I closed the bedroom door and sat down in the new computer chair they had just set up that afternoon. I looked about the room that was to be my home for the next few weeks; at least it seemed so as dad had said it would take some time to sort out everything up in Scotland.
I felt deeply saddened by the sudden death of Grandma and the serious state Grandfather appeared to be in. I was really worried too about where I’d be during school time when Dad went back to sea on normal duties. It didn’t seem at all likely that the old arrangement of Granddad and Grandma staying, as they’d done since I was twelve, right from that awful day Mum died in hospital from cancer, could ever happen again, even if Granddad got better. I wondered if I’d have to go to boarding school. Iknew there were ones for the children of serving officers and didn’t much like that thought at all. I knew from what his father had told him that some children didn’t see much of their parents, as leave didn’t always coincide with school holidays. That was the reason that ever since Mum had died Granddad and Grandma moved into the other front bedroom of our house during the ‘away at sea’ times and life carried on as before.
I couldn’t believe my luck this morning when Dad had said that he’d ask Rick and Paul if they could look after me for a while. I’d really liked them ever since me and Dad had attended their Civil Partnership party. I’d managed to pluck up the courage after then as I’d seen how friendly Dad had been to Rick and Paul, to tell him that I reckoned that I was probably gay as well. It had gone down okay considering. Dad had given me a lecture about being sure and sensible, not to get involved yet as I was still only fourteen, well fifteen in just over a week’s time. Then there was a full half an hour on safe sex and all those awful diseases you can catch if you weren’t safe. I remember thinking then that was slightly amusing as where exactly would I be getting all this sex? Not at school, as far as I could see. There were no other gay lads around or at least none that were obviously ‘out’, but then was I obvious? I didn’t think I was. I definitely have certain desires and really liked my best friend, Justin, but if Justin’s gay or at least thought he was, he hasn’t said a word yet.
Sighing, I stood up and began to get ready for bed. I looked around the room and noticed how good the new wardrobe mirror was at catching me full length. So I slipped out of my top and tee, dropping the tee into the laundry basket and not on the floor, as I remembered being asked to do. Getting down to my boxers Ilooked at myself in the mirror. Not too gross, I thought to myself, as Iwent through to the bathroom to take care of business and teeth. After I’d done that I returned to the bedroom, had another long look at myself, flexed my muscles and burst out giggling at these silly antics. So, I turned to the bed and pulling back the duvet snuggled down. I really was really tired and within seconds was out for the count.
* * *
The following morning, I woke very early with the sun streaming through the window. I’d forgotten to pull the curtains across the night before and was awake well before my normal time for a Sunday.
I lay there and wondered if I pulled the curtains whether I’d get back to sleep. But I soon felt the inevitable morning need to go to the bathroom and decided once I was out of bed to take a shower. When I’d showered and dressed, I left the room and headed quietly down to the kitchen in search of a mug of tea and some breakfast.
I filled the kettle and switched it on to boil. Opening the cupboard where the mugs were stored I took three down, expecting both Paul and Rick to want a drink when they emerged from their bedroom on the second floor. Icouldn’t quite recall where tea bags and stuff were stored, although I’d been given a quick show round the afternoon before. It was a bit much to take in with everything else going on at the same time. So I opened the cupboard above where the kettle was and struck lucky. Well, it was the same as where they were kept in our kitchen next door! Taking down the jar of tea bags I dropped one into a mug and added the boiling water, stirring it round for a while. Then after I’d dumped the teabag into the waste bin I added a spoonful of sugar and some milk. I took the brew to the window seat and looked out over the garden. I’d got totally lost in my thoughts and nearly jumped a mile when my reverie was suddenly broken into by a voice from right behind me.
“Good morning! Sleep well?”
“Um… yes, thanks, Rick.”
“That’s good. You’re up early. Any reason?”
“I forgot to pull the curtains before going to bed. So I woke when the sun came through the window.”
Rick laughed and moved over to the worktop and felt the side of the kettle. He flicked the switch to re-boil. Picking up one of the two empty mugs that I’d got out earlier and adding a teabag he made himself a brew and sat beside me.
