Paul Pulls Through. - 8. Chapter 8

Paul Pulls Through.

Chapter Eight.
***

The next day was the last day of semester at school and Paul was meant to go so he could collect Jarrod's certificate. His too, because he'd stayed the whole course, but he didn't feel like it and hacked round the city instead. Well, he could collect them any time. He reached the gym just before three, relieved to have something to do. The next day was a repeat, and as he finished up, Alan organised for an extra on Saturday afternoon. Paul asked for Sunday as well but there was nothing going.
As he walked towards Roklin he wondered what he'd do for his evening. Friday with no Jarrod wasn't going to be the same. He decided on a run and then listening to music. As he was turning in at the front gate his mobile chirped. Who would that be? His sis?
No, not on Friday evening.

"Hello! "

"Paul, seven o'clock, Market Road. We'll pick you up."

"...What? ...No! ...We're finished."

"Just be there."

The phone cut off leaving Paul angry, cheated, and once again feeling trapped. After his meal he rushed to be on time, but the van was already waiting.

"Get in!"

"Why should I?"

He didn't even bother answering, just jumped out, tilted his seat forward, pointed to the back of the van, then gave a nasty smile when Paul climbed past. There was a strained silence, on Paul's part anyway, for the short drive but then he spoke up when they reached the studio.

"Why do I have to do this again? You told me five sessions and it would be finished."

"Well it's not. You're hot and they're asking for more."

Paul wasn't clear what he meant.

"Are you talking about Gaycheck?"

"They're the local ones. How many sites have we booked now, Johnno?"

"About fifteen. And more next week."

Paul listened while the van guy boasted how they had contacts all over the world and how much money they were getting for each set of photos they sent off, then listened again, in despair, to the consequences if he didn't do what they wanted. They arrived at the studio and while the lights and cameras were being set up by Johnno, the van guy poured a glass of Cola and handed it to Paul.

"Don't drink it yet."

He tapped a little pill out of a small bottle and held that out as well.

"What is it?"

"Just take it. You know what it's for."

Paul hesitated, but swallowed the pill and washed it down with the Cola.

"Okay, onto the mat."

All evening Paul had to posture, pose and follow directions.

The first half hour, while the tablet kept him stiff, was almost entirely spent playing with his cock in different ways and with different sets, as they called them, on a bench, a chair, the mat with different colored sheets on it or standing in front of different backdrops. Eventually he had to wank again, this time keeping his eyes open and smiling at the camera as if he was enjoying himself.
The tablet gradually wore off but the cameras continued working, and roughly every quarter hour they would switch to another set.
Typically, this started with him in some kind of garment which came off after a few minutes and the rest of the time he would go through a routine of poses.
They worked almost non-stop for over three hours till at the end he was given $200, told he was coming back the next night, and dropped off about ten minutes before the Roklin doors locked.
After a long shower, Paul went to bed, his mind troubled. The only way he could see out of this was to face them and say he didn't care if they sent the envelopes.

***

The next night Paul sat in bed just as troubled. It had been a repeat, with another pill, another wank and more hours of rude posing. Why hadn't he said what he planned? Weak. That's what he was. They hadn't said they wanted him again though. Maybe they'd finished with him? That was wishful thinking and Paul knew they hadn't. He'd tell them next time. If there was a next time? Yes, there would be.

He wasn't weak. He just hadn't been ready in his mind.

***

The phone rang on Tuesday evening and nothing went the way Paul had worked it out.
For a start, it was nearly eight o'clock and that was a different pattern. They'd always been earlier and in a hurry, so it was unexpected.

"Market Road. A quarter of an hour."

He sounded more abrupt than usual.

"I won't be there. I'm not coming."

There was a short silence.

"....You'd better worry about your sister before you do that."

Paul was totally thrown. He'd worked out all sorts of ways the conversation might go and that wasn't one of them.

"What? ...What do you mean?"

"It means be there in fifteen minutes."

