Date: Wed, 9 May 2012 15:14:22 +0100 From: Mikki <mikkiwriter@gmail.com> Subject: Love in the Army Chapter 4 (Revised) This story is copyrighted to myself its writer and cannot be copied in any way shape or form without my express written permission. This story is fiction and any resemblance to persons or events are purely coincidental. If you are underage or don't like stories of a homosexual nature please leave now otherwise please enjoy the story. I welcome comments please send them to Mikkiwriter@gmail.com Ben and Tom were sat at home enjoying some time together. Tom has taken some well needed leave and Ben was due to take up a job at a local hospital in a couple of weeks. Ben and Tom were noticing that their adopted son Jon has recently become very quiet and reserved. Ben was worrying that maybe he was being bullied at school. Jon was sat on a wall in the schoolyard when Greg Bonner came up behind him and pushed him off the wall and said "there you go bum boy" and walked away laughing. Jon fell onto the concrete with a thud and he scraped his leg on the wall as he fell. Jon picked himself up and walked off. Greg followed Jon and jumped him and pinned him against the wall and pulls Jon's trousers down. Jon tried to get away but Greg held him and laughed and said "I hate benders and you are one, so your life is going to be hell. I will make sure of that." He then punched Jon in the stomach and kicked him, as Jon went down in agony. A few other boys were laughing as Jon collapsed in pain and one said "got to love these bum boys" and walked off leaving Jon lying there. Jon was crying as he stood up and pulled his trousers back up. Jon arrived home later and was very quiet. Ben and Tom had tried to talk to him but got nowhere. The next morning Tom had returned to work and had to be at HQ, so he had left early. Ben dropped Jon off at school, as usual, and was standing talking to Lisa Mills, Alex's wife, when he looked into the yard where he saw Jon standing on his own. Ben said to Lisa "you know I am really worried about Jon. He isn't his usual bubbly self lately." "Yeah he seems very quiet. I noticed that he is all alone in the yard. No one is bothering with him" Lisa said. Jon walked out of Ben's view. Just then Greg Bonner, and his two friends Paul Harris and Daniel Porter, walked up to Jon and kicked him to the ground. Jon tried to get up but Greg grabbed him and led him out of sight. Greg said "looks like the bender likes being roughed up." Laughing, Greg kicked Jon to the ground and said "what a bent bastard. Doesn't even fight back." Daniel and Paul both laughed and said "oh look, he has a boner." Greg laughed and grabbed hold of Jon and pulled his trousers down again. Jon was crying. Paul and Daniel laughed and said "oh poor bender" and walked away laughing. Just then Ben noticed that Jon had gone and said "I don't know what to do for the best with him. Tom and I tried to talk to him last night, but he just sat there and said nothing." "Oh Ben he is growing up. Teenagers don't like talking to their parents" Lisa said Jon got up and pulled his trousers back up. Greg grabbed him again and pinned him up against the wall and said "say anything about this bender and you will die." Jon pushed Greg and ran around the building, but as he did Greg caught him and kicked him to the ground. Ben spotted the confrontation and went to go over, but decided not to. Instead he said to Lisa "sorry Lisa, I have to go see you soon." Lisa smiled, "ok Ben I will see you soon" as Ben walked away. Ben got home shortly after and phoned the school. The school claims to have a zero tolerance of bullying policy, so Ben thought a phone call to the head teacher might help. Head Teacher Jenny Dobson was in her office when the secretary knocked on the door and said "Mr Andrews Rees on the phone for you." "Ok, thank you Julie" Jenny replied. "Good morning, Mr Andrews Rees. What can I do for you?" Jenny replied. "Good morning, Mrs Dobson. I am Jon Taylor's, in class 3b, dad I have been worried about him lately. He seems to have gone very quiet and withdrawn. Well to cut a long story short, this morning after I dropped Jon off, I spoke to a friend outside the school yard and saw my son being kicked to the ground by another pupil. As you can imagine, I am not very happy that a school that claims to have a zero tolerance to bullying has allowed this to happen" Ben said firmly. "Umm Mr Andrews, I can assure you I have no idea that Jon has been a victim of bullying of any kind while at school, but I promise you a full investigation will be launched and if he has been bullied, I can assure you the bully will be dealt with appropriately" Jenny said. "Well Mrs Dobson, I will leave it in your hands, but I warn you, if I am not happy with the safety of my son, I will withdraw him from the school. He has been through enough in his young life to be bullied like this" Ben said. "Mr. Andrews Rees, I promise you I will do everything in my power to make sure Jon is safe in this school" Jenny said. Jenny was not happy since taking the headship of this school 4 years ago. She hoped that she had stamped out the bullying culture. Jenny was looking out of her window, when she spotted Jon standing nearby. She watched for a couple of minutes, when suddenly she saw Greg Bonner walk up to Jon and punch him in the stomach. She knew then that it was Greg who was bullying Jon and set about sorting the problem. Jenny goes out into the outer office and picks out Greg's file from the filling cabinet. Alice Bonner was just finishing her washing up when the phone rang. "Hello" Alice said. "Is this Mrs. Bonner?" Jenny asked. "Yes, who is this?" Alice