Trouble Plus Trouble. - 31. Chapter 31

Double The Trouble.

Chapter 31.

"This is weird Matthew. I feel like I should be going to training."

They were standing near the entrance to the teachers' car park, waiting for Mr Crossman, who came in a rush a few minutes after he'd said he would.

"Hi Peter, hi Matthew. Sorry about that, there always seems to be something. Now, have you got everything?"

They both nodded and then headed for the car. The ‘everything’ wasn't much, just runners, shorts and a sport shirt. The car was the same as Rob’s, just an older model and dark red instead of blue, and Matthew and Mr Crossman spent five minutes saying how good they were.

"Call me Andrew when we are out-of-school Matthew. Didn't Peter tell you?"

Peter had told him, but he knew that Matthew was waiting to be actually invited.

"Have you played squash before? Peter told me he hasn't even held a racket."

"Not very much. Dad took me four or five times to see if I liked it, but that was a couple of years ago."

That made Mr Crossman laugh.

"What? Have we dragged you along to something you don't like?"

"No, I did like it, but swimming took over and there wasn't time for anything else."

"Is that so? It sounds like you were on a heavy training regimen then?"

"He was Andrew. He told me it was at least two hours every day last year."

"Two hours? That's a high commitment Matthew. How much are you doing this year?"

Matthew explained how he'd cut back because this year was important for school.

"Was that a hard decision?"

"Yes, but when we decided to move it wasn't, because it would have meant too much travelling to get to my old club."

"I see, school’s going well for you isn't it? I'm impressed with all your maths work."

"Much better than I thought it would, but that's because Peter helps me. He’s brilliant!"

Peter wanted to thump Matthew but since he was in the front and Matthew in the back that wasn't feasible. Mr Crossman nodded then made it worse.

"He's a star. Well at maths anyhow."

"He helps Andy and Marty too. He coaches them twice a week and they've got their best marks ever since he started."

God, what was this? Give Peter a big head day?

"Really? And do you enjoy helping them Peter?"

"Um, yes. Is it very far now?"

It was only five minutes, and they pulled into a large sports centre.

"Hi Andrew, your usual court?"

"Hi George, yes, and we’ll need another one next door too if you can manage it."

He pointed out the changing room and sent Peter and Matthew to get ready while he organised the courts. Peter was knotting his runners when Andrew came in and they waited while he changed. Wow, he looked so fit, about as tall as Andy and wiry like Matthew. Matthew looked sporty too, with light blue shorts, a white, good sports shirt and classy runners.

"George has given us two courts and I've teed up one of the juniors to help. We'll have someone to play against all the time that way, and I’m sure you’ll like him."

They gathered their belongings and headed for courts seven and eight. The first two courts they passed had glass walls, and they paused for a moment to watch some guys playing. God, the ball was flying round at a fantastic speed. One of players missed it and when they looked around they yelled a friendly greeting.

"Andrew!"

Mr Crossman waved back and then they moved on.

"It's juniors afternoon for practice and quite a few turn up. George lets them play as long as they like for a couple of dollars instead of the usual charge. They know me because I give them a hit. Here we are."

There were sounds of someone playing and Andrew pushed open the door.

"Hi Ricky."

The ball dropped and a young guy with dark brown hair came over, holding his racket.

"Hi Andrew."

"Thanks for helping out. This is Peter, and this is Matthew."

They shook hands all round and Peter was struck by his friendly smile. Andrew showed them the right way to hold their rackets and after some more explanation took Peter to the court next door.

"We'll have a hit for a quarter of an hour and take it from there."

He dropped the squash ball on the floor and vigorously rolled it back and forth under his foot.

"I'm not mad at it Peter. When it's cold it doesn't bounce properly and this warms it up quickly."

They were on the courts for nearly an hour and a half. Peter felt hopeless, but both Andrew and Ricky kept showing him things and he soon started enjoying himself. Andrew was full of praise and for the last quarter of an hour he set Peter and Matthew playing against each other while he had a hit with Ricky. Matthew knew the rules so they played a proper game. Matthew won the first and then the second, but not as easily. Peter won the third game and Matthew was laughing at him.

"You're a cheat! You shouldn't be able to beat me on your first day. It must have been a fluke."

