The Apprentice
by and © N Fourbois
Chapter 52
Thursday and Friday meant hard work, both at school and home. Four boys had a free weekend ahead of them, which they had to earn. Kieran gained permission from his parents to take part in the school skiing trip over the new year. It took some negotiation. Financially the Williams family was in a very comfortable position, but in the way they had had only reached that position through hard work Dean and Colleen believed that their son should earn his luxuries, and so it ended up as his Christmas present and conditional on a good school report. Otherwise he would have to break open his own piggy bank and just have a tangerine and a box of sweets in his stocking like poor people. Kieran took time out from his prep to text William and Jack to say he could go skiing.
On Saturday morning he turned up at College complete with sleeping bag and overnight bag on the touchline. He was immediately spotted by Mr and Mrs Bastion. After greeting each other, and being introduced to Jack's elder brother, Cameron, Mr Bastion said I think we'd better get rid of those for you. He took the sleeping bag and Kieran picked up his overnight bag and they made their way towards the carpark. Mr Bastion clicked the key fob and the boot of a large silver Mercedes opened itself. Luggage safely stowed, they returned to the rugby pitch.
William and Toby's match was away at St Sergius's and so there would not be a conflict of interests that morning. He was interested in the impressions William would gain of the place. There was a round of applause as the two teams ran out and continued to their warm up. The weather was dull and cool, but dry and so there would be a good chance of the ball being thrown around. Kieran recognised most of the boys on the St Sergius's XV and he particularly noticed the blazing redhead who was playing in the centre. It was none other than Kevin Braithwaite. He looked quite tasty in the green and white hooped shirt and the white shorts of the St Sergius strip. Perhaps he had grown a bit over the six months or so since their last encounter. Kieran found himself licking his lips, a sure sign that he was aroused. 'I wouldn't mind finishing off that job,' he thought, 'but I'd better behave myself and get any thoughts of taking him off somewhere to do it out of my head. I don't even dare go near the changing rooms because I'm sure some nasty git would have a pop at me. Better for me to keep out in the open with College men around me.'
The game started. Kieran found it interesting. He might even have been playing, had he remained at St Sergius's. There was not a lot of difference in the ability of the players on either side, but the College boys obviously worked together as a team a lot better. Of course, after their previous game they did have something to prove with five new players who wanted to justify their selection. In short College systematically took the St Sergius's XV apart. After the final whistle College clapped the visitors off and it was at this point that Kieran began to feel uncomfortable. Would any of the players recognise him and come up to him? If they did, would it be a friendly approach or would he be slagged off as he been in town by Carter that time? In the event it was Kevin Braithwaite who came up to him.
"Hi, Kieran, how are you doing?"
"All right," answered Kieran in a non-committal manner.
"I think I owe you an apology."
"What for?"
"Not standing up for you at school, but I was under so much pressure from the prefects. Bit chicken of me." Kieran was warming to him.
"Shouldn't worry. In the end you did me a good turn. I ended up here. They're far more tolerant here."
"You did us a good turn really," said Kevin. "Everyone gives you the credit for getting rid of that headmaster, especially the gay community. Mr Hambrook runs a much fairer school than that man Placey."
"It wasn't me that got rid of him. It was my father. You're looking good in those shorts, Kevin."
"Yeah, Kieran, I saw you perving. Like a feel?"
"Yeah. I'd like to finish off what we started in that bog cubicle, but I've made a resolution. No sex on school premises."
"Pity. I'm sure we could find somewhere."
"S'okay. I'm on a promise this weekend. I'm going on a sleepover with one of our flankers."
"I wondered if I might see you." Kevin put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a business type card. "There's my mobile number. Give's a call if you're at a loose end. In the Christmas holidays, maybe. Your shout as to what we do. I feel I owe it to you. I gather your Dad's quite a good golfer. Good to see you, Kieran. I've got to go. I've got a date in the showers with my fellow centre. I'm beginning to feel cold and my balls are disappearing. That will never do."
"And you, Kevin," and they shook hands. Kieran felt his palm being stroked.
