Date: Thu, 27 May 2004 14:53:40 +0100
From: Drew Hunt <drew.hunt@blueyonder.co.uk>
Subject: The House On The Hill 15

This work is copyright.  I have given permission for a copy of this story
to be placed on the Nifty Archives under the terms of their submission
agreement.  But This work may not be copied or archived onto any other
website or newsgroup without the prior written permission of the author.

This story is fiction, it didn't happen, to the best of the author's
knowledge no one in the story exists in real life.

If you have a problem with reading stories of a homosexual nature, then
bugger off.  Also you shouldn't read on if you are below the age of
consent, or you have the misfortune to reside in an area where reading and
downloading this kind of material is against the law.

A debt of thanks is owed to Tom W and Lars who have helped to remove the
errors, any which remain are my own.

Chapter 15

"We better get a couple more shirts than this list suggests," Robbie said
as he and Ben shopped for new school uniforms on Monday morning.
"Otherwise you could run out before laundry day."

"Okay, Uncle Rob."  Ben wasn't that interested, to tell the truth.  This
shopping expedition was merely bringing home to him the reality that he'd
be starting at his new school in a week's time.

"At least you don't have to wear a blazer.  Me and your dad had to, and
they got pretty warm in the summer, too."

Ben suffered the indignity of having his inside leg measurements taken,
along with those for his chest and waist.  They emerged from the department
store a couple of hours later laden with packages.  Ben resigning himself
to his fate, and Robbie wondering how he could get away with not telling
Carl the full total of how much it had all cost.

"Okay, we'll drop these off in the car, then I'll treat you to lunch.  What
do you fancy?"

"Pizza!" Ben said, brightening up for the first time that day.

"Thought so," Robbie smiled.

* * * * *

Several slices of deep-pan meat-feast later, the two came out of Pizza Hut
to a rain-swept street.  As they ran to the car, Robbie had an idea.  He
wasn't sure if Carl would like it, but he thought he could justify his
purchase.  "Ben, come in here for a minute."

The two entered a mobile phone retailer.  Robbie had such a phone, though
he rarely used it.  He wanted to get one for Carl; he didn't trust that van
of his not to break down.  'If he won't let me buy him a new van, then I
want him to be able to call for assistance if the thing breaks down.'

Robbie thought about getting Carl a pre-pay phone, but he wouldn't be able
to always make sure that there was enough credit on it, and it would be
awkward to keep giving Carl the money to keep the thing topped up.
Therefore he decided to get a phone tied to a contract with a reasonable
amount of 'free minutes' each month.  Despite the fact that there was a
baffling array of different contracts to choose from, Robbie's analytical
mind soon discarded the inappropriate ones, zeroing in on the one he
thought would be best.  The salesman tried to get him to go for a different
scheme.  Robbie thought the salesman was motivated more by the level of
commission he would receive, rather than offering the most suitable
contract.  He stood his ground.

Robbie arranged it so the monthly statement would go to Carl.  He thought
that would be best, he didn't want to make it look as though he was keeping
an eye on what calls his lover was making.  However, Robbie made sure the
monthly fee would come out of his own bank account.  The sales assistant
became a little awkward, until Robbie told him that such an agreement was
perfectly permissible, and if he refused to arrange it there were plenty of
other retailers in town who would be glad of his custom.

Before leaving, Robbie also picked up a pre-pay mobile for Ben, who was
delighted to receive his own phone.  Not that he would need to use it that
often, but Robbie wanted Ben to be able to call for help if ever he were in
a jam.

"You'll probably have to keep it turned off at school, otherwise they might
confiscate it.  But it's there if you need to get in touch with either me
or your dad in an emergency," Robbie told the grinning pre-teen.

"Thanks, Uncle Rob.  I promise I won't ring loads of people on it."

"You won't be able to, love.  The calls are quite expensive, but when the
credit runs low, just let me know and I'll put some more money in it for
you, okay?"  He felt like adding, 'but don't tell your dad'.  However,
Robbie stopped himself, he didn't want to cause Ben to have to keep secrets
from his father.

The paperwork for Carl's phone completed, the two left the shop.
Fortunately the rain had stopped, so the two did a little window-shopping
as they made their way back to the car.

"I know you didn't like getting all those clothes, Ben.  I don't like that
kind of shopping, either.  But we got it all done in one go," Robbie told
Ben as he drove the pair back to the house.

"Yeah, it's just I'm not looking forward to going back to school."

"I know, sweetheart.  But don't forget, it's just the same for all the
other kids in your year."

"I know," Ben said, not feeling that much better.

* * * * *

"Now, Carl, don't get awkward," Robbie said when he handed over the new
mobile phone.

"But they're expensive, these things.  You promised not to go buying me
presents."

"Yes, Carl, I did, but I don't look upon that phone as a present.  What if
the van breaks down and you need to get in touch with either a garage or
me?  I'm not gonna apologise for buying it for you, Car.  So don't try and
put me on a guilt trip," Robbie said defiantly.

Carl had to accept Robbie's logic.  He'd taken the van to the garage the
previous week to have it patched up.  The mechanic had told him that the
van would soon need to be scrapped, as the engine, not to mention the
suspension and the gear box, were well past their best.  Looking down at
the tiny phone, which fitted snugly in the palm of his hand, Carl quietly
said, "Thanks, Rob."

"Car, I want you safe at all times, I'd go out of my mind if anything ever
happened to you."

Carl hugged Robbie to him.  "Thanks, babe.  And we could have phone sex,
too," he whispered lasciviously into Robbie's ear.

"Oh, you mucky bugger, you," Robbie said, rubbing himself up against Carl's
crotch.

Carl's manhood immediately began to stiffen.  "Rob, we can't, Ben's only in
the room over the way."

The two were in the Drawing room, with Ben in the study.

"Well, the advantage of the doors in this house is that all of them lock,"
Robbie said, separating himself from Carl and pressing the button on the
door handle, which stopped it from turning, effectively locking it.  "Now
where were we, oh hunky lover of mine?"

