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Love in the Army will return in 2015
Love in the Army chapter 23
Henry Morrison is a proud man who has never really explained to Robbo why he left the army. Henry was a lance corporal with a unit who had a bad hit in Afghanistan. Henry was just one of two survivors of the ambush which saw five of his comrades perish. Henry was a star soldier and also played for the forces joint rugby team once or twice. Henry struggled a long time with his trauma but finally he snapped. Henry decided to quit the army himself and shortly after leaving had his complete breakdown. He hit the booze and pushed his family and friends away. He finally got the help he needed when he tried to end it all by taking a drugs and drink overdose. He was rushed into hospital and a doctor there diagnosed PTSD. He was put under the care of the Royal British Legion and was an inpatient, for a while, at Webber House, a rehab centre. He was discharged from Webber House a while later and moved back home. A few weeks after moving back home he met one of his old friends, Daniel. Two years ago he decided he wanted to do something rather than sitting around his house moping. It was then he was shown the advert for trainee fire-fighters, by his best friend Dan.
He was soon on the training course and passed out six months later. He was assigned to a small rural fire station. Henry was hoping to be sent to a busier station but Cathland station wasn't as bad as he thought it would be. He settled in well with the others on his watch and soon was a respected member of the team.
A few months ago his life changed for the better.
Henry and his watch had just come on duty when the alarm rang out. Henry went to the watch room and pulled off the sheet and shouted house on fire in Bremdon.
The crew jumped into the engine and headed off to the nearby village.
Robbo was enjoying a quiet drink at a country pub near to the barracks. Robbo left the Bell Inn and headed, on foot, back to the nearby base. He walked around a corner to see a drama unfolding as fire-fighters were fighting a blaze at a thatched cottage. There was a cordon so Robbo couldn't get passed, so he had to stop there. Robbo realised he would be late back at base so he had the foresight to call the barrack commander to explain what had happened.
Finally after about an hour the blaze was brought under control and the cordon was lifted. Henry was putting some equipment into the engine when he spotted Robbo in his army uniform. Robbo immediately spotted the hot fire-fighter and smiled at him.
Henry smiled back and said "Hi"
Robbo smiled and said "Hey that looked like a bad one?"
"No, not too bad, luckily no one was injured" Henry replied
Henry noticed the hot sergeant's trousers were tenting slightly and smiled and said "I'm Henry; I was in the army until a couple of years ago."
"Well I am Robert, but most people call me Robbo" Robbo said, smiling.
Henry's own cock was throbbing and that hadn't gone unnoticed by Robbo.
Henry said "Well nice meeting you, but I need to get back to work mate."
"Oh yeah, maybe we can have a drink sometime?" Robbo said.
"Yeah, I would like that" Henry replied.
"Here is my number, maybe you can give me a ring and I will see if I can get off base" Robbo replied.
"Ok, will do" Henry said, taking the number.
Robbo walked away; as he got out of earshot he said "Fuck he was hot!"
The guys met up a couple of days later, at the Bell, and have been together ever since.
Robbo was also really happy, as he was also gaining a stepson, as Henry had a son, when he was 15, with a girl from school.
The girl was 17, and she seduced Henry. Henry never knew about his son until a year ago; when he received a letter, from the Child Support Agency, demanding he pay maintenance money. Henry had left the army, at the time, and was training to become a fireman. Henry had only had gay relationships, since that one night stand with the mother of his son. Henry, even then, knew it was other lads he wanted to be with.
Meeting his 5 year old son, for the first time, was amazing for Henry; even though the mother tried to stop him from seeing Aaron. There was no way Henry was going to stop seeing him. Henry finally won the right for visitation, after a judge ruled in his favour. Henry was worried his son wasn't being cared for properly by Maria.
Robbo had met Aaron, on several occasions lately, and equally was getting worried about the way Maria was looking after him.
A few days later
Henry arrived at the flat, where Maria and Aaron lived, to pick up Aaron and knocked on the door.
