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 and Michael who have read this through and made a number of corrections and suggestions. Any remaining errors , grammatical, spelling or historical or whatever are entirely my fault.
Malcolm's Boys 8 Monday 27 June to Friday 1 July 2005
Kevin was up early on the Monday morning. He drove to his new place of work on the outskirts of High Wycombe. Most of the day was spent getting initiated into the structure and working practices of this engineering firm.
It was about the same size as the business he had worked for in York, and did similar work. Towards the end of the working day he was given a job to do, and he was told that they wanted it done by the end of the week. He had been given a similar task, with similar problems, a few weeks before in York. He reckoned that with a bit of luck he would not need so much time.
When he got back to his small apartment he made himself a meal, and decided to send a text message to Bill, the man with whom he had nearly been caught in York.
"Hi Bill. Got job in High Wycombe Phone no 01494 1928376 Keep secret Luv Kev."
Kevin had carefully kept his mobile switched off for most of the time. He did not want to have to speak to either Katie or any members of his family. He had switched it on for a few minutes each day, just to see if there were any text messages.
He sent off the message to Bill, and almost immediately his mobile rang twice telling him there was text message.
He read it. "Hi Kev Steve and I R on yr side Wld like 2 B of help Luv Paula"
He turned his mobile off and sat thinking. He had always been much closer to Steve than to Michael. He was slightly surprised to receive such a positive message from Paula. He wondered what had made her sympathetic, - `on his side.' He wondered if her phraseology implied some battle lines had been drawn at the family get together over the weekend. He also wondered if in her days working at Bart's [Hospital] she had had dealings with homosexuals.
He was just about to phone Steve and Paula, when his own land line phone rang.
Kev:- High Wycombe 1928376
Bill:- Hi Kev, Bill here. Just got your message.
Kev:- That was quick.
Bill:- Wife gone to collect kids from Brownies and Cubs. So I am free.
Kev:- Good.
Bill:- But if I ring off abruptly you'll know they're back.
Kev:- Fine
Bill:- But how are you? Down in the deep south.
Kev:- [With laugh] I come from down this way.
Bill:- Of course.
Kev:- I've got a job with a rather similar firm to the one up in York. First day was today. Made very welcome. I think I'll settle in okay. Have there been any repercussions up north?
Bill:- I should say. I think your Katie phoned about the time you left. Mandy took the call and said you'd just left. Katie left a message for you to ring when you got back. When you didn't ring by mid afternoon, she phoned again. Mandy expressed surprise that you'd not come back. Katie asked to be put through to Stan [the boss in York] Mandy passed the call through Stan's secretary, and eventually Katie got through to Stan.
Kev:- And?
Bill:- As we've always suspected Mandy is not above a bit of eaves-dropping.
She heard the conversation. Within the hour it was round most of the female staff, and not long after we all heard the gossip. You'd been caught in bed with another man. Your wife had thrown you out. Someone even wondered if you'd been wandering round York in your shirt tails. Seriously it created a sensation, it has been whispered and talked about ever since.
Kev:- I think I must of got away just in time. I thought I might be cutting it fine.
Bill:- Have you heard from Katie?
Kev:- No. And I don't know that I want to at the moment. I keep my mobile switched off most of the time. That's why I gave you this number.
Bill:- I understand.
Kev:- My main concern is about my family. I've had a text message from Dad, and just now, one from one of my sisters-in-law. She says they are on my side, and offer to be of help.
Bill:- Will you reply?
Kev:- I think so. I was about to phone them when you rang. I'd like to know about my parents. They must've been knocked for six over it all.
Bill:- I must be going. Thinking of you. I'll phone again in a day or two.
Kev:- Good. Thanks for phoning. Wish you were here, for a bit of fun.
Bill:- So do I. It hasn't put you off it then?
Kev:- No way. I've got a hard on just hearing your voice.
Bill:- So've I.
Kev:- A couple of randy frustrated men.
Bill laughed:- Must go. I think they're back.
Kev:- Bye
B:- Bye.
Kevin sat and thought over the conversation with Bill. He was not unduly surprised at what had happened. It was to be expected that Katie would make a real stir when she got in contact with the firm. Such gossipy news was bound to get out sooner or later, and Mandy had just made sure that it was sooner.
He then turned to thinking about the message from Paula. He hesitated before picking up the phone, but eventually he dialled their Baldock number,
carefully dialling 141 first so the call could not be traced.
Stephen answered the phone.
St:- Stephen Pridham.
There was a slight pause. Kev:- Kev here.
St:- Good to hear you, Bro. Where are you?
Kev:- South Buckinghamshire.
St:- Not far from home then?
Kev:- No. I have got a new job. Similar to the one in York. First day was today.
St:- Go all right?
Kev:- Fine.
St:- You've certainly put the cat among the Pridham pigeons.
Kev:- Guess so. How's Mum and Dad?
St:- Surprised. Shocked. I think they are both feeling somewhat ashamed.
Kev:- Oh!
St:- It's got right round the village. Katie phoned them on the Wednesday evening, presumably after you'd left the house. They were having a barbecue, and Mum answered the phone. When she came back out of the face it was obvious to all she'd received bad news, or rather a shock. She was so gob-smacked she could not make an excuse for her looking so upset on the spur of the moment. She had to tell them what it was.