"But the condoms and lube are in the bedroom," Carl said, just before
Robbie pulled Carl's trousers down.

"I think I'll give you another lesson in oral sex."  Robbie got hold of
Carl's rather utilitarian white boxer shorts.  'I can see us having an
argument when I go and get him some sexier underwear,' Robbie thought.

"Oh, be gentle with me," Carl said before a moan escaped his lips as Robbie
took him down to the root.  Carl had tried to deep throat Robbie a few
times, but his gag reflex had kept kicking in.  Robbie had told him that it
didn't matter, and he'd improve with practice, but Carl wanted to be the
best lover he could for Robbie.

Carl closed his eyes; the warm moist feelings he was receiving around his
manhood were wonderful.  Previously, he'd always thought that he possessed
a low sex drive, but Carl now knew the reason why he'd thought that.  He
didn't think he could ever have enough of his Rob making love to him.  Not
that he was in the least bit reticent about returning the favour.

"Jesus," Carl exclaimed as Robbie began poking his tongue into Carl's pee
slit.

Robbie then retracted Carl's foreskin and licked away the small deposits of
smegma that had accumulated around Carl's glans.  Robbie particularly
enjoyed the cheesy treats with their concentrated Carl taste.  He knew he'd
never get enough.

Fearing they'd be interrupted, Robbie sped up his sucking, soon bringing
Carl roaring towards his climax.  Unable and unwilling to deny the
crescendo of feelings and physical stimuli, Carl hurled three or four jets
of scalding cream into Robbie's waiting mouth.

Robbie knew that the average volume of ejaculate was only about 20 ml, just
over a tablespoonful, but it always seemed to be more to him.  He resisted
the urge to swallow his prize, he thought he might try and advance Carl's
sexual education by indulging in a little cum swapping.  Though at first
surprised by Robbie's intentions, Carl soon caught on and they began
passing the fluid between them.  The semen gradually grew less flavourful
as their combined saliva diluted it.  They both swallowed, Carl then
treated Robbie to a firm lip lock.

Once they broke contact, Carl said.  "Wow, Rob, would you believe that's
the first cum I've ever tasted?"

"Really?  Well, I'm glad I was able to introduce you to the joys of it
then.  And I have to say that you began your experience with a most
excellent example.  It had a distinctive body, I was receiving a hint of
nuttiness, and in the background there was a definite air of autumn fruit,
with a smoky edge.  All in all a most satisfying vintage," Robbie said,
emulating the wine tasters on the TV.

"You dozy bugger," Carl said, laughing.  "Do you want me to try and do the
same for you?" he said, looking into Robbie's eyes.

"It's not necessary, love.  We don't have to do one another turn by turn.
Making love should be, must be spontaneous.  It's much more fun that way."

"You're amazing, do you know that?" Carl said, kissing Robbie again.

"Oh, one does one's best to please."

Someone tried the doorknob.  As it wouldn't turn, they began knocking.
Carl quickly put his wilted penis away, Robbie grinning at his lover's
'deer caught in the headlamps' look.  He went over to the door and unlocked
it.

"Hi Ben, managed to figure out how your phone works?"

Carl wondered at the calmness of his lover, his own heart hadn't yet
returned to normal.

"Yeah, Uncle Rob, it's great."  Ben advanced into the room, sniffing.  "Mrs
Rowlands been using a new furniture polish?" he said, grinning widely.

"Don't be cheeky," Carl said, his face burning red at being found out.
Carl began to tickle his son under his arms.

Once Ben had settled down again, Carl asked, "Did you get everything you
needed for your school uniform?"

Ben's face dropped.  "I don't want to think about it now, but yes, I did."

"It'll all be fine, love.  Try not to worry," Robbie said.  He knew exactly
what Ben was going through.

"That reminds me, how much do I owe you, Rob?" Carl said, getting out his
wallet.  "And I can't say I'm too happy about you buying that phone for
Ben, either."

'Oh shit,' Robbie thought.  "Erm, Car?"

"Yeah?" Carl said, unzipping the note portion to his wallet.

"Look, erm, I want to buy the clothes for Ben."

"No, that's not right."

"Carl, I want to do it.  I want to be a part of Ben's life."

"Rob, I pay for his school uniforms, he's my kid, my responsibility."

"Carl."

"No, Rob.  How much?"

"It was a present from me to my nephew."  Robbie stood his ground.

"Rob, we have an agreement, no present giving."

"That agreement doesn't apply to Ben."

"For fuck's sake, Rob!"  Carl was getting angry.

"STOP IT, STOP IT!" Ben shouted.  The two adults froze.  "I love you both,
and you aren't going to argue.  I won't have it."  Ben ran from the room.

Carl and Robbie remained motionless for a moment, both regretting what
they'd said.  Then they ran after Ben.  They found him back in the study,
sitting in a corner chair, looking miserable.  "You two mustn't fight.
It's not right.  I want you to get on, and I couldn't bear it if you two
split up because of some stupid argument about my school uniform."

"We're not splitting up, son."  Carl knelt at Ben's side.  "I'm sorry,
squirt.  I know how you like everything to run smoothly.  It's just you
have always been my responsibility in the past, and I've always paid for
all your clothes."  Carl rubbed Ben's shoulder.  "I know you don't like me
and your Uncle Rob to fight, sweetheart.  We don't fight often, it's just
that money can sometimes cause adults to argue."

"But if Uncle Rob has plenty of money, and you don't, then let him pay for
more things!  I don't think he'd mind, would you, Uncle Rob?"

"It's not quite that simple, love.  People like to be able to, well, not be
dependant financially . . ." Robbie tried; he didn't really know how to
explain the situation to a twelve year old.

"Adults!  Look, Uncle Rob, you've got more money than dad, right?"

"Erm, yeah," Robbie said.

"Then it's simple, if a kid of twelve can understand it, I don't know why
two grown men can't."

"Son, it's called pride," Carl said.

"If I was to ask if Uncle Rob could pay for the clothes, would you say it
was okay?  I've never asked for much, have I?"

