This is a story that involves sex between males. If such a story is offensive, or illegal for you to read where you live, then do not continue,
go and surf elsewhere.
This is a work of fiction and in no way draws on the lives of any specific person or persons. If there is any similarity to any real persons or events it is entirely coincidental.
The work is copyrighted (c) by the author and may not be reproduced in any form without the specific written permission of the author. It is assigned to the Nifty Archives under the terms of their submission agreement but it may not be copied or archived on any other site without the written permission of the author.
My thanks to John who has read this through and made a number of corrections and suggestions. Any remaining errors , grammatical, spelling or historical or whatever are entirely my fault.
We are back with a character who speaks with a fairly cockney accent, hence the dropped aitches, and Vs for Ths, and an ink' in place of ing' at the end of some words.
Thank you to those who have commented on my stories. If you want to comment on the story then do contact me on Jeffyrks@hotmail.com. I aim to reply to all messages.
Two Jubilees and Spitfire. Part 45
A wry smile formed on Trevor's face when he read in the Guardian that the great day of the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations was to be the fourth of June. It would be his seventieth birthday. Over recent years birthdays had become less observed, and less looked forward to. There would a few birthday cards, from Lizzie, and young Trevor, from Zach and Adam, and Gloria. Since Ross' death young Trevor always liked to take him out for an expensive meal in some exclusive West End restaurant. Zach and Adam would come down the following weekend, and take him and Gloria out for a meal. There would be a birthday celebration in the bedroom later, with many ribald comments and wonder that he could still perform! As to the Queen's celebration, he might well watch a bit on the television, but he would prefer to spend the time on his computer, reading a book, or working in the garden.
Since Ross had died he felt his life had becoming predictable and boring. Most of the time he spent at his cottage in Buckinghamshire. But two or three times a month he would go up to London to go to the theatre, or a concert, or to see some new exhibition. Then he would stay at his apartment in London usually for one, or at the most two nights. The predictability was broken three or four times a year when he was asked to give a lecture somewhere or other, and for the now traditional annual holiday when he took Lizzie to some place to which she had not been.
Gloria was happy to be left on her own. She found enough to do during any day, and most evenings were spent keeping up with her soaps.
The gay scene offered no attractions for Trevor. That was for the young, the very young to him. As he approached his seventieth birthday he became resigned to the fact that his sexual prospects were nil; that the fever of life was over, and his work done. He often looked back over his life: he remembered in his mind the good times, the good friends, the great sex he had enjoyed, and the good sex he still enjoyed with Adam and Zach. He recollected with gratitude his present friends. Then with a resigned sigh he would turn again to the newspaper, or the book he was reading. He knew there could be no replacement for Isaac, or Paul, Kundi or Ross.
As the Golden Jubilee drew closer there was a slow, but surprising, rising of interest and enthusiasm in the country.
In a rather strange way the death of the Queen's mother, Elizabeth, or `the Queen Mum' as she was affectionately known, drew the nation's attention to the monarchy, and its role in society.
Trevor's decision to go up to town was made at the last minute. The Tuesday dawned bright and sunny.
"Will you be all right if I go up to town?" he asked Gloria.
"Of course, I will. Just don't go standing around too much on that bad leg of yours."
Trevor caught a train from High Wycombe, and made his way through the growing crowds towards The Mall. Back into his mind came the memory of King George V's Silver Jubilee, when he had sat on his father's shoulders and watched the procession go past on its way to St Paul's. He presumed he had seen the young Princess Elizabeth that day. No one in the crowd had expected her to become Queen and reign for so long. She had done a good job. Perhaps he should complete his royal duties by watching this latest royal Jubilee procession.
He was surprised at the size of the crowds, and their almost un-British enthusiasm and emotion.
He stood in the third row of the crowd and watched the procession. He saw the Queen and Prince Philip go past in the golden coronation coach. The crowds cheered, some wept, all were amazed at the affection shown for the Queen. The stirrings of republicanism were pushed on to the back burner in those few days of celebration. Trevor turned to leave, and saw a man with a shock of white hair, possibly slightly older, standing next to him.
"She's been a good Queen. Hardly put a foot wrong," said Trevor.
"Yes. She was well trained by her Mum and Dad."
Trevor thought he detected a slight West Country accent. "You come up specially?"
"From Somerset. She presented me with a gong some years ago,
and I thought the least I could do was to come up to London on her big day."
"Somerset? I was in Somerset for a few months at the beginning of the war."
"I live near Wiveliscombe now, where were you?"
"Binchcombe"
"Binchcombe! I lived there when I was a boy. Whereabouts were you?"
"Joliffe was the farmer's name. I was evacuated to a family called Hearn."
The man looked at Trevor intently. "You Trevor? I've forgotten your surname."
"Yes, Trevor Russell, why?"
"I'm Harry! Harry Hearn."
"Harry! Who'd `ave believed it!"
They shook hands, looking at each other intently.
"Fancy! Meeting up with you here, on this day of all days.
We could easily've been six feet apart and not met."
They stood there, with the crowd milling around them. Both wanted to say something, neither knew quite what to say.
"Let's find somewhere where we can sit and have a cup of tea, or something. Somewhere we can talk," said Trevor.
That was easier said than done. They made their way through the immediate crowds that were thronging the Mall, waiting for the afternoon's processions and celebrations. But thousands of others had the same thing in mind, a quick cup of tea, and then back to Mall for the afternoon festivities. Everywhere they went was packed and with a queue of people waiting.
"I know. I've got a very small place in Kensington. Let's walk through to Victoria Station, and there we can get a taxi to my place. We can be comfortable and talk in peace."
There were too many people around to be able to talk as they made their way to Victoria. There was no difficulty in getting a taxi, but again both were rather tongue tied in the taxi. Fortunately it did not take long, and soon they were in the lift up to Trevor's flat.
"It's very small. But I keep it on, as it is useful to have a place in London." Trevor opened the door and led the way in.
"Sit down, Harry. What would you like to drink, hot or cold,
alcohol, short or long?."
"I think I'd like a beer, please, Trevor."
Trevor disappeared for a moment and came back with cans and a couple of glasses on a tray which he placed on a small coffee table..
"Trevor," said Harry, still standing up. "I'm glad we've met up. There is something I want to say to you. I'm sorry."
"Sorry! Whatever for?"
"It has been on my conscience at times when I have thought about you."
"Whatever for?" repeated Trevor.
"For what we did in bed, and in that barn. It was very wrong of me. I was the older boy, and should not have made you."
Trevor reached out and placed both hands on Harry's shoulders. "Harry, you have no reason to feel guilty or ashamed in any way. I was more than willing. I enjoyed every time, every moment of our time together. Except when your Dad caught us! Those times with you were good. I don't intend to forgive you, I want instead to thank you. You were good to me, I think my times with you were one of the first experiences of love in my life, outside the love of my Mum and Dad. Thank you, Harry."
