Usual Disclaimer: If you are not of an age to read this because of the laws of your country or district please desist. If you are a bigot or prod-nosed fundamentalist of any persuasion find your monkey-spanking literature elsewhere and keep your predilections and opinions to yourself. Everyone else welcome and comments more than welcome.
This is a very long tale. It unfolds over a good number of years. What is true, is true: what is not is otherwise.
ALADDIN'S AWAKENING
By
Joel
CHAPTER 54
Vignettes From My Life
- Christmas 1953 - Easter 1954
The Christmas holiday was hectic. We decided to have our first Christmas at home. It meant inviting family to stay. As it happened the O'Briens were going to the Pontifexes for Christmas in Harrogate. They would visit us at New Year. So, we had the two sets of the boys' grandparents to stay from Christmas Eve on the Thursday until the Monday after. Maggy went off to her parents for the weekend so we had to cook and keep house and everyone mucked in.
However, the weekend before, both Lachs and Flea came and stayed. Flea was on leave before going out to Egypt again doing training and Lachs said he was as busy as ever. He had quite momentous news. Audrey was pregnant again. She had been in England again for a couple of months in June and July and, from what Lachs said, she was so pleased to be back in England she had decided she wanted another child. Then in October she had been asked to take over a part in a film as another actress had fallen out with the director. She was particularly overjoyed about it as this would be the greatest opportunity she'd had. After they left us the pair were going up to Chester to stay with their mother and Uncle Edward.
New Year 1954
It was strange having the O'Briens at New Year. I felt very much the new husband, on my best behaviour almost. I don't know why. Anyway, all turned out well and we had a super time and saw 1954 in in good style. We had to celebrate one particular event. Pa was in the New Year Honours list again, advanced to CBE, Companion of the British Empire. I saw also that 'Bobsy' Harford was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath so he was being rewarded for good works also.
With Mr and Mrs Marcham moving to Ulvescott Manor the house in Kerslake was superfluous, as was the furniture. Anne and I made a trip over and chose a selection of unwanted things, including the large dining table and the dozen chairs to go with it. While checking over things I happened to look out of an upstairs window and saw a rather furtive figure peering through the fence from the house next door where the old Colonel lived. I thought I would investigate and found it was Sam Catt! Released from detention and ignominiously discharged from the Army he was now living with, and looking after, the old Colonel who was getting increasingly frail and forgetful. Sam seemed a changed character and said he'd been forgiven by the family and if and when something happened to the old boy he was going to work on the farm for his cousin Josh. He said he'd heard about me and how I was getting on from Tony as he'd met him when visiting his aunt at Ulvescott. My suspicions were confirmed as he said that Big Jim had a cottage in the village and Tony was living there with him as he found all the female contingent now at Ulvescott Manor a bit overwhelming. I would have to quiz Tony about all this when I saw him next!
Now we were well-settled in we decided as a Cambridge couple we had better start entertaining. Our first venture was at the end of January as we had acquired sufficient furniture now to complete our dining and living rooms. Protocol was observed! Professor and Mrs Johnson with Dr and Mrs Palfrey covered the outside college contingent. The college Dean and his wife with Dr Butler were the within college group. Maggy, Anne and I made up the ten as we thought a dozen might be rather ambitious for our first attempt.
Willy had the bright idea that Sam could do the cooking and Jem could be the waiter, butler and general factotum and with his eye on them they wouldn't overcharge for services! The lads were over the moon at being asked and Anne and Sam spent hours deciding on the menu. Everything went like clockwork.
Jem was on hand as the guests arrived to take coats and hats and scarves and brollies and to hand around the drinks. Francis and James surveyed the arrivals from the landing at the top of the stairs with Francis giving James a running commentary.
"That's Mummy Anne's teacher," he announced when Mrs Johnson came into the hall. "She must be clever 'cause Mummy Anne's clever. We're going to Oxford to see her get her degree. That's the other place daddy says." He then waved at Professor Johnson following her who gave him a grin and a thumb's-up sign.
The Palfreys arrived next. Francis knew the youngest Palfrey offspring - a callow youth of at least twenty-two - who we'd employed to do some decorating as he was 'awaiting a suitable opportunity to exercise his skills' - his skills, other than a third class History degree, were virtually non-existent and he was, in the sight of his father, a useless lay-about, although he did, in the end, learn which end of a paint brush to use. He was in the kitchen tonight, handing the dishes to Jem then washing up and keeping the place tidy for Sam, who I had observed was no mean taskmaster.
"That's Lucius's mummy," came the sotto voce observation. "Daddy said Lucius could do with a good kick up the backside as he took so long to paint my bedroom. I had to keep an eye on him." A slight pause. "He's useless. I hope he doesn't drop anything tonight or Sam will not be pleased."
