Date: Sun, 11 Mar 2018 12:30:01 +0000 From: Al Peres Subject: THE CHILDREN OF THE WAR 2 CHILDREN OF THE WAR =================== Story 1.- BOYS' BRAVERY ----------------------------------- Part 2 ==== CHAPTER 8 --------------- They returned home; by then, Raul and his sister knew all about their friends and prepared to celebrate the event. As soon as they saw the boys and major approaching, sister and brother ran to hug them. "Congratulations friends! You deserve those medals." The girl then, slowing her voice, added: "I'll be there tonight when Raul goes to bed, we'll celebrate it." Jeremy and Robert grinned. "You'll be welcomed. After lunch and before the siesta, we must clean ourselves." Raul that was with his ears open, intervened. "Jeremy, Robert, can I help you with your cleaning?" "Why not? You are our best friend, and there are some parts that we cannot reach properly." Raul grinned satisfied. "I'm going to prepare the tub full of water and place it under the sun; it'll be very warm just in a couple of hours." "I'll help you while Robert goes to fetch our fresh underwear clothes," Jeremy said and Robert understood the message. Trying to forget the encounter with the Major Martinez, the three boys started playing in the yard with a ball made from hard paper and some cords. They were sweating when the officer came; so that was the signal. Robert ran to pick up their clean underwear as Jeremy and Raul went to the backyard. As soon as they were naked, Raul kneeled in front of his friend and took his whole package into his wanting mouth. Only took him a few minutes to get Jeremy and himself to the edge of their climaxes. Soon they were moaning with pleasure as Robert entered. As Raul was sucking Jeremy, Robert sat near the blond boy and took his hard cock in his hand starting stroking it hard. Both boys near screamed as their orgasms came. After a while Jeremy said: "Now let's clean." "And what's about me?" Robert a little bit disappointed said. "My dick is harder than ever before." The other two boys grinned. "You won't miss your time, Rob." Raul was older than they were and was near his puberty, so he recovered quicker than Jeremy. He then added: "Come on, enter into the bathtub." Jeremy then took the new soap and began rubbing his best fried's scalp, while Raul took care of his dick and balls that were now into his mouth. Jeremy caressed, not only on his head but also on his back and butt crack that made Robert to almost yell in pleasure. Soon he could not stand as his knees buckled. Again Raul got his climax as he hugged his friend on the waist to prevent him falling in the tub. Robert recovered quickly from his dry orgasm and helped his friend to soap and rubs his scalp. Before rinsing their smooth bodies, they helped Raul to soap his blond hair. After some minutes, the three boys were clean and fit, dressed only in underwear; joining the Major and Julia at the table to have lunch. After the supper, Robert and Jeremy went to their room lying on the bed on their sides. Robert then asked his friend. "Jer, what do you think about tomorrow? And why the Major didn't like to go further explaining us?" The boy kept silence for a moment as he lightly rubbed his friend's face with the back of his hand as he liked. "Rob, as far as we continue together I don't care about anything. I'm sure we'll survive all of this if we are together, as up today. I'm not very concerned regarding the medals, except that our moms' work will be recognized; though I wonder which the cost will be. I'm sure they are caring and looking after us; especially the General, who is a great man. But they aren't absolutely confident to do so here; therefore, I guess they are taking us to somewhere where our lives aren't put at risk." "If you are certain, that could mean that we won't see our families during some time; depending on the War's results." "As usual, you are a very smart boy, Rob. Those are my guesses. When they met with the Colonels, I heard one of them telling Major Campos that thousands of boys and girls were being embarked into a Russian ship in Valencia, in order to prevent them the consequences of the War." "You didn't tell me anything about that." Jeremy again rubbed Robert's face as he answered. "Yes, you are right. But you must recognize that we didn't care about children being shipped outside to save them. You should have finer ears when adults are talking as our dog does." "Mom and Uncle Jeff said that wasn't of good education on boys, especially if you do it on purpose." "You are right. First, I didn't do it on purpose. And second, I care about anything that could mean you or me being at risk. Besides, did they talk about the war end? Nobody does. Do you remember those criminal spies that we met in the mountains? Then you were very concerned about my security; but I heard them that the war could get an end within a few months; also that Spain had been divided into two parts as their forces have arrived at the Mediterranean Sea; that's why the Government is in Barcelona, not in Valencia or Madrid as used to be. "That isn't for patriotic people to tell." Jeremy caressed again his friend's face as he resumed his explanations. "I'm as patriotic as anyone can be, the proof is that our Moms, Uncle Jeff and many others, including ourselves, are fighting to the death for the Republic; and I'll continue if they ask me because I love our country. However, this doesn't ban us to recognize the truth." Robert then went into a reflexion as he answered his friend. "Yes, you are right. One of the parties must lose the War, anyway. Either the Republic or the Fascists; but it seems we are on the losing side." Robert then stared into his friend's eyes. "I don't want those beautiful eyes to get sad." Saying this, he turned down, so his head was in the middle of his friend's legs. Without any notice, he put into his mouth Jeremy's soft cock and started to suck it. Soon Jeremy's dick was as a rock. "You are incorrigible, Rob. That's one of the reasons why I like you so much." He opened his mouth and paid back his friend. For some minutes they sucked each other, enjoying the lovely smell produced by the soap they had used against lice. The boys enjoyed each other during some time, from time to time stopping and resuming again, until that great orgasm hit them. Their bodies tensed as boards, their breathings disappeared for seconds as they groaned as wounded animals. They remained quiet for some time; then Robert recovered his original position in front of his friend. They stared at each other and all the sudden the boys went into a tight embrace. They broke the hug and separated; their eyes were near closed. "Let's have a good siesta, Jer; we'll have time to discuss and talk what to do tonight." "Are you sure? Have you forgotten that Elisa will be here tonight?" They smiled and drifted to sleep. They were children and needed to rest. Around 5:00 p.m. everybody ended their afternoon siesta. The Major Martinez with his wife, niece, and nephew seemed to be happy and relaxed when the boys joined them. Then the officer asked them. "Do you have your things packed? If not, do it tonight; as a prize, we are leaving tomorrow morning after the meeting in the Town Hall; we'll go for a trip to the region Capital City." Everybody stared at him, except his wife; he continued: "I have a mission to comply there and I'll need you; there's no danger or risk at all. Sorry I cannot disclose it or be more explicit by now. By the way, I suppose you still keep your stick." "Yes; it's upstairs in the wardrobe," Robert answered. "Alright, boys. You can go now and play, but don't get dirty; otherwise, you have to wash again, and that isn't nice for a boy; at least it wasn't for me when I was your age." "Can we go for a walk, Major?" Jeremy asked. "You can, but you may not if you don't take care of yourselves." Jeremy blushed with the rectification. "Thanks, sir; we won't be far away." The three boys went out gladly as if they were released from a prison. They ran as mad boys to the near pine forest to play. They sure had to go into the tub again, but that was fun for them. Elisa also left the house with a friend of hers to talk about what they liked best: "boys and their hard penises". When they felt alone, the Major kissed his new wife. He then said: "Let's go upstairs." The young couple entered into the boy's room; the Major went to the wardrobe and took the thicker stick; then unscrewed it, took a set of papers from his inside pocket, and after checking carefully introduced them into the cane. He screwed it hard, so it was very difficult to notice any difference. He then kissed his wife and said: "Julia, these documents will safeguard the boys' future lives. Also, our future, if we decide to leave Spain. "But why Jose? If the War doesn't go as we have expected and thought, still we have our lands, more than enough for the children and our living." "Probably you are right in what you and the children are concerned, but I'm an important Officer, and the Fascists don't have much mercy on us. I'm sure they'll shoot me down. It's a paradox, but for them, I'm a traitor when they are the real traitors to a legal State, the Republic; I think we have talked this many times." "But why are they so cruel? You have behaved as a soldier and..." He caressed his young wife's face tenderly. "Darling, you must understand that civil wars are almost the same everywhere. Please let's stop." He changed the subject. "Something could be different for the children; if you accept, I can save Raul and Elisa by sending them together with Jeremy and Robert. I can ask the General to make passports for them." The young woman glanced at her husband. "No. They wouldn't accept that. From the moment my sister passed away I have been their mother. They had told me many times they won't separate from me. You must look after yourself, later we'll find the way to reunite again." The young woman started weeping silently, her head on the officer's shoulder, as she murmured. "If things go wrong, the newcomer won't see his/her father for a long time." The man kissed gently his wife. "That's why I want to save our lives." She did not argue. "Julia, do you think I should tell the boys today why we are travelling to the Capital City? The General has left it up to me to decide." "They are good and intelligent boys, and deserve you trusting them." "I do Julia, but on the other hand, I don't want to spoil these few hours; they also deserve some happiness, after all, they are children and have plans to meet your niece tonight. If I tell them now they wouldn't do gain anything, but would lose those marvellous moments of being together during the night. Moreover, I think Elisa and Raul would blame me for getting the boys sad from happy. You are partially right, therefore I'll talk to them when they return, though I won't tell anything about our trip to Bilbao; we have time enough before lunch. Regarding the documents that they are transporting to England, I'll leave that part to explain meanwhile we are in the train. Telling them now or tomorrow won't change anything." A few hours later and near dusk, the boys returned and went directly into the wooden bathtub again. Laughing and joking they washed one another. Julia watched them with some envy; she thought it would be great to enjoy as they did, but she was a married woman and expecting a baby for the next February. "Will the war still exist?" She thought. Sometime later, after they had dinner, Jose Martinez told the boys: "I have left our conversation for tomorrow, upon our return from your decoration. Now I think you should enjoy your lives." He winked an eye at them and left. He needed to talk to his boss about what he had decided. After a few minutes, Robert said: "Tomorrow will be an exciting day, so I think I'm going to bed. What's about you, Jer? The other boy thought they wouldn't cheat any of the present persons, so he followed the play. "Yes, you are right, my friend. Good nights." Hand in hand the boys walked up to their room. After a while, Elisa and Raul also left. The young future mother grinned and sighed. "Good night sons, have pleasant dreams." Then in a murmur, she added with the sadness reflecting on her young face: "During your last night. I wonder if I'll see you again after your departure." Two tears trailed down of her smooth cheeks. The boys stomped into the room, and before they could breathe both were naked on the large bed. They started playing with each other cocks jokingly and making ticklish. In that instant Elisa entered and locked the door with the latch, so nobody could enter. She stared at the two naked beautiful shepherds with the lust reflecting on her face. The boys seemed hypnotized as she started taking out her blouse: "You aren't the little gentlemen I supposed you were, leaving a woman to get naked by herself." The boys jumped from the bed as they murmured some excuses. While Robert took off her blouse and the small bra, Jeremy unbuttoned her skirt and dragged down her pants. In those times the boys wore underwear made from cotton, only during the cold months. It was like small trousers, but shorter and the fly could not be closed. However, girls always wore pants tied around their waist or adjusted with an elastic band; this was the case of Elisa. Jeremy introduced his thumbs and soon she was as naked as they were. She then jumped between them. As if they had already planned their actions, Robert started licking her little breasts, sucking her nipple nubs. She squirmed with those touches. Jeremy liked to feel the girl smooth insides of her long legs that he rubbed with his left long arm and hand. His tongue flicked out like a snake and was trying to drill her clean belly-button. With all these actions together she was quickly approaching her climax; so she said: "Boys, I'm getting close to my feeling and you are very hard, but a little far from it. I think we should agree with the procedure to follow to reach our aim. Don't we?" The boys stopped and widely smiled. Robert then said: "I like the word "procedure"; you seem Uncle Jeff's talking." They laughed. "Yes, she's right, Rob; what do you suggest Elisa?" The girl placed a kiss on each boy's cheek as she caressed their dicks. "I want both of you to fuck me at the same time, so you cannot say I have discrimination against you because I love both for equal." They looked perplexed as Robert pointed out. "But you have only one pussy; I don't think we can put our dicks inside at the same time; still they aren't very thick, but..." She grinned and jabbed her friends. "You are right. But I have two holes; you forgot my butt's." They seemed to understand as she continued: You Robert will lie on your back and will stick your beautiful cock into my cunt; then Jeremy will introduce his long and wet dick into my butt hole. When you cum, we'll change, so everybody will get twice the nice feeling. What do you say?" Both boys grinned as Jeremy said: "You are the smartest girl I ever met. Yes, you are right. Let's start. Quickly Robert lay on his back down on the wide bed and Elisa did not lose a second and went on top of the boy, but he had experienced this before, and now he wanted to enjoy it as much as possible. His dick was like a rock but he started kissing the girl around her neck, nibble her between her little breasts. She smelled clean; probably she had prepared herself while the boys were playing in the pine forest and were ready to try what her friend had taught her. Robert felt his dick near her vagina hole as her hand guided it to the warm cave; both pushed hard and his dick entirely went inside her. In those moments of emotion and lust, the boy sealed his lips on the girl's, and Elisa tried to part his teeth; Robert resisted for some seconds, but it was so great the new sensation that he felt how his cock inflated as he was pushing up his hips to go as far as possible into her. Gladly he received her tongue, and soon they were swirling inside their mouths. Jeremy heard the muffled moans from his friends and the strange excitement that they had, to the point that his greased dick entered her to the hilt and she did not say anything. He tried not to place all his weight on them straddling the couple as he fucked the girl's butt. He took the pace they had and soon the three were groaning and sweating. Elisa was stimulated on both sides and she was reaching the point of no return. She stopped breathing, pushed down her hips and broke the kiss. A real scream came out from her throat as her body squirmed with her orgasm. Seconds later a muffled yell from Robert showed he also was completed. Jeremy continued fucking the girl as he dragged the three to a heap lying on their sides; all breathing hard and gasping. After some seconds and as they were recovering, Robert said: "Shit, Elisa! Why didn't you do that before? It has been more than great. It has bee super great!" The girl smiled as the three were now split on the bed recovering. Jeremy did not know what they were talking about; he had experienced a great feeling, much better than with Raul; but it seemed they had enjoyed even more than him. "It has been lovely Rob, but I don't understand the exaggeration." The naughty boy and girl grinned and staring at his deflating penis he said. "Can you explain why my dick is so tired?" Elisa and Robert smiled in complicity. He then said: "Within some minutes and when we recovered, you will understand." Robert now had forgotten everything and he only wanted his dear friend's happiness. He jumped on top of Jeremy and began making ticklish to him and kissing everywhere as if he wanted to transmit his happiness to his best friend. Some minutes later took place the repetition, but with Jeremy under her. He was even more surprised that his friend was; he knew if they were together, nothing could