"No, son, you haven't," Carl said quietly.

"There's something else, too," Ben said, looking at the two men he loved
most in the world.  "Dad, you said that I was your kid and your
responsibility.  That's good, but I want Uncle Rob to be responsible for me
as well."  Ben sniffed, "I want to have two parents again.  I want to have
two dads."

Carl and Robbie stared at Ben, then at one another.

"Ben, erm, I don't know if I can be a dad to you, legally, I mean."

"Can't you two and mum sign some kind of contract or something, that says
that I want Uncle Rob to be my, oh, I don't know, to make Uncle Rob my
guardian?"

"Ben," Robbie also knelt down by Ben's chair.  "I love you to pieces, and
if it were possible, I'd be a second dad to you in a minute.  If it's okay
with your dad, then I'll look into me becoming your guardian, okay?"

"Thanks, Uncle Rob, you're the greatest.  Well, kind of equal greatest with
dad," Ben said, blushing.

The two men kissed Ben's cheek before standing up.

"Okay, Rob, you can pay for his school uniform."

"Thanks, Car."  The two kissed.

* * * * *

After Ben had gone to bed that night, Robbie and Carl sat in the Drawing
room, discussing the situation with regard to Ben.

"Look, Carl, Ben's your son, I can't and won't argue with that.  When Ben
said he wanted me to play a role in bringing him up, well, I felt so proud
that he'd, well, that he would trust me enough to want that."

"It's not easy for me to let go the reins, you know.  Ben's always been my
responsibility since Maureen left."

"I know, sweetheart, and you've done a magnificent job with him.  But will
you let me share him?" Robbie asked earnestly.

"Yes, love.  Ben loves you very much, that's obvious.  You know sometimes a
parent has the unpleasant duty of saying no?  In the past Ben's never asked
for things he knew I couldn't afford, but he knows that you've got money.
I just don't want him to think that you're a bottomless pit."

"I don't think he'd do that, but yes, I see where you're coming from.
Carl, whilst I can appreciate that you don't want me to shower you with
presents, I can't agree to such a strict arrangement with Ben.  I promise I
won't go overboard with him, though."

Carl leant over and kissed Robbie.  "I think you'd make a brilliant dad or
guardian or whatever it's called."

Carl said he'd need to go and see Maureen about what they'd discussed.
Although Ben had lived with him pretty much full time, Carl and Maureen had
agreed to joint custody of Ben when they had divorced.  Carl knew that this
would mean him coming out to Maureen.  He'd hoped that he could have put
off doing it till a later date.

Normally, Ben spent some of the summer holidays with his mother and her
husband, Bill.  However, Bill had relocated his family to Herefordshire
over the summer, so it had been decided that Ben would go and see them at
half term instead.

"When Ben and Maureen talked on the phone the other day, she told him that
they've found a nice new house that doesn't need much work doing to it.  So
maybe I'll go down to Hereford on Saturday and come back Sunday.  Going
down there will also stop Ben from brooding about starting school on
Monday," Carl said, working out a plan of action in his head.  "It'll also
mean I won't be in Greenville for Sunday lunch."  Carl's face dropped a
little.  He'd spoken to his mother that afternoon, but his dad was still
struggling to accept his son's sexuality.

"It'll work out okay, love," Robbie said, squeezing Carl's arm.  "Do you
want me to go to Hereford with you?" Robbie asked, knowing that Carl would
probably need his moral support.

"Thanks.  It might help Ben, you being there.  Bill's an okay bloke, but
I'm not sure how he'll deal with the fact that his wife's ex-husband is
gay.  He always struck me as being pretty conservative."

"I hope there won't be any unpleasantness, then."

"No, me neither, but, Rob," Carl said, taking his lover's hand, "I'm not
gonna hide what we are to people like Maureen and Bill."

Robbie smiled.  Carl had certainly come a long way in the past couple of
weeks.

* * * * *

First thing the next morning, Robbie rang his solicitor's office for an
appointment.  At first, the secretary at the other end tried to palm him
off with an appointment several days hence.  Though Robbie hated doing it,
he told the woman who he was, and that he would appreciate a more timely
slot.  The woman put him on hold for a few moments.  Robbie gritted his
teeth; if he heard Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons' ever again it would be too
soon.

"Hello, Mr Foster?" the cultured female voice said down the phone.

"Yes."

"I can fit you in at three o'clock this afternoon if that would be
convenient?"

* * * * *

When Robbie presented himself at Samuel Parker's office that afternoon, he
was soon shown into the book-lined inner sanctum.

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Mr Foster," Mr Parker said in his most
Uriah Heap insincere manner.  Samuel had had to re-jig his appointments to
fit Robbie in, but the Foster account was a big one, and he didn't want to
lose it.  The Foster's had conducted their business with the firm of Parker
and Son for more years than Samuel could calculate.

Robbie sat himself down in the buttoned leather armchair opposite Mr
Parker's desk.  The solicitor went through the usual ritual of offering
coffee, which Robbie refused, 'once bitten, twice shy'.  Robbie knew that
Mr Parker's secretary couldn't make coffee to save her life.

"Now, how can we be of service?" Mr Parker said, his cheek beginning it's
usual twitching.

Robbie fixed his gaze slightly above Samuel's head to avoid looking at the
facial tick; he knew that if he looked at it, he'd get an uncontrollable
urge to giggle.

Robbie outlined his proposal to become a guardian to Ben.  Though Samuel
Parker was a little shocked to hear of two men parenting a child (it would
never have done in his father's day), he masked his surprise by taking
notes on a legal pad.

". . . I assume there'll be no problem in drawing up such an agreement?"
Robbie concluded.

The solicitor cleared his throat and treated Robbie to his well-practiced
'I'm giving this matter the full benefit of my many years of legal wisdom'
look.  The matter was quite simple in reality, but Samuel always enjoyed
treating his clients to his little bit of theatricality.  It also went some
way, he believed, in justifying his high fees.