"I like Lucius," came James' voice in counterpoint, "He's nice. He said you talk the hind leg off a donkey and he showed me how to make paper aeroplanes. They fly."
Francis ignored James' interruption to his flow. "I like Lucius as well. He may not be able to paint very well but he's nice and says he expects I'll be as tall as Daddy. That's Lucius's daddy, he goes to church," he continued, as Jem appeared to take the reverend gentleman's coat and hat. "He's got one of those collars round his neck. Same as dogs."
I looked at Mrs Palfrey who had been standing almost in the shadows listening to the comments from above. Her bosom was heaving with silent laughter. "Jocelyn, my dear," she called out to her husband, "Our youngest has made quite an impression and your appearance has been noted." She turned to me. "Our daughter has tried to get him to wear one of those nice neat collars but he says they're too Roman for him and he would feel naked without the protection from the slings and arrows of adversity. Never noticed he was naked without one of those on digs in Mesopotamia!"
I tried to imagine the thin, ascetic-looking clergyman, naked in Mesopotamia. No! Now, Lucius was a different matter. He'd been arrayed in running shorts and no shirt when doing the painting and although the bulge in his shorts wasn't huge he had what one could describe as a very desirable, fuckable body. Slim, well-defined chest, with long, trim, fairly hairy legs and a winsome, shy smile. I think he'd been very much under the thumb of his much older sister, Theodora, and most probably the bodies of his two elder brothers who were real hunks and were both Rugger Blues. I knew Tony had tangled with one of them and had remarked favourably on his sexual prowess. Cassius was certainly a rugger-bugger in name and deed and from what Tony had said was not far short of the Palfreyness of his name! I guessed young Lucius had felt the length of his horse-cock from the fond way in which he always spoke of that brother in particular. The older one, Marcus Aurelius, was now 'something in the City' and was married with two young sprogs, Jason and Troy, while sister Theodora, an image of the mother, ran a very successful teashop in the town.
Jem was the perfect major-domo. Drinks and tidbits were circulated effortlessly as college and university gossip circulated as well. I was aware at one point that Willy had made an appearance and was obviously checking on progress and performance of his proteges. I saw Maggy blush slightly when she also caught sight of him as well. Anyway, dinner was announced and we moved into the newly furnished dining-room. A fragrant soup, with homemade bread supplied, no doubt, by the college chef, was followed by a fish course. Lightly cooked fillets in a lemon and cream sauce with Duchesse potatoes and slivers of carrot. The main course was a venison casserole. This was from a haunch passed on by chef from the renowned Mr McLeish who was still thanking the college and God that Hector wasn't incarcerated in one of Her Majesty's prisons for having his cock sucked by the policeman's son and was safely somewhere in the bosom of Her Majesty's Army as a Lieutenant and probably having his cock sucked by his batman instead. When the steaming dish was uncovered there were concerted cries of delight. Pudding was a baked apple flan, or a dark chocolate mousse, with cheese and biscuits and a vintage port to follow. I produced a couple of bottles of white wine from Uncle Johann in Switzerland for the fish course but Sam had raided the college cellars and had unearthed a superb claret to go with the venison and a 1935 Sauternes with the puddings. All in all, our first dinner was a pronounced success. The ladies did not leave the table but helped themselves to the port with Mrs Palfrey smoking a cheroot much to Anne's amusement. She announced she had started smoking them while out in the Middle East on digs as they kept the flies away.
When all had gone I went to the kitchen to congratulate the lads. Lucius had finished his chores and was sitting, slumped over the kitchen table, pissed as a newt, having had three glasses of sherry, whatever was left of the claret, following that by a glass and a half of Sauternes and two glasses of port. Luckily, he, as well as the lads, was staying the night. I and Jem helped him to the small guest room. We stripped him off, noting that horse-cocks did not run as far down the family as him, and tucked him up securely in bed. He was mouthing thanks and, as we tucked him in, his hand went straight to his prick and gripped it tight, pissed as he was. Jem tossed his head - we knew what Lucius's nightly activity was!
Anne and I and the two lads had a nightcap before going off to our beds. They were perfection. Their training in college and in the Catering Corps had made real craftsmen of them. Anne asked them if they enjoyed working together and they were very enthusiastic about it. She said they could make quite a substantial second income by hiring themselves out for dinners like this evening's. They said they would have to think about it, they had certainly enjoyed preparing and running the evening. I said we could never have done it without them. On that happy note we went off to bed.
