Date: Fri, 02 Feb 2024 11:21:25 +0000 From: Jonah Subject: Harrovian Life chapter 11 Harrovian Life by Jonah It is a few years now since Nifty carried the story "A letter from America". A good few stories have succeded it and the action has moved about a bit too. In this one it is firmly back with Jonah in Harrow, but some twenty years later. Simon, Peter and Luke have grown up and in some cases have children of their own. This story comes immediately after "Whiteout". It is a work of fiction in every sense so, if you think you recognise yourself, or somebody else, in here - you don't. At least one of the characters was originally the creation of another author. I'd like to thank Jacob Lion, in the USA, for permission to use his characters. The story is about love - the real sort - so if you're looking for pornography, you'd best look elsewhere. Nifty doesn't charge either you or I to publish these stories, but it does cost money to publish them. Please consider donating to Nifty at https://donate.nifty.org/ so that he can keep these stories coming. chapter 11 Given that Billy and I had the flat to ourselves when we arrived home, and that Billy was showing signs of getting frisky, I did a good job of maintaining decorum. Oh, I'm not a saint, other than the sort referred to in the Apostles' Creed, But it had been many years since I'd done anything with anyone. I allowed myself a lie-down until it was time to start preparing dinner. Billy allowed himself the same thing so there was some cuddling. Billy probably wanted to go further, but Billy was a psychiatric nurse. He was well aware that, for the past eighteen years, I'd been bringing up childen and had never had the opportunity to explore sexuality. He knew what that meant and he was gentle. "I'm sorry Billy. This must be boring for you." "Sorry? For being yourself? Who did you think I wanted to go to bed with?" "I don't mean that and you know it. You're young, Billy. You're also a hunk. You could have anyone you wanted. You don't need to be wasting your time on an old man whom life has passed by." "Shush! You're not an old man - yet, And life hasn't passed you by - yet. As for having anyone I want, what do you think I'm doing?" I was confused. This wasn't something I was used to. "Billy I...." "Ssshh! Let's just take our time. We don't want to rush into anything. You don't want to and I certainly don't want to do anything you don't want to. Just for now, we're both tired. Let's get some rest." That was it - until, "Blimey, look at the time. It'll be dark in an hour. What time are you expecting the others back?" "None of them said, but we could do with dinner being on. I was only going to have half an hour." "Well you've had your half an hour, and another two hours on top. We'd best get cracking." "Fair enough! We've left over roast beef in the fridge. Can you get some rice on to boil while I chop some onions and veg. I'll make up some beef curry and there's an apple crumble in the freezer will make dessert if we warm it through. " "Right ho squire. No sooner said than done. They don't call me "Magic-Fingers Goodman" for nothing." "Oh, I didn't realise that was to do with cooking," I commented. I'd actually made Billy blush - that was a first. Garret was first back, and the rice was boiling away by the time he arrived. I provided him with a cup of tea and he asked if there was anything he could do to help. "I don't think so Garret. Magic-fingers Goodman seems to have it all under control." Garret knew better than to ask questions. Adam was next back, followed by his father. Adam rushed into the kitchen, hugged Magic-Fingers, then retired to the settee and began to spread out his train-spotting books. "Adam," said Peter. "Your train-spotting books are for after dinner. Take them up to your room please, and wash your hands before you come down." As Adam retreated up the stairs I turned to his father. ""And, if Adam does all that you've just told him to," I said quietly, "I hope you'll feel suitably guilty." It was Peter's turn to blush though, given his dusky complexion, it wasn't so easy to tell. "I wasn't that bad," he protested. "Adam isn't that bad," I told him, "and you can probably put it down to the failing memory of an old man, but I don't remember you ever following those particular orders first time." "Yes, alright, so I came late to the vineyard" he replied. I felt a surge of pride. I'd always loved my boys and seldom took credit that they had turned out well, but I certainly felt proud that Peter defended himself by quoting the Bible at me. "You're nearly ready to serve up," Billy pointed out. "And not a moment too soon. How's the