"Trev? Do I hear you aright? Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
"Yes, I am gay. What happened at your place in 1939 and 1940 did not make me gay. I'd 'ave discovered that truth about myself sooner or later. Episodes like that don't make a person gay."
A look of total relief spread over Harry's face. "I am too," he whispered. Harry put his hands on Trevor's waist and pulled him close. They hugged.
"Trev, can I kiss you?"
Trevor did not answer, but kissed Harry gently on the lips.
They stood together in silence, arms around each other, exchanging kisses and hugging.
"I think I'm going to cry," whispered Trevor.
"My eyes are moist already."
"I'm so happy."
"So am I."
"I feel almost as though I've come home."
"Life has made a full circle. A circle of over sixty years."
Eventually they pulled apart. They used their handkerchiefs to dry eyes, but they both laughed. Then they sat down and popped the cans of beer and poured them into the glasses.
"Harry, today is my seventieth birthday. Meeting you again is the best present I've ever had."
"I've never thought of myself as a birthday present before."
"I was once a birthday present, long ago. But all that is a long and complicated story."
There was a lot of catching up to do. In the course of the rest of that afternoon and evening their two stories were told. They were not told by one then followed by the other.
Neither story was told consecutively. There were frequent interruptions when questions were asked. But there were frequent diversions, as something was explained, some detail over the last sixty years that needed to be told.
Harry told about his leaving school, at the age of fourteen, the year after Trevor had gone back to London. He had worked on a farm for three years until he was called up into the army in the closing stages of the war.
"I presume you still had your school friends around to see to your sexual needs?" asked Trevor with a grin.
"Yes. Fancy you remembering that. Do you know, Trev, there is one thing about you that hasn't really changed at all."
"What's that?"
"Your grin. It's just the same."
"Did you see active service?"
"No I finished my training as the war finished, and I was posted out to Germany as a part of the army of occupation.
"Did you find someone to toss you off, as I used to, when you were in the army?"
"I did when I was abroad. I was stationed in Osnabruck. Things were a bit tense when I first got out there. But the British Tommy has a knack of making friends whenever possible.
First it was with the kids with sweets and chocolate. Then with the men with cigs, even Woodbines. With the women it was with coffee. The Yanks had it easy with the women, they had the nylons to give as presents."
"So?"
"I've wandered away from your question. There was a nice German lad working in the NAAFI as a cleaner. Blond, blue eyed, a bit younger than me. I started trying to learn some German. We got friendly, and found a quiet corner where we discovered that we enjoyed the same thing. Did you do National Service?"
Trevor gave an account of his two years, his training at Warley Barracks and Bury St Edmunds, before going out to Korea.
"Did you have any fun in your time in the army?"
"No."
"So nothing between with me and some time after."
Trevor laughed. "No, no no! There was a heck of a lot between saying goodbye to you, and National Service." He proceeded to tell about his early years. He told Harry about the way Fred had abused him. Harry listened with open mouthed amazement as Trevor went on to tell about Bill, and his work as a rent boy. He told Harry all about Isaac, and the friends he had had during his school days, about Fergus and Con.
"You had a colourful young life, Trev."
Trevor laughed. "You can say that again. Isaac was the making of me."
"Isaac?"
"I was his birthday present to himself, December 2nd 1943.
I was sent round to his house. He treated me differently. He treated me as a human being and not just an object for sexual gratification. I went round to his place again. I started staying with him, and in the end just before my Mum died he sort of adopted me. It wouldn't be allowed today. No way! But in the chaos of the ending of the war and immediately After, all sorts of things happened that would not be allowed today. I was no problem, I did well at school, so I remained with Isaac. As far as I know no questions were ever asked. He taught me German and French. I did well at school. Then after school it was National Service."
"But nothing during National Service?"
"Nearly. As I said, I was posted to Korea, and met up with a guy from Norfolk, called Eric. We were planning to get together properly when we got our Japan leave. But I got shot in my leg, up here."
Trevor rubbed the upper part of his inner left thigh.
"That was a near miss. An inch or so higher and you would have lost all your tackle."
"I know. The sad thing is that Eric lost his life saving me. I got invalided out of the army. Then after a year hanging around doing odd jobs I went up to university."
"Where?"
"Cambridge."
Harry's eyes opened wider.
"But what did you do after you were demobbed?"
"I decided I didn't want to go back on the land. So I decided to go into the building trade. I qualified as a bricklayer, and also picked up how to do a whole lot of other things. I worked hard, but never settled. I drifted from one job to another."
"Where?"
"Down in the West Country. I suppose it was about the mid fifties I decided I ought to settle down. I got married."
"You got married? Does that mean you weren't having any fun with men during the years you were `drifting around'?"
Harry grinned back at Trevor. "No. I was having plenty of fun. You get to know where, when and how. There was a group of us. A couple of guys had their own places. One had a flat, and another a small cottage. They kept open house. Sometimes a lot of us would get together, for what you would call an orgy today. We all knew where the key of the cottage was kept so that if two of us wanted somewhere to go, we'd go there whether the owner was around or not."
"Why did you get married?"
"Good question." Harry paused. "She worked in the office of the same business as I was working for. I was a foreman, and had to go into the office quite a lot. She set her sights on me. I wasn't a bad looking guy in those days."
"You're not a bad looking guy now," muttered Trevor.
"None of my mates at work knew of my extra-curricular activities, as they say. They were full of encouragement. They got me tipsy one night. Not real drunk, just merry. She seduced me in the car."
"And she caught on, and so you had to get married?"
"No. Fortunately there were no kids."
"Did you like it?"
"Yes, it was different. Interesting. Haven't you ever had it off with a lass, Trev?"
"No." There was a diversion while Trevor told Harry about Betty Bamford, and what had happened on the settee in Nottingham.
They drank several more beers, and eventually began to feel hungry.
"Shall we go out for a meal. Or send out for one, a pizza, or an Indian, or Chinese?" said Trevor.
"Let's send out. We can continue to talk without wondering what might be overheard."
"It wouldn't do for our stories of the gay life to be over beOMIT heard; even in this day and age."
"Let's have a pizza then." suggested Harry.
A pizza was ordered. The pizza duly arrived and was eaten.
It was nearly three quarters of an hour later when Harry picked up with his story. "It was sort of expected that we'd get married. I thought, why not?"
"What about your men friends. Did you give up seeing them?"
"For a while. Once we were engaged I gave that up. I soon realised, about six months into the marriage that what I really wanted was a nice cock, a pair of bollocks, and a good firm arse to screw. I'd been married about nine months when I made contact with the boys again."
"And?"
"They welcomed me back. I was soon trying to get away for some fun whenever I could. My job made that easier, because I was then working for someone else. The pay was better."
"How long were you married?"