I woke early. Give the lads a treat. I put on a dressing-gown and went down to the kitchen and made a pot of coffee, plus toast with a choice of honey or Cooper's Oxford marmalade. At seven fifteen I opened the door to the big guest-room. They were fast asleep, facing each other, their dark-haired heads out from the covers with Sam's head on Jem's shoulder. I looked down on them in the half-light of the room. They looked so peaceful, just as they had those years ago in my bed in Clare. I put the tray on the side table by the bed. I bent over Jem and blew very gently into his ear. He smiled in his sleep and hunched his shoulders slightly and murmured something. I repeated the action and he moved his chest against Sam and muttered. I put out a finger and touched his cheek near his lips. His mouth opened slightly and the tip of his pink tongue poked out. I stroked his cheek very gently and he moved his head towards my finger and his hips started to press back and forth against Sam. I moved my finger towards his parted lips and he licked the tip of my finger and moved his head and began to suck it. He began to pant and move his hips more rapidly. I thought I'd better withdraw or young Sam would be spattered with morning dew!
As I took my finger away Jem began to wake up. He took a moment to realise what was happening then grinned at me looming over him.
"Breakfast," I announced and pointed to the tray, "Shall I pour?"
He smiled and shook his head. "Couldn't imagine waking up to anything nicer!"
"Waking up with Jem?"
He nodded. "Yes, and that! Thanks for letting us stay over." That beautiful smile of his widened. "We did our best last night. It was good, wasn't it?"
I bent down and kissed his cheek. "Jem, you and Sam were perfection itself. You make a lovely couple. All's well is it?"
He nodded. I poured out a cup of coffee and added milk and sugar as I knew he liked it that way. As he sat up in bed to take it he had to move Sam's head away and this woke him up as well. I think he was rather startled at seeing me standing there but once awake he was smiling, too.
"God! Must go to the lav," he announced and slid out of bed and went, bare-arsed, into the adjoining en-suite bathroom.
When he shut the door I grinned at Jem. It was the first time I'd seen Sam in the nude.
"I can see why you and Sam are such good friends!" I could, he beat Lucius by a good couple of inches.
Jem put out a hand and grasped mine. "We're more than just good friends," he said with real feeling in his voice, "He's mine, and I'm his!"
"I guessed that," I said, "You go back a long way, don't you. Those two sixteen-year- olds who used to clean my room thoroughly... ....after!"
He laughed softly and nodded. Sam came back into the room and, nicely shaped dick drooping, got into bed beside Jem. I handed him a cup of coffee as well.
"I'd better have a pee before I drink anymore," said Jem and pushed the covers back and got out of bed in front of me. He had a semi hard-on, a good six and half inches and thick with it. A cock to be proud of and, as he turned, I saw Sam look down at that prized possession and smile. It was his as well and had been shared on many occasions but still aroused his interest and covetousness. Jem rushed to the bathroom and we heard him have a healthy, morning piss.
"Good last night?" I asked.
Sam grinned. "That dinner first and here after. The best!"
As the two munched their toast I sat and watched. They were so happy together, so much a pair. It was only on nights like the night before they could be together for any length of time. I had a thought.
"Have you two thought of living together?" I asked.
They both spoke at once, both implying they wanted to desperately, but their families!
After they'd finished chuntering I went on, "What about buying a house as a business venture and letting rooms out to students. The income would pay off any mortgage and you could live together because you would want to be on site to keep the place in order."
They looked at each other, then at me.
"Never thought of that," said Jem, "What would it cost?"
"I don't know," I said, "We would have to consult Tony's dad. He dealt with our house and I know he's acted for clients selling to the colleges. Somewhere like Portugal Place or St John's Road. I guess the colleges will buy up most of those houses as time goes on and if you get in early you can sell at a profit later and move up."
They turned and grinned at each other. Jem spoke up.
"We've both got a few hundred quid saved up. Never had to spend anything and we got plenty of extra when we were in the Army." He turned to Sam. "Shall we go for it?" Sam nodded vigorously. "Well that's on. It'll make old Willy green. Will you talk to Mr Marcham for us?"
I nodded. Two nude figures launched themselves on me. I was soon back over the bed, dressing-gown open and kissed and nuzzled until two eager mouths sucked on me and I shot a hefty load into one mouth then the other. We shared my spunk and two firm bodies lay either side of me moving their hips in unison as I gripped their sturdy cocks and soon, two warm sprays of cum landed over my chest and stomach.
"We've wanted to do that for years," Sam whispered in one ear as fingers with combined droplets of spunk were smeared on lips. "That's the best gift we could ever give you," whispered Jem in the other, "You must be Robin and we are Castor and Pollux!"
"You've read it?" I queried.
"Of course," snickered Jem, "Where do you think we've learned all the things we do?"
I put my arms round them. "I'm an old married man, with two kids and I've just been seduced by two horny young studs!"