Kev:- Who was there?
St:- The usual gang of our parent's friends. Bruce Perkins and his wife. The Ironsides, Hursts and Kimptons. Also these new friends of theirs Simon and Patricia.
Kev:- The guy Dad goes to Test matches with.
St:- They've become quite close friends, as couples, but especially Dad and this guy Simon.
Kev:- The rest of that gang would make sure such juicy gossip was round the village in no time.
St:- Exactly what happened.
Kev:- Did you have the family get together?
St:- Yes. Dad got all the adults together on Saturday evening and told us what had happened.
Kev:- And?
St:- Our elder brother and his wife were not at all happy. To put it mildly.
Kev:- He always was something of a bigoted prat.
St:- Wants nothing more to do with you until you repent. Sack cloth and ashes for you, Mate.
Kev:- Really.
St:- Well, to be honest, the sackcloth and ashes weren't mentioned, but I seem to remember the word repentance being on their lips a number of times.
Kev:- But what about you and Paula. Did you know she texted me?
St:- Yes. She surprised us all. Said very strongly that you must have been through it too, sorting out your sexuality. She said we need to hear your story.
Kev:- Does she know much about being gay. Does she know any gays, has she talked with them?
St:- Apparently yes. There were quite a number of gays working at Barts with her. She joined the family conference after we had started, she'd been settling the youngsters down. I put her in the picture by saying simply Kevin's gay'. She simply said, That all'. Her reaction surprised Mum and Dad, and horrified our dear brother.
Kev:- Good on Paula. Thank her for that, and for her message.
St:- Will do. But also, her Uncle Robert is gay, and quite accepted by her family. That too didn't go down well with older brother.
Kev:- Guess not.
St:- Kev, when did you realise you were gay?
Kev:- I've been thinking over that one. Looking back, and knowing what I know now, there are one or two things in my teenage years that can be seen as pointing towards me being gay.
St:- Anything happen?
Kev:- No. Even as I think over them now, I am still not sure how significant these little incidents are. Nothing actually happened, no sexual activity, if you really want to know.
Stephen was thinking, and delayed continuing the conversation for a moment.
He really wanted to know when Kevin had had his first man-to- man sex, but thought that that would be pressing things too far and too fast.
St:- How are you feeling about it all?
Kev:- Lot of mixed feelings. Especially about Katie and the baby. Feel guilty and very sorry that I have landed her in such a mess.
Stephen wondered whether to tell him what Katie had revealed about how she had got herself pregnant.
St:- She'll cope. Her folk, and I'm sure Mum and Dad, will do what they can to help her.
Kev:- I'm just sorry to have landed them with all this.
St:- I guess there've been pressures on you.
Kev:- Now that it's all blown up in my face I am trying to understand myself more fully. Was I wrong to get married? It's so easy to look back and to come up with a different answer to the one you took then. If you know what I mean?
St:- There are many things in life where we say or do things that we later see as wrong, or just unwise. I guess it is more difficult when that something involves a deep part in us, like our sexuality.
Kev:- It is going into that deep part that I am trying to do, and finding so difficult.
St:- If you want to talk it over with Paula and me, or just one of us; you only have to say.
Kev:- Thanks Steve. I feel better to have talked to you. I don't feel so cut off and rejected.
St:- I don't think Mum and Dad have rejected you. They were shocked, to put it mildly. They're struggling to understand it all. I don't know that either of them knows much about gayness. Bruce Perkins, the vicar, takes a hard line on these things.
Kev:- I bet he does.
St:- Mum and Dad have not rejected you. I think Paula has helped them.
Kev:- Will you tell them we've spoken on the phone?
St:- Yes, unless you very definitely don't want me to.
Kev:- Give them both my love. [Kevin's voice cracked as he said that]
St:- I will do. Keep in touch, or can I ring you?
Kev:- I am keeping my mobile off most of the time. I don't want to be landed into a conversation that I'm not ready for.
St:- Keep in touch. Hope job goes well.
Kev:- Thanks. Bye.
St:- Bye.
They both rang off. Stephen promptly rang 1471, and was told the last caller withheld their number. He gave a rueful smile. He then rang his parents and reported on the conversation he had had with his young brother.
On Tuesday afternoon Malcolm sent a text message to Kevin:- Dr Kev Steve told us yr news. Thnkng of U I thnk we shld tlk asap Luv Mum & Dad.
On Tuesday evening Malcolm and Janice had a long-standing dinner engagement with Reginald and Barbara Ironside.
"Do we have to go?" moaned Malcolm as the time approached for them to get showered and changed ready for the evening.
"Yes, we do. It has been in the diary for six weeks."
"I think I'll explode if Reginald goes on about wanting to string up gays and take pot shots at them."
"He's not as bad as that. Not quite!"
They both laughed.
"I am not going to become a hermit in the village where we've lived all these years, just because of our Kevin."
"That's it, girl. I think the old fighting spirit is coming back."
"And I'll be fighting you if you don't go and get ready. It's rude to be late."