replied. "Good morning, Mrs Bonner. This is Jenny Dobson, the head teacher of Brookdale School. I need you to come to the school for a meeting to discuss your son's recent behaviour" Jenny replied. "Umm, well of course. When?" Alice replied. "How about 1 o' clock today?" Jenny replied. "Yeah, sure. Can I ask what's going on?" Alice said. "Your son has been suspected of bullying another young lad, Mrs Bonner, and so this is serious as we have a zero tolerance to bullying at Brookdale" Jenny replied. "Oh ok, I will try and get my husband to come as well" Alice replied shocked. "Ok Mrs Bonner, I will see you at 1 o clock" Jenny said. "Ok Mrs Dobson" Alice replied. Alice rang off and sat down and felt tears in her eyes. She was also angry as she was bullied when she was in school and thought she had brought up Greg differently. Sgt Tim Bonner was with his unit exercising when his mobile went off. He was equally shell shocked when Alice told him and said "I will speak to Major Lewis and get back to you." Tim spoke to Daffyd, who agreed he needed to go with Alice, and allowed Tim time off to attend. Jenny had already spoken to Jon, who at first denied anything was wrong, but after Jenny told him what she had seen and what Ben had told her, he changed him mind and told her everything. Jenny was disgusted what she had heard, and felt sorry for Jon knowing his story. She promised Jon that things will change for the better and told Jon to say nothing to Greg. The schools lunch break was at 12, as usual and Jon was sat in the yard away from the other boys. Greg spotted Jon and walked over and said "oh, look if it isn't the bum boy." Greg kicked Jon sending his lunchbox flying. Greg then punched Jon. Just then a teaching assistant appeared and said "Greg Bonner, what do you think you are doing? Come here." Greg was taken to Jenny's office by the teaching assistant. Jenny told the teaching assistant to take Greg to the classroom and wait there with him until she called for him. 1pm Tim and Alice Bonner were sat outside Mrs Dobson's office. Jenny opened the door and said "Mr. and Mrs Bonner, please come in and please take a seat." "Since my conversation with you this morning, I have spoken to Jon Taylor, the young lad that your son has been bullying, and I am afraid that the bullying is a little more intense than I first thought" Jenny said. Tim recognised Jon's name straight away and said "Can I ask, is this Tom Rees son we are talking about?" "Well, I spoke to Ben Andrews Rees, his dad, earlier and he wasn't very happy" Jenny said. Thing is, Mrs. Dobson, I have worked with both Tom Rees and Ben Andrews Rees and they are friends of mine and I don't want to believe my son would bully Jon. I don't know what to say" Tim said. "Well the bullying has been going on for a few weeks. It started off with name calling and has progressed to physical assaults, one of which I witnessed this morning from this window. Greg was caught in the act at lunchtime today by a teaching assistant and is now being supervised by that teacher assistant " Jenny said. "Oh, poor Jon" Alice said. "Yeah, all that lad has been through and our idiot of a son has decided to make things worse for him" Tim said. "Well, Mr and Mrs Bonner, as I explained to your wife on the phone earlier we have a zero tolerance policy here at Brookdale and as a result we will suspending Greg for two weeks and will review his future at this school in due course" Jenny said. Greg was summoned to the head's office. Greg arrived to see his angry parents sat there. Tim stood up and said "thank you, Mrs Dobson, for bringing our sons behaviour to our attention and I will assure you we will sort it out in due course." Tim and Alice were gutted that their son would behave like they were told he had. They knew that his behaviour could ruin a long standing friendship between Tim and Tom and Ben. Tim said, "I am ashamed of you Greg. How you could treat someone like you did? I have no idea especially the son of two of my closest friends." Greg put his head down and didn't reply. Alice was very quiet on the drive back to the army quarters where they live. "Well, young man, I am waiting for your excuse?" Tim said standing in front of Greg. "He is a fag, dad" Greg replied. Tim has never lifted a hand to his son, but that comment made him angry and he grabbed Greg and shook him and said "you know son, I don't know where you got that from but you will not use that word in this house. Do I make myself clear? I will not tolerate such hatred." "Jon is the son of two of my best friends. You know both of them and I cannot believe you thought you would get away with this. Well, young man, you are grounded for a month. You will forfeit your laptop and game console for three months and your mobile for a month and that is just for a start" Tim said. Alice said, "you know son, I agree with your dad on this. I cannot believe a son of mine would be so nasty. Jon has been through hell in his young life. You have had it easy compared to that young lad." Tim went up to Greg's room and removed the laptop and the games console and then went back downstairs and said "mobile?" Greg handed Tim his mobile. "You will get these back when you learn to behave, young man. I am so disgusted by your behaviour" Tim said. "Now get out of my sight" Tim said. Alice said, "I cannot get over this. What on earth did he think he was doing?" "No idea, but I don't know what I am going to do about this" Tim said. "Yeah it is a difficult situation, especially as we know his parents so well. I can't believe this. I really can't" Alice said crying. Tim took hold of Alice and said "you know at this moment in time I hate