Chapter 8
October 18th 1943
Heigh ho, only five more days and then it's half-term holiday. I felt quite pleased about this when I arrived at school on Monday morning. Matt seemed quite pleased to see me and obviously Huggy was pleased with the match results. He positively oozed goodwill towards us all, even Cleggy came in for an ounce of praise for answering some simple question correctly. Only Vince was missing and according to Danny Ross his mother had said at church yesterday he was suffering from a cold.
"Perhaps he caught cold because he didn't warm his hands on your balls on Saturday, Jacko!" whispered Matt when Danny's announcement was made in response to Huggy's query as to why 'young Vincent' was absent.
"Shut up, you fool, Huggy'll hear you if you growl as loud as that!"
Huggy looked over at me.
"Well, Jacko, the limelight of fame for your inestimable hooking is over until the next occasion there is a call for your services so perhaps you would pay attention and answer the following little problem!"
I banged my knee against Matt's as hard as I could - I think I hurt myself more than I hurt him but Huggy must have seen and his spotlight was on me now. I found myself mentally bounced around for the rest of the lesson. Luckily I managed to get everything right even making a correct stab at some fiendish looking equation he finally put on the board.
I also managed at one point, while Huggy was interrogating Cleggy about his lack of intellectual prowess, to indicate to Matt that his balls where in great danger of being removed in a painful manner when I got him alone because of the fine mess he had got me in. He just smiled seraphically until Huggy brought him back to earth with an equally fiendish question which I had great pleasure in answering correctly much to his annoyance. All in all I was very pleased with myself.
At break Tony cornered Matt and myself and said rather importantly that he had some instructions about next week to give us and he would tell Roo we would discuss them during afternoon break especially about the time we were leaving.
Matt was rather uncomplimentary when Tony went off to find Roo to give him the message. "Stuck up little prick! He needs taking down a peg or two!" He put on a silly voice in imitation, "Mother said we should leave not too late because it is quite a long way." Matt reverted to his usual growl, "Still I suppose he's not so bad - he's better than Huggy, the beast. He always asks me hard questions and he knows I'm not so good at Maths as you."
I was giggling inwardly, Matt had imitated Tony's manner exactly. "He does put it on a bit, but you never know," I nudged him, "He might show you his stuck up little prick next week!"
It was Matt's turn to giggle. "You fool! Anyway, I'm really looking forward to it all. I hope we have a good time. My Mum got most of my things ready this weekend."
What things? I hadn't even thought about what to take. Oh, I'd better hide my ignorance with a few careful questions.
"What are you taking then?"
"Nothing much, clean shirts and things like that. Mum's used to packing for Dad."
I thought I'd better mention it to Ma before long or I could see myself setting out without anything.
"We'll be there from Sunday to Saturday, won't we?"
Matt nodded, "Yes, so you'll need things for a week and I expect Mrs Crossley will want us to help her, Mum said."
"Help her do what?"
"With things in the gardens, I expect, while those two are off on their hike. Don't forget they'll be off for nearly four days 'cos it's a threenight hike." He grimaced, "Mum said Mrs Crossley had Dug for Victory in a big way, so Tony's mother told her."
My only experience with gardening was picking things in ours which Pa kept immaculately covered with vegetables. I hadn't thought how Matt and I might spend our time when the other two were away.
"Mum said we'd better take wellington boots in case it's wet as well. And 'cause it's a big house she said we'd better take plenty of warm clothes."
"I expect Tony will tell us what we need 'cos he's been there before," ...then I remembered their prime purpose of going.. "Hey, I suppose they'll be in their Scout uniform, what should we wear then, you know, to cycle over?"
"Oh, shorts and shirt and a pullover, I expect. If we wear that we'll be something like them."
"What happens if it rains?"
"Oh, don't be pessimistic, you'll only get wet and it'll give your hair a wash!"
My hair, which always seemed longer than the other boys who tended to keep to very short back and sides, was thick, straight, black and very shiny and didn't take kindly to being plastered down with the favoured Brylcreem. Matt's hair was also black but curly and was kept very short.
"Hum, if it did it would run straight off yours, its so greasy with that muck you put on it!"
He aimed a punch at my arm. "Watch it, laddie, my Mum says my hair is my pride and joy and I have to keep it short or Dad would grumble if it got too long."
Before I could think up a suitable riposte Roo came hurrying up. "Hey, you two, has Lord Tony given you instructions yet?"
"No, he said he would find you and tell you we were to meet at break this afternoon!"
"Oh, I see, Cleggy said he was looking for me with a self-important air and wouldn't tell him what it was for!"
"Silly prat!" growled Matt, "Why doesn't he just tell us instead of making it seem so secret?"
"That's Tony," said Roo, "He's always the same, but he's OK under it all."
My turn for tittle-tattle, "Our next-door neighbour says Mrs Marcham puts on airs and graces whatever they are."
"It's 'cos Tony's Dad is so well-off," Roo replied, "Mum says he's rolling in it and he keeps buying up property all over the place, you know, old shops and things."
Matt and I obviously didn't know, we just nodded sagely and kept our mouths shut, luckily, because at that moment up popped Tony. He then told Roo what he'd told us and scuttled off again.
Matt turned and watched him go. "What's he so busy about? He's talking to Jim Masters now. I didn't know he was friendly with him. I thought Jim and Dave Morgan were pals."
Roo was a mine of information, "Oh, Jim's Mum works for Tony's Dad and don't forget we're all in the Scouts."
My introduction to these extra social ramifications was interrupted by the bell and we moved to get into our lines.
Tony's instructions to us during the afternoon break were commendably short. We were to leave at 10 in the morning sharp. He and Roo would ride round to collect Matt and me and he knew the way. His Mother was arranging that we took sandwiches for lunch and his Great-Aunt was getting us a high tea so we had to arrive in plenty of time. I exchanged glances with Matt who raised an eyebrow. The best bit was that Tony's Dad was driving over to Ulvescott on Saturday and he would take all our things there and bring them back on the Sunday afternoon after we came back. Matt asked about wellington boots and Tony said he thought that would be a good idea. So, I'd better tell Ma about packing.
Ma said I wasn't to worry, all would be well for Saturday. All I had to do was get myself up in time on Sunday and make sure my tyres were properly pumped up in readiness. Needless to say I practised pumping that night.
