The Angel of Pie Jesu 67

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The Angel of Pie Jesu.

By John T. S. Teller.

Part 67.

Book two: Journey of the Coin.

Gareth.

Saturday evening.

We're one Hahn short as we drive to St. Athen Community Centre. Gunther has gone off to pick up Angharad and will be meeting us there. Apparently, the rest of Dai the Builder's lot are also coming. Using the sat-nav, I easily find the place and we park our two vehicles. I've warned Kurt what will be happening regarding the boys singing, but nobody else knows, including the boys. I told Kurt because I knew he would want Hansie looking his best if he was performing in front of an audience. My life wouldn't have been worth living if I hadn't. So Hansie is wearing smart, black, long trousers and a frilly white dress shirt that's both masculine and feminine. He even sorted out the twins' dress for the evening. They're casual and identical... blue jeans and black Nike trainers. Their tee-shirts are what set them off. They're black, and across them, in English, is the logo – I'M NOT HIM. It made me chuckle when I first saw them, and when I interpreted what the words meant, the boys and Gretel and Ralf did too. I've dressed down. I'm also in blue jeans and a blue check shirt. And I've reclaimed my watch.

Aleric is wearing his diamond earring and Granddad's gold watch. He's a far cry from my original Star in the Hood. But my boy would look beautiful in rags.

I emailed Dai with all the information I thought he would need to know, including the name he was to introduce them as, Die Drei Angel – The Three Angels, but also as Die Drei Bengel, and the interpretation - The Three Mischievous Angels. He also has the names of the boys and how each will be involved.

The concert starts at 7.30 pm and we arrive at 7.10. The place is already buzzing. The lovely community workers in their Sunday-best and always smiling ladies who make up most rural community events such as this are dotted everywhere, opening doors and selling raffle tickets and collecting entrance tickets from those who've already purchased one. But not only are there locals here... there are quite a few in uniform from the nearby RAF station that's based in St. Athen.

It seems that Dai has prepared passage for us, because as soon as our entourage get through the doors, a lady comes to us and asks if we're Mr Williams's special guests from Germany. I tell her my name and she shakes my hand and thanks me for the wonderful donation to the cause. Then she leads us into the main hall and leads us towards the front seats. I look around as we're walking down the centre aisle. I count ten chairs in a row on each side of the aisle, and twelve rows, so the place will seat about two hundred and fifty people I reckon... plus a bit of standing-room for late-comers if there are any.

************ ************** ************* ************** *************

Aleric.

When we go into the big room, which is half full, I look around to see if I can see Noah Hughes. He's sitting on the right about halfway down the room and when he sees me and Gotty together, he calls across to us, "Aleric?"

I grin at him and wave an arm for him to join us. Then Gareth says to me, "Our places are reserved. I'm not sure there'll be room for Noah with us."

I give him my most angry glare, and tell him, "Then I'll sit with Noah! I promised him he could sit with us! Sort it Herr Moneybags or you'll be on your own! And I want Noah sitting between me and Gotty! So sort it!"

I can tell by the way Gareth shakes his head that he's not pleased with me, but that's the only argument I get from him.

************ ************** ************* ************** *************

Gareth.

I really could kill the little bastard at times! Now I've got to rearrange everything I've already sorted out in my head regarding the seating arrangements once I'd counted the seats. I was going to put a twin each side of Gretel and I was going to sit next to Aleric, but I know Aleric will carry out his threat if I don't do as I'm bloody well told. Click... Click... Click!

I work it out quickly. I know where Kurt and Heindrich will be. They're on the left hand side of the row of ten chairs and Hansie will be at the side of and just in front of them in his wheelchair where he won't be blocking anyone's way or view. I had originally intended removing one chair and putting his wheelchair in its place, but he'll still be able to see everything because we've got front row seats. Heindrich and Kurt can speak English, so I sit Ralf next to them, and Gretel next to Ralf. Then comes Gottwin, and next to him the new arrival in this Hahn menagerie: Noah Bloody Hughes, and then Aleric and me. That's leaving two places at the end for Gunther and Angharad.

When we're all seated, Aleric looks up at me and grins. "Well done Herr Cleverclogs. I knew you could do it. You should open a restaurant. You're ace at seating people."

But I'm not ace at seating people. Gottwin decides to buck the trend and he gets up and sits on the other side of me. So we all have to move along a seat. Gretel has now got Noah sitting by her side. I look at her and shrug my shoulders. She begins to giggle, and then she winks at me. I look at Aleric. He grins at me and says, "I told you that we share you." Then he whispers in my ear, "Four in a bed... me and Gotty and Noah and you. Do you think you could manage us?"

I emit a deep sigh, shake my head, and ignore him. He giggles.

