Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 23:58:35 +0000 (GMT) From: roy p...... Subject: Peter Johnson part 6 Here's part 6 of the tale of two young lovers' difficult times. They will soon realise that this day is a milestone in their lives, a sort of turning point, a foundation to build on (how many cliches can you get to the pound?) Thanks to all who have E-mailed me, I appreciate the feedback. Part six Ten or fifteen minutes later, Nathan pulled away from Peter. Their tears had stopped, but they were still very much upset about how the day's events were turning out. They couldn't hide forever, though, and it was fast becoming time for the schoolday to resume. "Come on, Pete, we've got to get to class." He whispered. "I - I can't." Peter stifled another sob. "I can't face them -" "You can, you're better than them, you've got me." Nathan reassured him. "Come on." He stood and, taking Peter's hand, helped him stand. They left the room and walked hand in hand along the wing corridor, only separating their hands when a noisy group of first year boys hurried toward them on their way to the first period of the afternoon. All too soon they reached the classroom for their own lesson, Geography. Peter hesitated in the corridor, freezing at the thought of everyone knowing, everyone accusing and ridiculing him. Nathan's heart was breaking, seeing Peter in this state. He would lose him, he can't take all this, he thought. Nathan opened the door and turned back to look at Peter, smiled at him to mentally give him the strength to walk into the room, then turned forward again to go in. The room was quiet, most of the class were already in their seats, Mr. Jones stood at the front as though the lesson had already begun, he looked round as the two sad faced boys entered. "Nathan, Peter" he said as they came through the door, his tone was not quite welcoming, but not stern either. "The headmaster would like to see you both, straight away please." Nathan glanced quickly round the faces in the room. No one looked angry, or accusing - but they didn't look happy either, he thought. He turned to leave the room, ushering Peter before him. "So now what?" asked Peter. "How much more do I have to take?" he felt tearful again, but his anger was stronger. "I don't know, Pete, I just don't know." Nathan hated himself for his stupid plan. It had worked, he'd thought, but at what cost? What had Hunter told the Headmaster? He was losing Peter and he deserved to. "Well, let's get it over." He said, meaning more than the Head's interview to himself. They walked the lonely corridors, passing several classrooms whose inhabitant's eyes pierced through the door windows at him. 'Every bloody body knows' he thought. "Come in, Davies." said the Headmaster. "And you, Johnson." as Peter followed Nathan slowly through the outer office door. Mr. Riley was a short, rotund man in his mid 50's who ran his school in a tight, yet friendly manner. He was devoutly traditional in his curricular requirements, yet understanding enough to know when the rules required adjustment to his pupils' needs. He was approachable, yet his word was law. He led the way through his office door, set two chairs for the boys in front of his desk, walked round and sat in his black leather chair. Leaning slightly backwards, he started. "I understand there was a confrontation this morning between a member of staff and you, Davies. You, Johnson, are here because you were one of two others present at the forefront of this incident. The other is no longer on the school premises." 'Shit!' thought Nathan. 'Ian's suspended before he starts and we're next.' "Well?" Mr. Riley frowned questioningly at Nathan. "Yes." Said Nathan, dejectedly. "But -" "Shush" Mr. Riley said. "I haven't finished yet." Nathan's heart fell lower. Peter was full of fear. He struggled to control his bladder. "I have a need" Mr. Riley continued, "to know what goes on in my school. So I have contacts, spies if you like, grasses do you call them? to keep me informed. Unofficially. You are both here for me to get that information officially. Off the record, I can tell you that I have had, and accepted, Mr. Hunt's resignation. Not that it would have done any good if I hadn't accepted it, he walked out immediately after leaving it with Mrs. Burns. I can also tell you that I have been on the telephone to the Headmaster at Northbridge Secondary School, and it is my opinion that Hunt and Hunter are one and the same man. It is unfortunate that your colleague Mr. Price had left before I could talk to him, I will have to see him on Monday, because I need to hear from him that he recognised Mr. Hunt as Hunter. Now I need to hear from you, officially, what transpired in the Gym this morning." Both Nathan and Peter were relieved to hear