Date: Wed, 21 May 2014 23:36:59 +0100 From: tom Subject: Brief Encounters Chapter 144 Brief Encounters Now, you regular readers will realise that the normal preamble is missing and there is a reason for it as you will discover on reading this chapter of the epic. As ever all comments are welcome, particularly regarding this somewhat bumper edition of the latest chapter, as you may appreciate after reading, it's something I didn't want to split. Tom email: amias09@fastmail.fm #################################################################### Chapter 144 – The end is nigh "Oh my god," Mr Hawkins smiled, "it's Weldon." "Hello Sir." Art rather coyly returned the smile. "We heard you'd be here." It was exactly the same smile. It had exactly the same effect, something which surprised Mr Hawkins almost making him take a step backwards. "And, it's, it's.. Blake isn't it?" "That's right Sir." Nigel standing to Art's side grinned. "You left before I started the fifth year." Art looked at the floor. "I was a bit upset, `cause you and old Woody were the only ones who really understood me." "I know, I'm really sorry I couldn't have told you." Mr Hawkins looked at the pair of them, "The staff knew, but the headmaster wanted to keep it quiet and not say anything till the end of that term, still don't know why." "So where d'you go Sir?" asked Nigel. "It was a big promotion, I took a head of department job at a school in Cornwall, my wife's family are from down there which was partly a deciding factor." "That was good then Sir." said Art who was still beaming and plainly delighted to see him again. "And, I think you can stop calling me Sir now we're all adults, everybody else calls me Jim." "Hhmm.." Nigel spoke for them both. "I don't think we can, it don't seem right do it Art?" "No. Very strange." Art shook his head. "We'll try not to call you anything." "Or maybe, wot about Mr H?" said Nigel. "It's OK, I can understand that's tricky, I'll leave it to you." "So why are you back here?" asked Art. "Couldn't keep away?" "Don't laugh, I'm back at the old school in September as deputy head." he replied. "My family are local and since my parents are getting on a bit, well it seemed like a good idea, besides..." "Besides wot?" interrupted Art. "I like the place!" "I think we did as well didn't we?" Nigel looked at Art. "Yeah we did." Art sniffed. "Sorry, I'm uumm, I, well, I, see it's first one of these reunion things I've been to and it's got me a bit sorta funny, seeing some of these faces again." "He was always a sensitive soul!" Nigel laughed. "Are you alright?" asked Mr Hawkins. "Sorry, I sound like when I used to check up on you." "It's just, I dunno, it's strange seeing you and some of these others after all these years." Art blinked. "I know we still see some of them now and again, the ones who ain't moved away but.. oh, oh I dunno, it's bloody strange, it brings back lots of memories, maybe too many." "What's the rule, as I remember you had to have left for ten years before you could attend a school reunion?" said Mr Hawkins. "Is that still it?" "That's right, this is first one we've been to although it's been more than ten years." Nigel looked round the room recognising some faces but not all and the addressed Art. "See, `cause this is the first year that your Simon's been able to come to isn't it?" "Yeah." Art nodded towards the far side of the room. "He was dead keen to come and he sorta talked us into it, he's over there somewhere with his old mates." "Well I'm glad you did. So what are you two doing now then?" Mr Hawkins started to move towards the bar. "Come on, I'll buy you a pint." "You never bought us a drink before!" Nigel grinned. "I think you're just about old enough now!" "Wot are we two doing now?" it was something of a rhetorical question, taking the glass Art stared into the beer. After a few seconds Nigel looked at Mr Hawkins and winked. "Wait for it!" "See," began Art, "me dad said that as I wasn't gonna to be a great academic, what he really didn't want was for me was to end up, bored stiff stuck in some awful bloody office job for the rest of me life." "That makes a lot of sense." "So, when I got me few GCE's wot he did was to push me to go on to the technical college. I done electrical engineering and got me ONC and now we've nearly finished the HNC ain't we Nige?" "Was English ever amongst your GCE's attainments?" Mr Hawkins kept a straight face. "Yeah course it was! I passed, even if it was with forty-five percent!" "Hang on, you said we just now? You mean Nigel is doing the HNC as well?" "Yeah." Art sounded surprised that Mr Hawkins hadn't realised that from the start. "We done everything together since we left school." "See, since my dad was totally bloody useless it was me mum who saw the sense and pushed to get me going." added Nigel. "Stupid pillock he is!" "Good for you, so what are you actually doing now then?" "Art's bloody useless at explaining things isn't he!" said Nigel looking at Art. "What he hasn't said is that we got fed up working for people, so we started our own electrical business five, six years back and now it's going really well." "So really you've been together ever since leaving school then?" "More or less, yeah." Art smiled. "Amazing innit?" "Have you ever been apart!" Mr Hawkins laughed. "Don't tell me you thought about marring each other as well!" "Strange you should say that!" said Art laughing. "What!" exclaimed Mr Hawkins. "No. Course not, but it was close though!" Nigel grinned. "But then I thought I really oughta find a girl instead, I mean anybody would be prettier than