"Not so young, we're only two years younger than you and I bet you've been seduced plenty of times!" whispered Sam. "I don't think Anne will mind, either."
"No," I confessed, "She knows all about me."
"Her brother?" asked Jem. "I've seen Willy's picture, too!"
"Ask no questions, hear no lies!" I said sententiously.
They both giggled.
"And what about you two and Lucius?" I asked.
They both shook their heads. "He's too scared," said Sam, "Right-handed, though!"
"We think his brother had him and frightened the poor lad though he's always talking about him. We could offer him a room if he helped us," suggested Jem. Sam nodded in agreement.
"Why don't you go and see if he's recovered from last night?" I said.
"Are you inciting us to seduce him?" asked Jem.
"If you put it that way, yes," I said, "Don't look on it as seduction, though, but re- education!"
That set them off in giggles. I went into their bathroom and cleaned myself up. When I came back into the bedroom they were no longer there. I took the tray down to the kitchen and made fresh coffee and toast and took it up to Anne. She wrinkled her nose as I got in bed beside her. "Those boys?" she asked. I nodded.
We heard no more until past eleven o'clock. Francis and James had gone much earlier in search of Jem and Sam in their bedroom. Francis then announced that Lucius's room was locked and it sounded as if he had tummy-ache as he was moaning. I said he had probably had too much wine the night before and would need to recover and I expect Jem and Sam were in there looking after him. So, about three hours later, a rather groggy Lucius emerged, fucked, sucked and wanked to instant oblivion with two jaunty fuckers, suckers and wankers then sitting either side of him in the kitchen plying him with copious amounts of strong coffee before preparing another superb meal from the leftovers of the night before. Lucius sat through lunch and afterwards with a goofy, absolutely satisfied smile on his face.
Two months later, Jem and Sam moved into a four-storied house in Portugal Place and started in their spare time to convert it into suitable accommodation for a tribe of students. Of course, this meant they had to live there to do the work! Their most willing slave, which no doubt was true in more senses than one, was Lucius Palfrey. He, of course had to move in as well, to be on hand, or in hand, or in, or up, anywhere else. His father did remark to me that he was grateful I had recommended that course of action for the lads as Lucius was happier now than he had ever been and wasn't cluttering up their house. Jem always referred to him as 'Luscious' with a twinkle in his eye and Lucius proved to be a most efficient housekeeper for them.
Willy must have taken the hint as our housekeeper, Maggy, announced a few weeks before Easter that Willy had asked her to marry him. We knew they had been out together a good number of times and now Willy was taking the plunge.
Ma telephoned me early one morning towards the end of February. She and Pa had been at the Opera House the night before - free tickets, courtesy of either John or Tim Parker. Apparently, so she said, at the end of the first act of the opera the elderly Italian conductor did not feel well. There was a slightly extended interval and Tim Parker appeared and conducted the rest of the opera. The audience gave him repeated curtain calls at the end as the performance was terrific. Maureen had told her that the old boy had insisted Tim took over and wouldn't be taken off to hospital until it was agreed. Triumph for Tim, look out for the papers tomorrow as any critics in the audience would be reporting! Next day there were laudatory notices in two of the influential broadsheets, so much so that Tim conducted the other four performances of the opera which were scheduled. Maureen sent tickets for Anne and me for the last night and the applause at the end seemed to be unending.
Big headlines about new young conductor! We hoped it would last.
Unfortunately, the news of Tim's boost to his career came almost too late for Lady Bing. She had sent her congratulations but the next week died, aged ninety-nine. A formidable lady but someone who had given great encouragement to a good friend of mine. Both of us were remembered in her Will. Tim was left the Bosendorfer grand piano and five thousand pounds. I was left a thousand pounds - a huge sum, but minute where her total wealth was concerned. Stella, her daughter, moved into Ulvescott Manor and Ashburn Hall was leased to a leading hotel chain who were keen to expand.
Tim and Maureen's wedding on Easter Saturday in St Paul's Church, Covent Garden, was a grand affair. I had never been to a wedding where the service was accompanied by an orchestra, conducted by the groom's brother. John had even written the music played while the Register was being signed. So another of my friends had tied the knot!
More momentous news came. On Wednesday April 21st 1954 Lachs and Audrey's son, Stephen Cameron Thomson, was born.
- 1954 - 1956
Time sped by. Anne and I were constant lovers. We had decided we would like to have at least one child but nothing happened. It wasn't due to lack of effort! Our next door neighbour on one side was Dr Gibson who, although a medical researcher on development, arranged for both of us to have tests. My sperm count was normal but the verdict was that Anne had difficulty in conceiving. We then heard that Tim and Maureen were having the same problem. I remembered Tim produced little spunk and it was almost the consistency of thick cream. He proved to be OK, again it was some difficulty with Maureen.