*
On Tuesday when he came round for his Maths lesson I told Mike about the proposed expedition to Ulvescott. Then we went upstairs as I said I wanted to show him his drawing of me which was now framed. As we stood looking at it I really wanted to put my arm round his waist but I just said how much I liked it. He patted me on the shoulder and said he liked the frame as well.
As we stood side by side I realised I wasn't really much shorter than him now although he was chunkier and his body felt hard as I bumped into him as I turned. I also realised I wanted to feel his prick and mine was beginning to stiffen. I couldn't think of anything to say and didn't dare do anything. Luckily for me Pa was earlier than usual and we heard him whistling as he came into the drive on his bike. We went downstairs to meet him and got there just as he opened the back door. He was in a very good mood.
"Hello, you two. Must tell you, I think we've cracked it, can't tell you what though," he grinned, "Sounds Irish, pardon me Mike, but you aren't, it was your Grandfather, wasn't it?" All this came out in a rush, "I'd better slow down, it's been rather an exciting day."
He looked at me, "His father has just done something very brilliant, we didn't know we could but we have! I can't tell you because it's a big secret and I've got to go to London next week to tell the big boss!" He laughed and turned to Mike, "Come on, we'd better do some Maths before I tell you things I shouldn't!"
What all this was about I didn't have a clue. I knew he'd been working late most nights and he and Ma were always having quiet conversations about something in German, some discovery or other which nobody had thought to be important. It must have been what he was reading about some time ago. Oh well, if he was going to London and I was going with the lads next week Ma would have a quiet time.
I was just going downstairs as Mike and Pa came out of the front-room. I followed Mike out to where his bike was standing.
"Well, your Dad is very pleased about something and he says my father should be too. I'll ask him what it's about, but I don't think he'll tell me." He straddled his bike ready to go, "Have a good time next week, it does sound interesting. You're lucky, I wouldn't mind a week like that!" With that he pedalled off and waved as he turned into the road.
I wouldn't mind a week with Mike, in fact that thought was with me in bed as I remembered standing next to him looking at the drawing and feeling my tool getting stiff as it did rapidly then. I must also check my height.
*
Wednesday was a bit of a rush. Rabbity was annoyed because two of the class were late in getting changed so the rest of us had to suffer as well, so it meant Johnny Pearson and Danny Ross were not everyone's favourite people. Honour was served as it turned out that as Danny's birthday was early in November his mother had arranged a party for all those not at mine and what had happened was that he and Johnny were making out a list and almost missed the bell. I was rather pleased about the news as I felt especially sorry I hadn't invited Benno whose fourteenth birthday was just before mine. The afternoon went quickly too and it was soon time for Ma's French Circle. While waiting for Ma to come home Roo wanted to know what Matt and I were planning to do when the others were slogging away for miles in the rain. We shrugged our shoulders, no doubt something would turn up. Roo said Cleggy didn't seem too bothered he wasn't coming on the trip. Strange. Before getting into bed I checked my height, another half an inch, hooray.
*
Thursday afternoon as we went in to change for Games Jim Masters came and sat between Matt and me as we were putting our boots on.
"Hey, Jacko, you know all that Maths Huggy set us to do next week during half-term, d'you think you'd give me some help with it? I asked Tony if you'd mind and he said you wouldn't."
I suppose my mental battering and triumph had seeped into the space between Jim's ears - he was even worse than Matt at Maths and seemed to spend most of the lessons quietly surviving Huggy's kindly meant help.
"Oh yes, I don't mind," I thought quickly, "But it had better be after school today 'cause I don't know what's happening tomorrow."
"Oh, gosh, thanks, you're a pal. Shall I meet you after by the bike sheds? And come round yours?"
"Yes, that's OK, I'll see you then."
With that he clattered off and out. Matt nudged me.
"New friend, eh? He usually gets Vince to help him but he's away with his cold so he's out in the cold."
I made some noncommittal reply and finished tying my laces.
"Ready then, Matt, let's see who gets on the field first!"
Needless to say my balls were not handled during the scrums. With Vince absent Cleggy was put in the second row next to Roo and spent the time complaining about how uncomfortable he was with Roo threatening to pulverise him if he didn't shut up and shove. Cleggy must have showered and changed very quickly because there was no sign of him when we went into the showers.
Jim was waiting for me as I collected my bike. "It's ever so good of you to help. I need it."
"Matt says Vince usually gives you a hand, is that so?"
"Yeah, he's quite good and we live near each other so we generally work together. But he's not at all well and when I went round last night his mother wouldn't let me see him in case I caught his cold. He's all coughing and spluttering his sister said. Anyway, Huggy scares me stiff and I must get the work done 'cause they'll chuck me out if I keep coming near the bottom of the class."
Oh, I didn't know much about that, I knew Jim hadn't won a scholarship and I remembered two boys who had left at the end of the First and Second Years who Cleggy always said were real thickos. He was one to talk, he hadn't won a scholarship either.
"I didn't know you could be made to leave."
"Oh yes, if the beaks don't think you're good enough you have to go. That Richard Mays went, don't you remember, at the end of the Second Year and he's at that awful Elementary School now. Mum would kill me if I got the push! And I'd have to put up with my sisters saying things. They're at the Girls' High and they're OK, none of them are ever made to leave."
We reached our house and parked our bikes. Jim said he didn't want a cup of tea so we went straight upstairs. I immediately went into my changing routine. Jim watched a moment or two then began to take his clothes off as well, he was obviously one for making quick decisions.
"Come on, Jacko, I feel real horny, Tony says you like it!"
I didn't know Tony and Jim were pally - more to find out later. Nor did I stop to think any more but shucked off everything but Jim was even quicker. He was certainly a fast worker 'cause now he stood, his erect cock projecting from the bush of hair I'd noted on my inspections in the showers. He was an inch or so taller but I was pleased to see he was endowed with about the same length of tool as me although he did have saggier balls.
I quickly laid the requisite towel and stood in front of him, also now erect.
"Gosh, Jacko, your prick's bigger than Vince's and he's older than both of us!"
I stood closer and reached down and held my tool against his.
"Ours are about the same size, look!" I circled my fingers round both, they made a fair handful, "You hold them as well." I slid my hand back towards me and as he gripped them I let go. He was panting slightly as he clasped and squeezed them together.
"Oh God, do it to me first, please, Jacko!"
He released my cock and I moved to his side, circled his length and began to jack him off. I started slowly and gradually quickened my pace until he was panting really deeply and shot his load well over the towel. I noticed his foreskin, like mine, didn't go fully back.
