THE CHRISTIAN FILES
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Chapter 10
Reader, we were fortunate to acquire Martin's diary, which has been edited and reproduced for you in the last two chapters. But now we return to the present time at Pitloch University where Martin and Christian are busy studying. We joined them last at the start of the University year but now we must traverse right through the Winter almost to Springtime and the Easter break. In the interim there have been some interesting developments for Richard.
The bureaucracy of a University grinds just as slowly as anywhere else, so to summarise events, here is the essence of our story. Last Autumn, Richard applied for the job at the University of Hillwich in East Anglia for the Associate Professor post. Just before Christmas, he travelled down for the interview and in fact, was successful in getting the job. One benefit of being an academic at a University is that they appreciate research and so it was the good fortune of Richard to receive a lighter teaching load that year while he researched his new University and prepared for a step up in his responsibilities. There was no indication but perhaps the university was happy to ease his way out of his post there and into his new job. So, Richard being busy, has had little time to pursue his romantic life and we leave him for the meantime to prepare.
The lives of Martin and Christian followed the usual strains and small victories and defeats of their chosen path, both academic and romantic, which to detail here would be tedious. Instead, let us follow them at the Easter break as they take a week's holiday before their final push to the end of year exams in May. They had decided to travel to the Highlands of Scotland, an area that neither of them knew very well and related here is an episode in that journey, while not in any way affecting their studies, has had a marked effect on the future of their love lives. There are times in life when only in future years looking back do we realise the importance of an event and this was one such for them.
But first they visited Michael, on the way there. Recall, he was spending his gap year working in Forestry and since Martin now had a licence, he could hire a small car and divert en route to meet him.
"I know the perfect place you can travel to for a great time," Michael suggested. "I've been round the West Coast quite a lot. Travel up to Ardeonaig, the fishing port and leave the car there. There is a beautiful, romantic peninsula that can only be reached by boat from there and that is truly out of the way of tourist traffic."
"But we don't have a boat, Michael," Christian replied.
"Oh, well, the last time I was there, a ferry ran from Ardeonaig to Achnarigh, the very small village on the peninsula that is the only habitation. This is summer now, so I am sure you will find it when you go there." He smiled and hoped they would take him up on his suggestion. "It is unspoilt and there is lots of nice hiking." He paused for thought. "Or drinking, for there is a small inn at the village."
They took his advice and we see them driving slowly from Fort William west through the beautiful country beside Loch Eil on the Road to the Isles. Michael had the kindness to lend them his map of the area so Christian is riding shotgun with the map perched on his lap.
"We will reach Glenfinnan soon, where there is a monument to the Jacobites," he said.
"Well, I am the one with the mirrors and you would want to see what is behind us," Martin suggested.
Christian looked round and was astonished to see a huge mountain rising as if almost straight out of the sea a couple of miles behind Fort William.
"That is Ben Nevis," Martin said. "It is the highest mountain in Britain and looks so impressive for it rises almost 4400 feet straight up from the sea. Fort William is supposed to be the mountaineering centre of Scotland but people don't realise it is also by the seashore and you can have trips down to the Isles from there as well."
"I'm suitably impressed, why didn't we see that already?" he asked.
"It was hidden by the town," Martin replied. "Maybe we will climb there on our way back."
"You are the athlete, I prefer to find a nice pub." Christian turned again to his map. They continued on their way, finally reaching the west coast.
"Look at the beaches on the left," Christian remarked. "The sand is almost pure white."
Martin veered the car nearer to the edge to have a better look.
"Whoa, you better stop and look," Christian said.
They gazed at the sweep of beach, bay and forest laid out before them and across the sea to the grey mountains of Skye in the distance. Finally they reached Ardeonaig and wondered how such a large fishing port could exist far out on the west coast and miles away from any other habitation.
"It has a railway, that is why," Christian pointed to the map. "It was a base to take all the fish straight to the markets in England. Now it is mainly a tourist route for the scenery."