It was a great disappointment for both couples as their sisters seemed to have no problems at all. We were lucky. Anne had accepted Francis and James as her own. They had never known their own mother and Anne was now 'Mum' to them both. They loved her and she loved them without reservation.
We had a visit from Tom Buchanan and Betty his wife. He had now left the Army, fed-up with the constant posting from one barracks to another and was joining the police. Following in father's footsteps, or big boot prints rather! Betty was pregnant and looked radiant. Francis was intrigued and was full of questions about what did babies look like before they were born. Where did they come from and how did they get out?
A straightforward explanation of daddy being involved and that ladies had a special way out satisfied him though I noted a furrowed brow and expected further questions when they had gone. The way out for Alistair Cameron Buchanan, weight eight pounds six ounces, opened up successfully in June 1954. His cousin, Rory Thomas Buchanan followed three weeks later. As his father, Duncan, said, just in time for him to look after the babe as the school holidays started.
Our boys were doing well at school. James was proving to be as bright as Francis and was certainly not going to be over-shadowed by his elder brother. They were firm friends and it was very touching to see how Francis included James in all his ventures. Francis's best friend was the younger son of the Gibsons next door. Gregory Gibson was about three months older than Francis, shorter than him but with a real personality and nicknamed Grunty as that was what his elder brother called him as he couldn't say Gregory as a young child. Terence, the elder brother, was two years older and had his own circle of friends but kept an eye on both Grunty and Francis at Junior School. James was now a Mixed Infant and I heard Francis telling him one evening in the bath all about the differences between boys and girls and that was just the name of the school so he shouldn't get worried. I then heard James inform Francis that he did have a hole down there whereupon Francis told him all boys had that hole, but what he was talking about was a special hole that only girls have and he was sure that was where babies were put in and came out later. Whether James was satisfied with that explanation only time would tell.
We had plenty of visitors, two especially. As Flea didn't have a permanent home he came to us on every leave and in between times when in England. The boys loved him. He was that very special uncle all boys need to lighten the relationship between father and sons. He never undermined my authority but was always ready to take them off onto the river punting, or for a trip in his sports car, or even just for a rough and tumble on one of the Commons. The other visitor was Lachs.
We thought the birth of Stephen would motivate Audrey into pursuing her career in this country. However, within six months she was off to the States again with the promise of a big part in a film. Within three months of that a so-called 'friend' informed Lachs she was now living with one of the stars of the film. Three months after that she informed Lachs she needed a divorce as she was so much in love with Courtney. It was very difficult for Lachs. She was always in the tabloids over her career and being seen at every function in Hollywood with some new actor or other and now permanently in the company of this latest, wanted, heartthrob. Lachs had to live in the shadows. He told me how involved he was now in counter-espionage and he couldn't be dragged into the limelight over any divorce proceedings. It was all done very quietly. I went with him one weekend to a hotel in Basingstoke of all places. There he purportedly 'slept' with a hired young lady - a young actress 'resting' at the time. A hired private investigator took 'evidence'. A 'Mr and Mrs Smith' had signed in as a couple in the hotel register. That was enough. Actually, Lachs and I slept together, with the PI and the young lady happily fucking in the next room - the walls were thin and her moans of 'More, more, I want more!' kept us giggling for ages. Lachs said perhaps I should go and help out as my prick would be more than sufficient to satisfy any demands she could possibly make. I said being with one of my best friends was quite sufficient for me.
There was no kerfuffle in the newspapers when the decree nisi was announced. The most one tabloid journalist wrote was 'After obtaining her divorce, the newest star in the Hollywood firmament, our own Audrey Milverton, married Courtney.......'
Audrey had taken Penny with her and the news was the poor child was to be groomed for stardom herself. No mention was made of Stephen. Poor Lachs was at his wit's end on one of his visits. I really thought he would have a nervous breakdown soon if he couldn't resolve things. Stephen had a Nanny to look after him and was with Audrey's parents in Surrey. They were getting on in age and really felt they couldn't cope. As Lachs sat and I held his hand during this recital of his worries for the boy, I looked at Anne. There was an imperceptible nod.
"We'll have Stephen," I said.
Lachs looked up, startled and looked at both of us. We both smiled at him and then we both hugged him as he wept with relief.
With Audrey's agreement and Lachs' blessing, Anne and I formally adopted Stephen Cameron Thomson and on December the twenty-first 1955, the son we couldn't have ourselves was ours now.
The boys were overjoyed. A ready-made brother. That first night as Nanny put him to bed Francis and James crept in and sat beside the cot and between them read their most favourite story to him, The Swiss Family Robinson.