He couldn't get an answer. Henry looked through the glass on the front door and Henry saw Aaron was still in his pyjamas and shouted "Hi scamp, why are you still in your pjs?"
"Daddy, mummy won't wake up" Aaron shouted.
Henry was getting worried and said "Can you reach the door?"
Henry watched as Aaron climbed onto a chair near the door and managed after a couple of tries to open the door to let his dad in.
Henry looked at Aaron and said "Where is she?"
Henry walked into the bedroom and spotted the half drunk bottle of vodka on the floor and also the sleeping pills on the bedside table.
Henry walked over to Maria and lifted her wrist to see if there was a pulse but there wasn't.
Henry grabbed his mobile and dialled 999. Henry didn't want to scare Aaron so he picked him up and took him into his room and said "Be a good boy and stay here for me."
"Ok daddy" Aaron replied
Henry left Aaron playing in his room and went back into Maria's and started to apply CPR. He was still at it when a paramedic arrived. Henry had managed to get Maria breathing again but her pulse was very weak.
Henry wasn't panicking, as a trained fireman he was used to dealing with major incidents. The paramedic asked Henry a couple of questions which Henry explained what had happened and how he had arrived to pick up his son and how he found her like this. They took Maria to the nearby hospital.
Henry had called Robbo and he arrived a short time later to see a police car parked outside. Robbo went into the flat and saw Henry sat there with Aaron on his lap.
Aaron saw Robbo and jumped off his dad's lap and said, "hey Robbo" and jumped into his arms.
"Hey scamp" Robbo said, ruffling Aaron's hair.
Maria never regained consciousness and later, that day, died.
Henry was worried this would change things for him and Robbo; and thought it might even stop the wedding going ahead.
Robbo was even more determined to marry Henry.
The wedding plans for Sergeant Robert "Robbo" Jamieson and fire officer Henry Morrison were in full swing. Paula was really proud of her son and saw the way the two lads were together; you could tell they were meant to be together
Gary and Angelo were surprised when Robbo told them about Aaron and he would now be living full time with them after the sad death of his mum. Maria's parents were trying to stop Henry having full custody of Aaron claiming he wouldn't grow up in a stable loving home, which they could provide for him. The judge in the court looked at the case and said "I see no reason why Aaron shouldn't be with his father and further more I disagree with the claims of the Feltem family; I think Aaron will grow up in a loving family with Mr Morrison and Sergeant Jamieson.
All in all it took nearly three months to sort the court case out.
The big day
Robbo and Henry had decided to hold the wedding at the outdoor pursuit centre, where Gary worked. It is an old manor house, set in its own grounds, and has been used for several weddings. It also has a view of Lake Windermere from the gardens.
Gary has been busy sending out invites and getting the place ready for the big day. The centre holds a license to host weddings so the whole ceremony can take place there.The registrar was booked and the caterers were all in place.
Gary was fussing; making sure the great hall of the manor was looking its best, when he heard a car pull up.
Gary was also best man and he and Robbo had been on a stag weekend a few weeks before to Blackpool. Gary was happy to meet up with a few of his old mates from the regiment.
Gary walked out of the main door to see Major Matthew Taylor and his wife Jess standing there looking round.
"Hi Matt" Gary said.
"Hey this is the right place then; I thought more people will be here by now" Matt said.
"Yeah they will be here, don't worry; all the lads from Robbo's unit will be here shortly" Gary replied.
"That will be nice; give me a chance to catch up with them" Matt said.
"How's your new unit doing?" Gary asked.
"Yeah, a good bunch of lads, and I got Jason Green with me as my sergeant" Matt said.
"I knew that; I spoke to him when I invited him and his wife" Gary said.
"So where's your man then?" Matt asked.
Gary smiled and said "I'll kill Robbo; I wanted to tell you myself"
Matt laughed and said "It wasn't Robbo who told me it was Jason, but I dare say it was Robbo who told him"
"You will get to meet Angelo; he will be here shortly, but had to go and open up his parent's ice cream parlour after one of the staff quit yesterday" Gary said.