But the fun isn't over. Five minutes before the concert is due to start and the place is almost full, Dai's lot arrive. Their seats are also reserved... on the front row seats across the aisle from us. And little Beth, the child with Downs Syndrome is with them. As soon as she sees the twins, she leaves her parents and runs to them. The twins are out of their seats in a shot and they're hugging and loving her like crazy. Then she sees Hansie and runs to him. He opens his arms and she climbs onto his knee while he's in his wheelchair. Then Gottwin picks her up in his arms and twirls her around and she giggles like crazy. She holds her arms out to Aleric, so he grabs her and does the same. Rhoswen is laughing, and so are the rest of the Dai family. And so are most of the other people in the room because of the racket they're making. (I look around. The place is now full.)

And it only stops when Dai and his group of singers walk down the aisle and step onto the raised area that's to serve as a stage where they'll be doing the business. But Dai knows how to control Beth. He picks her up in his arms and takes her onto the stage with him and taps the microphone before saying, "Ladies and Gentlemen, as many of you know, this is my beautiful granddaughter, Beth. I can't go anywhere without her, and she won't behave unless you all give her a round of applause."

The room erupts with clapping, and Dai tells Beth to wave at everyone. She does... with that beautiful grin on her face. When it's over, Dai says to Beth, "That's for being a super girl. Now will you go and sit with Granny while Granddad gets all these lovely men to sing for you?"

"Like last time, Granddad?" she asks.

Dai kisses her cheek. "Yes my precious... like last time when you were such a good girl that Granny gave you special kisses afterwards."

Like a shot she wriggles out of Dai's arms, runs to Rhoswen and sits on her knee and gets lots of kisses. And it's then when Aleric asks me for my handkerchief. If we weren't in company I'd wipe away his tears away myself.

When Gunther arrived with the Dai family, I saw him go to his mother, lean down, and say something. She patted the side of his face and nodded. Then he came to me and asked, "You don't mind if I sit with Angharad's family, do you Gareth?" And that's where he is now. So there are two empty seats on the other side of Gottwin. Well, there are until the lady who showed us to our seats walks down the aisle and asks if the two seats beside Gottwin are vacant and would I mind if she sits two people there because all the rest of the seats are taken. I tell her she can have them with pleasure, and she sits two elderly people there. I smile at them. They smile at me. I'm quite moved. They're probably old enough to be my grandparents, and I find myself wishing they were with me now. Aleric has his right hand resting on the side of my thigh. Granddad's watch is on his wrist. So they are with me, on the beautiful arm of the boy I love.

*******************

When the choir, dressed immaculately in their black trousers and black blazers with a gold crest of the choir on the breast pocket, and white shirts and dickie bows eventually sort themselves out (Jones the Milk is with them and he's grinning at Noah as he takes his place), and the `orchestra', a middle aged guy dressed the same sits at a modern portable classical organ cum piano thing at the side of them, Dai does the finishing touches to make them right, and then walks to the front of the stage. "Right, Ladies and Gentlemen," says Dai into the microphone, "first things first, please switch off ALL mobile phones! Don't allow mobile phones in my audiences I don't! Thank you. Now then, I have to say that I'm amazed at the turnout. You gone and done me and my boys proud. I don't think we had so many people to perform to since my old pal Bryn Hughes died of the dust up at Senghenyyd and we sang at his funeral. (A few giggles.) Anyway, thank you all for coming and for supporting our special cause, Cancer Research. There'll not be any in this place that hasn't been affected in some way by that disease. So thanks, and I can tell you that with the help of all our wonderful ladies and gentlemen that have worked tirelessly, we've raised the grand total of almost fifteen thousand pounds just for this small do that we're putting on tonight." (I'm hoping Dai doesn't mention me, and he doesn't, but he does give me a wink, which I return. I also know that the grapevine will have been in full bloom and most of the folks in here will know of the £10,000 I donated.)

There's a big round of applause, and I interpret the gist of what he's said to the twins. Then the delightful and cute - and naughty - little Noah Hughes says to Aleric, "Ist gut!"

Aleric laughs, and I don't miss my boy's hand grip Noah's when he does. Two naughty boys! Three if you count the little sod sitting the other side of me... Gottwin!

Dai continues, "Right folks, we'll get on with it, but before we do, I must tell you that we've got some very special guests here tonight." (Now I am cursing the daft bat!) He waves a hand at our row. "My mate Gareth Rhys-Jones has come over from his home in Germany and he's brought his wonderful extended Hahn family and his friends with him. Gareth is a boy from The Valleys that gone and done good. But he's proper Welsh... you can take the boyo out of Wales, but you can't take Wales out of the boyo." He grins. "He gone and bought Chapel Farm over at Llanilltud Fawr so he can be near us. Done well he has. But money isn't the measure of him. Oh no, folks... money isn't the measure of him. Got a heart of gold he has, and he's still one of us. And because he's here tonight, he's provided us with a special surprise." He grins again. "So don't go home halfway through because you're bored with us, or you'll miss it." When he's finished grinning, he continues, "As you can see, we're not in pit hats and clogs tonight... we're all dressed up to the nines because Gareth's company have sponsored us, and me not being one to look a gift horse in the mouth, I've taken my boys down to Cardiff and got us all togged out in new gear." He winks at me and points to the classical portable organ cum piano thing, and says, "Gone and bought that too. Can't get Daffyd off it since we got it. His missus says she's goin' divorce him if he doesn't stop taking it to bed. All done and paid for Boyo. Don't we look lovely?"