Kieran watched him walk off, his gaze split between his flowing red hair and his butt, where the join in his shorts had disappeared up his crevice and showed off the shape of his butt cheeks to perfection, while wondering at the same time whether his pubic hair was as red as the hair on his head. 'I've never had a redhead before... well, not properly. We hadn't even got going back at St Sergius's.' He had to swallow quickly. He found he was drooling.
"Well played, Jack." Kieran patted Jack Bastion on the back. 'Am I on the turn? I usually pat him on the bum. I must have been caught up in the emotions of the moment.'
After the teams had been fed and watered, Jack met up with his parents, Cam and Kieran again. They made their way to the car, climbed in and Mr Bastion drove them home. Once they were there Mrs Bastion started to prepare something to eat.
"Jack, I don't suppose you want a full meal after pie and chips at College?" said his mother.
"No thanks. What I would really like to do is lie in a hot bath while you're eating. That was a particularly gruelling match. Would you mind, Kieran? The family will keep you entertained and they don't bite. Well, not when they've got food in front of them."
"That's okay," replied Kieran with a smile. "I'll cope."
In fact, Cam Bastion kept Kieran very well entertained while lunch was being prepared with stories about his own time at College and what he was doing at university.
"You and my brother are boyfriends I suppose?" he asked nonchalantly.
"Not really," answered Kieran. "We could be, but neither of us wants to commit. So we decided to keep it at best mates level. It doesn't worry you that we're both gay, then?"
"No, why should it? Mum and Dad have accepted Jack for who he is. College was always very tolerant, even when I was there. You'd think that it was an old, staid, conservative institution, but it's actually quite progressive in its ethos, while preserving the worthwhile. It's not compulsory to have long hair and to be scruffy in order to be progressive. Many of the boys don't realise how progressive a place it is until they leave because they've nothing to compare it with."
"Have you got a girlfriend?"
"Not at the moment, but don't think because of that I'm gay. I can appreciate a fine pair of tits like the next bloke... whoops! Sorry, you are the next bloke at the moment," and they both burst out laughing. Cam had a gift for putting people at ease and he was certainly succeeding with Kieran. Mrs Bastion called them in for lunch. It was a tasty beef casserole with all sorts of fresh and casseroled vegetables and what proved to be very light and fluffy dumplings. Everyone was finishing when a florid Jack with wet hair came in to join them.
"That's better. I feel ready for anything," he said, giving Kieran a wink and a smile. "Where's Gemma?"
"Out with Ramona. Need you ask? We've saved you some pudding."
"Thanks," said Jack.
"Talking about horses, no doubt," said Cam. "I'm surprise you haven't bought her a horse of her own."
"We had an in depth discussion about that," said his father. "Either I could afford to buy her a horse with all the costs and the upkeep, or I could afford to buy a new Mercedes and I'm afraid the Mercedes won." Kieran was amused at the dry way Mr Bastion told the story.
"So what are you two youngsters going to do?" asked Mr Bastion, addressing Jack and Kieran.
"Oh, what people of our age usually do. Hang, chillax, listen to our music," said Jack. "We're going to the cinema this evening."
"What are you doing about eating?" his mother asked.
"We'll get something in town."
"That means beef burgers I suppose?"
"Mmm, not necessarily. We like pizza," said Jack. "We'll see how we feel."
"What film are you going to see?" persisted his mother.
"Dracula meets Batman and Robin in Manhattan," said Jack, taking the mick.
"Seen it," said Cam, joining in the game. "It's not very good. The most exciting bit was where Robin ripped his briefs and split his tights, and that wasn't terribly exciting."
"Oh," said Jack deadpan. "That was the bit we were going for."
"Wouldn't worry. The camera pans out and the lighting fades. You don't get you see anything," said Cam.
"Oh," said Jack. "We won't bother then."
"But you are going to the pictures, aren't you?" asked Mrs Bastion, now completely confused. "Okay, boys. I take it you're going to the pictures, you'll be home about ten and you'll be starving, even though you're getting something to eat in town?"
"Something like that, Mum," answered Jack with a grin on his face.
"You two boys," said Mrs Bastion. Kieran raised an eyebrow as he thought he was included in the forthcoming remark. "We don't get any bother like that any more, when you're not here, Cameron."
"That's okay, Mum. I know you miss me."