"That was lovely, Jacko, really good."
He was still panting slightly as he got behind me and held my dong. He didn't try to force my skin back but effortlessly got me to a high state of tension. I remembered I hadn't tossed myself off the previous night after checking my height. I was fairly tired anyway when I went to bed and must have dropped straight off to sleep. My abstinence was a reward for Jim because I put on a spectacular show of flying spunk which, luckily, he directed straight up at the precise moment I began to shoot.
"Christ, Jacko," he murmured as my jerking prick subsided in his hand, "Tony told me you shot a lot."
"You've done it to him as well?"
"Of course! We did it again Monday night after Scouts."
"Did he tell you we've done it?"
He grinned broadly, "Yeah, and how much spunk you make! You make more than any of the others, lucky sod!"
I asked him how often he did it and like me he generally had a daily wank. I gathered from further interrogation that he was also well practised with others. As well as Tony and Roo, Vince (of the short skinny prick) and Dave Morgan there was also Ned Carter in our class and at least half-a-dozen in 4S who were in the Scouts and had been on camps with him and they all seemed to do it regularly together
He confessed that although wanting to do the Maths homework he really wanted to see for himself Tony's boast on my behalf and he was most impressed. I probed a bit further and found he had his first proper wank with stuff during the Easter holiday soon after he was thirteen so he had a head start of well over a year on me.
I told him about Matt and me but he hadn't done it with him although they were quite friendly and Matt had sat next to him in class all last year but 'cause Matt wasn't in the Scouts he hadn't thought of trying. I got the impression it wouldn't be long before he'd ask him now after I told him about us.
He quizzed me on my history and the Alun saga was repeated at length so it meant that with all this chat, together with a close inspection of size of balls and hairiness, or lack of it, 'cause neither of us could spot anything under our arms, no Maths was done at all. I promised that all would be well for tomorrow afternoon, we could do it then, the Maths, of course!
After he went I thought what with Matt broadcasting news of my firepower and now Tony extolling my virtues, my fame was spreading! What, or who, next? Needless to say we did get most of the homework sketched out next day at our second meeting as well as beginning with another very satisfying session and having a long chat afterwards. Jim may not be very bright about Maths but I do like him, he's very forthright and I think we get on very well.
*
Saturday morning began very slowly. Pa couldn't be disturbed as he was busy writing up a final report so please could I be quiet and not cause too much havoc, as if I ever did!
I checked my bike and pumped up the tyres then Ma grabbed me about eleven to go through a suitcase she was packing for me and when Mr Marcham came at twelve I carried it out to his car. He greeted me most effusively, I knew him quite well from early days playing with Tony but I hadn't seen much of him recently. He already had the other three bags on the back seat as well as a tent and lots more paraphernalia. He said he was taking everything over that afternoon and hoped we had a good time.
I felt a bit cheered with that and then lunch wasn't too bad so I went up to my room and did more of the homework set for the week. I thought it was supposed to be a half-term holiday, some hope, there was enough to keep us busy every day. Then, in the middle of the afternoon Pa came bounding up the stairs, banged on my door and asked me if I minded taking the carbon copy of what he had written so far round to Mike's Dad for him to check. I agreed readily and set off on my bike.
Dr O'Brien was also scribbling when I got there and said did I mind waiting a bit while he read Pa's document and, in any case, would I take some of his notes back to Pa. He suggested I went up and disturbed Mike. Mike called out 'Come in' when I knocked on the half-open door of the Snake Pit.
I peered round the door and saw he was lying on his bed reading a book. He looked very pleased to see me. I went in and shut the door behind me.
"Thank goodness someone's come to cheer me up. This place is like the grave today, we mustn't do anything to disturb Dad, even Maureen and Anne are quiet for once. Do you want a chair?"
"No, that's OK, I'll perch on the end of the bed and we won't have to talk too loud!"
He grinned and moved over a bit. My mention of perch made me think of Billy's comments, especially about Matt, and I wanted to tell him but felt I couldn't. What to talk about? Ah, yes!
"Did you find out all about the secrets?"
He laughed, "Oh no, Dad said it wasn't for little boys' ears and I wasn't to say even that I knew there was something up! What did your Dad say?"
"Nothing, he's been at the works place ever so much and he's been scribbling away all day today, and he keeps whistling which means he's happy! I do know he's going down to London first thing Monday 'cause I heard Ma say she would pack for him as well as for me and what a lovely quiet time she would have."
"Are you still looking forward to your trip? You'll be there most of the time with your pal Matt? I don't know him, but I know his sister Julia 'cause she's a typist at the labs."
"Yes, I've met her and Pa said she was going in to work overtime on Sunday finishing typing up the report, that's if she can read his scribble!"
"No worse than my Dad's..." He paused a moment or two, "How do you get on with Matt? I've only seen him when he's been with you at the rugby matches, he looks a solemn sort."
I suppose Matt is a solemn sort, he's certainly not noisy and lively like Cleggy or even Roo, but I get on very well with him. "We're great pals, he says we're a bit like brothers since neither of us has a brother. We talk a lot and work together," ... I shrugged my shoulders, "We just like each other a lot, I think."
"I miss not having a brother, I suppose Bernie Doyle is like that for me"... he nodded towards the drawing pinned to the board... "we always discuss everything together, all our troubles and woes." Mike was really in a sad state. "I'm a bit fed-up today because we were supposed to be going to play against some Catholic public school, but half their team's got 'flu or something and it was cancelled yesterday. I thought Bernie might come round but he seems to have deserted me..." he brightened a bit, "...But there's you, and that's nice."
He sat up and patted me on the shoulder. Oh hell, I was beginning to get a hardon, the bastard thing was for ever going rigid! Twice this morning while just sitting doing Van's French translation I found it going stiff of its own accord. I hadn't touched it and it softened just as quickly. Would it go soft now? Think of something else! Saved by the bell! Or rather by a rush of feet along the corridor and the breathless entry of Mike's youngest sister, Maureen, the one I'd met on the previous visit.
"I wondered how long your nose would take to poke it's way in here," was Mike's greeting, "It's only Jacko."
"I know, I saw him when he came upstairs, I've got something for him!"
All this happened, luckily, before I could be polite and stand up. Luckily, because my other stand would have been rather visible. She thrust a piece of paper at me.