I shake my head at him, and chuckle. The audience laugh.

Then he looks at me. "Cus of what you gone and done for us, this first song is for you Boyo!" He grins again. "Don't mind a few tears I don't Boyo, and I'm sure your eyes won't be dry by the time my boys have finished with you." He winks at me, and then says to the rest of those in our row, "I gone and done a Google translation for you... those papers on your seats. It might not be perfect, but you'll get the sentiments. This is what we Welsh think of one of our own. Please enjoy it."

I wondered why the single sheet of paper was on only each of our seats when we arrived, and the contents of the translation of the song they're going to sing have already been digested by my lot who don't speak English. But I put a finger up to Dai as a sign to wait for a moment, and then I explain to the boys what Dai has said. Heindrich has already been doing the same to Ralf and Gretel. When I'm done, I put a thumb up to Dai. He winks at me. Then, as conductor, he turns back to the choir, and at his command, the organist begins to play, and they begin to sing... Bring Him Home.

God on high
Hear my prayer
In my need
You have always been there

He is young
He's afraid
Let him rest
Heaven blessed.
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home.

He's like the son I might have known
If God had granted me a son.
The summers die
One by one
How soon they fly
On and on
And I am old
And will be gone.

Bring him peace
Bring him joy
He is young
He is only a boy

You can take
You can give
Let him be
Let him live
If I die, let me die
Let him live
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home.

*******************

I could kill Dai. He's right. Tears are running down my cheeks in front of two hundred and fifty people. I recall my grandfather in his greenhouse singing this very song. In his younger days he was a member of the Treorchy Male Voice Choir, and he had a sweet tenor voice. I used to grin at him back in those days, but now, as visions of my childhood come flooding back to me, I still have the grin on my face, but I also have the tears of memories past as Dai and his lads sing the beautiful words. But what's just happened is more than that. Those words he spoke are what a father would have said, and now, because of this song, I'm beginning to see what this relationship between me and Dai is really about. He's like a father I would have wanted, and he has no boys... only girls. Yes, that's what's really moving me and as I look at the back of this man who I had not met a few months ago, I feel that spiritual connection reverberating through me, which, because the music is so beautiful, affects me deeply.

The twins have seen what's happening to me and both think alike, as usual, and the next thing I know is that two arms are linked in mine and two heads are resting on my upper arms. But one, the one on my left, is almost hurting me because my tears have moved him and he's shedding tears too because he was reading the translation while they were singing. And to make matters a hundred times worse, when the song is finished and he's dried his eyes, he turns to me and unashamedly wipes away my tears. It's no use trying to stop him. The damage is done. But at least the damage is part repaired when Gottwin takes the handkerchief off Aleric and wipes the other side of my face.

Then Dai, with a big grin on his face, says, "Did you like that, Boyo? Thought I'd pick that song to welcome you back home."

I chuckle and put a thumb up to him, and say, "It was beautiful Dai. Thank you lads! Brought me to tears did that. It's good to be home."

He nods. "Thought you'd like it Boyo. Now dry your eyes and let's get on with it."

And that's what he does, and I don't shed many more tears. Well, I manage not crying like a baby to the interval. In fact, I find myself joining in with them, but very quietly so as not to spoil their wonderful renditions of music that stirs my soul. I'm not the only one. The twins are also joining in beside me, and at times we three are swaying to the songs. Make that four. Noah Bloody Hughes has linked Aleric's arm and he's joining in too.

************ ************** ************* ************** *************

Aleric.

I've spent some soulful moments when I was singing in Herr Biermaier's choir, but apart from the times when I was singing to Gareth, I've never experienced anything like this. The choir is superb, and their harmonious voices are stirring me so deep inside that tears are constantly running from my eyes even though we're all enjoying the singing. Part of the reason is because I'm discovering what my beautiful Gareth was before he met me, and why he's so emotional at times. This is the reason why. How could anyone not be a spiritual being having been brought up on this stuff?! It's not only moving me. I see mum wiping a few tears away at times. She's thinking the same as me. I know she is. Gareth is my man, but mum loves him as one of our family now. Somebody else is wiping away the odd tear as well... Kurt uses his handkerchief too many times for him to have a normal snotty nose. And Gotty must be feeling it too because he keeps wiping away a tear. Thank goodness he's with me and he's sitting on the other side of Gareth. On my own it would look suspicious what I'm doing, but with Gotty doing the same, everybody in the room must think we're comforting our favourite uncle. Gareth did translate what Dai said about us being his extended family from Germany. Well done Dai! That's makes things a lot easier. I might even be able to sneak a kiss on his cheek if I can get Gotty to do it as well.