"Bet I'm ready before you!"
As usual Malcolm was ready a good five minutes before Janice.
"I presume we are walking," said Malcolm.
"I've put on comfortable shoes."
"Good, that'll mean I don't have to watch the alcohol."
"We never see a policeman in the village. I reckon you could risk driving that short distance."
"But it would just be my luck to get caught or have an accident," moaned Malcolm. "Do you know who else is going?"
It's usually one other couple when we go to the Ironsides. Last time it was Bruce and Helen."
"Well I suppose it won't be them. Fortunately."
"No, Barbara keeps a careful record of her guests and the menu on a particular evening."
The Ironsides lived in one of the oldest cottages in the village. This meant that the rooms tended to be small. The dining room could only comfortably seat six. When the Pridhams arrived at the Ironsides they discovered the other guests were Arthur and Elsie Kimpton. Both of them thought that trouble would be likely to come from Reginald Ironside. Elsie Kimpton tended to be a quiet person, but there were occasions when she had shown the tact of a charging rhinoceros.
There were no problems during the first course which was a cold consomme. Nothing controversial was said during the main course, which was lamb cutlets cooked in a delicious sauce, with some rather exotic vegetables.
Barbara brought in the pudding, if it can be called such. It was Eton Mess,
a confection of crumpled meringues, double cream and strawberries. "I know it is not June 4th; but I thought it would be nice to have this today." {Eton Mess is apparently eaten at Eton College, the top Public [Private] School, on 4th June}
Half way through the consumption of the Eton Mess it was Barbara who made the opening for what was to follow, by asking an innocent question. "Was there a meeting of the fellowship group last week?"
The fellowship group was a small midweek group which usually met in the vicarage, for Bible Study, discussion and prayer. Barbara and Reginald were regular attenders, as was Elsie Kimpton. Janice attended an average of one out of three meetings. Malcolm never attended, he always professed an ignorance of theology and boredom with ecclesiastical politics, - the later he classified as anything ranging from the Parochial Church Council's deliberations over the colour of crockery for use in the church room, to Church appointments like that of an Archbishop of Canterbury.
"Yes, there was."
"Did you go?" asked Barbara.
"Yes. It was a very interesting meeting. There was not a great deal of discussion until Charlie Dymoke asked Bruce some question about homosexuality. I've forgotten exactly what the question was."
"And I suppose our Bruce held forth?" asked Barbara Ironside.
Malcolm and Janice glanced at each other signifying, `Here we go again.'
"Yes, he dealt with the issue at length. He began by going through all the Biblical texts, now what were they? Oh yes! He began with the Sodom story in Genesis. Then there were some references in that boring book, Leviticus. Though I'd never risk telling Bruce that I think it's boring."
They were some grins and slight chuckles round the table at this.
"He spent a long time on some verses in Romans. That bit got a bit complicated for me, though it seemed very clear at the time. Then he made us turn to a couple of verses, I have forgotten whether they are in St Paul's first or second letter to the Corinthians. It is the verse that says homosexuals will not inherit the Kingdom of God. He talked for a while about what two verses mean. It seemed clear to me that the Bible is dead against any form of homosexuality."
"I don't remember the word homosexual being in the Bible," said Arthur.
"It is not in the old Authorised Version [KJV to trans Atlantic readers] it is in one of the newer versions."
"Don't like them," muttered Reginald.
"Yes, Bruce said that the Authorised Version had `effeminate, and abusers of themselves with men'. I managed to remember that!" She tittered.
"Then he went on to talk about the attitude and teaching of other churches. Do you know? He even said that the Church of Rome was sound on this point. I've never heard him agree with the Pope before! They taught in one of their official things that homosexuality is a `disordered condition'. I think that was the term. He said that all this modern prominence to this sexual deviation and degeneracy is quite a recent thing. He blamed that report; I've forgotten its name."
"The Wolfenden Report," murmured Malcolm.
"That's it," continued Elsie. "He also mentioned some riots in New York, where some of these terrible gay men actually fought the police. Fought the police mind you."
"Disgraceful, resisting the forces of law and order," commented Reginald.
"Apparently there are various organisations in this country working to change the law even more. One of these is named after the riot."
"Stonewall," murmured Malcolm, who felt his temper rising.
Janice glanced at Malcolm, surprised that he knew so much about these things.
"That's it. Then there are organisations in the church. We've all heard Bruce condemn the Lesbian and Gay Christian thing. There is another that works just for changing things in the Church of England, Changing something or other it's called."
"I don't understand why the Archbishops allow such organisations to exist," said Reginald Ironside. "In the army they would be stopped forthwith, and those who had tried to form such a group would have been summarily dealt with."
"I don't think the Archbishop of Canterbury has that sort of authority," said Arthur Kimpton.
"More's the pity!" said Reginald. "The last one, Carey, tried to stop it all, he was a good man, but ineffectual. But the present man is a ponce lover to begin with. Can't expect a strong lead from him."
There was a slight pause in the conversation, but Elsie Kimpton was not to be deflected from her charge. "Then Charlie Dymoke asked what should be done about any homosexuals in our church, if there are any, and in the village. Bruce said he would refuse to give communion to any known homosexual."
