from the bathroom to his room.

"Are you two sluggards coming for a run?"

"Are we going for a run?" Ben said to Tony.

"As I can't put up with having your dick in my bottom for at least another quarter of an hour we may as well," and Tony twisted his body to give his boyfriend a kiss.

"Okay," Ben shouted back. "Give us time to get ready." Ben and Tony never forgot to pack sports kit when they slept over at the van den Bergs'. In five minutes they appeared in Simon's room in shorts, singlet and trainers. Adam couldn't keep his eyes off Tony. 'There is something different about him,' he thought. 'He's bulging out of those shorts like he did out of his jeans, but more so, and the waistband's not tight, either.' Adam was fascinated. 'I'll suggest we go swimming when we get back. Can't wait till we're sixteen.'

They couldn't leave Lucy behind, but with four of them there were enough to play with her in the park while Adam got on and did some serious running. They all eventually met at the top of the hill in the wood by the wishing well. Lucy didn't win this time, but that was only because she was still playing with the others by the lake. Once they had gathered they started the run home. When they got there they told Brabazon that they were going down to the pool.

"Mrs Green will be in in half an hour," he reminded them.

"Okay, thanks, Brabazon," said Adam. "We should be finished by then. We're starving already."

"Brunch will be available, Master Adam." Although he tried to hide it, and it was only Adam that noticed, Brabazon was also showing an interest in Master Anthony's shorts.

The boys went down to the swimming pool, stripped off and showered off the splashes of mud before jumping into the pool. After enjoying some fun and frolics they got out and showered off the chlorine.

"Tony, you have grown over the Easter holidays," and Adam smacked him lightly on the butt. 'That certainly wasn't fat,' he thought. 'Solid gluteus maximus, very solid gluteus maximus.'

"Do you fancy me or something?" said Tony with a coy giggle.

"Of course I fancy you. You're a boy, and a very good looking one at that. I'm very fussy about who I fancy."

"We wanted to talk to you two about that over the weekend. We've had an idea," said Simon. The boys dried themselves, put on towelling loincloths and went upstairs to get dressed.

"Before you get dressed," said Simon "there's something we want you to do," and he booted up his computer. He showed the series of pictures he'd taken of Adam's erection and asked if they were willing to do the same, followed by butt shots. Tony and Ben were keen to co-operate and Adam begged to take the snaps of Tony. Lust satisfied, hunger took over and the boys hurriedly dressed and stampeded down to the kitchen.

"Good morning, boys," said Mrs Green. "Help yourselves."

When the boys got together, they were good at amusing themselves. As the year advanced the weather improved. Saturday had turned out dry and warm and so they decided they would walk into town. If nothing else they could have a Pepsi at Burger Star and sit in the main square with the other young people and boywatch. There would be the skateboarders and maybe some buskers, and the local youths were beginning to shed their winter clothes.

"Pity we didn't bring our skateboards," said Adam. "We don't get a lot of chance to use them." While they were sitting there the conversation strayed onto school matters.

"What activities are you doing next term?" asked Tony.

"Haven't given it much thought," said Adam. "The same as last summer, I suppose."

"You don't have to do the same things," said Simon.

"You can choose something else," added Tony.

"What about you, Tony?" asked Adam.

"I'm going to try and get into the cricket team again. Ben plays cricket for his school which means we won't be able to see one another on Saturdays next term and so I may as well play as well."

"Do we have to do two afternoons of cricket if we're not trying for the team?" said Adam.

"I don't think so," said Simon "but you'll probably have to do one, or get into the softball group instead."

"Isn't that for the also-rans?" said Adam.

"Well, if you're not going for the major sport, that makes you an also-ran, don't forget."

"I really want to concentrate on my running. And now we're in Year 10, we can start to do weights, can't we?"

"Yes, but only one session a week, and then it's only a short session when you start. You have to build up."

"It'll help my rugby to build up some upper body strength, like pecs and abs."

"And make you look an even bigger hunk," added Simon unconsciously licking his lips.

"I feel out of this conversation," said Ben. "We have to do cricket or cricket, whether we're trying for the team or not."

"You know, Adam, I really do like your new hairstyle," said Tony.

"So do I," said Ben. "It really suits you. Are you going to keep it that way?"

"Bit worried about what they might say at school, but yes, I'd like to."

"We've looked at the school rules," said Simon " and there's nothing about hair, just that you have to be of tidy appearance."