stop them to enjoy their lives. He had now a strong sense that they were able to face all the monsters of the universe. After these reflexions, he stared at the lying girl, kissed tenderly her on the lips: "Elisa, I'm sure we'll never forget you!" He kissed her again as two tears escaped from the girl's eyes and dropped on the bed." She said nothing; got dressed and staring at them said: "Good luck, friends. I love you." She opened the door and quickly disappeared into the dark passage. They cuddled as usual and drifted to sleep. Robert wanted to talk about that beautiful night, but he felt there would be a lot of time for that. CHAPTER 9 --------------- Robert woke up at dawn with the need of peeing; naked, he went to the yard, where the animals were, and peed; it felt a little chilly at that time. He quickly returned upstairs, and passing by Raul room, he observed how the blond boy was rock asleep and nested amorously in his sister's arms. He immediately thought about what they had done the previous night and his dick got hard immediately. He entered the warm room and watched carefully his best friend's features. Jeremy was a little bit taller than he was, and had long and smooth legs; his clean and waving hair reached near his eyes. In his dream, he smiled, showing that lovely dimple on his right cheek. "Yes, he liked him and loved his friend more than he admitted to himself." He thought. "Was he a queer as Raul seemed to be? No!" He rejected that idea. He deeply loved Jer and would give his life to save his friend's, as Manuel did to save his father. Jer hypnotized him when he opened his intense green eyes; he has to recognize how the girls in the school, when they were playing in the yard during the breaks, commented: "Robert, you are the prettiest boy of the village; Jeremy is the most handsome." They said "guapo". Was it the same? However, Jer never bragged of that, he simply smiled and showed his dimple as the girls sighed." Those were the boy's reflexions. He laid his elbow on the bed and his head on his hand, watching carefully his friend; he could not stop himself and kissed Jeremy a peck on his red lips. But Jeremy was not asleep; he had woken up when Robert returned from the farmyard. Suddenly he quickly extended his arms and dragged his friend to him; then turned over him; so he was now on top watching tenderly Robert. Without any notice, he sealed his lips on his friend's and pushed his tongue inside. Robert trembled in excitement and placing his hand on Jeremy's head he met his tongue and sucked it eagerly. Instinctively the boys started grinding their hips as their wet cocks rubbed against each other abdomen. They did not express a single word, but after a short time, their young bodies tensed, and seconds later groaned with the impact of their dry orgasms. They broke the eternal kiss and placed their head on each other shoulder. Near at the same time, still gasping for air, both said in unison: "I love you!!!" They kept a dead silence as if they were ashamed, but they were not. After a few minutes, they separated. They were lying on their sides staring to each other, still confused, but happy. Jeremy extended his hand and with its back caressed his friend's face. "I don't mind what you may think or what people may say, Rob; but I love you with all my heart. Gladly I would give my life to save yours." Robert was hearing what he had thought just minutes before, so he did not say anything as a couple of tears trickled down his cheeks. He hugged his friend very tight to him as he murmured in his ears: "I love you, too, Jer. I was scared just minutes ago to tell you because I thought you may say that was something from queers and you would reject me." They separated a few centimetres; Jeremy took away a tuft of curly hair from his friend's forehead. "You, the bravest and most beautiful boy of the world were scared? I can't believe it. You are a liar!" He joked. This broke the moment and both boys started making ticklish to each other and laughing. When they were tired of fun, cuddled together and again drifted to sleep. Around 9:00 a.m. Elisa came to wake them up. She sighed when watched both boys embraced and hard asleep. He shook them. "Come on, boys! It is time to stand and have breakfast. They looked at the window and watched how the sun streamed thru the clean glasses. The boys jumped from the bed, put on their underwear and ran to the well; extracted a bucket of fresh water and cleaned their faces, arms and their dicks. Then returned upstairs; made the bed and placed their belongings into the backpacks. They sat around the large table as Julia poured warm milk with bread. They ate eagerly accompanied by Raul and Elisa. Elisa from time to time made furtive looks and smiled. When they finished, Julia handed them the ironed trousers and shirts. "Now, boys, today is a special day and you must look as you are: exceptional boys." They grinned at the compliments. In that moment entered the Major, stared at boys and said: "Let's go upstairs before you get dressed. We have time enough." They climbed the stairs ignoring what the Major had in his mind. Both sat on the bed while the officer did on one of the chairs. "Do we have time to talk now before we meet the General?" "Yes. It isn't 9:30 yet, and we need only five minutes to reach the Town Hall." He paused. "Jeremy, Robert, I thought to talk to you after the meeting or some time afterward but the General Asensi has left me free to take the decision." They got serious and did not expect the Major wanted to talk them so soon. The military officer continued. "Robert, Jeremy; what I'm going to tell you must be kept into your hearts, this means you cannot tell anybody unless you want to undermine the General's prestige and your own safety. Today, as soon as the act finishes, we'll come back here to say goodbye to Julia, Raul, and Elisa; then you and I'll travel to the Capital City. It won't be a trip for fun or to enjoy a free day in the park and zoo, but to take a train in the afternoon; if everything goes correctly, it'll take us to the Port of Bilbao." When the boys heard this, they couldn't stop some tears. Robert then said. "But I can't leave my mother, Uncle Jeff and my sisters alone; besides I'll need my Mom's permission to leave!" Jeremy also said. "Mr. Martinez, what Rob has said applies to me. I don't know where my father is, but my mother is still in my town teaching girls and boys. She should say if she agrees or not to all of this." The Major raised his hand, he was expecting those arguments. "You are right, boys. But your mothers and your Uncle Jeff have signed the authorizations for us to take you to the Port of Bilbao. There, you'll embark onboard on the British frigate "Fearless" to England. Those documents and some others are concealed in the stick. Tomorrow I'll explain you all about them. If you still have any doubt, we can unscrew the stick and..." Robert with blurred eyes raised his hand. "We believe you, Major. But why are they shipping us to England? We can help here, not there!" "Jeremy, Robert, please believe me. Once the General and the rest of us leave the village, the Fascists' spies will search for you, and your lives will value less than a penny to them. Let alone when they know the course of the battle against de Italian army. They won't have any mercy on you. It doesn't matter whether your mothers apparently seemed to be on their side." Jeremy sighed. He was not as concerned as Robert was. "Rob, you have always been the strongest of us. We have made what we could to help our families; have enjoyed a lot, and now we must go to England. You speak English perfectly, perhaps new adventures are waiting for us there, and when we grow up we may return again to our loved mountains." Robert seemed not so happy. "But our moms are here and my little sisters, too; we won't see them maybe forever..." "That isn't true, my friend." The Major said. "You are very young and have all your life in front of you. Why risk it so soon? Situations change with the time, and you'll have many opportunities to do many things. You are bright boys and after some time our country will need you. You may not understand this now, Robert, but I'm sure of it." Jeremy then approached his mouth to his friend's ear. "Still we'll enjoy in England many girls like Elisa and Raul. Someone told me they are very hot." Robert grinned, dried his eyes and shouted: "Yes, let's go for those medals. Who knows what is waiting for us?" He placed his right arm around his friend's shoulder. As many children do, a good reasoning changed their mind. They stood and walked down to meet Julia, Elisa, and Raul. The girl winked an eye at them. After five minutes walk, they entered the building that was crowded with many people. In the large room, they were received with applause; it was full of persons, especially military, the Mayor, and the staff governing the town. The General entered from an adjacent room, followed by his assistants; everybody kept a respectable silence: He then said: "Citizen of the Republic; you must be very proud of these two boys and other three secret people as we are. Thanks to their bravery, intelligence, and dedication, we have saved many persons from being killed in the trenches; however, they couldn't save their most loved persons that died fighting for our Republic, in spite of all of our efforts. The Republic wants to recognize their efforts; and according to the Decree issued in Barcelona by the Minister and War, we decorate Robert Gilles, Jeremy Gutierrez, and other three secret persons, with the medal of Honour and Liberty; the highest distinction awarded by our Republic to non-military persons." In that moment the flash of a camera shot to the boys, as the General continued: "Jeremy Gutierrez and Robert Gilles, please approach." Julia pushed the boys that advanced a few steps and stood in front and near the General. He then extracted from his pocket two little red boxes, opened them and took an enamelled white-red oval medal, showing the Republic coat of arms and placed it on Robert's young chest; then he did the same with Jeremy, as the flash from the camera shot several times. The General then shouted. "Long live the Republic!!!" and everybody replied with the same words. The man hugged the two boys at the same time as he slowly said: "Thanks and good luck, my sons." Jeremy and Robert hugged him around his waist as everybody started applauding very hard. After many congratulations the Reporter said: "Please boys, stand together showing your prizes. As soon as they authorise me, your picture will be on the cover page of the magazine "Life", and all Americans and the rest of the World honest people will know you. Congratulations!" Robert answered in correct English: "Thank you very much indeed, sir, for your kind words." The man grinned and ruffled the boys' hair. They left the building proudly showing their medals, always escorted by the Major and his wife Julia. Raul on one side, and Elisa on the other formed the group. Soon the people split as they entered the house. As if they had been waiting for that moment, the boys hugged the Major and started bitterly crying. The man understood the tensions the boys had been bearing, especially when the General named their mothers. He dragged the boys to a large sofa so they could cry and empty their souls. After some time, they stopped; Jeremy stood, followed by Robert, and went to the yard; extracted a bucket of fresh water and cleaned their faces. They joined their friends as Robert said: "Sorry, we have behaved like babies." The Major took them by their hands and sat on the sofa. In one instant he stared at his wife and she understood. She gently pushed Elisa and Raul to the kitchen as she closed the door behind. When the officer felt they were alone, he hugged the boys to his chest. "You have behaved as adult men, too soon; unfortunately within some time you won't be children anymore, but new sensations and circumstances will change your lives, but that's unavoidable; it's Mother Nature's decision". He paused. Then he resumed. "Robert, Jeremy, in an hour the military car will be here to take us to the City; so we have time to talk, meanwhile Julia will prepare some food for our trip. Now listen to me carefully. The Republican authorities have taken some measures that I want to explain you here, rather than in the train as I had planned." He paused and Jeremy asked: "What are those measures, Major? "As far as I know, within your stick, there are several documents. It contains, a) your birth certificates, which almost certainly, you must present in your future schools. b) One document with the name of the firm that will administer the money deposited by the Republic for your education and living, until you are 21 y/o; so you aren't beggars, but refugees. To this respect, someone from our Embassy in London will visit you, though it'll take some time. c) A letter, written by your Uncle Jeff; I wonder to whom it's addressed, but you shouldn't open it unless you find yourselves in very difficult circumstances and need to prove who you really are." He then took from his pocket a yellow enveloped and a document, signed and stamped by the General and the Town Hall Mayor. This is your refugees' passport; it is merely a transactional paper..." Jeremy interrupted de man. "What does transactional means?" "Good question, boy. It means only serves to identify you until you reach your destination and the British authorities raise the real one; it is an emergency and temporal one. As you can see, you appear as brothers and your names are written in block letters, so you shouldn't be separated; even we have left a blank line in order some other child name could be added. The Navy must justify the number of children onboard, but they don't care about names or destination." "Do you know the port of destination?" "No, I don't. In all probability must be a southern one, in order to avoid the children too much time on the sea." The transit time will be of 24 hours; it means you'll embark tomorrow at dawn. Do you have any more questions?" The boys kept silence. "Alright then. Go upstairs and collect your backpacks. Within a few minutes, the car will be here." Soon they were back as they heard the vehicle horn. The moment of the farewell to Julia and the children was very hard, but they did not want to prolong it too much. They said goodbye and jumped on the little lorry with two armed soldiers escorting them. The vehicle rode for three hours. The boys enjoyed the trip watching the landscapes that they had not seen before. The air on the faces moving their curly hairs was wonderful, so when they arrived to the Capital City they thought it had been fun talking to the soldiers. A few minutes before they watched the first buildings, the small lorry stopped near a forest. All descended and went for a pee and some of them for a crap, too. They resumed the trip, and half an hour later they were at the station that was full of children; there were many parents weeping and saying goodbye to their offsprings. The Major searched for their wagon and seats. "Jeremy, Robert; our wagon is number five, seats 1, 2 and 3." Suddenly a noise rose from near them, as a lieutenant ordered the passengers not to stop and proceed to their respective wagons and seats. The officer stood as he watched the Major. "What has happened, lieutenant?" The man military saluted. "An old man has passed out, sir. But I think he hasn't only fainted; it seems he's dead; probably from a heart attack. It is hard to leave a child of these ages onboard of a train without knowing where he'll be. Anyway, those are consequences of this war." "Thanks lieutenant for your help." The soldier smiled to his superior and made the military salute again as the Major answered. They advanced thru the platform as Robert spotted a little blond pretty girl of about 6 or 7 y/o sat on one of the wooden benches of the rail station, not far from the place where the old man had fainted; she was inconsolably crying as nobody cared about her. The girl looked very clean and was wearing excellent clothes; she seemed lost and abandoned; Robert approached her. Immediately to his mind came the image of his sisters as he kneeled in front of her, followed by Jeremy. "What's the matter with you, little one? Why are you crying and what's your name?" She hiccupped and cleaned the trails of his tears dribbling from her blue eyes. "My name's Adele Montalba. My grandpa went to buy me some toffees long time ago and he hasn't returned yet; we must take that train but I, I don't know where..." The Major was observing the scene; and did not know what to say or what to do. Surely the dead old man was her grandfather and she was left alone in that crowded place. He was to take a decision when he observed how Jeremy whispered something into Robert's. Suddenly he sat down near the little girl and placed his left arm around her light shoulders as if he were surprised. "Adele, Adele, thank god I have found you, little sister! I was getting mad because I had lost you. Grandpa was gone and I had to care about you as we planned." The little girl stared into the boy's intense green eyes; she surely thought she had not any brother but... She stopped crying and hugged Jeremy hanging from his neck. "But, but, I don't..." Jeremy guessed what the girl was thinking. "My sweet Adele; don't you remember me and our brother Robert. Is it possible that you have forgotten us? I think again that a mean sorceress has cursed you, so you could forget us. But we promise we'll kill her. Don't we, Robert?" "Sure we will. We'll smash her hands with this stick, so she can't do anything to our precious little girl." The child perhaps thought it was fun or true what those boys said, because as she could remember she had not any brother; but if