"Just two years. I fully realised I was made for men, and not women. Our sex life which had never been all that wonderful began to get worse. Worse and less frequent. My wife, poor lass, liked sex, and wanted it all the time. I found I could not give her what she wanted, and she knew that early on. She too, decided to look elsewhere. I thought she was finding a cock that was giving her what she wanted. The long and short of the story is that she left me. I didn't protest. I was free. Eventually she persuaded me to divorce her! Ironic that, when you think of it."
"So you were back to your old ways with the boys."
"Then I got into trouble."
"What happened?"
"I got arrested."
"What for?"
"I got caught having sex with another guy in a public park one summer evening. It wasn't red handed but red cocked and bare arsed. I very nearly went to prison. I was fined, bound over, and the fear of God was put into me."
"I was nearly arrested once. I got picked up by the cops at a cottage near Burton-on-Trent. I said I wanted my solicitor from London! And pointed out that he would be very interested in their use of an agent provocateur."
"Yea. A lot of that went on. Nasty."
There was another diversion in the conversation which lasted about a quarter of an hour before Harry resumed his story.
"The court case got into the newspapers. My dear brother Billy read it. He was married by this time with a couple of sons. When he discovered that I was gay, he saw me as a potential threat to his two young boys. I was very fond of them. Good lads, I liked playing with them. But I've never been attracted to young boys, except you of course!"
"You were not exactly old in those days," remarked Trevor.
"For about twenty years I went my way, and they went theirs.
Then one evening there was a phone call. I answered it. `This is your nephews, Kevin and David. Can we come and see you, we'd like to take you out for a meal.' I was flabbergasted to hear from them out of the blue like that. Anyway they took me out for a meal a week or so later. They had just learnt from Billy why diplomatic relations had been broken. They had no problem with having a gay uncle, in fact they were rather tickled pink by it, and remembered me as giving them a lot of laughter and fun. Now they are in regular contact. Both phone every week, and one or other calls in, or invites me over about once a month. They're good lads, if you can call men in their late forties lads."
"How did your arrest and court case affect you?"
"I soon changed my job and moved away. I moved to Sussex.
I decided that I must be very careful. Even though the climate was changing. The change in the law was only three years off. What I'd been caught doing was illegal even after 1968.
We may have been consenting adults, but we were not doing it in private, rather in a public park. I decided no more outdoor fun unless I was very, very sure it was safe. From then on it was between four walls."
"Have you ever lived with a guy?"
"Yes. I lived with Tony from 1970 through to 1983. He was a hairdresser. He got cancer, otherwise I think we'd have still been together. Then in 1986 I met Phil. He was much younger than me, and into older men. We were together for ten years. Then believe it or not, he left me for an older man! What about you?"
Trevor told Harry about Ross. That took a long while. There was a great deal of comparing partners.
"So what did you do when Phil left you?"
"I was a miserable cuss for about six months. Then I decided to retire. I had done quite well. I got a good price for my building business. I decided to return closer to my roots. It took a year for me to get untangled from things in Sussex.
I was involved in a lot of charity work, and I was churchwarden of the local church."
"Did the vicar know about you and Phil?"
Harry laughed. "Oh yes, he knew. He is one of the most camp men I've ever met, as gay as you make them."
Trevor's eyes opened wide.
"He had a partner who lived in Brighton. The partner spent every weekend with Jim, the vicar. And Jim stayed for of couple of nights every week in Brighton. They always went on holiday together, twice a year, for two weeks to Mykonos, and another two weeks in the autumn to Gran Canaria."
"Why didn't they live together?"
Harry laughed. "Jim always said they were incompatible. Jim is one of these scrupulously tidy men. Everything has its place, and was in its place. His partner was untidy, chaotic. Jim said they could just stand each other for two weeks at a time."
"Did the parishioners know?"
"Some may have guessed. Jim's partner was kept very much in the background. Jim's vicarage was one of these huge Victorian barns, still had servant's quarters. So Alan, the partner, could be tucked away in the nether regions and people in the study or elsewhere would not know another person was there."
"Did the bishop know?"
"I'm not sure. Sometimes bishops don't want to know that sort of thing."
"But to get back to where we were. You decided to return to your roots."
"Yes, I sold up and moved back to Somerset. I have a small place just outside Wiveliscombe. Beautiful part of the world,
thatched cottages, quite picture postcard country. I've settled in quite well."
So their sharing of stories went on. It was getting late in the evening and the light was beginning to fade. Harry looked at his watch. "I must be going, Trev. It's getting late."
"Why don't you stay the night?" asked Trevor. with just a trace of the cheeky grin of his younger days on his face.
Harry looked at Trevor. "You've only one bed."
"So what? We have slept together before."
"Yes, about sixty two years ago. I don't know about you, but I've changed a lot since then."
"Older? Wrinkly? Hair appeared on your chest, once brown,
but now frosted? I'm the same," said Trevor.
Harry weighed up Trevor's proposal in his mind. "But what about my things at the hotel?"
"You can either get a taxi and go and collect them, or collect them in the morning."
"I have no pyjamas."
"I don't sleep in them, only when I'm staying in a hotel."
"Same here," added Harry. They both laughed. "All right then. But I'll feel embarrassed."
"I think I will too, a bit. But we've seen each other naked before, and I reckon we've aged together. You look in reasonable trim, and I know I am."
"Trev, there is one more thing to ask." He paused. "Can you, - can you still, you know, still get it up?"
Trevor laughed. "Not as often as I used to, but I can. Can you?"
Harry grinned and nodded. "I feel a delightful familiar stirring down here." He rubbed his crotch.
"You'd better be careful or you'll cum in your pants."
"Do you have anyone?"
"I have Adam and Zach. I told you about them. They come and see that my working parts are functioning properly. What about you?"
"No one since Phil left me."
"That's a long while, Harry. Not even a one night stand or a casual encounter?"
"Not even that. I occasionally do the necessary myself. Once a fortnight or three weeks."
"Poor you. Perhaps we can put things right." said Trevor shyly.
They stood up. Harry stepped across and gave Trevor a hug. "Trevor, it's good to meet you again, after all these years. I feel I've known you all along."
"Are you going to leave your things at the hotel until the morning?"
Harry thought for a moment. "I think I'd like to get them tonight. I've got a seat booked on a fairly early train,
it will mean I'll have one less thing to do in the morning."
Trevor rang for a taxi. "I'll come with you."
The taxi soon arrived. The taxi provided them both with the first opportunity to sit close and alongside each other. They had only got a short distance when Harry put his hand on Trevor's and gave it a squeeze. They looked at each other and smiled, and moved closer together. They sat there holding hands. Trevor waited in the taxi while Harry collected his belongings and settled the bill. They were soon back in Trevor's apartment.
"Shower and then bed?" suggested Trevor.
Harry nodded.
"The shower is very small, but I think we could both get in. Neither of us has a beer belly. If we had it would be a problem."
