The Boy Next Door
by Robert Symes
Part Two
Found
This story is set in rural England in 1974. The cultural references are from that time and place so I hope that references to cars or music won't spoil the story for those who don't know them. Follow the links provided for more information or just ignore them. (And yes, I know you can use a search engine just as well as I can. The links are for convenience, not to insult anyone.)
As always it is this author's policy to have no opinions about anything, or at least not to state them. Any opinions you see on these pages are those of the characters or the site owner respectively and I neither endorse nor oppose them.
At five to seven on Saturday morning Christopher and Philip walked up Mrs Jenkins' drive jokily 'complaining' that they hadn't previously realised there were two six o'clocks on a Saturday. Milo was already loading stuff in the back of the Land Rover and added their rucksacks. "Sorry for the early start boys but Victor's train gets there at ten and I want to make sure we're there to meet it. I'm afraid you're in the back again if you don't mind. Sorry to make you defer to a dog again but I can't see her suffer."
"The sooner we start the more time we have there" said Philip pragmatically. "But three hours in the backseat cuddling with Chris? It's a sacrifice but I'm willing to make it for the sake of animal welfare."
And so they set off. Philip and Chris close together on the left of the back seat so they could see over the passenger seat and out of the windscreen, Lucky in the middle front seat anxiously staring through the windscreen and Milo petting her with his left hand in between gear changes. They got onto the motorway, cruising at the extremely boring 50 mph emergency limit imposed the previous December for the oil crisis. Milo commented it saved fuel as intended and anyway the car wasn't really comfortable going much faster. The two passengers started paying more attention to each other than the road and even the dog got bored, sprawled across the two front passenger seats and went to sleep. "That's progress" remarked Milo happily. "She's never done that before."
When they finally got off the motorway and came to a halt at the junction Lucky woke up and resumed her anxious scrutiny of the journey as they drove into town and headed for the railway station, reaching it at ten to ten. "That took a bit longer than I thought" said Milo. "Just as well I left plenty of time."
As soon as they pulled into the station car park someone who looked like he might be Philip's older brother, with the same short dark hair, got up from a bench and walked over carrying his rucksack. He knocked on the driver's window and said "Hello, handsome, I've missed you."
"Likewise" responded Milo. "It's good to see you again, Vic, I never thought I would. But I thought your train was due at ten?"
"Seven minutes past actually. But the earlier train was late and I like to be early so I caught the one that was due at 9:07. It got here five minutes ago. That's British Rail for you!"
"Well, hop in then."
Victor walked round, opened the passenger door, extended his hand towards the dog and said "Budge up then mutt, make some room." Lucky bared her teeth and snarled at him. He jumped back and slammed the door. "What the hell?"
Philip opened the back door. "She probably thought you wanted to drag her out of the car. Milo can explain later. You'd better get in here for now. Move over Chris."
Victor got in. He and Lucky glowered suspiciously at each other. "It might be safer. I wasn't expecting a savage dog. Okay, go out of here and turn left. It's about three miles along the coast."
Ten minutes later they were parked outside a large static caravan on a holiday park, largely deserted this early in the season. The van turned out to have a small and cramped double bedroom at each end with living and kitchen space in between, an ideal arrangement for two couples.
As soon as they were out of the car and Lucky saw Milo and Victor being affectionate with each other she started nuzzling Vic with her head, looking for affection, as if trying to make up for the earlier misunderstanding. "This dog is nuts" observed Victor but once the history was explained he was more understanding.
"Maybe I'm a bit nuts myself" concluded Milo. "I certainly can identify with Lucky. We both got thrown out and abandoned by the people who were supposed to care for us."
Victor stared at him. "That's not what your parents say. Your mother told me they were angry, embarrassed and upset but they never asked you to leave. You did that of your own volition. And I know your father nearly got in a fight defending you at least once. You should at least think about getting in touch to see what you can salvage."
"That's not quite how it seemed to me at the time. But maybe I was impulsive or whatever. Okay, I'll think about it, but not this weekend. Now let's put our stuff away and have a coffee. Then we can think about lunch."
Over coffee Victor reported that he'd been here a few times as the caravan's owners were good friends of his parents and the best options for lunch were a nearby transport cafe, which wouldn't allow dogs, a chip shop in town, or there was a pub a couple of miles away that did food and they could eat at a table outside with the dog if it wasn't too cold for them.
The pub seemed the best option and after lunch Chris said that after three hours in the back of a car he and Phil needed a good long walk. He winked at Philip and glanced significantly at the others. "Good idea" agreed Philip. "Might shift a few cobwebs. We can take the dog if you like."
"Thanks, but better not" said Milo. "You saw what happened with Vic in the car. I think she'd better stay with me. We'll get some shopping so we can eat in the van, I'll take Lucky out and we'll meet you there whenever you get back."