him. I can't believe a son of mine would do such disgusting things to anyone let alone a vulnerable young lad like Jon. That boy has been so much in his life and now he has had to put up with Greg being a complete bastard to him." "I need to talk to Tom and Ben" Tim said. "Yeah that is true. I don't know what they will think when they find out it was our son who bullied Jon" Alice replied. Tom was shocked when Ben told him what he had seen in the yard. He was planning on being home when Jon got home later for a chat with his son. Tom was in his office when Todd buzzed "Tom, Tim Bonner on line 1 for you." "Hi Tim, what can I do for you?" Tom replied. "Afternoon Sir. I take it from your cheerful reply you haven't heard then?" Tim said. "Umm heard what?" Tom asked. "About my idiot of a son, Greg, bullying your son" Tim said. "Oh, hell no mate. I didn't know it was Greg" Tom said. "First of all, Tom, let me apologise for his behaviour. He has let me and his mum down badly, Tom. You know that he didn't get his hateful comments from me mate. You two are my best friends and I hope this wouldn't affect out friendships" Tim said. "Tim don't worry. Kids can do things we don't understand sometimes" Tom said. "Yeah but most of those come from their parents and both Alice and I are disgusted by his behaviour and I really don't know what to do about it mate. I am loss for words when Mrs. Dobson told us what he had been up to, I was shocked" Tim said. "Well to be honest mate, at this moment in time Ben and I are in the dark. We are going to talk to Jon later and find out the full story" Tom said. "Yeah, well I know this much, my idiot of a son will be apologising to Jon and you both without a doubt" Tim said. "Don't be too harsh of him, mate. Kids will be kids" Tom said. "Well, he has been grounded and had his laptop, mobile, and games console removed so maybe he will realise that his behaviour is totally unacceptable. He is just lucky he doesn't have my dad because he would be suffering with a sore arse now" Tim said. "Yeah my grandfather was like that. Hit first, questions later" Tom said laughing. "Anyway, Tom, I will let you get on. I had to speak to you, mate" Tim said. "Yeah, thanks Tim. And has I said, don't blame yourself, ok? These things happen" Tom said. "Ok mate, speaks soon" Tim said. "Yeah, we will" Tom said. Tom rang off and rang Ben. "Hi" Ben said. "Hey sexy" Tom replied. Ben laughed and said "what you want?" laughing. "Just had Tim Bonner on the phone. It was his son Greg who was bullying Jon and he is gutted" Tom said. "Oh shit. I knew I recognised that boy who hit Jon this morning" Ben said. "Yeah well the school has suspended him for two weeks and Tim has grounded him" Tom said. "Wow so they do have a zero tolerance policy then?" Ben said. "Looks that way babe" Tom said. "So, do we know why Greg has been doing this babe?" Ben enquired. "Not really, but Tim said it was homophobic abuse as well as physical abuse babes" Tom said. "Oh fuck" Ben said. "Yeah, and to say Tim and Alice are gobsmacked would be the understatement of the year" Tom said. "Anyway, I will be home soon and we need to sit down with Jon tonight and talk to him and ask him why he never told us what was going on" Tom said. Tom arrived home from the barracks just before 2 and set about preparing for a nice tea for his son. Jon arrived just after 3. Tom walked into the lounge to see his son and said "hi Jon." Jon smiled and said "hi Dad." Tom said "come here," and Jon ran to his dad and hugged him with tears rolling down his face. Tom kissed Jon on the head and said "why didn't you tell us?" "I couldn't, dad. I didn't want you to think I was a wimp" Jon said. Ben walked in and smiled and said "hey we would never think you are a wimp son." Jon ran into Ben's arms and said "I am sorry." "Hey, you haven't done anything wrong" Ben said. Tom said "come on, and led Jon into the dining room where Tom had prepared cupcakes and other goodies for Jon. Jon was taken aback, but loved the attention he was getting from his two dads. Jon has always felt special ever since he moved in with Tom and Ben. And until this bullying started, he never really thought of them as gay. They were just daddy Tom and daddy Ben to him. A couple of days later Tom and Ben were at home with Jon preparing for a visit from Tim and Alice Bonner and their bullying son, Greg. Jon was worried about seeing Greg again. Tom and Ben knew that Jon was getting nervous but they reassured their son that no harm would come to him. Tim and Alice have come down on Greg hard. He will not be returning to Brookdale School, but will be attending a local private school called Cheadle House. Tim decided that Greg would need to prove to his parents that he deserved their trust, so changing schools was one way where he can prove it. Greg hated the idea of going to the posh boys' school as he calls it. Tim and Alice have also stopped Greg bothering with two of his friends, who they suspected were part of the reason he gone off the rails. He still hasn't had his mobile returned or his laptop and game console. However, Greg is allotted two hours every night supervised computer access for homework. Now, today was another step to get back into his parents good books. He was to apologise to both Jon and his parents, Tom and Ben, for his terrible behaviour. Greg has realised since all this blew up that what he did was totally wrong. He also realised that Jon was quiet, not because he is gay, but he has had so much shit happen to him in his life that he didn't want to get close to anyone, in case shit happened to them. The Bonners arrived at Tom and Ben's house and Tim said "now, before