There was also some rather startling news as well. Two days before Christmas Eve Lachs said he wanted to talk to me and Flea privately. We went upstairs to the bedroom they were sharing and Lachs said he'd got some news which was quite horrific in some ways but he wanted us to know as it finished off a rather sorry story. He told us that Fitzroy and Castleman had managed to get themselves discharged from the Army and had set up a clandestine business dealing in small-scale armaments. His department had been monitoring their activities and they were so inept all their transactions were followed up without them knowing. They had then got involved in supplying arms to the EOKA terrorists in Cyprus. What the pair didn't know was that the guns involved had been doctored and were inoperable and very dangerous. A couple of terrorists had been killed trying to fire them and a couple of others had been badly injured. The pair had been asked to go to Cyprus by one of the English connections to the terrorists who had told them there would be a big order for them. All their movements were followed except their last meeting. The next day two very badly beaten bodies were found on a mountain side. Lachs said their deaths would be reported as accidents caused by falling off a cliff edge.
I watched Flea's face as Lachs unfolded this tale. He broke down and wept as Lachs finished and I held him tight. They were tears of relief for himself and those other boys who had suffered both at the hands and the pricks of that evil pair. They had engineered their own downfall. Flea said some of his own squadron were based in Cyprus and were in daily fear of their lives and if those two had succeeded in selling arms to the terrorists they might have contributed to the deaths of young soldiers and airman stationed there. Lachs said he had been to see both Mr Fitzroy and Colonel Castleman the previous weekend to explain what had happened. He said he'd never seen two men so heart-broken at the news of their sons' perfidy and wickedness. He had promised them the news would be kept quiet and he knew we would keep all this to ourselves as well. His friend Bradley had been to see the lad who had been raped and he would be seeing the other young man in the New Year. He hoped that the whole episode would be closed.
I commented on the fact that I'd noticed how much more relaxed he'd been since Stephen's adoption had been finalised and how tense he'd been before that. He smiled and said it wasn't only the resolution of Audrey's departure but he'd been the one assigned to the tracking of the hideous pair's activities. The more he learned about them the more angry and upset he got and this had been going on for well over a year. He told us in confidence that they had picked up rent-boys in Piccadilly on more than one occasion, for example, and had raped them quite mercilessly with two of the boys ending up in St Mark's with torn rectums but dead scared of reporting anything to the police. He had, as it were, to stand by knowing these things were happening but powerless to do anything as he knew they were traitors to their country as well and would be caught in the end. Finally, their duped clients had taken their revenge. What an end!
Next day they both said how glad they were we could hear that tale together. Lachs had been a little wary of how Flea might have reacted when reminded of those episodes in his younger life. Flea said he was sorry I had to be there but he was so much happier now that it was all behind him and the other lads. He smiled and said he and Lachs had shared their love for each other even more passionately that night than often before now both had had resolutions to episodes in their lives. They both valued my friendship even more now that Stephen's future happiness was assured. The only blight they still had was what would become of Penny.
Our family gathering that year at Christmas was huge. Ma, Pa, the Marchams, Tony, Lachs and Flea. Jem and Sam came with Luscious Lucius and prepared and cooked and then sat with us and all celebrated in real style. Pa and Ma stayed on with an increasingly agitated Pa. All was revealed as in the New Year's honours list there was further advancement. For Services to Her Majesty's Scientific Establishment, Dr James Thomson CBE was awarded a knighthood. So Uncle Dick and Pa were now both Sir. Oh, that meant Ma was now Lady Thomson! Not many people would associate J T Fountain, the celebrated detective author, with her! I did confess to Dr Butler as I gave him a copy of her new book 'Mystery in Limehouse' as a Christmas present. He just rocked with laughter and said that was the most interesting thing he'd heard for a year and wait until he told Buffy Johnson and Jos Palfrey! I wondered then whose hand was behind my appointment?
I had my own little triumph too. I had practised very hard on the piano imported from my old home in Kerslake and in early December had taken the piano playing examinations for the Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music. In January 1956 I heard I'd been awarded the diploma.
**
Our big excitement was the visit we were to make to Rome at Easter. Anne hadn't seen her brother since his ordination and desperately wanted to see him again. So, all was arranged. I had never flown before so this was going to be a great adventure. Flea didn't help as he said there was a general law in physics 'What goes up must come down'!
All went well, the two boys were so excited at looking out of the little windows and commenting on what they saw the time flew, just as we were! We had chosen a hotel just off the Via del Tritone, near the Trevi Fountain. Who should be waiting there in the foyer on our arrival but Mike. Still red-haired, stocky and full of life. Francis and James were not taken aback by his cassocked figure, they were used to seeing Dad in his gown and various others in their clerical dress in Cambridge. Hugs and kisses all round and two nephews had a new uncle to add to their list!