"I doubt that any would dare to come up to the communion rail, knowing what Bruce thinks of it all," said Arthur Kimpton.
`Little do you know. You are sitting at table with someone who is into gay sex,' thought Malcolm.
"Bruce said he saw homosexuality as a contaminating sin that was creeping into the church and society. He said that we should resist it."
"Did he say anything about this chap, Jeffrey John, who's Dean of St Albans?" asked Reginald.
"Yes, he described his appointment as a terrible affliction on the church in this diocese. He had got our PCC, [Parochial Church Council] to drastically reduce what they gave to the diocese. He can't understand how our bishop could allow that Jeffrey man to become our Dean."
"And do you know there were some on the PCC who actually voted against Bruce's proposal. I shan't be voting for them again, I can tell you," said Reginald.
"Somebody asked about homosexuals in the village. There was talk about the old Squire's long standing relationship with George Blackstone, the garage man."
"That's all years ago," said Reginald.
"Somebody said that they thought the Broad's youngest son was gay."
"We don't see him around much now, do we?" said Barbara.
"Bruce intimated that there was someone else still living in the village."
"How disgraceful," said Reginald. "They're getting everywhere. Even peaceful little villages like ours seem to have their resident homosexual. I suppose it's some form of this new political correctness, like having at least one token woman on a committee."
"Bruce also said that a lot of clergy are homosexuals, and even some married men," continued Elsie. "Though how a married man can be a homosexual I don't know."
"I wonder if their wives know?" asked Barbara
"I am sure I would know if Arthur here was one of them." Elsie gave a smile at her husband, Arthur. "Bruce said that there were some men who liked to have sex with both women and men, bisexuals he called them. I find it all difficult to understand. In my younger days we didn't talk about such things, and didn't know."
"Where ignorance is bliss, `tis folly to be wise," murmured Barbara.
"That's just the trouble," said Reginald. "It is while we've been refusing to think and condemn such things, and remaining in ignorance, that these homosexuals have been worming their way into our society,"
"I gather things are even worse in some parts of the States," said Arthur.
"Many of our problems start from the other side of the Atlantic," said Reginald.
"Yes, dear," said Barbara, "Don't go off on that tack, we've heard you on that before."
Both Janice and Malcolm thought they had heard more than enough of Elsie and Reginald on the present tack.
"I'd like to know who are the homosexuals in this village. That's the trouble we don't know. They ought to be made to wear something distinctive." said Reginald.
"Hitler made them wear a pink triangle, like he made the Jews wear a star of David." said Arthur.
There was a humphing noise from Reginald. He was tempted to say that Hitler had the right idea, but for once thought better about speaking his mind.
"Reginald, what would you do about homosexuals in the village, if you knew who they were?" asked Elsie.
Reginald thought for a moment before answering. "I would try to make it difficult for them to continue to live in the village. They ought to move away and live with other homosexuals. I gather a lot live in Brighton. Make that and somewhere in the north of the country a designated place for homosexuals to live."
"That'd be a shame; I rather like Brighton," muttered Elsie.
Reginald continued. "We need to know who they are in the village. Let everybody know. Keep your children away from them. Try to stop them getting served in the pub. Though you'd have to be careful to keep within the law. Those who aid and abet them, support or encourage them should be sent to Coventry."
"Reginald," said Malcolm softly. "Do you regard Janice and I among those who aid and abet a homosexual who was brought up in the village. Do you want to send us to Coventry?"
"Bruce said that it all depends on how you treat Kevin," said Elsie. She immediately realised she had charged too far. She put a hand to her mouth,
and blushed bright red.
"Yes, Elsie, and what exactly did Bruce actually say?" said Malcolm softly.
Janice gave her husband a worried look. She knew that when he spoke softly he was exceedingly angry. Only three times, in the many years she had known him, had she seen him in a similar cold anger.
Malcolm looked firmly and remorselessly at Elsie, waiting for her to answer.
"I don't think he actually mentioned you by name. He said that if he was asked by, say, parents of an adult homosexual what they should do, he would counsel them to love the sinner, but to make sure that they showed their hatred of the sin." Elsie glanced from side to side as if looking for some support, but she had been the only one of the present company who had been present at the fellowship meeting.
"Did he say exactly how that was to be done?" Malcolm's eyes were still fixed on Elsie.
"He said you could show your disapproval by not extending hospitality. Things like staying for the night, or meals. Though it might be alright to give a cup of coffee and a biscuit." Elsie's voice began to falter, and Malcolm realised if he pressed her further she would probably cry, and he would be seen to have bullied her.
His eyes turned to the rest of the party. "So Bruce Perkins, the Vicar of Whitgest has spoken. Should my youngest son pay me a visit, I am not supposed to offer him a bed for the night, or a meal. But I can offer him a cup of coffee and a biscuit! I want you to know that Kevin, my son, will always be welcome at his old home, to stay for the night, and for a proper meal. We have yet to hear Kevin's story. I refuse to judge until I have heard him."