********************

It's the interval and many people are gathered outside the main hall and in the foyer. Tea and cakes... free, are available, and me and Gotty and Hansie and Noah help ourselves to plenty and stand with the others while we eat and drink. This reminds me of that time at The Schiller when Gareth and I first met. The reason for that is because Dai has grabbed Gareth and is introducing him to some people. This is like when we'd come back from the drive in our car and were pretending not to know one another. Then a thought comes into my mind, which make me giggle. Our black phones are back at Chapel Farm, but I've got my silver one, and I know Gareth has got his with him and it will be switched to silent, but on vibrate. So I take out my phone from my jeans pocket, switch it on and ring his number.

I see him excuse himself from those he's talking to, and he grins when he sees who's calling him. Then I hear him say, "What do you want, Trouble?"

I giggle into my phone. "Just thinking that this moment reminds me of when I was in The Schiller and had just stuffed the phone box down my pants. I'm missing you already. Are those people more important than me?"

He half turns towards me so I can see his face. "Never in a million years. How are you going on with your new lover boy?"

"Jones the Milk?"

He chuckles. "No! That little bugger Noah Bloody Hughes!"

I chuckle. "We're best pals. He keeps holding my hand."

"I know. I've noticed. But you weren't backwards at coming forwards at holding his. I think you've got a massive crush on him."

I laugh. "I have. How much will you bet me that he isn't sharing our bed within six months?"

Gareth doesn't answer my question, and he laughs and says, "He's got one of those cute little turned up noses."

I giggle. "They say the nose is like the pinkler. Do you like cute little turned up pinklers?"

I see Gareth shake his head, and he's grinning like mad when he says, "Eat your bloody cake. I'll be with you soon." Then he looks right at me.

I look right at him and blow him a secret kiss. He does the same, and we break the call. That was fun!

When I've switched my phone off and put it away, I notice Noah is missing. I look around for him but can't see him. A few minutes later he comes in through the main door and grins at me when he sees I've seen him. When he gets to me, he whispers in my ear, "I just kiss Jones the Milk."

Then I see his lover come in through the main door and I understand exactly what he means. So I use one of Gareth's English phrases, "You naughty boy!"

Noah giggles like mad and again whispers in my ear, "I more than kiss."

He can see that I'm struggling to understand him, so he indicates with his head that I should look down. I do, and he's got his hand wrapped around the forefinger of his other and he's making the signs of wanking. I know he hasn't had time for a wank, so I know what he means. They've been feeling each other up! I giggle, and say, "Das ist gut!"

Noah nods and bursts out laughing. "Das ist very gut!"

************ ************** ************* ************** *************

Gareth.

The interval is over and we all take our seats again. I'm getting excited. I'm looking forward to Dai giving the audience the surprise. The choir sing Myfanwy, Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy, and then, in the Welsh Language, O Gymru. (O Wales.) I love this song, another one my grandfather taught me, and I'm singing with them...

Ti yw'r unig wlad i mi, O fy Ngwalia
Ti sy'n lloni nghalon i, ti yw ngwynfa

O Gymru, O Gymru, rhof i ti fy mywyd
O Walia, o Walia, ti ydyw fy ngwynfyd
Fy Ngwalia, fy Heulwen wyt ti

Pan ddaw gofid ambell dro, daw i'm lloni
Lun o geinder, bryn a bro, Gwlad fy ngeni

O Gymru, O Gymru, rhof i ti fy mywyd
O Walia, o Walia, ti ydyw fy ngwynfyd
Fy Ngwalia, fy Heulwen wyt ti.

O fy Ngwalia rhof i ti gan yn llawen
Can o fawl amdanat ti, ti yw'r Heulwen

O Gymru, O Gymru, rhof i ti fy mywyd
O Walia, o Walia, ti ydyw fy ngwynfyd
Fy Ngwalia, fy Heulwen wyt ti.

***

(You are the only country for me
You fill my heart with joy.
You're my heaven and my sunshine.

When I'm saddened, a picture of Wales will lift my spirits,

I will give my life for Wales
Wales is my heaven
So I shall sing it's praises.)

***

I'm not the only one out our now `famous four' that are linking arms and swaying to the music that knows the words. Young Noah knows them too, and I don't miss the tiny smile on Jones the Milk's face as he watches his boy singing along with him. Noah is quite a capture in his own way. In some ways he reminds me of my Aleric. He's a naughty and precocious little bugger, and he's as cute as a pearl button when you study him properly. And he's got a cute little nose! Whether he's got a cock that is the same shape as his nose is something I'll find out one day when I pump Aleric. Or maybe I won't need to pump him. He has a tendency to let things slip when he's really horny.