she was under the influence of that mean woman? Then she opted for hugging her brothers. Jeremy took her on his strong arms and the four climbed into the train and went to their seats near the windows. The little angel cuddled in Jeremy's arms and soon was hard asleep; Jeremy stared at that beautiful rounded face, took her long hair out of the white forehead and kissed it. The Major stared at his boys and moved his head understanding and admiring these exceptional human beings. "You are even greater than I thought. Now more than ever, you must live because Spain will need you in the future." The other boys and girls, and two adults sharing the seats did not know what was on; however, they understood those boys must be very important since they were accompanied by a Major. The military officer searched into the girl's little bag and found just a few things; one handkerchief, a few girl underwear clothes, a luggage ticket and a yellow envelope containing a birth certificate. He carefully examined everything, and in a moment that the other adults were gone, he motioned Robert and Jeremy to approach. The Major took in his arms the little girl. Robert then asked. "What shall we do, Mr. Martinez?" "First of all, you must continue with the play that the girl is your sister until you are with the family that will receive you; that will guarantee she lives with you. I have written her name on the blank line of the passport. The ticket is a receipt referring to some luggage shipped by rail to Victoria Rail Station; therefore, as soon as you are confident that you will remain within the welcoming family you must give them the ticket. The other document is her birth certificate; it must be with your documentation; therefore, now you go together to the toilet. Jeremy, you will remain outside, as if you were waiting your turn to crap, while Robert opens the stick and introduces the document. Is it clear?" Robert smiled. "That's good because I need to crap and pee." "I need it, too," Jeremy argued jabbing his best friend. Come on, let's go." They took the stick and disappeared amongst the crowded wagon as the train was running northbound to Bilbao. Sometime later they returned a little bit sad. The Major stared at them. "What's going on with your sadness?" "Mr. Martinez, many boys, and girls are weeping, they aren't as lucky as we are. Most of them are accompanied by strange persons and they ignore where they are going to." The man sighed as the boys sat near him. ******************** CHAPTER 10 ----------------- In the west of London, Betty Northfield, or best, Mrs Berta Gilles was examining some papers; her husband Noah Gilles had just returned from the Parliament House and from having a look into their business. He tenderly kissed his loved wife. They lived in a large house in the most aristocratic area of London. It wasn't a mansion properly; she hated that word, but enough to lodge a large family. Until a few years ago they had been very happy with their family; however, just thirteen years ago their son Peter left for Spain where he had raised a family. Sometime later, his brother Jeffry followed him. The Spanish Civil War had totally cut their communications when they were preparing their return to England; they knew had grandchildren that did not know. "How are things getting on in the Parliament?" Betty asked. "Not good enough. The Prime Minister still insists Britain must be neutral in the Spanish Civil War; therefore, we can do nothing; he doesn't want to annoy Hitler and Mussolini. At least we have the ship for the children in Bilbao. She is due sailing off tomorrow at dawn; the weather and sea seem to make a favour to the poor souls; we don't expect rough sea for next three or four days. Is it everything here ready to receive them?" "Yes. We have a team of nurses onboard the ship to help them; and as soon as they disembark, an army of sanitary people will take care of them. If things go as planned, Newhaven port will be empty after a few hours of the ship's docking. The destination of most of the children will be London's area. We have allocated a little station near St. Pancras for the final delivery to families welcoming them, thus avoiding the large station to collapse." "That's a good idea, our charity actions shouldn't interfere with the normal daily business work." "Tomorrow, as soon as the ship sails off, we'll obtain the list of children attached to the Bill of Lading. The Admiralty will provide it; so while the boat is sailing we'll allocate the children to the respective families. We have prepared the room that used to be Peter and Jeff's." A silence fell on the couple as Betty cleaned her eyes. I'm sorry Noah; I can't stop thinking about them. My precious boys!! Why Noah? Why did they leave us?" What was wrong?" The man stood and hugged his wife tenderly. "Nothing was wrong. Betty, we have talked about this many times during the past thirteen years. We did nothing; we only committed one fault: give them freedom, and I would do it again. It was their lives and not ours. If they ever come back, I'll open my arms and hug them as if they had departed just the previous day. God knows my heart is free of any resentment to them. "You don't need to explain me your love for our sons, but my heart bleeds and we haven't any news from them. Spain is now a very dangerous country." ******************** The train was approaching the high mountains chain that separates the flat Castellan country from the Cantabrian Sea and the Basque Provinces. Everybody was sleeping except the military officer who was guarding and protecting his children. The boys moved and Jeremy woke up. Then, near in a whisper, he asked. "How is Adele? I cannot stop thinking about her beautiful blue eyes? She's so pretty..." "She's asleep." He paused as Robert also woke up. "What's going on? Are we too far from the destination? We are tired of this trip." "No; in a couple of hours we'll leave this uncomfortable and crowded train." They stared at the blond little girl, and the officer motioned the boys to approach him, just in case some of the other travellers were not asleep. "Jeremy, Robert, watching her certificate of birth some images have come to my mind. I was in Madrid near one year ago; two or three Fascist aircrafts appeared bombing the city, killing some innocent civilian persons. The evening newspapers mentioned that a young woman was killed. She was the daughter of one of the richest persons that supported the Republic with his money; he was the Count of Montalba. The paper went on explaining that the woman was Montalba's only child. Maybe it's just a coincidence, but this girl could be the Count's grandchild. You must keep this absolutely for yourself since many interests could be in the play. The Republic has a great interest in protecting this little girl; so you are now her protectors." "We'll look after her, Major." Robert said as Jeremy kissed the little girl's forehead." As if he was swearing, the boy said looking at the blond child: "I'll protect you, my little angel with my life if it's necessary." In that moment came a man from the Rail Company announcing to get ready, since in fifteen minutes the train would enter in the rail station near the Port of Bilbao. It happened as announced. From the wagon's windows could be seen the silhouette of the large warship lashed to the dock. A group of Communist Militia was organizing the queue to access the ship. The Commissary commanding the group immediately approached the group, making a military salute, as the Major was her superior. "At your orders, Major!" Can I help you?" She was a nice woman and seemed very happy doing her job. "Thanks, Commissary!" He smiled at her, as the boys were watching. "You seem very happy this morning, comrade...! "I really am, because the news couldn't be better." "Sorry comrade, but we have been clustered in this train for almost forty hours; I must stink and I don't know anything." The woman opened her arms as she said. "The course of the war will change. Our troops, commanded by the General Asensi, have obliged to surrender the entire of Italian armoured fascist division, near Guadalajara." The boys could not stop and cheered up hugging the woman. She seemed now a goddess of happiness. "Thanks, boys; I see you share my feelings. The Italian commander surrendered his troops to prevent a massacre." The Major, as de boys, effusively hugged the woman. "I'm one of the General Asensi assistants in a mission with these three children. You will never understand what this event means for us." "In that case, my Major, let's celebrate this in the Canteen; I suppose the children and you need to eat something. At least we have two hours to load the ship, so we have more than enough time to chat and have something between." Before the officer could answer, she called a man and instructed him. "We'll be in the Canteen, should you need me I'll be there." Then the group walked up to the old brick building. Their presence was sheered by all persons that were in the dinning-hall. The children ate some toasts with olive oil and sugar and a large glass of thick milk. The adults took coffee. The time elapsed quickly; and while the woman was in the toilet, the Major gave the boys his last pieces of advice. "Robert, Jeremy, never separate from Adele, she must always be with one of you. Tomorrow at dawn you will be in England. If you feel seasick, remain quiet on the mattress; that will help. Now we must say goodbye before the woman comes; however, go and have pee or crap. It won't be easy on the ship with so many children onboard. The three left, but Robert took the stick with him. Sometime later they returned after relieving their wastes. Without any more preliminaries, the boys hugged the man, and the girl hanged from the man's neck and kissed him tenderly. "I love you." The military officer had to make a great effort to keep his tears back when he hugged the boys. With his voice near in a murmur said: Robert, Jeremy, please take care of this angel. I wonder if we'll meet again; if not, you are carrying all my love. I wish we hadn't this mad war..." He stopped as the Commissary approached. Let's board the ship." The five walked up to the boat plank, practically all the boys were already onboard. The officer at the plank examined the passport that, strangely, the number was red-ink printed. With blurred eyes, they climbed into the ship as the officers made the military salute to them. Just a few minutes later the sailors retrieved the plank and the ship started moving undocking. "The Fearless" was a warship in a humanitarian mission; therefore all war material had been stored in the low decks, leaving all possible free space for the children. A nurse came, as if she were a steward, and allocates them together on two mattresses. She then said: "We the nurses are in that room; if you or any of other children feel bad, please call us. We are here to help you and the rest of girls and boys." She said this with correct Spanish. Robert answered her in English. "Thank you very much. We'll try not to disturb you, or at least, the minimum possible." She opened wide her eyes, she was to say something as an officer called her. They have been roomed in one of the corners of the large dock; they placed their backpacks at the head of the mattresses against the iron wall, and the stick between the two mattresses, but covered with them. They agreed Adele would be right in the angle formed by the two walls; then Jeremy on his left side; and Robert, as usual, behind him. The Major had bought some bread and ham for them, and an aluminium water bottle, so they did not need to drink the water from the ship's pipes. Besides, they had in their backpacks most of the food that Julia had prepared for them. Fortunately, the sea seemed a lake and the ship was making a good speed without causing problems to the children. The two mattresses next to Robert's were occupied by a girl of about 12 y/o, named Jessica, and her 10 y/o brother named Gabriel. They did not know exactly which her age was, except that she showed little tits. The young boy had been weeping in silence since he boarded the ship; on the contrary than his sister; for her, that trip seemed a party with so many beautiful boys around. She was a general girl, but hot and easy to talk to. She did not complain about anything and was happy with the food distributed in the boat, she liked it; on the contrary that her brother, the fat smell produced waves of nausea to him. "Do you want to watch the sea, Adele?" Robert asked. Gabriel heard Robert and woke up from his lethargy. He then said. "My name's Gabriel Garamendi; may I go with you? At least the fresh air will help me to get rid of my nausea." "Sure, if your sister agrees," Robert answered. The girl being named said: "I'm Jessica." She extended her hand and shook with Robert's. "I'll go with you, too. Won't your brother come, with us?" "No; he's tired. He has been awoken during the whole night taking care of our little sister Adele." Robert asked the nurse where they could climb onto the deck to watch the sea. She led them to the top deck where there were many other children staring at the deep blue waters. Some of them with owe, since they were watching it for the first time in their life. Robert had not seen it many times, though his Dad took him two years back to spend a whole week in San Sebastian. He explained that to the girl. "I don't much like the sea in winter because it is cold, except when it is rough and high. Sometimes it comes into the streets; but in summer, we go very often to swim; I live in a little village near San Sebastian; so for us, it isn't any novelty to watch it." They continued talking and playing until Adele said: "Let's go down where Jeremy is. It is becoming cold here. Please, Rob, take me with Jeremy." Robert immediately obeyed the little girl, noticing the displeasure that this caused to the older girl. They descended under the deck where Jeremy was. The little girl went where he was and laid her arm around the boy, waiting for him to wake up. She caressed tenderly the boy's face; he apparently was asleep, so when the little hand stopped near the boy's mouth he opened it and started nibbling her fatty fingers; this made the little blonde to laugh loudly as the boy continued. She then lay near him on the mattress, their heads separated only by a few centimetres; she then fixed her blue eyes on his. "Jer, you have beautiful eyes, like Mom had before that terrible explosion..." The boy caressed the girl and tried to change the subject. "Adele, do you know why you have that lovely dimple on or your chin?" "No; Dad had it, too." The boy grinned and sighed. "At least that was what mom used to say. I can't remember him." "When you were really a baby, I liked to play with you, and then you had not that dimple. From time to time came a Fair Lady to see you when you were asleep; then I pleaded her to make one on your face. She then told me: "Jeremy, you have been a good brother to little Adele, I'll grant your wish, but not in the cheek as yours, but in her chin." She then placed the tip of her finger on your chin." The young girl smiled very pleased. "It is a lovely story but..." She was interrupted by the Nurses announcing the time for lunch." ******************** Betty was checking the shipment children list that had just delivered a policeman from the Admiralty; the names were written in alphabetical order. It showed the name and the first surname of every child, the place of destination and the welcoming family's name. Suddenly, as she was in "G" letter, spotted: "Adele, Jeremy, and Robert Gilles, but their destination was in blank. Her heart beat strongly into her chest as some tears came to her eyes. She knew "Gil", from which Gilles derived, was a very common surname in Spain; so she calmed down. Her husband was not there, so he couldn't help her. She then dialled a phone number belonging to the Admiralty. A man answered the phone: "Good morning; I'm Mrs Gilles, sponsor of the children on board of "The Fearless"; I have just received the list of the children: Would you please provide me with information regarding Robert, Jeremy, and Adele Gilles?" She heard how the man made some consultation with another man, and finally, he said: "I'm sorry Mrs Gilles. We are not allowed to provide you with any information regarding these children." She then insisted threatening would call their bosses. She was not that kind of person, but the moment was causing her a terrible desperation and anxiety. The man then answered. "Mrs Gilles, we understand your concerns, but we are not able to help you." "Thank you. I'm sorry for insisting." The man politely answered there was not any worry about. She then thought about another person; an old friend of hers, Nick Cook, at the time Vice Admiralty working in the Operations Department. She looked in her agenda and dialled his name. "Nick, I'm Betty Gilles..." She repeated her request. "Betty, I can give you any information about any child onboard of the "Fearless", except about these three. I only can say they are not beggars. I suppose you can get some information once they are safely logged into the family welcoming them. Next time we meet I'll explain you why, but not now. Sorry, Betty, I can't help you." "Thank you, Nick; I must tell you I have been a little bit stupid when I called someone within your department a few minutes ago. Please accept my apologies and transmit to them." "I understand you, Betty. You aren't that kind of person; only the stress and concerns can make those changes. "Thanks, Nick and goodbye." She knew wouldn't get any information from the military personnel. "But why nobody could speak about them?" She asked herself. "That means I must wait until they disembarked in the port of Newhaven." There the Organization's