Matt smiled and said "I will look forward to meeting him, and Gary, don't stress mate. I don't care if you are gay, straight or confused as long as you are happy; that is all that counts."
"I have never been happier, even when I was with Sally, I was never this happy" Gary replied.
Gary led Matt and Jess into the manor house and into the great hall.
Gary introduced Matt and Jess to Anthony and Jake, the owners, and they showed them around while Gary met another couple of guests.
Gary spotted Jason and his wife Mel and walked over and said "Hi mate, nice to see you."
"Hi Gary, so where is Robbo?" Jason said.
"He is getting ready upstairs mate; he will be down soon" Gary replied.
"How is he?" Jason said.
"Panicking his arse off, as usual" Gary said, smiling.
"He will be fine" Jason said.
"Yeah, he will" Gary said.
Gary spotted another car pull up and said, "Go through the doors and take a left, Matt and Jess are already here."
"Thanks mate, see you later" Jason replied.
A short time later Robbo's unit arrived with Major Joshua Harrison.
Captain Harvey Gregory arrived with his wife just behind the unit. Gary spent a little while catching up with the guys from the unit and then headed off, back outside.
Gary was smiling wide when he saw his mum, Jackie, arriving with Robbo's proud mum, Paula, and Brother Joe.
"Hi guys" Gary said.
"Wow what a beautiful venue" Paula said.
"Yeah it is" Joe said.
"Must be expensive to hold this here though" Paula said.
"Nah, it is Tony and Jake's wedding gift to the boys" Gary said.
"What, they give it for free?" Jackie asked.
"Yeah, that's how they are mum, couldn't ask for better people to work for" Gary replied.
"Sound like you have landed on your feet" Jackie said.
"I sure have mum; I couldn't ask for a better place to live and work, just look at the view around this corner" Gary said.
Jackie said, "Wow look at that view."
"Yeah that is special; and this is where we will be taking the photos later" Gary said.
"Couldn't think of a more beautiful place" Paula said.
Joe had wandered off inside, and went into the west hall, where all the inside climbing walls are and thought, wow, he walked back outside and went over where his mum was standing.
"Wow, this place is fab" Joe said."You ought to see the climbing walls; they are awesome"
"Hey, no climbing walls in your suit" Paula said.
"Oh mum" Joe said laughing.
Gary laughed and said, "Don't worry mate, you can come and climb the walls tomorrow, before you head home."
"Cool" Joe said.
Both Jackie and Paula laughed at Joe's antics.
"Just like his brother" Paula said, shaking her head.
Gary smiled when he spotted Angelo walking over. Jackie saw the smile on her son's face and turned and said, "There you are."
Angelo smiled and said, "Yeah sorry, I got held up at the ice cream parlour."
Gary leaned over and kissed Angelo and said, "No problem babes."
Joe and Paula hadn't met Angelo and Gary smiled and said, "Babes I want you to meet my other mum, Paula Jamieson, and my scamp of an adopted brother, Joseph Jamieson. Guys meet Angelo Giuseppe, my other half."
Paula smiled and said, "Welcome to the family."
Angelo smiled and said, "I've heard a lot about you."
"It's all lies" Paula said smiling.
Angelo then said, "Pleased to meet you too, Joseph."
Joe scowled and said, "It's Joe."
Angelo laughed and said, "Ok Joe then."
A short time later Gary said, "There is someone important in my life I need you to meet."
Angelo smiled and said, "Ok."
Gary led Angelo into the great hall and walked over to Matt and Jess and said, "Babes I want you to meet Major Matthew Taylor, My former commanding officer. And one of my best mates."
Angelo smiled and said, "Pleased to meet you."
Matt smiled, stood and shook Angelo's hand and said, "Likewise."
Gary smiled and said, "And this is Matt's wife, Jess."