"This is for you, to go with the drawing Mike did!"
Well, well, it was another pencil sketch. This time of Mike. A very recognisable Mike, waist upwards, in a striped rugby shirt.
"Golly, that's good! Did you do it?"
"Yes, of course. I copied it from a photo. He said he wasn't going to sit still long enough to let me do it live!"
Mike snorted, "So she's done me dead, has she, let's have a look!"
He leaned over and took the sketch from me.
"I say, Sis, that's good! You've made me look quite handsome! Can I have it?"
"No, it's for Jacko! You can draw yourself looking in the mirror like those other sketches you wouldn't show Anne!"
I thought I detected a faint blush creeping up behind his ears.
"OK, OK, here you are then, Jacko, one of me to go with one of you. Make sure it's signed though, she might be famous one day!"
I took the drawing and looked carefully at it. It really was good and she had signed it, MTB.
I grinned, "Motor Torpedo Boat, I suppose!"
She snorted, "You're just like him, always taking the mickey! I'll have it back if you don't want it!"
"Oh no! It's very good, thanks for giving it to me."
Mike swung his legs over the edge of the bed and sat next to me.
"I wondered where that photo had gone. One of the Brothers took our team after school a couple of weeks ago and he gave me a copy. Where is it, Maureen? Let's have it back, please."
His sister went off and returned with the photo which she handed to me, pointing to Mike sitting in the front row.
"There he is, and that's Bernard standing behind him. I've done one of him as well. I'll give it to him tomorrow."
I had a bright idea. "You could earn some pocket money if you did a drawing of each one and sold them to them. I don't suppose the Brother gave them all a copy."
"Oh, Jacko, that's brilliant, I could do that! I'll see how much Bernard will give me."
Mike nudged me, "You've made a friend for life! Come on, Maureen, you said just now you were going to give Bernie his."
"That was just now, before Jacko had the idea. Let me have the photo, Jacko, I'll go and do some now. I'll do all the ones I know I'll see tomorrow."
"Hey, you avaricious little so-and-so, that's my photo you're making money out of! What about me?"
"Oh, I'll buy you a better birthday present." She turned to me. "You know his birthday is on Boxing Day don't you...?" I shook my head, I didn't know. "...Yeah, he'll be seventeen!"
Crikey, I thought he was much older, but then I don't think I'm much good at guessing ages. "Gosh, I thought you were older than that, you being in the Sixth Form and all that!" Oh-er, I hope the 'and all that' didn't mean what I was thinking about to his sister.
He laughed, "She's right. Anyway, the rate you're going you'll be in the Sixth Form when you're fifteen." He nudged me again. "He's clever, is young Jacko!" He began to speak in French saying I could speak French better than he could and then Maureen answered him most proficiently. I thought I'd better join in but hadn't said more than a dozen words when we heard their father coming along the landing. He rapped on the door.
"May I come in?"
He entered bearing a sheaf of papers which he was stuffing into a large envelope.
"Here you are, Jacko, would you give this lot to your Dad and don't let any enemy spies waylay you on the way home!" He said with a grin. "You're being entrusted with secrets of great national importance in there! Oh, and tell him I'll see him in the labs tomorrow to tidy things up for Monday."
Thank goodness my hardon had subsided during all the talk so I was able to stand up without any great difficulty.
All three followed me down the stairs and as I left I thanked Maureen again for the drawing and she said she was going to be busy that evening. Mike had disappeared while we were standing in the hallway talking and Dr O'Brien opened the front door for me saying I was much too important a despatch rider to take the back exit.
He shut the door behind me and then, as I went down the side of their house, a shadowy figure pounced on me and made me drop the envelope. Oh, Christ, an enemy spy! I lashed out as he grabbed me round the shoulders and then he laughed as he spoke.
"Watch it, Jacko, you nearly had me in the nuts!"
Oh, thank God, it was only Mike fooling around.
"You were lucky I didn't hit you hard. I really thought I was being attacked! You made me jump!"
"Not so much as I would have done if you'd struck lucky, or unlucky for me! You're a plucky little so-and-so fighting back like that!" He was still holding me and tightened his grip before letting me go. God, he certainly was strong. I bent down and picked up the envelope and the drawing. He put an arm round my shoulder as I straightened up.
"No hard feelings, eh, and have a good time next week."
I got my bike, said cheerio and rode off bearing the secret despatches.
Pa was very pleased when I arrived home and delivered them and that was the last we saw of him that evening. Ma even took his supper into him and came out smiling and gave me a thumbsup sign.
"All's well, it's going to work!"
What was going to work? I didn't know and obviously no-one was going to tell me. Any way I had other problems, my prick kept going stiff all evening and had even begun to twitch when I showed Ma Maureen's drawing. I said I would go to bed early as it would be a tiring day tomorrow and was in bed just after eight o'clock. Gosh, I really needed a wank and I kept thinking of Mike and how strong he was so it meant that as soon as I was in bed my shaft was so achingly hard my hand was straight on it. I tried to do it slowly but even so I came very quickly and then I lay still for ages just thinking what might have happened if I had hit him in the balls, I couldn't bear to hurt him.
*
I was awake at half-past six and was washed and dressed ready for breakfast by seven. Of course, breakfast wasn't going to be ready for at least another hour so I went downstairs and practised, quietly, until Ma tapped on the door. Pa was just leaving for the labs and cheerfully wished me well and rushed away. Gosh, I was hungry so I finished up all the toast he hadn't eaten and as there was still ages before the others would arrive I went and practised again. Mrs Tring would be pleased, I could now play all the pieces without looking at the music and I found I was also listening to what I was playing.
Dead on ten o'clock Matt banged on the back door. He, like me, was dressed in grey shirt, shorts and an old school pullover.
Dead on three minutes past the other two turned up resplendent in khaki shirts and shorts with bright red and gold neckerchiefs and scout hats and we set off.
It was a fine day and I realised it was going to be the longest bike ride I'd done in one go. Still, here goes and it turned out to be not so bad at all. As it was Sunday there was no traffic so we rode most of the way in pairs, changing over after every few miles or so. We stopped and had a rest at twelve and ate our sandwiches. Tony consulted the map and announced we only had about six miles to go so if we went a bit more slowly we could arrive just after two as that was the time his Great-Aunt was expecting us.
