Usual Disclaimer: If you are not of an age to read this because of the laws of your country or district please desist. If you are a bigot or prod-nosed fundamentalist of any persuasion find your monkey-spanking literature elsewhere and keep your predilections and opinions to yourself. Everyone else welcome and comments more than welcome.
Flip's Tale
By
Joel
The Sequel: Autumn 2000
Continued:.............
S25 The Commitment draws nigh
Parallel to all the other excitements of the term were the arrangements being made by Ghazi and others for the ceremony. Ghazi phoned constantly about who should be invited and came up with some more welcome news.
I had suggested that Michael and Darryll be invited and when contacted had said in their reply to Ghazi that they would also like to join in the ceremony as they wished to make a commitment to each other as well. So, it was to be a triple ceremony. This also solved a slight problem, too. Stuart, of course, wanted to be our sponsor, but Paul Campbell was my first choice and he'd readily agreed. Stuart was therefore more than mollified when he received a letter from Darryll and Michael inviting him to be their sponsor.
The venue and place were fixed by a combination of Ghazi and Clyde's granddaddy. Saturday, December 16th at a very up-market hotel in Edinburgh. In fact, Clyde's grandfather insisted on footing the whole bill as a fourth couple, Clyde and Hamed, would be there to make their vows as well.
Half way through the arrangements I had a phone call from Pete Douglas who had also been invited along with his parents. He was full of it and said he was looking forward to the occasion very much. What he was also bursting to tell me was about the twins, the Prof's little darlings.
They had soon fitted in to life at Kinloch. They were the undisputed leaders of the new-bugs and delighted in twisting the tails of the older and superior lions in McCrae's menagerie especially. Pete said he'd managed to keep them out of too much trouble but they had surpassed themselves the previous Saturday. They had, uncharacteristically, volunteered to help serve the post-match tea to the assembled rugger teams from Kinloch and the visiting school. Luckily, a keen-eyed Sixth-Former from McCrae's, who wasn't playing because of an injury, spotted the pair just as they were about to lace a jug of orange squash with a 50mg Viagra tablet. He'd confiscated the three they had on them and, memories of Pete's own court-martial, the Sixth-Formers in the House had later that evening instigated an investigation and confrontation. The little bastards confessed to having stolen a box of five tablets from their father's study at home and were fully intent not only of jazzing up the rugger teams' drinks but had planned to give the lads in McCrae's the benefits of extra-strong erections that evening as well with the rest of the tablets in the squash supplied for supper.
Pete said he'd been entrusted with the tablets and could we get them back to the Prof somehow without the story getting out. I suggested a handover to me or Tom before the ceremony and I would guarantee the Prof would get them back with a minimum of explanation.
"Bloody hell," was Tom's comment when I told him the tale, "If the rest of the horny bastards at that school are anything like you they certainly wouldn't need Viagra, they'd have erections up to their ears for weeks." Later that evening, in bed, I commented that although Tom hadn't had the benefit of a Kinloch education there was nothing wrong with his ability to maintain an erection.
Of course, the other members of our heptad were also invited. Fergie and Paul were at King's College in London, down the road from where Ghazi and Bernard Mattheson were, so they were in constant contact. Then, out of the blue, three letters arrived one morning in late November. All bore the same Suffolk postmark. The first I recognised as being in Little Dick's neat, small handwriting. The second was addressed in a firm, angular hand. The third was unmistakeably feminine in character. I opened Little Dick's first.
Dear Flip,
Sorry but I cannot come to Edinburgh as you will see. I would like to but I am very busy here as you will see. I am very happy here.
I am now in charge of the little herd. Charles is teaching me all about farming. He went to college but I am not I am learning here. I share a room with him. His sister Ann is here and he said he would cut off my balls with the knife he uses on the young rams if I touched her. It is very sharp. Ann is having a baby and we are to be married on January 6th and you and Tom are invited. Charles says he will cut off my balls if I do not look after Ann and the baby. He is big like you and is 24.
I have told my Flip about you and I have your photo with Tom and Stuart. Charles says you all look as if you could service a row of heifers. He is rude about me as well.
I have joined the rugby club with Charles and the Young Farmers.
Tell Tom I want to meet him.
Little Dick (Richie).
I passed the letter to Tom who was eyeing me with increased wonderment as I giggled, then chuckled, then burst into laughter. Little Dick had certainly dipped his wick with a vengeance! And wait until I meet this Charles!!
The second letter I noted, as soon as I opened it, was signed by Charles.