The phone cut off and Paul had a very bad feeling. Did that mean that sis was the first person they'd tell? No, there was something in the way he'd spoken that made Paul feel it was more than that. Now he had to go, just to the van to find out, and without getting in. Worry about her? ...What did that mean?
The van was waiting when he reached Market Road, parked just round the corner, and the door opened when he approached.

"Do you want her to go to jail? ...It's up to you."

Shock and fear stopped Paul in his tracks. This was a dread he'd been living with even before these guys turned up, and hearing it spoken wiped all his resistance away.

"Get in. You'll hear the deal at the studio."

Not a word was spoken till the van was parked and they were inside the building. Paul listened with growing helplessness as the van guy explained what they knew about his Sis, then made the phone call to Brian that sealed the so-called deal.
Three days.
He had to stay here at the studio and be photographed day and night. The van guy took one of the pills from the little bottle and using a dangerous looking knife, carefully cut it in half. Almost meekly, Paul swallowed, then washed it down.
The camera started and one set of Gymboy was finished before the pill took full effect. The van guy handed him a couple of flesh colored bands of rubber, saying they were cock rings and would make his balls look bigger. They did, but the main effect was to keep his dick swollen.
For half an hour Paul's boner raged and they made him hold, touch, and play as he'd done the previous times. They worked through two underwear sets then informed him that it was toy time. This involved putting various devices on his dick and balls, poking his boner into a stupid looking inflatable guy, and playing rudely with a soft stuffed toy monster.
Each new thing involved a set of photos and the night wore on.
At the start of the last hour he was given the second half of the tablet and Paul functioned in a state of shock and denial when he had to use a whole series of things that pushed into his backside, a slim metal thing that could be made to vibrate, various plugs, balls on strings, a thicker metal vibrator which took quite a while to get used to, and finally a soft rubber cock which he had to push in and out with a feigned look of ecstasy.
At about 11:30 they finished. Paul was led to a small room off the hallway where two foam mattresses were lying on the floor, each with a pillow, folded sheet and towel, and a cheap, thick quilt for a cover.

"This is where you'll sleep. Use whichever bed you like. There'll be two of you from tomorrow."

He gave a satisfied nod at Paul's startled look.

"You'll be doing a heavy session in the morning so get a good sleep."

When Paul had to drink a glass of orange juice he was suspicious but nothing was said about it.
He went to the bathroom and had a shower. He had to have one to feel like himself again for some reason, and then went back to the room. He spread the sheet, pulled his boxers on, covered himself with the quilt and started to think what he should do.

***

A rough shake registered in his mind. Another one did the same and Paul struggled through a bleary mind-fog to open his eyes.

"Have a shower, then there's food in the studio. Don't take long."

Paul felt awful. Why was he so tired? A shower helped, but he still felt like going back to bed. He dressed and went to the studio where there was cereal and coffee. The coffee partially cleared his head and he felt like having another. There was no chance. The van guy was impatient and extra tense and hurried Paul over to the cameras.

"Everything off and listen carefully to what you'll be doing."

Ten minutes later Paul was thoroughly frightened. He couldn't do what the van guy was demanding. He said so, but then the threats to himself and his sis, as well as the stranger who would be arriving soon, frightened him even more.

"The guy's a poof like you so you'll get on well, and you took the rubber cock yesterday so a real one will be easy."

Paul took all the orders in, wondering how he was going to cope. He was to act all the time as if he was loving everything, play up to this guy at every opportunity and listen carefully to every instruction about camera positions.

There was the sound of Johnno pulling up in the van outside.

"Time to get you ready. ...Drink this."

"What is it?"

"It'll keep you going."