personnel will inform them, even without asking, since they had applied for the children; but she could not wait. Definitely, the three children would come home. "If they weren't the persons she would like to receive in their home?" She murmured for herself. ******************** The ship was sailing with good speed, better than the Captain expected; however, he could slow it, but nobody could bet for the Channel's weather; the sea there was unforeseeable. The children were called for lunch; Robert and Jessica stood. "Jer, I'll take the first shift. Adele, would you like to come with us?" The girl stared at her preferred brother and Jeremy nodded. "Yes, I'll go with you. If there is some soup or broth I'll take it." Gladly Robert took her little hand, but again he noticed the annoyance on Jessica's face. The boy addressing to her brother, added: "Gabriel, would you like to join us?" The boy with a grimace said: "I prefer to die starved before eating the pigswill." They left them on the mattress; but as soon as they disappeared, Jeremy took one of their backpacks. "You won't die meanwhile I'm near you, Gabriel," Jeremy said smiling. He extracted one of the bread-bars stuffed with potato and egg omelette, provided by Julia; he offered it to the younger boy. Only the view made the boy sigh. "Would you like this or prefer some ham and bread that we bought this morning in the canteen? I prefer this myself." The boy approached Jeremy and hugged him. "My fucking whore sister won't see me starved." He happily took the long flute and started munching it, as Jeremy took another for himself. "This is the best present I like now." For the first time, Gabriel smiled. "You shouldn't say that about your sister." The boys smiled again. "She's fucking egoist and take care only of herself; nobody has anything important for her." The boy answered with visible resentment. "She doesn't mind whether I like that food or not and if I'm starving. I'll do all my best to eat the English food. At home, my mother used to cook scrambled eggs and I loved them, however, the fat is something different." He sighed. "Gabriel, you must remember the saying: When you are in Rome..." "Yes, I know; I'll try not to be a pin on the family's ass." They laughed. Then they drank some water as they watched Robert and Jessica approaching. Adele then ran to where Jeremy and Gabriel were talking; she then hanged from her boy's neck and kissed Jeremy on the cheek. Then she said: "I love you, Jer. Do you know brother, I didn't like much the meat, but the broth was good and especially the desserts; it was lovely custard. We enjoyed it." The girl information made Gabriel and Jeremy reconsider their attitude toward the lunch; finally, Gabriel said: "Jeremy, what's about if we try the custard? I like it a lot." No argument was expressed and the two new friends went to have their lunch. During dinner they acted very much the same; but in this case, Jeremy took Adele with them. The dinner was a feast for the boys with Gabriel's jokes and the presence of the little girl. Meanwhile, Robert was exploring Jessica. "It seems you like to eat everything." She grinned. "Yes; especially sausages of any kind." She stared at the boy's crotch. Robert, slowing his voice near to a murmur bluntly said: "I have a good one between my legs. Tonight when everybody sleeps, you can try it, if you want." She grinned slyly. "Why not? Let's sleep now some; later we'll decide because there aren't many places on this ship to enjoy; besides there's my brother. He's too smart and will watch me." With no more commentaries, they laid their bodies on the mattresses looking at each other. In a moment that sister and brother were chatting, Robert approached Jeremy. "Jer, this girl is very hot; we have agreed to have some fun tonight when everybody sleeps." Jeremy grinned. "I know how she is. Be careful with her, and try no one notices it. I'll keep Adele with me, so you haven't any duty." They grinned in complicity. CHAPTER 11 ----------------- After dinner boys and girls went to sleep; they were excited and tired at the same time. Most of the children had experienced bombings, fights or shots; especially those living in large towns. Hate and acts of revenge were common on both sides; in summary, cruel situations for children. The nurses tried that all children went asleep soon and in silence, in order to liberate their tender souls. Nevertheless, the sound of some cries could not be prevented or stopped. Adele felt happy near her boy, as she mentally called Jeremy. He was telling her soothing words and tales that the boy invented, where fair ladies, princes, and princesses had important roles. She grinned and made simple questions. After one tale with a happy end, she said: "Brother Jer, I don't want any prince or fair lady, I want you to marry me when we grow up." The boy chuckled and caressed her smooth silky hair, now a little bit dirty caused by the trip. "I'm your brother Adele, and in our Republic, brothers can't marry; you must do with a handsome boy." She grinned slyly. "You are the most handsome boy of the world for me; besides, I heard Mon telling one of her friends, that there are some islands where brothers can marry other brothers, even fathers, and daughters; we can go to those islands and..." The boy interrupted the little girl as she opened her mouth yawning. "Still it is a long time to come and we must grow up. We'll think about that later." "Yes, you are... right." She closed her eyes as Jeremy cuddled her to his chest. In seconds she was hard asleep. Some time afterwards the silence covered the large deck; anyone could only hear the ship's engines and the propellers hitting the deep water and some isolated snoring; however, Jeremy was alert just in case his friend needed any help. Soon Robert felt how the girl approached her hand and slowly started caressing the boy's fly. She was in front of the boy with her back to her brother. She had dragged up her blouse and Robert introduced his left hand and was tenderly caressing the girl's small breasts; she did not wear any bra. Softly he rubbed her nipples as he had done with Elisa. She gasped and started to breathe hard. Robert grinned in the darkness as he was thinking how Elisa moaned, but he was breathing hard too and feared any of them could moan loudly and call the nurses' attention. She had opened the boy's fly and was clearly masturbating him. Robert moved his hand that went into the girl's pants; then he introduced his middle finger into the girl's pussy. She did not expect that, and could not avoid a muffled moan, but did not mind as if they were in the middle of a meadow in the countryside. Jeremy's dick was rock hard as he clearly was aware of what was going on between the couple. He turned over quickly and said in Robert's ear. "You are being very noisy and may call the nurses' attention or to wake up Gabriel." At that moment both, near at the same time, tensed and stopped breathing as they reached their climaxes. The advice came a little bit late. Gabriel was awoken, but the smart boy did not want to cause a scandal; so he jabbed his sister from behind and placed his hand on the girl's mouth, as he said in her ear. "You're going to wake the whole room up, bitch!" Robert immediately turned over facing Jeremy; the girl did the same to her brother. Both kept silence because they knew the boy was right. Instead of thanking her brother, she harshly said in a whisper: "You mind your own business; I don't care about what you think or make." The boy's tears of impotence dribbled along his cheeks down to the mattress. He felt terribly ashamed due to his sister's behaviour. The night passed, and before dawn, the nurses woke up everybody in order all children could have breakfast before leaving the ship. In the notice board was written breakfast menu: Porridge, scrambled eggs, roasted bacon, brown bread rolls, and tea or milk. This raised the children spirits as all cheered up gladly. Jessica was the first to stand to join the first shift. Gabriel seemed ashamed and slowly started preparing his things. He did not want to have any breakfast; in spite, he loved it and was starved. Jeremy understood the boy; he approached him from behind and hugged him. Gabriel softly rejected his friend's hug, but then he turned and paid back Jeremy, but he was crying inconsolably. Robert also hugged him. "I'm sorry Gabriel, but..." The boy broke the hug and turned to Robert said: "I don't blame you, Robert; it isn't the first time. She's a fucking whore and doesn't mind anything." He was to add something but Jeremy stopped him. "Gabriel, forget it. She's only a girl in this whirl of hate and madness. Besides, there's a lovely breakfast and we must take advantage of it. We have nothing left in our backpacks." The little girl that did not understand what was going on said: "Gabriel we all love you; please join us." Gabriel forced a smile. "Yes, beautiful angel. I wish we were like you are." He bent and kissed the little girl's cheek. Some minutes later the four went together on the second shift to have breakfast. They happily returned, and as children that they were, soon they forgot the incident of the previous night. After half an hour, several groups of nurses came with a list of all the children and a handful of auto-adhesive tags that they placed on each boy and girl's chest; it showed the child's name, place of destination, and welcoming family. To Robert and Jeremy's surprise, their family was "Gilles". Robert stared at his friend. "What do you think, Jer?" "That's why they chose us; because the Major didn't know anything about; besides I'm not Gilles and Adele, too. That proves they had done according to the list and not because they know us." They heard the ship officers' whistle while the boat was docking. Then Robert said: "Jer, I'll take both backpacks as one, they are empty except for our clothes and Adele little bag; also I'll carry the stick. You take Adele on your back or by her hand. Since I speak English I can deal better with these persons." "It seems reasonable. Is it too far St. Pancras station?" Jeremy asked. "I don't know; I think it is one of the most important rail stations of London, though Victoria is the largest one." The children formed a queue according to their destination. At that moment Gabriel and Jessica came to say goodbye; they hugged as Gabriel was making a great effort to keep his tears back. Jessica, as she embraced Robert, whispered in his ear: "You finger was good in my pussy, but your warm cock must be marvellous." Robert flushed a little, though he was used to the girl's manifestations. They proceeded to the ship plank and soon were climbing into a rail wagon. An old woman helped them as she saw the names on their chests. She stopped for some seconds scrutinizing Robert. She carried them to their place within the rail-car. "Please don't move from here; if you need anything ask for Mrs Collins, I'll come immediately. It isn't a long trip, only a few hours." "Thank you, Mrs Collins; you are very kind helping us." She smiled and went to the Organization Post; it was around 6:00 a.m. She lifted a phone and dialled a number. The operator said: "Please wait some seconds, at this time of the day there isn't much traffic. The woman was thinking meanwhile the call was coming: "What a stroke for the proud Noah." "Hello, Betty; I'm Nelly from Newhaven! They are on wagon 5, box 3; in three hours you can collect them." On the other part of the line, Betty Gilles asked with anxiety. "How are they, Nelly?" "They are: a pretty blond little girl of about 6 or 7 y/o; she has come on the back of one of the boys. This boy, Jeremy, has some strange intense green eyes; I have never watched similar ones. The third, Robert, is a copy of Noah when he was 12 y/o. You'll recognize him better than I do. I must go back to the children; we'll talk next time we meet." Betty hanged the receiver trying to recover from the impact. Her children, her adored children!! She thought to tell Noah as soon as he got up, but soon she discarded the idea. Her friend could be wrong; it wasn't the first time Nelly reached wrong conclusions. The best to do is to wait; she thought. She had kept all clothes from Robert and Jeffry, so there wasn't any problem dressing the boys. Once they were here could purchase anything they needed. She went to the old wardrobe and started extracting boy clothes. For the little child, she has to buy something, but this did not represent any problem. She went downstairs and met Miriam and Maria, an old woman and her daughter; they worked as cook and maid; and a young man, Edward, who was the chauffeur and maintenance man. "Maria, the two boys and the little girl I referred you last night, are on their way from Newhaven to St. Pancras. I have dragged from the old wardrobe clothes for them." She then addressed to the driver: "Edward, the car must be ready at 9:30. At our way to St. Pancras we'll stop to purchase some urgent garments for the little girl; tomorrow we'll complete what we may need." "Yes, Madame." The three said in unison. ******************* "How will they be?" Robert asked his friend, as the train was crossing the green land. Jeremy had the little blond girl on his lap and placing little kisses on her neck jokingly. She giggled each moment she felt her brother lips on the white neck. For an answer Jeremy said. I like this land, Rob; it is beautiful!" He paused. "Rob, I don't care now how they are. If we don't feel comfortable there, you know very well what we can do. On the other hand, I don't expect anybody to love me immediately; as far as they keep me together with this little angel I don't mind to bear anything. Right now, you and Adele are all that I have and need!" Robert's eyes blurred as he hugged his friends. "Jer, why are you so great, honest and unselfish?" I'm very lucky having you near me. I need and love you!" The little girl could not understand what the boys were talking about, but she thought her Rob and her Jer were the greatest boys in the world. The train whistled as it was entering into the old and large rail station. Then it took a rail track on the right and within a few minutes stopped, blowing white vapour on both sides of the engine. Edward was near the wagon five; he was wearing a dark grey dress, rounded hat, and leggings that adjusted his trousers to his calves as if he were a hunter needing to ride his horse. He and a rail-station police officer climbed into the wagon before the train stopped. They entered the box and spotted the trio. It has been a good idea to include the police officer; that gave Jeremy confidence that they were not subject to any illegal action. "Boys, I'm working as the driver for the MP Noah Gilles; his wife is waiting for you outside." At that moment the lady that helped them in the port of Newhaven greeted the group, as she said: "He is correct, Robert." The woman said. "You can go with him; good luck, children." They descended from the rail car and went thru the crowded station; before they continued, Edward removed the tags adhered to their clothes as he commented. "You are children, not fucking merchandise!" That expression gained a lot at the eyes of the boys, especially when Robert translated it into Spanish. They laughed and that was a good symptom. Jeremy then, signalling the young man leggings said: "Edward, have you lost your gun and horse?" Robert repeated it in English and the young man laughed loudly. "You are right boys; I don't like it but they pay me for wearing them. So..." They entered in a large waiting room. Betty stood as she watched the children; her heart beat strongly into her chest; after all, Nelly was right, she thought; yes, Nelly was absolutely right. As Robert was the first to enter she opened her arms and hugged the boy. "Welcome home, my sons!!" She kissed the boy's head as Robert felt something good and beautiful. Since he said goodbye to his mother had not felt anything like that. Instinctively he hugged the woman. Jeremy watched the scene with some honest envy; he smiled and sighed. Robert observed how the old woman's eyes were wet when they separated. Yes, she was something important to him as had been for his father. To his mind came images of his father telling him that he scarcely could remember his real mother; but that he never missed her, because another woman took her place and she became their real mother in all senses. The same said Uncle Jeff; so this woman could not be other than Aunty Betty, as they called her. To Betty's surprise, when they separated, Robert said: "Auntie Betty, let me introduce you to the best friend I could ever have, to whom I love as my father and Uncle Jeff loved each other." Jeremy blushed as the little girl stared at him questioning. Robert then, turning into Spanish said: Jeremy, this is the person I mentioned you when we were descending from the mountains and met those criminal fascists." Then, to Robert's astonishment, the woman continued speaking in ancient Spanish. "I understand you, though with some difficulty, since my Spanish comes from 1492 when my ancestors left Spain obliged by the Catholic Kings' decree against the Jews. Since then, it is the private language of all Sephardim people." She approached Jeremy and the little blond girls and hugged them. "Thank you, Jeremy, for being so brave." She paused for some seconds and lifted the little girl to her chest. Before she could say anything, Adele asked. "Can I call you Aunty Betty, too; as my brothers Jer and Rob do?" "Yes, you can; because you are an angel and I like angels a lot." Betty rubbed the little face against hers and kissed her smooth cheeks and hair. "Sorry Aunty Betty, we must stink horribly because, as my brothers say, we have come in the ship stacked as sardines in a wooden drum." The woman dragged the girl to her