They had a meal at a nice restaurant overlooking the harbour and booked into a B & B for the night. Martin found a safe place to park his car and they arranged tickets for the ferry to Achnarigh the next day.
The morning dawned frosty and cold but the sun shone bright in a blue sky, promising fine weather later. The sail on the ferry was daunting, however. The sheltered harbour masked the rough nature of the open sea and they arrived at Achnarigh a little shaken but glad to have reached their destination. It was truly a magical place. The silence almost enveloped them and it felt as if nothing from the outside world could disturb the peace and tranquillity of this oasis. Mountains rose in the background and after a slow and relaxed walk along the shore and into the foothills of the mountains, they returned to the Inn for lunch.
As they sat gazing out over the small village, they noticed a grey-haired man watching them from a nearby table. He was obviously the sailor type, with a ruddy face and a thick Aran-knit sweater rolled right up to his neck. They looked up as he came over to their table.
"Hi, it's beautiful out there, isn't it?" He pointed as he looked out to sea.
"I'm Geoff. I noticed you arrived on the boat this morning." He held out his hand in greeting and they introduced themselves.
"It takes a lot to get used to the changing weather and tides on the sea here," he said. "I have a small motor yacht over there."
He indicated a reasonably robust-looking boat of about 35' sitting in the small harbour and framed in glowing mahogany timber.
"It looks magnificent, but it's not a sail boat?" asked Christian.
"No, I cheat really, for I couldn't handle all the bother with sails. I am on my own so it would be a lot of work to navigate and work the wind at the same time. That's what I say, anyway. I've just retired," he said.
"We are just on a vacation from university. It's great to get away for a while."
Geoff looked at them lingeringly and put down his beer on the table.
"Why don't you join me for dinner on the boat?" he asked. "I guess you maybe don't have anywhere to stay here for it's a very small village. I have two berths on the boat and you can bunk there overnight."
Martin looked a bit sceptical but Christian decided it for them.
"Sure, that would be a great idea. We are going for a hike this afternoon and then we'll come over when we come back."
They had a great day walking, for the weather did indeed turn better and inland, the wind was not nearly as strong as it had been out at sea on their way there. About six at night, as the sun was sinking slowly over the mountains of Skye, they walked out on the pier and hailed Geoff below on his boat. His head peered out of his cabin and they gladly left their rucksacks at their berths. The meal was great and they had a couple of beers to wash it all down.
"Hey, I feel really tired now," said Christian. His eyes had started to glaze over and Martin thought he looked unusually woozy. Darkness had fallen and they were sitting at the small table in the cabin with Geoff. Although it was night, the evening was balmy for April and Martin decided to go up on deck for some fresh air.
"Yea, you will see all the stars from here, there is no light pollution. I'll get this guy ready for bed." Christian smiled wanly and put his arms over Geoff's shoulders as he gently unbuttoned his shirt and then undid his trousers.
"Hey, you are one fit guy," said Geoff.
"Yea, you seem pretty strong yourself," replied Christian, perhaps not the best line as Geoff pulled off his own t-shirt to reveal a tanned torso and a clutch of wiry, silver hairs on his chest. Christian fell onto the bed as Geoff pulled off his pants to reveal his dark red groin with a growing cock shadowed in the dim light of the cabin. Geoff somehow fell onto the bed on top of him as the boat gave a gentle sway.
"Oops, not just the ocean swell that is getting up," Geoff murmured.
Christian laughed and looked longingly at the firm body almost on top of him.
"I think I want to just lay here for a while and relax," said Geoff as he rubbed Christian's long legs and thighs. His hands wandered after a few minutes to the lengthening bullet nestled in Christian's groin and tugged it gently while groaning in appreciation. There was a suggestion of a kiss as the boat gently swayed at the pier and a feeling of calm washed over them as they relaxed. The calm was interrupted as Geoff heard Martin start to clamber down the stairs into the cabin. He quickly sat up and pulled on a towel, smiling all the while. Martin looked at the cabin.
"Where is the other bunk?" he asked.