we go in let me tell you young man any shit coming out of your mouth and I will make you wish you weren't born." Jon was sat nervously in the lounge when the doorbell went. Tom walked over to the door to see Sgt Tim Bonner, his wife Alice, and his son Greg standing there. Tom smiled and said "hi come on in." Ben walked out of the kitchen and said "hi guys." "Hi Ben" Tim said. Tim walked over to Jon and said "how are you Jon?" "Yeah, I am ok. Thanks, Mr Bonner" Jon replied politely. Tim laughed and said "I don't see my dad here. Call me Tim." Jon smiled and both and Ben laughed. Tim signalled for Greg to come over. He then said "my idiot of a son has something to say to you, Jon." Greg nervously walked over and said "Jon, I am sorry for being a total asshole and being a nasty bully to you." Jon just looked at Greg, got up and walked off out of the room. Ben looked at Tom, who just shrugged his shoulders. Tom went behind Jon into the kitchen and saw Jon sat outside on the patio, crying. Tom walked outside and put his hand on Jon's shoulder and said "come on, it is over." Jon got up and into Tom's arms and said "I love you, Tom." "And I love you, Jon" Tom said with tears rolling down his face. Greg was stood on the back door watching Jon embrace his dad. He walked over and said "seriously mate, I am so sorry about the way I treated you" Jon looked at Greg and said "well don't expect me to feel sorry for you because you got caught, because I couldn't care less." Greg said "no, I don't expect you to forgive me but please at least accept my feeble excuse of an apology." Tom stood there as the two teenagers stared at each other. Jon then surprised Tom when he walked over to Greg and hugged him and said "you really hurt me, but I cannot hate anyone, so I forgive you but promise me one thing that you will never bully anyone again." Greg said "I promise you, I won't." Jon smiled and kicked a nearby football to Greg and the two lads started to play in the back garden. Tom went back in and said "well they are having a kick about, so I think they have sorted that out." Tim said "you know since this has happened, it has made Alice and me realise on how much you two mean to us. It really did make us think, what the hell we would do without you two in our lives." Ben smiled and said "Tim, you and Alice have supported Tom and me through a lot of hard times. When I was injured a few years ago Alice was there to support Tom." "Yeah, and you and Tom were there when I got injured as well for Alice and Greg, which is why I couldn't understand why Greg would do such a thing to your son" Tim replied. "Well that's all history now, Tim. We need to move on and get our friendship back on track. We always knew we would sort this problem out between ourselves. That's the way we army people are" Tom said. "Yeah, stubborn as well" Alice said smiling. "Yeah, we are trained to be stubborn" Ben said smiling. Jon kicked the ball and it bounced and hit Greg between the legs. Greg crashed to the ground in agony and Jon ran to help him up and said "shit, I am sorry." Greg laughed and said "not to worry, it is something that happens." Greg smiled and said "Jon, don't panic. I am fine, just a bit winded. That's all these things happen. It's not the first time I have been hit in the balls and probably won't be the last." Greg dusted himself down and sat on the nearby chair for a little while, then grabbed the ball and started to kick it around again. The two teenagers started to get on well. Greg ran past Jon with the ball but slipped on the wet grass and crashed into a nearby wall. Greg groaned in pain, and Jon ran into the house and called Tom. Tom came out to see Greg holding his leg screaming in pain. Tom ran to him and said "what happened?" Greg said "I was running with the ball and slipped on the wet grass and hit this wall and I heard a crack" Tom shouted to Jon "get Tim out here" Jon went in and told Tim what had happened. Tim ran out to see Tom lifting his son up and carrying him back into the house. "I think he has broken something." "Oh hell, we need to get him to the hospital" Tim said. Tim and Alice rushed their teenage son to the local accident and emergency dept. followed by Tom Ben and Jon. The hospital x-rayed Greg and confirmed that he had broken a bone in his ankle. Jon was upset as he felt it was his fault. If he hadn't started to kick a ball round that Greg wouldn't have broken his ankle. However Greg blamed himself, saying if he hadn't been trying to show off to Jon, he would have realised the wall was there. Tim laughed and said "you know boys, it is no one's fault. These things happen." A few weeks later Tim Bonner had relented and has, after talking to Mrs Dobson, allowed Greg back to Brookdale School. Greg knew he had to behave or his dad would come down on him like a ton of bricks, and since his accident at Tom's house, Greg had become friends with his victim, Jon. Greg's other friends who bullied Jon was also dealt with by the school and one of them, Paul, had recently moved away from the area when his dad was transferred to another base. Both Greg and the other boy Daniel were made to apologise to Jon in front of the whole school. Daniel's parents were equally disgusted by their sons' behaviour and had written a letter of apology to Tom and Ben. Colonel Tom Rees was asked by Brookdale School to do a presentation at the schools parents evening. Jenny Dobson was on the stage in the school hall and said "ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming this evening." "This school has a zero tolerance policy on bullying and recently we put this into action when a young man was brutally bullied at the