They went into the bedroom and began to undress. Soon they were both in their boxers looking at each other.
"I feel like a shy youngster", admitted Harry. "I've got a hard on."
"So I can see." Trevor laughed. "Let's pull them off together. One, two three, off."
They took off their pants and stood looking at each other. Both cocks were fully erect, and wouldn't have shamed a Testosterone-filled teenager.
"Long time, no see. It's grown a bit," said Trevor, and he took hold of Harry's cock.
"So's yours, more than a bit."
They looked at each other and smiled.
Trevor knelt and took Harry's cock into his mouth.
"You never did that sixty years ago," said Harry.
"Strange we never thought of it."
"You've done that before. You're an expert."
"I was well taught, and have had much experience."
Harry moaned with appreciation, enjoying the mounting sensations Trevor lips and tongue were causing. Then he reached down, and pulled Trevor to his feet. "Much more of that and I'd be shooting a load into your mouth."
"I'd be happy to receive it."
"Now it's my turn." Harry knelt in front of Trevor and did the same. But not for long, Trevor pulled Harry to his feet. With one mind they fell back onto the bed. For a moment they were side by side, and then Harry moved on top of Trevor. He looked down into Trevor's eyes.
"Yes?" asked Trevor.
"I was just thinking, what a coincidence. That in that throng of hundreds of thousands milling around outside the palace, I should meet the one person I wanted to meet."
Harry paused. "I missed you when you left Somerset. It was back to bickering with Billy. You meant more to me than a lad who was willing to toss me off."
"Make spunk, I believe we called it."
Harry laughed. "So we did. I enjoyed showing you round the farm. It was all so new to you. Do you remember sledging in the snow?"
They went into a period of reminiscence, but all the time their groins were thrusting at each other, and hands were feeling and stroking.
"I want to have a tasty mouthful of your man juice, Trev. You've made me shoot many times, now I want to make you cum."
Harry moved so that he lay between Trevor's open legs.
He kissed and licked Trevor's cock and balls. Then he took his cock into his mouth and with lips and tongue gave Trevor the best blow job he could. It did not last long. Soon Harry was receiving his mouthful. He swallowed and sucked down to the last drop. "Thanks, Trev, I enjoyed that."
"So did I." Trevor sat up and looked down at Harry. "Harry.
I want to make love to you, not just tonight, but again and again."
"Just what I was hoping," said Harry, looking up at Trevor.
"Now let me pleasure you. How do you want it?"
"I think this first time, I'd like you to do it as you used to, just using your hand. Other ways another time?"
"Fine by me." Trevor positioned himself alongside Harry, and just using his right hand he did again what he had done many times before, over sixty years earlier.
"Thanks, Trev. That was as good as down in Binchcombe long ago." He no longer shot as much, or so far, as he had done then.
They lay in complete contentment in each others arms.
"I think we'd better have that shower, don't you." said Trevor. "Or we will be stuck together like Siamese twins."
As they pulled apart Harry looked at the clock. "Is that the time. It is more than two hours since we came in here to have that shower."
"How time flies. A wonderful two hours."
They did not take very long having that shower. Soon they were back in bed. Trevor switched off the light, and they snuggled together.
"When can I see you again, Trev?"
"When are you free?"
"I've got to go home tomorrow. But give me a day at home and then I am free."
"Come to my place, and stay for some time."
"I'll come for a week, on condition you come down to me for the week after."
"That sounds good."
They drifted off to sleep.
They slept late, so parting was all something of a rush. Quick shaves, quick showers, and a quick breakfast. Trevor gave Harry directions as to how to get to Russell's. A taxi was called, a quick kiss, and Harry was soon on his way.
Trevor cleared up the apartment and was on his way home within the hour.
He arrived back at Potter's End just after mid-day. He paid the taxi from the station and hurried into the cottage. "Gloria! Gloria! Where are you?" he shouted.
"What on the world's the matter, you sound excited."
"Guess who I met yesterday."
"Lizzie?"
"No." A very broad grin was on his face.
"I know it wasn't Zach or Adam, as they phoned me from Birmingham. I don't know."
"Harry! Harry! The boy I knew in Somerset, the boy who made the Spitfire Zach used to play with, and you've dusted countless times."
"No! Where did you meet him?"
"In the Mall. We were standing almost next to each other. Out of the thousands there, we were next to each other, and spoke."
"Did you recognise him?"
"No. Sixty odd years have changed us both. Though he says I have the same grin. He's coming to stay the day after tomorrow. He's going to stay for a week."
"Where will he sleep?"
"With me, of course."
"So it's still like that?" said Gloria with a beaming smile on her face.
"Yes, it is still like that!"
Gloria came up and put her arms round Trevor. "I'm so glad for you. But fancy meeting him after all these years. I suppose you want me to kill the fatted ox?"
Trevor smiled. "Of course."
"Does he know you still have his Spitfire?"
"No. I haven't told him yet."
Trevor spend a large part of the evening on the telephone.
He rang Lizzie and young Trevor, Zach and Adam, Mark and Greg. all people who knew the story of Harry and the famous Spitfire.
For Trevor the next day could not pass quickly enough. The following morning was a brilliant sunny summer day. The flowers in the garden were in full bloom. The climbing roses that clambered over the old brick cottage scented the air, and wafted indoors through the open windows. Trevor could not settle down to do anything. Harry said that he would aim to be at Potter's End sometime between midday and one o'clock.
"Trevor Russell, sit down," commanded Gloria. You're like a teenage boy with his first date. You keep running around like a cat on hot tiles. You're flustering me, and I've got work to do."
"Sorry, Gloria. I will stay in here until he comes. Unless I need to go to the loo."
Gloria gave him the look she used to give Zach when he was naughty. "And you are not to do that more than once a half hour, understand?"
"Yes, miss," answered Trevor laughing.
Trevor heard Harry's car drew up and the door of car slam. Trevor was immediately out of the cottage. Harry came striding down the path.
"Good to see you again, Harry." Trevor flung his arms round Harry and gave him a kiss; totally disregarding what any watchful neighbour might think. "I think that has been one of the longest three days of my life. I'll show where you can put your car later. Come on in."
They went in, and immediately they hugged and kissed each other again. "Let me introduce you to Gloria, my housekeeper, and the one who keeps me in order."
"Mr Trevor!" expostulated Gloria. She shook hands with Harry, observing him carefully. She approved of what she saw.
"You've got a full time job keeping him in order, if he is still anything like the troublesome kid he was down in Somerset sixty odd years ago." Harry winked at Gloria. "You know, he's still got the same grin as he had then. That hasn't changed."
"Lunch will be ready in about half an hour."
"Come with me. Let me take you upstairs. I've got something to show you," said Trevor. He led the way upstairs to his bedroom.
"This is a nice room. I begin to feel at home here already."