Peter didn't say anything because Andrew and Ricky had been watching this last game, but it felt great. They gathered their gear and went to the changing room. Andrew stopped to talk to George, and Matthew gave Peter a nudge in the side.

"Bad luck Peter maybe next time."

"Idiot! The same to you."

A slight tinge crept into his cheeks because Ricky was listening and obviously wondering what they were talking about.

"He's just stirring Ricky. Everyone does it to me."

Ricky was quickest at getting into the showers and Peter got another nudge and a whisper.

"I bet he checks you out Peter!"

Matthew was right. Ricky did, but then Peter had a little inner smile because they were both doing the same to him. Everything was very polite, nothing like the change room at school where he would invariably have been stirred by now, and grabbed if Kenny was there.

"Thanks for helping us Ricky. It was great. Have you been playing long?"

"No, about six months. Are you going to be regulars?"

"I don't know. We haven't got much spare time."

Peter looked at Matthew to see what he was thinking but got the same kind of look back.

"You should. You'd both be good, especially if Andrew’s helping you."

"Did you learn everything in six months?"

"Yes, it's great here. George lets you practice really cheap on Fridays and Tuesdays, and a few of the good players like helping. Andrew helps the most though."

"Is he very good?"

"Is he ever! He’s top seed in A grade."

"Top seed? What's that mean?"

Ricky gave a grin.

"No one in the club can beat him."

"Really? He never told us he was that good. What seed are you then?"

"I'm in C. grade Matthew. They don't bother seeding till A grade."

"What grade would we be in at the moment if we were playing?"

"They’d put you in D grade because that's as low as they go."

Matthew thought that was funny.

"Ricky's being polite Peter. He means we’re in about Z grade."

"You'd soon get better. I’d practise with you if you like."

"Really? But we can't get here Ricky. We haven't got any transport."

"I've got a car. I could pick you up if you ever wanted some extra practice."

"True? Wow! Well what about tomorrow afternoon? Then you could come to the movies with us. They’re good ones aren't they Matthew?"

They explained what movies were on and how they went to the Uni Theatre, and Ricky looked really interested.

"What about training Peter? Would we still do that?"

"Of course. Then we could go to squash after and Ricky could have tea with us at your place."

It was a done deal. Peter felt quite excited about it and Matthew was pleased too, even if the suddenness of it had obviously surprised him. Peter and Matthew finished their showers and were drying off when Andrew walked in.

"That was quick. Well, I'll try not to keep you waiting too long."

He stripped his sports gear off and ducked under a shower. Peter's ears warmed when Matthew caught him doing the check-up. God, Andrew was even sexier than Peter had imagined. As quick as he could he pulled his jocks and shorts on then sat on a dry spot on the bench. Matthew's eyes widened and a grin spread right across his face as he too sat down.

"Which one’s hottest Peter?" came the soft whisper.

"Quick Matthew, let's get outside."

Matthew just shook his head with a no and then Ricky arrived to dry himself and was asking about times to meet. True to his word, Andrew was quick and they were soon on the way home. They talked about the squash for a bit and then the topic shifted to Ricky.

"He’s in year Twelve Peter, and finding it hard work at the moment, but he works at it and he'll get through. I'm glad you're meeting up with him tomorrow. He’s usually too shy to meet people."

"He wasn't shy with us. It was his idea to practice with us."

"Good, but I imagine it was one of you who organised things."

Peter was getting a feeling that Andrew seemed to know Ricky fairly well.

"How long have you known him Andrew?"

"About six months. He’s got a flair for squash and already reached C. grade. I'm hoping he’ll manage B grade by the end of the year."

"What about us? Do you think we could get a grading?"

"What ever grade you liked. You’ve both got great coordination and a good eye for the ball, and you're certainly fit enough. How far you went would depend on the effort you put in. You've got your swimming though so I think you'd be better off to just play casually."

Rob was already there when they pulled in and he welcomed Andrew with a warm handshake. Beth was having none of that, and Peter loved the surprised and then pleased look Andrew gave when he received one of her full-on hugs. Matthew was next and then Peter of course, and by then everyone was smiling.

"How did the squash champions go then?"

Andrew laughed and said they had lots of potential.