Milo, Victor and Lucky got back in the car. Lucky took the middle seat as always but was now allowing Victor to sit next to her. They drove away and Chris pulled a pamphlet out of his coat pocket. "What's that?" asked Philip.
"A guide to local attractions. It was lying around in the van so I borrowed it. Look, there's a fold out map in the back with all the footpaths on it. We're here." Chris pointed with his finger. "If we go down this lane a bit we can get on the bridle path to the cliff top. Then back along the coast path and it goes right past the caravan site here, see? It's about five miles altogether I think so if we take it steady I can have you to myself for a couple of hours. I'm sure the others have stuff to talk about."
"Did you and Milo plan this?"
"No, I thought of it myself when I saw the guide. But he looked grateful when I suggested it."
"I'm sure we all did. It's a great idea. Let's go!"
It was still early in the season and not very warm so apart from the occasional dog walker they mostly had the paths to themselves for a long leisurely walk and a deep conversation. And the views from the cliff top out over the sea and over the countryside dropping away down to the beach and the town further away were spectacular and well worth the effort.
When Philip and Chris got back to the caravan the Land Rover was there but the van was locked and deserted. A note taped to the door said 'took dog out look under lucky place.'
"What does that mean?" wondered Chris but Philip noticed the quarter light of the car was open a fraction. He opened it all the way, put his arm in and opened the door with the internal handle, overriding the lock. He looked under the seat squab of the middle front seat and found keys to the car and caravan.
"Thought so" said Philip as he relocked the car. "'Look under Lucky's place' written so we'd get it but some passing chancer wouldn't." He opened the door and they went inside and lit the gas to boil a kettle.
Eventually the others came back, Lucky looking relaxed and happy after a couple of hours exploring in the fresh air with her master. "Oh, good, you got the hint then. I hoped you would. We couldn't leave the van unlocked, it isn't ours."
Lucky rushed over to where Chris and Phil were sitting and greeted them like old friends she hadn't seen in ages. "Someone's in a good mood" remarked Chris.
"Yes, I think so" agreed Milo. "We're getting there I think. I sometimes forget it's not much more than a fortnight since that bastard dumped her in a place she'd never seen. We have to build trust. Meanwhile, we can't be bothered with cooking so we just got snacks and something for breakfast and Vic's going to drive my car to the chippy for our tea. You two can go with him if you fancy a drive or just tell him what you want." They opted to go with him.
Milo turned to Vic as he took the keys. "Remember you're not insured so don't crash it! And if you do get stopped give my name and my old address, I haven't updated anything yet."
After they'd eaten it was way too early even for an early night but a Monopoly set found in the cupboard passed a couple of hours. Then they took turns to visit the site's washroom block and turned in.
Before they headed for the bedrooms Victor brought out a radio and put it in the living area. "There's no-one in the other vans around this one" he said "so this should be okay. I'll let it play for an hour or so and then stop it. So we won't have to hear each other. Because Milo and me haven't seen each other for too long and we're not going to be writing our diaries if you know what I mean."
"You two can practice some of what I told you" suggested Milo. "Or just go to sleep. I don't care really, but you'll have privacy. Don't knock on my door seeking advice though. See you in the morning." Victor pressed the radio's power button and they disappeared eagerly into their bedroom as a pop music station started at a volume to drown any reasonable noise.
Chris and Phil went into their own room. "Not very big is it?" said Chris. "The room I mean."
"They never are in these vans" replied Phil. "But it's as big as it needs to be and it'll do. And it's private with no family around so let's make the most of it. Have you got any ideas of what you'd like to do?"
Chris looked embarrassed. "Er... You know all that... anal stuff Milo was on about?"
Philip tensed. "Yes, what about it?"
"Well I'm sorry but it just sounds nasty. I expect it's very nice if you do it but I just don't want to yet. And that stuff he said about preparing for it? I haven't done that here. I'm sorry. I hope you're not too disappointed with me."
Phil smiled. "Disappointed? No, I'm relieved. I feel much the same but I didn't want to let you down. I'm glad I won't be. There will be time enough for that stuff later if we want it. Now we can do what we've done before but you didn't say anything about oral. I'd love to try it and see if I can make you come that way if you'll let me. So what do you say?"
"Do you think if we don't want to do it maybe we like each other as friends but we're not really gay as such?"
"What??!? Are you serious?" Phil seemed to be struggling not to laugh. "No, I don't think that. You say the weirdest things sometimes! We're here together for a 'dirty weekend' aren't we? Of course we're gay, get used to it! You said even your mother had noticed something but promised to keep her mouth shut. We're just young and inexperienced that's all. We'll probably grow into the other stuff, and if we don't it doesn't matter. Now I just offered you a blow job. Would you prefer a meaningful discussion?"
Chris did laugh then. "Sorry, just my insecurities maybe. If you put it like that then... blowjob please!"