We found the village quite easily and rode along following a high wall until we came to some very tall gates. Tony said we had arrived and pushed open a smaller gate and we followed him down a drive which turned sharply and there was the house, or manor. It looked huge to me, but Tony said in his father's opinion it was one of the smaller examples of English manor houses as it only had twelve bedrooms. That seemed enough to me, one each for us and plenty to spare for his Great-Aunt.
He then said that there were only his Great-Aunt and her companion who lived in the house. Getting closer we saw that there were three steps to the front door and on the widest bottom step an enormous dog was lying down looking at us as we rode up. We stopped well clear.
"It's OK, it's only Bran, he knows me. I'll call him and he won't get up."
I was glad Tony had faith in his own voice as I didn't relish being chased by a dog that size.
Tony called out, "Bran, Bran!"
The dog lazily cocked an eye in his direction and then put its head back on it's paws.
"It's all right now, he knows we're friendly."
More to the point was the dog friendly. I had never been sure of dogs ever since some horrible little thing belonging to a neighbour had rushed at me when I was much smaller.
As we sat on our bikes and waited the door opened and a very tall, elderly woman came out followed by a much shorter, not much younger woman. Tony got off his bike and laid it down and went up to the steps. The dog didn't move. Tony's Great-Aunt came down the steps and gave him a kiss, much to our secret amusement. Then very politely he turned and introduced us.
All three of us put our bikes down and walked to the bottom step, keeping a wary eye on the dog. We each politely shook hands with Mrs Crossley and were introduced to Miss Pike, the companion. Throughout this I noticed the dog watching very carefully but not moving. Then Mrs Crossley called to the dog which proceeded to get up. It looked even bigger now it was standing up.
"This is Bran, he's an Irish wolf-hound, but he's very friendly if he knows you so tell him your name and shake paws."
Oh God, luckily I wasn't nearest so I didn't have to go first. Matt was, he bent down and stuck out a paw. He needn't have bent down as the dog sat up straight and looked him more or less straight in the eye and put out a paw. Matt calmly took hold of it and just as calmly announced, "Hello Bran, I'm Matt."
I could have sworn the dog winked at him and then as Matt let go the dog looked at Roo who went through the same procedure. Then it was my turn. I was quivering a bit, I'd never seen such an enormous dog. I took the dog's paw in mine, "Hello Bran, I'm Jacko, I hope we'll be friends."
Mrs Crossley laughed, "Now we're all introduced I think you'd all better call me Aunt Mary, don't you think, it won't be so formal. And the girls always call Miss Pike Miss P, so you could as well!"
I could see I was going to like 'Aunt Mary' and Miss Pike was rather jolly too. I wondered about Bran though, but he had now dropped back and was lying down again. And who were the girls? Then I remembered, someone had said there were some Land Girls who helped Mrs Crossley with her chickens. Mrs Crossley led us round to the back of the house and showed us a large stable where we could park our bikes. She said that as soon as we were ready we should come through to the kitchen where there was some food and drink as no doubt we were hungry after our ride.
Parking the bikes didn't take long and we were soon sitting at a long kitchen table wolfing down sandwiches and glasses of homemade apple-juice. We didn't say much, I think we were rather overawed, but Aunt Mary kept up a continuous stream of information about the place and so on. We gathered that her main war effort was eggs. That is, she had loads of chickens which three Land Girls helped her to look after.
The main fields were let off to farmers so she only had two fields of vegetables and had two German prisoners-of-war from the local camp to help with these and the orchard. She hoped Matt and I would find plenty to occupy us whilst the others were away and they shouldn't think they were in for an easy time as she had arranged for them to call in at various checkpoints on their hike.
Tony looked rather bemused at this but his Aunt directed a beaming smile at him and said he wasn't to worry as all his movements, like those of the enemy, would be closely monitored by her own secret police. Roo looked decidedly baffled but Aunt Mary gave him a great smile and said he was not to worry because she had to make sure he and Tony didn't get lost. By this time we had finished scoffing and Aunt Mary said we should see our rooms and led the way upstairs.
"By the way, Tony, would you and the others mind sharing two rooms as I think it would be more comfortable with a bathroom in between?"
Tony brightened up at this, "Gosh, Aunt, are we going to have the two nursery rooms, then?"
"Yes, that's what I'd planned. I think they would be very convenient." She turned on the stairs, "Do you others mind?"
We chorused 'No' but I secretly wondered what 'nursery rooms' meant. However we continued up and onto a wide landing. My goodness, the landing ran the whole length of the house and apparently there were six bedrooms facing the front with another six on two wings at the back. We processed along until we reached an open door. Aunt Mary ushered us in and I nearly tripped over our cases just inside. The room was very big and had one bed, almost a double-sized one. Tony had obviously been in here before.
"Oh, Aunt Mary, this was Uncle Piers' room wasn't it?"
"Yes, and through that door is the bathroom and then the other room. That was my daughter's," ... she smiled at us, ... "but don't worry, she was mad on horses! You'll find there's plenty of hot water and the rooms will be quite warm. That's all due to the General. He said a contented army was a well-washed and warm army, and he practised what he preached."
She led us through a connecting door into the largest bathroom I had ever seen with a massive low bath in one corner and a separate small room containing a mahogany seated loo. There were plenty of highly polished brass taps, attachments and pipes around. A low gurgle came from Matt who was just behind me. I surreptitiously kicked his ankle and he lapsed into silence.
"You'll find everything you want here, there are plenty of towels in the airing cupboard over there."
The procession went on through another connecting door into the far bedroom which matched the first. Well, it matched in size, but where the decoration of the first was restrained here there was a riot of reds and blues, horse brasses, rosettes, bridles, whips and other various unknown to me items of horsiness, covering the walls and even the bed had a counterpane which looked like a very ornate type of horse blanket. I'm afraid I got an attack of the giggles and even a reciprocated kick from Matt had no effect. I blushed bright red. Aunt Mary turned and fixed me with a twinkling eye and a great grin on her face.
"I'm glad it affects you as it affects me. I've never dared change anything." She turned to face the four of us. "The rooms are yours for the week, you share them as you wish. I'm certain Piers and Ann would have liked you to have them.
One thing, make sure the blackout is secure. Just shut the shutters and pull the curtains and that will do it. Once the lights are out you can open them again. I'll leave you to it, you can wash and clean up and high tea will be at five in the dining-room, you'll hear the gong at five to."
She turned and opened the door into the corridor and went. We stood looking at each other.