Our ten days there were hectic. I think I was more exhausted than the boys who insisted on seeing everything. The boys' faces were a picture as we were escorted by a tall red, gold and blue clad Swiss Guard to Mike's office to meet his boss, the Monsignore. He was just an older version of Mike, cheerful, welcoming and a wow with the boys who were very taken with his brilliant red cummerbund and red buttons and wanted to know why Uncle Mike hadn't got them as well. "All in good time," Monsignore Vicente said with a twinkle in his eye.
As well as a tour of the Vatican museums and visits to churches, fountains and the ruins of the Forum we had to visit the parish where Mike was attached. It was in a really slummy area but the people we met were cheerful and the reception we got from the parish priest and Mike's horde of youngsters was quite overwhelming. Without a word of Italian Francis and James were swept away and spent a couple of hours with the kids of about their age, coming back having learned at least three words 'not for polite company' according to a laughing Mike.
Numerous postcards were chosen and sent. We let the boys choose most. They insisted buying a postcard of a Vatican guard for Johann. I did point out he was a Protestant and wouldn't be eligible but James said he thought he would look nice with that uniform and the tin helmet on. I had lusted somewhat after the one who had guided us, he had a certain swagger in his step and had a very trim figure. I could just imagine my well-dicked cousin...... Daniel was sent a postcard of the Laocoon. Whether Francis had a memory of seeing Daniel with his rather larger Gallic cock than the miserable-sized implement of the struggling father and wanted to compliment him, I didn't dare ask. At least the old boy's balls were a decent size. I did notice James peering at the two sons - no doubt comparing their attributes with his own and Francis's. Although they looked teenaged the lads looked as if they had no more to offer than my two much younger sons. Francis tugged at my arm at one point in the museum, after studying row upon row of nude male statues, and stage-whispered the question 'Why do they all have those shells on?' which amused two rather portly American tourists also looking on. I didn't like to say they were probably embarrassed at not having much to show - but then I had never seen a modern-day Greek in the raw, so didn't know if they were as poorly endowed as in the uncovered examples of their ancestors.
Young Stephen was sent a card of a nude statue of Lucius Verrus equipped with a large shell. "Cause when Nanny sees it, it doesn't show his winkle'. When Francis read the name he had a great fit of the giggles and insisted we also sent a copy to Jem, Sam and Luscious Lucius. 'Can we buy him a shell?' I said it was supposed to be a fig-leaf. Then got into trouble from Anne when I tried to explain that a certain Pope didn't approve of his statues and had bits chopped off and fig leaves attached. Ever pragmatic Francis wanted to know what happened to all the bits and that was where Mother stepped in! She said they were probably in the cellars, and, no!, we couldn't go and find them even if Uncle Mike asked where they were!
Oh, when did boys get obsessed with their greatest objects of joy? I had heard great giggling coming from the bathroom one night in Cambridge where I had left the pair in the bath while I went to get fresh towels from the airing-cupboard. On return both had miniature stiffies and Francis announced they were playing submarines and promptly bent his down under the soapy water much to James' amusement who promptly did the same. I said I wanted to see two well-washed hulls and to make sure there were no barnacles on their bottoms. This provoked further giggles with James turning over in the bath to display a rather hot-water reddened backside with the assertion he was sure he had no barnacles. One thing I had noticed was that even though a year younger young James was slightly ahead in length.
Another night the giggling was over the withdrawal of immature foreskins. I suppose having a companion could give one confidence over time. I tried to remember back to my own interest in 'winkle'. Other than a couple or so comparisons with Tony in the seclusion of his shed of the 'You show me yours and I'll show you mine' variety where the comparisons showed we had equal attributes, until that momentous occasion of the joint wank, I couldn't remember much. I suppose I'd handled it so many times when peeing it had just become a natural thing to have. Of course, the main thing in those days it was useful for was pissing competitions. Even then, Tony invariably won, although I could get up a good head. I think he cheated by tanking up with innumerable glasses of water beforehand as he always initiated them! I didn't cotton on to that until much later!
Dr Palfrey was sent a card of Marcus Aurelius on his horse as Francis was fascinated with the old boy's eldest son's name and had met his sons Jason and Troy, slightly older than mine but becoming good friends. Their favourite, Dr Butler, was sent a card of a colourful frieze with peacocks on it. Francis wrote that these were even better than his canary which was sure to make him laugh. Ma and Pa got a rather decorous card of a bit of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel which Francis had announced was a bit too far away to see properly. Willy Roberts and adored Maggy were sent 'Augustus of Prima Porta' as both Francis and James thought the stern figure looked like him. As undergraduates cowered before him it wasn't far wrong.