"No," Mr Parker said at length.  "However, the child's mother, whom you say
has joint care and control, could challenge the agreement at a later date.
It is possible that even though she has willingly signed such an agreement
now, a court might look favourably upon any change of heart that she may
have."

"But Ben has always lived with Carl.  And I don't think Maureen would
change her mind."

"I'm merely pointing out all the possible problems.  It's my duty as your
legal advisor to do that."

"Yes, thank you, I appreciate that," Robbie said.  He didn't really think
that Maureen would wish to challenge the contract, though Robbie, being the
cautious man he was, couldn't fully discount the possibility.

"Since the Children Act of 1989 has been enacted, the courts are reluctant
to become involved in determining where or with whom a child is placed.
The act makes the court duty bound to take into account the minor child's
wishes.  You say that Benjamin is now twelve years of age?"

"Yes."

"Well, quite a lot of weight would be placed on Benjamin's wishes.  And as
I said, this scenario only comes into play should a challenge be made."

Robbie asked Mr Parker to have the papers drawn up, hoping that Maureen
would be prepared to sign.  Carl had seemed fairly convinced that there
would be no problem on that score.

* * * * *

Earlier that morning, Carl drove to the building site as usual.  His time
at work had become far more pleasant of late.  Fat Frank's laziness and
disruptive behaviour had finally caused the foreman to dispense with his
services.  After Frank had been drinking one Friday afternoon, he returned
to work, and due to his inebriated state, accidentally fired a panel pin
from his nail-gun into his left hand, raising the roof with his screams.
Though it was site policy that no employee could drink during the day, the
rules were often bent; the management would turn a blind eye to the odd
drink, but Frank had over-indulged, therefore Henry, the site foreman, had
had no option but to give Frank his cards.

Carl immediately asked Henry if he could be paired with Jerry, a man whom
Carl thought would be accepting of his newfound sexuality.  Fortunately
Henry agreed to Carl's request.

Although Carl was very nervous about coming out to Jerry, he was glad that
he'd done so.  Jerry had simply smiled, patted Carl on the back, and
thanked him for trusting him with such a delicate secret.  The two had then
begun to forge a strong and productive working relationship.

"Not much longer to go now, ay?"  Jerry's jovial face greeted Carl as he
alighted from his van.  The pair had just over a month to run on their
contracts; the work was progressing well, they would easily be able to
finish their assigned tasks in their allotted houses in time.

"Yeah.  It's not been a bad job, I guess.  Though I could have done without
Fat Frank," Carl said, retrieving his lunch bucket and thermos flask from
the front passenger foot well.

With Sarah away, Robbie had taken over the pleasurable duty of seeing that
his man received a hearty meal at lunchtime.  Carl had asked Robbie if he
could put in plenty because he enjoyed sharing his lunch with Jerry.  The
two wouldn't usually sit with the other guys, preferring to go somewhere
quiet to talk.  Carl really appreciated being able to open up to Jerry, a
man about six or seven years his senior.  Jerry had worked as a joiner over
in Germany for a few years when his two children were small.  "The money
was great, but Patsy missed her family, so we came back to dear old
Blytie."

* * * * *

Much to Ben's distress, his final week of freedom passed all too quickly.
Though the prospect of seeing his mum was a bright spot to look forward to.

"Maureen wasn't wrong when she said that their new house was out in the
sticks," Carl said as he drove Robbie's Trooper through the country lanes
on the outskirts of Hereford on Saturday afternoon.

"Mum said she liked the place, but wasn't keen on being woken up by the
cockerel crowing from the next door farm every morning," Ben said from the
back seat.

Although Maureen had offered to put Carl and Ben up at the house, Carl told
her that Robbie was also coming with them, and they'd get rooms in a
guesthouse in the centre of Hereford.  Maureen had wondered why Robbie was
travelling with them, but she hadn't asked.

Drawing up outside the pleasant stone farmhouse-style dwelling, Carl
advised his fellow travellers that he'd do the talking.  Carl hoped that
he'd be able to speak to Maureen without Bill being present.

"Hi, mum."  Ben got out of the car and ran towards his mother.  After being
hugged half to death and suffering the indignity of having his cheeks
kissed, Ben then spent a couple of minutes talking with his half-brother
and half-sister.  Carl re-introduced Robbie to Maureen.  She'd known Robbie
from school, of course, but they hadn't been very close.

"It's good to see you again, Robbie."  Maureen held out her hand, still
wondering why he was there.

"You too, Maureen.  You look to have a decent set-up here," Robbie said,
looking around at the house, the two small outbuildings that stood at the
other side of the yard, with the rolling hills behind, all added to the
rural idyll.

Carl saw that Maureen had certainly gone up in the world since she was
married to him.  He knew that Bill had always had a very well paying job
with the council, director or manager of some big department or other.

Thinking his young family would do better in a more rural setting, Bill had
cast his net wide, looking for a similar management post with another local
authority.

"Yes, we really like the place, and thankfully it didn't need much doing to
it, either," Maureen said of Robbie's enquiry.  "Please come on in.  Bill's
just nipped out for a minute, he shouldn't be long."

Maureen showed her guests into a large stone-flagged kitchen, complete with
wood burning stove, solid marble countertops and whitewashed walls.  There
were innumerable copper cooking utensils hanging from hooks on the wall.
The room was dominated by a large work-worn and obviously well scrubbed
kitchen table.  Maureen asked her guests to sit at the table whilst she
organised refreshments.

"Sorry I can't offer you home-made scones or anything, I haven't got used
to the solid-fuel oven, yet," Maureen said, placing a plate of shop bought
chocolate-chip cookies on the table.

They talked for a few minutes about inconsequential matters.  Carl knew
he'd have to speak up soon; the knot in his stomach was getting ever
bigger.  "Look, Maureen there's something I need to tell you but, erm."
Carl nodded towards William and Tamsyn who were playing in a corner of the
room.

"How's about you showing me your bedrooms?" Ben said, rising from the table
and approaching his half-siblings.  The two children stopped their play and
after getting a nod from their mother, lead the way out of the room.

"He's really growing up," Maureen said of Ben.