"Who's going in which room?" asked Matt turning to Tony.
He shrugged his shoulders then made a most sensible suggestion, he'd obviously been working it out while we doing our tour. "Well, why not tonight, you and me could have this room and Roo and Jacko could have the other, then you two could choose each night we're not here. We'll be back on Thursday so there are three more nights to arrange after that."
Matt, Roo and I looked at each other and nodded. That arrangement did seem most sensible. We went back through the bathroom and sorted out the cases. Matt and Tony took theirs through to the other room and Roo and I started to unpack ours.
"There's loads of room in this wardrobe here, Jacko!"
Roo had opened a large door and revealed plenty of hanging space. He opened the next door and a bank of shelves were revealed. The lower ones were empty but there were numerous boxes on the upper ones.
"We can put some of our other things on the shelves." He proceeded to hang up a spare uniform and put socks and pants on the shelves. I followed his example.
"What are you wearing tonight?" I asked.
"Oh, my best uniform, the one I've just hung up, then we'll be wearing the ones we came over here in on the hike."
Luckily Ma must have had the same idea because my best school blazer and shorts were packed neatly, with the new tie I'd been given for my birthday.
"I'm going to have a bath anyway. Bags I'm in there first!"
"It's big enough for at least three of us at once!" I said, "I'll have one too."
We both stripped off and went into the bathroom. Roo opened a cupboard and found some large towels.
"Golly, look at this lot. Let's see if the water's hot."
He turned on an enormous brass tap and after a moment or two of rumbling and gurgling masses of hot water poured out.
"Quick, put the plug in!"
I leaned over and turned the cold water on as well before I put the plug in. The bath was filling rapidly. Just as we were about to test the water the other two came from their room with the same intention as they were starkers as well. Roo turned, "Come on, there's room for all of us almost!"
He stepped in and sat down, the water slopped up near the rim. I quickly turned the taps off and stepped in to join him. There was still room for another. Tony nodded to Matt and he put a foot over the side and the water gurgled noisily down the overflow.
"Watch it, Matt, it might run over the top," cautioned Tony, "We mustn't let it go over the floor."
Matt let himself down gingerly and the excess ran smoothly away. Tony passed us a large bar of soap and watched as we splashed around merrily.
"I shall have it all to myself when you've finished, and I'll have clean water," he announced with a self-satisfied note in his voice.
"You can clean it out, too," chortled Matt. Tony just stuck his tongue out and squatted on the floor by the bath.
Roo stopped washing for a moment and called out across us two, "Hey, Tony, why is that dog called Bran? It sounds a funny name for a dog."
"Oh, I think it's the name of an old Irish King or someone. Dad said his Uncle always had wolfhounds and always called one each time Bran. I think this one is the son of the previous Bran."
Roo laughed, "Some son, did you see the balls it had on it when it stood up? They're bigger than yours, Matt, and that's saying something!"
Matt splashed out at him, "I'm not a dog! And anyway that dog's enormous." He turned away from Roo, "Is it dangerous, Tony?"
"I don't think so, but I always keep well clear of it and it seems to lie about a lot but it does keep watch. I know it doesn't like one or two of the local people 'cause I've heard it bark when they come onto the drive. I think we're OK as it seemed friendly enough this afternoon."
I turned to Matt, "You know when you shook paws, I think the dog winked at you."
Roo laughed, "Thinking what a nice juicy dinner Matt would make. I bet it likes sausages and knows about your prick, eh!" He splashed down in the water across me and grabbed at Matt's dong. "Come on, nice doggie, come and get your dinner!"
Matt submerged with Roo still trying to capture him and came up spluttering and laughing, "Lay off, you fool, it's certainly not getting that!"
Roo gave up and our giggling subsided. Tony had been making placatory signs and was looking anxiously at the water level.
"Come on, you lot, you've finished now, it's my turn!"
I stood up and stepped out over Matt dripping water on him as I did so. Tony passed me a large, warm towel and I wrapped myself in it, "Cor, this is marvellous. Come on Matt, let the boss have his bath, I can see the dirt on the back of his neck from here."
The jollification in the bath had had some effect on Matt as his cock was somewhat enlarged as he stood and stepped out. However he quickly wrapped himself in a second towel and waited while Roo lazily emerged showing off a healthy rise.
"Here you are, Roo," said Tony, handing him a towel as well, "We haven't got long before tea so I've got to have a quick bath." As he bent over to turn the hot tap on again Roo pressed his semi-erect prick against the crack of his arse. Tony responded by wriggling his behind, "Get off, you fool, I know what you're like! We haven't got time for you to play around. Go and get dressed or we'll be late!"
Roo gave him a two-fingered sign behind his back and tugged at my towel to lead me off to our room while Matt disappeared into the Horsebox as I had mentally christened it. Roo and I dried off and got dressed in our respective finery.
I must say Roo looked very smart. He was a bit taller than me, and quite slim. He wanted to know if I wanted any Brylcreem but I decided I didn't and combed my hair with its usual parting in the middle. We then had to decide if we should wear shoes or slippers. We decided shoes as it was our first day and we didn't know what to expect. By the time we'd made sure there were no specks of fluff or creases in the wrong places it was five to five by my watch. We went through the bathroom, which Tony had cleaned up as well, into the other bedroom where Matt was ready and watching Tony threading his immaculate neckerchief through a leather woggle. He took ages to get it just right but he said it was worth it.
We all looked particularly neat and tidy and stood in silence, all quivering with suppressed giggles, waiting for the gong. When it did sound no one moved, then Tony said he would lead the way.
Our procession wound its way down the imposing staircase and we followed closely as Tony walked steadily towards a large double door to the right. He opened it and we all went in. Mrs Crossley and Miss Pike were standing by the window of the dining room flanked by three girls in their twenties. We stood just inside the door in a rather self-conscious line. Mrs Crossley motioned us in.
"Good, you're all here then, let me introduce you all. Boys, these are my very busy helpers. They do all the hard work!"
One of the girls stepped forward, "Oh, hello Matthew!"
Matt went a bright crimson.
Mrs Crossley turned, "Oh, Diana, you know Matthew then?"
"Oh yes, I've known the Ward family since they came back from abroad so I've known him since he was that high", she indicated the height of a small child. "And I went to school with his sister, Julia." She turned to Matt, "Is she still at the labs? You know, she used to do all the typing for that ducky doctor! His wife used to teach us French at the High School."