him! Anyway, so well, I did. Now I'm married and we got two little boys and.." "And he's gotta nice blue pram he pushes around!" interrupted Art laughing. "Bugger off! Anyway, so've you now!" Nigel looked at Art and smiled. "Has he!" said Mr Hawkins quite surprised, not only with the conversation but the ongoing chemistry between them. "What, you mean Art with a blue pram?" "Nah, it's a cream one innit!" Art couldn't keep a straight face. "Course like we know Mr H, Art's problem's always been his wanking hasn't it?" Nigel was spluttering with laughter. "I don't reckon he couldn't stop doing it long enough to find a girl!" "Bloody cheek!" exclaimed Art. "I ain't been that bad!" "He hasn't changed very much then Nigel?" Mr Hawkins grinned. "Oh Mr H, wot a thing to say!" said Art turning to Nige. "Anyway Nige, you can piss right off `cause it ain't as though you've never done it is it!" "Me, no! Who told you that?" said Nigel indignantly. "Anyway Mr H I'm sure that's why he got married later, still they have managed to produce, a little boy." "I'm gonna bring him up like me dad brought me up." said Art proudly. "And I hope when his time comes to go to school he finds a teacher like Mr H here." "Well he'll only need to do that if gets into trouble by wanking as much as you did!" Nigel laughed. "Will you bloody shut up about me wanking!" Art was himself trying not to laugh. "You were as bad!" "I just asked who told you rubbish like that?" stuttered a laughing Nigel. "I only ever had a few wet dreams!" "Yeah, about ten gert big `uns every bloody night!" replied Art now convulsed with laughter. "Do you two go on like this all day as well?" Mr Hawkins looked between them quite bemused. "Sometimes!" croaked Nigel, almost breathless with laughter. Even Mr Hawkins was having trouble replying, the laughter was infectious. It seemed despite their perennial schoolboy preoccupation with masturbation, the bond between them was stronger than ever and beneath all the banter both were fiercely proud of their parental roles. "D'you know wot Sir.." began Art after a few calming gulps of best bitter. "Art, please don't call me Sir!" "Sorry Sir.. oh damn, uumm.. sorry Mr H. I'll Start again." he closed his eyes and paused before delivering one long convoluted sentence. "Now, wot I was gonna say was wot made me think you was the best teacher was when I'd been sent to you in that changing room and d'you remember you said something to me?" "Uumm probably," Mr Hawkins sought time to decode the question, Nigel looked equally confused, "but Art it was all a long time ago now, why were you sent to me, what you done and what did I say to you then?" "Well I'd done something awful in class hadn't I? And you said, well not quite like this but, words to the effect that," he fixed Mr Hawkins with his gaze, "that, if the truth was known, probably every boy in the class wanked almost as much as I did. But, I was the one caught with me willy out in class `cause I couldn't leave it alone." "Oh yes, yes I think I remember now. You were in a hell of a state because you'd been caught doing it in full view... that's it, you'd been sent to me for a cold shower or something equally punitive? Didn't Nigel come with you to try to explain because you were so upset and weren't making much sense?" "Yeah, but then he had to go to lessons," Art blinked the experience still vivid, "then you cleared the changing room so them first year kids couldn't laugh at me and, and you didn't make me have that cold shower." "That's right, then we had a chat and you told me you couldn't stop doing it. Then after you'd calmed down you agreed I should speak with your dad on the phone." "Yeah, that's about it." Art nodded. "I've often wondered, wot did you say to him, he'd never did tell me and he was so good about it when I got home D'you know I thought he'd go bloody mental and throw me out the house or something." "I think," Mr Hawkins paused to think, "I think, I told him you were one of my prize pupils even if you couldn't give a damn about games and you would do anything to escape any form of physical activity in the lesson!" "You didn't!" Art's mouth dropped open. "But, but..." "Art it's true!" He smiled. "On the plus side you were very kind, honest and it was obvious you had an incredibly strong sex drive which meant you masturbated an awful lot. I think I also said, that in every class there was somebody who couldn't leave it alone and did something under the desk thinking they wouldn't be noticed!" "You told me dad I masturbated a lot!" Art was shocked. "And, I did it in class as well!" "Come on, it was the truth. Besides you were in such a dreadful state I was making the case to your dad that you couldn't help it, although he already knew that. Then you silly bugger, you dug the hole you were in even deeper," Mr Hawkins paused, "didn't it occur to you that doing it in a class taken by a female teacher could only result in disaster if you were caught!" "Not at the time." replied Art sheepishly. "I just didn't think." "Oh my god, I've just realised," said Nigel looking a little flushed, "we always thought we got away with it, so, so we were noticed?" "Invariably, if the teacher was any good. But more often than not it was easier to ignore unless to use a pun, things got out of hand! If there were say two boys at it, you'd subtly make sure they knew they had been seen and have a word with them after. The fourth year is notorious for testosterone output so the last thing a teacher would want the class to know was that he'd caught Jenkins Minor having a quick one, because that way he'd totally