Francis

This story is for persons of eighteen years or over. All comments, good or bad, are welcome and all will be answered.

Part Twenty Four

It was late afternoon when we saw the little cub circle the house and land without hardly a splash on the water and taxi to the end of the jetty.

`Sam said you would want to see these as soon as possible,' Stephen said as he came up to us at the bar. He gave me a couple of typewritten sheets of paper. They were the closing prices of both the London and New York stock exchanges. The London prices showed the most marked change by the fall of the price of P. & O. shares after my load were dumped on the market. I got the best deal out of it and I thought that the rest could go and sod themselves. KuOil had risen, but not as much as the other shares had fallen by, which pleased me. The other from New York was the best. They had managed to secure one and three quarter million of the shares of Transline, the price only going up during the last two hours of trading, and closed at thirty six cents per share. Wait till next week, I said to myself.

The next bit of news was just as good and he could hardly contain himself to tell me.

I might have gone out on a limb, but I did it in good faith,' he started off with to try and possibly minimise any wrath that it might cause. After speaking to the American consul's aide, I approached Lockheed, the aeroplane manufacturers. They've got a new jet prototype and when I said that I was representing an hotel chain and was wanting a private plane to start with and maybe a fleet to follow, they couldn't get a man down to Nassau quick enough. You get reactions when you wave a dollar bill in front of them.

I explained what you wanted, he said that it wouldn't be a problem to convert one in about two months. That's where I went out on a limb. I said one month or we approach another company. We haggled, but it's going to cost a few thousand dollars extra. I told them that time was more important, and that if you found it was satisfactory, you might buy more for a regular airline service. I don't know if I did right or not?'

Perfect Stephen. Exactly right. Pressure them. We are the buyers and therefore expect what we pay for. A month you say?' He nodded. What about a crew?'

Well again, I spent a lot of the time that I could in the lounge speaking to England. I'm afraid I might have run up quite a phone bill.' I waved that aside. I spoke to people I know about crew and we should get some feed back during next week, giving them a month as the time span. I've also spoken to the pilot's and crew that have been coming in into Nassau and the response has been somewhat responsive, but we won't know for a little while. That we would be paying above the going salary rate might bring more response than we need.'

`All the better. Let it be known too, that bonuses would be far better than what they are getting now. Don't be afraid of pushing it Stephen because your money will go up too. If we can get this off the ground, I will want you to take charge of the airline side of the business. If this means giving up being the ferryman for the island, so be it. I think Claire would prefer it. What's she doing now that you've settled in?'

`She's got a job at the local school, teaching English. Pay's not good, but then, it's just to keep her occupied and she enjoys it. Stephanie's going to the same school, so it's good for both of them.'

`Well if we expand as we might well do, keep Claire in mind to be your assistant if it happens. Now I'll leave it to you to sort out a crew for this plane, bearing in mind that it will be based in England. We cannot afford to keep it on the ground at London Airport, so we'll have to find an airfield close to London with maintenance facilities. Then it can fly into London to load up and return, so the crew will need to live close to where it will be hangared.'

`You seemed to have thought it all out,' he said.

`If you want to be the executive director, you'd better start doing some of the thinking from now on. So I'll leave it all up to you now to see about the plane and crew, okay?'

`Well, I don't know what to say Francis. I thought I would just be a pilot, but if you have the faith in me, I'll do it.'

Well done Stephen,' I said. You've already shown your potential in regard of the private plane, now make it all work. Just talk to Sam about finance, but keep me advised through Lou.' He went off happy as a bug in a rug. From pilot to a possible executive of a small airline I think was a bit much for him to take in all at once, but I was sure he would come to terms with it. I'd also told him about the morning flight from London and also to see Sam about the others from the consulates.

Penny and Lou. You've just seen a master of men take a man and make him into a God,' said Wesson, leaning back in his chair as we sat on in the lounge. He's going to go home and be a king in his house and his wife is going to praise him to the skies. Let's just hope it doesn't go to his head.'

Don't be so sarcastic,' Penny expostulated. What she's just done was wonderful. Didn't you see his face?'

`I did. I've seen that face many times now and it doesn't surprise me anymore. Whoever she comes in contact with, leave feeling favoured and they all fall in love with her. I did, and you did, otherwise we wouldn't be here.'

`Well I'm glad I did!' said Lou.

`And me!' echoed Penny.

`And what about you?' I asked of Wesson, hoping I'd get the right answer.

You know I love you. I fell in the trap and glad that I did. I just didn't really know how far you could go in winning people over to your side. It's just a case of the carrot without a stick, which I've never seen used before. You know girls,' he said sitting up in his chair. I've seen Francis knock a man out for insolence and that same man be eating out of her hand a week later, loving whatever she wished to dish out. I've never stopped being amazed at it and I just hope that that gift that's she's got, never disappears.'

`You're a cynic,' stated Lou

`Maybe. All I hope for is that she doesn't aim too high. I don't know if I'd be able to handle the high stratosphere.'

`Oh Wesson! Slap me down if I try to go too high. I rely on you being my anchor, the reason for keeping my feet firmly planted on the ground. You know I need you.' I had to stop speaking. I was beginning to lose it a bit in this exchange and I didn't want to start to beg and plead for what started out as a normal conversation and was now developing into a conflict.

I'm sorry Francis,' Wesson said quickly and came off his chair to touch me without overdoing it in front of the girls. I went too far, I'm sorry.' I fought back my tears and tried to keep my composure and was saved by dinner being announced. I perked up during dinner and Wesson made up for it when we went to bed that night, that being the penultimate night of our holiday.

The London foursome arrived just after eleven next morning and they were allocated house number one in adjoining rooms. The Americans arrived just after them by boat while the French couple wanted to arrive by plane and waited in the lounge for Stephen for the second flight in. Wesson and I had seen them arrive as we lay down by the pool and I didn't want him to mention that we were the owners, let them think that we were guests too, I told him.

The girls had been down to the beach and joined us for a drink just before lunch. The other guests had drinks at the bar and it was good to hear the comments in the dining room from the other tables. The English foursome disappeared off to the beach in the afternoon and I sat by the pool and talked to the French couple while Wesson spoke to the Americans. William spent most of the time writing notes and going round and checking that all was functioning with his machinery.

It was a happy and yet sad dinner that night, it being our last before going home, and I sat down at the piano after and played Clare de Lune before giving it over to the pianist. I didn't really feel in the mood, but I was coerced into singing some songs for them before the evening was over.

God I'm going to miss this bed,' I said to Wesson as we broke apart after nearly an hour of sucking and licking each other till we eventually came, and I moved up into his arms to kiss him. What about you?'

I'm going to miss all of it,' he said, running his hand up and down my bare back as I half lay on him. The sun, sand and sea as well as the pure luxury of the place. But I'll still have this brown bare bum to remind me. Talking of which,' he left the sentence unfinished and I took the hint and rolled off him to get a condom. I gave out a groan of ecstasy as he entered me from behind, his hands caressing my cheeks as he moved in and out. For a man of nearly thirty, I was pleased that he could still get himself up within an hour to do it again.

All five of us left the next day after lunch and saying our farewells. The baggage going by boat and directly to the airport while we stopped off to say goodbye to Sam and have a drink in the lounge bar.

Then it was the night flight to London, which landed us there at six thirty on the Monday morning, and it's needless to say that we didn't go to work that day. Palmer was pleased to see us though he told us that just after we had left, news had come from the village that Mrs Truell had passed away. He'd contacted the florist and had a wreath sent to the funeral in Trowbridge on my behalf, for which I thanked him.