Matt's face was a picture as he was blushing even more, "Oh, yes, she still works there, she likes it a lot,..." he turned to me, "...and this is Jacko Thomson, he's Dr Thomson's son!"
It was her turn to blush as she turned to face me, "Oh, sorry, sorry, I've really put my foot in it, haven't I?" ...she recovered quickly, "I liked your mother at school and Julia says such nice things about your father, she says he's very clever, are you?"
An audible snort came from Roo, but before I could think of anything to say one of the other girls dissolved in giggles. She was looking over at Roo and Tony and asked in between spasms of laughter, "And which of you two is Just William?"
Mrs Crossley looked a bit perplexed and asked rather testily, "What do you mean, Elizabeth?"
"Oh, I thought they looked like Just William's gang, there were four of them and I can't remember their names but if that's Matthew and that's Jacko, which of these two is Just William? It must be him," ...pointing at Roo, "He's the biggest!" She dissolved into giggles again.
We turned to look at Roo. We'd all been avid readers of the stories but, I for one, had never identified myself with any of the characters and certainly none of us qualified to be Ginger. As for Roo, he was an unlikely William. I suppose Cleggy would have been a better choice if he had been present. Roo was quite composed and smiled sweetly at her and said, "No, I'm Rupert, or Roo."
Mrs Crossley took command again, "And that's my great-nephew, Tony, so who is this William?"
The third girl, who was standing closest to Mrs Crossley explained about the books and said her young brother had had his own gang modelled, she was sure, on the stories as he'd been a typical mucky little boy. It was her turn to blush now as we were patently obviously not mucky little boys.
All in all the introductions were getting a little out of hand. Miss Pike, who was apparently having an attack of hysterics, was covering her face with a large white handkerchief and blew her nose very loudly. This managed to startle everyone into silence so Mrs Crossley with a shake of her head said we should settle down as it was time for tea. She directed us to the table which was laid out magnificently with bread and butter, ham, a cold chicken, pickles, apples, teapots, jugs and so on.
Tony was placed at the head with Mrs Crossley at the other end and I was between Miss Pike and the third girl whose name turned out to be Miriam. As we champed through the goodies I found out that Miss Pike knew all about the Just William books and had given her nephews copies for birthdays and Christmas. Miriam turned out to be quite chatty and said her young brother was now in the Air Force training to be a pilot. She wanted to know why two of us were not in uniform and I explained about the Scout hike and we were staying in the house. I heard Tony telling Elizabeth about the badges and the rigours of the hike. She deflated him in a few words by saying she had been in the Sea Rangers and had badges for sailing and did he know anything about knots. Gosh, I didn't know girls did all that!
After tea we processed into the drawing room. Golly, this room was also enormous and had a big grand piano at one end. Above the fireplace was a portrait of the General in his uniform and there were lots of photos in frames dotted around. Mrs Crossley told us that we could also see if there was anything in the library we would like to read as the General had been a great collector of travel books and maps but there were plenty of other books as well and we could sit and read in the study as well.
She said that usually she and Miss P played cards after supper, which during the week was at half past six, and went up to bed by nine o'clock as they had to be up early. The girls nodded and one said chickens always laid their eggs very early so they had to be up at cock crow and this set them off in another fit of giggles in which no one else joined. Mrs Crossly told us we need not get up early as long as we were down for breakfast at eight o'clock.
Tony said that was good as he and Roo wanted to set off by ten whereupon Aunt Mary went over to a desk and came back with a map and pieces of paper.
"This is your route, Tony. You and Rupert had better study it and work out where you have to be at various times. Mr Pearce sent it to me during the week and you've got quite a number of things to do."
I hadn't realised there would be a set route and, of course, Rabbity Pearce, in this guise known as Skip, was in charge of the Scout troop based at the school. Tony and Roo took the map and things and were ushered through into the study. When Mrs Crossley came back the girls said their thanks and goodnights and filed out chattering. Matt grunted that they sounded like hens and I tried hard not to laugh. Miss P must have heard him and mouthed, "I quite agree!"
She and Aunt Mary sat down at a card table and were soon absorbed in their game. Matt and I wandered round the room looking at the photos, mostly of the family with dogs like Bran and finally reached the library door. We went in and looked around. It was absolutely filled with books. I found a big book of maps on the desk and was soon lost looking at old maps of India. I looked up once and Matt was curled up in a huge armchair intent on a book as well. Just before nine the other two came in and said they were ready to go up to bed. We all went through to Aunt Mary and Miss P and said thanks for everything and good night. Aunt Mary said there was an electric bell in the bathroom which she would ring at half past seven in case we were still asleep.
We filed out, like the girls, but we were quiet, that is until we got up onto the landing where we all burst out simultaneously with suppressed giggles and raced along the corridor until we reached the door of the first bedroom. We rushed in and Roo and Matt grabbed me and held me down on the bed. Matt was laughing mightily and put his face close to mine, "Who's got a ducky daddy then?"
I managed to gasp out, "And who's mucky little Just William, then?"
Roo let go and muttered something about what do you expect with girls.
"I hope Aunt Mary isn't too annoyed," said Tony in a rather worried voice, "I think we behaved ourselves, it was those girls who started it."
I struggled against Matt holding me down and he moved over so I could sit up. "No, I think it's OK, Miss P was laughing her head off behind that handkerchief and she was ever so chatty over tea."
Tony went on, "That Elizabeth said hiking round Ulvescott doesn't compare with sailing in the Channel which she did before the War. We've got to watch what we say 'cos they'll only take the mick!"
We decided we would try to keep out of their way as much as possible and hope that encounters such as tonight's, innocuous as it may have seemed but so cringingly embarrassing to lads of our age, wouldn't have a chance of happening again.
Tony stood up and walked over to the connecting door, "Come on Matt, we'll leave these two and get ourselves to bed. See you in the morning then! Goodnight!"
Matt obediently got up and as he got to the door turned and grinned at us, "Got to obey the boss, have fun!"
I followed him through to the bathroom and quickly washed my face and hands. Roo came in after me and by the time he came back I'd undressed but hadn't put on the pyjamas Ma had thoughtfully packed. In fact I was peering intently at the photos on the wall. There were quite a few and were mostly of Piers in his school days. A dog like Bran featured in several which were taken around the outside of the house but the majority were school photos of classes and teams and then finally there were two of Piers in his officer's uniform.