loose control of the class." "Oh shit!" Nigel laughed. "I never thought of it like that." "So wot did me dad say then?" Art sounded unusually subdued. "I've always wondered, `cause he just didn't seem mad at all at the time." "He was really nice about, didn't get upset or anything. Said he knew all about you and had also guessed what the pair of you got up to, which is no more than a lot of boys get up to!" Mr Hawkins winked. "Honestly Art he couldn't have been nicer and seemed to really understand your problem. He just wanted keep you both out of trouble and said he'd try to get you to contain your activities to home ground." "Of fuck!" Art quickly turned away and blinked, saying under his breath. "Bloody hell dad, why didn't you just bollock me like any other father would do!" Nigel looked very embarrassed. "Shit, so he'd guessed then." "Gawd, so who didn't know then!" asked Art suddenly turning looking at Nigel. "Well of course I didn't say anything, really there's no need to be embarrassed, it's what boys do isn't it?" Mr Hawkins smiled, "We're all grown men now, you two must be nearly thirty and school was a long time ago. Maybe I shouldn't say this, but I think Art that if you turn out to be as good a father as your dad has been to you, well you won't go far wrong." "Oh fuck!" muttered Art, he walked away to compose himself. "Now you've done it Mr H, you'll make him cry!" Nigel winked. "Maybe, but it's true isn't it?" "Honestly he wasn't sure about coming, he's really soft." said Nigel "I knew he'd get all emotional wot with memories and all that, it's the reason we ain't been before." "I can understand that." "Anyway," said Nigel quietly, "we really only come `cause his young brother Simon wanted to and, and well, because we'd heard you and old Woody would be here." "Bloody hell, you came partly because of me?" replied Mr Hawkins quite plainly touched by the comment. "Well yeah, sort of like. You know wotever was said in that changing room between you and him, well I dunno, but it must have made a great impression on him. He's a funny bugger, lot of it's all bluster `cause he's dead soppy really, but he's always been on about wot you said to his dad and couldn't understand he didn't go nuts." "Nigel, I just told it like it was and if he'd been a little shit I would have said so!" "I think you would as well!" "I would. Now, seeing as we are on the subject of Art can you tell me something?" "I'll try." "Nigel, is it me or does something happen when he smiles? He just sort of radiates... I don't know to describe what he does, but whatever it is, well it's almost palpable." "Nah, it ain't just you," Nigel grinned, "he does it to everybody. I can't describe it either, it's almost like he puts a sorta spell on you isn't it? I don't know and I can't describe it, but I love him for it." "Sorry, I'm a bit emotional tonight." Art re-appearing before them, rubbing his eyes, he looked between them and smiled. "So am I now," Mr Hawkins looked at Nigel, he blinked. "makes me wonder why I came as well" "Ah, look there's Simon, by the bar." "What, d'you think we'll get a drink out of him?" "Bloody right, it's been at least a couple of years since I last saw him." "Oi! You tight fisted sod and," Tom tapped Simon on the shoulder, "and, another two pints seeing as you're buying!" "Hey, wot a pair of fuckin' tossers!" Simon smiled and grabbed them by the hand. "Fuckin' great you made it, so the old gangs all here then now. Well fuck me!" "Later darling." Alex winked. "You mean everybody's here, all the class even that Goggles?" "Yep, they're all here, you wanna see his glassed thicker than ever!" Simon was really delighted to see them. "Why are you so late, you ain't been at it have you, y'know like we used to do!" "Don't be silly." Alex could help blushing. "Oh fuck!" exclaimed Simon on seeing Alex blush. "You... bloody hell! Right, well.. uumm.. no course not." "Quite." added Tom unable hide his blushes either. "Fuck, I told you he'd guess!" "Alright, so you did!" hissed Alex. "Simon don't say nothing, please." "Course I bloody won't." Simon continued to grin. "I don't know nothing, especially seeing as I wasn't invited." "You'd have come?" asked Tom in surprise. "Course I'd have bloody come, in more ways than one I `spect!" "But we're meant to be adults and all grown up, some's even married." said Tom. "We ain't supposed to still be doing the things we did when we were kids at school." "Don't see why not." Alex grinned. "I have been!" "Shut up, not everybody knows about you!" said Tom looking round, "Alex, you'd better not tell the whole bloody room." "Seriously, we ain't never gonna forget them times we had are we?" said Simon. "Never." "I was thinking on the way here, some have turned out only liking girls and there's still a few who like girls but don't object to a quick wank with their old mates," Simon paused looked around and lowered his voice, "and some, like Ian and Martin who fell for each other at school who are happily queer and still together." "Well we all know you can add me to that list," said Alex, "I am what I am and I knew it even in junior school. Frankly, I wouldn't care if everybody knew, but what with the stigma and legislation you know I gotta keep it quiet." "I agree." said Tom looking at Alex. "Much safer all round." "Sorry, I didn't mean to get all serious." said Simon. "Y'know if you two want to have a bit fun for old times, for fucks sake remember to ask me round next time as well!" "You weren't joking then?" said Alex looking at Simon. "I hope not?" Tom looked between them. "Be like old times." "No, I wasn't