A new beginning.
Scott had only one priority in his life now and that was his father. Grief and hate are never far away from each other he thought. William could not come to terms with his loss and all he was able to do was sit and stare at Jean's photo. If it had not been for his son, he too could have given up completely and joined her. Scott too was struggling and was convinced his father would indeed give up. But at long last Scott said the one thing that needed to be said.
"Dad, what would Mum be thinking about us right now? I don't think she would be happy with either of us like this." That did it and now, four months after the attack William finally broke down and cried for an hour with his son holding on to him.
Slowly, but surely, William with the total support from his son, took back his life and got himself back into everything he had stopped thinking about. A new beginning.For the next two months Scott worked with his father and all the senior staff involved in his various businesses and in particular the shipping company. This was one area that Scott had a great deal of knowledge about and was indeed a great help. He even flew out to Sweden to complete the contract, which had been put on hold and signed for the ship on behalf of the company and his father. He sailed with it back to Southampton, the round trip taking a month. He had been glad to get back to sea even though memories of his last voyage were constantly with him. It was a sort of therapy and helped enormously.
Scott at last turned his computer on. At least the one he used for social networking. The other was for marine training only. Although he had thought of Andrew a lot, he just assumed he would have moved on by now, after all it was not as though they were really an item and Scott did not expect Andrew to stay still and not meet and possibly fall for someone eles. Why the hell should he? Also he was too damb handsome and some lucky sod would meet him sometime. There were dozens of emails, but he was only looking for one. He found it. It was from Andrew. It was very short and sent just after the attack. It just said, "Dear Scott, You will not want to be bothered by anyone just know, but I want you to know of my heartfelt sadness of all that has happened and to send my deepest sympathy to you and your father. Should you wish, please stay in touch. Your friend Andrew". Scott replied straight away. "Thankyou for you kind words Andrew. Yes I would have liked to continue contact, but it has been a long time now since we did and I completely understand you may now be in a different situation. All best wishes, your friend Scott."
As he sent the email his mind went back to Iceland and all that they had shared together and of course the hours they had spent chatting on Skype all the time getting closer. He tried to forget Andrew and was not expecting him to contact anymore and so when he did Scott was more than surprised. He read the email as quickly as he could waiting to read that, yes, he had moved on, but those words were not there! Instead he said he had waited in the hope that one day Scott would contact him again. For the first time in months Scott felt good, even happy. He sent a very long mail back saying amongst other things that he was happy that Andrew wanted to remain in contact and hoped they could skype sometime. He actually sat there waiting, hoping, for Andrew to reply straight away. Then he realized it would be the middle of the night and Andrew would be asleep. "Yea God's and i'm supposed to be a qualified navigator? Christ Scott wake up!"After a few emails to each other Scott realized that Andrew may find it difficult talking on Skype and would worry how to react, after all he would be right in assuming Scott maybe a changed man and there maybe long silences during conversation. He wrote to that effect and said they would not know until it happened. He gave Andrew a time when he would be at his computer.As Andrew called Scott both of their heart rates went through the roof. As soon as the connection came through they did indeed just look at one another, not because there was any awkwardness between them it was just to look at each other and send huge smiles across the Atlantic. It was Scott who first spoke and they did not stop for the next five hours. FIVE HOURS! and men accuse women of blabbing on! They Skyped everyday and after each connection, so the boys were back to where they were before the horror of the attack. William was pleased they were at least still in touch, he knew Jean would like that. William began to plan. He had no experience at playing cupid, but he was driven by the thought that's what Jean would like him to do. Christ, how on earth will I get these two together? "Jean! Help!"
Call it divine intervention or whatever, Andrew did the business for him. He was in his study when Scott came in with a grin on his face.
"What are you grinning about? Yea God's I have not seen you look so happy for months!" The smile on his son's face made him smile as well.
"Oh nothing much, just been talking to Andrew on Skype. Dad can he come over and stay for a couple of weeks?"
"What the hell are you asking ME for? Of course he can. When? No no forget that have you got his phone number?"
"Yes, it's in my room."
"Go and get it now and phone him from here, I want to speak to him as well." Scott was back in record time. He dialled Andrew and held his breath. He answered.
"Dad says it's fine for you to come over and he asked how soon?" Before Andrew could answer William demanded the phone. Scott handed it over.
"Hi Andrew lovely to speak to you, so when are you free?"
"I'm off for two months Sir William."
"STOP calling me sir. Right, give Scott your home details and we will book flights and ring you back. OK?"
"Yes sir, oh shit, sorry!" Within an hour they had booked Andrews flight with an open return ticket. "Well you don't know how long he will be here do you!"
Scott kissed his father on the top of his head and ran upstairs to Sykpe Andrew.
"Thank you Jean, thank you my dear." William felt like a ton of lead had been taken off his shoulders and was rather pleased with himself even though it had nothing to do with him, it was Andrew who had got him off the hook. For the first time in a long time he was happy.