The cases were put down, and Harry grabbed Trevor and gave him a hug and a kiss. "Let me give you a proper kiss. I couldn't wait to get here." He felt his cock harden so he thrust his groin into Trevor.
"Feels as though something else couldn't wait."
Harry reached down and felt Trevor crotch. "I think both old friends want to have some fun."
They were several minutes, hugging and kissing. The Trevor pulled away. "I've got something to show you." Trevor went across to the chest of drawers and turning handed Harry the Spitfire.
Harry took hold of it and looked. "The one I gave you?"
"Yes," nodded Trevor.
"You've kept it all these years?" Harry's eyes moistened.
"Yes. Just as I was leaving with my Dad you ran out and gave it to me, remember?"
"And you kept it all this time!" Harry sat on the edge of the bed, and pulling out a handkerchief, wiped his eyes. He held the model Spitfire, running his hand over the plain and worn surface.
"I'm afraid it's got a bit battered over the years. It has been played with by young Trevor and Zach too, when they were lads." Trevor looked down at Harry. "I have taken it around with me. My first present. It went out to New Zealand with me. I say it is like the Royal Standard on Buck House. It goes with me where ever I live."
Harry sat on the bed, turning the Spitfire over and over in his hand. He was unable to speak for several moments. Eventually he looked up at Trevor. "I don't think I've ever been so moved. That you kept it, treasured it all these years."
Trevor came and sat on the bed alongside Harry, and put his arm round him.
"Giving you this Spitfire was one of the hardest things I did as a kid. It was the best thing I'd made up till then. I wanted to give it to you, and yet I wanted to hold on to it.
That's why it was such a last moment thing and I ran out to give it to you just as you were leaving. Why have you hung on to it all this while?"
Trevor spoke carefully. "Because it was a present from someone I liked, no, I loved, in a boyish way. Through the years it has reminded me of you, and the good times we had together. You were so good to me. You played with me, spent time with me, and as we parted gave me this. Where I am in residence, there is the Spitfire in my bedroom. It has often made me think of you, Harry."
"What can I say, Trev?" Harry wiped his eyes again. "I've often wondered what happened to you. Yes, and felt a bit guilty about what we did. I think you were my first love."
"You were certainly mine. During the war years with the doodlebugs and rockets, Isaac strung the Spitfire up over our bed. I hoped you would have been happy watching Isaac and me making love together. It has seen a lot of fun and games, this Spitfire you made." Trevor laughed.
They looked at each other, and hands found hands so they sat there holding hands.
"All I did was get you to toss me off!"
"I enjoyed doing that each and every time."
"Do you know? I think I'm beginning to believe you." Harry leant across and gave Harry a kiss.
At that moment there was a shout from downstairs. "Lunch is on the table, so will you two men come and eat. There is plenty of time later for you to do whatever you are doing." Gloria chuckled.
"You see, Harry, I am kept in order by Gloria."
When they got into the dining room Trevor saw the table was just laid for two. "What's this, Gloria. Why's the table only laid for two?"
"I thought you two would want to be alone. I can eat in the kitchen."
"Gloria, just you set a place for yourself. We always eat together, and we are not going to start eating separately just because Harry's here."
"Yes, Massa!" Gloria dropped a quick curtsey to Trevor.
Harry picked up and examined one of the forks that had been set in front of him. "Solid silver! Mid Victorian too. Have you a full set."
"Yes. Why?"
"These must be worth a pretty penny. Where did you get them from?"
"They were left to Isaac and myself by Nanny Flora. A very formidable but kindly Scottish lady, who had been nanny to Isaac and his brothers and sisters in Vienna. You know about such things?"
"Collecting antique silver is one of my hobbies."
After lunch they sat for a while; and if the truth be told, both Harry and Trevor had a short nap. Then they went for a stroll round the green of Potter's End. Trevor took Harry into the churchyard and showed him Ross' grave. They had a short sighting of the robin, but he or she was busy feeding young still in the nest.
Gloria had cooked one of her special meals for the evening. The three of them got through a couple of bottles of wine.
"I hope all this wine does not make for difficulties later on," whispered Harry, when Gloria was out of the room.
Trevor grinned. "I hope not. But if it does, it does. We can enjoy just being together. If we are unable to get it up tonight, I am sure we will be able to satisfy each other one way or another in the morning."
The two men saw to the clearing away at the end of the meal, and Gloria went off to her own room to watch Coronation Street. Harry and Trevor sat on close together on the settee,
still catching up with a lifetime of experiences.
It was about ten o'clock when they went up to bed. Harry as the guest went through the bathroom first. When Trevor came back into the bedroom Harry, dressed only in his shirt, was standing examining the photographs on the chest of drawers. Trevor came and stood beside Harry and gave one of the bare buttocks a gentle squeeze.
"Thanks love. The response in front shows that the wine has not led to any erectile disfunction." Harry lent across and kissed Trevor. "Who are these?"
"They are the men of my life. I didn't have a photo of you, but you were always represented by your Spitfire."
"This presumably is Isaac?" said Harry picking up the photograph of Isaac in his sombre Sabbath black. "He looks quite austere."
"I know. It was the first photo I took with of him, with my first camera. I caught him unawares walking home from the synagogue. I have told you how good he was to me, and what we did together. He taught me German and French. I think he also taught me to think, and that was very important for me. He could be strict, but I knew he loved me."
"And this kilted figure must be your Scottish friend."
"Yes, that is Fergus. As schoolboys we had some great times together. We were wrestling together on Ben Reshipol and we both got hard ons. You can guess the rest."
"What do they wear under their kilts?"
"Nothing, it they are good Scots. But it is meant to be a Scottish state secret."
Harry laughed.
"And this soldier?"
"That's Eric. I owe my life to him. But he was killed before we could express our love for each other in the full way we wanted."
"So it's `thank you, Eric', for Trevor."
"This must be Ross, and taken in New Zealand."
"Yes, that's Ross. We loved each other totally, and argued about everything. It was in some ways like living with Isaac again, plenty of sex and arguments."
"Do you think he'll mind, me sleeping in his place alongside you?"
"Not at all. He gave me full permission to find someone else. He'd be tickled pink to know we'd met up again. He'd approve one hundred per cent. I say that conditionally; perhaps he does know."
"That's a question for the theologians., Trev."
"As you get older, and retired, you realise you'll soon be finding out the answer to such questions."
"Stop being morbid."
"And this African with the smiling face?"
"That's Kundi. We'd just made love in a field and I caught him as he was finishing getting dressed. He was fun, laughing and giggling most of the time."
"And the bishop and family must be Paul."
"Never any sex, but we were the best of friends. We loved each other as much as any two men, yet we never did anything sexual together. He was completely and utterly straight."
All through this conversation Trevor's hand had been stroking Harry's lower back and buttocks. Though he was still fully dressed, he was conscious of the restrictions of his trousers.
Harry put a hand to Trevor's groin. "No ill effects from the wine then?"