"But Malcolm," said Reginald. "He's admitted having sex with a man. He's walked out on his young wife who's expecting his child," said Reginald. "In my book the first is immoral, grossly immoral, and the contrary to every principle of moral conduct; and the second is a shameful dereliction of duty. He should be horsewhipped!"
"In your book maybe, Reg. In my book Kevin is my son. I may not agree with what he's done. But I want to hear what he has to say. I love my son,
and I love my daughter- in- law. In all this ghastly mess and tragedy, we intend to stand by them both. I reckon they are both in great need of love and support at the moment. Janice and I intend to give them that to the best of our ability!" Malcolm's eyes fixed Reginald, and then turned to Elsie, then to Arthur and Barbara. Each in turn looked away from him.
He turned to Janice. "Well dear. I think enough has been said about us and our family here tonight. I think we should be going." He stood up.
"But we haven't had coffee and mints yet," said Barbara.
"I think it is about time this village curtailed some of its trading in gossip, and people started thinking, really thinking for themselves."
Reginald stood up. "Are you insinuating that I haven't thought about these things?" he shouted.
"Reg, Barbara," Malcolm gave both a slight bow, "Thank you for the evening.
Barbara, as usual the meal was superb. Come dear, let's be going."
They made their way to the door. Barbara followed them and closed the door quickly behind them.
As they walked away Janice held Malcolm's arm. "Thank you, dear. You stood up to them."
"I was very, very angry."
"I know you were. But you did not lose it. You kept control and made your point. I'm sure they knew just how angry you were, and because you spoke quietly and politely, they cannot put any blame on you."
"Thanks dear."
They walked the rest of the way home in silence.
Meanwhile back in the Ironside's cottage Barbara came back in to the dinning room. "Oh dear. What a terrible thing to happen! I've never known anyone walk out of a dinner party like that."
"Last time those ponce lovers set foot in my house," spluttered Reginald.
"We were just having an innocent conversation, and Malcolm goes and gets cross," said Elsie.
"I think it is difficult to have a rational conversation on this matter today. Neither side seems willing to listen to what the other has to say," commented Arthur.
"As far as I am concerned, how can there be a rational conversation?" asked Reginald, glaring at those still seated round the table. "Buggery is wrong.
Sodomy is condemned in the Bible. And used to be a criminal offence in this country until these lily-livered liberals got that act decriminalising it way back in the `60s. Bruce is right. This must be a defining issue. The moral law is clear. We must be willing to stand up and condemn it."
"But it is hard for Janice and Malcolm with their son...." muttered Barbara.
"Don't you stand up for them, woman. They brought the man up. They bear some, no, a lot of responsibility. There was not enough discipline in the upbringing of those boys."
"Let's go through into the sitting room, and have some coffee and mints," suggested Barbara,
They rose from the table want went and sat in the more comfortable seats in the living room. There was no further conversation about homosexuality, or the Pridhams. The Kimptons soon made their way home.
"I'm going to phone Simon to tell him what happened," said Malcolm, when he and Janice had got home.
"Invite them both round to coffee tomorrow morning. Especially Pat, I need someone to talk to too."
Malcolm went off to get his mobile and ring through to Simon.
M:- Hi Si.
S:- Hi. How did it go?
M:- Not good. I nearly lost my rag.
S:- As bad as that.
M:- We walked out. Finished the dessert, but before the coffee.
S:- Cor! Reginald?
M:- Only in part. It was mainly Elsie Kimpton.
S:- I was wondering who was there.
M:- Just the six of us.
S:- I thought she was a quiet, inoffensive soul.
M:- She is most of the time. But she has no tact. Someone asked if she'd been to the fellowship group last week. They discussed homosexuality.
S:- With the vicar pontificating I suppose.
M:- Exactly. And they were talking about us. It was that that really lit my fuse. I had my say, and Jan and I left.
S:- What do you think the fall out will be?
M:- I expect it'll be right round the village in twenty- four hours. Elsie is one of the big gossip mongers in this village. And I doubt whether we'll be invited to the Ironsides', or to the Kimptons' for that matter, again.
S:- Does that worry you?
M:- Not really. I've always found Reginald difficult. He's too black and white for me. Slightly sad. We've gone to each others' houses ever since they came to the village.
S:- How long ago was that?
M:- Must be fifteen to twenty years. I've forgotten exactly how long.
S:- Can I tell Pat?
M:- Of course. Jan wants you both to come for coffee tomorrow morning. I think she wants to have someone sympathetic to talk to.
S:- Hold on.
There was silence on the line, while Simon shouted through to Patricia to confirm that they were free the next morning.
S:- That's fine. See you then.
M:- Bye.
The next morning Simon and Patricia came round to the Pridhams for their morning coffee. The men knew the women wanted to talk, so they decided to take their coffee out into the garden, while the women talked inside.
Malcolm's garden was quite long, and at the end was his greenhouse. It was quite a large one, in which he grew melons, cucumbers and a lot of tomatoes in the summer. The tomatoes plants were now chest high, and the fruit on the lower trusses were well formed and beginning to turn. Malcolm had a couple of folding chairs, as he would sit for some of the work he did in there; but also it was a pleasant retreat being warm inside when it was too cold to sit outside.
The two men made their way into the greenhouse. The two chairs were sat on.