chest as she added. "Little Adele, your stink smells as glory to me; as the best perfume of the world." "Even as the perfume that Mom had when she fell under the explosion?" The woman did not know anything regarding the circumstances that the little angel had lived, and feared she could commit a mistake. Jeremy came to her rescue. Tenderly he took the girl from the woman arms to his. "Adele, Aunty Betty loves you, but we better go and have a good wash, since neither in the train or in the boat we have cleaned properly, let alone our clothes, we wonder what colour they are." As usual, the little girl hugged her brother and stood near him with their hands entwined. Edward entered, and addressing the woman said: "Mrs Gilles, the car is parked outside; we can return home when you like." "Let's go." She answered, leading the group. Jeremy questioned his friend with the eyes regarding where they were taken to. Robert raised his shoulders, he did not know. The woman had not mentioned her husband, and in the short interview, nothing had been clarified. Robert did not dare to whisper anything to his best friend; they had to act as when they were in front of the General Asensi. CHAPTER 12 ----------------- The large "Roll Royce" car stopped in front of an elegant house that had two levels, everything painted in white, except the brass knocker that shone as gold. The woman extracted a key and opened the door. After a small hall, they found in a large room with comfortable furniture; and a stair with wooden rail that led to the upper floor. In front of a wide window facing a large garden, a man was sat down, apparently reading "The Times"; but Jeremy noticed he was nervous. The woman told him: "Here you are the children..." She did not add anything as the man turned to watch the boys and girl that were in front of him. He stared at them, especially to Robert as he commented. "They stink to goat. You should take them to have a good bath." He then turned to his newspaper. For the boys, that was a hard slap. Robert gripped his fits around the stick as if he were to fight, and then answered the man without moving a single muscle or altering his child's voice. "We are proud to stink like goats; we are shepherdess and used them to fight the Criminal Fascists while you and many like you, Englishmen, were sat on your fat asses helping the Fascist forces, instead of doing it to the legal Republic with that Non-intervention Committee." Apparently, the man was upset, but deep in his heart, he was enjoying the boy's words. He said: "Then, what do you want, boy?" "I want my Dad back, though he died murdered by the Fascist while he was defending his pals! I want my Uncle Jeff back who, even with his broken leg, is living in a cave in the mountains spaying and helping wounded persons in the Hospital! I want my friend Jeremy's Dad, who is fighting for the Republic on the Ebro front! And finally, I want little Adele's Mom back who died in Madrid under the explosion of bombs dropped by the Fascist aircrafts to kill civilian women and children." Robert tears were trailing down his smooth face, and without changing the low tone of his pitchy voice, he added addressing to his friend. "Jeremy, let's go out from this house; outside must be someone who loves children refugees and not insulting them." They seemed determined to go back to the door; Betty stared at her husband sternly; the man was visible emotional shocked at the boy's words; he bent his head trying to conceal his blurred eyes knowing his son's death; he had presumed it though, as any father, he rejected that fact now confirmed by his own grandchild. He then almost shouted: "Please, please, don't go leaving us, stay here with us; at least Aunty Betty deserves you!" He dropped himself into the large armchair as Betty placed her arms around the children. "Please, boys, let's proceed and forgive him. He isn't like that. When we talk, you will see a great difference. I wonder why he said those unpleasant words. We'll talk when you rest." Robert wiped his tears as he hugged his friend and Adele who was in his arms. Jeremy placed the girl near him taking her from her hand, then they went thru a salon that had a large fireplace, and on top of the chimney ceil, there was a large canvas oil painting, a portrait representing a family; parents, a girl of about six and a boy around twelve. Jeremy had the quality of observing everything and he was shocked with the painting. Betty showed them their room and clothes on each bed. Attached to the room was a large bathroom, the tub already full of warm water. "Jeremy, Robert, this is your room; it used to be Uncle Jeff's and your Dad's; when they were your age. I suppose you don't need any help. Please use that shampoo to clean your hair. And drop your dirty clothes in that basket." Before the boys could answer, she took Adele from her hand. "Adele, you come with me to my room, I'll bath you." The girl made a little pout because she wanted to remain with her brothers. Without any word, the boys got naked and submerged into the large tub; one on each side as their feet contacted their respective crotches. Robert then asked: "What do you think about all this? The man almost got me upset. Apparently, he's Aunty Betty's husband." Jeremy smiled as Robert fixed his large black eyes on his "cat" friend. "Why do you grin, Jer?" For the first time after so many days, Jeremy approached his friend and both hugged. He touched the wet curly hair. Robert then murmured. "Why did you smile?" "I did because we have been very lucky and you seemed not to notice it." "Very lucky, with that man saying we stink like goats? We don't need him, we can leave tomorrow and contact the man in the Embassy; sure he'll find something for us." Jer grinned again as he rubbed his friend's smooth face with the back of his hand. "Rob, nothing will please me more than to do what you like; as we did in our town..." Robert was puzzled with his friend's attitude; he was astonished, waiting for his answer. "And then...? "We can't go anywhere because he isn't just Aunty Betty's husband; he also is your Grandpa; and I bet that the letter that was written by Uncle Jeff, stored within the stick, your mother, and mine, too, gives him the power to tutor us while we are in this marvellous country." Robert opened wide his mouth in disbelief. Jeremy continued. "While you were engulfed exposing your strong arguments, he was near to break. I'm sure he didn't know that his son, your father, had been murdered, let alone that Uncle Jeff had a broken leg. We have brought that terrible news to him." "But that... is impossible!" "It isn't nowadays. Have you been in this country before?" "No, ever. "Did you observe the old oil-painting on the chimney?" "No, I didn't. I was too upset to stare at any part of this house, except on you and on our little angel." Jeremy grinned again, as he said: "Your face is on that painted portrait; probably of fifty years or more ago. Even your Dad wasn't born yet. Can you explain while have your face been painted there?" Robert answered slowly because he had not any arguments to rebate his friend's words. "I don't know, bright boy. Please explain it to me." "Do you remember near three years ago when you nicknamed me "Cat" mentioning my eyes?" Robert smiled remembering those happy moments, as his friend continued. "The old Mrs Angela told us that my Grand Dad had the same eyes, and they called him Bobcat. Your Dad then intervened and explained us about the inheritance." "Yes, you are right. But that doesn't explain while he called us..." Jeremy smiled tenderly at his friend. "By now, please forget it; we must clean each other; before they call us stinkers, and have a snap; otherwise I'll drift to sleep here. I'm very tired." "Even to suck each other dick!" "Even to that." They carefully washed each other for some time, until they understood were clean. Then dried and, as usual, they jumped into the same bed. In seconds they were asleep as rocks. Half an hour later Betty entered the room to collect the dirty clothes; she watched the scene, approached the bed and kissed the boys' clean hair. "Now it is much better." She murmured with a sigh. She had bathed the little girl that almost asleep said: "I want to sleep with my brother Jer." The woman did not say anything and tucked the girl in the next room that was separated by a door from the boys', in case the girl woke up. She understood it was too traumatic for the girl to be separated from the boys. The woman took the backpacks to wash them; she emptied everything and found Jeremy's knife, some dirty handkerchiefs, the passport, and two little boxes carefully wrapped; they contained one gold medal each, hanging from a yellow and purple ribbon; with the legend: "For the braveness and dedication". Besides she found a small slip carefully folded within the passport. She read it; it was the receipt of a parcel shipped separately to Victoria Station. She carefully looked again into the pockets and found nothing else. She expected to find some coins or small toys, but there was nothing. She returned where her man was sat with a sad grimace on his face. As she approached, he took his wife's hand and kissed it, dragging the woman to his side. "Betty, I'm stupid; I went too far and have committed a great mistake challenging my grandson." "Yes, you are right; they aren't used to English expressing their emotions; Spaniards today are open and like to hug and kiss their children openly without any restriction; they like to hug and be hugged; the body contacts are essential in their lives. Most likely, Robert expected you to declare were his Granddad and hugged him. Don't forget that. Have you forgotten when we were children? That was the best part of our encounters in the greenhouse. Your sons also missed that. They didn't understand why in the school they were taught never to show emotions in public, and if possible, in private." "Fortunately you weren't trapped by that custom or rule; that's why they adored you and never missed, even asked about their own mother. You were their real one. Robert and Jeffrey told me many times, but it was too late to change, and now I'm making the same mistake with my grandson." "Maybe it was too late with Robert and Jeff, but it isn't with young Robert. You can retain him if you like. Fortunately, if I'm not wrong, you have a good allied in Jeremy, though you must be very careful with this boy, he's as smart as pretty, and won't allow you to play with them, unless you do it on "bona fide", as you say in your legal relationships. When you were engulfed with your grandson, I'm sure he knew you were playing to be the serious Englishman; he was lightly grinning." "Fortunately I have you to help me." They paused as he continued. "It is strange they don't carry any document, except their passport and those medals. I suppose the Authorities will provide us with the necessary papers; we must place them in a good school until their respective families show up." "I'm sure they know how to deal that part. To start with, I have found in Jeremy pocket this slip." She showed it to her husband. "Apparently, someone has shipped a large parcel for the little girl with some time in advance, therefore, whoever he or she was, had good contacts within the Admiralty and knew about the frigate call in Bilbao. We can send Edward to collect the parcel. The receipt is extended to the "bearer". She called the young man and instructed him about. "How are the children, anyway?" "As you can imagine, they are more than tired, they are exhausted, surely the will miss luncheon and the afternoon tea." "That's good because I need to do something in the Parliament and I won't be here till 7:00 or 8:00 pm. It depends on Prime Minister's caprices." Two hours later the driver arrived with a medium sized trunk logged in the large car. He entered the house thru the garden and back door; Betty asked him. "Edward, did you get the parcel?" The young man grinned; he liked to accomplish with his bosses' orders; besides a good woman, she was very generous with him when he made his job properly. "Yes, Madame. It wasn't a parcel but a trunk; it is sealed and I had to sign a few papers in order they could give me the key. I had to check all seals around it with a rail inspector. Here you are the key and the papers." "Good, Edward; you deserve a good pint. Please place it in the girl's room." She then extracted five shilling banknote and gave it to the driver. He opened wide his pale blue eyes. "Thank you very much, Madame." She took a chair and sat near the trunk; then introduced the small key and opened it. It was full of clothes and shoes for a girl of six or seven y/o; they were for all seasons. She started sorting them out and placing in a large wardrobe. She found a yellow envelope at the bottom; it contained 20 five-pound banknotes and a letter. It reads as follow: ""To whom it may concern: I'm Pedro Montalba, though everybody knows me as "Marquis of Monte Verde." If you have this letter in your hands, it means my dear granddaughter is with you. I'm writing this letter just a few hours before we leave Madrid to catch a train that finally will leave us in the Port of Bilbao; there I'll try to find a good person to deliver my granddaughter and take care of her until this stupid war is over, and she can safely return to her country. I'm feeling I won't see her again since I'm eighty y/o. Almost two years ago, her mother, my daughter, and only child were murdered by a bomb dropped by a Fascist aircraft; she has not a father since her progenitor left a few months before she was born, even he ignores he has a beautiful daughter. It is better like this, and that is why she carries my surname and is my legal heir. Though I have spent most of my capital helping the Republic, still there is a fair sum of money, shares and a few land properties in Spain, probably they will be held by the New Establishment. My Administrators are "Wickers & Sons Ltd." of New York and are in charge of everything. Should you need more cash for her living, you can contact this firm thru US Embassy in London or thru Barclays'; they are their representative in the UK. They have clear instructions how to proceed, though I'm including here 100 pounds. When she grows and is 18 years old if I have passed away, she must contact the above firm; they know how to physically identify her. She is growing free of any prejudice, the religion is not one of her concerns, therefore, please, take my child away from any school run by any kind of nuns or priests. That has been the great mistake of our country thru centuries, and I don't want her into its organizations; her mother also enjoyed her freedom. I must thank you very much in advance for helping a little child who has not committed any fault, except being born in this disgraced country and era. Pablo Montalba."" Betty reread again the letter several times as she cleaned her wet eyes. "Yes, Spain is a disgraced country where strange interests and strategies play a great role!" She murmured for herself. Without being asked, her husband and she had been placed in the middle of tragedies where the children were the characters, and she was determined to go ahead on helping and guiding them for the rest of their lives. She was sure Noah was of her opinion. Noah did not return for lunch; he had called advising had many things to do. It was near dusk when Robert woke up; he needed a pee. He went to the bathroom and emptied his bladder; when he came back Jeremy had noticed his absence and was staring at every corner trying to find his best friend. Still, they were naked. "You should put on something, we aren't in the mountains." Robert smiled slyly as he watched his friend rock hard penis standing to the ceiling. "I just went to pee. I see your gun is ready to..." And before Jeremy could move, his friend jumped near him and started nibbling his neck from behind, as his left hand gripped Jeremy's dick starting to move up and down. Jeremy moaned and with a lovely smile said: "You are incorrigible, Rob. Anyone could enter and catches us in our business; at least lock the door. Better, I'll do myself; I need to pee, too." He jumped from the bed and sometime later he locked the door and climbed into the bed again. Robert was really in need as any other almost 12 y/o boy could be. Their hormones had started to wake up and needed something to be done to please them. Soon they were engaged in a madly kissing and petting. Jeremy turned around and took a 69 position on top of his friend. As he progressed on his sucking of that clean and hard cock, he felt how Robert took his dick to the hilt into his wet mouth. Their tongues were lapping the hard red dickheads. Soon Jeremy, that had not had any release since he did to Elisa, stopped breathing as his body tensed and received that intense orgasm with a loud moan. Robert followed him within some seconds as he hugged his friend tightly. After some time, they recovered lying on their respective sides staring at each other. Robert caressed his friend smooth face with the back of his hand and gave him a peck on the cheek. "I like you, Jer; I wonder what's expecting us, but you can be sure that you'll always have my love." Jeremy sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. He did not want his friend watched his blurred eyes, but he knew Robert was an intelligent boy and could not hide anything from him. They hugged tenderly as Robert added: "Let's see that painting." Saying this and naked as they were, opened the door and followed up Jeremy to the adjacent salon. Robert opened wide her mouth watching the painting; instinctively, he started touching his face as if he was not sure of himself. "It is amazing, Jer!" "Yes, it is. I suppose this changes our position in front of your granddad." "Yes. What shall we do