William had gone home and the girls went to bed as soon as we arrived as did Wesson and I, leaving all the mail to sort out in the evening. When we did tackle it, I found an invitation for Gervaise from the French Embassy to attend their party on Bastille Day in a fortnight's time.

Wesson wasn't very enthusiastic about going when I said that he had to come with me, but then, I wasn't either, but couldn't really refuse it. I kept Penny and Lou busy dictating till late in the evening before calling it a day as I think we were all tired again.

I was pleased to see that Palmer had hung the finished picture of Wesson in the bedroom above the fireplace. It looked so right being there and we chuckled over it because we knew that when he had sat for it, he'd been wearing a pair of shorts, out of the picture, below his uniform jacket. He also liked the touch of having the large portrait of my two selves in the background.

The first thing Wesson and I did when we got to the office next morning, was to go to the gym as we both needed the exercise to bring us back to our fighting weight. Half an hour was enough to exhaust and leave us panting and covered in sweat before we went for a shower.

Then we spent another half hour in the shooting gallery before going to the cafeteria for coffee before attending to our paperwork. My heart sank at the huge pile that had accumulated in just over a week and wished I hadn't come back. It was with some relief when Frobisher sent down a message that he wished to see us.

`Well I'm glad you're back and I want to say thank you for such a splendid break. I don't often get the chance for a holiday, so it was most welcome. You must be proud of what you have achieved in such a short time for the place was magnificent and I would have liked to stay longer.'

`Thank you sir, but please feel free to use the island whenever your work permits. But I would advise to book as I expect it's going to be full most of the time from now on.'

Then it was back to the mundane job of reading snippets of news to gather intelligence for our reports. Mine being culled from French newspapers and agents from France while Wesson dealt with Germany. The actual running of the agents and operations was from what we called the front desk, ours being some way behind them in the pecking order. We just supplied relevant information forward up the chain though we still gave a report to Frobisher.

Back at home, Penny and Lou were sorting out my affairs that had accrued by us being away. The houses were being let as soon as they became ready for occupancy and would soon be time to start looking for government work to keep the boys busy, and make some money. Goods news was that both the French and American embassies had agreed to rent out houses on a permanent basis for their visitors. The brochures for the island would be ready soon too for sending out to selected clients.

Then came Bastille Day, the 14th of July and I was glad that I had made Wesson get an evening dress earlier in our relationship. He looked really smart when he was dressed up, and I too had to wear bloody trousers again as Gervaise. Palmer had made enquiries at the French embassy and found out that I would have to wear the ribbon of the Legion of Honour on my jacket. It was a very formal affair, full of dressed penguins and gaudy women with impossible hairstyles. We kept as low a profile as we could during the evening of champagne and eats from the buffet, and were glad when we could make our escape.

We laughed as we recalled the pomposity of most of the people there as we went home and I was glad to get out of that suit and into bed. Wesson, I'm glad to say, was now as keen to take me into his mouth to suck and chew as I was to do the same to him.

That I made him into a homosexual was an unfair slur against me. It was he who had fallen in love with me, knowing what I was, so it is unfair to blame me completely. All men have a certain amount of female hormones in their body, only some have more than others do, whether that has anything to do with cocksucking, I don't know. But as I said, he was as anxious to suck mine, and did so with finesse, swallowing the result like I did, though I much preferred it when he made love to me in whatever position he wanted me in. To have another man penetrate me from behind is being a true homosexual and I'm not ashamed to admit that I love every minute of being used as a woman.

As to Wesson being a homosexual I think is wrong as he still liked women, to look at as well as fuck, though I think he did prefer the tightness of me above the others. So when I later went onto my knees and he pushed into me, I said that I loved him and gave myself up to the pleasure of him fucking me.

It was on Friday that I got the first inkling of trouble on the horizon in affairs abroad. It was a small article in one of the French newspapers of some interviews with French shop and night club owners in Cairo. They had claimed that they had lost business with the anti British riots but even more with half the Egyptian army out in the desert on manoeuvres and the rest confined to barracks.

On an impulse, I put through a phone call to M. Dubois in Paris, Frobisher's opposite number and I asked him if he could supply to me a list of guests at the Bastille Day function that would most certainly have taken place at their embassy in Cairo. My wine that I had given him when we last met paid off, for I got the list that afternoon.

It was further strength to my suspicions when I ran my eye down the list and saw the two names that I had once seen on a piece of paper a couple of years ago. General Naguib and Colonel Nasser, and these two names had been linked with that of King Farouk on that document. I'd foiled one attempt of the Egyptian army getting surplus weapons but they probably had other resources to obtain them from. Now these two men were in Cairo while the rest of the army was out on manoeuvres and it didn't bode well, especially with all other army men being confined to barracks.

I pondered this over the weekend, the British newspapers not carrying anything of worth from Egypt due to the problems of our nationals out there in not being able to report properly.

It was only in the French papers that I read on the Monday morning did the facts start to emerge. Riots had flared up again to such an extent that certain squads of the army moved out to `protect' the embassies and key installations of the city. That was enough for me to write out an urgent report for Frobisher.

When I'd finished making copies of it, I went up to his office. I knocked on his door and hear a strange, yet familiar voice call out to enter. It was Smith sitting behind the desk where Frobisher normally sat.

`Hello Smith. Where's Frobisher?' I asked on entering the room.

`Gone to a funeral. I'm covering the desk for him,' was the answer.

`When's he due back?'

`Wednesday, or there abouts.'

`That's too late! This has got to be acted on at once,' I said to him as I passed over my report.

I don't know about the "at once part",' Smith said after he'd read my report. It's conjecture based on unsubstantiated facts. I think we'd better leave it for him to deal with when he returns.'

Smith! I warned about this some time back and I think it's about to happen. It can't be left till Wednesday or later. It's got to be acted upon now!' I shouted at him, before it's too late!'

`Francis. Frobisher left me in charge so I will deal with it. I'll speak to the Egyptian desk and wait for some concrete evidence to back up this report of yours before going off at a tangent on supposition.'

`The Egyptian desk? If you asked them if there are pyramids in Egypt they would say that they'll send an agent to find out! They're buck passers, the lot of them. Are you going to act on my report or not?' I almost screamed at him.

`I said that I will deal with it, okay, in my own way and in my own time.'

`Then I'll deal with it in mine,' I shouted at him and stormed out of the office and went back down below, seething.

I didn't think that Smith was a buck passer,' I raved at Wesson when I regained my desk. You read it and tell me what you think?' and I passed across a copy to him.

You may well be right,' he said as he read it. It definitely looks like it's going to happen, but we won't really know for sure until we get some more info on it.'

`Another doubting Thomas! Can't you read between the lines? Well if Smith is going to wait for Frobisher, I'm not!'

Now don't be hasty Francis,' Wesson warned as I picked up the phone. Oh shit,' he said softly when he heard me ask for the Prime Minister's office. The girl at the switchboard put me through to one of the P.M.'s advisers. I told him my name and that I was speaking from Frobisher's office and had very important intelligence for the P.M.'s ears alone. I gave him my name and number and he promised to ring back. I sat down and fretted for nearly half an hour before the phone rang, enduring the sombre looks of Wesson the whole of the waiting time.

One hour's time and I would have only ten minutes I was told. That was enough for me. I went off to the toilets for a quick pee and check my make-up. It was not Atlee now as Prime Minister, but the venerable Winston Churchill back in office. I'd never met him and I now had shaking knees at facing this tower of a man with just a hunch.