Dear Flip,
You will no doubt be surprised at the news in the letter from Richie. (By the way, having inspected the evidence, I suggested we should change his name to Rich, he prefers Richie, and so does Ann.)
I have to apologise as Richie doesn't know I read his letter, which being him, he left in full view on the dressing table before finding an envelope. I also have to explain what has happened.
Yes, I did threaten him. Ann has just finished a music degree at Durham and was here when Richie arrived. They have known each other for years but I realised they had more in common than just love of music. I didn't want Richie to be hurt (the knife threat was just a fun thing) but they fell for each other in a big way and Ann is now pregnant. My parents were a bit miffed to begin with but have accepted it. Richie was one of the family anyway. There will be an announcement in the Times this Saturday. As he says, the wedding is on January 6th and a formal invitation is on its way.
As far as his work here is concerned Richie is first-class. It would be pointless for him to go to college. Ann is a typical farmer's daughter and will keep him on the straight and narrow. Dad wants to retire soon so I will run the main farm and they will have the house at the Lower Farm and will look after that. It is mostly cattle and Richie is a natural with them. He will have two hands to help him and we hope to win another prize at the Suffolk Show next year. Your namesake is his favourite and I have heard him whispering all sorts of things to him about life at Kinloch when he has been feeding or grooming him.
We haven't told the lads at the Rugby Club that he is already titled so the announcement in the paper will be news to them. I expect repercussions after the game on Saturday!
Please give my best wishes to Tom. I have heard so much about you from Richie that I'm sure we are friends already. I hope we are friends after what Richie has reported me as saying.
With all best wishes to you both,
Charles.
I passed this one over to Tom who was also giggling about the contents of the first. The third contained two invitation cards, one for me and one for Tom, inviting us to the wedding and then to a reception at a hotel in Bury St Edmunds, and a letter.
Dear Flip,
Richie has told me so much about you so please forgive me for calling you by your nickname.
Because of the work here it won't be possible for Richie to come to Edinburgh in December but we both send our love and best wishes to you both.
He and Charles have told me they have written to you and as I dread to think what Charles might have said I had better add my two penn'orth.
Richie's parents and mine have been friends for many years and he has stayed here during school holidays over the years, latterly with Nelson. Nelson is playing at the wedding in our village church and Richie plays the organ on Sundays there. We all share a love of music and I went up to Durham to read it for my degree. I also love farming and I know we will be happy together.
The baby is due at the beginning of July and we are looking forward to that very much.
With best wishes to you both,
Ann.
Tom gave me a quizzical look after he had read that third letter and studied the beautifully engraved invitation card inviting him at the behest of Sir Michael and Lady Pamela Miller to the wedding of their daughter Ann Louise to Lord Richard Fordham. I nodded.
"We'll be going," I said, "We don't have cows to look after, and you're the only young heifer I'd service. I think I'll change your name to Moo."
Term came rapidly to an end. We were going to stay in Edinburgh until after Christmas and then go to Glenfinnan for New Year. To fill in time and to earn a bit of pocket money we had been taken on as porters at one of the out-lying Edinburgh hospitals. At least, as Simon said, who had done the same thing in his first year, you'll learn things at the coal-face. Rather a mixed metaphor but we knew what he meant!
It was certainly an eye-opener. Two big strong lads were seized upon to do all sorts of tasks. We loaded little old ladies, large mums and drunks, in particular, onto wheelchairs or trolleys and carted them from Casualty to wards and so on. The little old ladies were generally the nicest, even when nursing broken bones from slipping on icy streets. The drunks were usually belligerent and invariably were given the roughest rides because of their rudeness to the nursing staff and us. We were impressed from the start by the dedication and the hard work of the nursing and medical staff and appalled by the general inefficiency of the administration. I had never encountered the 'jobsworth' element before but heard that attitude so many times from clerks and managers when asked for even simple bits of equipment or supplies for the wards. We also had our first experience of all sorts of badly injured people - car accidents, stabbings, home accidents and so on. The first few times were a bit stomach-turning but we learned to cope even on the day when two young, badly injured guys, our age, were brought in after being in a car crash. Later that night we had a call from the ward for the special trolley. One lad had died from his injuries and we had to collect him and take him to the mortuary. We looked at each other as we pushed the trolley along the corridor. The unspoken "Could have been us..."