I was busy picking him out in school groups when Roo came and stood by me. He had also got undressed. He put his arm over my shoulder to point to one photo.
"Crikey, look at those shorts they wore in those days, down below their knees. I suppose that next lot are a rowing team, aren't they?" I nodded and he moved on, "That chap in uniform, was that Tony's uncle then? He said about Uncle Piers before tea."
"I don't think he was an uncle, 'cause he would have been Tony's Dad's cousin. So I think he's Tony's second cousin."
Roo dropped his arm so it rested on my shoulder and shuddered, "Crikey, you seem to be able to work things like that out quick enough, how do you know all that?"
"I just read about it somewhere, I think, or perhaps Pa told me."
He squeezed my shoulder, "Your ducky dad!"
I put my hand on his bum and gripped it, "Just William, eh?"
He squeezed my shoulder again and laughed, "Come on, pax, eh! Let's go to bed. You turn the lights out and I'll open the curtains and shutters."
I did as I was told and as Roo pulled back the heavy curtains and latched back the shutters I slipped into bed but not before picking up the towel which I had found at the bottom of my case. I tucked it under my pillow. Roo slid into bed the other side, he hadn't bothered about pyjamas either. We both edged towards the centre of the bed and simultaneously put our arms around each other. Roo nuzzled at my ear.
"Oh God, Jacko, I've been looking forward to this trip for ages and I'm glad Tony said we should be together tonight."
I put one arm lower down his back and pulled him closer to me. I could feel our pricks going hard side by side against our bellies. Roo sighed deeply.
"Oh, Jacko, let's just lie like this a while, shall we?"
I held him even tighter and moved my hand and explored the bottom of his back. He responded by wriggling slightly and sighing again. He put a hand down and did the same to me. It felt wonderful and we set up a slight rhythmic movement pressing our pricks against each other. I thought we hadn't better go too far yet.
"Wait a minute, Roo," I whispered, "I've got a towel here, let's put it between us."
"Yes, we'd better, just in case."
It wasn't going to be a matter of just in case, nothing was going to stop me firing my wad tonight. We moved apart a bit and spread the towel, resumed our original positions and continued the gentle pressure at the base of our spines. It wasn't long before Roo began to breathe very deeply and whispered hoarsely, "Hold my prick, quick Jacko, oh please!"
I moved away slightly and put a hand down between us. Roo's cock felt long and slim and rock hard. I pulled back on his skin only a couple of dozen times or so before he began to jerk about and a warm stream of spunk poured over my stomach as he shot his load.
He lay still for a moment then felt for my cock and within a minute or so my spunk flooded out over him.
He let go of my prick and put his arm over me again and we clasped each other tightly again. There was a slight squelching noise as our bodies pressed together with all our come in between us.
"Christ, Jacko, that was great!"
We lay still for some time holding each other very tightly then moved apart and wiped the mingled drying spunk with the towel.
"Good job you brought that with you, eh, Jacko?"
I responded by pulling up the bedclothes and putting my arms around him again and then told him the story of the towel by my bed. Of course, with that opening we spent some time telling each other about our adventures and what we knew. As with me a slightly older cousin had been his initial instructor. This cousin was at a Public School and was very informative and I learned several things that night about what could be done and that he and Tony had tried some of them. I was very curious to know more but thought if I kept quiet I might learn a lot more. I did.
He went on to tell me he had tossed off, or shagged off, as he called it, over half the lads in our class as well as the Foster twins and one or two others in 4S. He said that he, Jim Masters and Ned Carter all had their birthdays early in January and they had all jacked each other off on his birthday after school and had promised to do it together again next year.
I heard a bit more about the camp and that he, Tony and Vince were jerking each other off quite often and Vince was quite jealous he wasn't on the trip. Roo said Tony's Mum had suggested asking me and Matt because we'd invited Tony to the party. Tony had jumped at the idea 'cause he said I'd told him about how big Matt's dick was and he wanted to see it for himself and Tony had told Roo how much I shot so he, in turn, wanted to toss me off.
During all this time we had been slowly and carefully exploring each other's bodies and we lay, finally, cupping each other's balls and gently feeling the pills move in their wrinkled sacs. Our balls and pricks were very evenly matched, in fact if anything, my prick, as it now began to harden again, was slightly thicker than Roo's. He brought his face close to mine.
"I wonder if old Piers use to shag himself off in this bed like us? D'you think so?"
I grinned back at him, "If he was like us, I expect so. I suppose he had the same as us, so he must have! Every night I should say!"
Roo nuzzled at my cheek, "Just like me! And you?"
"Yep, I hardly miss!" I gently ran the tip of my tongue over his cheek, he sighed again.
"Jacko, can I do it to you to see you make stuff?"
"Yes, of course, but I don't suppose I'll shoot a lot 'cause I've come once and there was quite a bit then."
Roo pulled back the bed clothes and as I turned onto my back he straddled my legs. The moonlight was sufficient to give us a good view of what was happening. He leaned over me and clasped my tool in his whole hand and squeezed it then ran his thumb and first finger up and down my shaft several times without pulling the skin back at all.
I lay back, my hands pressed down on the bed as my body arched with the marvellous feelings between my legs as he slowly began to wank me off properly. It took a little while but he was mightily rewarded as with a final arching of my midriff a great gush of hot creamy spunk jetted upwards and splashed down on my face and chest.
"Christ, Jacko," he murmured as he held my jerking prick steadily, "You shot some stuff then! I wish I shot as much as that!"
I lay for a moment and then put my hand out for the towel as a great blob of come was trickling down my chin.
"Don't be daft, you make lots, anyway let's see. Give us a moment."
I wiped my face and chest and then we changed over. My dong hung limply as I knelt over his legs. His dick was already very hard. I wanked him slowly and as I pulled down found his skin didn't go fully back either. I didn't comment on this but watched the end of his knob peep out of its surrounding halo of skin on each downward stroke.
It wasn't long before he was ready to shoot and as his legs went taut between mine and his buttocks clenched he fired a healthy load up onto his stomach. I guess it was about half my amount. I wiped him down carefully and lay beside him pulling up the bedclothes over us. Our arms went automatically round each other again. We were both breathing very deeply and held ourselves together tightly for some time until we gradually relaxed but stayed in the same position.
All in all an interesting day and, with a last nuzzle of our lips as we drifted off into a deep sleep, a most enjoyable start to the week.