now, Jer? "I think we should speak with Aunty Betty; after all, we are her family." Jeremy grinned as he added: "Have you realised that we are naked?" They stared at each other and started to laugh; fortunately, their dicks were resting flaccid. However, the scene had been watched by Betty who could not retain her smile as she contemplated the two cherubs in the centre of the salon. "I'm hungry, Jer. The kitchen mustn't be very far." "Let's wear some clothes and try to get something." But at that moment Adele appeared running to them. The girl jumped on Jeremy's arms as she extended her other arm to Robert. "Where are you coming from, little evil?" Jeremy asked. "I'm not an evil, but an angel, that's what you said." She descended from the boy's arms, placed herself in front of them and made a move like a model. She was wearing a sleeveless lovely white summer dress and white shoes, without socks. " "You are beautiful, amazingly beautiful, little angel! Robert said. "Where did you get the dress?" "It is mine, it came in my trunk; Aunty Betty sent Edward to bring it from a rail station. My grandpa shipped it before we took the train." The girl bent her head as her blue eyes blurred. Jeremy took her again in his arms and kissed the little girl. Robert caressed her clean silk hair as he said. "Please, Adele, don't cry now that we are happy watching you so pretty." She extended her arms as Robert kneeled in front of the child receiving a tender kiss on his cheek. "That's better." The girl now said: "Ah, I forgot! Aunty Betty is waiting for us in the living room; she thought you may be ravenous as I was. She has prepared many sandwiches and fresh good milk. Come on boys!" This last sentence was pronounced in English. The boy stared at each other; this little girl was a box of surprises, they thought. "How did you learn English so quickly?" Jeremy asked. "It wasn't quick. My Mom took me to an English school in Madrid when I was two years old. Since then I have been in that school. I had many friends there; now I wonder if I'll see them again. It is so far away..." They entered in the living-room and Betty received them with a kiss on the cheeks. Immediately they assumed she had used the slip they had in the backpack. CHAPTER 13 ----------------- "How are you, boys?" The woman asked grinning remembering the scene in the salon, though she was aware that the boys, especially Robert, had admitted Noah was his grandfather, and this pleased her very much; after all, they would form again a family after so many misunderstandings. "Sorry Aunty Betty, we are very hungry," Robert said. "In that case, the first thing to do is to satisfy your young stomachs, after this, we can chat about anything that you want to talk." The boys could not answer because their mouths were full. Adele was watching her brothers and could not but to laugh watching them munching in silence. After some time, they drank the glass of milk, Jeremy then said: "Aunty, this milk is first class one, we know a lot about milk." Then, Robert, that was sat near his friend added: "We liked to suck the cows when Raul let's do it. Sometimes we found they were dry or had been already milked, but Raul laughed watching us sucking." Those words intentionally pronounced made Jeremy blush a little. He quickly changed the subject. "We'll explain to you who Raul, Elisa, Jessica, and Gabriel were." This time was Robert the one to blush, as Adele said. "I don't know who Raul and Elisa were, but I knew Jessica and Gabriel; I didn't like her because she made Gabriel to weep, and that isn't good between sister and brother." Betty more or less guessed what they were talking about though she was not absolutely sure; therefore, she wanted to be updated about everything relating to Spain. Then Robert asked. "Why did you choose us to come, and how did you know we were your family? Only a few persons knew our presence on the ship." She thought for a moment and answered the boy: "No one knew you were on the ship, though the Captain knew you were someone special, your passport was red-inked serialised. But when the frigate unmoored in the port of Bilbao, they radioed the list of all children on board; we needed it here in order to prepare the families who would welcome you all. I went thru the list and found your surnames in it." Robert then said: . "But Gil is a very common surname in Spain. In fact, Jer has the same surname as the second one. Everybody in Spain has two surnames: one from his father and the second from his mother." "You are right, but not Gilles, from which it derives. But even knowing your full names as they are in your passport, I couldn't obtain any information while you were under the Navy's authority custody. Even I contacted an old friend, a high-rank officer, and he regretted couldn't give me any information; he only said: "Betty, I can't inform you about these boys and girl, only that they aren't beggars." The boys stared at each other; they knew why of that expression. Betty then added: "I guess you know a lot about this secrecy." Jeremy answered her. "Yes, we know it; but we regret we aren't able to tell you at this moment..." Robert then in English added: "Aunty, we trust you and you have all our confidence, but we can't say anything until my grandfather is here." She understood that some important thing was behind the boys' decision; therefore she did not insist. She then continued but changing the subject. "Tomorrow we'll go to purchase your summer clothes, sandals, underwear, etc." The boys grinned and she asked. "Have I say anything comics." "Oh no, you don't!" Robert answered. "We don't use underwear, especially in summer; in winter, if it's cold, we wear long cotton one in a single piece to fight the cold weather, plus pullovers that moms make knitting merino sheep wool." "I understand what you mean." Jeremy then said: "Since we don't know how long we'll stay in this wonderful country, I'll start learning English right from tomorrow. I promise you that in two months, I'll speak as Adele does." The girl that was playing with some toys that came in her trunk intervened. "Our teacher used to say that we must always try to speak English, even if we were at home. I'll do from tomorrow all the time." "But there are expressions or moments that you have to use your mother language; that's normal even for a person who speaks it fluently. However, I'm sure you'll get your goal, Jeremy, especially having a good teacher near you all the time, as Robert is." Betty said as the boy blushed for her praises. Talking and commenting things about the large city and its people, the time elapsed quickly. They heard how the main door opened and Noah found his wife surrounded by the children in an animated conversation. He did not know how to proceed; however, he did what an honest and great man could do. When they saw him, the boys and girl stood; the little girl left her toys and came to shelter behind Betty. "Good evening, family." Before any of them could answer he continued, now directly staring at his grandson. "Robert, I think I owe you and your friends some apologies for my stupid behaviour of this morning. But sometimes there are silly moments caused by problems that have nothing to do with you." Robert, like his mother, was a sensible boy and could not bear someone as his grandfather could humiliate himself to recover his love. Jeremy, though he did not understand what the man said, guessed the truth. At almost in unison, the two boys and the little girl went to him and hugged around his waist. For the first time in many years, he could not prevent his eyes blurred of emotion as he rubbed the children heads. Then he sat down in his favourite armchair, took Adele on his knees and the boys around him. For Betty that was an extraordinary moment, since rarely he had done this, even to his own sons; as he told her later in bed: "I feel am getting very old." She broke the moment and said: "I wonder if the boys are hungry again, but let's have dinner; we can talk later." Noah took under his large arms Jeremy and Robert as Betty did the same with Adele. She called to the kitchen and the maid started serving dinner. She had to wipe her eyes because she had partially watched how the big and serious MP man hugged the boys. They had dinner as little Adele yawned; but she took care no one watched her, except Jeremy. The boy then said. "I'll come down within a few minutes; I think my little angel wants to tell me something." The little girl pressed her brother's hand, and he took her on his back, climbing quickly the stairs to her room. "I'm very tired, brother." She said as justification. "I know it, little angel. You should have remained more time in bed." He undressed the child and watched the beautiful little angel flesh: "With the time she'll be a lovely girl." He thought. Then he took the nightshirt that Betty had placed on her bed: It was absolutely white with embroidered parts on the top. He dropped it thru her head, and staring at the child said: "You really are an angel, Adele!" The girl smiled satisfied as she climbed on the bed and went under the covers. He was to retire when the girl made a little pout. "Aren't you going to kiss your little angel good nights, my handsome boy?" Jeremy felt how his young heart bumped into his chest; he felt the greatest and fortunate boy on the earth. He would do anything to save and care his angel. They kissed good nights as he waited a little time until she was hard asleep. Then he descended and joined Robert and his grandparents. Noah was to ask something as Robert said: "Grandpa, can we talk in your office? I suppose we'll have absolute privacy there. Your questions are very important, but our answers are too." The man understood the boys' reserve; he stood and the four went into his office. He closed the door and the group sat on the large leather comfortable armchairs. Robert then added: "This is much better." The adults grinned as Noah asked: "Boys, Aunty Betty has explained me something regarding the little Adele, why did you include her in your passport? You didn't know her." Jeremy sighed. "I wish you had watched her sat in that wood bench in the rail station." He paused as Robert placed his arm around his friend shoulders, encouraging him to continue. "I won't forget that image during the rest of my life; our hearts couldn't but to bleed watching the little girl abandoned. We knew her grandfather was dead only about fifty metres from where we were. The Major immediately included her in our passport. But the funny thing was that Rob prepared the theatre scene in a few seconds. That proofs his agile intelligence." Robert flushed some with his friend's praises. The boy explained all about that moment; however, neither Noah nor Betty mentioned anything regarding the letter found in the trunk. "What's about the two medals we found in your backpacks?" The boys stared at each other agreeing who would talk. Robert answered his grandfather's question. "They are the consequence of our acts. When the war started and the Fascists occupied our town, my dad organized a group to spy them. It was a large one, including Jeremy's Mom, my Mom's and Dad, most of the town whores; later Uncle Jeff, too. They built and extended a net in many towns and villages in order to collect useful information for the Republic, especially about military movements. However, the town priest had a powerful tool: the confession box. Thru it he knew from a woman where her husband was hidden with some other brave persons." The boy went on explaining what had happened since his father was one of those murdered. "Jer and I passed the information to a determined officer when we were pasturing our goats." Jeremy then said: "But you profited from these actions, making a good business in both sides." Robert smiled as his Aunty Betty asked. "Obtaining profits from the war? I can't believe it." Noah, as a good Jew, was listening with attention. "Aunty, the Fascists dominated all the fields where the tobacco plants grow but had not the paper to make cigarettes. The Republicans on contrary had the paper but not tobacco; so, in our trips from one side to the other I bought the paper to exchange by tobacco, and vice versa; pleasing both sides." Noah smiled as he thought: "This boy, besides brave, is a clear Jew." Robert then continued. "With the information that we provided to the Republic's military authorities, they knew all force movements; with this advantage they planned and prevented possible attacks, saving many lives. This is how they caught the priest..." He related what we have already written above. "However, the greatest information was discovered by Jer and me, about an Italian armoured division. That night our Moms, disguised as beggars, collected the information from watching the vehicles and men; but mostly from the whores. They wrote a large report and Jer and I carried it to Uncle Jeff." The adults were astonished. Noah then said: "You were acting as spies; should they have caught you with that information on you, they could have shot you down at the moment." "We knew the risks, and Uncle Jeff told us; however, my dad had invented a system to prevent they could find the papers. As you may know, the shepherds always carry a large stick and a dog to move the goats; we had the sticks; mine is in our room; the dog remained with Uncle Jeff. As probably you have read in the newspapers; with that information, the Republican forces waited for the Italians; they surrendered in view of the situation. Our information saved thousands of lives since Madrid couldn't be occupied by the Fascists. We heard these news just moments before we boarded the frigate. The General Asensi guessed the results, and he decoded our moms, Uncle Jeff and us: Our moms' and Uncle Jeff names did not appear in the Decree, in order to prevent reprisals from the Fascists." Noah then pointed out. "And that's why you were shipped to Britain; to save your lives." "At least that's what the General thought. In his speech, he said: "Whoever wins the war, Spain will need men like these boys." We felt very proud, honoured and emotional when he named our mothers and especially when he mentioned my Father and Uncle Jeff. Those medals are very important for us." Betty then said: "It is more than improbable that the Fascists know you are here: first you weren't adults; second only a few persons knew about your task, and third you disappeared much before the battle of Guadalajara took place. Tomorrow I'll cut your air short; you'll wear English clothes and always speak English. In the instance they are searching for you; no one would associate you with those Spanish shepherds. Most likely they'll think you have been subject to any of the uncontrolled Falangist murders acts." "Aunty Betty is right," Noah said. "I would suggest that from tomorrow on, you behave as two normal English children, playing and talking and making things as boys of your age do; otherwise they could think you are hiding something. Should you need any help or information, you must always request it from a policeman. That's very important." "That's an excellent idea!" The children said. "I'm looking forward to enjoying the streets and to look at those large shop windows that Uncle Jeff told us about." The man sighed thinking on his only son still involved in that cruel war. "How could we contact your mothers? They must be really concerned about your absence, though most likely your Uncle Jeff had informed them." "We think they already know it, though nothing about our luck and final destination." Jeremy stared at his friend and stood. "I'll bring you the proofs." He ran upstairs and took the stick. He then said: "Only seven persons know this stick, including you." Jeremy unscrewed it and extracted all documents it contained. The man and the woman were astonished. As he ended reading one, passed it onto his wife, until he took the letter from his son Jeffrey that was sealed. The old man's hands trembled with emotion as he read the lines; in spite of his strong mind, he could not avoid a few tears trickled down his wrinkled cheeks. Finally, he said: "The letter is from your Uncle Jeff; and as we guessed, he's now taking care of wounded persons in Saragossa military hospital. Unfortunately, the course of the war is against the Republic; in spite of the braveness of the soldiers of both sides, the Republicans cannot cope with the overwhelming amounts of war material provided by Italy and Germany to the Fascists. I told several times to our Prime Minister that Britain will pay a very expensive bill for not helping the Republic. I hope I'm wrong. He isn't the man for a time like this, still, he's living in the Victorian times; and the worst is that France is following up his steps." The man said this as a reflexion addressed to himself. "That was what Uncle Jeff told us many times, but he insisted we had to fight because we are democrat persons and don't want to live under a dictatorship imposed by a military regimen and the Church." "Well boys; this is a problem for adults and not for children; therefore I would suggest we don't speak much about this war; you need to live your own lives." He paused for a few moments, and then he added. "By the way, according to these documents, you are almost rich boys." Then Jeremy explained. "Yes. The Major explained us everything regarding the money deposits made by the Republic for our education. Most likely, a man from the embassy will approach us when things are settling down, just in case we may need something or help." "Don't worry, I'll take care of it; I'll pay myself your schooling and everything, so you keep that money for your future. The Company holding your money is a serious one, with a great prestige around the world. "Thanks, grandpa." The boys said in unison." The man grinned. Then Aunty Betty