O Gymru ends and the audience applaud. Dai turns around and winks at me. I stifle my laughter and wink back at him. He taps on the microphone. "Ladies and Gentlemen, and now for the surprise I promised you, that's if you hadn't got bored and gone off home." He points a firm finger at Aleric and Gottwin. "You two! Come up here!"

Both boys look at me in surprise. I shrug my shoulders and pretend to be ignorant, and then tell them to go `on stage' because Dai says they've got to. They look across me at each other, and both shrug their shoulders. Then, grinning like Cheshire Cats, they go to join Dai, who makes them stand each side of him. He looks down at Aleric, and asks, "Which one is Aleric?" Aleric points to Gottwin. Dai looks at Gottwin and says, "So you're Aleric." Gottwin giggles and points to his tee-shirt with the logo, I'M NOT HIM. Dai looks back at Aleric, who giggles and also points at his tee-shirt. By this time the audience are in stitches with laughter at what's going on. So he looks at me and asks, "Which one is Aleric, Gareth?"

I decide to carry on with the fun and say in a loud voice, "Don't ask me." I point at Gretel. "The only one who can tell them apart is their mam. Ask her." (More laughter.)

Dai looks at Gretel. "Aleric?"

Gretel grins, winks at him, and pulls at her ear... the same ear that Aleric wears his earring.

Dai gives both boys a gentle tap on the backs of their heads. "So, Aleric is the one with the earring then!" He turns Aleric's head so the audience can see the earring, and says, "This one is Aleric. This other monkey is Gottwin." He gives the boys another gentle tap on the backs of their heads. "Don't mess about with your Granddad Dai! Now then, I do believe there's another member of your lot who can sing. Who is Hansie?"

Both boys point at the little man in the wheelchair, and almost simultaneously, say, "Hansie."

Dai points at Hans and looks at Kurt and Heindrich. "Can you manage to get Hansie up here please?"

They get up and easily lift Hans on his wheelchair onto the small stage. Then Dai says to him, "Pie Jesu?"

Hans looks puzzled, but says, "Ya? Pie Jesu. Ya?"

I decide to intervene so this goes off well, and call to them in German, "Now you know why I've been asking you to learn a few songs and to harmonise together. Let Hans sing the lead in Pie Jesu and you two accompany him just as you've been doing. Then Dai is going to want you to sing Air on the G-String. Do that as a trio. You've been practicing it so I know you can do it. Dai and his choir will back you up. You stay in your chair Hans and Aleric and Gottwin will stand each side of you." I wink at them. "Let's show this audience that Germany can produce beautiful singers as well as the Welsh can."

They all grin at me. If this were anybody but our three boys then it might not have come off, but our three boys don't suffer from stage fright. Our three boys are complete extroverts!

Then Dai turns to the audience and stands behind Hansie with his hands on his shoulders when he says, "Hans, here, was involved in a very serious accident in Berlin when a motor car ran into him back in April. He spent quite a while in hospital, but as you can see, he's now recovering well. Thank God he is. Now then... apparently, back in Germany these three are called Die Drei Engel, which means The Three Angels, but I'm reliably informed by their Uncle Gareth that they should be called Die Drei Bengel, which means The Three Mischievous Angels.

The audience laugh, as do all those on our row and the Dai row across from us. Even the non-English speakers amongst us get the gist of what Dai has said. And little Noah must be almost wetting himself because he's giggling so much.

When the audience have settled down, Dai arranges the boys just in front of the choir, which he arranges in a semi-circle behind them, and moves his music stand to the side so the audience can see the boys. The room goes silent. Dai taps his baton on the music stand and points to Hans indicating he should follow his commands. Hansie understands. So do Aleric and Gottwin. This is serious stuff. They've been through it many times together with Frau Muller.

I look across at Kurt. He's got tears in his eyes. The future is uncertain, but at least he'll get to see his little boy sing in front of an audience. And that's why I wanted Hans to take the lead in Pie Jesu. The twins are on the verge of losing their beautiful soprano voices, but Hans's young voice is now at the perfect pitch to do it justice.

And he does. Even I've got misty eyes when he sings. I've listened to the boys practising, and even though Hans's voice hasn't fully recovered because of his breathing difficulties due to the accident, I wouldn't have arranged this if I didn't think he could bring it off. And Dai has got his choir perfect. They've been practicing too. I told Dai to play Aled Jones singing this version for practice, and they're humming to perfection in the background as Hans delivers a lovely rendition of Andrew Lloyd-Webber's Pie Jesu with Aleric and Gottwin backing him up with their own harmony.