school". Jenny said. "This young man has had a lot of trauma in his young life including his dad dying when he was 2, his uncle being killed in action when he was 5, and more recently losing his mum and grandmother is an horrific car accident. This young man has been brought up right by his uncle at first, and then by his uncle's best friend, who I now ask to join me up here to present the award. Ladies and Gentlemen, Colonel Tom Rees Tom walked up the steps and walked over to the microphone and said "thank you, Mrs Dobson. I have had the pleasure of knowing Jon since he was born, and like Mrs. Dobson has said, he has had a lot of upheaval in his life. But since he has lived with my partner, Ben and I, he has grown up to be a fine young man. So ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pleasure and pride that I award the Brookdale pupil of the year award to Jon Taylor." Jon was gobsmacked and looked at Ben and Rhys who had come to see him collect the award. Both men were smiling and Rhys said "go on, they are waiting." Jon walked up as the pupils stood up and clapped, Greg Bonner stood with the rest of the pupil's clapping. Jon walked up the steps and went over to the microphone and took hold of the cup which Tom handed him with a hug. Jon said "thank you, I would like to dedicate this to my mum, dad, uncle Matthew, and my Gran." Tom was trying hard to hold back his tears "I also want to thank Uncle Rhys, Uncle Shaun, and most of all my two dads Tom and Ben, who without their support I would have never made it" Jon said. Tom was now crying and so were Rhys and Ben. Jon walked over and hugged Tom, and Tom led his son off the stage and they sat down as other pupils were given awards. Greg Bonner walked up to the microphone, towards the end of the evening, and said "sorry to disturb the evening, but I need to say something. I was one of the boys who bullied Jon earlier this term and I have realised what I did was totally wrong. Not only did I hurt Jon but also my parents and their friends Tom and Ben. With my totally unacceptable behaviour, I also let the school down badly, which is why I need to say this. I apologise to Jon, Tom, Ben, and most of all to my parents and to Mrs Dobson". Greg walked away. Jon looked at Ben and said "wow I didn't expect that." Tom laughed and said "yeah, well you said he has changed a lot recently." "Yeah, he has seemed to have calmed down a lot" Jon said. Tim and Alice were equally shocked, as they thought they had seen the end of the bullying incident, but started to realise that this would never really go away. A few weeks later Tom and Ben and Jon were heading up the motorway again towards Birmingham. They arrived at the beautiful manor house were the civil partnership ceremony between Rhys Taylor and Shaun Weston was taking place. "Wow, this place is beautiful" Ben said. "Sure is. Then so was the place we got hitched" Tom replied. "Yeah, I remember it well" Ben said laughing. "Yes, like it was yesterday" Toms aid smiling. Tom pulled his brand new Lexus outside the manor house and was met by Shaun's mum. "Good morning, Tom. You made it ok then?" Alison said. "Yes, thank you Alison. Where is Rhys?" Tom asked. "He is in the marquee, panicking as usual" Alison said laughing. "Ok, leave him to me, I will soon calm him down" Tom said. "Where is Shaun, by the way?" Tom asked. "Oh, he is with Gary in the suite upstairs keeping him out of the way" Alison said laughing. "That's good then. We did the same on our wedding day. They kept us apart, but there again, this swine was hiding a secret from me" Tom said, laughing putting his arm round Ben. "Yeah, I remember. Rhys told me that" Alison said. "But look at you two now. If Shaun and Rhys are as happy as you two are in the years to come, I will be really happy" Alison said. "I am sure they will be right duty calls" Tom said laughing. "Ok Tom, I will catch you later" Tom walked into the marquee to see Rhys parading up and down. Tom walked over and grabbed him and said "come with me." Tom walked with his arm round Rhys to the nearby lake and said, "now Rhys I want you to listen to me. In the last few years, I have got to know you well and I want you to know I love you as my brother. And I know today is going to be hard for you, but for yours and Shaun's sake, you have to cheer up because we both know that Matthew, Kath, and your mum Julie would be so proud of you today." Rhys started to cry and said "yeah, you are right." "Now, young man, time for you to greet your guest with that cheeky smile I have grown to love" Tom said smiling. "ok" Rhys said smiling. Soon Rhys was meeting all the guests. Among the guests were Lucy and Daniel Rees, Colonel Bradley Evans, and Major Daffyd Lewis, who both Rhys and Shaun had got to know well, while Daffyd was recovering in hospital. Harry Andrews and his husband to be, Lee Wilson arrived next. Tim and Alice Bonner, again Rhys had nursed Tim in hospital. Charge Nurse Catherine McDonald and her husband, Brian, were next to arrive. Staff nurse Andrew Harrison and his fiancée, Helen, arrived next. Major Alex Mills and his wife Lisa arrived shortly afterward. Rhys and Tom were standing at the front as "Love Changes Everything" played. Tom smiled as he realised that Rhys and Shaun had picked the same song he had had at his ceremony. The ceremony was over and the two best men signed the register, just like at Tom and Bens. Tom stood up and called for quiet. Ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you all for coming to celebrate the civil partnership of Rhys and Shaun. Rhys has always been special to me. He was always the younger brother I never had. When his older brother died nearly 9 years ago, I took on the task of being his adopted older brother. He has made me proud with the way he has handled all the rubbish he has to deal with in his life. 2 years ago, he shocked me when he told me he had met the person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, but when I met Shaun, I knew he had made the right choice. Ladies and Gentlemen, I ask you to put your glasses together to Rhys and Shaun. Gary stood up and said "ladies and gentlemen, 2 years ago my brother came home to my mums and told us he was gay and had met the man of his dreams in work at the hospital. We met Rhys a few days later, and we could see, just like tom already said, we knew he had made the right choice. We lost our youngest brother in an attack in Afghanistan and it was during that time that we got to know Rhys for the special man he is. I was proud when Shaun asked me to be his best man today, so ladies and gentlemen please raise your glasses to Shaun and Rhys. Rhys stood up and said "on behalf of my husband and myself, I want to thank you all for coming today. I want to thank Tom for being there for me through thick and thin, and Ben for all his help when Shaun's Brother Nicholas died. I want to make a tribute to my late brother Matthew, and my late sister Kath, and most of all, my late mother, who were my inspiration. Shaun I love you. Also Shaun's brother Nicholas, who even though I didn't get to know him, I know would have been here today proudly but not just to them to others who didn't make it to be here today. So ladies and gentlemen, please be upstanding for a toast to Absent Friends." Rhys and Shaun were dancing and Shaun said " you know I love you so much." Rhys smiled and said "and I love you too." "I was thinking, I want to put a special song that Matthew my late brother loved on. I wonder if they would have it" Rhys said. Shaun smiled and said "what song?" "You'll Never Walk Alone" Rhys replied. "I hope so. Nicholas loved that song. He was a Liverpool supporter" Shaun said. Rhys smiled and walked over to the dj and asked if they had the song. The dj said "sorry mate, I don't have it, but if you want, I can download it and play in about half hour." Rhys said "thanks." Shortly after, the dj spoke on the microphone and said "now ladies and gents a request from our grooms." Tom smiled and he heard the music start. When you walk through a storm Hold your head up high And don't be afraid of the dark At the end of the storm Is a golden sky And the sweet silver song of the lark Walk on through the wind Walk on through the rain Though your dreams be tossed and blown Walk on walk on with hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone You'll never walk alone When you walk through a storm Hold your head up high And don't be afraid of the dark At the end of the storm Is a golden sky And the sweet silver song of the lark Walk on through the wind Walk on through the rain Though your dreams be tossed and blown Walk on walk on with hope in your heart And you'll never walk alone You'll never walk You'll never walk You'll never walk alone. Tom led Ben onto the dance floor and joined Shaun and Rhys dancing to the song. Gary and his wife Jayne also joined them. Harry and Lee also went up and danced. As the song played out, Shaun walked over to the microphone and said "we dedicate that song to all those currently serving our country in combat and to those recovering from injuries." Ben walked over and Shaun whispered to him "Nicholas loved this song." Ben smiled and said "we dedicate this song also to two people who sadly couldn't be here today who loved this song. So ladies and gentlemen please be upstanding for the memory of Private Matthew Taylor and Private Nicholas Weston. To absent Friends." Major Alex Mills was sat at a table with his wife Lisa, when his mobile rang "Major Mills" Alex replied. "Yes, Todd what's wrong?" Alex replied. "Oh no, that is sad news mate. Thanks for letting me know, mate" Alex replied. Lisa looked at Alex and said "what's wrong?" "It's private James Mason. He has lost his fight for life, love. He died earlier" Alex said. Alex stood up and walked over to Major Lewis and said "sorry Daffyd, I need to speak to you." Daffyd said "ok I will be back," to Bradley and left with Alex. "I am sorry, Daffyd. I have had some bad news from the hospital. Private James Mason has lost his fight for life" Alex said. "Oh hell, and I thought he was getting there" said Daffyd. "Yeah, we all thought so" Alex said. Tom noticed Daffyd and Alex talking outside the marquee and said "I will be back" and walked towards the men. "What's going on?" Tom asked. "Sorry, Tom. I didn't want to spoil the party, but I have to go. Duty calls. Private Mason has died" Alex said. "That is sad. He has fought though, hasn't he?" Tom said. "Certainly has, Tom. What a waste of a young life though" Daffyd said. "Yeah it is. So have you told Tim yet?" Tom asked. "No, I haven't yet" Daffyd said. "OK, I will ask him to come out now" Tom said. "OK thanks, Tom" Daffyd replied. Tom walked over to Tim, who was in conversation with Lee. "Hi Tim. Daffyd wants to see you outside, mate" Tom said. "OK, Tom" Tim said. Tim walked outside and saw Daffyd sat on a nearby bench. He walked over and said "you wanted to see me?" "Yes Tim. Sit down please" Daffyd said. "What's wrong, sir?" Tim asked. "Alex has just been informed Private James Mason has died, mate" Daffyd said. "Oh fuck no. I went to see him last week and there was hope he would make it. His poor family" Tim said. "Yes, but as we know, Tim, we just got to move on. But I don't think I can anymore. It's time for me to get out mate" Daffyd