"It's all right, Mum," said Jack. "Cam always did bring the worst out in me."
"Only doing my job," laughed Cam.
"I'm going to watch the rugby on the telly," said Cameron and he disappeared off to the living room.
"We're off to play games in my room," said Jack.
"Not on that computer again," sighed Mrs Bastion as they went through the door.
"Who said anything about a computer?" retorted Jack, but he made sure they were halfway up the stairs and out of earshot when he said it.
Alone in the kitchen Mr and Mrs Bastion started to clear up after lunch.
"You know, George," said Mrs Bastion "I love having all the children back together again, even if I do find it difficult to keep up with their sense of humour at times."
"I know what you mean. It's best just to let them get on with it."
Three hours and two orgasms later Jack and Kieran said goodbye and caught the bus into town.
"Thanks, Jack, for showing me those photos of Alexis. They are just as I remember him. Well, the ones of him in school uniform are. I bet you made quite a good pair."
"We did."
"I wonder who would have looked after me if he'd still been in College."
"I shouldn't worry about that. There would have been a queue. Trust me."
"Really?"
"Don't think you went unnoticed on the day you came for interview."
"Did you notice me?"
"Of course. Don't forget too you were being shown round by my boyfriend, soon to be my ex. It was only luck that we travelled on the same bus and that I spotted you on the first day."
"Good luck?"
"For both of us, don't you think?"
They got off in the town centre, walked to the cinema, chose the film they wanted to see, booked their tickets and went off to the pizza parlour (not Domino's - that was a bit out of their way).
Afterwards, while they were queuing at the bus stop, Kieran said
"What did you think of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, Jack?"
"I enjoyed it. It gets a bit confusing at times. That's when you need to have read the book. Do you remember Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code? When I saw the film I wouldn't have had the slightest idea what was going on if I hadn't read the book first." At that moment the bus turned up.
When they arrived at their stop, they got off and wandered slowly back to the Bastions' house. There was a nip in the air, but no wind, and they pulled the hoods of their hoodies up. Jack put his arm round Kieran's waist.
"Don't do that, Jack." He withdrew his arm quickly. "It's okay. Just that I want you to put your hand in my trouser pocket. No, not that one, the outside one. You'll find it easier." Jack did as he was told. He immediately put his hand on Kieran's half hard cock and let the heat filter through the lining of his pocket and warm his frozen fingers. "My," said Kieran "I've got a lot to teach you yet. I feel another apprenticeship coming on."
"I'll see if I can teach you a thing or two tonight, Kieran Williams."
"Ooh, promises."
They arrived back at Jack's place only too soon. He rang the bell and his mother answered.
"Sorry, I forgot to take my key."
"Come on in and warm yourselves. Are you hungry?"
"Just a little bit," replied Jack.
"How about you, Kieran?"
Yes, I am too, Mrs Bastion. Those pizzas are very nice, but not very filling."
"I've just made some ham, cheese and tomato sandwiches. If you're quick, you'll get some before Cameron and Gemma finish them off."
"Hey, we heard that," shouted Cam from the living room.
"And we know you kept some back, Mum," added Gemma.
"Hot chocolate, everyone?" asked Mrs Bastion, ignoring the remarks.
"Good film?" asked Mr Bastion.
"Yes," said Kieran. "We saw Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy."
"I remember seeing that years ago with Alec Guinness. Now was that on the television or at the pictures?"
"Television, dear," said his wife as she brought in a huge pile of sandwiches and smacked Gemma's hand as she reached out for one before they offered to the guest.
There was a whole lot of chit chat before Jack said
"Do you mind if we go up to bed? It's been a long day and I know it's past Kieran's bedtime." They grinned at one another.
"No, that's fine," they answered.
"Is there anything else you need, Kieran?"
"I don't think so, thank you, Mrs Bastion. What time do we have to be up by?"
"It's Sunday. It doesn't matter, but you have to home by twelve, I'm told. So if you're not up by eleven, Cameron will come and drag you out of your sleeping bag."
"I won't," piped up Cam. "I shall still be asleep myself." Jack thought there was a hidden message in the way she had said 'sleeping bag'.
They all said good night and the two boys went up to Jack's room.
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