joking and it's not as though it's anything we ain't done before is it?" Simon grinned. "Tell you wot, let's stay here a minute and catch up before we go over, the others have taken over the big table in far corner, d'you see 'em?" "Yeah," Tom looked over, "is Art here, I really want to see him." "He's here somewhere and I know he would like to see you two. I had to drag him though, he wasn't very keen `cause it's the first reunion thing he's been to and he's been worrying it'll bring back too many memories." "I've got to be honest," said Alex looking into his beer, "I wasn't too sure either, it wasn't all good was it? And, it was Tom that said we ought to come, but then he's got a bloody good reason to be here." "Wot, why?" Simon looked quizzically at Tom. "Wot's the big secret then?" "Two big secrets." added Alex. "I'll tell you later," said Tom to Simon. "so be good and just don't go on about it." "Fuck you!" "Good old Simon, just as polite as even, nothing changes does it." Tom grinned. "God, we really had some fun didn't we, I didn't want to leave." "Don't think any of us did really, it was all too safe in out little world at school wasn't it?" Alex looked at the floor. "So Simon, please, please don't stir it up with too many memories `cause it'll start me off!" "Alex you fuckin' sentimental twatt!" said Simon. "Alright well forget school for a minute then, let's catch up on the gossip. We know you came back here to work after you'd done your surveying exams and all that stuff at college `cause we've met up with Dave and Joe since ain't we. So wot you been doing Tom, the same thing, still teaching history or wotever it is?" "Yeah, well you know after uni I did the teachers training course and then got that school job in Exeter teaching, well I've been there for nearly three years now." "You always were a brainy fucker! Bet yer still watching the boys in school trousers to see their pants though!" Simon laughed. "D'you know I got to admit I still do it now, as a sorta reflex whenever I see a grey trousers, I can't help it." "Shit, so do I," admitted Alex blushing a little, "they're lucky today though boys, not having to wear those bloody awful Y-fronts!" Not being quite the thing for a teacher to admit, Tom looked around and added quietly, "Well alright I do as well sometimes, but like Simon says it's a habit. But bloody hell I couldn't have nothing to do touching `em up or anything like that, because that just isn't right." "I know that you ain't like that and I can't be doing with that man and boy stuff either. Boys with boys or men with men, but not men with boys." said Simon. "I agree." said Alex. "It ain't on." "Anyway, so wot else has happened.. uumm.. me engineering job is going well.. and Tom, I think you knew Art had actually got married," Simon pulled a face, "Art married can you believe it! Bloody miracle that was, they got a baby boy now and he dotes on him. Bad news is that I got engaged a few months back." "Bloody hell, that mean you'll have to give up wanking!" Tom smiled. "Well congratulations I suppose, but has she got any idea what a randy, dirty minded fucker you are!" "She has now!" Simon laughed, he lowered his voice, "She does a bloody good hand job, almost as good as wot you used to do!" "You're disgusting. We never laid a finger on you let alone a hand on yer cock!" said Alex. "Fuck, I loved being thirteen, all we did was toss each other off, we didn't have a care in the world other than getting our homework done so we didn't get a bollocking, did we?" "Those were the days." Tom sighed. "You're right, it's all we had to worry about." "Hey, I know what I was going to ask you." Simon turned to Tom. "Didn't I hear you were engaged as well? When's the big day then?" "Ah.. was.. past tense," Tom took a mouthful of beer, "truth is, I had a problem with it.. and I.. I uumm.. she was a lovely girl, but I finally decided I couldn't go through with it. She got right pissed off, I couldn't tell her why though." "You, you couldn't go through with it?" Simon wondered whether he should enquire further. "So.. oh, uumm.." "Simon it's alright we can talk about it, for fucks sake I've known you long enough." Tom again looked into his glass, "In fact I'd quite like to, there aren't that many people that I can really." "Well yeah, course you can if you want." "First thing is, my parents think I was bloody mad and they can't understand me," he paused, "what I mean is that.. uumm... well, dad sort of understands and is being supportive, but mum, well she can't seem to get it at all." "Get wot?" "D'you remember in the second year we all sort of paired off like Joe and Dave or Brian and Jimmy?" "Course I do, you and Alex were best mates." "Yeah, d'you also remember sometimes we said things to our best friend that maybe we didn't even understand, like for instance uumm.. well, I remember telling Alex that," Tom flushed, "well, that I loved him." "Fuckin' hell, Alex," Simon swallowed, "he's really gonna stir you up now isn't he?" "Yes!" Alex was looking the other way on the pretext of examining his glass of beer. "Tom, please don't bloody drag all that early stuff up!" "I have to, don't I? Y'see mate," Tom moved to stand by Simon and put his arm around his shoulder, "I meant it when I said that to Alex back then and lately I've come to realise that, that I still mean it... if anything the feeling is stronger." "Hey wot? The feeling? " Simon looked confused. "Tom, wot the hell d'you mean?" "Exactly that.. we.. we.." Tom's voice cracked as he looked at Alex, "we love each other and we have done since junior school, we