Nevertheless, I went round to Downing Street and was allowed in after giving my name. I was ushered into the Cabinet Room and there was the great man sitting in the middle seat surrounded by reams of paper strewn all over the long table. He was puffing on a cigar and waved me to a seat opposite through a cloud of smoke. I apprehensively sat down where indicated and passed across my report. He grunted as he took it and quickly read through it.

You're sure about this,' he asked through another cloud of smoke, this coup d' etat against King Farouk by the army?'

`Yes sir,' I said, putting as much conviction in my voice as possible.

Hmm,' he said as he picked up the phone. Get General Courtney here immediately,' he barked into the phone before replacing the receiver.

`Are you the Francis Lyon that's supposed to be my illegitimate daughter, sister to Sir Gervaise Lyon?' he asked.

`One and the same so to speak sir,' I admitted with a small smile. He chuckled before speaking again.

`I like that answer. Do you always go about wearing a dress?'

`Yes sir. It's my disguise. I tend to get more information from people dressed like this than if I wore trousers sir. It also gets me into places where men can't go and you know how women like to gossip.'

Okay Francis,' he chuckled again, I'll take it from here. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.' It was a dismissal, so I upped and left Downing Street and went back to the office.

Well? You saw the great man himself then?' Wesson asked as soon as I arrived. What did he say? Did he kick you out?'

No,' I said haughtily. He asked if I was the same person that was known as his illegitimate offspring.'

`He didn't?' Wesson breathed out, his eyes round with wonder.

`Yes, and he laughed. As for my report, I don't know. He called in a General, but I left before he arrived, so I don't know whether they are going to take any notice or not.'

`Well I've been able to get through to the embassy in Cairo while you were gone. They're besieged. No one in or out unless it's with an armed guard, and they've got no chance of getting to the palace. I told them of your report and they said that they could well believe it, which is a point in your favour. But there's nothing they can do about it if it happens. So, rotten as it is, I only hope you are right, because you'll be in deep shit if it doesn't happen.'

Let's hope it doesn't happen, that it can be averted, but I don't hold out much hope of that happening,' I said somewhat despondently. But at least I tried.'

Tuesday and Wednesday's papers told of riots in Cairo, and it wasn't until we got into the office on Thursday that we found that the Egyptian army had officially taken over the country.

There!' I said, slamming down the newspaper on my desk as I looked across at Wesson. Didn't I tell them? Didn't I?'

You certainly did,' he grinned. Wait till the boss sees this and your report.' Frobisher must have heard him because at that moment, the phone rang. Wesson picked it up and covering the mouthpiece whispered, He wants you upstairs,' before answering with nods and grunts before putting the phone back down. Well I think you'll get away with going over Smith's head with this. Good luck.'

I left our underground warren and went upstairs. He answered my knock on the door and I went in to see him sitting in his usual position behind the big desk.

`I'm sorry to hear that you went to a funeral. Anyone I know?'

`Harry's,' he said with a pained look on his face.

Oh my God,' I burst out, sitting down in the chair before his desk. Our Harry?' I think I had gone white in the face as I asked the question. He nodded, and pictures flashed through my mind of the times I had played in bed with him. Laughing and joking as we fucked and romped on the bed. Then the scenes of the theatre, of him on the stage, the fucking of another boy that led to our fight. I felt tears come to my eyes as these images passed through my mind.

`What happened? Why wasn't I invited?' I asked.

`It was for family only. The only outsiders were his Godparents, myself being one of them. Under the circumstances you will understand why when I tell you, as only Oliver and myself know the true events. Since you broke up with Harry, he's been going with someone else.

Well that person was with him at the Hall last week, and, I think it was on Tuesday night that Oliver went along to Harry's room for some reason or another. It was after dinner and everyone had retired for the night, but Oliver had something he wanted to ask Harry.

He went to his room and there he found Harry and his friend doing what you er, people, usually do to each other. They had a flaming row, which ended up in a fight. Oliver was in his dressing gown while Harry was naked as they fought in the bedroom.

Well the long and the short of it is, that it progressed out onto the balcony and Harry went over. Oliver was mortified. He told Harry's companion to get to his room and not say a word and that he'd better leave in the morning and keep his mouth shut.

Oliver then called the servants and they found that Harry had broken his neck. He smelt of drink, so they assumed that he'd fallen over by himself. Oliver didn't say anything to disabuse them of this notion, and didn't dare tell his father the true reason. The funeral was yesterday, and as I've said, it was private.'

`Poor Harry,' I said, and I felt the tears running down my face.

`Get yourself a drink,' Frobisher said a little huskily. This I did, making it a big one, and then went and sat back down in the chair.

`Now that's not the reason I called you up here, though I would have told you later. Now it's about this report you gave to Smith. I understand you went over his head with it, am I right?'

`Yes sir, but...'

`Would you have gone over my head if I'd been sitting here?'

`No sir, but...'

No sir!' He slammed his hand down on the desk. You read and evaluate and bring it to this desk. Here it is dealt with. You went and undermined Smith's authority. My authority! He was left in charge to deal with all matters that cross this desk, not you! Have I made myself clear on that?'

`Yes sir,' I said quietly.

`This desk makes the decisions! Do you understand that?'

`Yes sir,' I said meekly, but refrained from tugging my forelock as I spoke.

In future, do not go over the head of whoever is sitting at this desk. One day it may be you, and God help this country if that happens, I think World War Three would start!' He carried on in this vein for several minutes laying the law down in regards to the pecking order of the establishment. By rights I should demand that you go and apologise to Smith, but under the circumstances I think not, as it would look as though you were crowing.

Now with that out of the way, I should really congratulate you on an excellent report that has turned out to be right on the button, so to speak. The Prime Minister has already been on the phone to say well done, but we were unable to act on it. The Embassy was tighter than you know what, so we couldn't get the message across. Now it's a matter of mending broken fences.'

What these fences were supposed to be, he didn't say, so I left his office after being suitable bollocked and downcast at the news of Harry's death.

`Well?' asked Wesson as soon as I appeared in our little place of work.

`To mix metaphors, I got my arse kicked and my back patted at the same time. Also he told me of the funeral he went to.'

`Anybody I know?' Wesson asked.

`No. It was just somebody I knew a long time ago,' I answered as I sat down to a heap of flimsies, snippets of information that would have to be read before filing. I cried that night as Wesson made love to me.

The next three weeks went by in a state of boredom, reading, reporting and filing. Back at the house in the evenings, Lou would bring me up to date on all that was going on with my various businesses. The properties were well on the way to completion, being well ahead of schedule, over half of them finished and occupied. I told Penny to make a note for me to start making overtures to the Ministry of Works in regard to what contracts they would be putting out for tenders. The news from France was that the new vines had taken well and could expect a crop next year and that the chateau work was well in hand.

My shares of Transline and KuOil had gone up several points and word had come through from Nassau that the private plane was ready and that a crew was flying out from London to take delivery of it. It was a peach of an aircraft Stephen Myers had excitedly reported and should be in service by the end of the week. This was good news and on an impulse, sent a message for him to order another one, not quite sure if there was enough money over there to pay for it, but what the hell, the money will turn up from somewhere.

Lou was really fully employed now keeping track of all my money and I kept Penny busy with all my correspondence, so the next bit of news from Frobisher annoyed me. He'd phoned down for Wesson who dutifully went in answer to the summons. It was a Friday afternoon and it wasn't far off knocking off time and he came back down and slumped in his chair, his face looking rather glum.