“I guess that’s because of all that happened yesterday and being in a new place, I think,” he said kindly. “You’ll soon settle and find where things are. Do you want some breakfast? We’ve a bit to do today with friends coming this evening.”
“Yes, please,” I replied. “What’s going?”
“Cereal, toast and marmalade, our own home-made by the way. I think we have full English too if you want it?”
“Um… may I have toast and stuff?”
“Yes, sure, two slices?” Rick asked.
Rick slipped four slices of bread into the machine and turned the timer dial. While he waited for the toast to pop up he took out three plates, knives, olive oil spread and the marmalade. Putting it onto a tray he brought it to the kitchen table and pulled out a chair for himself.
“As I explained, we’ve things to do and I hope you won’t mind helping out a bit today.”
“Nah, no problem. What’s to do?”
“Paul’ll go to the farm in a little while when he’s done showering to get the joint of pork. He’ll cook that this evening. I’ll be making the fruit terrine and you can help with that. Then we’ve the table to set. Not too much really, okay?”
“Yes, sure,” I said.
The toast popped up at just that moment. Rick got up, cut the slices diagonally dropping them into a rack as he did so and brought it to the table. We both prepared toast with spread and marmalade and munched away for a while.
“Some more tea or some juice, Will?” Rick asked.
“Juice, please.”
“Juice is in the fridge. Help yourself, glasses next to the mugs same cupboard,” Rick replied, pointing to the cupboard as he went to the kettle to make himself another brew.
Just at that moment Paul came through the door
“Hi,” he said.
“Hi,” we both replied.
“Sleep okay?” he asked me.
“He forgot to close the curtains and so woke with the morning sun,” Rick said.
“Oh!” Paul replied. “Don’t think you’ll do that again, not like a teen to be up this early on a weekend.” I grinned at Will.
“It’s a bit early,” I admitted with a slightly chagrined look on my face.
Paul made tea and he slipped a couple of rounds of bread in the toaster while we were chatting. He sipped away waiting for the toast when I turned to him and asked
“Would it be okay for Justin to come over earlier today? Say after lunch?”
Paul looked over at Rick who with a mouthful of toast just nodded.
“Yes,” Paul replied, “don’t see why not. He’ll most likely get roped into helping with tonight’s preparations though. Would he mind that?”
“Nah, that’s okay,” I replied. “We’ll both be helping anyway, I suppose?”
“Oh, I think we’ll find something to keep you two out of mischief.” Paul grinned at me. “We’ll need to spend some time soon choosing stuff for your computer so we can build it before your birthday and in time for school too,” he finished.
While we spoke I’d been texting Justin. I got an almost instant reply and said “He plans to be here about three. Is that okay?” I asked.
“Tell him that’s in plenty of time to peel the spuds!” Rick joked back.
“Yeah, I’ll do that,” I laughed.
A few seconds later I got the reply and giggled at the message.
“He’s sent a row of sad faces.” I grinned as I held up the phone display.
“You’ll have to tell him he’s to work for his dinner here,” Paul said.
“So what needs doing?” I asked.
“As soon as we’re finished with breakfast go to the farm for the joint. Then when I’m back start on the dining room and prepare food.” Paul said.
“Right, we had better get organised.” Rick replied.
We finished our breakfast, cleared away, loading the dishwasher as we did so. Grabbing his keys from the table Paul set off down the hall to go.
“Would you like to stay and help Rick or come to the farm with me?” Iasked Will as I picked up my keys and prepared to leave.
“I’ll stay with Rick if that’s okay.”
“That’s fine, I’ll see you guys later,” Paul said as he left.
Rick began to get utensils out in preparation for his dessert. He then took out of the fridge a large punnet of strawberries and one of raspberries. He took them over to the sink and turning to Will handed him a large colander.
“If you’ll give the fruit a good cold water rinse, then lay them out to dry on some kitchen roll, we’ll get this done quickly. Paul will probably have time to go online to choose computer kit for you later on. How’s that sound?”
“Great! Yes, sure,” I replied.
I carefully rinsed the fruit and was laying it out as Rick opened a bottle of pink wine pouring most of it into a saucepan on the hob. Quickly bringing it to a simmer he added some sheets of gelatine to the wine. Then stirring till all the gelatine was dissolved, he turned to me.