both know it's true." "Fuck!" Simon was shocked at the revelation, but not at their declaration of love. "Tom's moving in with me." said Alex quietly. "You know I've had me own house, it's already in two flats so Tom's gonna take the top flat and we'll be together, so that way nobody will suspect anything." "Fuck!" repeated Simon, slowly assimilating the news. "So d'you mean, you mean, you two will live together like, like Ian and Martin do?" "Yes, why not? It works for them and they haven't been apart since school have they?" he took a deep breath. "I'll say it, Alex and me is queer! There. We love each other." "Oh fuck!" muttered Alex was wiping the tears from his cheeks as fast as they appeared. "No, no, I `spose it don't matter." Simon looked up. "But Tom, wot about your job, that's down in Exeter you can't commute that far." "That's the problem." "A very big problem I reckon." "Well, yes it is." "Bloody hell! Well, so you two wankers finally made it then!" exclaimed Art appearing from behind and excitedly slapping them both on the back. "Art you bastard!" Tom turned, quite delighted at seeing him but still flushed from his confession. "Where's Nigel then?" "He's on his way over now with Mr H and I can't think why, but they both said they wanted to see you again!" he looked at Tom and Alex who was still wiping his face. "Hey, you lot been crying?" "Please don't say nothing, tell you later." Tom sniffed and tried to compose himself. "OK, nothing bad?" "No, quite the opposite." Grinning as ever Art looked round. "There they are." After much hand shaking and innumerable insults the conversation turned to gossip as to who was doing what and where since leaving school. "Tom," said Mr Hawkins, "I suppose you've heard through Simon that Art's a father now, like Nigel?" "Only just," Tom smiled, "I knew Nigel was and that Art had got married, but didn't know he'd had a baby till Simon told me five minutes ago." "It wasn't me that had the baby, it was me wife wunnit!" said Art blushing as he added, "I just did the business, y'know!" "Poor woman!" Nigel laughed. "A little boy," Art beamed, "and we called him Thomas Edward, that's after you and me dad." "You called him what!" Tom was stunned. "You said after me ... after me? Oh shit?" "You don't mind do you?" asked Art suddenly thinking he might have upset Tom. "I don't think so, quite the contrary I think," said Alex, "he's just a bit shocked, he's had a bit of an emotional time lately." Tom didn't know what to say or do. Having already announced his intentions in respect of Alex the evening had proved more than somewhat emotional as it was. To then hear that Art had named his baby son after him was the crowing glory, tears quickly formed in the corners of his eyes. "Yeah, Thomas Edward," Art smiled one of those smiles, "thought that you've been such a good mate to Simon and me that well..." "Art, you got him crying now!" said Simon. "Stop bloody smiling or you'll have us bloody crying next!" "Fuck!" unable to control himself Tom looked away, tears running down his face. "Apparently when they have the second he's gonna be called Nigel!" said Nigel now blinking as he looked at Mr Hawkins, who was plainly was as affected as was Alex. "And if it's a girl?" asked Mr Hawkins after clearing his throat. "Nigella innit!" Art grinned. "Wot!" Nigel didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Nigella!" "Fuck! You really mean you've called him Thomas after me?" repeated Tom unable to believe it. "Why not, he's luvly and you're luvly!" "Bleeding hell Art, now you've made the poor fucker really cry!" said Nigel seeing Tom again erupt in tears as he unintentionally fanned the emotional flames. "It's alright." stuttered Tom, wiping the tears away, "It's just so fuckin' nice. Oh Art, you daft bloody sod fancy naming your boy after me!" "Course, you never know," said Nigel, in an effort to minimise Tom's emotional distress, "I `spose if he's a clever little bugger then him and my two boys might even make it to the grammar in ten years time!" "D'you think you'll still be there?" Alex turned to Mr Hawkins. "Don't envy you that, just think of the mess them three in the fourth form could make!" More laughter. "Ten years, just about." he smiled. "Cold showers aside, can you imagine the stress of having another Art and a brace of young Nigel's to teach!" "Wot a bloody cheek!" said Nigel. "I never thought of it like that." Art smiled, further reducing everybody's resistance. "Cor, so they'd be really dead lucky if they had you wouldn't they Mister H?" "I suppose so, but I'm teaching geography these days instead of PE." "Wonder who'll be giving 'em their cold showers then?" asked Alex grinning. "I don't know about cold showers, but I do know," Mr Hawkins paused, "I do know I can let you into a little secret." "Go on then Mr H, wot's that then?" interrupted Art. "Well, I'm sure that by that time they get to the school there will be somebody there quite capable of sorting their problems out." "Who's that then?" asked Nigel grinning. "Whoever it is, they gotta be warned that Weldon Senior was a serial wanker and it could well run in the family!" "And proud of it!" said Art to more laughter. "Well, come on then Sir, who is then?" "Don't call me Sir!" "Sorry Sir! Mr H!" "Without further ado," with a flourish of his hand Mr Hawkins indicated in Tom's direction, "allow me to introduce Mr Johnson, who as of the September term will be the new junior history master." "No wot!" exclaimed Simon in utter amazement staring at Tom. "Oh my god! No! Fuckin' hell! You ain't gonna teach at our old grammar school