You're not going to like this,' were his first words. Many thoughts went through my mind and he interrupted them with, I've got to go to Germany next week to cover the number two position out there.'

Oh shit,' I said. For how long?' hoping that it was only for a week or two.

`Six to eight weeks,' was the answer.

`Hell! Six to eight weeks! He must be mad. You said no of course. If not, I'll go up there and talk to him.'

Won't do any good,' he replied. I said that you'd probably argue against it and go and see him, but he said that it wouldn't make any difference if you did go and see him. He's not going to budge on this. The number two has to come to England for a brief and training to take over the number one slot next year.'

`What about the third in line?' I asked.

He's coming over too. He's to be moved up to second, so he needs to be properly briefed,' Wesson said with a sigh. He also wants me to take Penny with me,' he added almost as an afterthought.

`Why don't you take both and be done with it and leave me completely alone,' I snapped back at him.

Don't take it out on me!' he said, snapping back. I don't want to go, but I've got to.'

Sorry Wesson,' I said contritely, it's not your fault. When does he want you to leave?'

`Monday morning,' he said quietly.

Bloody hell. We'd better feed you up then because you've got some serious fucking to do this weekend to make me last out for six weeks without you,' I said somewhat petulantly. So let's knock off now and get started.'

That was some weekend, I can tell you. Wesson looked as if he was at death's door come Monday morning. We never left the bedroom from Friday night till that morning. Three times Friday night, five times during Saturday and another four over the Sunday. My arse was sore, but so was his dick. When he wasn't fucking me with it, I was sucking on it, coaxing it back to life to do me again. I think he was really glad to see Monday morning.

I went into the office after he and Penny had left and I had to sit on a cushion. Some other hand sat opposite me, and to this day, I cannot remember his name or what he looked like for the whole time that he sat at Wesson's desk.

I think it was the Thursday after Wesson had gone that I knocked off early and went window shopping. I wandered into Fortnum and Mason's on my little tour to see if there wasn't anything that could lift my jaded spirits. I was just passing the delicatessen counter when a man turned away and bumped straight into me. His hands held my shoulders to prevent me from falling and himself from treading on my toes.

I do most humbly apologise...Francis! What a sight for sore eyes,' the man exclaimed who was none other than Clement Fairweather of the P. & O. line. Francis!' He exclaimed again and gave me a smacking kiss, straight on the lips. I was too stunned to answer him at that point. `It's Clement! Don't you remember me?' he asked laughingly.

Of course I do,' gathering my wits together. It's just a shock bumping into you like this and you not being in uniform.'

You look more beautiful than ever,' he said, his hands still at full stretch on my shoulders, lovely as always.' I wasn't wearing one of my best dresses, but it was at least better than those I had used to wear on board ship.

`What are you doing here?' we both asked of each other at the same time.

`You first,' I laughed, my spirits lifting at the sight of him.

`Just buying a few delicacies for my next trip, and you?'

`Just window shopping really. I was at a loose end so I came to look.'

Well you're loose no longer,' he said letting go of my shoulders and taking my arm and putting it through his. This calls for us to have a drink and talk over old times, yes?' he said with a grin. It was an infectious smile and it lifted me out of my doldrums.

`Why not,' I replied, and let him lead me out of the store. We made small talk as we walked down the road. He was now captain of the Indus and expected to be Commodore of the fleet in two years time, if not sooner. That depended on whether the present incumbent on the Andaman didn't have a heart attack or some other mishap. I should have known this, he said, but I didn't tell him that I had sold all my shares in the company and therefore didn't get circulars anymore.

I was not surprised when we turned into an hotel and he collected the key to his room. I had guessed that was where we would finish up and I wasn't objecting as I wanted what he would be giving me. As soon as we were in his room he took me into his arms and kissed me passionately and I could feel his hardness pressing up against my stomach.

Oh Francis,' he breathed, you don't know how much I've missed

you when I'm at sea. You are constantly in my thoughts when I'm alone in my bed, wishing you were there with me.' I took this with a pinch of salt and asked for my drink that I had come to his room for. He broke the embrace and went and poured us both a drink from a small bar that he had in the room and then sat down with me on the small sofa. We toasted each other and I could see his eyes undressing me, so I quickly finished my drink and moved into his arms for him to kiss me.

As our lips and tongues met, my hand went down and stroked his hardness through his trousers which made him squirm so that he soon broke off the kiss, panting.

`Oh God Francis. Don't tease me. Please, let's go to bed,' he begged. I stood up and held out my hand for him to rise too. I then started to undress him as he tried to take my dress off, all fingers and thumbs till we were both naked. His erection bigger and harder than mine as we let the two meet between our bodies as he crushed me to him in another kissing embrace. We fell onto the bed rolling over and over till I gave up the struggle and lay beneath him.

Now Clement,' I panted out, I want you now.' He hastily got off me and the bed to fumble in the bedside drawer to pull out a condom and in feverish haste, put it on as I rolled over onto my stomach and rose up onto my knees.

`Oh God Francis,' he said again as his cock began to slide into me. I almost said the same thing as he pushed in till his thighs touched my bum. It was heavenly, feeling his throbbing flesh inside me, having been vacant for nearly a week. He groaned as I flexed my muscle as he began to move in and out, feeling every inch of him pulsate within me. I gave myself up to the pleasure of being fucked and I'm sure he was enjoying it too as his hands firmly held my hips as his own moved up against me.

Too soon he was panting and thrusting at me as he approached his climax, his fingers digging in hard as he groaned again and stiffened as he came. The short sharp jabs and the head of his cock swelling as each burst of sperm left him to fill the condom. His weight came down on me as he finished and I slowly eased us down onto the bed, keeping him tight inside until I was flat down with him on my back.

I moved on the bed to encourage him to do the same, which he did, and this made me come myself as my cock was rubbed on the rough blanket, my seed smearing my stomach in the process.

That was heaven Francis,' he breathed onto my neck as we lay there still joined together. I wish we could stay like this forever.'

`So do I,' I grunted. But it was not to be for he slowly slid out and rolled off me. I just lay there and let him deal with the soiled condom, which he did before rejoining me on the bed. I rolled over so that he could put his arm round for me to cuddle into the hollow of his shoulder. We lay like that for some time, stroking each other as he told me of his future plans. I let them wash over me as I fondled his balls, wondering when he would be ready for another session, which wasn't that long considering.

We fucked again before we had a shower and went down for dinner, eager to eat and get back to bed again. I drained him that night and gave him a blow job as dawn was breaking. He had to leave early for his train, so after kissing his cock and then his lips, I left him to go home, promising to write.

Don't ask,' I snarled to Palmer as I traipsed in at seven in the morning, seeing his eyes noting that I was still wearing the same dress when I'd left the house the day before. Let's just have breakfast in half an hour please.' I went into my rooms and headed straight for a hot bath. I must have dozed off for I heard Palmer knock at the door to say that breakfast was waiting for me.

Dressed and fed, I left for the office feeling better for the night's session with Clement. I said good morning to whomever it was sitting opposite me and knuckled down to clearing my desk of paperwork that had accrued during the night. So the day had been Thursday after all as I noticed the date on the papers I was reading and now I was looking towards a bleak weekend without Wesson. Salvation, if that is the right word came late in the afternoon from Frobisher.

`Francis! Please help yourself to a drink,' was the greeting I got when I entered his office. This didn't bode well when I was being offered a drink before anything was said I thought. I made myself a drink and then sat down to see what the summons was about.