Still, we had each other and we filled our leisure time in being together and making sure each was as satisfied as possible. With the pressures of the course off we indulged freely and frequently, especially on the cold afternoons before we went on duty at the hospital in the evening. Tom was, as ever, almost insatiable, and I must admit, I wasn't far behind. As always we tried not to have a set pattern, to get into a rut, but varied our love- making from tender and passionate to an orgy for two. My most exquisite moments were when Tom ministered to my ergonomically perfect rod with his hot lips, tongue and mouth. His, so he said, were when that rod was deep inside him. In between we tried to raise each other to heights of pleasure in as many ways as possible and the soundtrack of our sessions would have made the top ten of the Hit Parade so Tom said.
S26: The Commitment.
Our sealed orders had arrived from Ghazi on the last day of term. We were to be at the hotel at twelve o'clock to be booked in for our room. Dress: Highland casual. Lunch at one o'clock. Afternoon free. Cocktails and introduction of guests at seven. Dress: Full Highland. Commitment ceremony at seven forty-five. Dinner at eight. Highland dancing to follow. All guests would be accommodated overnight.
There was no guest list included but I knew the four from our group had been invited but only Alistair and Jenny could come. Aunt Margaret would be there and another letter from Mum said she would be there too. What it was going to cost Clyde's granddaddy was anyone's guess but he was the favourite grandson so he always told us.
What it was going to cost became more apparent as the Commitment Day progressed. As instructed we arrived at the doors of the hotel having lashed out on a taxi to carry us and our bags. Inside we were escorted, once we had given our names to the receptionist, to a most sumptuous suite. A double bedroom, sitting-room and a palatial bathroom. It made our nice flat look like an East End doss-house. We hadn't been in the room more than fifteen minutes when there was peremptory knock on the door and, after Tom had called out "Come in", in marched Ghazi wreathed in smiles followed by the most handsome young lad plus Bernard, who I recognised from our meeting at the rugger match.
Ghazi rushed up to Tom first and hugged him, then turned to me and did the same.
"Oh, so long," he said, "I've missed you both." He turned to his two waiting acolytes. "Flip, you know Bernard, but this is Etienne. And this is Tom!"
So, this must be the French lad he'd met at the health resort. He was beautiful. About the same height as Ghazi, perfect features, darkish skin with black, beautifully cut hair and wearing a typical, highly fashionable young man's outfit. The sort of clothes you only see on models in the Sunday magazines.
Ghazi turned to him and let out a stream of French. It was so rapid I had difficulty in making out what was said. I knew he mentioned me and his description of Tom was something like 'chaud lapin'. Tom was the least likely person to look like a rabbit so as soon as he turned back I asked him for a translation especially of the 'lapin' bit.
All three of them laughed. "I just said to Etienne that Tom was the sexy hunk I'd described and didn't he agree."
So 'chaud lapin' meant 'sexy hunk'. Funny ideas the French had!
It did break the ice and the five of us then had to fill in all the details. It turned out that Ghazi and Etienne were now intent on making their own commitment. It was planned for next Easter and Tom and I were commanded to be at the health resort where it would take place. Bernard was uncommitted to anyone, male or female. It was fairly obvious that dear Ghazi had both twisted round his little finger. The lifestyle was incredible. Etienne was doing a very similar Economics course to that which Ghazi was doing in London but his was at the Ecole de Management International just outside Paris at Cergy-Pontoise with English and German as his subsidiaries. Bernard was doing the same course as Ghazi but taking Russian as a subsidiary. Then at weekends they alternated. One weekend Ghazi and Bernard, whose father was a high-up in the OECD in Paris, would take the Eurostar to Paris where Ghazi and Etienne would meet up at Etienne's grandmother's and stay Friday evening until Sunday evening. The next weekend Etienne would do the reverse and end up in London staying with Ghazi and Bernard in the flat in St John's Wood. What it cost was anybody's guess. They were all very well-heeled young men. But all were devoted to each other with Bernard not concerned about sex so it seemed.
While we were chatting, having heard all this, there was another knock on the door which heralded the entry of Paul and Fergie. Fergie had to be introduced properly to Tom and then we heard their tales of London life. Though not quite shacked up yet both had girlfriends at the same college and both admitted they weren't in Little Dick's league yet as they had no intention of getting married and precautions were strictly adhered to. In fact having a love-life had lightened Fergie's somewhat dour temperament and I could imagine that with the lengthy tool he possessed he was able to satisfy any demands. In fact, thinking about it, he, Little Dick and Clyde were the only three in our dorm at school I hadn't had a sexual encounter with, although I had witnessed Fergie's and the others' release of nightly tensions countless times.