Angelo smiled and said, "Nice to meet you too"
Jess smiled and said, "Nice to meet you also."
Gary introduced Angelo to the lads from his former unit and to Jason Green.
Gary smiled and said, "Anyway, I better go and check on his nibs and make sure he is not panicking too much upstairs."
Gary went upstairs to find Robbo.
Robbo was in a room set aside for weddings.
"Where the hell have you been?" Robbo snapped, as Gary walked through the door.
"Well someone has to meet and greet mate, being as you are hiding up here" Gary replied.
"So who is here?" Robbo asked.
"Well Matt and Jess, your unit, some of Henry's old unit and some of his mates from the fire station; your mum, my mum, Joe and plenty of others and Angelo looking well hot even if I say so myself" Gary said laughing.
Robbo laughed and said, "Well if you say so."
"I got Joe doing the meet and greeting now so I can and sort you out" Gary said.
Robbo was nervous and was pacing round the room. Gary smiled at him and said, "Will you calm down?"
Robbo looked at Gary and said, "Do you think I am doing the right thing, marrying Henry?
Gary smiled and said, "Yes I do. You two are meant to be and with Aaron you will be the perfect family, now bloody calm down."
"Oh I don't know whether I am doing the right thing. I'm really not sure whether I can go through with it" Robbo said.
Gary walked over and grabbed Robbo into a tight hug and said, "Listen to me, you and Henry are perfect for each other and this is wedding jitters talking; now take a deep breath and calm the hell down or do you want me to get your mum up here?"
Robbo laughed and said, "Hell no she would make me worse."
Robbo finally adjusted his uniform and waited while Gary changed into his morning suit. He smiled when he saw Gary pin his service medal to his lapel. The two men walked downstairs and saw more guests arriving. Robbo smiled at one of the men and Gary said, "Who is that?"
Robbo laughed and said, "That is one of Henry's mates, from his rugby days."
"Wow he is, well hot" Gary said.
Robbo laughed and shook his head and said, "God you are bad"
Gary smiled and said, "Like you didn't look."
"Well, ok. Yeah he is well hot but he isn't Henry" Robbo said.
"Yeah, point taken, and anyway I got my sexy Italian stallion waiting for me" Gary said.
Robbo laughed and said, "You really are gay."
Gary laughed and said, "Yeah I am."
The great hall was packed as they awaited the arrival of Henry. Robbo was standing nervously at the front with Gary. The doors opened and the room turned as Henry walked down the middle with his best man Daniel alongside. Robbo turned round to see his gorgeous man dressed in his formal fireman's uniform, walking towards him. Robbo was dressed in his dress uniform. Walking in front of the men with a huge smile on his face, dressed in a small version of his dad's uniform, was Aaron.
The registrar looked at the two men before him and said, "Ok?"
Henry smiled and said, "Yeah."
Robbo looked at Henry and smiled and said, "Yeah."
"So let's begin."
"This place, where we are gathered, is licensed, under UK law, to carry out weddings.
"Do you, Henry Paul Morrison, take thee Albert Robert Jamieson, to be your lawful wedded husband?
Gary smirked, the registrar said Albert.
Henry smiled and said, "I do."
Do you, Albert Robert Jamieson, take thee Henry Paul Morrison, to be your lawful wedded husband?
Robbo smiled and said, "I do."
The two men then read their personal vows to each other, the rings were exchanged and the registrar said "I pronounce you Husbands. You may kiss the groom"
Robbo grabbed Henry and kissed him as the room applauded.
Gary and Daniel signed the register as witnesses alongside Robbo and Henry.
The two men walked out of the room to see Robbo's army colleague's on one side of the hall and Henry's fire service colleagues on the other side, standing as a guard of honour. Captain Harvey Gregory called the units to attention as the men walked past and the men saluted.
Gary walked up to the men and said, "Hey Albert, this way."