I have been given a rather delicate matter which I think is right up your alley. Oh, forgive me,' he had the decency to blush as he realised he was making a rather bad pun which explained itself as he carried on. I have been instructed by the P.M. to get a question raised in the house regarding the strengthening of our troops in the Canal strip.' He was obvious referring to the Suez Canal after the forced abdication of King Farouk and the country being taken over by the army. `He can't himself make this proposal for various reasons, so he has asked me to get a member of the house to put forward this motion which he can then act upon.

Now there is certain member from up North who is, shall we say, is inclined to your way of thinking in regards to his sexual orientation. He doesn't know that we know. He thinks that his secret is well hidden in the closet. We, that is I, want you to open that closet and get him to put this question to the house. That we must put more troops into Suez to protect the Canal and our route to the East.'

You pimp, was the first thought than ran through my mind before others followed, these not being as polite as the first one. I took some time sipping my drink collecting my thoughts before I answered him.

`So you want me to bed him and then blackmail him to put this question to the house or announce to the world that he is as queer as I am? No way! I'm not about to reveal my true nature to anyone, let alone the world. It's bad enough that you and quite a few others know already, I don't want to increase the number.'

`Francis! It won't come to that. He'll back down and do as he's told. That I can guarantee. He'll fold. He's got too much to lose.'

`More than me? I doubt it. If he is that way, how can I be expected to pick him up dressed like this?'

I was thinking of Sir Gervaise, not Francis,' was his answer. I'm meeting him tomorrow night and I would like you to come along as my guest for dinner. I will be called away and he's bound to ask you to be his guest for dinner. That's where you take over.' I was silent, sipping my drink, waiting for him to say more. `Look! Wesson's going to be away for at least a month and how does that saying go? A slice is not missed off a cut loaf. This is the Prime Minster asking for this Francis.' He was pleading now and I wasn't going to let him off the hook.

`Wesson will kill me if he finds out,' I stated.

`So you don't think he's banging Bulstrode while he's over there?' was his riposte.

`She's family now and we know she's clean. This is a stranger that we don't know about. It's not the same.'

Okay Francis,' he said in a resigned voice. What is it you want, quid pro quo?'

`I never said that!'

`It boils down to the same thing.'

No it doesn't,' I said heatedly, though I knew I would screw him down eventually. It's just that I don't really want to expose myself as Gervaise in this way.'

`You won't! He'll back down if he sees you are serious and would reveal yourself. He'll see his position is more vulnerable than yours and will agree to your demands.' It made sense. All Members of Parliament think they are gifted and above the rest of humanity, so he would in all respects, back down and do as he was told.

`Okay. I'll do it. You say dinner tomorrow night. Where and when?' Frobisher went through all the details and then left it up to me to follow through.

So next evening, dressed as Sir Gervaise, I left the house and went to Frobisher's club. I gave my name at the desk and was told that I was expected and led through to the members lounge. Frobisher saw me first and stood up to greet me.

`Gervaise! I was just talking about you to Maurice here. Let me introduce you. Maurice Denbigh, let me present you to Sir Gervaise Lyon, the dear friend of mine I was talking about just now.'

`Mr Denbigh,' I said, offering my hand, giving him a rather limp handshake.

`Sir Gervaise. It's an honour to meet you sir,' he replied, his hand somewhat more firmer than mine in the handshake.

`Please, if you are a friend of Frobisher's, call me Gervaise. It's more, shall we say, intimate. The title is sometimes embarrassing and gets in the way of people really getting to know one another, if you know what I mean?' I said. I saw Frobisher out of the corner of my eye stifle a grin.

`Quite right, quite right. People should be more frank with each other I've always said.' Pompous bastard I thought. He was about forty years of age, though he still had a good head of hair for a politician. Overweight by the look of it and not bad looking really. His features were regular and I think it was his looks that got him elected to office, not knowing his election promises nor even which party he supported.

I sat down as Frobisher ordered a drink for me and we made small talk till it arrived. I gave the appearance of being bored and pointedly looked at my watch. Frobisher made a show of noticing this and apologised to Maurice that we were going out to dinner. How Frobisher managed it, I don't know, but a buzzer went off in his pocket at that moment and he excused himself saying that he was wanted on the phone. He was only away a few minutes before returning to us with an appropriate contrite look on his face.

`I'm terribly sorry Gervaise but I've got to leave for the office. Something urgent has come up,' he said.

`But we were going to have dinner together,' I protested.

`I'm sorry. It can't be helped. I've got to go. Maurice? Help me please.'

`Of course. Sir...er, Gervaise. Would you be my guest for dinner?' Maurice had nicely stepped into the breach.

Well...' I said somewhat petulantly, looking at Frobisher, if you've got to go, well, you've got to go. Another night then?'

`Thank you Gervaise and to you too Maurice. Sorry to put on you like this, but, when duty calls...'

Farewells were said and I was then left alone with the Right Honourable Maurice Denbigh of God knows where in the North.

Not my type of man,' I said confidentially to Maurice after Frobisher had left. Always pumping me for information. I travel a lot you see. Meet quite a few important people and he always wants to know what their views are on the world. Daren't tell him that most of what I find out is in the bedroom.' I gave a little laugh at this. He would be most shocked if he knew the truth.' I left it at that for Maurice to work out before I carried on. I hope that I'm not putting you out, you know, dinner and all that,' I said with a sweet smile. I think the penny dropped because he became all smiles and assured me that he couldn't think of anything better than having dinner with me.

His choice of food was rather plebeian though he did choose an excellent wine to go with our meal. I made a point of touching his hand several times during the meal as I talked of various things.

At the second bottle of wine, our hands both touched the bottle at the same time and I held his gaze for several moments before slowly withdrawing my hand from the bottle. I could then see that he had got the message and I gave out some silly laughs as the level of the bottle went down. When, at the end of the meal he suggested that we went to his place for coffee and brandy, I gave him a fatuous grin and agreed.

I staggered slightly when we rose from the table and remarked that a breath of fresh air would be good for me, though in truth, I was perfectly sober. I put my arm through his when we reached the pavement and asked him how far was it to his place. Not far he assured me, and off we walked, me leaning slightly against him as though I was well on the way to being drunk.

It wasn't very far to his apartment, and we were soon inside where he poured me a very large brandy before he went and made some coffee. With our coffee and brandies, we made ourselves comfortable on his settee. He asked quite a few pertinent questions about what I did for a living, to which I replied that all I did was have fun. When he specifically asked what kind of fun, I went all coy on him. I told him of a Caribbean beach where you could sunbathe in the nude, and what sights you could see there, and that he wouldn't believe the goings on there.

`You mean that suntan you've got is all over?' he asked.

Yes,' I replied. And from the look on your face, I think you would like to see if it's true.' My speech was being slightly slurred at this time. If I show you my body,' I gave out a little giggle, you'll have to show me yours.' To this he agreed and so I made an effort to stand up and I slowly undressed, dropping my clothes on the floor till I was naked before him. `Your turn now,' I said. His eyes were like round balls in his face as he quickly stood up and stripped off till he was as naked as I was.

Turn round,' he said somewhat hoarsely. I did a slow turn keeping the muscles of my bum tight so that they showed up as solid plums of flesh. My God, all over,' he whispered. My body was a light golden brown whereas his was a pasty white and his cock was rising at the sight of my nakedness before him.