When they've finished, the audience get to their feet to applaud the boys. I hoped it would go down well, but it's far exceeded that. I look across at Kurt. He looks at me through teary eyes. I blow him a hidden kiss. He nods.

Then the boys sing Air on the G-String together, and they're in full flow just as they are back at home at the Hahn house. Now, even Ralf is wiping his eyes. (Gretel has long since soaked her handkerchief.) I'm not surprised. This is the one song they love to hear their boys sing together, and the melodious notes will touch anybodies soul, if they have one. Again rapturous applause when the boys have finished.

************ ************** ************* ************** *************

Aleric.

How fantastic! Nothing surprises me about my Beautiful Man. But what he's just arranged has. I didn't mind one bit that Hansie took the lead role in Pie Jesu. It was beautiful. My friend, who has gone through many hard times with me, and then has gone through the troubles of late because of his accident, has just been the star of the show. Nothing could have been more beautiful than that, and it's all because my Gareth has a soul inside him that is warm and generous and loving. I adore the man who is looking into my eyes now, but if he thinks he's going to beat the boy who loves him... he's got another think coming! I'll show him who is boss in our relationship!

We three have finished our songs, the audience is loud while they discuss what we've just done, and I catch Angharad's eye and beckon for her to come to me. She gets off her seat and we meet by the edge of the stage. Then, in German, I tell her what I want to do. She looks puzzled and asks, "Are you sure you can do it?"

I grin at her. "Easy. You'll hear me singing this when I come across the Wannsee to your place to pick up my new Xbox and controllers when you buy them for me." She laughs at me, and I wink at her. "Ask your dad if he'll do it for me, please!"

Angharad grins at me and calls Dai over. I can't tell what she's saying, and then Dai says something to her. She looks at me. "Dad says he'll do it."

I grin at her again. "Yes! Just ask his choir to hum in the background. Tell him that my Uncle Gareth will buy him a new coach if he gets it right, and he'll get a kick up the arse from me if he doesn't."

I think Angharad translates everything I've said, because Dai bursts out laughing. Then she says. "Just give him a minute to sort it out with his lads."

Hans and Gotty have got off the stage and joined the others and they're talking excitedly amongst themselves. Gareth looks up at me and asks, "What are you up to?"

I glare down at him. "Mind your own business you nosey bugger!"

Then Dai beckons for me to join him by the microphone. He puts his hand on my shoulder and taps the microphone, and says something in English, most of which I can't understand.

************ ************** ************* ************** *************

Gareth.

I'm wondering what my little bugger is up to when Dai taps his microphone and says, "Ladies and Gentlemen, what you've just heard was a complete surprise to the three boys. Before I got them onto the stage, they hadn't got a clue it was going to happen. And it seems that one of the three has taken exception to being tricked. So, Aleric (he twists Aleric's head so he can see his earring)... yes, this is Aleric, I think, has decided to turn the tables on his Uncle Gareth." He grins. "I've been blackmailed. Aleric says his Uncle Gareth will buy us a new coach if it comes off, and the boy says he'll kick my backside if it doesn't."

I'm laughing my head off now and I point a finger at Dai. "I'm not buying a new coach. You can catch the bus! Don't encourage him! You don't know what you're getting yourself into I can promise you! He's the worst of the three mischievous angels!"

The audience are all laughing now. So is Dai when he says, "It isn't the coach bit that's bothering me. I don't want anybody kicking my backside and upsetting my piles." When he's stopped laughing, he continues, "So settle back Uncle Gareth. Aleric has got a surprise for you! He says I've got to tell you that it's from your Star in the Hood... whatever that means."

I whisper to Gottwin, "What's going on?"

He giggles. "Haven't got a clue. He's up to one of his daft tricks. Sit back Herr Moneybags and enjoy the show." Then he grabs my arm and holds it tight. "I'd better hold you." He giggles more. "I think you might need a bit of support before he's finished with you. You know he doesn't like to be red-necked in public."

I giggle and link Gottwin tightly just as Aleric points a stern finger at me whilst talking into the microphone so the audience can hear everything he's saying. "Zis for you... Uncle Gareth! You not beat me!" Then he grins, and continues speaking, "Ladies und Shentlemen, I not speak gut English, but Uncle Gareth he teaching me. Zis song ist for mein Old Man Uncle Gareth from hiss Star in ze Hood. Zis song ist too many ozzer people. Ist for mein Muther and Vather, mein bruthers Gottvin und Gunther, und for mein bruther Norbert who die long time past, und mein freund Hansie who sing Pie Jesu for you. Zis song ist for Kurt and Heindrich. Ziss song ist for Dai ze Builder und his family." He points at Noah and grins. "Ziss song ist for mein new spezieller freund Noah." He points behind him at David. "Ziss song ist for Shones ze Milk, und for all zese lufferly chvoir. Ist too for player off organ." He waves both hands around the room. "Zis song ist for all you lufferly people who haff made us all velcome. Ziss song ist von I luff since I listen Aled Shones sing long time past. He ist Velsh, so ist gut I sing ziss song for you Velsh people. Zank you all."