“Cut all the strawberries in half removing any stalk that’s left as you go.”
“Okay,” I replied. “What’s this going to be?”
“A big fruit jelly using wine as the jelly base, very simple, but looks good,” Rick replied. “I want you to lay the nicest looking strawberry halves down in the base of this loaf tin,” he said handing me a ten inch tin. “Start with large halves face-down in each of the corners then fill in the sides and finally the middle,” he told me.
I worked away for a few minutes cutting the strawberries and fitting them into the base of the tin.
“Next do a layer of the raspberries. When you’ve done that fit more strawberries in with the outsides to the tin, okay? Fill all the room that’s left with those almost to the top of the tin. If there’s any raspberries left put them in the middle and finish off with any strawberries you’ve got left over.”
“Okay, I’ve done that. There’s a few left over.”
“We’ll just eat those. Don’t want to waste them.”
Rick poured the wine jelly into the tin fully laden with fruit just covering it all and then set the pan back onto the hob. Then he got another loaf tin, filled it one third with water and after covering the fruit with cling film set the second tin on top to act as a weight to the fruit. He then carefully placed the whole into the fridge to set.
“What’s the rest of the jelly for?” I asked, looking at the small amount left in the pan on the hob.
“We’ll use it to fill the tin when it’s fully set,” Rick replied.
“Oh, I see — what’s next?”
“Set the dining room up for eight. Get the dinner service out and ready,” Rick replied.
“There’s a lot to do for a dinner party, isn’t there?” I asked.
“Yes, there can be if you don’t keep it simple. Paul and I tend to do straightforward roasts with an easy dessert, like the one we’ve just done. He doesn’t need to think when he does a roast. Reckons he could do one in his sleep. Have you been to a dinner party before, Will?”
“Um… no, actually I haven’t. We’d have family Christmas and stuff, but not like this at home, even when Mum was still okay,” he said.
“Oh, it’s not that much different to any Sunday roast really, just nice china and more people at the table. You’ll be fine and Justin’s here to talk to when we adults talk stuff.”
“I guess so,” I replied.
“You mentioned your mum just then. What happened?”
“She got sick with a cancer of the bladder. It got bad very fast and she died when I was about eleven. I don’t remember much as Dad sent me to be with Granddad and Grandma while Mum was very ill. I went to see her in hospital a few days before she died though.”
“I’m really sorry about that,” Rick said. “Silly question, but I guess you miss your mum a lot.”
“I did to begin with, cried lots after the funeral. It’s not too bad now. There’s times I really miss being able to ask things. Grandma’s nice, but she doesn’t know stuff like my mum did,” I said.
* * *
I had noticed that Will still talked of his grandma as if she were still with us. The thought that Will had yet another funeral to attend in a few days time probably, was unsettling. I hoped to myself that it wouldn’t be too much of a trauma for all concerned and that he could recover his cheery teenage disposition again. Teens were pretty resilient, weren’t they?
The long chat with Paul the previous day had brought out feelings of parenthood in us both and I wondered to myself where it all might lead. Paul’s suggestion that we might both put ourselves forward as foster parents had indeed struck a chord with us both. Let’s see how it all goes with Will I mused to myself.
* * *
“Let’s go into the dining room and get that set up,” Rick said.
So between the two of us we cleared the table top and opened out the middle section extending the table to full length inserting another section, closing it together and fastening the retainer clips to lock it in place. Rick got out a couple of cloths and began to polish up the surface.
“This won’t take long. I polished it properly only a week ago and so it won’t need much now.”
We both polished up the surface and laid out eight place settings, three down each side of the table and one each at the opposite ends. When this was done Rick opened the sideboard and brought out wine and water glasses and two crystal glass decanters, which he placed at opposite ends on silver stands.
“What would you and Justin like to drink tonight?”
“Oh, I don’t like wine,” I said, “at least not yet.” I grinned. “Can we have Cokes or something?
“Did your dad allow you to have wine at home then?” Rick asked.
“Yeah, I tried it last Christmas, but don’t really like it, didn’t finish the glass I had.”