Gervaise,' he gurgled, moving slowly towards me. Can I touch you?' he asked. I nodded as he came forward, his hand reaching out to caress my skin. `You been in the wars I see,' he said, his fingers running lightly over my bullet scars. Then he leant forward and kissed the scar on my arm before going down and kissing the one on my side. I had an erection by then and as he was down there, I pushed his head towards it. He got the message and took me into his mouth and began sucking on me.

`Not too much,' I said softly as I stroked his hair. He continued for a few more minutes before releasing me to the air, which suddenly felt cold after the heat of his mouth.

`God, you're beautiful,' he said as he raised himself up. I suppose I did look good compared to him. Slim, muscled and tanned whereas he was white and slowly going to fat, a paunch already clearly visible with his erection looking slightly gross sticking out below it.

You're a fine figure of a man yourself,' I lied as I reached out and stroked and held his cock. I suppose you want to use this on me,' I said coyly. I don't think he was really believing his luck and I felt it swell harder in my hand.

`Oh Gervaise, I do, I do,' he replied in a shaking voice.

`Then use a condom,' I said, letting go of him and getting on the bed after I'd pulled the covers back. He fumbled in a drawer and quickly got one out and hastily tore the packet and put it on himself. I raised myself onto my knees as he got on the bed.

`Such a lovely brown bum,' he said in awe as he stroked the cheeks of my arse. He shuffled between my legs and his hand held one hip as I felt the tip of his cock touch me.

`Be gentle,' I said.

`I will, I will,' he replied breathlessly as he pushed into me. He gave out a groan as he slipped in, moving his body forward till we touched.

`That's great,' I said in a muffled voice from the bed sheet

`No, you're great,' he said as he began to thrust in and out of my passage. Both hands were now on my hips as he worked his backwards and forwards, his cock soothing the fire within me.

`I'm coming Gervaise, I'm coming,' he called out as he began moving more urgently. I just grunted as he began pushing harder and harder into me, then came the fierce gripping of his fingers as he began jerking up against me. I felt the cock head swell each time that he surged out his seed and it made my own cock throb at the pleasure of his coming.

He was panting heavily as he pulled from me, getting off the bed and going into the bathroom to dispose of the condom. He came back with a wet flannel and wiped my bum for me as I lay flat now on the bed.

`That was just great Gervaise, just wonderful. Would you like your turn now, or later?' he said.

`Now,' I said, rolling over and getting off the bed.

`In the drawer there,' he pointed, and I found the condoms and put one on myself and turned to find him bent over and ready for me. I was quickly on the bed and soon pushing myself into his white backside. I suppose my small cock wasn't giving him much fun because he kept urging me to push harder, be a bit rougher with him. I gave out a little cry as I came, letting him know that it was happening. Soon I pulled out and also disposed of my condom in the toilet and wiped his bum as he had mine. He rolled over on the bed and held out his arms to me and I got back onto the bed and let him hold me.

That was great Gervaise,' he said. I think he liked that word as he seemed to use it quite a lot. That was great,' he repeated, his face quite close to mine. `Can I kiss you too?' he asked. I nodded and let him kiss me, and at least it wasn't a wet kiss but dry and firm, and I quite liked it.

We lay there kissing and stroking each other for at least an hour before he asked if I would stay the night with him.

Of course I will,' I said, reaching down to fondle his semi erect prick. I think this wants me to stay too,' I laughed. Then I wriggled out of his arms and turned round in the bed and went down and took him in my mouth. Being still on the limp side, I was able to take it all in and suck on him. He too took me in his mouth so that we could both pleasure each other at the same time. We carried on like this as our erections grew, slowly emerging from our mouths as they got bigger and harder. I teased his with my teeth and tongue, nibbling the shaft and poking at the eye before licking it.

`I'm going to come if you keep that up,' his voice muffled by my cock.

`Then let's do it,' I said, briefly relinquishing him to speak. With that, we worked on each other till I felt him stiffen and he came at the same time as I did, both of us swallowing the emissions without pausing in our sucking till we were both clean and empty. Then I turned back round in the bed and pulled the covers up over us and we went to sleep.

When we awoke in the morning, he had another hard on and I insisted that he fuck me again as I had enjoyed him so much the night before I told him. He did it with gusto and I did enjoy it.

I had a shower before getting dressed and asked why wasn't he going to work. It was the summer recess, and Parliament wouldn't be convening till October he told me. I wondered if Frobisher had taken this into account that the question wouldn't get asked for another month. Well, that was his problem, not mine. Mine was how long could I keep this up before telling Maurice what was expected of him. Well I could as long as Wesson wasn't home, but it would have to happen before he did.

So for the next few weeks, I would meet Maurice every other day and spend the night with him. We fucked each other senseless and he couldn't get enough of me until I hit him with the bombshell. I'd already been inside him and he'd just finished with me and we lay together when I told him that Frobisher had given me a message to give to him. He blew up.

I can't ask that question on the floor of the house,' he shouted. My leader will think I've gone mad. I can't do it.'

`You'll have to, otherwise Frobisher will expose us. Knight of the Realm and prominent M.P. in a homosexual relationship. Front page news.'

`What about you? Don't you care?' he asked in a scared voice.

It doesn't matter to me,' I shrugged. I don't care one way or the other. I haven't got a reputation or job to keep. I'm my own person and besides, I spend most of my time outside of the country.'

`But what about us? We would still be able to see each other, wouldn't we?' he was almost pleading.

`No. We'd have to finish soon, before my boy friend comes back.'

`Boyfriend? You never mentioned that you had a boyfriend.'

`You didn't ask. I don't know what would happen if he found out that we had been seeing each other. He's an ex-commando and he'd probably kill you if the press didn't.'

`Oh shit!' Maurice said as he turned his face to the pillow.

`So I think it would be a good idea to do as Frobisher wants. That way nobody will find out and we'd both be safe.'

`But it's blackmail,' he wailed.

I know,' I shrugged, but what can we do about it? I don't care for myself, it's you I'm worried about. The public humiliation, loss of your job and then there's my boyfriend to consider.' I let him stew in this as I held him in my arms as he cried

Okay,' he snuffled after a little while. Tell Frobisher, the bastard, that I'll speak in the house. After that, I never want to see or hear of him again.'

I'm sure you're doing the right thing,' I said as I stroked his tear stained face. Now give me a kiss and in the morning we'll have the best fuck we can manage.'

`Oh Gervaise, I'm going to miss you.'

`I'll miss you too,' I said softly, and I cuddled him till we fell asleep. Next morning, with a long face, he gave me a savage fucking out of desperation, it being the last time he would have me. I too was savage with him in return, really slapping his arse before taking him, which I had found that he liked very much. He was in tears as we kissed goodbye for the last time, and I really gave a sigh of relief that it all had gone well.

`Well done Francis,' Frobisher said when I reported for work and told him that it had gone off as he had planned. I hadn't gone into details, suffice to say that the job had been done and the question would be asked in the House.

`You won't tell Wesson of this little escapade?'

`Of course not! What do you think I am, a blackmailer? If I did, you'd only take him away and then I would lose two of my best operatives. So put your mind to rest on that score, this was just between the two of us.' I had to be content with that as I went back to work and wait for Wesson to come back home.

This he did on Saturday the 27th with Penny in tow. Lou made a big fuss over Penny as I did over Wesson when they arrived at the house. Lou and I had agreed to make a party of it and that is what we did. Palmer and the Perkins put out a good spread and we all enjoyed the party and went to bed all quite pissed. Wesson wasn't drunk enough that we couldn't make love to each other and it was nice to have him back inside me again. Not once, but three times before breakfast. I was happy that he was back and couldn't stop myself from telling him that over and over again.