"Yeah, he's a brilliant kid," Carl said.  He cleared his throat, "Look,
erm, this isn't easy but, well, you ought to know . . ."

"Sorry I wasn't here to greet you, but old Mrs Rodgers kept me talking."
Bill came into the room stamping the mud off his boots.

Maureen introduced Robbie to her husband, who shook hands with him before
sitting at the table with them.

"One thing that I'll never really get used to is how much slower life seems
to be here in the country.  You pay a visit to a neighbour, in this case
Mrs Rodgers, she's got the next smallholding just down the track.  I just
went to return a casserole dish, and I had to stop for a cup of tea and a
bite to eat," he explained.  Mrs Rodgers had been one of many neighbours
who had come round with gifts of food for the recently moved-in family.
Maureen had placed the food in plastic cartons and put it in the freezer,
as there was far too much to be eaten all at once.

Carl was feeling increasingly uncomfortable.  He'd hoped that he could have
got through his prepared speech without Bill being present.

"Look, erm," Carl said clearing his throat again.  "This isn't easy for me
to say, but well, Maureen, I've found someone else, to love, I mean."

"That's wonderful.  You've been alone for too long.  Is she okay with Ben?
Surely you're not here to discuss him coming to live with us?"

"No, no," Carl said, shaking his head.  "I couldn't part with Ben, ever.
Look, you might not like what I've got to say, but I can't do anything
about that.  It's Rob.  I've finally realised that I'm in love with him;
I've always been in love with Rob here.  I'm gay."

The room fell into silence.  Maureen was confused.  She'd been married to
Carl, they'd slept together.  She tried to sort out her thoughts.  Carl was
an absolutely fantastic father; he was probably a better parent than she
was.  She couldn't claim that Carl hadn't been inattentive to her, he'd
been loyal, faithful and a good friend, but there had never been that
spark.  "It's a bit of a shock, Carl," Maureen said, still not quite coming
to grips with the revelation.

"I know it is.  It was for me too.  But Mo, I'm absolutely sure of my
feelings.  I'm sorry to tell you this, but I'm more sure of my love to Rob
than . . ."  He didn't need to finish his comments.

"I see."  Maureen didn't know what else to say.  She'd known that Carl and
Robbie had been thick as thieves for years.  "Carl, you didn't get together
with me all those years back just because you fell out with Robbie, did
you?"

"No, Mo.  Please trust me on that.  It's only very recently that I've
realised that I'm gay.  I had no idea back then."

The word 'gay' had roused Bill into speaking.

"It's disgusting."  His voice dripped with venom.  "It's an abomination,
vile . . ."

"Oh shut up, Bill!"  Maureen, who for the most part was a meek and mild
mannered person, wasn't going to have any unpleasantness when she had
guests.  Though she and Carl hadn't made it, she still loved him as a
friend, and she wasn't going to allow anyone to insult a friend of hers.
"You're talking rubbish, and I won't have you upsetting our guests."

"They are not welcome in my house."

"It's our house, not yours."

Bill was about to say that it was his money that had bought the place, but
he remained quiet, seething inwardly.  He knew that Maureen still felt a
great deal for Carl, even though they rarely saw one another.  That was
another reason why he'd moved them well out of the area.  Although Bill
knew that his wife and her ex-husband's relationship was over, he was still
a little disturbed at how well the two got on together.

"The reason why we've come is to discuss Ben's custody," Carl said,
resisting the urge to thump Bill.  "Ben wants Rob here-" Carl took hold of
Robbie's hand in full view of the others.  Carl both needed the physical
contact, and he didn't think it would hurt to wind Bill up a bit more,
either.  "-to become a guardian to him.  And to make things easier, we
would need your permission to do that."

"Not a chance," Bill said through clenched teeth.

"It's nothing to do with you," Maureen rounded on Bill.

"I'm your husband."  Bill tried to fall back on the old 'you promised to
love and obey' line, but Maureen wasn't having any of it.

"Ben isn't your child anyway."

"He'd be better off with us bringing him up, instead of a couple of
queers."

Carl stood up, brandishing his clenched fists.  He wasn't so bothered about
the insult being hurled at him, but he wasn't going to have anyone call
Robbie that despicable name.

"Please, Car," Maureen said, trying to calm things down.  "Look, it might
be better if we take this outside."

Carl's shoulders, which had been tight with anger, slumped a little.
"Yeah, okay, Mo."

Robbie, Carl and Maureen left the kitchen, leaving Bill to stew in his own
juices.

"Sorry about all that," Maureen said when they were outside.  They began to
walk away from the house.

"Mo, are you okay?  I mean Bill, does he treat you right?" Carl asked in
concern.

"Oh I'm fine, love.  Bill doesn't hit me or anything."

"He better bloody not," Carl said, getting angry again.

Robbie couldn't help but notice how much Carl still cared for Maureen.  It
didn't disturb him.  He knew that although their relationship was a new
one, he and Carl were solid.  Carl's treatment of his ex-wife was further
proof to him that Carl was a good, kind and decent man.

"Look, I've no objections to signing any legal papers or anything," Maureen
said, not wanting to dwell on Bill any longer.  "Now I've had time to think
about it, the news that you're gay doesn't shock me.  It's a bit of a
surprise, but, oh, I don't know.  All I want is for you to be happy."
Maureen loved Carl as a good friend, and she wanted the best for him.

"I am happy, Mo, very happy," Carl said, taking Robbie's hand again.
"Though I loved you as much as I could, what I have now with Rob, well it's
. . ."  Carl trailed off.

"It's okay, I know what you were going to say.  As Ben wants to have Rob as
a guardian, I take it that he's accepted that you're, erm, gay?"

Carl laughed.  "Oh yes, absolutely.  In fact it was Ben who got me and Rob
together."  He went on to tell his ex-wife all about how Ben had told the
pair that they had to wake up to their feelings towards one another.

"You and Ben have always been so close, it's amazing," Maureen said,
remembering how Ben's two-year-old eyes would always light up whenever Carl
came into the room.