"We'd better get undress..." Philip stopped, smiled, then started laughing.
"What's so funny then?" asked Chris.
"Listen. On the radio." They heard 'Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow' by Melanie . "Very appropriate. Number 39 in last week's top 40 I think. I'd better make a good job of this if I want to keep you. I hope I'll remember what Milo told us."
"And I hope that's a joke. Of course I'll still love you tomorrow even if you're useless at it. I'd give you at least a week to learn before I give up on you. Now let's get our clothes off and ' rock around the clock ' please. That's number 38."
The humour helped make them less nervous as they undressed together for what was still only the third time. They lay on the bed, about the only option in this small space, and kissed. Philip looked down. "Somebody's looking forward to it."
Chris looked down at Philip. "Somebody's not the only one. We seem to make each other horny don't we?"
"But we're just good friends" teased Philip. "Not gay at all. Well how gay is this ?" He kissed Chris's throat, then moved down his body kissing his chest, his stomach, finally halfway up the shaft of his erection. Then he grabbed it with one hand and, hoping he'd get this right, covered his teeth with his lips, and took it into his mouth.
"Don't blow, just lick and suck" Milo had said, and also "Only take what's comfortable at first. Don't choke yourself." He did his best to remember it all and concentrate on giving Chris a memorable experience. If the gasps and moans he was hearing were anything to go by he was succeeding.
It didn't take very long before Chris called out "Stop, I'm going to..." but Philip knew what he was going to do and had decided it was a small price to pay to give Chris the best possible experience. He stroked Chris's balls with his free hand as unpleasant hot salty liquid flooded his mouth. He forced himself to swallow as much of it as he could.
Once his breathing got back to near normal Chris sighed contentedly, smiled and opened his eyes. "That was amazing. Thank you." He looked at Philip's face. "Looks like you don't agree. Was it that bad?"
"No, not bad at all. I really enjoyed doing it. It's just... At the end... I think that's a taste I'll have to get used to. I know you tried to warn me but I wanted to make it special for you. I'll be fine when I've had a drink."
"You did make it special. Let's both get a drink and then I'll try to make it special for you."
They went into the living area without bothering to get dressed. As expected there was no sign of life except for Lucky lying in front of the door to the other bedroom guarding it. She looked up, decided not to bother with them and put her head back down. They couldn't be bothered with boiling a kettle so just got glasses of water and went back to their room.
In the morning they slept in and took their time over breakfast. It was a beautiful sunny day, unseasonably warm but a bit windy so they drove the Land Rover onto the beach to use as a windbreak. No worries about driving on sand with four wheel drive.
But it was too cold to swim or sunbathe comfortably and sitting around on the sand fully clothed didn't appeal so they thought they'd go back to the van for Monopoly round two followed by another pub lunch.
"Before we go" Victor brandished a camera that he'd brought with him. "I'd really like to get a picture of Milo. And if you boys want any souvenir snaps I can take them and send them to you. Say 'cheese' Milo."
"No, I don't think so" objected Milo, disappointing Vic. "We can do better than that." He pulled his shirt off and draped it over the open rear window of the car. Then he lay down in the sand. "Come here, girl" he called and Lucky lay down next to him. He put an arm around her, stared into the camera and said "Now you can get both of us."
"I think this picture will be my official favourite if it comes out like I hope" remarked Victor. "I'd have it framed and keep it by my bedside but Dad would have a stroke. Come to think about it with that by my bed I'd have a lot of strokes myself."
They took pictures of Victor, Milo and Victor, Chris and Philip. They even got a passing dog walker to take a couple of all four of them plus car and dog. Then they packed up and drove to the cliff top to enjoy and photograph the views. After which they drove to the pub for opening time and got a drink, although they'd have to wait until twelve to order food. Despite the sunshine it wasn't that warm so they were the only customers in the garden.
"I've been thinking" began Milo, prompting Vic to joke that he'd thought he could smell burning. "You can shut up, cheeky, it's a long walk to the station. Anyway, I was thinking about what you said about Mum and Dad. I'd like to make up with them if I can, or at least try to anyway, but I'm worried how to keep everyone safe. Can I use you as a go-between?"
"I s'pose." Victor was puzzled. "If I knew what that meant. What do you mean 'keep everyone safe' anyway?"
"What I say. If I'm seen in your town I won't be safe. Thanks to your old man and his mouth I'm the queer boy who molests school kids. Let it stay that way; it's best, and I don't care what they think. If they knew the truth they'd still hate me anyway and they'd hate you as well. You don't need that and I don't want it. Let sleeping morons lie, in both meanings of the word.