He didn't like it when I said that I thought he'd put on weight, so it was back to the routine of throwing each other around in our gym. We preferred our own gym to the one at the office, because we could wrestle and fight in the nude. It can really turn you on when you fight naked, bodies all sweaty and slippery making it difficult to grip properly.

Wesson was much stronger than I was as well as being taller, but I was more agile and wiry, so we were really evenly matched. We'd grapple with each other trying to get the right hold to be able to throw the other to the mat. Red faced and sweating, we'd strain against each other and just the physical contact would arouse us both. I quite often let him win these contests because of the outcome.

We'd both be getting tired and out of breath when he would get me in a full nelson, his arms up under my armpits and his hands on the back of my neck. His body heavy on my back in this position and his erection squashed hard against the top of my backside.

I would then concede and releasing my neck but still keeping his hands under my arms, would slide down my back until his cock was free. Then he'd push forward and enter and fuck me on the mat, pushing hard into me as I pushed back hard to him.

I'd come all over the mat whilst he came inside me, throbbing and pulsating as he did so, making my insides turn to jelly. Then straight into the showers to clean ourselves off and finishing up with us kissing and holding each other under the spraying water. I loved that man so much that my heart sometimes felt it would burst.

So I planned a holiday for us all. I thought it was time we tried out our new plane, which was now in service. It was now running a regular flight to Nassau every Saturday taking people out to the island and bringing some back. The place was now running at just over half capacity and was expected by next year to be full every week. The word was getting round about it and our rooms in the big house would always be available as they were not to be let under any circumstances unless it was a guest of mine.

Frobisher of course didn't raise any objections when I said that Wesson and I wanted a week off and so Penny made the arrangements for the plane to be ready at London airport for us on the Monday, which was the 6th October. The girls were excited as I was and I think Wesson was too.

We were all up early and reached the airport just after six where we met the crew of the aircraft for the first time. It had been decided that it was time for Gervaise to visit the island, so that was how I was dressed for this trip. Penny was ostensibly my girl friend as Lou was for Wesson.

Good morning Sir Gervaise,' the pilot greeted me with his hand outstretched. It's a pleasure to meet you at last. My name is Lockheart and this is Watson, my co-pilot. Sergison, flight engineer and navigator and Turner, our flight hostess.' I shook hands with them all before introducing them to our little party.

The crew were all young and healthy looking and Turner, Naomi the badge said, was very pretty. They were all dressed in blue uniforms, lighter than those that British Airways used, with the Lyon Air logo on their breast pockets. We were in one of the private lounges and Lockheart asked to be excused as they were now about to board for the pre flight check. Ten minutes and all would be ready for our flight, so they went off with porters following with our luggage.

The wind whipped round us as we walked across the tarmac and it was a relief to climb into the small compact aircraft, Naomi greeting us as we filed into the cabin where the seats were. I knew there were twenty seats, all empty now, and to the rear were the bedrooms that we would inspect later during the flight. The door was shut as we settled into our seats and buckled ourselves in as the jet engines whined as power was increased and we left the terminal.

Welcome aboard Lyon Air for the flight to Nassau,' the intercom spoke to us, the voice being that of the captain. We've been cleared for takeoff at seven and expect the duration of flight to be eight hours. Time of arrival would be ten in the morning, local time. We'll be travelling at approximately thirty thousand feet at a speed of around five hundred and fifty miles an hour. Naomi will now run through the safety procedure and in the pocket of the seat before you, is also a printed card of the same. If you require anything at all during the flight, press the button above your head. Breakfast will be served in one hour but please remain seated and buckled in till the seat belt sign is switched off. Hope you enjoy the flight.'

With that, Naomi went through the safety checks and made sure that we were all buckled in properly and then came the surge of the plane as it roared down the runway and up through the clouds to burst out into brilliant sunshine. It was a smooth take off and I could see that the others enjoyed the roominess and comfort of our seats as much as I did. Naomi fussed round us, getting us drinks before she saw to our breakfast, which was most enjoyable. After which, we were shown the rest of the aircraft and I just loved the bedrooms that we'd installed.

Compact and most comfortable and I winked at Wesson as he tested the bed in what would be our room. He grinned and gave an extra bounce to the mattress before inspecting the small bathroom. The girls were also delighted in what would be their bedroom on the return flight, though to keep up pretences, Penny and I would enter the main bedroom leaving the others to find their own. Then with the interconnecting door between the two rooms, we would switch partners.

I couldn't wait to try out the bed and so I had to wait for a couple of hours before saying that I was going to take a nap. Wesson said that it was a good idea and that he would too, so into separate doors we went to meet again in the main bedroom.

`What do you think?' I said, sitting down on the bed and holding out my arms to him.

`Terrific,' he said, sitting down and kissing me. It seemed strange to be kissing him while I was dressed in a suit and not in some pretty dress.

`Let's join the mile high club,' I said to Wesson, getting up and making sure the door was locked and quickly got undressed. He stripped off too and we were soon kissing and cuddling on the bed, our erections hard and pressing against our stomachs. Then he was behind me and put me in the club. How I wished it could have been the pudding club, but sadly, that would never happen. It was great all the same. Being shafted by the one I loved and could see clear blue skies and white fleecy clouds outside as he smoothly fucked me, letting me feel heaven as well as see it.

Then it was his turn for the club, and it was great, fucking him and feeling as high as we were. Being cleaned up and satisfied, he went off to the other room for a nap and mess up the bed for appearance sake.

After a couple of hours we returned to the main cabin for lunch and I suggested that the girls might like to have an afternoon nap, to which they giggled and couldn't get out of their seats fast enough. Wesson and I smiled at each other as we knew what they would do as soon as they got in there.

That was wonderful,' Lou told me a couple of hours later when they returned. It's a real turn on doing it so high up in a plane. Did you?' she asked and I just smiled at her and she gave me a grin back along with a nudge. Then I saw the co-pilot, Watson coming along the short aisle towards us.

`Captain Lockheart has asked if you would like to see up forrard sir,' he asked.

`Most certainly,' I replied, and made my way forward to the cockpit and was surprised at how small it was, and absolutely full of switches and dials, except for the windows. You could see for miles and miles across the cloud tops, it was a most wonderful view. He pointed out some of the controls, the most obvious of course.

`I wanted you to have a look now because I had hoped for you to be in here for the landing, but I'm afraid we're about to run into some bad weather. We've just had the word from Nassau that it is absolutely falling down. Almost a hurricane, but not quite, so it will be seat belts for this last leg of the trip I'm afraid,' he said apologetically. So I went back to the main cabin and had a large gin and tonic at my seat as the sign came on to fasten our belts. I told the others to expect a bit of a rough ride into Nassau. It was not long before the plane was bucking about, but after an hour we landed in a howling rain storm.

`Welcome to the sunny Caribbean,' Wesson said as we looked out at the pouring rain.

`They're sending a car out for you,' Naomi said, and sure enough, a limousine pulled up at the bottom of the steps and Stephen jumped out and put up an enormous umbrella and came bounding up the steps.

`Welcome to sunny Nassau,' he quipped.

`I just said that,' growled Wesson.

`Sorry about this weather Sir Gervaise, but we're over the worst of it now. If you would follow me please.' He kept me covered as we hurried down the steps and I got into the vehicle. He then went back and one at a time, escorted the others down till we were inside in the dry.