Henry laughed as Robbo slapped Gary on the head and said, "Its Robbo, not Albert. I am sure my parents had a right joke when they named us. Joe's first name is actually Tarquin"
Gary laughed and said "I always knew your's was Albert I remember in school when they called your name out on the register it was always Albert until you told them it is Robert."
"Yeah all except Mr Prickface Greening who insisted on calling me Albert" Robbo said.
"Yeah, oh god, I forgotten about that idiot" Gary said.
Robbo was getting teased all day about his real first name but he just laughed it off.
Gary tapped a glass and said "ladies and gentlemen on behalf of Albert; Robbo coughed and Gary laughed and said, "Okay, I get the message, Robbo and Henry I would like to thank you all for coming today. Robbo and I have been friends since we were in nappies. He has always been there for me through thick and thin, but particularly after my wife committed suicide a couple of years ago. If it wasn't for his support I wouldn't be here today. Robbo is one of life's helpers; always putting other people before himself, but I hope now he will start to look after himself for a change. Robbo has a huge respect for his unit and I know the lads respect him back. He is proud he was asked to take his sergeants exams and I know he will be a fantastic unit Sergeant. So without further ado I ask you to raise your glasses to Robbo and Henry.
The whole room stood and shouted "Robbo and Henry."
Daniel stood up and said "I met Henry when we were in the army together. Henry had been transferred to my unit after he had some time off, after he lost his parents in a horrific road traffic accident. I left after getting injured but Henry remained and shortly afterward the unit took a huge hit. Henry, like Robbo, is another of life's helpers and never puts himself first. I lost touch with him for about a year while I was undergoing rehabilitation and I had no idea my best mate was going through hell all alone. Thankfully Henry got through that bad time and, with some encouragement from me, took the steps to join the fire service where he is a highly respected member of the team. Henry's life changed when he had the bombshell of having a son dropped on him and he was determined to be part of Aaron's life. It was a few weeks later he met Robbo and even though he has had others I have never seen Henry as happy as he is with Robbo. So please join me in a toast;
"To Henry and Robbo."
"Henry and Robbo" the group replied.
Robbo and Henry walked over to the dance floor as the song "Flying Without Wings" by Westlife started to play.
Robbo and Henry danced in the middle as others joined them; Angelo grabbed Gary and led him onto the dance floor.
Matthew and Jess were also dancing,
Jason and his wife and Harvey and his wife also got up and danced. Daniel stood up and walked over and asked Major Josh Harrison to dance.
Josh and Daniel danced with the rest of the people and it was Robbo who noticed it and said to Henry, "Wow never knew Josh was gay."
Henry looked over and said, "Shit I thought Dan was straight as well."
The lads laughed.
Robbo, Henry and Aaron left the venue later that day and headed off to Yorkshire to a cottage that Henry's late parents had owned. Henry inherited the cottage and had kept it as a holiday let.
The next morning
Gary arrived at the cottage Paula and Joe had rented for the weekend and Joe came running out smiling, Gary was keeping his promise to Joe for him to go on the climbing walls at the centre. Paula shouted, "Be back by tea."
"Ok mum" Joe replied.
Joe and Gary had always got on great and Joe looked up to Gary as another older brother.
Gary introduced Joe to the newest member of the team, at the old manor centre, Craig. Craig had recently replaced Jason who moved on. He wasn't at the wedding as he was taking a group of people white water rafting. Craig soon had Joe geared up and watched as Joe climbed the smaller wall.
Joe had climbed walls like this before and found this smaller wall easy but Craig wanted to make sure he was ok before putting him onto the more advanced walls. Gary left to take a group for a walk.
Joe was getting bored with the inside climbing walls and said, "Do you have harder walls or is it just these ones?"
Craig smiled and said, "Well we do have the outside cliff face wall but that is for really advanced climbers and I am not sure I should let you have a go on that just yet."
"Oh please I have an hour before I have to go" Joe said.