"But if you could see my folks tell them I'm okay. I've got a job and a place to stay. But they should let everyone think they threw me out in disgust and disowned me when they found out what I'd done. And tell Dad not to defend me too much. They still have to live there. At least big sis is married and lives elsewhere. They won't connect Mrs Atherton with 'that Stanford boy.' Can you do that and tell me what they say if I phone you in a day or two?"
"Of course. I'd be glad to. I could kill my old man for the damage he's done jumping to conclusions and shooting his mouth off. Anything I can do to put it right..." Victor looked as if he hadn't thought of any of this before.
"The best thing you can do is leave it alone" Milo told him firmly. "They can't find me so let me be the baddie. And please don't be offended but I'm not going to tell you where I am either, just to be sure your dad can't get it out of you."
"Sorry, but it's too late for that" Chris pointed out. "His mum knows mine and Mum's told Miriam you're in our village. You'll just have to trust them."
"It's okay" said Victor quietly. "My dad can be scary when he's in a temper and I get flustered. I could say anything without thinking. It's better if I don't know so I won't ask Mum either."
"That's what I meant. I do trust you really. Don't put anyone else at risk, especially yourself. Just go and see my folks quietly after dark and we'll see what we can think of. It's a pity they're not on the phone. That reminds me, give me the film out of your camera. I'll get it developed somewhere far away where they don't know any of us. I'll order two sets of prints and send you one from there. I should have time, work's been put back again, some legal problem."
"Make that four sets" requested Chris. "I'll pay you back."
"Three" corrected Philip. "I can't risk Mum finding them in my room."
Victor looked concerned. "Are you okay for money? I thought you had a job?"
"I have, it just hasn't started yet. And I've still got some savings. I'm picking up a few odd jobs and I'm doing two days for Mr Davis next week stripping plaster in another property. And I don't need much, just diesel for the car and food for me and Lucky. Everything else is taken care of. Don't worry about me."
Chris looked Milo over. "I 'spect you can earn good money stripping" he said deadpan and everyone laughed.
"I don't think it will come to that" said Milo. "I'm fine. And just to prove it lunch is on me. What's everyone having?"
After lunch they cleared out and cleaned the caravan then drove Victor to the station to catch the train home. Then they set off on the three hour trek home.
Chris didn't see Milo again until the next Thursday when he knocked on their front door about five, with Lucky on a lead. Mrs Langley insisted he come in for a cup of tea "via the back door please if the dog's with you, but I want to hear your news. Miriam said Victor was buzzing when he got home on Sunday."
"Sorry I couldn't get here before" said Milo, after sipping his tea. "Things have been a bit hectic this week. Monday morning I went over to [town] to get the film processed, that should be far enough away. Then I got some shopping and stuff. Lucky's getting better I think. She seems to understand that if she's in my room or my car that means I'm coming back to her. Monday afternoon one of the neighbours offered me a job I didn't finish until gone eight. Tuesday and Wednesday I was stripping plaster and got home tired and dirty. Today I went back and got the prints and came round once I saw your car was here. Here's your set Chris. No charge, after all you've done for me it's the least I can do."
"And did you patch things up with Victor?" asked Mrs Langley. "Miriam seemed to think so."
"Yeah, sort of, but we're not sure how it can work yet. We're quite a long way apart now, he's got school, I've got work. He's got a licence but no car and I won't set foot in that town again. Even if I wanted to I'd be putting us both at risk.
"We may try to organise a few weekends if we can get the caravan or something else but otherwise in a few months I'll be finished here which makes me homeless and probably unemployed and Vic will know if he got into university so I'll probably head for wherever he's going and look for a job and a place."
"You should think about uni for yourself" suggested Mrs Langley, ever the teacher. "You've got a good brain, Milo. You should use it."
He shrugged. "Not really practical just now. I need to work to live. Maybe in the future. But the best thing is he went to talk to my parents. I phoned him last night after work. I really thought they hated me but they don't; they were just shocked and angry. Anyway, they want to meet on Sunday at my sister's house for a talk. They understand why I won't go home but no-one knows me where she lives. So we'll see."
"Oh Milo that is good news." Mrs Langley was genuinely delighted. "I really hope it all works out for you."
"I really think it may do. And it's all down to you. I'm so grateful I can't even find words for it. When I asked the garage man and the lady with the 2CV if they knew of any work going I never dreamed she'd get me a home and a job and reunite me with my boyfriend and family. Are you sure you're not my guardian angel?"
"Fairly sure. You rescued that poor dog and she's brought us all luck. Perhaps it's something like karma. When I introduced the charming young man with the Land Rover to my neighbour's son I didn't know I was getting a mentor for my son as well as a useful handyman. If you do move away please keep in touch."
Chris was looking through the photos. "This one of you and Lucky lying on the sand by the car has come out really well. Damn, you look good. I bet Victor will be having..." – he remembered his mum just in time – "I mean drooling over this until you can get together again."
The End (for Philip and Chris but see Postscript)
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