Destiny's Child
Chapter 6
The charter yacht was great. A `Beneteau 40cc', it had two double cabins, both en-suite, a good size fridge/freezer and lots of lounge area. On deck was perfect, an aft sundeck and a large cockpit. Meals could be taken in the cockpit and when they remained on board, sunbathing would be comfortable. Justin proved to be very attentive, but also very discreet. He knew Jack and Martin were enjoying a sexual relationship but he kept a low profile when naughties were going on. Martin wasn't stupid and knew that Justin knew.
"Justin, you are very diplomatic about my relationship with Jack. If you wanted to have a girlfriend join us, I would have no problem with that."
"That's very kind of you Martin, but I don't have a girlfriend."
Martin thought about that reply for only a moment before his eyes shot wide open.
"Golly Justin, are you gay as well?"
Justin blushed almost scarlet.
"Yes I am Martin, but please don't say anything to anyone else."
"Oh no, I won't, but I think that is marvellous. Do you have a boyfriend?"
A shake of the head and, "No, not at the moment, I don't really have time for a regular boyfriend, we move around so much."
"Oh, we'll have to fix you up with someone on the crew then and it won't be a problem."
Both of them were laughing then until Jack came back on deck and they became more serious. Despite the fun and the glorious sailing, Martin couldn't get the thought of Yoshi out of his head. Yoshi would have nearly three more years at school and then Martin was sure he would go on to do a degree, that would mean a total of six more years just seeing his lover for school holidays. He couldn't even consider that acceptable, that was 1/3rd of the time that he had been on earth already. It didn't matter how he batted that one around he couldn't see a way round the problem. He gave up in the end, he would have to go home and have a talk to Robert, he would come up with an answer.
"I'm sorry Justin and Jack, I have decided to cut short my holiday. I need to go home to see Robert Cooper. Can we take the boat back to Tortola, Justin, I'll organise everything else when we are back on board Thermopylae."
Remembering his promise to Jack, the first thing he did was talk to the captain.
"Captain Samuels, I have had a lot of time to think while we have been sailing. I would like Jack to be allowed to go to nautical college now on a fully funded scholarship as an officer cadet. I'll talk to Robert Cooper about a contract and then I'll present it to my uncle for approval. Then I'm going to find some way to be with Yoshi all the time, so I'm afraid you'll probably be back in the charter business until I'm older."
Sam smiled, "That is what we expect to do when we take command of these super yachts Martin, you go off and do what is going to make you happy. We'll still be here when you get back. As to Jack Steele. I think what you are doing for him is very kind and generous, he is a very lucky young man. By the time he finishes at college I will probably be saying goodbye to my first officer so we will be able to take him on with no problem."
Martin was so pleased.
"Can we go back to St. Martin then, I can fly direct to Europe from there?"
"Of course, we'll leave in the morning if you are happy?"
"That will be fine Captain, thank you."
Jack was next.
"I'm going home Jack, but as soon as I get there I'm going to talk to Robert Cooper about you going to college full time straight away."
Jack was delighted and showed it with a last tempestuous night of loving.
The next day Martin was on a KLM flight to Amsterdam and the day after he was in his study in the house in England.
"Robert, good morning."
"Good morning young Martin and how are you?" was Robert's reply, "What can I do for you?"
"Oh, quite a lot of things I hope. Can you come to see me at the house?"
"I could see you just before lunch, or after, which ever you like."
"Come to lunch Robert, we can talk over lunch and run into the afternoon if necessary."
"Alright young man I'll be with you at 1200. Goodbye."
Martin almost ran to the kitchen to find cook.
"Mrs. Trimble, Mr. Cooper will be joining me for lunch. Will you do something nice for him and ask Tom to bring up a good bottle of Claret from the cellar. We'll eat in the main dining room, about 1300 would be good."
The Trimble's were getting old now, but they had been at the house since before Martin was born. David kept them on because he trusted them to look after Martin when he moved back in for school holidays. He had given up trying to keep the boy at his own home, he was just too disruptive and as he paid a minder to follow Martin when he left the grounds it appeared to be the only way to get some peace.
Robert arrived at 1200, on the dot and was shown to the study. As always he got a welcoming hug from his young man who he thought of more like a grandson than a client.
"Hello young man you look well."
"So do you Robert, it is so good to see you again."
The two so genuinely loved each other that they both glowed with pleasure.
"So what do you want this old man to do for you this time?"
Martin firstly laid out his plans for Jack.
"You know David will fight you on this one. `Unnecessary expense', he'll say, 'we can get ships officers already qualified, we don't have to pay for their qualifications', so the answer will be no."
Martin grinned, "Yes, but if I tell him I'll go back to school once we have Jack in Nautical College, I bet he'll change his mind."
Robert laughed, "Alright young man, what devious little plot are we going to hatch now?"
Still grinning, Martin told Robert what he wanted to do, it had come to him on the flight home.
"Could you get on to the headmaster at Malvern College. Ask him if he will take me at half term to sit with the fifth form to refresh my knowledge for GCSEs, and then join the lower sixth at the beginning of the new school year for my A Levels. You can tell him that I lost a term and a half because of family upset and we can discuss my A Levels when he sees my standard by the time the boys take their exams. I'll even sit my exams again Robert even though I already have all my GCSEs."
"And why would you do that, may I ask?"
Martin gushed then.
"Oh Robert, I have made the most wonderful friend this holiday and I want to be with him always. He is a year younger than me so if we can do what I want, I'll have two years at Malvern with him and then three years at University."
"That's a very big commitment you are making, are you sure?"
Tears came to Martin's eyes, "Oh yes, you see Robert, I love him so much, I am so unhappy not being with him."