Just then another climber who Craig had warned earlier about messing around lost his footing and crashed down to the ground. Luckily his ropes stopped him actually hitting the ground but Craig had to sort the idiot out. Jake had heard the commotion and had come out to see what had happened.
The guy tried to blame Craig for not telling him what to do but Joe interrupted and said, "Hold on a sec we were all given the same instructions but you thought you would goof around, instead of listening, it was your own fault"
The bloke said, "Who the fuck asked you for your opinion" pushing Joe away.
At that exact moment Gary walked in and said, "Excuse me" and stormed over and grabbed the idiot and said, "Hands off my brother. I don't know what your problem is mate but you touch him again and you will be spending some time in Carlisle General."
Jake calmed the situation down but asked the idiot to leave.
Gary took Joe back to the cottage and said, "Tell mum I will see you soon and have a safe journey home."
"Ok see you bro" Joe said as he got out of the car.
Gary arrived back at the centre and found Jake and said, "Sorry about earlier. I saw him push Joe and I saw red."
"Hey no worries he was a prize prat" Jake said smiling.
A few weeks later
Gary and Robbo were talking on the phone when Gary mentioned about how he had messed around with one bloke before he met Angelo, and it was not long after Robbo had returned to Afghanistan, after he had left the army. Robbo was taken aback but all of a sudden Robbo started to put two and two together and made an error and accused Gary of shagging around with James his ex.
Gary tried unsuccessfully to tell Robbo that is wasn't James but Robbo wouldn't listen. The two friends ended up having a huge row over the phone and Robbo slammed the phone down on Gary.
That was three months ago and Gary hadn't spoken to Robbo since; even Paula refused to speak to him, when he tried to get her to talk to Robbo. It was taking its toll on Gary and even Angelo struggled to make him smile. Angelo had had enough and decided to sort it out once and for all.
Angelo told Gary he was going away on business for a night and left.
Angelo had spoken to Henry who at first refused to meet him; saying Robbo has washed his hands with Gary and all that. Gary had told Angelo the whole story the guy he had messed around with was his former colleague from the centre, Jason, and not Robbo's ex James.
Henry met Angelo at a pub, near the barracks where they live, and said, "I don't like meeting like this, behind Robbo's back."
"Look mate I don't like lying to Gary either but for both our sakes we need to sort this out" Angelo replied.
"Yeah Robbo says he doesn't care, but I know he loves Gary as a brother, and deep down he is missing having him around, but the fact he betrayed him, hurt him big time" Henry said.
"Robbo has got the wrong end of the stick mate; Gary didn't mess about with James at all. In fact it was Gary who caught James shagging someone else behind Robbo's back" Angelo said.
"We don't know that for definite though do we" Henry said.
"Look Gary had moved to Cumbria when he started to get these feeling; well actually Gary had always had these feelings, but had never acted on them. He met Jason at the pursuit centre and one night they made out. Gary and Jason messed around for a little while but it never got further than oral" Angelo said.
"Wow, so he told you the whole story then?" Henry asked.
"Yeah and how he was shocked and went home for a few days; that is when he caught James and that other lad shagging". Angelo said.
"So he told James to go. Don't you think that should have been Robbo's job?" Henry said.
"No he told him he didn't like the way he was hurting Robbo and he should decide what he really wants and it was James decision to send that letter and disappear" Angelo said.
"Robbo is a stubborn sod when he wants to be and I cannot see how we can get them together without either getting suspicious" Henry said.
"Mother's day is coming up and are you going to see Paula or is Robbo out on ops?" Angelo asked.
"Yeah we are going to see Paula" Henry said.
"Well Gary and I will be down there seeing Jackie so we can maybe get them together in a room then" Angelo said.
"Doubt if Paula will agree to that. She supports Robbo; she cannot believe Gary betrayed Robbo and I know she doesn't speak to Jackie anymore either" Henry said.
"It's our only chance mate" Angelo said
A few weeks later
Mother's day
Jackie knew Gary never betrayed Robbo from the start. She is reeling that he even thought Gary would do such a thing. The fact Paula and Joe both now blank her in the street doesn't bother her but the fact Robbo dumped Gary as a friend does.