"Fucking hell this is amazing! In two weeks I will be in England! Both young men were beside themselves.
"Scott?"
"What?"
"Sleeping arrangements?"
"There are six bedrooms in this house and four of them are empty, take your pick."
"Preferably the one your in twat!"
"Mmmm ok I will think about that.................. You are sleeping with me dick head and I know Dad expects that as well."
"I'm off to clothes shop. I need to be smart when I come over."
"Why bother, they won't be on long." With that they thought it best to sign off, both were getting horny and wanted to save it until Andrew arrived. Since they had got back in touch neither had shown the other a naked body.
Father and son were sitting in William's office going through some papers. Scott was having trouble concentrating and William noticed.
"Whats on your mind Scott?"
"Nothing serious, but I was just thinking that we often have political differences between us and the US and yet it's taken just one American to make life worth living again. Well, for me anyway."
"And for me son. Andrew has made both of us a lot more happy."
"Better not tell him that, he won't let us forget."
"Don't worry, nobody is reading this shit anyway!""Thanks dad, love you too!"
Scott did some shopping of his own, all purchased from the chemist.
"Right my boy, we are all set for at least two weeks. Get your pants off!" On his way home he stopped off at the cemetery to talk to his Mum. What he said was private to him, but he felt even better when he went home. As his father seemed to be in a much better frame of mind Scott thought it was a good time to talk to him about an idea of his. It had been running around his head for sometime now and it all had to do with protecting his ships against attack and the trawler he had seen in Dalvik which he had bought and was going to convert into a motor yacht and sell on.
"Off you go Scott."
"We convert the trawler into a search and rescue vessel, but it's main role will be to escort your fleet through pirate areas. The entire boat would be strengthened against attack. Lengthening the boat by at least 10 meters to give extra fuel tanks and an internal boat deck and with new engines increase it's maximum speed to at least 20 knots. Install propeller pods which will do away with a rudder and make the boat much more maneuverable. Install two high powered water cannons which will give three sixty cover. Have a comprehensive medical facility. Equip the boat to sustain it at sea for at least six months and...."
Scott went on for another half hour talking about the level of equipment the ship would need to make it an effective escort against pirate attack for his fathers ships and also for other ships in it's vicinity. "Obviously we can't have weapons, but the water cannons will give the boat excellent protection. No one could board against them once an attack is in range, but there is another way we can improve that and that is a radio controlled helicopter which will give a massive visual cover by installing cameras and the possibility of non lethal defense facilities like tear gas and stun grenades. I guess we would have to look at the legal side of that though." William listened intently.
"Christ Scott you are trying to form your own one ship navy! I like it, but need to think long and hard and take advise son. I'm not turning it down, just need to absorb it all. There are plans of it some where here and I would like you to look at them and give me a rough drawing of a convertion, ok?"
"I will start tomorrow, thanks for listening."
"Scott, what are your main reasons why you have thought this up?"
"It's obvious isn't it? I can't prove it, but if there was a boat like this around when we got attacked, Mum could still be alive?"
"Yes son, you could very well be right. Thank you." Scott called Andrew on Skype and told him about the meeting with his father."Will he go for it do you think?"
"Do you know Andrew I think he will. The main reason is to support his ships, but there is also the fact we can go to the aid of ships and crews in difficulty in any sea we are sailing in."
"We?"
"Well, me and a crew, who ever they might be."
"Oh, ok."
"You ready Andrew? Only a week to go and you will be here. Can't wait to see you at Heathrow. Oh I can't wait."
"Me neither Scott. I have packed about 10 times now and think I have got all I need."
"Leave the night shorts at home, you definitly wont need those." The smile on Andrew's face was a picture. They talked a lot longer, but Scott had to get some sleep. They said their goodnights."See you on here tomorrow Scott." Andrew gave him a massive smile.
"You bet. I will be here, same time."
"Scott!"
"Yes papa?" Scott giggled, his Dad hated that."I'm going to the golf club. The boys have insisted I go. Brenda has got the day off so you will be on your own. Do you think you can manage?" William's nurse had got him ready and had left.It's not polite to tell your father to piss off, so he didn't, but he thought it all the same."Yes Daddy, I will be fine. Have a good time. I'm going to look at those plans, ok to use the study?"
"They are on the desk. Hope to see some good work when I get back. Won't be back until late, they are taking me out for dinner later.
"Scott saw his father off then went to the gym in the basement for an hour. After a shower he got into shorts and a top and went to his room and emailed Andrew. It was still the early hours over there and he knew Andrew would read it when he got up. He smiled to himself. Not long now dear man. He told his cock off for rising to the occasion and went to the study.After an hour or so he went to the kitchen to make coffee, but the door bell rang and he went to answer it. He opened the door and stood there with his mouth wide open in disbelief. It was of course Andrew.
winchesterbornbred@hotmail.co.uk Bobby