"Potential? That's teacher talk for hopeless. I knew it Matthew. You were born cross-eyed and with three left feet."

"It's called heredity dad. Except each generation improves on the one before."

"Andrew, you're the teacher. Explain to him what a mutation is."

"Well yes, it's a natural device of nature that lets a species improve and adapt to its environment."

Rob stared and then laughed.

"Help me Beth. I'm outnumbered."

"I should think so. What a way to talk about your son. Mine was born perfect and he's got better every day since."

Oh my God. What a stir! Peter didn't know what to say as a new round of grins sprang up. He didn't have to because Beth sent him and Matthew up to change out of their sports gear, saying the meal would be on in twenty minutes.

"You dog Peter!"

"What you mean?"

Peter knew very well what Matthew was talking about but acted dumb anyway. Not that that worked because Matthew seemed able to read him like a book.

"Who was the boner for? Ricky or Mr C.? I couldn't tell."

Peter looked puzzled then started laughing when Matthew pushed him on the bed and sat on him.

"What are you doing? Matthew, leave my belly button alone. We have to go downstairs."

"All right, but tell me your answer."

"Um, both I think. But let's talk about it later."

“Okay, give me a hug instead then.”

"Ha, that's worse than tickling."

"Worse? You know what I mean."

"There’s still fifteen minutes. We can have a ten minute hug."

They made it just as the food was being carried to the table and Peter was embarrassed in the first few seconds when Rob gave him a big wink. Then it escalated when he realised that Andrew had noticed and had a little smile. The laughter started when Beth handed Rob the carving knife and he held it aloft claiming to be the mad butcher of the Hall household.

"Mad’s right. His brain’s been roasted."

"What your beef Matthew? I'm the one with the cutting remarks tonight."

"No way, you're not sharp enough."

Oh my God. It was going to be one of those nights.

"What happened today mum?"

"It was excellent Peter. I’ve now officially got more than two days a week lined up and Rob says he has three more clients for next week. Rob, start carving and everyone can help themself."

The knife was wielded with great gusto and for a while the muted conversation centred round squash, swimming, and one of Beth’s clients. Andrew was interested in hearing about Rob's job and how it was different to Beth’s when they were both accountants. As sweets were being dished out Rob asked Andrew about his hiking experiences. That conversation went for half an hour, except it mostly came to hearing from Rob, who turned out to know places that Andrew had never even heard of.

"You'll have to go to Moroka Gorge sometime Andrew. It's a whole series of waterfalls set into steep rock walls. There’s the Cobberas mountains too. I had a real adventure with a mob of brumbies there, and watched thousands of Bogong moths fly out from their shelters at dusk."

"Bogong moths? What are they?"

"Just moths Peter, but they fly in huge swarms, and I know the first Australians used them as a food source."

Beth sent the boys off, which meant Peter, Matthew and Andrew, while Rob helped clean-up, and Andrew asked for another look at Peter's books. For a while the talk was about books but before long Matthew was talking about his last school and the way he was treated there. Gosh, Andrew really was as good as Beth at getting people to talk. At nine o'clock Andrew left, but only after arrangements were made for another visit in a couple of weeks and another afternoon of squash.

The house was suddenly empty. Beth left with Rob to look at some new accounting software he wanted her to use.

"What will we do Peter?"

"Study for an hour since we've hardly done any all week, then go to bed early."

Matthew grinned.

"Poor thing. You must be worn out."

They studied, had a quick shower and dived into bed. Well, onto it really, for a very close cuddle.

"How come you asked Ricky to the movies?"

"I don't know Matthew. It just came out. I was a bit surprised myself but I had a feeling he wanted something like that to happen."

Matthew was nodding.

"Me too, and I’m glad you did. Andrew was pleased. He's kind isn't he?"

"Yes, I think he’s like you."

Matthew thought that over then laughed.

"What, you think he’s that sexy do you?"

"You're not sexy Matthew!"

"I'm not? ..Have you changed your mind?"

"No, you're super sexy!"

"Idiot! I saw you checking him out."

"You did too, and Ricky."

"Only to see what was giving you a boner."

"You fibber Matthew. You had one too."

"Only because I caught it off you."

"I wonder how Brent’s going?"

"Brent? What made you think of him?"

"I don't know. I hope Andy doesn't play too many tricks on him."