The highlight of the visit was the private audience, with about a hundred others, with His Holiness Pope Pius XII. As small children were not normally admitted, but had been at the insistence of the Monsignore who was a personal friend of the Pope, young Francis and James were specially blessed as Pius moved along the line. Afterwards, Francis said Uncle Mike, who was there as well, would look good in white. We would have to wait and see if there was ever a second English Pope!
Mike had told us of the recent career of someone already in white. His cousin, Vince Hare, was now ordained as a White Father and was serving as a teacher in a school in Africa. He, too, had found his vocation.
We all needed a rest when we got back so went to Ulvescott to plague the life out of the other set of grand-parents, Uncle Tony and the assorted ladies. The boys slept together in Piers' room with Nanny and Stephen in the Horsebox and Anne and I had the African room. Once again they noted how nice the place was and how they liked it. James whispered to me that he thought the boy lived in the room when they weren't there. How true, but I knew he was there all the time watching over us!
One afternoon we lost Stephen and found him curled up against Finbar under the grand piano. No way was Finbar going to let him come to any harm!
At home Stephen had made friends with the two girls next door on the other side. The elder one, Caroline McIntyre, was just over four and chaperoned him and her younger sister Lisa, also two now like Stephen, and the three played happily together either at their house or in ours. My now sophisticated older boys rather looked down on very young girls and, although loving Stephen dearly, thought he had found much more suitable companions. Francis and Grunty were inseparable and James tagged on as a willing slave although he didn't always let his elder brother have full sway.
Mr McIntyre owned a large shop in the centre of Cambridge and was already in his forties. His first wife had died of breast cancer and he had married Ina, his much younger personal assistant, after three lonely years. Ina was a perfect mother as the two girls had been born when Arthur had thought he would remain childless. His garden was perfection and not made for children so I think he was secretly glad that the girls made our over-large garden, with climbing frame and slide, their second home. We got on well, he shared his gardener with us who grumbled incessantly, but patiently, about the constant tidying up which was necessary. Pa and the gardener spent many happy hours trying to get the 'building site' as Pa termed it into a semblance of order. I said he was only jealous as he couldn't even have a window-box at the flat. He said he had the finest gardens in London across the road and he didn't even have to mow the lawn!
In June, Pa had his investiture at the Palace. I and Ma went to see him dubbed with the sword by the Queen. My proudest photograph is of us three standing outside the Palace with Pa holding up the insignia of his knighthood, the two males in top hat and tails with Ma in a sweeping, elegant long frock. The rest of the family had their noses pressed between the railings of the forecourt and there was a special cheer as we were led to the gate by none other than our escort, Equerry to Her Majesty, Major Augustus Lascelles, Blues and Royals, marching stiffly, no doubt because of his leather jockstrap, I thought! He winked at me as we left and whispered 'Tell Marcham to get in touch'.
While in London I went to see Mr Blane, now well-past retirement age, to deliver yet another translated manuscript. I also wanted to discuss the possible publication of a book I was writing. He listened to my description and took the summary I had typed up and said if it was as good as my mother's novels and my translations he would be happy to have it looked at. In fact, Ma's contact with the firm was no other than Kanga who had been recommended by her when he had got his London BA, first class, and was now a valued member of the publisher's staff. He was seeing the first volume of Tony's story through the press at the moment. Kanga also said he and Audrey were marrying in August and had a very nice flat in Bloomsbury which they were already sharing, she was a theatre sister at Great Ormond Street hospital now.
Ma said she had been approached after the success of the film by the BBC about a series of television plays based on her books and any other ideas she had. The contact there was no one other than Billy Clarke working as a junior producer. He and Roddy Smollett, his companion and past fellow sergeant tester, were great pals now of Ma and she delighted in their company as they escorted her to plays, concerts and operas when Pa was too busy. They were full of scurrilous gossip about the whole of theatreland she said and if Tony heard half of it he would be writing books for ever! I got the impression when meeting them at the flat one night preparatory to a visit to the Opera House of the five of us, Pa not coming, that they lived a rather 'gay' life. In fact, that was the first time I'd come in contact with that word. If what Billy whispered to me as we waited with drinks in the Crush Bar was true then half the familiar names and faces in the crowd were actively shagging one another, and that was only the males! He said Nobbo was contemplating marriage, poor sod, and he and Cleggy were now assistant clinical lecturers in the hospital school. I hoped Isabella might provide Nobbo with plenty more orgasms by insertion just as, no doubt lusty-looking Roddy was doing for equally husky-looking Billy.
To be Continued:................