She wasn't too happy with the plan to get Gary and Robbo in the same room but knew for Gary's sake it needed to be done.
Paula on the other hand was not having any of it. She was adamant she would not allow Gary in her house.
Robbo and Gary were oblivious to the plan to get them together
It finally happened later that day
Gary walked into the room at the local pub and saw Robbo there and went to walk back out but Angelo stopped him.
Robbo saw red and shouted, "What the fuck are you doing here?"
Gary walked over and said, "What the fuck are you doing here?"
Robbo walked over and threw a punch at Gary who ducked and Robbo hit the wall behind.
"Fuck" Robbo shouted as he held his wrist.
Gary could tell Robbo had hurt his wrist and said "you ok?"
"No what's it to you anyway?" Robbo spat back.
"Look Robbo, we really do need to talk about this. You and me go way back and I still cannot believe you really thought I would hurt you, after all we've been through" Gary said with tears in his eyes.
"It is obvious you shagged James and It wouldn't surprise me if you had him in Cumbria with you after he disappeared" Robbo said.
"Now, first of all let's get this straight mate, I did not mess around with James at all. I caught him shagging Richard Bradley in your bed one afternoon and I told him he needed to stop hurting you. It was his decision to split the next day. I haven't got a clue where he went mate maybe Richard does" Gary said.
Robbo could tell Gary wasn't lying and felt a complete ass for the way he had treated his best friend recently and said, "Fuck I am an idiot."
Gary smiled and said, "Yeah but you are my idiot and don't you forget it."
Gary grabbed Robbo into a hug and then said, "Now let's have a look at this wrist."
Robbo could move all his fingers but one of his knuckles looked swollen, "Mate, I think we need to get this checked out" Gary said.
Robbo was feeling a fool and said, "I feel like a fool. I should have known you wouldn't do anything with James, but really he was shagging Richard Bradley, he must have been desperate."
Gary laughed and said, "Yeah it wasn't a pretty sight believe me."
Angelo and Henry were standing behind the lads and Angelo said, "I am glad you two are back friends, but Robbo, I really think you need to get your hand checked out mate."
"Yeah it is killing me" Robbo said.
Robbo had badly sprained his wrist.
Paula later apologised to Gary saying she had to support her son even though she never believed what he had said. Joe on the other hand had not supported Robbo as he knew James was shagging around as he had seen him with another lad a few days before Gary caught him.
"So mate who was this guy you messed around with?" Robbo asked.
"Jason Paulson, who used to work at the old manor with me" Gary said.
"You jammy bastard he was hot" Robbo said.
"Hey you landed well on your feet with Henry mate he is a hottie" Gary said smiling.
Robbo laughed and said, "Hands off he is mine."
Gary laughed and said, "Nah I am happy with my sexy Italian."
Robbo laughed and said, "We're both lucky finding two right sexy fuckers."
"Yeah we are" Gary said.
A few weeks later
Gary and Angelo were enjoying a meal at a local restaurant which neither of them had been to before. Gary had thought he had recognised the woman at the front desk when they arrived but couldn't place her. Gary was sitting so he could see the door to the kitchens. He looked over and immediately recognised the guy behind the counter as none other than former Colonel Alex Mills.
The restaurant was busy and Alex hadn't noticed Gary and Angelo but Lisa was trying to place where she knew Gary from. The food was superb and Gary called the waiter over and said "is Alex available for a chat?"
"Umm I am not sure Mr Mills is available at the moment sorry" the waiter snootily said.
"Ok can I have the bill please" Gary asked.
"Certainly sir" as he walked off.
"He is a snooty one" Angelo said.
"Yeah surprised Alex keeps him on" Gary said.
"So I take it you know Alex then?" Angelo asked.
"Yeah he was the guy from family support, who helped me when my wife topped herself, and he is a nice guy" Gary said.