"No."
"So what are we waiting for?" Harry proceeded to undress Trevor. When both were completely naked they got on to the bed, and into each other's arms.
There was something essentially gentle about their lovemaking. They each enjoyed the soft touches of the other one's hands, and the hardness of his cock. Each had quickly discovered what stirred and stimulated the other one.
"I think we're very compatible," said Harry at one stage.
"We're both old hands at making love to another man."
"True; but we like the same things. We've got onto the same wavelength with each other very quickly. We both seem to know."
"Well, we have done it together before, Harry."
"Yes, over sixty years ago. And then it was mainly me getting you to toss me off. We didn't spend time. I just played with your cock and balls because I knew you liked it. It was a way of saying thank you."
"'Because you knew I liked it'. That to me says everything. I feel that I have come home. I have come a full circle. I feel totally relaxed with you."
"So do I with you, Trev. I feel we have known each other, and been making love to each other for ages."
"I suppose in a sense we have. You've never been out of my mind for very long. Your Spitfire saw to that."
"I didn't have a memento, just the memory. There has just been a long intermission."
Trevor laughed. "Now I want an emission, from you into me. That's if you don't mind screwing a wrinkly old man?"
"I love every wrinkle, but what about you being screwed, as you elegantly put it, by an old man."
"The old man has a cock as hard as it was sixty odd years ago,
so get on with it." Trevor reached out for the container of Liquid Silk. He applied a liberal amount to Harry's cock and to himself. He got into a doggie position, and Harry moved so that his cock could get on target. Gently and slowly Harry's cock penetrated Trevor, who sighed with contentment.
Trevor then moved down so that he was lying face down on the bed with Harry on top of him.
"I love you, Trev."
"Good. Because I know I love you. I don't think I ever really stopped loving you. You've always had a special place in my heart."
"And now my cock has found its special place."
"Don't hurry, Harry. Keep it in there for as long as you can."
Harry's response was to kiss the back of Trevor's neck, and nibble his ear lobes with his lips.
"We're not doing badly for a couple of old uns. Behaving like a couple of testosterone-filled teenagers, " said Trevor.
Harry laughed. "But I can't do it five times in the night and once before breakfast as I could when I was a teenager."
"Could you do it as often as that?" Trevor tried to turn to face Harry.
"I don't know, but it sounds good. But just now, I'm perfectly happy to be able to do this, and if I fill your arse with spunk once that'll be fine."
"Make spunk up me, Harry. You made spunk readily enough when I was seven, now fill me now I'm in my seventies."
"A lot of water has flowed under a lot of bridges since those days," mused Harry.
"You mean a lot of spunk has shot from our two cocks."
They both laughed. It was not very long before they were both climaxing. Soon after they were asleep in each other's arms.
The next evening, a Friday evening, Zach and Adam arrived about eight o'clock.
"Where's this wonderful maker of Spitfires?" shouted Zach as he burst into the cottage.
Introductions were made. Zach and Adam brought no luggage as all they needed for a weekend was already at the cottage. Soon the four men, and Gloria were sitting down for a meal. During one of the times when Gloria was in the kitchen, Adam looked at Harry and Trevor. "So you'll no longer be needing Zach and I to keep you warm at night then, Trev?"
Trevor was slightly thrown by this remark, for a moment not sure what to say, for though Harry knew about his relationship with the younger men, they had not discussed the implications of their new relationship with the old. Trevor looked at Harry for help, but got none.
Zach burst out laughing. "Well done, Adam. You've embarrassed Trevor. For the first time I've ever known, Trevor's lost for words."
Gloria came to Trevor's rescue by bringing in the pudding. One of her specialities, a Queen of Puddings. "There's is a lot of noise in here."
"Your son has just rendered Trevor speechless," said Adam.
"I won't ask how, knowing you men it is not something for the delicate shell-like ears of a young lady and mother."
There was more laughter, and the pudding was soon eaten.
That night Trevor slept in his usual bed with Harry, and Adam and Zach slept in the double bed. The doors between the two bedrooms were kept open and there were some ribald remarks from one room to the other. Whenever Zach and Adam went to the bathroom they were went through Trevor and Harry's room. There were no inhibitions, and comments were made on their equipment which they flaunted even more.
Zach was the first awake in the morning, and went downstairs to make the necessary cup of tea.
"It's always been a fantasy of mine to wake up in the morning with a naked young man offering me my morning cup of tea," said Harry.
"Any more comments like that will lead to an aroused response," said Zach, "but thank you for the `young man', we're both now well into meddle age."
"I still like what I can see," said Harry, with a wink at Trevor.
The conversation awoke Adam in the other bedroom. He marched through to the bathroom, sporting a full blooded erection.
"Now, that's worth seeing," said Harry. "Who has the largest one, Adam or Zach?"
"Not much to choose between them," answered Trevor.
Trevor and Harry moved together in the middle of the bed, and Zach and Adam got in on either side. They drank their tea, and talked together, the younger men were eager to hear more about Harry, and Harry was eager to hear about them.
About half an hour later there was a call from Gloria in the kitchen below. "Breakfast will be in about half an hour, so stop whatever you are doing, and get washed, shaved, showered or bathed, all of you men." They heard Gloria chuckling as she started to get the breakfast.
Over the next few weeks Harry met Trevor's godson, young Trevor, and the rest of the Driffield family. Also Trevor met Harry's nephews, Kevin and David and their families. All these friends and relations were delighted to see the peaceful contentment that had come into the lives of the two older men.
The following few years were an Indian Summer time for Trevor and Harry. To their mutual delight they found that they got on extremely well together. They had led different lives, and had contrasting careers so there was a great deal of talking and learning.
They discussed whether they should live together, with one selling up, or with them both selling up and moving in to a new place. They both decided that moving would be too much hassle, and also what would happen if and when one of them died? The one left would want to be where his friends were, and where he was most at home. They spent most of their time together, moving a great deal from Somerset at Harry's place, to Trevor's in Buckinghamshire, with expeditions to London once or twice a month to go to the theatre, or to a concert, or to view an exhibition. Then they stayed in Trevor's small apartment for a night or two. There were few days and nights when they were apart. They referred to their moving about as their Royal Progress. They took holidays abroad, sometimes going on a cruise. They also travelled widely in Great Britain. Even in the best of hotels they were always completely open, even blatant, about their relationship.
As the years went by erections became rarer. Both of them reached the stage where one or other would climax once a week or so. But there was plenty of loving contact. They cuddled in bed. A buttock would be squeezed when passing. It was always a good time for a hug and some kisses.
When at the theatre, or sitting at home of an evening watching the television, or listening to music, they would sit holding hands. Music was one of the areas of difference, and Trevor introduced Harry to the delights of classical music, while Harry introduced Trevor to more popular music.