"I reckon the women will be safely talking for at least half an hour," said Simon.
"Guess so. I have it all worked out. An eye can be kept on the house, and anyone walking up here can be clearly seen,"
"I thought so." Simon put down his mug of coffee, and knelt in front of Malcolm. "I reckon you are in need of some TLC." He reached up and pulled down the zip on Malcolm's trousers.
"I'm always in need of that sort of TLC, said Malcolm, with a chuckle.
Simon put his hand in and extracted Malcolm's hardening cock. Before it was fully hard he put it into his mouth. That completed the hardening process at once. Simon lubricated Malcolm's cock, and then began to play with it. He ran the tip of his tongue up and down the thick shaft. As always this brought forth appreciative noises from Malcolm. He worked his hand in extracted Malcolm's balls.
"Better not pull the trousers down. I don't want a Kevin to happen." said Malcolm. "But I do like that."
Simon managed to get a finger through to stroke Malcolm's perineum, while his lips kissed and nibbled at Malcolm's cock and balls. Simon gave Malcolm a full ten minutes of attention before he felt Malcolm's balls tighten, and his breath begin to pant. He was ready for when it happened; several powerful jets of hot cum squirted into his mouth. He swallowed it all, and held his mouth in position to savour the last drops as Malcolm's penis softened and eventually slipped from his mouth.
Simon looked up at Malcolm. "Some village Pridham, that with dauntless breast/ The little tyrant of his fields withstood."
Malcolm laughed. "I suppose Reginald is something of a tyrant. Thank you Si. That was great, as usual. Now let me see to you."
"Oh no! Not today. We mustn't risk the women coming out and finding us at it. That was for keeping your cool yesterday evening in spite of the provoking circumstances. I must drink my coffee, before it's completely cold."
The two of them sat talking over the events of the evening before, until twenty five minutes later Janice and Patricia came out to find where they were.
"Is it all right with you two men if Jan and I go up to town for the day on Saturday?"
"I suppose so," said Simon, covering his inward jubilation.
"Leaving us to fend for ourselves. We're a couple of neglected husbands," moaned Malcolm.
On that Wednesday evening there was another text message from Kevin:- Mum & Dad Thanx 4 message. Wrk goin well See U Luv Kev
Malcolm and Janice discussed the message.
"What does he mean by that `See you?' asked Janice.
"He obviously does not think he will get a hostile reception."
"Buckinghamshire is not all that far away. Perhaps he'll pop over."
"I only hope, if he does, that he'll come when someone's here, preferably both of us."
"You have remembered that Tricia and I are going up to town for the day on Saturday, and going to a show. We'll be home late."
"No I've not forgotten." Malcolm and Simon had already made plans for Saturday, and they did not entail shopping, though they both thought they could spend a recuperative mid-session interval watching the village team play cricket.
Half an hour later Michael rang. "Just ringing to find out how you both are."
Janice had answered the phone. "We're all right. We had a bit of a bust up with the Ironsides and the Kimptons."
"Oh?"
Janice gave him an account of the dinner party on Tuesday evening.
"That's a bit much, gossiping about you at the fellowship group. Even I can understand Dad getting cross. Has that got round the village?"
"Tricia heard a garbled account in the village shop earlier today."
"Do they ever sell anything in that shop, or do they only exchange gossip?"
"That and the pub are the great meeting places in this village. The men gossip in the pub, and the women in the shop."
"Men don't gossip, Mum," said Michael in mock horror.
"Oh yea?"
They both laughed. Janice was pleased that the conversation with her eldest son was so relaxed. The conversation then turned to the grandchildren's school work. Abigail had done some good artistic work; and Jonathan was expecting to do well at the school sports day.
"Have you heard anything more from my youngest brother?"
"Just a text message."
"What did he say?"
"He said his new job is going well. He also said `See you.' We wonder if he is going to pop in."
"Where is he then, do you know that."
"He rang Steve, and told him he was living in Buckinghamshire. So he's not too far away."
"What he did, Mum, is wrong. Don't let him bamboozle you by some story about all he's been through. He was wrong in what he did with that guy, and as for walking out on poor Katie. We've sent her some flowers by the way."
"That's very kind of you."
"Lois and I intend to support her as much as we can."
"That's good of you. Mal and I intend the same."
"He doesn't deserve any support. Remember you cannot serve two masters."
"We love them both."
"I would have thought Kevin would have forfeited your love, with what he has done, and the trouble he's landed you both in."
There were noises at Michael's end of the line. "Must go Mum. Thomas wants some help with maths homework. Love to Dad. Bye."
"Bye."
Janice put the receiver down, and stood looking at the phone for a minute.
`That phone call could have been worse,' she thought to herself.
Kevin woke earlier than usual on Thursday morning. He had a leisurely breakfast, which was unusual for him, as getting off to work was usually a rushed affair. He looked at his watch and saw that it was still only 7.30am. He decided to put into action something that he had been considering doing for several days. He got the telephone and pressed the buttons 0064 the code for New Zealand. He followed that with the code for Wellington. Then the number of his friend Owen.