Everything fell into place then. Robert knew that Martin was gay, he had been in cahoots with James when they were educating Martin.
"Very well young man. Are you sure you want another two years in dorms though?"
"Not really Robert, but I thought we could ask the manager of my property company to add a house in Worcester, close to the college, to my portfolio and then James and the Trimble's can staff that during term time and this house during the holiday's, or whatever. I'll stay in dorms for the rest of this school year to get settled in."
Robert shook his head.
"You know, I think your Grandfather would be very proud of how you are developing, you have a sharp mind Martin and you think things through."
By the time lunch was served Robert had all the details he needed to take back to the office.
"I'll get onto the headmaster immediately after lunch. I don't think we'll have any problems if I mention the possibility of a bursary when you control your inheritance."
They both laughed at that, devious minds thinking alike.
Mid afternoon and two things happened almost simultaneously. David arrived to see why his nephew was home, and as he walked into the study, Martin was taking a call from Robert.
"Please wait in the lounge David, this is a private call, I'll join you there."
David nearly blew a gasket. He was about to demolish the boy with his tongue until he looked in his eyes, then he turned and stormed out.
"That was David, Robert, I hope you have some good news for me because I have already upset him."
Martin sniggered as he said it and Robert tried to sound serious as he admonished his young client. He failed miserably, of course.
"All right young man. You have got a win, win on our discussion of this morning. Subject to a satisfactory interview the head master at Malvern will take you after half term. I have talked to Captain Samuels and we have sorted a college for Jack Steel. We just need David's go ahead for the expense. Over to you young man."
"Oh thank you Robert, thank you so much."
"My pleasure, just tell me when you want me to do anything concrete."
Martin was feeling so pleased with himself when he walked through into the lounge.
"David, I'm so sorry to have blown you out like that, but the call was terribly important."
"Yes, well it had better have been, I don't expect to be told what to do by a child."
"I'm not a child David, but I don't want to fight with you today so I'll let that argument pass. I want you to know that I have decided to go back to school and then to university, subject to you agreeing certain terms."
David was delighted on one score but wary about the second.
"This is my plan. On Thermopylae' is a young seaman. I want us to fund him through Nautical College and then take him on as a third officer. I want our property division to buy a suitable property for me to live in while attending Malvern College as a day boy for my A Levels. I will use my present staff to service the house so there will be no added expense there and the house will probably appreciate enough to pay Jack s college fees any way. So, the present expenses will be covered by property appreciation meaning that this plan will cost nothing."
David looked at this scheming little nephew and immediately said, "No, absolutely not."
Martin didn't argue, he just stood up and said, "Very well, then the yacht will remain out of charter because I will be using it extensively. I'm not going to cruise everywhere in her so I will need the company jet frequently to take me to the general area where I send the yacht. Oh yes, and if I can't be at school I will be spending most school holidays in either New York or Antigua so I will book the jet for those specific dates well ahead so that I don't disrupt its other charters."
David's bean counter brain realised immediately that this expense would far outweigh the expense of a college place for this seaman. It never occurred to him that the money would come out of Martin's estate, it was money and he bled at the thought of wasting any.
"Just a minute. If I go along with this, do you swear you will complete your education?"
"Absolutely, David."
"Very well, I suppose you already have Cooper drawing up contracts?"
Speaking of Robert with so much disregard for his status always riled Martin and he bit again.
"I've told you before, David, do not speak about Robert Cooper in such a derogatory manner. He is as dear to me as my grandfather was and I will not listen to you, or anyone else, talk about him like he was a minion."
Martin stormed out then leaving David, once again, seething at his nephew's impudence.
By the time Robert had Jack's contract drawn up, David realised how much money would be saved with Martin back in school so he signed it without comment. Martin was delighted and couldn't wait to tell Jack.
"I'll talk to Captain Samuels, Jack, but you might as well fly home immediately. I'll have you met at Gatwick and you can come straight to my house to sign your contract and then go home to your family until your new term starts."
"Thank you Martin, I'll never be able to repay you for this."
"Of course you will, silly, you'll be making love to me until I'm old and you're the captain of my yacht."
Both boys laughed until Martin asked to be transferred to the Captain. Arrangements were confirmed and Martin looked at the calendar working out how many days he could keep Jack at the house for some fun and games.
With nothing better to do, Martin went with the limousine to meet Jack, who was totally overcome by all the luxury that surrounded him.
"You don't start college for three weeks Jack. Would you like to stay with me for a week before going home to your parents, or go home first and then come to my home for your last week. In fact, that will be better because then we can shop for your uniforms and I'll have you taken down to the college by car. That will fit in perfectly then for me to fly out to New York with Yoshi."
Sad look again that Martin picked up on.
"I know Jack. I do love you as well, but Yoshi is my true love."
Jack nodded, "I know Martin but you do so many good things for me it just makes me love you more."
Martin gave him a hug and then with a broad grin on his face said, "In that case perhaps I had better stop doing nice things for you and send you back to the yacht as an able seaman."
Another hug and then Martin told his driver to go to Jack's house.
"I'll send a car for you two weeks today Jack, bring everything you need with you and we'll fill in the gaps because your uniforms will all be different."
The two weeks dragged for Martin, he did his own shopping for his new school uniforms, checked Jack's contract with Robert and spent a few days with David being as nice as he could, on Robert's advice.
"There isn't any point in keep fighting with David, young man. It is too stressful and in the end counterproductive now that you are doing what he wants. You should now concentrate on what is important, your education and your relationship with Yoshi."
Martin looked quite contrite as he replied.
"You are right Robert, as always. I won't even have to see him very much now. I'll be away at school and then with Yoshi, I don't suppose a few days a year will be too hard to bear."