Geoff looked round. "Oh, this is it. My bunk is forward, but there's plenty room beside Christian there." Martin looked askance at the naked figure curled at the edge of the bunk.
"Oh, eh, ok. I guess it will do for one night," he replied.
So, reader, you will not be surprised when I tell you that between Christian's impulsive and sometimes foolish nature and Martin's more discerning intellect there had been a good balance in their relationship. But Martin's experience of the warm and intense feelings of the older man might have told us of what happened later that evening.
When all was quiet about 3am, the figure of the older man crept into their cabin and, surveying the two almost naked bodies curled up in the bunk, set to join them. For twenty minutes there was a cramped writhing and squirming of bodies in the half-awake of the early morning that was not unpleasant but that didn't quite impinge fully on the consciousness of Martin and Christian.
Chapter 11
Martin woke first that morning as shafts of sunlight swept across his face. He blinked wearily and tried to remember what had happened the night before. His first impression was that there was a thumping every couple of seconds in his head and that he still felt dizzy. Then when he managed to squint out the porthole, he saw that the world was rising up and down. The boat was shaking in a strange regular rhythm. He rubbed his eyes feverishly and knew then what was going on. The thumping wasn't in his head but was coming from the prow of the boat. The noise was of the boat ploughing through the waves and slamming into the swell every so often. Then he knew that he felt dizzy because of the rise and fall of the boat out at sea. He quickly found his clothes and reached over to the still slumbering Christian.
"Hey, wake up." He shook his friend vigorously and eventually managed to get some groaning reaction.
"Wake up, Christian. It's morning. He's taken the boat out to sea."
"What?" Christian immediately became alert and looking out managed to recognise the small harbour at Achnarigh rapidly disappearing into the distance.
"What has this guy done?" Christian pulled on a pair of trousers and looked at his friend in astonishment. "Is he kidnapping us?"
Martin might have stifled a laugh in other circumstances but he felt annoyed at the incomprehension of his friend.
"No, it's even scarier than that. He probably thinks he's being nice to us." He paused to size up the situation. "What did your beer taste like last night? Did it taste odd?"
Christian reflected as he shook his hair and rubbed his face to try and inject some life into it.
"I don't know. Maybe it was a bit. I think I had too much to drink."
Martin agreed. "It was my fault. I should have realised that the guy was a little less than the kind, generous host that he wanted us to believe."
Christian searched about in the bottom of the cabin to try and find glasses or bottles from last night.
"Never mind that, it's too late now. You wait here and I'll go up and try and find out what Captain Ahab is up to," said Martin.
As his head poked out the cabin, he heard Geoff whistling a cheery tune and he stood at the wheel. The chill of a cold Spring morning hit him as the breeze swept over his face and the sun dazzled him in a blue sky.
"Oh hi, you're awake," said Geoff. "I thought I would surprise you. This is just a little extra cruise to let you see one of the most interesting sights on the coast."
"Why couldn't you tell us first? You've no right to take us out like this without asking our permission," Martin looked flushed and restrained his anger.
This made Geoff reflect a bit. "You're right. I'm sorry. But its a beautiful day. This will just be a short journey. Search in the galley, there's coffee and you can make ham and eggs for breakfast." He smiled a wan smile of apology and returned to scanning the horizon as he checked his course.
Martin and Christian found some reasonable provisions in the galley to fill their stomachs and felt much better after half an hour when the sun was still shining. They both had a hurried wash and went up on deck to see what was going on.
Geoff smiled. "We are nearly there. There is a famous whirlpool called Corryvreckan and its a wonderful sight. It's caused by an undersea pinnacle and when the tide races through the straight here, it forms one of the largest in the world. But don't worry, we are timing this to arrive at slack water."
They looked worried, not being overly trusting of Geoff's honesty, never mind his judgement. But all they could do was to sit with him in the wheelhouse and enjoy the views of distant mountains rising and falling as the moderate swell carried the boat forward. They heard the sound of the whirlpool before they saw it – a kind of distant thunder.