"Ha, I wouldn't worry. Brent would just turn into Mr Hyde and do the same back."

"I suppose. I wonder if they're at Amy’s or at the beach?"

There was no talk for a while, just funny little noises that neither of them could help making.

"Hey Matthew!"

"Mmm?”

"Let's go and look for a shooting star."

"Okay, but where?"

"Downstairs and out the back door."

"Will we get dressed?"

"Just our jocks’ll do."

Matthew called him a rudey and a couple of minutes later they were standing in the tiny backyard looking up at the limited area of sky that was in view. They automatically nestled close and Matthew gave a little giggle.

"Mr Long wants to see the stars?"

They stopped talking and Peter drank in the feelings of the moment, the warmth where they were touching, the faint gleam of their skin in the starlight and the vague silhouette of the fence and surrounding buildings.

"You're smiling aren’t you Matthew?"

"Yes, how can you tell?"

"I don't know. You just feel like you are."

"I was thinking about our first star and how nervous I was that night. Did you make a wish when you saw it?"

"Not really, I was too amazed."

"I did, and it came true."

"What was it?"

"I can't say can I? That's meant to spoil it, but I bet you know anyhow."

Peter forgot about the sky while they had a strong hug. He was 99% certain but the rule meant he couldn't ask. As their attention turned back to the sky there was the hum of an engine and a flare of light behind the side fence.

"Mum’s home."

They didn't move. They hadn't yet seen what they were waiting for and it was another five or six minutes before a thin line of fire slashed the inky background to the twinkling stars. Matthew was right about always seeing them, but Peter's imagination was still caught.

"Did you make a wish this time?"

"Yes!"

Suddenly, electric light shone through the little window next to the back door, and almost as soon as their heads turned to look, went off again.

"Oh no, now we’re stuck. That was mum locking the back door."

"Stuck? No we're not. We'll just knock and she'll let us in."

"No way, we've still got boners."

"We'll wait a while then."

"We can't. When she checks the doors it means she’s going to bed. She’ll probably have a shower."

As if on cue the bathroom light went on and water started to gurgle through the downpipe. Matthew laughed, and they stood listening to the rush of water. It finished and they still waited, but as soon as the light went off Matthew started towards the door.

"Not yet, I'm not ready."

"Peter, we don’t want to get her out of bed. Just hide behind me."

He rapped strongly on the door, then again after a short wait. Just as Matthew was about to repeat the knocking the outside light went on, bathing them in its artificial brilliance. Beth's voice came, muffled by the intervening door.

"Who's there?"

"It's me mum, with Matthew. You locked us out."

The door un-snibbed, opened, and Beth was revealed as some of the outside light spilled in.

"Goodness! What are you doing? You had me worried."

This was understandable as without climbing the side fence the backyard could only be reached through the house.

"We were looking at the stars."

Beth’s eyebrows had risen at the sight of Matthew in his jocks but now she started smiling.

"I see, well come in then and tell me what you saw."

The inside light went on, the outside light went off, and Peter, carefully hiding himself behind Matthew walked in. Beth led the way, saying she'd get some drinks and when Peter sat down in the living room he grabbed a big cushion for some strategic cover. Matthew was loving this. How could he be so unconcerned at being practically nude in front of her? When she arrived with the drinks he could tell they were both grinning at the way he was hugging the cushion. Matthew explained how they'd been watching for a shooting star and immediately received a hug.

"That's very romantic Matthew. Was that your idea?"

"Um.... Not tonight."

"I see. So my son’s the romantic one is he?"

Matthew nodded vigorously and the two of them exchanged grins. It was partly a stir, but an enjoyable one, and Peter could tell his mum was really happy to hear it.

"So, what are your plans for tomorrow? Will I see anything of you?"

Matthew laughed.

"Peter says he is sleeping all morning and then we’re training, playing squash and going to the movies."

"Squash! ...Again?"

"Yes, a friend of Andrew’s is going to help us."

That made Beth curious and she wanted to know what Ricky was like.

"He spent the whole time at squash helping us. Andrew says he’s shy but he was talking with us all right, and he’s coming to the movies too."

"I see. Well I’ll meet him tomorrow then."

The end of chapter 31.

Iarwain.