“Okay, Coke it is then, but I’m not having Coke cans on the dining table. I’ll find another jug and then you and Justin can help yourselves,” Rick replied.
Rick opened another cupboard and took down a polished wooden box. Setting it on the table he opened it to reveal a very nice looking silver cutlery set. He took some of the cutlery out and laid up a full place setting.
“Look at this, copy that on your side and I’ll do this and then we’re almost done.”
“Okay,” I replied. “Wow, this is really nice stuff.”
“Yeah, it belonged to my parents. It was a wedding present way back and hardly ever used. I can’t remember it being used much at home. They gave it to Paul and me for our Civil Partnership present. Said they thought we’d enjoy it more and actually make use of it. We really do like it and use it every time we have dinner parties. Right, just the table napkins and napkin rings left to do.”
Rick opened another drawer in the sideboard and took out two boxes of napkin rings and a pile of pale blue linen napkins, counting out eight. Then he emptied one box of six rings and took two from the other putting the boxes back into the sideboard drawer when he had done. He also put the cutlery box back into the wall cupboard. Rick then showed me how to fold a napkin and place the ring setting it in position. Once done we laid all the napkins round the table. It was looking quite a sight. Rick then opened the double doors of the sideboard and kneeling down took out three piles of plates of different sizes. Counting out eight of each he placed them on the sideboard top.
“That’s the crockery ready, starters, main course and dessert,” he said to me.
“One last touch, I’ll add a bowl of floating candles as a centrepiece later this afternoon. How’s about we have a brew and wait for Paul?”
“Yeah, great, this looks fantastic! I’ve never seen a table set like this before.”
“What? Not even for Christmas?” Rick queried.
“No, we’ve only ordinary china. Granddad and Grandma have nice stuff though. We’ve sometimes used that when we’ve been to stay with them. They don’t have glass like this or silver cutlery.” I replied.
“We’ve been so lucky getting lots given to us. Paul’s parents gave us the dinner service too. It’s a Royal Doulton original from the 1960s called Reflections. I really like the blue white and silver border pattern. We’ve added to it so we’ve ten place settings and filled a few gaps by looking on eBay. Let’s have that brew now.”
We both went through to the kitchen. Rick got down three coffee mugs and made up instant coffees while I filled the kettle and switched it to boil. We were sitting at the kitchen table when Paul arrived back from the farm shop with the joint.
“Hi guys, any coffee for me?”
We both said ‘hi’ back and Rick slid the prepared coffee mug towards Paul.
“Kettle’s not long boiled. We’ve done the dining room and the dessert.”
“Right, okay, thanks that’s brilliant,” Paul murmured as he switched the kettle back on and waited a minute for it to re-boil, filling his mug, adding milk and sugar. He stirred thoughtfully for a few moments before joining us at the table and sipping away.
“We’ve time to go online then and order some computer components for your birthday present from your dad,” he said.
“Oh wow, Dad’s agreed, has he? I hoped he would. I hoped he’d have told me something yesterday, but all that other stuff happened and I forgot to ask about it. Rick said something earlier, so I was sort of hoping.”
“Yeah, he asked me last week if I’d sort it out. Your dad’s set a decent budget so you can have some good kit. We’ll look when I’ve finished this. What time’s your friend coming over?”
“About three o’clock. I asked if he could come over earlier and he can. Rick said he can peel potatoes,” I grinned.
“Oh yes, and carrots too!” Paul said, grinning back at me.
“What veggies do you and Justin like?” Rick asked.
“Um… peas, beans, cauliflower, carrots. I don’t like cabbage or sprouts.”
“What’s Justin eat?” Paul asked me.
“Dunno, I’ve only had pizza or spag bol whenever I’ve eaten at his.”
“Okay, we’ll ask him when he gets here. It’s going to be carrots, roast parsnips, green beans and cauliflower. So there must be something there he’ll like… Oh and roast potatoes,” Paul added.
“That sounds like I’m going to be pretty full tonight.”
“Well maybe, but you’ll soon burn that all off with some cycling or swimming,” Paul replied.
“I guess so, but I’m growing. So I need plenty of food!” I grinned back at them both.