are you!" "Oh fucking hell yes!" despite the resurgence of tears Tom's face had turned into a huge smile. "Honest?" Nigel looked at Mr Hawkins who was now blinking and nodded. "Bleeding hell! You clever bloody sod!" Art grabbed Tom and hugged him tightly immediately starting him crying again. "I knew this would bloody well start me off!" said Alex to Simon rubbing his eyes. "Ain't done much for me either!" replied Simon sniffing. "I have to agree," even Mr Hawkins looked a little tearful, "but, I honestly think he'll be a wonderful addition to the staff." "Don't make his head any bigger than it is already!" said Art wiping his eyes. "We'll try not to, but it's a bit tricky when the other masters who knew him as a pupil really are as pleased as I am to see him return to teach at the school." "Fuck!" repeated Tom having turned away in an effort to compose himself, tears were rolling down his cheeks. It was all to much. "I `spose it'll help cause he's so young and innocent," spluttered Nigel containing his laugher, "and, he can still relate to those kids that get caught doing it in class that are sent to see him!" "Don't you two ever think of anything else?" asked Mr Hawkins smiling as he looked around the group. "Nah not really Mr H," Art grinned, "gotta be honest, it's all we really thought of at school wunnit Nige?" Nigel looked pensive and scratched his head. "No, no we didn't, that's just a myth!" "So d'you reckon then Nige," said Art, "it's just another myth that Tom was the one who led me little brother astray in the second year?" "Up yours!" Tom flushed. "He was bloody worse, `cause he been copying you! He showed us!" "Shut up!" much to Mr Hawkins amusement Simon went bright red. "I wouldn't know, but I've heard it takes one to know one." Nigel winked at Art. "Nice polite little boys though weren't they and so cute in them little grey shorts!" "Art will you bloody shut up!" even Simon was blushing now. "Takes one to know one, I `spose and you could be right there with them two." continued Art fixing both Simon and Tom with his smile. "Like Nige says, Tom you always looked so innocent, just like butter wouldn't melt in yer mouth." "Don't look at me like that!" Simon closed his eyes. "Oh fuck!" muttered Tom under his breath, furiously blinking and desperately trying to break from the power of Art's smile. "Simon, I was thinking," whispered Alex, pulling Simon to one side as the laughter began to die away, "you know you can always come round and see us, like we said it'll be like old times." "I `spose, put like that," replied Simon, with a huge grin, "that wot you really mean is that, having a wank at home is no different to having a wank at me mates home is it?" "Exactly. No, difference at all," said Alex smiling, "and I'm sure I can speak for Tom there as well." "Of course, I `spose now thinking it about it," continued Simon, "that since married blokes just wank and don't think nothing of it, then there'd be nothing really to stop one of them popping round either?" "Heavens! A married man!" replied Alex feigning surprise. "Well there's a thought now. D'you mean when, when you get married or maybe some of our other old classmates, you think they might just happen to pop by or something?" "Yeah, but only if they knew you were receptive here of course. Y'know exactly wot I mean and course they wouldn't necessarily need to be married either would they? So I `spose it could be any of 'em really." Simon was trying not to laugh, "Or, or.. dare I say, I wouldn't be surprised if even Art had an idea or something, I'm sure he'd be only too happy to let you have it!" "Knowing him, I'm sure he'd be only too happy to let us have it... one way or the other!" Alex grinned. "And, one of his very imaginative suggestions could be just what we wanted!" Ignoring the fact that Simon and Alex had dissolved into a fit of adult giggling, Art took Tom's arm who had utterly failed to appear anywhere near as composed as he really wanted. "Y'know I'm not much good with emotional things and writing and all that stuff, but I just had thought," he paused and smiled knowing Tom was trapped, "that wouldn't it be a really nifty idea to have a sorta record of our school days?" "D'you reckon?" asked Nigel having overheard. "Wot, a book or something?" "It would have to be censored!" added Mr Hawkins visualising the contents. "Very heavily censored, in view of your uumm... fixation!" "Oh Sir!" Art looked pained. "Dunno wot you mean!" "Art you're incorrigible!" "Will that make me blind?" "I'm surprised you've got away with it so far!" replied Mr Hawkins knowing there was absolutely no chance of ever escaping the subject. "Art I don't know, I `spose it might be an idea," said Tom after a few moments thought and several deep breaths, "but are you really trying to say I'm the one who ought to write it?" "Yeah. Course I am, `cause you're the clever bugger." Art smiled, resistance was as ever futile. "See I thought, wouldn't it be great if Little Tom could read it when he was old enough!" "Definitely censored!" repeated Mr Hawkins was on the verge of laughter. "In which case it's going to be a very short book!" "Little Tom!" Tom turned away. "Oh bloody hell!" "Art you go off like a bleeding double barrelled shotgun," said Nigel, "now look you've made the poor bugger start crying again!" "Sorry." Art moved close to Tom's and whispered which only made the situation worse. "We all love you, you know that." "Yes. That's fuckin' the trouble! Being told about it has set me off and I can't stop." he wiped his eyes yet again. "It finishes me every time, that and your bloody