"Oh ok" Angelo replied.
The snooty waiter arrived with the bill and said, "Pay at the desk as you leave please."
Gary said, "Ok."
Gary and Angelo walked over to the counter and Gary smiled at Lisa and said, "Mrs Mills, it's been a while, I am not sure if you recognise me."
Lisa smiled and said, "I recognise you and I'm guessing you are someone Alex helped, or I met you at some army thing."
"Yeah, Major, or as he was then, Captain Taylor's wedding; but Alex was my assigned officer when my wife committed suicide a couple of years ago" Gary said.
"That's right I knew that I knew that face" Lisa said.
Gary laughed and said, "So how are you doing?"
"Yeah, the business is going strong" Lisa said.
Angelo handed his card over for the meal and Gary smiled and said, "Mrs Mills meet Angelo Giuseppe, my partner."
Lisa smiled and said, "First of all its Lisa, is it Giuseppe, as in the ice cream people?"
Angelo smiled and said, "Yeah my family is the famous Giuseppe ice cream people."
"Oh we love your ice cream, in fact, we serve it here and at the bed and breakfast" Lisa said.
Alex spotted Lisa talking to someone and walked over. He then spotted Gary and said, "Hey mateys long time no see."
"Yeah, it's been a while mate" Gary said.
"So what brings you around these parts?" Alex asked.
"I live in Windermere, and work at the Old Manor Outdoor Pursuit Centre" Gary said.
"Oh wow, my brother went up there a few weeks ago when he visited us" Alex said.
"Did he climb the walls or go on the walks?" Gary asked.
"He went on the walls and white water rafting" Alex said.
"Well in that case he was probably with my colleagues Jake Anthony or Craig. I do some of the wall work but I mainly do the mountaineering and walking tours" Gary replied.
"Yeah he mentioned someone called Craig" Alex said.
"Craig does most of white water work for the centre" Gary said.
Gary introduced Angelo to Alex and after a little while chatting they left to head home. The two lads were walking from the restaurant and were strolling alongside the lakeside. Angelo said "it's a nice evening."
"Yeah it is" Gary said.
They were walking past the closed ice-cream parlour when they noticed the backdoor had been forced open. Angelo ran inside while Gary called the police. The place had been trashed and the freezer had been switched off causing thousands of pounds of damage to the stock. There was spray paint all over the walls and the chairs. All the glassware had been smashed and the taps were left on causing flooding on the main shop floor. The whole local community was shocked at the news of the break in.
Angelo was determined to get the business back on track before the main summer season. The police arrested a former employee who had recently been sacked for stealing money from the tills. He admitted to the crime and was sent to a young offenders centre for 6 months and ordered to pay a £2000 fine.
The parlour reopened a few days later after the damage was repaired. The place was given a new coat of paint and new furniture replaced the damaged ones.
Angelo and Gary's relationship was growing fast and their love was getting stronger by the day. Angelo had organised a special meal for their first anniversary. Gary arrived home early and watched as Angelo cooked. He couldn't believe how much his life had changed since meeting Angelo. Gary had recently bought into the outdoor pursuits centre and was now in partnership with Jake and Tony. The business was going well and business had increased 50% recently after a rival centre closed down, after it had its license removed, after an accident in which a client died.
The centre had undergone a refurbishment recently and they added a more advanced climbing wall to the indoor centre and improved the stables and white water rafting sections. Gary had also changed some of the walking routes to give a bit of change of scenery. The west wing of the old manor is mainly disused and the centre had used part of it as an equipment store but now was undergoing a transformation into accommodation to allow guest to stay on site. This was Jake's baby as he had always wanted to do accommodation but never got round to it until now.
Gary and Angelo sat down for their meal and Angelo smiled and said, "Gary Monk will you do me the honour of becoming my husband?"
Gary looked at Angelo and said, "Oh fuck yes."
Gary grabbed Angelo and kissed him as the sun set over Lake Windermere.
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