Date: Thu, 29 Feb 2024 09:34:18 +0000
From: Jonah
Subject: Of sea and sand  chapter 2

Of Sea and Sand
by Jonah

Simon and Garret are here again, looking after their young family.  If you
are unfamiliar with this family, we first met Simon in 'A Letter from
America' back in 2019.  He was a teenager then, now he is well into
adulthood.  Garret originated in another author's story.  I want to thank
Jacob Lion, in the USA for his permission to use his characters in my
story.  That's one of the things I want to make plain, all the characters
in this, and all my other stories are wholly fictitious.  They aren't based
on real people.  The other thing I want to make plain is that, while Simon
and Garret are both gay, as are some other characters, this is a story
about love - not sex, lust, or any other substitute, but real Christian
love.  If it's pornography you want, you'll have to find it somewhere else.
Lastly, this story is brought to you by Nifty, free of charge.  Nifty
doesn't charge me to publish it, nor you to read it, but it does cost money
to bring it to you.  Please consider donating to Nifty at
https://donate.nifty.org/ so that these stories continue to be available
for all to read.

Chapter 2

On Thursday morning we awoke with three ten-year-old boys in our bed.
Their room had been taken over by Grev Kennedy.  Sir Philip had almost
offered to take him in, but had eventually agreed that Grev would probably
be better off with me.  Rather than relieve Grev of his duties, Sir Philip
had handed the acting principal's job to Charles, and Grev had been put on
light duties.  I had apparently gained Grev as a classroom assistant.

Sir Philip had also called an emergency governors' meeting for Thursday
night but Grev was not asked to attend it.

"Is Mr. Kennedy going to be staying with us" asked Philip when he came down
to breakfast.

 Philip was the one who always asked questions.  Lloyd was trusting enough
to just take it as it comes.  Barry was the cheeky one, but could be moody
when the fancy took him.

Barry had already reached his eleventh birthday but all three of them would
be eleven by the end of the year.  Only Barry would come to the CTC when
the holidays were over.  Social services had arranged that, since Barry -
only being fostered - was their responsibility.  The other two were adopted
by Garret and I, and we had arranged for Philip to join a Church sponsored
secondary school.  Lloyd, since his birthday wasn't till October, would
still have another year at primary school.

Garret, the primary school teacher, put down the pile of exercise books he
had been collecting and turned to Philip.

"I appreciate that you might not have noticed this Philip, but he already
is staying with us.  Don't ask me how long for, because I don't know, but
we have to be nice to him.  He's had a nasty shock and is a bit upset."

Philip wouldn't need more explanation than that.  He'd been through trauma
himself.  All three boys knew what trauma was.

For Grev's part, interacting with the boys was already proving therapeutic.
I had hopes that, working in a classroom would have the same effect.  It
did.

My first two periods were English Language with my own form of second
years.  I set a tough essay assignment then set to my usual prowl around
the room, helping and encouraging.  This morning I started one side of the
room and Grev started the other.  Since he was liked by the kids in the
school, they were happy to ask for his help.  He soon found himself
immersed in their work.

Fourth year RE came next.  Since I always encouraged asking of questions,
these periods took a form very much like a discussion.  Grev was a
Christian, as I was, but he had very different views on many things.  The
discussion, though friendly, was very challenging.

By dinner time Grev had decided that he was enjoying himself.  So, I
decided, was I.

The afternoon session of design technology, with a group of fourth years,
again challenged both of us, and again proved enjoyable for all concerned.
The last double period was a spare session and we both ended up in the
staff room.

"I'm planning on leaving early since it's my turn to cook tonight," I said
to Grev.

I thought I should mention it since I had driven him to school this
morning.  His car was outside our house.

"Oh, quite understood," he replied.  "I'll just collect my motor and get
back to Hellesdon.  It's been good staying with you."

"You've only stayed the one night," I pointed out.  "Did you think we were
going to let you off that easily?"

"Ah, I wondered if I'd find you in here," said Charles Wright from the
doorway.

I rose.

"Is this principal business?" I queried.  "Do you want me to leave?"

"No, I want you to put the kettle on," replied Charles.  "I've just been
catching up with Sir Philip.  I've got a governors' meeting tonight, to
which neither of you two is invited.  We're going to talk about you, not to
you.  How have you been getting along?"

Grev shrugged, so I answered.

"Life in the classroom has been great.  I'm thinking of applying for a
classroom assistant full-time."

""And....?"

Obviously I had only half answered Charles' question.  He hadn't been
referring specifically to at school.

"He's talking of packing his bags and returning to Hellesdon." I said.

Charles sat in a spare armchair and crossed one leg over the other.

"I don't even know whether I'm in a position to veto that, but I'd advise
against it."

"I could tell you," said Grev.

"It doesn't matter," Charles returned.  "I'd still advise against it.  Why
would you want to go home to an empty house?"

"Besides which," I put in, "Garret, me and the boys are all enjoying having
you with us."

"I've got to face it some time."

"Oh, I agree with that," said Charles.  "Like old age, death and income
tax.  Don't do it until you have to.  Who's cooking tonight?"

That last question was addressed to me so I raised my hand.

"You'd best get off then Simon.  Grev has an appointment with Eric Rust in
ten minutes so I'll drive him round to yours when he's finished."

While Grev was on light duties Charles was my boss so that comprised an
order.  I needed no second telling.  I grabbed my jacket and left before
Grev could raise any objection.

I was home for three o'clock, with the shopping.  Plenty of time to prepare
a culinary masterpiece.  By the time Garret and the boys arrived I had
prepared lasagne and cauliflower cheese with spotted dick and custard to
follow.  Grev was back ten minutes later so we could all dine together.

With dinner out of the way, Lloyd insisted that he wanted to operate the
railway outside.  I showed Grev how to operate the signalbox while Lloyd
got the baby-deltic out of its shed.

"He's an experienced engine driver," I told him.  "He'll drive to the
signals.  You just have to put him out on the main line."

"I wish I was an experienced signalman," Grev remarked.

"Oh, you'll soon get the hang of it.  The frame is interlocked so you can't
go far wrong.  Pull over number three points then, if you give him number
four signal, he should take it."

    By half past five we had the train coupled on and Lloyd was running a
train service for anybody who wished to avail themselves of it.  I insisted
on putting the train to bed at half past eight as everybody had school next
day.