We all went down to the lounge for tea at four o'clock and found my brother sitting with Darryll and Michael scoffing plates of sandwiches as if there was no tomorrow. Ghazi said in a whisper to me at one point that if he wasn't committed to Etienne he would be in the running for my brother. I disabused him of any chance saying we were as chalk and cheese in sexual preferences. Ghazi's response to this was to say he knew who was the cheesy one.
We were still chatting away when there was a roar from the doorway and there was Clyde with Hamed. Their plane had been delayed and so had only just arrived.
The big surprise was when Clyde greeted me with great hugs he spoke without the Southern accent and there wasn't a 'goddam' in sight. All that had been a careful facade. In fact, Hamed admitted he'd known ever since they became good friends in that first year at school and had aided and abetted the toad in his pretense. Clyde said he did it to get noticed and it had started when he first joined the school so he had cultivated it. His grandfather, note no 'granddaddy', had told him to stop it and so he had. In fact, that evening, when I was introduced to grandfather, he spoke with a marked English accent which he said he'd acquired as a Rhodes scholar at Oxford - and, no, he hadn't inhaled! More news was that both Clyde and Hamed were going to Oxford at the beginning of the next academic year as grandfather and Hamed's uncle had insisted they both finished their education before settling down to run the hotel and health resort.
Gradually other guests turned up and greeted us but at six o'clock we decided to go up to our room to change and get ready for the evening. Just after half six, when Tom and I were just completing our change into our 'full Highland', there was a discreet tap on the door. I opened it and there was my mother. I was so overwhelmed I just burst into tears and so did she. We hugged each other and Tom stayed in the adjoining bedroom and carefully closed the door. It was a most emotional time for both of us. Even more when she said she wanted to meet Tom. As he came out she hugged him and said, "You're my son now as well."
Another knock came and this time it was Stuart and the emotions started again. My little brother was rigged out in the most expensive looking black jacket, white jabot, and a silver mounted sporran to match mine. He said it was his Christmas present from Aunt Margaret and he handed me and Tom silver pins for our jabots as his present to us on our commitment.
Just before seven they went and the final visitor was Pete, resplendent in Douglas dress tartan. He handed over a small box sealed in an envelope. He giggled as he did so and made us promise not to open the box and give any to Paul who was downstairs with the other terrible twins. Paul had intimated they were coming with his parents as they were staying at Linnhe as their parents had gone off to Australia for a month. I put the little parcel carefully into my bag and said I would get them back to the Prof. Pete said the kids were shitting themselves over what might happen but he had assured them I would do my best for them. Oh God, good-hearted Flip in it again!
Dead on seven an escort party of Ghazi, Etienne and Bernard came for us and with the other participants in tow we made our way down to a superbly decorated banqueting room set out with a number of round tables each seating about ten. I was nervous and I could see that the normally imperturbable Tom was glancing around as well.
We were greeted at the door by Clyde's grandfather. Clyde, in full Highland, introduced us all. Grandfather shook our hands heartily and wished us well.
Gradually the room filled and, as people were introduced to Clyde's grandfather, glasses of champagne or cocktails were handed around by very suave waiters. My nerves went as so many friends were arriving. Tom's mother and father were already there. Tom's dad looking hugely resplendent in his kilt and Tom's mother had the McLaren plaid over her shoulder fastened with a huge silver brooch. I didn't know but Tom had bought it for her on one of his forays into Edinburgh and she looked almost regal. My mother and Aunt Margaret were also resplendent in lovely long evening dresses and with Paul, our sponsor, and Pete and his parents, made up our table.
I noticed that Rory and Adam were deep in conversation with my class-mates Alistair and Jenny and they made their way and sat with the Campbells. I also made a note to try and find out what Tom's father had done to get that terrible pair out of a tight spot.
Simon and Dick came in with, I assume, their respective parents and either more friends or relations. Simon came across quickly and wished Tom and me his best wishes and said the butterflies were still fluttering a bit. Then he said both Mr and Mrs McCrae were outside having just arrived. Another surprise.
Then, just before Tom and I sat down Clyde came across with a stunningly beautiful young lady and a blond hunk.
"Just like you to meet my sister, Genevieve, and this is Beauregard her most beloved. They tie the nuptial knot in August so keep your paws off my sister."
Both Genevieve and Beauregard gave Clyde a hearty dig in the ribs.
"You behave, little brother, or Beau will have to deal with you. Do not forget he was wrestling champion at college."