intervened. "I think we have solved your problems; but what's about your mothers, your sisters and Uncle Jeff? We must do our best to rescue them, too." Robert then answered Betty. "Apparently our Moms are in favour of the Fascists; they live teaching boys and girls and are well considered by them, however, I'm sure they talk every day about us. We could send them an innocent cable, so the Fascists don't censor it." "How can we do it?" Noah asked. "The Major explained us the procedure to follow; you must do it thru the International Red Cross, and never mention anything regarding the war. For instance: "The two parcels of clothes arrived safely and some children are wearing happily them" or something like that. You can also send one to Uncle Jeff." "I'll take care of that tomorrow. Did Uncle Jeff mention anything regarding his return to England? The boys stared each other. Then Robert answered: "Well... we loved him very much; he always was ready to help us, but..." His grandpa understood and glanced at Betty as he said: "But he has something stronger than you..." "Well... not exactly. But Uncle Jeff loves my Mom, and I'm sure he'll never come back alone." "I understand. In that case, we must change our strategy to bring them. You are smart boys and we are very proud having you here; therefore, think about what we can do to get our goal. I know it isn't a subject to solve in one day, but you can think about it." Then Jeremy bent his head trying to say something. Robert knew what the problem was and jabbed his best friend. "Sir, I, I would like to ask you for a great favour." "Go ahead, Jeremy. You are a full member of this family and have the right to expose your concerns." "Well... the thing is since you are going to take care of our lives economically, we have thought that part of our money is destined for little Adele's education and..." He could not end his sentence because a bump formed in his throat and could not continue." The man stood from his seat and hugged very tight the two boys. He could not say that the little girl was immensely wealthy, richer than they were; but he understood the lack of egoism in those young souls and that touched both adults. "Don't worry Jeremy. We have money enough ourselves to take care and look after her; she would have the best education as if her grandfather were present. You can bet on it." They observed how the boy's eyes were blurred as he tried to conceal it. CHAPTER 14 ----------------- After some chat about what they had planned to do, the boys went upstairs to sleep; now they were happy and looked forward to the following day to go out once they were disguised with their new personality; however, Jeremy could not forget his reaction when they talked about Adele. Why was he so affected? After all, the girl was like Rob's sisters and he did not mind them. "Thanks Rob for backing me up when we talked about Adele." They were entering their room as Robert said: "Don't forget she's like our sister and we must help her; she's an orphan and a little girl, too." He paused. "Let's see how she's sleeping. We'll leave the communication door open, just in case she wakes up and can't see us." "Good idea, Rob. I'm happy tonight and tomorrow we can remain in bed late." Suddenly Robert pushed his friend against his bed and started making ticklish to him; soon both boys were engulfed in a pleasure ticklish fight laughing as if the world had changed for better. Though Jeremy was a little bit stronger than Robert, he allowed his friend to pin him on the bed. Both liked the closeness that their plays produced. Robert stared into those intense green eyes and instinctively kissed his friend's lips. It was a very tender kiss that Jeremy responded pushing his friend's face to him. "I love you Jer." Without saying any word, Jeremy motioned his friend to lock the door as he started getting naked. They resumed their kissing, this time it had high erotic substance. After some time, Robert went into a 69 position and took Jeremy long dick into his mouth; Jeremy gladly did the same to his best friend. Soon the near-adolescent boys were sucking each other cock, and after some time their bodies tensed, and almost at the same time, they received the impact of their dry orgasms, expressed by a low moan. Robert recovered his original position in front of his friend, only a few centimetres separated their faces. "I love you, too, Rob. I'll do anything to keep your friendship." "Jer, why do you underestimate yourself? We are friends since we were little; I'll fight anyone who may try to separate you from me. You are great Jer, the best friend I could have." The boys hugged for some time as Robert added. "We better use our own bed once we have finished. Which one would you like to have?" "I don't mind. You better take the one near the window; I know you like a lot to watch the daylight at dawn as when we were in the cave." They unlocked the door and Jeremy opened the door that separated the two rooms. He watched the little girl gold hair and her pink cheeks. They put off the light and drifted to sleep. At dawn, Jeremy, in his somnolence, felt how his friend laid his body in front of him and cuddled as they used to do in their houses or in the cave. He happily placed his left arm around the little body and in seconds he also was hard asleep. The sun streamed thru the window and woke Robert up. He turned his head and watched how Jeremy's arm was around the little Adele. She had come from her bed and had climbed into Jeremy's bed. He felt a little pang of jealousy. He was to wake them up, but instead, he closed the door. Sometime later, the girl woke up and started kissing softly "her brother"; this woke Jeremy up and astonished, but very pleased, said: "Adele my angel, you cannot sleep in my bed!" The little girl made a pout that melted Jeremy's heart. "Why, my handsome brother? We did it on the train, and in the ship; I wonder why we can't sleep together here on this comfortable bed; there is more than enough room for both." Robert smiled at the girl's answer. In such a way she was right, though the society wouldn't approve it; but how could he explain the little girl about this problem? He thought. "Well... I don't know but surely Aunty Betty wouldn't agree." The girl smiled producing her two little dimples showed on her pink face. "I don't mind. She's very good, even better than my old nanny." Then she slowed her voice, and placing her lips on the boy's ear, added: "Besides, I'll marry you when we grow up." She laughed loudly as Robert came and started making ticklish to the little girl, so if Aunty Betty came could not say anything. Betty had a large experience with children and she knew those conducts were more than normal for herself; children needed to explore their feelings with others. She did not come, but from the bottom of the stairs happily shouted. "Boys and girl, breakfast is ready!!" They did not need anything else. The three went downstairs, though Jeremy had to take Adele on his back as if he was a horse. The little girl had started to make difference between the two friends; now it was not important, but lately in the future could cause problems. As Robert hurried up to the kitchen Jeremy said. "Adele, you must ask Robert the same than to me. He loves you as much as I do and he's a pretty boy, too." The little girl knew what he was trying to say but she had her own ideas and no one would change them. "Jer, I know he's my brother, too; but I like you more, and you know why." She did not wait for the boy's answer and added: "Come on my little horse, or we'll lose our breakfast." Jeremy neighed as if he were a horse and trotted to the kitchen with the girl on his back. Betty watched the scene and sighed, she knew where the girl's little heart was; though it was too early for those thoughts. They ate in silence the English breakfast. Jeremy and Adele were not used to that huge food display, but as any child, they were hungry. Once they finished, helped to clear the table. "Shall we wash up the dishes?" Jeremy asked. Betty smiled, and she thought that boy, without knowing, was conquering her heart, the heart of a failed mother. She then said: "Not today. The barber is here and we need to change your appearance and looks." The boys watched them, and not seeing anybody, Robert said: "I can't see any barber here." She smiled, went outside and rummaged into a sideboard drawer, extracting an old hand polished machine that she had used on Jeff and Robert many years ago. "Here you are the barber. Let's go to the bathroom. Jeremy, I'll start with you, it is a pity that I have to cut your lovely curly hair, but I'll leave some on top." "Don't worry Aunty, it'll grow up quickly again, we need to be unrecognizable, if possible." The boy discarded all his clothes and got naked. Robert grinned watching his friend with the dress he was born; he thought it would be funny if Jer got a hard-on. But he could not make fun because he sat down on the white painted stool; Betty placed a white cloth on his shoulders and started her task. Adele had her blue innocent eyes glued to the boy's body. It was the first time she watched a naked male and she slyly smiled; she liked what she was watching. "Will you cut Rob's and my hair too, as you are doing to Jer?" The woman chuckled. "No, dear; you'll continue with your golden hair, perhaps I'll cut it a little bit, but nothing else, but not today. However, I must do the same to Robert; they must look like twins, except for their eyes." When she ended, Jeremy stood and went under the shower. Robert occupied his place. The girl stared at the naked body, maybe expecting to watch something different, but after a while she said: "I'll stay in my room playing with my toys. Please, don't forget that I want to go with the boys on purchasing." She left as the woman sighed. After many years, Betty was living a dream that she had missed many moments: being a mother to these children. How long will it last? Nobody could answer; however, she would have liked forever. Some minutes later, after finishing with the boys, she went to her room to get ready for purchasing. As she changes her clothes, watched her still elegant figure in a full-size mirror; she was astonished about the figure that it reflected. Those angels had made a miracle; she looked a lot younger and felt wonderful. She called the boys and the little girl, also the boys looked strange to her with their new look. They were handsome in any case, but once they had cut their hair they were different persons. "How do we look like Aunty?" Robert asked. "Beautiful! Most of the girls will turn their head to watch you." The boys grinned as little Adele asked. "And what's about me?" Jeremy could not stop, and lifting the girl to his chest said: "You are the most beautiful angel of the Heaven." She openly smiled; then Jeremy placing his mouth on the girl's ear added. "I love you, my precious jewel." That was a new expression that pleased a lot to the little blonde. Edward appeared announcing the car was ready; that broke the enchantment for the girl that blushed a little with Jeremy's word. Then they climbed into the car and the vehicle drove them to Oxford Street. ******************** In Spain, in the town where both mothers lived and worked as primary school teachers, they were preparing the last class before children took the summer holidays. It was a fallacy to call that time "holidays", except for the very little children or the rich ones. Most of the boys would start working with their families to help to harvest the crop of wheat, chickpea, and barley, which would feed them and the animals during the winter, in the best circumstances; because the war continued, in spite of winning the battle of Guadalajara against the Italian fascists. During the break, Maria, Robert's mother, called Jacinta, Jeremy's. "I have good news for us." Jacinta forced a smile. "Have we won the war?" Fortunately, there was nobody nearby; Maria sighed as she took her friend into the poor classroom. She extracted a cable from her pocket and showed it to the woman. Jacinta read it as some tears dribbled along her fresh face. She then asked: "Who is the sender?" "He must be my father in law. We've been very lucky, Jacinta; or better, they have been very lucky. I wonder how they arrived there, but I'm sure Noah's wife had a lot to do. She's is a great woman and a better person, Peter and Jeff loved her. They never talked about their own mother; Peter told me he scarcely knew his mother, and Jeff can't remember anything about her; so this woman has been their real mother. Probably Jeff knew she would intervene, that's why he asked us for our consent. At least now they are in a safe place and haven't any restriction on what food is concerned." "But if that's true, we have lost our children forever; you at least have your little girls, but I have nobody, except cousins and uncles." Maria hugged her friend tenderly. "Who knows, Jacinta? They are very young, but you must remember what we have said many times: it is their lives, and as far as they are happy we must accept it. If you feel alone, why don't you come and live with us?" "I'll think about it, but by now I'm comfortable in my home." She grinned. "You better know why." A few nights later, Maria had tucked the girls on their beds; she had bathed and was combing her long hair. In those times there were many beggars in Spain; day and night while they could see light, the beggars knocked on the doors begging for something. That night was not an exception; she heard the knock, took some bread to offer the beggar, though she had not any leftovers. "Excuse me brother but..." Her voice disappeared, she looked at both sides of the street and checking nobody was at sight she dragged the beggar into her house, locking it afterwards. She hugged anxiously the man who was asking for a hand-out; with tears in her eyes she kissed her brother in law; the disguised man was Jeff. "Goddess, how do you dare..." "Don't forget you are obliged to please a beggar!" They smiled in silence and again kissed tenderly. "You must be starved. While I prepare something to eat, go to the yard and have a good shower. You have a lovely stink to goat." "After leaving the train in the city I didn't want to take any line-bus. Last night I slept with two shepherds and their goats in the mountains, but that reminded me the children. I miss them a lot. Did you receive any cable?" She was crying in silence as he caressed her long hair. "Yes, a few days ago. Now get the shower; we have time to talk about anything; the girls went to bed just half an hour ago." She kissed the man as he went to the backyard. Though they had not any kind of heating, the water had remained the whole day exposed to the sun and was warm. She lighted the vegetal-coal fire and placed a fry-pan on it. She made a large omelette and a thick broth she knew Peter and Jeff liked. Some time afterwards Jeff returned and naked started to eat. His brother and he loved Spanish food; especially that made in the towns and villages on the mountains. "I guess the cable is from your father, am I right." He nodded without stopping munching. We are very lucky because our boys were in real danger here." Jeff ended his dinner and placed all dishes in the sink to wash next day. They sat on the old couch as he placed his arm around his sister and law's shoulders. "I love you, Maria." For an answer Maria kissed her new man; in a couple of minutes they were hot; she took her man's hand and dragged him to her large bed where she had fucked many times with her late husband. They made love as if there was no tomorrow until they were exhausted; then came the time for confidences and plans. They were lying on the bed watching each other. Maria then asked: "How did you know the children would be chosen by your family?" "I didn't know. I guessed Aunty Betty was on the project and knew she wanted to look after some children. What I ignored was the fact that the boys picked an abandoned girl up. When the Major Martinez came back from his mission stopped in Saragossa and told me what had happened." He explained the woman all whereabouts. "They are great boys and will be greater men in the future!" Maria commented. "I hope we can see them as men." Jeff paused; then resumed his thoughts. "Maria, the Republic will lose this war; I haven't any doubt about it. We must prepare a future for these boys and the girls, and those who may come from us..." "How do you know we'll have children of our own?" The man grinned. "Still we are young Maria. We legally can marry any time as soon as you say yes. The time of mourning had already elapsed; therefore any judge in the Republic side can do it. Do you know that the Jews Torah says that a brother in law must marry, or take care, of his late brother's wife?" She grinned slyly. "Is it why you have come?" Jeff then sucked one of her breasts as he asked. "Do you think that I have made so many kilometres and risked my life for that?" She grinned and kissed her man. "No, I don't think so. I know you liked me before your brother married me. Now, what are your plans for our future?" Jeff got up and went where he had left his backpack. He extracted a blue envelope and took some papers. "We must leave Spain as soon as we can, and before it is too late." Before reading the papers she said: "It isn't difficult if we have Republican passports; but where shall we go?" The man smiled; he was waiting for that question. "First to England, and then to a country where we can stay without thinking about wars; I'm fed up with it. If my calculations aren't wrong, this war would be like a child fight, if compared with what some people are preparing for Europe." "Even worse than this?" The woman asked visibly concerned." "Yes; it will be even worst. I'm referring to the Nazis. Hitler is a real