“Right! Let’s get online and sort out what you’d like,” Paul said.
We spent the next hour checking out the sites Paul used for computer components and had assembled a pretty impressive set up for the amount available, comprising an Asus motherboard, AM3 2.6Gb dual-core processor, two RAM memory strips of two gigabyte each, a decent Radeon ATI graphics card, a sturdy 750w power supply and an attractive gaming case with cool blue fans. We also found a very respectable specification, nineteen inch TFT monitor for less than a hundred pounds. That, together with the latest Windows operating system, completed the order that would take a couple of days to arrive.
Everyone was in the kitchen and preparations for the evening were in full swing. Paul had bags of veggies waiting to be peeled, scraped or sliced and was preparing the joint for the oven when the doorbell rang.
“It’s probably for you.” Paul said to me. “Go and answer the door.”
I went off down the hallway and came back with my slightly taller and sturdier best friend in tow.
“This is Justin.” I said. Turning to Rick and Paul, I introduced my best friend to them both.
Rick got up and shook Justin’s hand.
“Good to see you, Justin. I’m Rick and that’s my partner Paul there at the sink.”
Paul turned and waved a peeler in the general direction of Justin.
“Hi! I’m sorry but my hands are all wet just now. Will, why don’t you offer your mate a drink and show him round if you like?” he said.
I turned to Justin and inclined my head as I asked, “Wanna Coke?”
“Yeah, thanks,” Justin replied.
We opened a couple of Cokes and then I took Justin on a tour of the house. As we entered the dining room I turned to Justin and said, “This is where we’re eating later with the other guys who’re coming. Ihelped get it set up just now with Rick.”
“Wow!” Justin exclaimed as his eyes darted round the room taking in the full place settings and the array of porcelain, silver tableware and crystal glass. “This is posh then?”
“Yeah, it’s pretty smart, isn’t it? More than I’ve seen before anyway for a meal. I’ve never really been to a dinner party though.”
“I’m not sure I know what stuff to use, y’know?” Justin said.
“Me neither,” I replied. “Rick says we’ll be on either side of him. So just follow what he uses, okay?”
“Okay,” Justin replied, with more than a little uncertainty in his voice.
“Come and see my new room for while I’m here,” I said excitedly.
“How long are you staying here then?” Justin asked.
“Don’t know. Could be weeks if things are bad with Granddad. I don’t really know. Dad said he’d call and say what’s happening sometime today though.”
We went upstairs to the first floor. I showed Justin the two guest rooms, small computer room and showed him Rick and Paul’s room, but we didn’t enter, merely looked through the open door.
Justin eyed up the large double bed and smirking at Will said, “Bet they have fun in that!”
“Um… I guess so,” I rather nervously replied.
We continued up to the next floor. I proudly showed off my room with all the new fixtures. Justin, suitably impressed, sat down on my computer chair, then idly pivoting round a couple of turns looked at me and said, “This is great! You’re up here on your tod and you’ve all this stuff. When are you getting your computer over here?”
“I’m not bringing the old one. I’m getting a new one Paul’s building next week for my birthday. We ordered all the bits just before you got here today.”
“Have you got a connection up here then?” Justin asked Will.
“No, not yet, but I’ll have one by my birthday. Paul’s going to do both these upstairs rooms and add them on to their network. They’ve fast ADSL2 broadband through a router. He showed me this morning, says it’s easy to add rooms on. Just a cable to take down the wall outside and a socket here by the desk.”
“So we can go online and look for all sorts of stuff then?” Justin asked.
“P’rhaps. I don’t know how long I’ll be here. It depends on how Granddad is. I might have to go to boarding school if things don’t work out.”
“Boarding school! Where?” Justin exclaimed. “You’re leaving the Royal Grammar?”
“I don’t know for sure. Nothing’s definite. It all depends on Granddad and if Dad can find a way for me to stay. If not, I’ll have to go to a service boarding school next term. I don’t want to, that’s for certain!” Will said.
I looked at Justin rather dejectedly.
“I sure as hell don’t want to go to any boarding school!” I said vehemently.
Justin looked at me, concern showed all over his face.
“I don’t want you to leave either,” Justin replied, as firmly back.