Brother and sister then went into some long explanation of where the marriage was taking place and that we were invited and grandfather would be sending details.
While this was going on I took a further look at Beau. He was about five foot nine, a good inch or so shorter than his prospective brother-in-law, but his blond hair and chunky figure made him quite desirable. I wouldn't have minded having the best of three falls or a submission with him. Tom must have been reading my mind as he nudged me and whispered something about me standing with my mouth open. All I needed was an orange and I would look well on a slab in a butcher's shop and he'd put me there if I ogled the guests again, he said later.
As we sat down again I noted that Michael's parents were present. Darryll and Michael looked huge in their dinner jackets. With their very trim haircuts they looked very sharp. I looked again. Talking to Darryll was another figure from the past. It was Dr Williams. He turned, saw me and waved, smiled and shook his head, as if in disbelief. I wanted to get up, run to him and give him the biggest hug I could manage.
Finally, I saw Ghazi come in, as usual stunning in the borrowed Campbell tartan, followed closely by Etienne in a most superb black silk suit and Bernard in highland dress. That black suit was certainly not off the peg and what were Bernard's Scottish credentials?
I looked at my watch, reminding me that six of the seven initials on its back were present, and saw it was almost time. Ghazi stood up and went to the middle of the little dance floor to the side of the room. He was Master of Ceremonies and our time had come. I glanced at Tom. He smiled and I knew nothing would or could stop us now.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Ghazi began, his voice clear and distinct, he must have had a radio-mike secreted somewhere. The slight hubbub receded and all eyes were on him. "My task tonight is easy, all these are my friends and they have asked me to conduct this very important ceremony. The task of those I am going to ask to take their vows of commitment will be much more difficult. Each will say to his partner that their commitment is permanent. They know in their hearts it will be. They will need your support and your love because we all know the ways of this world. So, I ask them to come forward. Clyde and Hamed, Darryll and Michael, Tom and Philip, Simon and Richard.
Proudly we stood and made our way to the little dais followed by our sponsors. We stood in a semi-circle facing Ghazi our sponsors standing just between us and slightly behind us.
Ghazi turned to Clyde first and began the litany which he would use for each of us.
"Do you Clyde agree to cherish, love and support Hamed as your true partner, in sickness and in health, in prosperity and adversity, for all time?"
Clyde said very clearly and with great feeling, "I do"
After Ghazi had repeated the question for Hamed with his firm "I do" following he went on. "Fergus, please give them each a ring which we will see them place on each other's fingers to seal this pledge."
Fergie handed them rings which I could see were just like ours. They looked each other straight in the eyes as they held out their hands and simultaneously slipped the ring over their partner's outstretched finger.
Darryll and Michael were next and Stuart handed them their rings to help them seal their pledge.
It was Tom and my turn next. I had never felt so emotional. Even more than meeting my mother again after four years. My love for Tom was overwhelming but my voice was steady as I made my vow. Tom's eyes were fixed on mine as he said a profoundly intense "I do". Paul, in a lovely gesture, kissed the rings before handing them to us.
We were as one now.
I barely heard Simon and Richard's part of the ceremony. My thoughts were with Tom. We stood side by side our hands clasped and fingers entwined until Ghazi asked for a toast to be drunk. There was a spontaneous burst of applause and glasses appeared and we toasted each other and everyone present. On our way back to our places we were hugged and kissed by all and sundry. Dr Williams gave me a special hug as I passed his table. "You've made it, Fiery Phil, eh?"
During the evening the twins, Rory and Adam, came over to our table and Tom's dad asked if they had managed to stay out of anymore trouble. They grinned and said they had. Tom and I cornered them a bit later and found they'd been trespassing on some land and had been apprehended by the owner's ghillie and assistant and accused of being there to poach. Luckily the altercation was taking place near the road and Sgt McLaren ( as he was then) drove up and found out what was the matter. As it was well-known that their father and the irascible Colonel Livingstone were not on very good terms they would have really been up shit creek if the ghillie had taken them to the Colonel. Tom's father said he would deal with it. He drove them home and they said they were grounded for a week - and Tom's father got the haunch of venison for defusing the situation.
The dinner was superb. I'd never had a seven course dinner before and we didn't finish eating until past ten o'clock. A seven course meal to be followed by eightsome reels, try that! We did and finally staggered replete, tired and so happy to bed at one o'clock. It may have been our commitment night but it was the first night for several months when sex did not occur. We just wanted to be together and lay, contented, and fell asleep. So started the rest of our life.
To be continued:...............