Kevin had kept in occasional contact with Owen over the three years since his memorable visit to New Zealand. Sometimes Kevin had phoned when he had an opportunity when Katie was out of the house Owen had written occasional letters to Kevin, addressed to Kevin's place of work. This meant that the phone call was not a complete bolt out of the blue for Owen.
The phone rang a number of times, and Kevin was just about to put down the receiver when it was answered.
O:- Owen,
K:- Kev here. You sound out of breath.
O:- Well, if you do phone me when I'm down of the end of the patch what do you expect. Good to hear from you. How ya doing?
K:- Not too good. Lot of news.
Kevin told Owen all that had happened over the last three weeks.
O:- How attached are you to that guy, Bill?
K:- I liked him. We got on well. But he's married with a couple of kids.
O:- Wants to stay married?
K:- Wouldn't want to run out on his wife and kids.
O:- That's the problem with so many married men. Want the best of both worlds. Sorry, I'm forgetting that was you up to three weeks ago.
K:- Yea.
O:- And now you've been flushed out of the closet. And having to live alone.
K:- Cooking, washing and ironing and housework.
Owen laughed.
O:- Do you think you'll stick it where you are?
K:- Too soon to say. I know there's no chance of getting back with Katie, even if I wanted it. I think I shall soon start enjoying my freedom.
O:- Free to be with whom you like, when you like, and how you like.
Kevin laughed
K:- I hope so.
O:- But no one in mind at the moment?
K:- No.
O:- Half of my bed's empty, so you needn't sleep out on the streets.
K:- You've got no one, then?
O:- Not since a certain sexy Englishmen went home to his missus, apart from the odd one night stand.
K:- Is that an invitation?
O:- Want it to be?
K:- We got on well together the two months we lived together.
O:- True.
K:- If it is an invitation, I would need to think it over.
O:- Naturally.
K:- But I confess I like the idea.
O:- I'll keep the other half of the bed empty and ready for you then.
The rest of the conversion was not significant, but Kevin went off to work that morning thinking over the possibility of returning to New Zealand.
On the Friday when Kevin got back from work, he got himself a meal and then went for a stroll.
When he got back he sat in the armchair, thinking over all the events of the last three weeks. Again he started thinking back
There was that strange series of events that happened a few weeks before his visit to New Zealand. There was a job to be done in Newcastle. It involved visiting Newcastle once a week over a period of four or five weeks.
The first time he had travelled up by car, and was confronted with the problem of finding parking in the centre of the city. As the office he had to go to was near the main station he decided that for the rest of his visits he would travel by train. Newcastle and York are both on the main East Coast line, and are well served by trains going from London to Newcastle, as well as those going up the East Coast of Scotland. It was quicker and much more comfortable than going by car.
His visits involved going to the office of the company with which Kevin's firm was working, and then going out to the site where the actual work was being done. He met up with the man in charge in Newcastle, who took Kevin to the site where the work was being carried out about fifteen miles from the centre of the city. The man's name was Karl. He was from Sunderland and spoke with a strong Geordie accent. It was late morning when Karl drive them both out towards Morpeth. They chatted amiably in the car.
Their work at the site took three hours, so it was late afternoon when Karl drove Kevin back to the station to catch the train back to York.
A week later Kevin made his second visit. The two men had got on well the week before, so they were quickly at ease with each other. Various matters were discussed and settled at the office, and then again Karl drove them both out to the site.
Their chat involved finding out more about each other. Karl was single, and had a flat in Jesmond, a suburb of Newcastle. He lived alone. He had lived all his life in the North east, and had only visited London once in his life; though he had holidayed in Greece, Spain and Tunisia a number of times.
The third visit they greeted each other as old friends. They enjoyed working together, and often joked, so their was plenty of laughter.
When he came to look back on these visits Kevin could not remember when he realised how much Karl was a tactile person. The hand shake was often accompanied by a grasp of the lower arm with the free hand. If Karl opened a door for Kevin it was often accompanied with a hand on the back. Kevin was not used to this, but treated it as an idiosyncrasy of Karl's. But as he thought about it he realised that he really quite liked it. It made the relationship between the two men closer.
It was on the fourth of the weekly visited that Kevin and Karl realised that there would need to be just one more visit.
"I shall miss your visits," said Karl, as they drove back into Newcastle.
"So shall I. Thank you for your part in making them so enjoyable. Visits from outsiders to see how the work is going, and giving advice can all too easily feel like inspections."
"With you I've never felt it was like that."
"Good, " said Kevin with a broad grin.
"Next week, when we've done, can I take you out for a meal?"
"That'd be great. Yes, I'd enjoy that. Though I'd need to wash and change, I wouldn't feel comfortable going out for a meal in these togs. The first thing I do when I get home is to have a shower and change."
"Removing the filth of Newcastle?"
They both laughed.
"We could go back to my place, so you can have a shower and change there. Then we could go into town, and I could take you back to the station for your train back to York."
"Sounds fine by me."
They discussed what sort of meal they would have, and decided to go Thai.
They knew each other's domestic situation. Karl was not married, and lived alone. The thought never crossed Kevin's mind that he might be gay. Only now as he thought it all over was that coming into his mind. Karl knew that Kevin was married, he had talked several times openly bringing Katie naturally into the conversation.