Politics was another area where they disagreed. They did not argue as Ross and Trevor would have argued, they agreed to differ. On the night of 5th May 2005 they sat up and watched the election results. Trevor had feared a Tory landslide would sweep Tony Blair and the Labour government aside, but though they lost seats they still had a respectable 65 seat majority. It was Harry who was the disappointed one.
Gloria readily accepted the situation. She had many friends in and around Potter's End, and was involved in several local organisations. She also had her soaps, which if she could not watch at the time she would record and see later.
On Tuesday the tenth of May 2005 Trevor had some work to do in London. It was arranged that Harry would go down to Gloucestershire and Trevor would join him in a couple of days. Trevor stayed the first night up in London, returning to Buckinghamshire the following morning. At 3.00pm the phone rang. It was Harry's nephew, Kevin Hearn. Harry had been rushed into Taunton Hospital with a bad stroke, and it was touch and go whether he would survive. Trevor said he would come down to Somerset immediately. He threw a few overnight things into a case, said goodbye to Gloria, and was on his way within twenty-five minutes. As he drove westward he was filled with apprehension. He had lost Ross, was he now going to lose Harry? He knew how much he loved him, and they had often expressed their love to each other. But the realisation that it was possibly going to end, made him realise even more acutely just how great was his love for Harry.
He arrived at the hospital and parked his car. He was directed into the intensive care unit. Eventually he was shown in. Harry was lying unconscious in his bed, with various tubes and medical gear surrounding him. Kevin was also there, anxiety written all over his face.
Trevor bent over the bed, and kissed Harry's forehead. "I've got here as quickly as I could, my love." He sat on the bedside chair, and took hold of Harry's hand.
Kevin got up, and said that he would go for a drink and a walk, and leave the two of them alone together. A couple of hours later David came, and the three of them kept a vigil over Harry. There were always two of them at the bedside.
It was in the early hours of the following morning when Trevor was getting some rest in a side room, that he was awakened by a nurse. "Mr Russell, Mr Hearn's condition has changed, and it may be for the worse." Trevor got up, and quickly splashed some cold water on to his face, to help him wake up fully. He followed the nurse back into the Intensive Care Unit.
Harry was restless, stirring in a way he had not done earlier. Trevor bent over the bed, and kissed Harry's forehead. He then sat and held his hand.
Trevor spoke to Harry. "I'm here, my love. I love you." He squeezed the hand, and felt there might have been a return squeeze, but he was not sure.
As they watched Harry continued to stir. Once or twice he eyes opened, and appeared to be trying to focus.
Another hour passed. Harry's eyes again opened and seemed to focus on Trevor. The words "Love you," seemed to be more lip read than heard.
"I think he's coming round," said Trevor.
Their hopes began to rise.
Fifteen minutes later Harry stirred again, opened his eyes. "See you, Trev, " was said distinctly. Then with a loud sigh,
Harry passed away.
The tears poured down Trevor's cheeks. He stayed for a while feeling Harry's hand grow gradually colder.
Five days later Harry was buried in Wiveliscombe. Trevor felt that in some ways it was like a replay of Ross' funeral. He now felt, now at his age, that it would be extremely unlikely he would find some man who could fill the empty place in his life left by Harry and Ross. But he realised that he was not alone, there were Zach, Adam and young Trevor, as well as other loving and supportive friends, like Gloria. Young Trevor and Zach were so very different, yet he knew that they both loved him,
and would care for him. The coldness of sorrow was warmed by that realisation.
Trevor had gone back to Potter's End for the few days between Harry's death and funeral. Zach had come down from Birmingham the night before and driven Trevor and Gloria to Binchcombe. Adam had come straight down from Birmingham. Godson Trevor, and Lizzie Driffield were also there. Harry's nephews, Kevin and David, insisted that Trevor was the chief mourner. Trevor insisted that the Spitfire which Harry had made back in 1940 be placed in the coffin with Harry.
"He made it, and was proud of it then. He gave it to me. The relationship is now finally and completely over."
The funeral service was according to the simple rite of the Church of England. A couple of hymns were sung in church, The Lord's my Shepherd' to Crimond, and another hymn, Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand', with the words:- "O then what raptured greetings On Canaan's happy shore, What knitting severed friendships up, Where partings are no more! Then eyes with joy shall sparkle That brimmed with tears of late: Orphans no longer fatherless, Nor widows desolate." Tears came into Trevor's eyes, and he began to wonder. His Indian Summer with Harry was over, it all seemed to have been far too short. He was now back where he had been before the Queen's Jubilee.
When it came to the actual burial Kevin and David with their families stood on one side of the grave, and on the other side stood Trevor, with Zach and young Trevor at each side of him, and Lizzie Driffield, Gloria and Adam, stood just behind.
In the early evening Zach drove Trevor and Gloria back home.
That night Zach got into bed with Trevor, and held him close.
"Over these last few days, Zach, I've felt that I've been grieving over Ross as well as Harry. I've almost felt guilty towards Harry for those thoughts of Ross."
"You loved them both, and they both loved you. Ross hoped you would meet someone else. I don't think he ever dreamt it would be Harry, and that it would work out the way it did. I am sure they both would understand."
"Perhaps they're talking about me right now, if there is that sort of after-life."
"Talking about what a smashing sucker of cocks you are!"
Trevor gave a small laugh. "That's a very profane remark, young man."
"It served it purpose, it made you laugh."
Trevor drifted off into a fitful sleep in Zach's arms.
Three weeks later, on the second of June 2005, Trevor had one of those days. It was not that he could say there was something definite wrong with himself. He had no headache or sore throat. He stomach was not disturbed, but he had no energy, he felt tired. His leg ached from time to time. He spent a large part of the day dozing in an arm chair, or listening to music.
He went early to bed. Before he undressed he stood before the chest of drawers. He looked at a photograph of Harry. `Good night, Harry old chap, we won't see each other again." He picked up the photograph and kissed the picture. To his own surprise he found himself saying goodnight to the other photographs. Isaac dressed in his Sabbath black. Eric in his army uniform. Kundi still tucking his shirt into his trousers after that first time, and that wonderful grin on his face. Paul in his Episcopal robes, and young Trevor and his family. The irrepressible Zach, looking so full of fun.
Trevor got into bed and was soon sound asleep.
Sometime in the night he stirred. He was standing on a track that led off into the distance towards some distant hills.
It was becoming light, it seemed as though dawn was not far off.
Was it a vision or a waking dream? Do I wake or sleep?
There were several groups of people walking towards him. He stood still watching the figures approach, wondering where he was, and who they were. The first to approach were just two men. They were walking closely together, holding hands. Then in a moment of indescribable joy he recognised them.
"Harry! Ross!" he cried out. As he began to run towards them, they ran towards him, arms outstretched. Harry came on ahead. Trevor looked, it was not Harry as he had known him, a man in his seventies, over the last few years; nor was it Harry the school boy at the beginning of the war. Yet it was more essentially and really Harry than either of the times he had known him before. They met and hugged.