"Yeah, I've said it before, Mo, but I can't ever thank you enough for
letting him come and live with me.  I'm not sure what kind of mess I'd be
in now if he hadn't been with me.  I certainly wouldn't have this wonderful
man by my side, that's for sure."

Maureen thought the love that Carl and Robbie showed to one another was
beautiful.  In truth she was a little envious of what they had.  Bill was a
good man, she knew that he loved her in his own way, but she just wished
he'd unbend a little and sweep her off her feet now and again.  She shook
her head, realising that she'd been reading too many paperback romance
novels.

* * * * *

Whilst Maureen, Carl and Robbie had been out on their walk, Bill had gone
upstairs to see Ben.  Finding him in William's room, the latter showing Ben
his collection of toy cars, Bill asked Ben to step onto the landing.

"Look, Ben, are you okay about your dad and Robbie being, erm, well, you
know?  They haven't, well, they haven't touched you or, erm, anything?"
Bill's motives were genuine.  He liked Ben, and he didn't want him to come
to any harm.

Ben cottoned on quickly.  "I love my dad, and I love Uncle Rob, too.  They
would never ever do anything to hurt me."

"Yes, but men like that, they could, erm."

"No, never, not ever."  Ben was adamant.  "Before they got together, I used
to see them look at one another when they thought the other wasn't looking.
But they were both scared, because some stupid people think that two men
loving each other is wrong."  Bill tried not to bristle at the rebuke that
Ben had not all that subtly delivered.  "But I could see that they were
both lonely and sad, so I sat them down and told them that they had to talk
to each other, and tell the truth about how they felt."

"Really?" Bill was astounded that Ben had been the catalyst to Robbie and
Carl getting together.

"I've lived with dad all my life.  He's been the best dad in the world to
me, but after mum left, he's not had anyone.  Though I think he was happy
enough, I know for definite that he's really happy now, and that's because
he's with Uncle Rob.  They really love each other so much.  And I also love
them, too.  That's why I want Uncle Rob to be a kind of second dad to me,
because I know he's a good and kind man."

Bill's hitherto firmly held beliefs began to crumble.  He'd always thought
of homosexuals as being over-sexed, camp, limp-wristed men who dressed up
in women's clothes and wore loads of make-up.  Clearly, Carl and Robbie
weren't like that at all.  Ben's sincerity really moved Bill.  'Out of the
mouths of babes,' he said to himself.

"I just wanted to make sure that you were safe, that's all."

"I couldn't be safer," Ben said, looking straight into Bill's eyes.  "I
love them, and I don't care what anyone says."

Bill ruffled Ben's hair.

Maureen called up the stairs then for Ben, who came running.  "Your dad and
Uncle are in the yard waiting for you."

Ben kissed his mother on the cheek, left the house and got into the car.
Robbie then drove into the centre of Hereford to the guesthouse which he'd
booked rooms at earlier.  He was paying for the rooms, despite Carl's
objections.

Bill slowly came downstairs.  Seeing him, Maureen said, "I don't want to
hear it, Bill."

Bill came over and gave her a hug.  "God, that kid's amazing."

"Huh?" she wasn't expecting Bill to say that.

"Ben.  Did you know that it was him who got Carl and Robbie together?"

"Yeah," she said, smiling.

"Look, I've got a lot to think about.  I can't say I'm totally comfortable
about two men, two gay men, bringing Ben up, but I've got to say that I'm
not totally revolted by the idea anymore."

"I'm glad, love.  I didn't want to go against your wishes, but I would have
done over this."

"It's okay, love.  You sign whatever bit of paper you think you need to."

"Thanks.  I'm gonna travel down to Greenville probably at the end of next
week to sign the papers.  Carl said it'd be best if I make a change to my
will, too, to include Rob, saying that I want him to bring up Ben if
anything happened to me before Ben reaches eighteen.  I know you won't be
able to get the time off from your new job, but I'll only be gone
overnight.  I can stop in one of Robbie's spare bedrooms."

* * * * *

"No one calls you a queer!" Carl said angrily.

"It's only a word, love."

"And a horrible, evil word, too."  Carl was pacing the floor of the small
room in the guesthouse.

"I think it was just that we caught Bill a little off guard."

"Why do you always see the good in other people?" Carl said, softening his
tone and going over to hug Robbie.

"Because it doesn't matter.  Bill doesn't matter.  Maureen was the
important one, and she's agreed to sign the guardianship papers."

"But Rob, he . . ."

"It doesn't matter, Car."  Robbie rubbed Carl's shoulders, which began to
relax.

"I love you," Carl said in a quiet and calm voice.

"I love you too, my precious Carl."

* * * * *

Later that evening, the phone in Carl and Robbie's room began to ring.
Robbie picked up.  "Hello?"

"Hi Robbie, it's Maureen."

"Oh, hello, is everything okay?"  Robbie was worried that their visit had
caused problems between Maureen and Bill.

"Oh, yes, it's fine.  I was just ringing to ask if you three wanted to come
back to the house for Sunday lunch tomorrow."

"Oh, erm, well."

"It's okay, Bill has promised to behave himself.  It seems that Ben put him
straight, erm, I mean, he helped Bill understand a few points."  Maureen
regretted the inappropriate use of the word 'straight'.

"Oh right, I see," Robbie said with a chuckle in his voice.  Robbie briefly
discussed the matter with Carl, who was lying on the bed next to him.
"Maureen, we'd love to come over."

"About one o'clock?"

"Fine."

Robbie ended the call.  "It seems that while we were out, Ben put Bill
'straight' on a couple of points."

Carl got up and left their room to get Ben, wondering what his son had
said.  He was also a little concerned that Bill might have upset him.

"Well, he was worried that I'd get molested or something," Ben said, once
he was in Robbie and Carl's room.

"What!  I'll fucking rip his head off!" Carl said, bunching up his fists
and heading for the door.

"No dad, no."  Ben got between Carl and the door.  "I told him that you and
Uncle Rob loved me, and that I was safer with you two than with anyone else
alive.  It's okay dad, honest."