I'm impressed with my boy. More than impressed. In just eight months he's matured into a young man who is supremely confident in himself, and I know that his relationship with me is due in a large part to what he has become. He looks right into my eyes. I nod slowly and wink at him. He winks back at me. Then something else happens. Aleric points at Noah and indicates he should move across to me. So Noah moves across one place and links my arm as Gottwin is doing. Aleric grins and nods at him. I look at Shones ze Milk. He grins at me. That's good, so I wink at him. He nods almost imperceptibly. We're on the same wavelength. This is friend stuff, and he's got nothing to be jealous about with his boy holding my arm.

Click! Click! Click! I sprung a surprise on my boy and he pays me back big style when I'm put firmly in my place as Dai gets things going. The organist looks as if he's found some sheet music to whatever, Dai's choir are humming in the background, and Aleric, at his supreme extrovert best sings Ave Maria.

He couldn't have picked a better song to sing. He's lost that childish edge to his voice, his lungs are growing larger, and Frau Muller's special tuition has taught him how to get the best out of himself by standing tall with his head uplifted, and he does just that with open hands as if offering the song to his God.

I'm spellbound. I'm not the only one. Aleric's wonderful singing is an almost perfect match of Aled Jones's rendition that Aleric is always listening to and imitating. I think even Aled would have been spellbound if he was here tonight. And he'd be impressed that his beautiful voice has been an inspiration to a young man who was born on the shores of the Baltic Sea far away in Germany. But the thing that's bringing me to tears is that I'm hoping The Spirit who visited me is here to listen to the soulful voice of his reincarnated boy. The Journey of the Coin has been a long and eventful one. I hope The Spirit can find some peace if he's hearing this. Like me, and that's what's moving me so much and why tears are streaming down my face... he will know how difficult singing this song is for Aleric. This is probably the last time we will hear Aleric's beautiful, spiritual soprano voice being aired in public. Our boy's voice is about to break and he will lose his boyishness and become a man in everything but name.

Aleric ends his song and bows low to the audience who are on their feet applauding what he's just done. He turns and bows to Dai's choir. Dai, bless him, goes to Aleric and gives him a huge hug. Then Aleric points a crooked finger at me to tell me to go to him. I get off my seat, step forward and walk to the edge of the stage. We look long into each other's eyes, and then I open my arms. He grins, and then throws himself into me, wraps his arms around my neck and his legs around my waist, and I twirl us round and round while we laugh. I don't know what people in the audience are thinking right at this moment, but if they're thinking this is anything other than beautiful, pure love between two human beings, then they should go and see a shrink. To be honest, I don't give a shit what anybody thinks. I've never felt so close to my beautiful boy as I do at this moment. Nor does Aleric it seems, because, still with his legs around my waist and his arms around my neck, he leans back, looks long into my eyes, smiles beautifully at me, and then kisses my forehead. Then he pushes his head against the side of mine and rocks us. I join him, and for long moments we share this moment of beautiful love, and then I lower him to the floor and push him towards his family, where he's mobbed by all of them.

Everything settles down and Dai and the choir continue for another twenty minutes. Their last song also brings me to tears. It does to the two old folk at the end of our row, too. This song, sung as Dai and his lads are singing it will bring tears to any true Welsh person who loves their beautiful country. Everyone in the room stands and joins in with the choir to sing our national anthem, Mae Hen Wlad fy Nhadau – Land of My Fathers.

Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl i mi,
Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri;
Ei gwrol ryfelwyr, gwladgarwyr tra mad,
Tros ryddid collasant eu gwaed.

Gwlad, gwlad, pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad,
Tra môr yn fur
I'r bur hoff bau,
O bydded i'r hen iaith barhau.

****

(O land of my fathers, O land of my love,
Dear mother of minstrels who kindle and move,
And hero on hero, who at honour's proud call,
For freedom their lifeblood let fall.

Wales! Wales! O but my heart is with you!
And long as the sea
Your bulwark shall be,
To Cymru my heart shall be true.

Wales! Wales! O but my heart is with you!
And long as the sea
Your bulwark shall be,
To Cymru my heart shall be true.)

******************

The concert is over and many people have drifted away. It's 9.45 pm and I'm chatting with Dai. I'm not missing anything. The Hahn family and Dai's family are mixing well, and amongst them are Jones the Milk and Noah. But I don't want the night to end here, so I suggest to Dai that we all meet back at Chapel Farm and order a load of pizzas and chips to be delivered.

He grins at me. "Good idea Boyo. I'm still buzzin' from the evenin' and I won't sleep unless I have a few beers. You got some left?"