said. "Yeah, you and me both, I think Daffyd. I have been thinking of getting out for a little while now and I think now is a good time" Tim said. Tom told Rhys what had happened and Rhys walked over to the dj and took hold of the microphone and said "ladies and gentlemen I have just been told that a young patient that myself and Shaun have both been looking after, a young private from 4th company, James Weston has passed away this morning. As you can imagine, this will be a sad tinge on the rest of the day, but please raise your glasses to Private James Mason. May he rest in peace." A couple of weeks later Major Alan Westmoor arrived at the barracks to take over command of 4th company. Daffyd had quit the army a few days after James's death and Tim Bonner followed him a day or so later. Colonel Tom Rees was surprised that Daffyd had gone, but respected his decision. Tom admitted to Daffyd had he been operational he would have thought of quitting also. Simon Tyler had been promoted to take over from Tim and was awaiting his new commanding officer. "Good morning, sir and welcome to 4th company" Simon said. "Thank you, sergeant" Alan replied. "Can you get the men out on the parade ground please?" Alan asked. "No problem, sir" Simon said. Simon "called Attention" as major Westmoor walked out. "Good morning, gentlemen. At ease, please" Alan shouted. "I am Major Alan Westmoor and I have taken command of this unit. I know I have big shoes to fill after Daffyd, but I hope I can keep the unit together as well as Daffyd did. I also know that Sgt Bonner has moved on, but I am sure Sgt Tyler here will do a good job as his predecessor did. So guy's, normal service please. We need to prepare as we are due out in combat in three weeks" Alan said. Tom was looking out of his window and saw the new 4th company commanding officer talking to his men. Tom knew Alan. He was on officer training the same time as Tom and they got on well. Alan didn't know Tom was based here. He was told that Major Alex Mills was the family liaison commanding officer and had planned to meet up with him later. Tom saw the men were dispersing and he walked out of his office and walked over and said "Major Westmoor, nice to see you again." Alan looked round and said "oh Tom, what you doing here?" "I am based here. This is HQ for the family liaison operations unit" Tom replied. "I knew it was the Flo barracks command, but not the HQ" Alan said. "Well, since I have had command I based myself here" Tom said. "So, have you met your units' flo commander, Alex Mills yet?" Tom said. "Not yet, but I plan to meet him shortly" Alan said. "I am glad they appointed another good major as commanding officer. I was surprised when Daffyd announced he was leaving, but I understood" Tom said. "Yeah, he had had enough" Alan said. "Yeah, he had. But I will say you have a good sergeant in Simon Tyler. He was acting sergeant when I was in temporary command last year" Tom said. "Well that's good to know. I was thinking he was a little wet behind the ears to be honest" Alan said. "Yeah, he is young but so was Tim Bonner and myself when we started" Tom said. "Yeah, true" Alan said. Tom left the barracks shortly after and headed home. Ben was now working at the local hospital and was on the day shift. Tom arrived home to an empty house and sat watching the TV when he heard the door go. Tom looked up to see his son Jon coming through the door. Tom shouted "good day son?" "Yes, thanks dad" Jon replied as he ran upstairs. Tom went into the kitchen and started to prepare dinner. Jon appeared shortly after now changed out of his school uniform. Jon sat down and said "dad did you know that the Bonners are moving to Scotland?" "No, Jon. I didn't. I knew that they had moved off base because of Tim leaving the army, but to be honest, I haven't spoken to Tim since he left" Tom said. "Yeah, Greg told me today they are moving to Dundee to be near to his grandparents. His dad has got a job in some firm up there" Jon said. "I will have to give him a ring later and wish him good luck" Tom said. Ben arrived home a short while later. Tom smiled and said "dinner will be ready in about 10 minutes." "OK, just enough time for me to have a shower" Ben said. Tom walked over and kissed Ben and said "shame Jon is here, I could have joined you." Ben laughed and said "yeah." Tom finished getting dinner ready and laid the table. He then shouted "come and get it." Jon came running downstairs and Ben followed behind. Tom said "oh I nearly forgot, Jon was telling me earlier that Tim and Alice are moving to Dundee." "Oh, why are they moving?" Ben said. "I will ring Tim later and find out more" Tom said. Tom went into his office and rang Tim. "Hi mate, sorry I haven't been in touch. Been busy, so how's things?" Tom asked. "To be honest, Tom, things are great now. I have landed a job working for a haulage company in Dundee, so we are getting ready to move mate" Tim said. "That's good news, mate. Jon told me earlier that you were moving" Tom said. "Yeah, it will be hard leaving this area but it is time to move on" Tim said. "I can understand that mate, but one thing. Keep in touch, ok?" Tom said. "I promise you that we will be in touch" Tim said. "So, how's things at the barracks?" Tim asked. "Well, the new commanding officer took charge of 4th company today. Major Westmoor, he is ok. I met him when I was doing my officer training and Simon Tyler has taken over from you, so things are starting to get back to normal" Tom said. "Well that's good. At least now the unit can rebuild around Major Westmoor and Simon" Tim said. "Yeah, but I still think you and Daffyd had a few years left in you, but I respect