"I told you I'd see you," said Harry.
"I didn't believe you. It seems so soon."
"In one way I feel I've been here for ten thousands years,
in another way as though I've just arrived. Time does funny things here. In one sense it seems to be everlasting, and in another just a fleeting moment."
"Anyway to see you again, to be with you again! Words fail me."
"That often happens here too. Thanks for giving me back the Spitfire. Your doing that made me realise just how much you loved me."
"Did you doubt my love for you then?"
"No, never."
Ross came up to them and Trevor turned and hugged him.
"Ross! Ross! What can I say?"
"I want to say thank you for the way you looked after me at the end."
"I couldn't have done it without Zach."
"I know. But we're together again now. For ever."
They kissed.
"So you've met Harry."
"Yes. I said you'd meet someone else. I hoped you would.
I never even dreamt you would meet up with Harry again."
"We've got to know each other well, very well indeed."
Trevor looked from one to the other with a questioning look in his eyes. They both grinned and nodded.
The three of them stood there, for how long no one knew. They had their arms round each other, they hugged and sometimes kissed, but the three of them were most conscious of joy and love.
"There are others coming to welcome you," said Ross. He and Harry stood to one side as four figures approached, two men and two women. There was a flash of recognition of Isaac. Isaac with all the fun and enthusiasm that seemed to pour out of him. But Trevor looked at the other three.
Suddenly he recognised two of them. His father and mother. He gave a loud cry of joy and put his arms round his father, and buried his face in his father's chest. The tears flowed from him eyes, tears not of sadness but of joy, sheer unrelieved joy. His father put his arms round his son, and stroked the back of his head.
"Good to see you again, Trev lad. You did well. Isaac `ere, was able to give you what I never could."
His mother came up and put her arms round both of them. "I'm sorry, Trev, that I let you down when your dad died. I failed you."
"Mum, I understand. it was a difficult time, losing dad, war time, air raids, rationing. I know you loved me, and that's what really matters. You gave me life. Those early days before and during the war were hard, but I remember much with thankfulness. I always knew that you both loved me. Until Dad got himself killed it was a happy loving home. It was after he'd gone that things got difficult. But for me things worked out well. I love you both."
Again there was a lot of hugging, and kissing. Again there was no sense of time.
Eventually Trevor turned to Isaac. They came close and with arms loosely around each other they looked into each others eyes.
"Isaac! What can I say? I owe you everything."
"Trev, my love, I owe you everything. You made my adult life worth while, gave me love, gave me a purpose, brought me joy."
Tears of joy ran down both their faces as they stood hugging each other.
"Do Mum and Dad know everything, everything about us?" whispered Trevor in Isaac's ear.
"Yes, everything."
"And they're all right about it?"
"Yes, they're fine. They understand."
Trevor turned to his parents. "So Isaac's told you all about us?"
"Yes," replied his father. "It's fine with us. We're glad. You were able to give each other love."
"And that's what really counts in the long run, especially here," added his mother.
Trevor turned to look properly at the fourth person in the group. It was a short upright woman with bright sparkling eyes, and blond hair. "Nanny Flora!" cried Trevor, and he rushed over to put his arms round her. "I never had the opportunity to thank you for what you left me in your will."
She laughed. "I had no further need of it; and you made good use of it. I didn't think it would work, Isaac taking care of you when you were still a wee lad, but it did. It all turned out to the good."
Trevor gave an enquiring look at Isaac.
Nanny Flora picked up the look, she had not been involved in bringing up all of Isaac's brothers and sisters for nothing. "Yes, I know." She paused. "If I'd known then, if I'd even suspected, I'd have done something about it. I would have thought it all a great sin. But somehow here I saw things in a different perspective. I'd have been wrong. Love that's good, love that's creative, love that is not totally self centred is never wrong. It took me a wee while to get round to seeing it that way, but I do now."
Trevor held her two hands in his, and looked down into her eyes. "I think I owe a lot to you."
"Oh, in what way?"
"I think you, in a large part, helped form Isaac into the loving, caring man he is."
Nanny Flora blushed with embarrassment.
He stooped down and gave her a long loving kiss. She put her arms round him and held him close.
The next person was walking alone. "Paul!"
They came together and hugged.
"Good to see you again, my old friend," said Paul.
"Good to see you, my good and faithful friend. From the day we first met, when we were taking our entrance exams and interviews for Cambridge, I knew you were somebody I could trust. In spite of having been to Eton!" added Trevor with a grin.
"What do you mean, in spite of having been to Eton! I knew I had a mission in life civilising you, you grimy urchin from the slums of London!"
"I don't think I was a grimy urchin at that stage, Isaac had seen to that, though I may still have dropped the occasional aitch."
They both laughed, and gave each other affectionate punches, and then Paul grabbed Trevor and gave him a warm hug.
"Whether an urchin with, or without, aitches, you are my best friend."
The last two were now approaching. Trevor immediately recognised Kundi. They rushed together, with Kundi giggling as effusively as ever.
"One of the greatest joys of this place is meeting up with old friends, and carrying on where we left off."
"What knitting severed friendships up," murmured Trevor.
"Where partings are no more!" completed Kundi.
They kissed and hugged for a while.
Then Trevor turned to the last person to approach. For a moment he did not recognise him. He had always seen him in army uniform. It was only when Eric smiled, that Trevor realised that he owed this man more than fifty years of his life. "Eric."
They hugged in a way that they had never been able to in life.
They kissed unashamedly and openly, those surrounding them smiling with approval.
"What can I say to thank you? You saved my life."
"I'd do it again, a hundred times over."
"You deserved a medal, a good medal, possibly a VC for what you did."
Eric shrugged his shoulders. "Medals are not everything, I've had my reward."
"In what way?"
"You; your life. You achieved something. You made some good friends." Eric pushed his crotch into Trevor's groin, and Trevor felt a hardness there, which he responded to in the time honoured way. They could each feel the other's arousal.
"Can we?"
Eric nodded.
Trevor had no idea how long he had been there greeting these family and friends who had come to welcome him. In one way it seemed to have been hours, in other ways a few moments. The light was still the same, as though the sun was about to rise over the distant hills.
"We must be going. There are further introductions and welcomes," said Isaac.
Trevor turned and looked back. He saw his body cold and lifeless in his bed. He knew he needed it no more. Words came into his mind, `In my end is my beginning.'
All together they began to walk towards the distant hills.. As they walked, they sang and Trevor felt an indescribable joy and peace. An exciting new existence was about to begin, full of Love, Light, and Life.
Jeff at jeffyrks@hotmail.com
Many have written to thank me for this story, and over the couple of years of it being posted on Nifty I have been asked many questions. These I have answered, with further comments about the writing of this story, in an essay. If you wish to read what I have written, email me, and I will send it to you.