Carl paused, he drew in a few deep breaths in an effort to calm himself
down, but it was a struggle.  He turned to face an anxious Robbie who was
sitting on the bed.  "How could he think that we could do anything like
that?" Carl pleaded.

"Some people have it in their heads that all gay people are child
molesters.  Though statistics seem to show that most paedophiles claim to
be straight.  It's just another stereotype.  But Car, I honestly don't
think Bill was accusing us, really, it's just a case of him not
understanding."

"But I couldn't . . . wouldn't . . ."  Carl was at a loss for words.

"It's okay, dad.  Honest."  Ben wrapped his arms around Carl and hugged
him.  "Bill just thought I was in danger.  I told him that I wasn't.  He
was wrong to think that I was, but he was only looking out for me."

Carl held Ben at arm's length and looked directly into his son's eyes.
Though Carl loved Robbie very much, Ben was the most precious thing in his
life.  "Son, you know that I would never, ever do anything at all to hurt
you."  Carl was getting emotional.

"Dad, don't, please don't get upset.  It's fine, it's all fine."  Ben lead
Carl to the bed.  Carl sat down, his face a picture of misery.  Ben wrapped
his arms around his father and began to rock him.  "Don't get upset, dad.
It's alright, honest, I love you, dad."

Robbie looked on as Ben comforted Carl.  He was never more certain that he
wanted to be a part of Ben's life.  Robbie didn't have the words to express
how much he cared for, would do anything to protect the precious soul
sitting on the bed talking quietly and reassuringly to his father.

* * * * *

Throughout the short journey to Maureen and Bill's house the next day, both
Ben and Robbie repeatedly told Carl to remain calm if things got awkward.

"We'll just walk out, love.  It's best not to make a scene, particularly if
William and Tamsyn are there," Robbie soothed.

"I know, I promise I'll behave," Carl said, praying that he'd be able to
keep his promise.  The implied accusation that he could ever hurt Ben still
rankled with him enormously.

As Robbie drew up outside the farmhouse, he spotted Bill coming out of one
of the out buildings.

"Hello, glad you could come again."  Bill held out a hand to Carl.  "I'm
sorry, mate.  I shouldn't have said those things in the kitchen yesterday.
But thanks to Maureen, and to Ben, too, though I'm still a little uneasy, I
promise I'm not the monster that I made myself out to be yesterday."

Carl took Bill's hand.  "Bill, I'd rather cut off my own right arm than
harm Ben in any way.  I've never so much as hit him, you must know that."

"I know," Bill said.  "Maureen's always said what a great dad you've been
to Ben.  I've got to say that I was a bit surprised that Ben didn't come
and live with us when you and Maureen broke up."

"God knows I'll always be grateful that she let him live with me."  Carl
went quiet then, remembering all the times he and Ben had spent together.

"Listen, I'm also sorry for thinking that you and Robbie could, erm, you
know.  Truly, honestly, I know you'd never do anything to harm Ben," Bill
said, still holding Carl's hand.  Bill looked directly into Carl's eyes,
hoping that his sincerity showed.  It did.

"Yeah," Carl said quietly.  He didn't want to dwell on it any longer.  Bill
had apologised, Carl wanted to lay it to rest.

"Well, come along in then, I imagine the dinner will be almost ready," Bill
said, rousing Carl from his thoughts.

Despite the previous day's bad feelings, everyone had a relaxed meal.  Carl
had forgotten how much of a good cook Maureen was.  Ben just delighted in
the fact that he didn't have to hack at his Sunday dinner, something he
usually had to do when eating at his grandmother's.  Robbie kept a close
eye on Carl; he was pretty certain that the storm had passed, something he
was very relieved about.  Robbie knew that Carl had a quick temper, born
from his protective instinct toward Ben.  Robbie realised that Carl had
taken him under his protection, too.

After a suitable interval had passed to allow everyone's stomachs to rest,
Robbie announced that they had a long drive ahead of them, and needed to be
making a move.

"I hope you liked the spare room, son," Maureen said to Ben just before he
climbed into Robbie's Trooper.  "Cause that's where you'll be stopping at
half term."

"Yeah mum, it's great."  Ben tried to project himself staying in the room,
because that would mean he'd got through the first six weeks of high school
unscathed.

Everyone said their goodbyes.  Carl backed the car out of the yard and
began the journey back to Greenville.

* * * * *

As the car sped down the motorway, Ben spotted something out of the corner
of his eye.  He turned his head to get a better look.  "Dad, stop the car!"

"Huh?"

"Pull over, dad, now!"

Thinking there was something seriously wrong, Carl flicked on his
indicator, decelerated and moved onto the hard shoulder of the motorway.
Once the car had stopped, Carl turned round in his seat and saw Ben undoing
his seatbelt and opening the car door.

"Oih, where're you going!" Carl said in alarm; it wasn't safe for Ben to be
wandering about out there with the traffic whizzing past.

"I saw a dog," Ben said, stepping out onto the motorway at the side
furthest from the three lines of traffic.

"Get back in the car," Carl said.

Ben hesitated momentarily; he didn't want to disobey his dad, but he had to
go and investigate.

"Dad please, it's important."

"Hang on, love, I'll come with you," Robbie said.

Ben was relieved that Robbie had spoken up, if Robbie went with him, he
wouldn't get into trouble from Carl.

"What did you see, sweetheart?"

"It was a dog, Uncle Rob.  I didn't get much of a look at him, he was
sitting on the grass verge."

"I can't see anything," Robbie said, scanning the long swathe of grassland
in front of them.

"It's a bit back I think," Ben said, beginning to walk.

"Give me your hand," Robbie said.  He wasn't all that thrilled about this
unexpected stop, but he could sense how important it was to Ben.

Carl got out of the car, too.  He'd just as sooner have left the dog where
it was; it could be injured, or even dead.  Carl wasn't much of a dog
lover.

"See, Uncle Rob?" Ben said, not raising his voice too high, though the
noise of the traffic would probably mean that the dog was unable to hear
him, anyway.  They were a good twenty-five yards from the cowering animal.

