Date: Sat, 17 Dec 2011 22:24:43 -0400
From: Chris Johns <chris-johns@hotmail.com>
Subject: Destiny's Child Pt.6

			      Destiny's Child
				 Chapter 6

The charter yacht was great. A `Beneteau 40cc', it had two double cabins,
both en-suite, a good size fridge/freezer and lots of lounge area. On deck
was perfect, an aft sundeck and a large cockpit. Meals could be taken in
the cockpit and when they remained on board, sunbathing would be
comfortable. Justin proved to be very attentive, but also very discreet. He
knew Jack and Martin were enjoying a sexual relationship but he kept a low
profile when naughties were going on. Martin wasn't stupid and knew that
Justin knew.

"Justin, you are very diplomatic about my relationship with Jack. If you
wanted to have a girlfriend join us, I would have no problem with that."

"That's very kind of you Martin, but I don't have a girlfriend."

Martin thought about that reply for only a moment before his eyes shot wide
open.

"Golly Justin, are you gay as well?"

Justin blushed almost scarlet.

"Yes I am Martin, but please don't say anything to anyone else."

"Oh no, I won't, but I think that is marvellous. Do you have a boyfriend?"

A shake of the head and, "No, not at the moment, I don't really have time
for a regular boyfriend, we move around so much."

"Oh, we'll have to fix you up with someone on the crew then and it won't be
a problem."

Both of them were laughing then until Jack came back on deck and they
became more serious.  Despite the fun and the glorious sailing, Martin
couldn't get the thought of Yoshi out of his head. Yoshi would have nearly
three more years at school and then Martin was sure he would go on to do a
degree, that would mean a total of six more years just seeing his lover for
school holidays. He couldn't even consider that acceptable, that was 1/3rd
of the time that he had been on earth already. It didn't matter how he
batted that one around he couldn't see a way round the problem. He gave up
in the end, he would have to go home and have a talk to Robert, he would
come up with an answer.

"I'm sorry Justin and Jack, I have decided to cut short my holiday. I need
to go home to see Robert Cooper. Can we take the boat back to Tortola,
Justin, I'll organise everything else when we are back on board
Thermopylae."

Remembering his promise to Jack, the first thing he did was talk to the
captain.

"Captain Samuels, I have had a lot of time to think while we have been
sailing. I would like Jack to be allowed to go to nautical college now on a
fully funded scholarship as an officer cadet. I'll talk to Robert Cooper
about a contract and then I'll present it to my uncle for approval. Then
I'm going to find some way to be with Yoshi all the time, so I'm afraid
you'll probably be back in the charter business until I'm older."

Sam smiled, "That is what we expect to do when we take command of these
super yachts Martin, you go off and do what is going to make you
happy. We'll still be here when you get back. As to Jack Steele. I think
what you are doing for him is very kind and generous, he is a very lucky
young man. By the time he finishes at college I will probably be saying
goodbye to my first officer so we will be able to take him on with no
problem."

Martin was so pleased.

"Can we go back to St. Martin then, I can fly direct to Europe from there?"

"Of course, we'll leave in the morning if you are happy?"

"That will be fine Captain, thank you."

Jack was next.

"I'm going home Jack, but as soon as I get there I'm going to talk to
Robert Cooper about you going to college full time straight away."

Jack was delighted and showed it with a last tempestuous night of loving.

The next day Martin was on a KLM flight to Amsterdam and the day after he
was in his study in the house in England.

"Robert, good morning."

"Good morning young Martin and how are you?" was Robert's reply, "What can
I do for you?"

"Oh, quite a lot of things I hope. Can you come to see me at the house?"

"I could see you just before lunch, or after, which ever you like."

"Come to lunch Robert, we can talk over lunch and run into the afternoon if
necessary."

"Alright young man I'll be with you at 1200. Goodbye."

Martin almost ran to the kitchen to find cook.

"Mrs. Trimble, Mr. Cooper will be joining me for lunch. Will you do
something nice for him and ask Tom to bring up a good bottle of Claret from
the cellar. We'll eat in the main dining room, about 1300 would be good."