When the work was completed the following week, Karl drove them both back to his flat in Jesmond. It was a small flat, a part of a converted large house. It had two bedrooms, a large living room, as well as kitchen and bathroom. Karl showed Kevin round, and suggested he changed in the bedroom. He handed him a towel to dry himself after he had showered.
Kevin went into the bath room and enjoyed the shower. He wrapped the towel round himself, and made his way into the bedroom. Karl had appeared at the kitchen door, and asked if the shower had been all right.
Kevin changed, and now dressed in his clean clothes, made his way into the large sitting room. He sat and started reading the copy of the Daily Telegraph that was on the coffee table.
Karl went into the bathroom for his shower. After several minutes the bathroom door opened and Karl asked if Kevin was alright. Kevin turned towards the door, and was treated to a quick sighting of a naked Karl, first a front view and then immediately a back view as he made his way into the bedroom. At the time Kevin thought nothing of it, he had seen enough naked men in the showers at school and at University. It was only now as he looked back that he began to wonder if Karl was making a pass.
Very soon Karl joined Kevin and they made their way into the centre of Newcastle and to the Thai restaurant. Tuesday evenings are not the most popular for eating out. so there were few other people dining there. They were directed to a table set against the wall. They sat down at right angles to each other.
Kevin remembered that it had been a delicious meal. Many of the delicate flavours were new to him. They talked freely. Karl asked more about Kevin's life. How he had met Katie, how long they had courted? Any children? Kevin already knew that Karl was unmarried, but now Karl added further information. He had never had a serious girl friend. He never had wanted one. He enjoyed living alone, where he was free to come and go when and how he wanted, and with whom he wanted.
Kevin also told Karl about his forthcoming visit to New Zealand. It was now just three weeks away, and he was going to be away for three months.
It was when they were about half way through the meal that Kevin became conscious of Karl's leg against his own. He moved his own leg, but was soon aware that Karl's leg was back against his own. Every so often there was a movement from Karl and his knee rubbed briefly up and down against Kevin's leg. Kevin had already realised Karl was a tactile person but this was something new. Again it was only well after the event that Kevin realised the significance of what was happening.
They sat talking for a while after the meal, as there was plenty of time before Kevin's train. Karl took him to the station and came onto the platform to see him off.
"I'm going to miss your weekly visits," said Karl.
"I will too," Kevin answered with a smile. "It has been good working with you, and getting to know you. Thanks again for that meal."
They stood at the open door of the carriage. The guard was walking along closing the doors. They shook hands.
"Good bye, Karl, and thanks again."
"Good bye. Perhaps one of these days you will realise the truth about yourself."
Kevin got onto the train and the guard shut the door. He made his way to a seat. Karl stood outside and watched. Very soon the train began to move, they waved. Kevin sat pondering Karl's final words. `What could he mean?' Little did he realise that he was soon going to be given a further clue about himself.
It was late in the evening as the train carried Kevin southward home to York. It stopped at Chester-le-Street, Durham, and Darlington. The carriage Kevin was in was barely half full when it left Newcastle, and it got emptier at each stop. For the last stage of the journey there was only a young couple at the far end of the carriage, they were engaged in a close clinch, and were totally absorbed with each other.
It was some time after leaving Darlington that Kevin had to go to the toilet. He made his way down the empty carriage. On his way back to his seat he noticed a rolled up magazine lying on one of the seats. As he had nothing to read he picked it up and took it back to his seat. He unrolled it, and was immediately confronted with a magazine unlike any he had ever seen. It was a gay magazine full of photographs of naked young men, in various states of arousal, and some showing young men enjoying each other.
Kevin looked furtively round the carriage, fearful of being seen looking at such a magazine. The train rattled on through the dark night, and the couple were still engrossed in each other. Kevin looked and immediately had one of the hardest erections of his life. He quickly turned the pages. Then came the announcement that the train would soon be stopping in York. He stuffed the magazine into his case, and tried to think of other things so that his erection would be gone by the time he had to get out of his seat and on to the station.
He got a taxi home from the station. There was just a light in the hallway.
Katie must have gone to bed. This was confirmed when he got inside, for there was a note from her, telling him that she was tired and had gone to bed, and please would he try not to wake her when he came to bed.
He got himself a drink, and opening his case pulled out the magazine. Immediately he was as hard as ever. He looked through the magazine. He had never seen any pictures like these. His cock and balls ached for relief, so he took the magazine into the downstairs loo, unzipped and pulled out his cock. That action was enough handling. He shot his load all over the place. He wiped the drops up with loo paper, and flushed them away down the loo.
He realised that he would be taking a risk in hiding the magazine anywhere. So he wrapped it in a plastic bag, and took it out to the wheely bin. He pushed it down as far as it would go, and was thankful that the bin would be emptied the next day.
As Kevin sat and thought over that evening, he realised that it pointed very firmly to the direction of his sexual orientation. Perhaps it unlocked the door that was so decisively to be opened in New Zealand a few weeks later.
There will be eleven chapters. Jeff at jeffyrks@hotmail.com