custard doing?" "Like I said - you're nearly ready." Apparently, I was. Dinner met with universal acclaim and the adults settled down in front of the television afterwards. The child had returned to his trainspotting books. At about half past nine I called him down and heartlessly forced him to drink hot chocolate. He bravely consumed it and then headed for bed. With Adam retired to his slumbers Peter poured four small whiskies. "How did you do at school Garret?" he asked. "Oh, I can put Luke's mind at rest," his brother-in-law replied. "What did Luke have to do with it?" "Luke had been chatting with Jason Roberts and thought he smelt a rat when Mrs. Manners tried to pump Jonah. He called me and asked a few questions about the relationship between teaching staff and the School Welfare Officer. I offered to find out if anything shady had been going on. I contacted the Chairman of Governors and he said we should both look into it to see if we needed to call in the police. Our Lucy had indeed been a naughty girl, about a year ago, but not in the way that we were concerned about. She'd been warned off by the SWO for trying to do his job herself. In a couple of instances she'd visited the homes of children with problems, but hadn't first obtained the parents permission. The SWO reported the matter to the govenors and Lucy received a written warning. She was frightened that she'd get the blame for a second screw-up on her watch, which might have been the last straw for the govenors, so she was anxious to persuade Jonah to avoid publicity. George read the riot act and told her that in future she should contact the govenors rather than parents if a crisis arises." "Blimey!" remarked Billy. "Remind me never to upset your family." "If you did, they'd never find your body," I told him, then to Garret, "So everything's OK with the school?" "Yes, apart from the fact that there currently isn't a School Welfare Officer so, if anything arises, they'll have to call in the govenors to decide whether to involve Soclal Services." "Do we know when the trial is?" "Luke says Monday, but it may run a few days." replied Peter. " The Magistrates' hearing was last Wednesday, but he's still in custody. They wouldn't grant bail." "I should think not," remarked Garret, "but at least I've finished the job down here. I can go back to my own family in the morning." "We are your own family," I told him, "but I know what you mean, and it's been great to see you. What time are you setting off?" "Early, Jonah," he replied. "I'm using the A1 from Apex Corner to the Baldock roundabout, and I'd like to be clear of that before the traffic gets on the road. About a half-six start I guess." "Better say goodbye to Adam before he goes to sleep," I suggested. "He won't be awake that early." "You're right, I won't be long." He disappeared up the stairs. "Did you know he was going that soon?" I asked Peter. He shrugged. "Didn't know he was coming in the first place," he said. "Glad he did though." "How did the trainspotting go?" "It's not like it used to be when we did it," he replied. "No, nothing ever stays the same," I agreed. "Was Adam OK?" "Well he certainly got excited enough." "That's the ticket," said Billy. "The more normal things he does, the better. Besides, it's as well for him to be reminded what it's like when someone really loves him, rather than pretends to, like his abuser did." "So you reckon the worst is over for him?" "You mean, will he do it again?" He thought for just a moment. "You didn't know he was going to do it the first time, so what makes you think we'd know if he was going to do it again? What I can tell you though, is that he's no more likely to do it than you or me." I wasn't sure he'd answered my question, but my brain wasn't up to acrobatics at that time of night. "Bed," I told him," and don't keep Garret up all night. He's got an early start in the morning." I was awake in the middle of the night, needing to visit the bathroom. Adam was curled up around his father, just as Luke used to do with me, years ago. Had life passed me by? I didn't think so, in spite of what I'd told Billy. I'd brought up my family, which had been a gift. They'd not turned out badly. I was only in my forties so, not exactly an old man. I just felt like it sometimes. And now Billy..... what was happening there? Oh well, time would tell but, if it was another exciting adventure, I was ready for it. When I next awoke, it was daylight. The other bedroom only contained Billy, so Garret must be on his way. Well it had been nice to see him. Time to get showered and get breakfast started , then to rouse the family - ready for another day.