The Trimble's were getting old now, but they had been at the house since
before Martin was born. David kept them on because he trusted them to look
after Martin when he moved back in for school holidays. He had given up
trying to keep the boy at his own home, he was just too disruptive and as
he paid a minder to follow Martin when he left the grounds it appeared to
be the only way to get some peace.

Robert arrived at 1200, on the dot and was shown to the study. As always he
got a welcoming hug from his young man who he thought of more like a
grandson than a client.

"Hello young man you look well."

"So do you Robert, it is so good to see you again."

The two so genuinely loved each other that they both glowed with pleasure.

"So what do you want this old man to do for you this time?"

Martin firstly laid out his plans for Jack.

"You know David will fight you on this one. `Unnecessary expense', he'll
say, 'we can get ships officers already qualified, we don't have to pay for
their qualifications', so the answer will be no."

Martin grinned, "Yes, but if I tell him I'll go back to school once we have
Jack in Nautical College, I bet he'll change his mind."

Robert laughed, "Alright young man, what devious little plot are we going
to hatch now?"

Still grinning, Martin told Robert what he wanted to do, it had come to him
on the flight home.

"Could you get on to the headmaster at Malvern College. Ask him if he will
take me at half term to sit with the fifth form to refresh my knowledge for
GCSEs, and then join the lower sixth at the beginning of the new school
year for my A Levels. You can tell him that I lost a term and a half
because of family upset and we can discuss my A Levels when he sees my
standard by the time the boys take their exams. I'll even sit my exams
again Robert even though I already have all my GCSEs."

"And why would you do that, may I ask?"

Martin gushed then.

"Oh Robert, I have made the most wonderful friend this holiday and I want
to be with him always. He is a year younger than me so if we can do what I
want, I'll have two years at Malvern with him and then three years at
University."

"That's a very big commitment you are making, are you sure?"

Tears came to Martin's eyes, "Oh yes, you see Robert, I love him so much, I
am so unhappy not being with him."

Everything fell into place then. Robert knew that Martin was gay, he had
been in cahoots with James when they were educating Martin.

"Very well young man. Are you sure you want another two years in dorms
though?"

"Not really Robert, but I thought we could ask the manager of my property
company to add a house in Worcester, close to the college, to my portfolio
and then James and the Trimble's can staff that during term time and this
house during the holiday's, or whatever. I'll stay in dorms for the rest of
this school year to get settled in."

Robert shook his head.

"You know, I think your Grandfather would be very proud of how you are
developing, you have a sharp mind Martin and you think things through."

By the time lunch was served Robert had all the details he needed to take
back to the office.

"I'll get onto the headmaster immediately after lunch. I don't think we'll
have any problems if I mention the possibility of a bursary when you
control your inheritance."

They both laughed at that, devious minds thinking alike.

Mid afternoon and two things happened almost simultaneously. David arrived
to see why his nephew was home, and as he walked into the study, Martin was
taking a call from Robert.

"Please wait in the lounge David, this is a private call, I'll join you
there."

David nearly blew a gasket. He was about to demolish the boy with his
tongue until he looked in his eyes, then he turned and stormed out.

"That was David, Robert, I hope you have some good news for me because I
have already upset him."

Martin sniggered as he said it and Robert tried to sound serious as he
admonished his young client. He failed miserably, of course.

"All right young man. You have got a win, win on our discussion of this
morning. Subject to a satisfactory interview the head master at Malvern
will take you after half term. I have talked to Captain Samuels and we have
sorted a college for Jack Steel. We just need David's go ahead for the
expense. Over to you young man."

"Oh thank you Robert, thank you so much."

"My pleasure, just tell me when you want me to do anything concrete."

Martin was feeling so pleased with himself when he walked through into the
lounge.

"David, I'm so sorry to have blown you out like that, but the call was
terribly important."

"Yes, well it had better have been, I don't expect to be told what to do by
a child."