"Plenty. We stocked up when we went to Cardiff. Do you mind if I invite your budding tenor, Jones the Milk to join us. He's latched on to us since he had coffee with us this morning, and Aleric has made friends with that young lad who helps him out on Saturdays... Noah."

Dai grins at me. "You don't miss nothing, do you Boyo?"

I shake my head. "Neither do you... Boyo!"

Dai winks. "Been around too long for things to fly over me head. But I'm a live-and-let-live man me. Just as long as folk are happy, that'll do me. Surprised David hasn't rushed off. He usually spends his Saturday nights out with his mates at Cardiff. Maybe he'll be meeting them at The Old Swann."

"I'll ask him and Noah if they want to come back with us. If he wants to be off with his mates then I'll let them sort themselves out."

Best way Boyo. "Let them sort themselves out and be there for them if they need you. I'll have a word with my lot about the chips and pizza. You sort your lot out."

Jones the Milk is with Noah, Aleric, Gottwin, and Hans. They're all trying to communicate with one another, and laughing when they fail to. Proper boys together. After I've told the others in my lot what's happening, I saunter over to them, put a hand on Gottwin's and Aleric's shoulders and tell them in German, "We're going back to the farm. Dai and his lot are meeting us there. We're going to order a delivery of pizzas and chips. Shall I invite your two pals to come back with us?"

Aleric's eyes open wide. "Yes!"

So I talk in English to David and Noah. "We're going back to Chapel Farm with Dai's family and we're having pizza and chips. You two are welcome to join us if you want." Then I look at David. "Unless you're off to Cardiff with your mates?"

He shakes his head. "They gone off to Swansea tonight. There's a gig on there and I didn't bother `cus I knew I'd be here tonight." He looks at Noah. "You want go or do you have to be home?"

Noah looks at me. "Any chance you could talk to me mam if I ring her?"

Clever boy! I know what he's thinking. A responsible adult talking to his mother will be far better than him making up a cock and bull story, so I grin at him and tell him, "Does she know you've been to this concert? Does she know you go with David delivering on a Saturdays?"

He grins. "Yes. She knows I like Male Voice Choirs. Told her I was going here. And she knows I earn a bob or two on a Saturdays delivering with David."

I chuckle at the cheeky young bugger. "Get her on the phone then and stop wasting time!"

He does, and when he's got through to his Mam and explained things, he gives the phone to me. When she answers me, I say, "Hello Mrs Hughes. This is Gareth Rhys-Jones here. I'm over from Germany with my extended family and some friends and we've been to a superb concert in St. Athen. Young Noah made friends this morning with my identical twin nephews when they were delivering milk and stuff. Then we met him tonight at the concert. Now they're getting on like a house on fire, and because this is our last night here before we fly back to Germany at dinner time tomorrow, we're having a pizza and chip party with Dai Williams and his family at my place at Llantwit. You know, Dai Williams the builder? Him that does the conducting for his male voice choir? He's a very good friend of mine."

"Yes," she says. "Don't know Dai personally, but know of him well. Nobody got a bad word about Dai."

I chuckle into the phone. "Apart from me. He's charged me an arm and a leg to do the farm up for me. Anyway, the twins wanted your Noah to come back with us, but I wouldn't allow it unless he got permission from his mam. So that's why I told him to phone you. Actually, because we'll probably be partying late, we can find him a bed at the farm and get him back to you in the morning if that's not a problem to you? David Jones who he delivers milk with is also staying over. I'm sure he won't mind taking young Noah home in the morning."

"That's okay. I trust David. Good lad is David. Are you sure it won't be no bother?"

I try not to giggle when I say, "No bother at all. He'll be helping me out. The twins can get him to play on their games console instead of driving me crackers to play with them."

"Not a problem then Mr....?"

"Gareth Rhys-Jones. I own Rhys-Jones Enterprises. Got offices all over the world, but I'm based in Berlin now. Only bought Chapel Farm a few months ago so I got somewhere home to come to. Just spent a lovely week here. So we'll do that then?"

"No problem. Can you give the phone back to Noah please?"

"I'll do that. Goodnight Mrs Hughes."

Fifteen minutes later and we've got ourselves a convoy on the way to Chapel Farm. Bringing up the rear is Jones the Milk, and with him in his old Ford Focus is Noah Bloody Hughes, who said I was a scheming bugger when he was laughing at me after his mam said it was okay for him to stay over.

And beside me, with his hand pressing mine on the top of the gearlever as I drive is a giggling Aleric who hasn't been able to keep a straight face when I explained to him what a scheming bugger is. But if he thinks my scheming is over... he ain't seen nothing yet!

To be continued...

You can find my other stories on Nifty here. If you wish to comment on this or any of my other stories, just drop me a line to john.thestoryteller@gmail.com Genuine comments will be appreciated. All flames will be extinguished in the trash bin.