The dog, a grey collie with black patches, looked disinterestedly at the
approaching humans.  She had been travelling with her owners, a young
married couple with two children who were apt to tease her.  The adults
rarely scolded the children for their cruelty, though the dog had very
clear memories of being punished if she ever reacted to being tormented by
the children.  She still recalled one horrible time when she was shut up in
a dark outhouse without food or water for a whole day, because she'd
snapped at the younger of the two girls.  It hadn't been her fault, she
hadn't been able to get away from them, nor could she make them stop.

Earlier that day, the puppy had grown excited at seeing the car being
filled with suitcases, her cup of joy ranneth over when she was lifted into
the car, too.  She'd rarely been allowed to travel with her owners before.

They'd been travelling for quite some time, when the car had pulled up at a
lay-by rest stop; the puppy was grateful because she needed to relieve
herself.  However, the family just opened the car door, and once she'd got
out, they closed it again and drove away.  She'd walked along the verge for
a while, wondering where her owners had disappeared to.  It was getting
late and she was growing ever more hungry, frightened and lonely.

Ben slowed down his approach, not wanting to spook the animal.  When he and
Robbie got to within ten yards, Ben asked Robbie to stay where he was.

"Be careful, love, he might bite you."  Robbie wasn't happy about Ben
approaching on his own.

"It's okay, Uncle Rob."

Ben hunkered down to make himself look smaller, hoping he wouldn't frighten
the dog away.  "It's okay, little fella.  I promise I won't hurt you," Ben
said softly as he slowly crawled nearer to the dog.  Ben held out the back
of his hand, hoping the dog would sniff it and realise that he posed no
threat.

"Okay, little one, you are a pretty boy, aren't you?"  Ben stopped his
approach three feet from the dog.  "It's okay, I won't hurt you, I promise.
Did your family leave you here then, little one?"

The pup was uncertain.  The boy didn't look or smell like her owners, he
didn't look as though he was going to hurt her, though.  The pup was
grateful that the boy didn't run up to her; she had always been rather
skittish.  Seeing that the boy had stopped approaching, the pup grew
braver; she stood up cautiously closing the distance between them.

"Hello, little one," Ben said, trying not to raise his voice.  "You look so
thin," he added, stroking the top of the dog's head.

The puppy was reassured by Ben's calm voice and lack of jerky movements.
He didn't seem to want to hurt her, like her previous owners had done.  He
smelt nice and safe.  She pushed herself between Ben's legs, in order to
soak up some of his warmth.

Ben stroked along the dog's fur.  She was in need of a good grooming, but
otherwise the coat was in good condition.  She wasn't wearing a collar, so
he wasn't able to tell who owned her.

The dog looked up at Ben with a pleading expression, she was hungry.

"Will you let me pick you up?"

The dog wagged her tail, so Ben very gently wrapped his arms around the
puppy and held her to his chest.  Ben continued to speak softly, which
helped to soothe her nerves.

The puppy now felt safe and warm, a feeling which was fairly alien to her.
The boy was wearing a nice woollen pullover that smelt a little of food.
The pup lifted up her head and licked Ben's face.

Ben smiled broadly. "Who's a happy boy, then?  I don't think your old
owners are coming back for you, are they?"

The puppy wagged her tail again.

"Look, Uncle Rob, he's so small, and isn't he so cute?  See how his left
eye's blue, and his right one is brown?" Ben said, carrying the precious
bundle over to Robbie.  "Oh, and he's shivering, too."

"He is a pretty thing."  Robbie knew what Ben's next question would be.
He'd always liked dogs, but it had been impractical for him to own one when
he lived in London.  He had given thought to getting a dog now he'd moved
back to Lancashire.

"Uncle Rob?" Ben said, looking appealingly up at Robbie.

Robbie smiled, he'd been right.  "Yes, Ben, we can keep him."

"Wicked!" Ben said, getting excited, the excitement carrying through to his
new puppy.

"I don't think it'd be a good idea, son," Carl said, sending Ben's spirits
plummeting.

"Dad!"  Ben turned on his most pleading expression.

"It might have fleas or something."

"We can get some flea powder, then."

"They aren't cheap to look after, you know, and there's the vet's bills.
The dog might not be well, goodness knows how long it's been out here."

"Oh, stop being such a wet blanket, Carl," Robbie said, intervening.  He
pointed at the dog, who had lifted up her head and was treating Carl to the
no-holds-barred cute-pup routine.  "Do you honestly have the heart to leave
that poor defenceless creature here by the roadside?"

"Erm, well, erm."

"Come on, Ben, love," Robbie said, putting his arm around Ben and escorting
him back to the car, the puppy safely cradled in Ben's arms.

Carl followed along behind, glad that he didn't have to answer the
question, because no, he couldn't have left the pup to fend for itself.

"I'll sit in the back with you," Robbie said.  He was quite taken with the
little dog, and relished the opportunity of getting a closer look.

Carl started the car, and they resumed their journey home.

"What you gonna call him?" Carl asked over his left shoulder.

"Erm, dunno," Ben said.  "What do you think, Uncle Rob?"

"Let's have a look at him then."

"It's alright, Uncle Rob won't hurt you."  Ben carefully handed over his
pet.

Rob looked at the dog.  "Erm, well Ben, for a start, he's a she."

"Are you sure?" Ben asked.

"Yes, he or rather she lacks, well there's only one tail."

Carl chuckled from the driver's seat.

"Oh, I hadn't thought about names for a lady dog."

"Won't that do?"

"Huh?" Ben asked.

"Lady.  Can't get anymore feminine than that."

The dog struggled slightly in Robbie's lap.  "Okay girl, want to go back to
Ben?"  Robbie put the pup back in Ben's lap.  She turned round a couple of
times then settled, keeping a worshipful 'thank you for saving me' gaze on
her new owner.

"Will Lady be okay for you?" Ben said, meeting the pup's eyes.

The dog wagged her tail.

"Okay, Lady it is then," Ben said, scratching the pup behind her ears.


To be continued