demon; he has joined his forces with Austria, so they are now a single country. They have vindicated part of Poland as it was an old part of Germany; the rest of political leaders in Europe, as British Prime minister and French President, have done nothing, they are scared of Hitler. Also, the Nazis have declared that the Jews are enemies of Germany, therefore restricting their emigration to other countries and confiscating their properties..." The woman then stopped her lover. "But you and my children are Jews, too. What would happen, then?" "I'm originally a Jew, but Peter's penis and mine haven't been mutilated, as my father's; therefore, nobody can argue against that proof. In any case, we'll never go to Germany or where the Nazis are. We must decide in which country we want to restart our lives." Maria thought for a moment, and then said: "Jeff, your father, and Betty are doing what they think it is the best for the boys, it would be unfair to take the children from then, once they have started loving them. If we have to fight again, we'll do; but I'll never betray your family. They helped me when I was in Britain, and now they are doing the same with my sons. I'll pay them back. We'll go to Britain!!!" Jeff hugged his future wife tenderly. She then added: "Before things change we must marry, therefore, next time you come we'll escape to the Republic Zone. We can do it with our cards. However, there's a problem. "Which is the problem?" "Jacinta. I can't say it to her, but her husband was seriously wounded in the Ebro battle; he died just a month ago. She lost her man, and now if we leave she'll also lose her child." Maria could not retain her tears. "We only can offer her the same solution. She's our best friend; therefore, she can accompany us. She also speaks good English and is an excellent professional teacher; so it won't be much difficult to find a job for her in Britain. You must convince her. Next month I'll come to marry you." She sighed as they kissed. "Last week the Town Hall asked me for little pictures of girls and me. Also, they did to Jacinta. I wonder what they are going to do with them; nothing good, I suppose. Jacinta kept one from us and I kept one from her." "That's excellent news. I'll take them to make your passports." "But if Jacinta doesn't want to go? "There won't be any problem; either we destroy it or give it to her. It is necessary to travel abroad." They grinned and continued making love until dawn. He hid in the yard until the night; then collected his clothes that Maria had washed, and after many kisses to her and to the sleeping girls, he left the house. CHAPTER 15 ----------------- Happily, Betty and the boys entered the large store and went up to the children's department. They had never been in a large city like London, let alone in a shop like that large establishment. Everything looked great for them; on the contrary, that Adele, she seemed as natural to be purchasing: She did not need anything, but Betty knew what the little blonde had in her mind. "Adele, your birthday will be within a month time; do you want a lovely dress for the occasion?" "Yes, but..." "No buts. Meanwhile, I finish with the boys you should have a look into that stand; you may find something suitable for you." When she was sorting out dresses, someone blinded tenderly her eyes. "Who am I, beautiful blonde?" She had not any doubt the person that was blinding her; the girl near screamed happily. "Gabriel!!!" The boy took off his hands and kissed softly the little girl on the cheeks. They hugged tenderly. "What are you doing here, Gabriel?" Before the boy could answer, she added: "We have come to buy clothes for the boys. We have been very lucky and are living with Rob's grandpa. Come here, I'll show you; they have gone to the barber and their long hair has gone." "Wait for a second, I'll tell Mr Jenkins and her wife. They are the persons who have taken us as refugees. They are very kind to us; especially with me." They approached an old couple that was with Jessica choosing some clothes. The girl greeted the child but not as enthusiastically as her brother did. Without waiting for the answer Adele dragged Gabriel to where Betty and the boys were. Jeremy's heart bumped into his young chest when he watched Gabriel approaching. Both boys went into a tight hug. Gabriel trembled with emotion; he would have kissed Jeremy on the lips a long kiss, he thought. Immediately Jeremy called Betty attention. "Aunty Betty, this is Gabriel, the friend I told you about; we made the trip together on the ship." "Glad to meet you, Gabriel. You are a handsome boy." The boy blushed as she continued. "I believe you had a sister, where's she?" "Yes, Madame. Her name's Jessica, and she's with Mrs and Mr Jenkins, our benefactors. Where's Robert?" "He's trying some clothes in the fitting room," Adele said. Betty then asked the boy. "Are you referring to Jonathan and Laura Jenkins, Gabriel?" "Yes, Madame. They are very good and kind to us; especially with me." The woman grinned. "Yes, they are. I like them; they are our countryside neighbours and old friends. Where are they?" "They are in the fitting room with Jessica. I have to go myself, too; because I have chosen a few garments and I need to try them. Can Jeremy accompany me? I'm not very used to this business." The woman smiled at the boy. "No problem, if he likes it." "Yes, I'll do." Jeremy took his garments and both boys went to the fitting boxes. In their way, they met Jessica and Robert that were coming back. As they greeted, Robert made eye contact with Jeremy as telling him later he would explain their encounter. Gabriel and Jeremy entered into the narrow stand; they started getting naked to try trousers and underwear. Gabriel could not stop staring at the handsome boy, all the sudden, they dropped the new clothing and both children went into a tight hug. After a while, they broke the hug and Gabriel dragged Jeremy's face to him and kissed tenderly and softly the boy's lips; he felt Jeremy's hands rubbing his back. Gabriel placed his head on Jeremy's shoulder as he murmured. "I love you, Jer. I have missed you a lot. Please, don't say anything, but I can't forget you." Jeremy caressed the younger boy face and wiped his tears. Then he kissed Gabriel a peck on his red lips, confirming his love." "Gaby, we better hurry up, otherwise the shop assistant may call us." Both boys watched how their dicks were hard and smiled happily. Gabriel then said. "Thanks for my new name; I liked it; we better don't tell anybody." Jeremy approached his mouth to the boy's ear. "I love you, too, my precious Basque. Let's time heals our feelings. You aren't what you think you are. Your soul is too great..." He did not complete the sentence as the shop assistant asked. "May I help you, boys?" "Oh, no. We have already finished. Thanks." Gabriel answered on correct English as Jeremy stared at him amazed. They got out and went to their respective places to deliver the clothes. They found Betty talking amicably to the Jenkins. She was telling them. "Yes, we plan to spend the whole August in Kent with the children; they need a quiet place to forget what they had gone thru in their country; in the meantime, they will enjoy walking and get used to their new lives." "Glad to hear that, Betty. We'll see each other very soon then." They continued their purchasing, but before their separation, Gabriel came to say goodbye. Adele smiled at him and kissed on the cheeks. "Goodbye, Gabriel. I like you a lot." The boy blushed and returned with his sister. Happily, they returned home. That night, after dinner, they sat down in the living room; Robert sat near his grandpa because he wanted to chat with him, while Jeremy was concentrated studying on an English grammar. The old man said as a reflexion. "It is a pity what Spain is suffering; the news isn't good for the Republic." He changed the subject. "You met today your old friend, didn't you?" "They aren't old friends Grandpa; we knew them in the ship; Gabriel, the boy, is a good and intelligent chap. They are looking forward to the end of the war to return home with their parents. They haven't got an uncle or aunt, as we have, and their grandpas passed away a long time ago." "I'm sorry for them, Robert. They'll never meet their parents. Both died under bombs dropped by the Nazis on Guernica; I guess they don't know this fact. Their surname isn't a common one. When you meet them again you must avoid talking about this subject." "Thanks, Grandpa. Yes, you are right; especially Gabriel." Jeremy heard the comment but he did as he was concentrated on what he was reading and did not say anything, but his tender heart was racing thinking on his little friend. After some time, they decided to go to bed; the boys and girl brushed their teeth and went under the covers; however, Jeremy complied with his task of telling a story to Adele that most of the time he invented to tuck her in bed. Robert locked the door and Jeremy, as usual, joined the same bed to have some fun as they did since could remember. After a few minutes caressing each other went on a 69 position to suck their cocks: That's what they most liked: being together and have some sex before they drifted to sleep. However, that had been a special day, and once they had their sexual releases they faced each other and caressed tenderly. "Jer, when we met the Garamendi, Jessica and I got into the same box. If we had time enough, I could have fucked her there; but the shop assistant probably guessed our intentions and knocked on the door, telling us it wasn't allowed girls and boys in the same booth. I blushed... the bastard." Jeremy laughed thinking in the embarrassing situation, though he had been near in the same moment. Then Robert continued. "She told me she wanted my dick into her cunt and said: "my pussy itches, only thinking at that moment." She's a hot girl." Jeremy again laughed. "That dick of yours will cause you some problems in the future if you don't take care of it." Again both grinned. "If those are my problems... Did you hear what my grandpa said regarding their parents? I know you heard it, though apparently you were engrossed in your reading." "Yes, you know me too well to say otherwise. Anyway, let's sleep. Aunty Betty told me today that tomorrow we'll start with a private teacher who lives not far from here; at least for me; but you'll need to improve your ascent." "My ascent comes from my mouth and tongue; therefore, I need to practice with your cock." He turned again on 69, but this time Jeremy was on top of him; some minutes later they received that wonderful moment of their boy's orgasms that near gagged Robert when Jeremy pushed down his hot tool into Robert's throat. In the bliss of their sexual releases, Jeremy caressed his friend's face, as he commented: "You are incorrigible, Rob; but I love you." They pecked tenderly and Jeremy jumped out of bed and unlocked the door; then they had a look into Adele's room and kissed softly the girl pink cheek. He went under the cover on his own bed. He noticed Robert was already hard asleep. The days went by quickly. Every day, firstly, the three went to the English School. It was a pleasure for the teacher to deal with those children; especially Jeremy. They were amazed how the boy progressed; it was as a sponge, absorbing every word and rule. This was a great satisfaction for the teachers, but mostly for Betty. Everybody loved the boy, but Edward enjoyed his company more than anybody else, always trying to learn and speak about their respective homelands. In the afternoon, the boys went to a nearby soccer ground to play with other boys of their age; those were lovely moments of camaraderie. Most of the boys were coming from low- class layers, as they were in Spain, though never spoke about this. Later in the showers, the common conversation was soccer and girls. There they learnt a lot of common words never used in the daily life, but the boys absorbed them and later would comment with Edward. Things in the Continent were bad for the Republic and good for the Fascists, though it was costing a lot of energies and lives on both sides. The Republic announced sending back home the men and women forming part the International Brigades contingents; so Noah and Betty had the hope that Jeffrey would also come back, but he never mentioned that fact in their new communications system thru the International Red Cross. Jeremy had pleaded that no one talked him in Spanish unless it was something grave that he needed to know; so, at the end of July, he fairly spoke English that was improving every day with long conversations with the adults. Betty and Noah had programmed to spend the whole month of August in their house on the countryside; it was a large building named "The Red Queen Manor". Now that Jeremy could talk in English, they were sat down on the living-room, while the little Adele played with her dolls. Betty then asked. "Boys, what do you want to be in the future?" The almost 12 y/o children had never thought about their future; as any child, they thought they would always be young and needed not to work, at least for a long time to come. However, they were not common boys. Robert then said: "I want to study Law and Economics; I'll make what my Grandpa have done; if it possible. My dad used to say he had failed his father, but that I had to amend his fault." The old man hugged his grandchild very tight. "It'll be a pleasure to help you. Your father didn't fail me; he went to Oxford and studied what he wanted, and believe me, he was very good at it; but love is the most important thing in this chaotic world; he followed what his heart told him, and he got his goal: he has been very happy near your mother. That's what matters." "And you, Jeremy, which are your thoughts for the future." Robert was to disclose his friend's thoughts, but he refrained himself. "Well... in our town we never had any plans for our future; the rich boys always were ready to follow their parents' careers. With the arrival of the Republic, a new world opened for us and we had the hopes things would change, but it has been only an illusion and everything has returned as used to be: the only rich person can have a good education. Nevertheless, you have made me a question and I'll answer with my heart. My dream and great objective are to be a good MD, as it is Uncle Jeff, and to cure persons, especially children. It must be the greatest thing in the world!!!" He said this with so great emotion that Betty could not but to rise from her seat and hug the strange boy. She then said: "Jeremy, I solemnly promise you that you will be an MD if you want it." "Thank you, Aunty Betty. I take your word." They laughed. "Now boys, better news: Next Monday we'll leave for the "Red Queen Manor"; it is a beautiful place that I love with all my heart, though we rarely go, except in summer. But now with children, we'll go more often, and that building will revive from its ashes as the Bird Phoenix did. Robert then asked: "Why of that name, Aunty?" "It is an old and beautiful story, which first character was another Jeremy and his wife Helen. She had red hair and intense green eyes, as yours Jeremy. Her husband named the house and their boat with the same name." The little Adele that was on the carpet playing left her toys and sat near Betty; she then asked. "Can you tell us something about this story, Aunty?" "I told it to Uncles Peter and Jeff many times; well... better, I read it to them when I tucked them on the bed. They loved the adventures of Jeremy and Helen." Noah had already read the story and now had things to do; so he left the group as Betty was ready to start. I'll tell it to you, but not in detail. The book is there, so anyone, I think, can read it." She then started. "After a pest epidemic, Jeremy embarked as a cabin boy in a whale-ship. Since he was good at reading and making calculations, he was assigned as assistant to the Third Officer, an MD. They were much attached and on Jeremy 11th birthday he adopted him as his son. When the successful hunt ended, they initiated their return home. A few days later, and in the middle of a tropical storm, the ship sunk, the only survivors were one cabin boy, Jeremy, and his father. Father and son reached a deserted tropical island; lived alone there completely naked. However, the island was visited from time to time by a pirate ship. After near one year, the pirates left a hostess girl on the island with tools to survive. They met the red-haired girl and made a family. Jeremy swam very well and extracted many pearls from the sea bottom. More than one year after, they returned home via Cape Town, after being in the island near three years. She recovered her position, her money, and her stepbrother. Jeremy recovered his best friend and went together to Oxford to study Medicine, as his father had done many years before. On the year 1794, when they were 17 y/o married and had 5 children. The last of their grandchildren was a red-haired girl; she was my direct ancestor." Robert then said. "But the boy and girl lived almost three years alone. How do they manage to..." Betty raised her hand. "If you are interested in what they did and how they did, better you read the book. It becomes so interesting that you can't leave it." "I'll do, as soon as we are in there." Later on the bed, the naughty boy said to his best friend. "Can you imagine a boy and a girl living on an isolated island, all-time naked and loving each other? I think Jeremy was a very lucky boy, and Helen a fortunate girl." "Don't go too fast until you read the story. Surely they had bad times in spite of being so young. You must realise she remained as a hostess of a pirate gang, all of them, men. Jeremy was an orphan after a terrible pest..." "Yes, you are right. Let's sleep. End of part 2