"How far away is it?" Martin started to feel his nerves jangle. He gripped the rail until his knuckles turned white.
"Oh, we're nearly there," said Geoff. "Look, you can see the tide moving to the East as we get closer."
The first sensation was of the boat changing direction of its' own accord, seemingly to join a stream whirling round to the west. But then they had the unpleasant feeling of the boat being lower than the surrounding sea. There was nothing visible but a rim of water maybe one hundred yards distant all around them.
"This isn't slack water," Christian screamed. He grabbed the tide table and scanned it. "You're an hour out, you fool."
"What......what do you mean?" Geoff's sanguine face sagged into a worried frown.
"This table is GMT, we moved to British Summer Time last week so you have to adjust an hour." Then Christian seemed to take charge. Just then the boat rose in a swell as it contoured over another undersea rock. In the better vision, he could see a cove or inlet about a mile to the west.
"Next time we come round that hump, just try and steer five degrees port. If we are lucky and still at the edge of the whirlpool, the centrifugal force will help us to escape from this tide and then steer for that inlet," He pointed out the bay where they could see calm water.
There was a dead silence in the boat as they waited for the rise to appear and prayed that they didn't disappear into the jaws of the monster sucking them round and round. They started to get wet through as the wild sea threw lumps of water at them. Eventually the boat started to rise up and Christian scanned the horizon.
"Now," he shouted as both he and Geoff pulled at the wheel with some force. As they came over the rise, the effect was to project the boat out the water somewhat and they landed very slightly further out towards the edge of the whirlpool. The distance was enough to enable the boat's impulse to escape from the force of the whirlpool and as they fought to bring it round, they gradually moved towards the inlet.
Suddenly their situation eased and as the overwhelming noise of the tide race receded into the distance, the inlet came into view and Geoff reached for the anchor to moor them in the bay. They all fell on their backs, panting with exhaustion as they lay sprawled on the decks. Nothing was said. Eventually, in the heat of the sun at noon and the calm of the shore, they revived and considered their position.
They were too tired for argument. Christian picked up the chart.
"Where are we?" he questioned as he gazed at the chart.
"We are at the north end of Jura," Geoff replied, pointing at the map. "Let's stop here for a while, have something to eat and then plan our journey back," he said.
They piled into the boat's dinghy, headed for shore and sat on the beach in the sun and had some refreshments. After a while, two walkers passed by and they feigned relaxation as if they were just out for a nice day trip.
Looking at the chart, they fixed on a long sail round the dreaded obstacle and figured they could be back at Achnarigh for early evening.
When they arrived back, Martin and Christian decided to take the last ferry back to Ardeonaig, which was leaving in half an hour. They parted from Geoff with hardly a word, who innocently smiled at them as they left and when they reached the fishing port, they were fortunate to be able to book into the same B & B for the night as they had on the way north.
There was little discussion about the events of the previous day. They decided to stay in Ardeonaig for a couple of days and went hiking round the beautiful lochs and beaches of Moidart. They decided it was too risky to venture out to sea again. It wasn't until they were driving home that any real talk of their sea adventure took place.
"Do you think it was Michael's fault that he told us to go out to Achnarigh. We might never have got back?" Martin ventured.
Christian looked reflective. "Don't blame him, he was just trying to help. Anyway, I think I am a little impulsive as well."
"No, you were great. You seemed to take charge on the boat. If you hadn't done that we might be still in the water," Martin replied.
Christian smiled. "Well, I told you my family came from Norway. We occasionally went out on a fishing boat when I went home on trips, and the sea can be quite rough there too. Anyway, I am no hero. I wasn't really as sleepy on the boat as you might imagine. Otherwise, how could I have known that your bum is really quite hairy all over and I mean ALL over. Or that you liked to cuddle and kiss so much." He paused for effect. "Or that your cock tasted quite so delicious when it got really hot."
Martin had a thrill of horror. He would have hit out at Christian with a hard blow, but there just wasn't room in his tiny car for such action.
...to be continued. All constructive comments will be gladly received at....
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