that Hunt/Hunter had gone, and Nathan told Mr Riley what had happened, fairly vaguely. "Come, come, Nathan, I need to know more accurately than that" Mr. Riley said, turning over a sheet of paper on his desk, "You must include where he said 'I'm not going to be blackmailed by you pair of faggots' and 'you fucking little queer', my reporters are usually fairly accurate." Nathan looked at Peter. "You might as well tell him," Peter said, he seems to know anyway." Nathan looked back at Mr. Riley. "How much do you know? How much do you want?" he threw at his Headmaster. "Look," sighed Mr. Riley, "For this report, just the accurate details of what happened in the Gym this morning. What happened in the alleyway up the road will be the concern of your parents and the Police, if they choose to make a complaint." Peter shot bolt upright in the chair. "Police? Parents? Noooo -!" Mr. Riley remained calm, "Don't you think, Mr. Johnson, that your parents need to know when there is a 'significant other' in your life? They certainly ought to know when an adult, particularly one in a position of authority such as one of your tutors, molests you, physically or mentally." "No, no, not my parents, please don't tell them!" pleaded Peter, desperate for this all to end. "What do you know about the alleyway?" snapped Nathan, furious that Mr. Riley's spies seemed to be everywhere. "Originally only that Mr. Hunt and you two had some sort of argument, but your outburst in the Gym seems to have filled in some of the details, though, Mr. Davies." Riley leaned forward in his chair. "Understand this, both of you. I make it my business to know what goes on because I care. I care for over three hundred boys in this school, they are my responsibility and I take my responsibilities very seriously. And individually. If I didn't care, your parents, and the police, would be here, in this room, now. If two of those I care for end up in a personal situation like you two obviously have, it more than doubles my responsibility to keep them safe. It's happened before, and you've never learnt of it. That's how much I care. When you make it as public as you have this morning, it's impossible to contain. I'd say that three quarters of the school knows now that you two are 'an item', I think today's phrase is, and I'll bet your pocket money to my salary that most of them don't like the idea. I'll do my utmost to protect you both, but I can never guarantee it, and my jurisdiction does not stretch beyond the school grounds, so you're going to need as much support as you can get. And believe me, that has to start with your parents." He sat back in the leather chair and let the boys take it in. "You don't fool me," he added, "I've seen you two together in school and I can see it in your eyes. I'm surprised the gossip-mongers here haven't started on you yet, you are prime targets for them." That stopped Nathan's desperate idea to deny their feelings for each other. He couldn't have kept it up, anyway. Between them, the two boys told Mr. Riley the whole story, well enough of it that mattered. The essentials of the alleyway incident, Ian's identification of Hunter from the website photograph, and the word-for-word details of that morning's confrontation. Mr. Riley made notes as they spoke. Afterwards he said "Thank you both for your honesty and co- operation. Even if no charges are pressed, I'll make sure Hunter never teaches again. The report I make will be absolutely confidential, unless the Police become involved, but the Council Education Department leader will see, not have, but see the report and he will ensure that man is never employed with children again. Now, on a more personal agenda, I intend to call a special assembly of the school this afternoon, where I will clearly state the school's stance on toleration and abuse, be it racial, denominational, or sexually oriented. There is a zero tolerance policy on these items and I shall make it clear that any transgressors will face immediate expulsion. I do not intend for you to have to be in any risk before that happens, you are free to leave the school now and go home. I earnestly request that you give due thought to what I have said about telling your parents, but I can't force you. Thank you." He stood to indicate the interview was over, but Nathan and Peter remained seated for a moment, looking at each other in disbelief. When they stood, Nathan offered his hand to his Headmaster. "Thank you, Mr. Riley, for being so understanding. I was sure we were in deep trouble and -" "What for?" said Mr. Riley, a smile on his round face, "You've done no wrong in this case, and as I said earlier, I care, it's part of my job!" Nathan continued shaking the chubby hand, and added "You do your job very well, Mr. Riley, very well indeed!"