"Anyway it's a bit late now for Monday. I suppose I could go to the barber's this afternoon and have it dyed my natural colour."

"Don't you dare," said Simon emphatically.

"Let's go and see if Colin still works in the video shop," said Adam.

They crossed the square and found the shop. Colin was there, serving two customers. He didn't see them walk in.

"Anything you lads particularly want to see?" asked Simon addressing Ben and Tony.

"Have we seen the latest Batman film?"

"No," said Ben. "Go for it." The three boys said hi! to Colin and introduced Ben. They were impressed with how well he looked compared with the first time.

"Married life is obviously doing you good," said Simon cheekily.

"Yes, I'm still with him," replied Colin. They all chipped in and paid a quarter of the cost.

After brunch part two the boys spent a lazy afternoon in the garden and the games room. Philip hadn't returned from his golf yet. As they took a break on the patio, Brabazon brought out some cold drinks and munchies.

"What were you saying about discussing something later?" said Tony.

"Adam and I were talking and wondering what you two would think about us having a wife swapping party," said Simon. "Husband swapping party it should be really, I suppose." Tony and Ben gave one another a look, but there was nothing negative in it.

"I think we'd have to come back to you on that," said Ben.

"I've only got one reservation," said Adam. "As I explained to Simon, I think we all ought to wait until we're sixteen because strictly speaking what we do is illegal and if we ever got found out, it could mean I'd be taken into care. After our birthdays we'll be legal for one thing and I can't be taken into care for another. I don't want to go back to the orphanage, thank you very much."

"I'll put the date on my calendar for autumn half term," said Tony with a glint in his eye. "Nice sixteenth birthday present." Of the four he was the youngest.

They could hear Lucy barking. They then realised that Philip had arrived back. The boys all said hi! and Adam asked him how his game had gone.

"All right," he answered. "I'm a little out of practice, but we were having such a good time that we decided we play the first nine again after lunch. Same again tomorrow." He sat down with the boys and started chatting with them about what they had been doing.

"I'm just going to get showered and changed and I'll see you later. You are staying the night, Tony and Ben, aren't you? Brabazon tells me these things, but they don't always stick. Oh, and Ben, thank your parents for their invitation. I'll be writing to them of course. It'll be nice to see Isabella again," and with that he disappeared back into the house.

"What invitation's that?" enquired Simon.

"Don't ask me," said Ben. "It's the first I've heard anything about it."

The rest of the weekend passed uneventfully. Brabazon cooked steak and kidney pie with puff pastry, which they consumed for supper in the kitchen. The boys and Philip watched their Batman DVD in HD, which Tony took home in case William wanted to see it.

"Still can't see much in Robin's tights," complained Tony, "even in HD," after Philip had gone to organise some cocoa and biscuits with Brabazon. The boys again used school on Monday as the excuse for an early night. It was wearing a bit thin, but still worked. However, Philip was not daft. He was gone for his second day of golf well before the boys surfaced. Peter Carlton turned up at a quarter to ten to take Ben home. He offered to take Tony as well, but he was nowhere near ready since he was not expected home until lunchtime. After Ben had gone, Tony told Simon and Adam that they were in favour of a little experimentation with their husband-swapping party, but agreed about not trying their luck by attempting it before they were sixteen. Finally David Legge came to pick up Tony after dropping Mark at home. William couldn't remain in the back of the car, but had to make his presence felt with 'hi, guys!'. Adam and Simon felt relieved to be on their own at last. They loved having their friends over, but... They went off to the kitchen for brunch part two, then climbed the stairs to have a little R & R in Simon's bedroom before taking Lucy for a Sunday afternoon walkies. Philip was home when they got back. He sat out on the patio with them just chatting before all three went and changed for Sunday dinner in the dining room with formal shirt and tie. Brabazon had excelled himself by bringing in a sizzling roast duck, one of Adam's favourites. After an hour's reading of the Sunday papers in front of the television the boys said good night and took themselves off to bed. Next day it was school.

Just after half past seven on Monday morning the boys were cycling off to school after saying goodbye to Philip, who was working in London that week, but had decided to commute by train each day.

Simon and Adam were sorting out their things into their lockers, chatting with their friends whom they were pleased to see after three and a half weeks with Adam the centre of two minutes' attention because of his new hairstyle when a prefect pushed his way through the throng and said

"Neave, the Headman wants to see you in his study str8away." Adam and Simon looked at one another.

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