smile! Art, I don't know what's up with me tonight, I can't hold it all together." "You don't have to get it together, because... because.." Art was now drying up, "Oh fuck, I'm a mess now as well. I didn't want to come to this bloody do, but Tom, I'm so pleased I did." "Course," whispered Nigel in Tom's other ear, "you do know he thinks of you as a younger brother like Simon!" "Fuckin' hell!" Tom turned and moved away, totally embarrassed that he was forever appearing to break down in front of them all. "Tom," Mr Hawkins moved over, "are you alright?" "No! I was till I came here!" Tom replied, now looking distinctly red eyed, "I don't know what's come over me or what it is that Art does to me, he's just.. just.." "He's just Art." he smiled. "And, it's not just you, he's had that effect on a couple of other teachers as well, he really got to me that day in the gym." "Don't I know it, well we all know it." Tom took a deep breath. "And, Nigel is the magic glue that holds it all together, I can't describe it. The two 'em, what a pair." "I understand. He's got incredible charisma, one in a million." even Mr Hawkins was now blinking. "I don't know what it is he does but, well all that masturbation banter aside I don't think anybody could ask for a more genuine friend with a bigger heart." "Well Tom, you gonna give it a go?" Looking as composed as he was ever going to be Art had sidled over to nudge him in the back and underline the fact he couldn't possibly refuse by smiling broadly at him. "Give wot a go?" "The book for Little Tom." "Oh Art, you sod, stop it!" Tom blinked and knew there was no way he could escape the emotional blackmail. "Alright, I'll give it a try... but, but only to see if it does work." "You're a brave chap!" said Mr Hawkins. "You'd better use a non-deplume because you certainly won't want to get traced or connected to it!" "I know and I think the only way I can possibly write anything is to do it as fiction." Alex moved to stand next to him and reached for his hand behind his back, feeling distinctly emotional Tom took a deep breath before risking looking directly at Art. "Art, look if I do write anything," Tom immediately started blinking, Art had made eye contact and was not going to relinquish it until he had Tom's agreement, "then I'm going to include a couple of characters based on you and me... that's the only way I can think of putting some real depth into it." "Oh yeah great, me in print!" Art continued to smile reducing Tom's resistance even further. "Bloody hell!" Nigel turned to Simon. "How's he gonna keep it clean with them two characters based on him and Art?" "It's gonna have to be a very short book!" Simon laughed. "Wot d'you mean?" Art looked perplexed. "A short book? Oh shit! I see wot you mean!" "Ah, the penny has dropped." said Alex. "No juicy bits if Little Tom's gonna read it!" "Oh bollocks! So d'you think there would or wouldn't be any uumm... you know, in it then?" asked Art sounding quite disappointed. "Art we all know what your world revolves around so it really depends on whether you want to get it into print or not!" Mr Hawkins laughed. "Besides, like Alex has said, you wouldn't want Little Tom learning all about your extremely naughty school days would you?" added Nigel. "No! No!" Art looked shocked at the very suggestion. "Course not, `cause I'm bringing him up proper!" "Well if he turns out to be anything like you he'll need his own book!" Alex looked at Mr Hawkins who winked. "What about," Tom turned to Art, "maybe, only maybe, I could also do a sort of private edition for those that really want to relive their time at school." "Wot, d'you mean including all the, the uumm... uumm... the..." Art glanced towards Mr Hawkins who was obviously trying not to laugh, "you know, all that other stuff." "You mean the juicy bits." Alex dare not look at Tom who was already starting to laugh at Art's evident enthusiasm and even just the prospect of it being writing. "Art, if what you're not saying is... and uumm... and really what I think you mean is... well, uumm... then," spluttered Tom, "then you'd better pop round and explain exactly what you want." "You here just for the weekend or longer?" Art's face lit up. "Where you staying, you at home?" "No," Tom looked very slightly embarrassed, "no.. I'm at Alex's place this time." "Oh, not at home." slowly Art started to grin and then winked. "Oh, oh.. I see." "Just for the weekend, then I'm going back to Exeter." this time Tom did flush. "I'll be round then!" Art continued to grin, Tom on realising the reason for staying with Alex was no longer a secret went very red. Simon nudged Alex. "Told you so, how long d'you reckon it'll be then before he's on his bike and is round there telling Tom wot he wants?" "Be tomorrow won't it. And we all know damn well what he really wants!" Alex smiled. "It wouldn't surprise me if he wanted to demonstrate as well!" "Nor me, you know he's always had a thing about Tom and you." said Simon stating the obvious. "Besides look at him, he's all excited `cause Tom's back for visit, he's always thought of you and him as younger brothers." "I know he does." said Alex. "And, you know we've equally had a thing about him since he first hooked us with that bloody smile when we were in the second form!" "So you wouldn't mind, if he... well, you know wot he's like," Simon paused, "well with that look, you just can't say no to him can you?" "No, honestly I wouldn't mind and I wouldn't mind joining 'em either!" Alex caught Simon's eye. "Why don't you come round as well?" "Oh fuck!" Simon swallowed. "I'd love to, but would