your decisions" Tom said. "I know, but the time had come to move on and to be honest, Tom I don't think I could have faced another tour of duty out there mate" Tim said. "Yeah I can understand that mate" Tom said. "There is other news as well. Colonel Bradley Evans has resigned as well, so it looks like both Brad and Daffyd are out of the army. And I heard today that Rhydian is on his way out as well, so there some big changes coming I reckon" Tom said. "Yeah well Brad doesn't surprise me to be honest but Rhydian does. You have any idea why he is going" Tim said. "No, I heard that he decided to not to renew his commission, so I guess he has had enough as well" Tom said. "Wow, so there will be some changes going on. Watch out, they will have you back on operational again" Tim said. "Like hell mate. I would resign before that would happen" Tom said. "Well, Tim, if there is anything you need let me know ok" Tom said. "Will do mate" Tim said. Tom rang off and started to push in another number. "Hi Brad, how are you?" Tom asked. "I am fine mate, how are you?" Brad replied. "I am ok, but a bit surprised with the news I had today" Tom said. "I guess you heard I resigned then?" Brad said. "Certainly did. It was around the grapevine like wildfire" Tom said. "Well to be honest, I decided when Daffyd quit that it was time for me to get out as well, mate. I haven't been happy with army life since Daffyd was injured" Brad said. "Well, so what are you going to do now?" Tom asked. "To be honest, Daffyd and I are going to move to Spain and maybe start a small bar or something like that" Brad said. "So when do you actually leave the army?" Tom asked. "I finally finish in two weeks, but I won't be back at the barracks as I am on leave for two weeks, so basically I am finished mate" Brad said. "Well, why don't you and Daffyd come round for dinner tomorrow night? Maybe I'll get Tim and Alice round as well and we can have a farewell dinner all six of us" Tom said. "That would be nice" Brad said. "Oh, did you hear Rhydian has quit as well?" Tom asked. "Yeah, I heard that. Something to do with unit changes and he wasn't happy about some of the changes, so he quit" Brad said. "Yeah, that's what I heard. Sounds like something big is happening, mate" Tom said. "Yeah, I hope your unit is safe, mate. I have heard rumblings about cuts for a few weeks" Brad said. "Nothing has been said to me yet, but yeah I heard a few things about unit mergers etc." Tom said. "OK mate, well I will see you tomorrow night mate" Tom said. "Yeah, Tom thanks" Brad said. Tom received a phone call a short time later calling him to hq immediately. Tom knew this wasn't good news and left the house fearing the worst. Tom arrived at Hq and was met by barracks commander Colonel Paul Dexter. Tom said "what's happening?" Paul said "no idea mate, I have been called in as well." Paul and Tom walked into the room to see General Brian Smith and General Neil Harris standing there. "Good evening, gentlemen. Sorry we had to call you in but we need to brief you on what's happening." Ministry of defence budgets have been cut recently with the government cuts. So we have to make several changes to make sure that we are using our resources wisely. As a result of the defence review carried out recently, we identified several areas where we need to make cutbacks. These cuts are not easy to bring in but we have no choice in the matter. The first change which will affect you is that we intend to close this base and merge it with Coninton barracks within the next six to eight months. The units based here will be merged into larger units based at Coninton. Paul said "what does that mean for me?" "You will be redeployed either at Coninton or another UK base" General Smith replied. "Now, for the hardest decision we have had to make. The family liaison ops unit will be merged into a royal military police. This will of course mean job losses at the flo sadly" General Harris said. "Umm that will never work. Some of the work flo deals with is really difficult and I cannot see MPs being able to do the work of my hard working men" Tom said. "Yes, we know that Tom, but we have no alternative but to do this. You will, of course be redeployed" General Smith replied. "Well I am sorry, but if the Flo is disbanded, I will go with the unit sir. I have no intention of staying in the army if this is the way they treat their injured soldiers and the families of their dead soldiers" Tom said. General Smith was taken aback at Tom's reaction and said "well Tom, we hope you will reconsider as we were hoping you would head the new unit as part of the RmP unit" "Well, that depends on how this new unit will function and how many men and women I will lose sir" Tom said. "Well at the moment, we don't have the figures but it is around about 20 redundancies we expect to make and some of them may be voluntary" General Smith said. "Ok, gentlemen that's all we needed to speak to you about. Thank you for giving up your own time and hope to see you again soon" General Harris said. Tom walked out and went straight into his car and drove home. Tom pulled into his drive and walked into his house and saw Ben and said "the bastards are closing the flo." Ben ran to his husband and hugged him and said "what? They cannot do that." "Well, they are. It is being merged into the military police" Tom said. "That's awful. No wonder Rhydian quit" Ben said. "Yeah, and Bradley. And to be honest, I think I will be following them" Tom said. "Well, Tom you know I will support you, whatever you decide to do" Ben said. So what will Tom do? Will he head up the new unit or will he quit? Well that's in part five coming soon.