"I'm not a child David, but I don't want to fight with you today so I'll
let that argument pass. I want you to know that I have decided to go back
to school and then to university, subject to you agreeing certain terms."

David was delighted on one score but wary about the second.

"This is my plan. On `Thermopylae' is a young seaman. I want us to fund him
through Nautical College and then take him on as a third officer. I want
our property division to buy a suitable property for me to live in while
attending Malvern College as a day boy for my A Levels. I will use my
present staff to service the house so there will be no added expense there
and the house will probably appreciate enough to pay Jack `s college fees
any way. So, the present expenses will be covered by property appreciation
meaning that this plan will cost nothing."

David looked at this scheming little nephew and immediately said, "No,
absolutely not."

Martin didn't argue, he just stood up and said, "Very well, then the yacht
will remain out of charter because I will be using it extensively. I'm not
going to cruise everywhere in her so I will need the company jet frequently
to take me to the general area where I send the yacht. Oh yes, and if I
can't be at school I will be spending most school holidays in either New
York or Antigua so I will book the jet for those specific dates well ahead
so that I don't disrupt its other charters."

David's bean counter brain realised immediately that this expense would far
outweigh the expense of a college place for this seaman. It never occurred
to him that the money would come out of Martin's estate, it was money and
he bled at the thought of wasting any.

"Just a minute. If I go along with this, do you swear you will complete
your education?"

"Absolutely, David."

"Very well, I suppose you already have Cooper drawing up contracts?"

Speaking of Robert with so much disregard for his status always riled
Martin and he bit again.

"I've told you before, David, do not speak about Robert Cooper in such a
derogatory manner. He is as dear to me as my grandfather was and I will not
listen to you, or anyone else, talk about him like he was a minion."

Martin stormed out then leaving David, once again, seething at his nephew's
impudence.

By the time Robert had Jack's contract drawn up, David realised how much
money would be saved with Martin back in school so he signed it without
comment. Martin was delighted and couldn't wait to tell Jack.

"I'll talk to Captain Samuels, Jack, but you might as well fly home
immediately. I'll have you met at Gatwick and you can come straight to my
house to sign your contract and then go home to your family until your new
term starts."

"Thank you Martin, I'll never be able to repay you for this."

"Of course you will, silly, you'll be making love to me until I'm old and
you're the captain of my yacht."

Both boys laughed until Martin asked to be transferred to the
Captain. Arrangements were confirmed and Martin looked at the calendar
working out how many days he could keep Jack at the house for some fun and
games.

With nothing better to do, Martin went with the limousine to meet Jack, who
was totally overcome by all the luxury that surrounded him.

"You don't start college for three weeks Jack. Would you like to stay with
me for a week before going home to your parents, or go home first and then
come to my home for your last week. In fact, that will be better because
then we can shop for your uniforms and I'll have you taken down to the
college by car. That will fit in perfectly then for me to fly out to New
York with Yoshi."

Sad look again that Martin picked up on.

"I know Jack. I do love you as well, but Yoshi is my true love."

Jack nodded, "I know Martin but you do so many good things for me it just
makes me love you more."

Martin gave him a hug and then with a broad grin on his face said, "In that
case perhaps I had better stop doing nice things for you and send you back
to the yacht as an able seaman."

Another hug and then Martin told his driver to go to Jack's house.

"I'll send a car for you two weeks today Jack, bring everything you need
with you and we'll fill in the gaps because your uniforms will all be
different."

The two weeks dragged for Martin, he did his own shopping for his new
school uniforms, checked Jack's contract with Robert and spent a few days
with David being as nice as he could, on Robert's advice.

"There isn't any point in keep fighting with David, young man. It is too
stressful and in the end counterproductive now that you are doing what he
wants. You should now concentrate on what is important, your education and
your relationship with Yoshi."

Martin looked quite contrite as he replied.

"You are right Robert, as always. I won't even have to see him very much
now. I'll be away at school and then with Yoshi, I don't suppose a few days
a year will be too hard to bear."