it be alright with Tom?" "The four of us, be like old times. Besides it'll be a great opportunity to tell Art that Tom's moving in with me." Alex sounded rather emotional. "Thing is Simon, we all know he's not trying to break us up, get jealous or anything like that, he's, he is just like you said, he's a randy big brother." "He's certainly a randy big brother, you should have seen the state of his bed! D'you remember all that shit that mum used to give him `cause he'd been wanking over everything in sight!" "Yeah, once seen never forgotten!" Alex shook his head in disbelief. "And them revolting pants he used to wear all covered in cum stains, half the time he didn't seem to know who he'd pinched 'em from did he?" "Nah. Course he's still at it. He's insatiable, he'll never stop wanking! He might not be doing it five or six times a day like he used to `cause he's gotta keep his wife happy as well now, but he's still at it." Simon grinned. "D'you know, I went out with him the other evening and after he'd had a couple of pints he told me that if him and Nige are out on a job together, sometimes they stops off on the way home and has a quickie in the van!" "I just wish I'd had brother like him." Alex sighed. "He's a one off!" "You have. Honest, he thinks of you and Tom like that. He does." Simon looked round and lowered his voice. "In fact when I went round to his house last weekend, he found some excuse to get me in his garden shed, then all he had to do was smile at me we ended up wanking each other off," he paused, "it was like being thirteen again and hoping mum didn't burst in and catch us!" "You're so lucky to have him." "But you got Tom now, now that's better than lucky innit?" Simon blinked, "D'you know I used to think back in school if you two could end up together." "Seems we have, I can't tell you how happy we are, he just knew getting married wasn't for him." Alex took a breath. "Now, talking of being thirteen again and all that, if you two are coming round then you'll have to wear some of those fuckin' white Y-fronts, wouldn't be the same without 'em!" "Yer right. It's what brought us all together really innit it?" said Simon. "Remember when we pinched the whole bloody lot from Art's class from the changing room!" "Yeah, you wanked so much yer cock started to bleed so you had to tell yer dad!" "I'll never forget it, I was so embarrassed, but he was so nice, didn't laugh or anything. He had to put ointment on it didn't he. Shit, it seems a long time ago now, doesn't it?" Simon went quiet and stared at the floor. "Y'know I really love Tom very much." said Alex quietly breaking the silence. He screwed his eyes up in an effort to stop crying. "And, and... well in a different way I also love you and Art very much as well." "Fuckin' hell!" Simon was blinking. "I know that, you don't have to bloody tell me!" "Sorry, but I had to say it." Alex sniffed. "I'm like Tom now, I can't hold it together, there's too many memories and all that for one night." "I gotta say this, it's more or less wot Art admitted to me about his feelings for Nige and the two of you," Simon sniffed in sympathy, "well, that was just before he got too pissed to stand up on his stag night, then he started bloody crying on me!" "There's no shame in crying," Alex blew his nose, "Tom and I have done a lot of that lately, being honest with each other." "I'm so pleased for you, I really am." Simon was by now quite tearful. "Oh fuck! What an emotional night this has turned out to be." "So, what have you two been talking about then?" asked Tom moving over having finally escaped Art's hypnotic smile. "I've seen you whispering. That randy Alex ain't chatting you up is he Simon!" "If only he was!" croaked Simon, who's voice had by now all but faded. "Nah, course he bloody isn't, `cause he's got you now ain't he, the lucky sod!" "And I got him." said Alex staring at Tom. "We got each other." "I thought I was the only one who cried around here," Tom looked between them, all now rather red eyed, "go on then tell me, so what the bloody hell have you been talking about that's reduced you both to tears?" "Love." Alex bit his lip and slowly looked up to meet Tom's gaze. "Love?" mouthed Tom, willing himself not to cry as he moved closer to take Alex's hand. "Love." tears started to run down Alex's cheeks. "But, we knew that during the first week at the grammar didn't we?" Tom's voice and what little remained of his composure were rapidly deserting him. "So why's it taken us so long?" Alex smiled through a veil of tears, his voice husky and barely audible. ######################################################################### Errrr, that's it! Would you believe that they all lived very happily, if somewhat naughtily ever after. And, as you may have surmised, Tom did eventually write up his school days in a fictional form so that others could get some satisfaction from reading them, but that of course would be another story... Well, that's it other than to say thank you all for sticking with it to very end, it's been for me a labour of love to write as I have been very attached to the characters, but all good things must come to an end and I have been in something of a quandary as regards the ending. Finally, I concluded there were two choices, I either had to carry on until I and all the characters were about to die off or do the brave thing come up with a suitably quick and painless ending – I hope this chapter passes the test. You could always start reading it again from the beginning! Tom - thanks for reading. Please support Nifty http://donate.nifty.org/donate.html