`It's really choppy out there sir. The plane cannot land in this weather and the boat ride would be rather hairy. I recommend that you stay on shore till tomorrow when they say this will have passed over us.' He had to speak loudly because of the drumming rain on the roof of the car.

That's fine,' I shouted back. Take us to the Hilton.'

`I took the liberty of reserving some rooms expecting you to say that sir.' I nodded, and sat back as we drove off the tarmac and we were waved through passport control and customs without being stopped. Our luggage was put into another car behind and it followed us to the hotel.

We were effusively greeted at the reception by the manager, who I think was very pleased that we were forced to stay on the mainland and not go on to the island. We had adjoining suites and I said that we didn't really need to unpack as I was sure that we would be able to get to the island the next day. So the two girls had one suite and Wesson and I, the other. I wasn't tired, but I told the girls that I was going to have a nap so that we wouldn't be disturbed.

So Wesson and I spent the afternoon in bed arousing each other in turn and taking the end result which satisfied me immensely. Dinner was a gay affair, though I wished we had been on the island for the meal. Then it was back to bed to take up where we had left off.

The storm had blown itself out sometime during the night and the morning was bright and sunny. So after breakfast, the limousine took us back to the airport and Stephen was there waiting to ferry us to the island. The luggage was taken on down to the quay to be shipped over in one of the boats.

We took off and soon the plane was skimming across the water, which was still quite choppy and could have been unpleasant for the girls. I had sat in the front seat next to Stephen and had put on the headset so that we could talk over the noise of the engine. He asked how had I liked the plane and I told him I was very pleased, and he already knew that I had ordered another one. He told me of the guests that were already on the island and the excellent comments of others that had spent some time there.

Then almost casually he mentioned a Mayday that had been sent out from a freighter during the height of the storm. The position given had been about sixty miles or so, south of the island. No, he didn't know any more than that when I asked him.

On an impulse, I asked him if he had full fuel tanks, and when he said yes, I asked him to fly towards the island, but in a zigzag fashion. He gave me a quizzical look, but didn't argue. The others in the back spotted that we kept turning first one way and then another, and shouted out why? I shouted back that it was just a detour and we would be landing soon.

We flew the sixty miles but didn't see anything, and then on an impulse, told Stephen to do one wide circle south and west of the island. Those in the back chirruped when they saw us turn away from the island, but I just waved my hand back at them.

Then we spotted the freighter. It was further west than expected and it was wallowing in the choppy seas, listing at about fifteen degrees from the upright.

I asked Stephen to fly as low as he could and circle the stricken ship. I asked if he had a spare headset so that I could speak to Wesson and Stephen indicated a small locker. I also found the other thing I was going to ask for, an Aldis lamp. I passed the headset back for Wesson to put on and then gave him the Aldis lamp.

`You know Morse code?' I asked him when he had the headset working.

`Yes,' he replied.

`Well keep signalling that ship to see if there's anyone on board as we fly round her. Can you see any sign of life Stephen?' I asked.

`No. She's broached as you can see. They probably thought she was going to roll over, so they abandoned her. The lifeboats have gone.'

`Did they pick up any survivors?'

`I don't know. Shall I ask the Coastguard?'

`No. Keep radio silence on this. Get us down to the island as quick as you can. Any signs Wesson?' I couldn't hear the lamp that he was flashing.

`Nothing. She looks deserted,' he replied.

`Note the bearing Stephen and get me to the radio phone on the island.' We pulled out of the circling pattern and headed North East for our island and were soon setting down by the wharf. I was first out after telling Stephen to get ready for take off again in a few minutes.

`Get the girls off Wesson. I'll be back in a minute. Stay on the plane.' I had to remember that I was not supposed to know anybody here or where the radio was. Victor was coming out to meet me as I ran to the big house.

`Are you the manager?' I asked of him.

`Yes sir. You must be...' I cut him off.

`We'll talk later. This is urgent. I must speak to Nassau immediately.'

`Yes sir. Right this way. I must say I'm pleased to meet you,' he said as we hurried into the building.

`Get me Sam as quick as possible please, and I'd like to speak to him in private.'

`Yes sir,' he said as he fiddled with the dials, and when contact was made, left me alone. I spoke quickly and briefly, telling him what I wanted and that we would be with him in a very short time so he'd better shift himself. I ran back out and caught the girls just as they were coming into the hotel.

`Now look girls. Do not under any circumstances mention that ship to anyone here till we get back. Do you understand? Pain of death otherwise.' They said that they'd keep quiet and I said that I would explain later. I then ran back down to the jetty and got back in the plane.

`Nassau please Stephen,' I said as I belted myself into the right hand seat and put the headset on again indicating for Wesson to put his on.

`Have you ever done any salvage Wesson?'

`No,' he replied.

`Neither have I, but we're damn well going to have a go.'

`You're joking surely?' he said incredulously.

`That is our new aeroplane if we can pull this one off.'

`It's a ship for Christ's sake. Not a bloody plane,' Wesson retorted.

`The profit from the salvage! That ship must be worth a couple of million dollars at least. Let's just hope we can get back to it first,' and I prayed that we would.

We soon flew in and settled down on the water of Nassau's harbour and slowly coasted up to our landing stage. Sam was hurrying along the quay to meet us at the steps.

Hello Fra...'He caught my look and hastily amended himself. Sir Gervaise. Welcome to Nassau. Well I've started getting what you wanted together, but it's going to take at least an hour. Can you tell me what for, or is it a secret?' I was hurrying along the quay making him almost run to keep up with me. As we went along, I told what I planned to do.

`You must be joking?' he protested.

`That's what Wesson said, but we're going to do it. I only hope nobody else knows where the ship is at this moment. Have they picked up any survivors yet?'

`I believe they have just done so,' he panted.

`Then we haven't any time to lose.' We'd reached his shop by then and I was pleased to see that our lawyer was there. I quickly filled him in on what I wanted and to check with the marine lawyer as soon as he got in to have the wording on the contracts right.

In the meantime, I dictated a rough agreement that I wanted the six men to sign before we pushed off for the ship. People were beginning to arrive at the shop, two of them carrying an inflated rubber dinghy while others carried ropes and other stuff I'd asked for.

`Where the hell is that marine engineer?' I asked of Sam.

He's on his way,' Sam said. You did want rather a lot done in such a short time.'

`Time is what we don't have if we want to secure the ship. Look, we'll push off on the boat. Speak to the island to send the other boat back as soon as possible. The engineer can come out on that. Get him to sign a contract first though. Also draft up one with the marine lawyer for the two tugs. Pay them whatever they ask and get them out to us fast, again after signing the contracts. Stephen. You'll be on standby to take messages from Wesson's lamp and relay them on. It'll take us at least three hours to get out there so you can leave in about two and half hours time and guide us to the ship.

Sam. Get bedding for eight of us and food and water for three days. The boats can take it in turns to stand by us in case we have to abandon it ourselves. More food can be sent out later. Right, get the men to sign their contracts and we'll shove off.'

These contracts were for them to be paid fifty dollars a day until their return to Nassau. Also there was a life insurance clause that I would pay ten thousand dollars if anyone died because of the venture. This was the clincher for them. They all signed willingly and got themselves and the gear down to the boat, which happened to be "Francis". So "Wesson" would follow out later with the engineer and our supplies.

We piled into the boat and set off heading for the island, and once near it, Stephen would be overhead to guide us to the ship. When we were well out to sea, I then told the men what we were about to do and I think the adventure excited them, just as much as the pay. It would normally take them about three weeks to earn what I was paying them for a day, so they were very enthusiastic.

To be continued.

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