Reluctantly Paul swallowed the doctored orange juice, slipped the rubber cock ring on, fumbled with the leather mask he was given, and let his wrists be fastened above his head to the rings hanging from the ceiling. This was frightening, as he was now blind and helpless. It was meant to be a leather scene and he wasn't going to see this other person till it was all over.
The rush of warmth that came with his stiffening dick was much stronger today, and for a few minutes he felt dizzy and strange. For a while he just hung there, his boner pumping harder and harder and his nervous tension growing stronger and stronger, till there were muffled sounds and someone approached.
A command was given and tentative fingers roamed, ever so lightly, exploring his body. Over his back, his front, then carefully across the mask and the gag thing that stopped him from talking.
There was a startled exclamation from the guy, who sounded like he was expecting someone else, but he was just told to get on with it and check out Paul's dick. After a short hesitation there was a light touch, then a soft probing, down and around his balls. It was soft, tentative and gentle. The van guy gave orders for Paul to be oiled.
Oiled?
A hand steadily smoothed its way over his back. Again his impression was of gentleness, but that was lost to nervous anticipation as the oil covered his sides, his chest, down to his stomach, and in response to the insistent demands, his dick.
Paul let out a gasp at the overwhelming feeling. It nearly sent him crazy. The guy immediately stopped moving his hand and gave Paul a hug. A hug? It was a real hug and the impression of gentleness became a certainty.

"I'm sorry. They're blackmailing me."

The gentle hands, the responsive hug, and now the concerned tone meant to Paul that the person holding him was feeling the same way he was. Paul felt an immediate kind of relief and leaned back into the hug. He couldn't speak, so he rested his head against the side of the guy's neck and nodded. What was this he could feel? Another mask?
There was an instant tightening of the hug, as if the guy was saying thank you for something, and then they were being yelled at.

"Get him off. But do it slowly."

The hand closed round Paul's dick and started working. Paul was shocked when he responded so strongly he couldn't help himself. He pushed and pushed, faster and faster into the slippery grip till he wrenched with an orgasm that made his legs give way.

His arms took all his weight till the contractions stopped.
The guy behind him yelled and Paul felt warm liquid on his back.
There was laughter and rude comments from the van guy then a demand to keep moving.

On and on it went, with a rest break after each climax, then forceful demands and explicit instructions for the next. Paul felt like a puppet, responding to everything he was told.
He learnt soon enough that the guy's name was Peter and despite the things they had to do to each other, he felt strangely secure with him. How many of those tablets had he been given? Paul went through it all with a dazed feeling, as if he couldn't quite clear his head.
The sex finished. There couldn't possibly be any more, and they sank to the mat. With huge relief Paul heard the command for Peter to take the leather masks off. The gag went first, and then Paul was dazzled by the brightness. When his eyes adjusted, the first thing he saw was a sad look that etched itself in his memory for the rest of his life.

"He's just a boy."

Paul didn't think of himself as a boy, but the emotion in Peter's voice pierced the curtain of fog in his brain and his own sadness grew as he discovered he'd been the bait to trap the other guy even further.
They had to stay together, with their artificially induced boners, while more photos were taken. Paul felt even sadder at the hopeless look on Peter's face when he was told he'd also be staying. They separated and Paul watched as Peter was handed a phone to let someone know he wouldn't be home for a while. His fingers were just starting to press the number buttons when, with a great crashing sound, the door to the studio flew off its hinges.

Paul saw it.
An enormous guy dressed all in black came charging straight for them. Paul felt a stab of fear at the anger radiating from him. Everyone froze as they tried to take it in. The van guy went first, thrown half across the studio, landing on his back and knocking one of the cameras over in the process. Johnno was next, dragged single-handed from the computer and dumped on the floor.

Paul's heart stopped when the giant guy looked at him. Was he next?

"Paul, are you all right?"

That wasn't anger. It was spoken as if he knew Paul and was concerned.

Paul nodded, totally at loss over the apparent familiarity.

The big guy said something to Peter them returned his attention to the van guy who'd picked himself up and was mouthing off with threats and obscenities. He withered under the big guy's gaze. Paul listened carefully as the van guy was told his blackmailing was all finished. He listened and discovered that it was Johnno who'd found all the information by computer hacking, then watched the big guy do something to the computer which made the screen say there was a fatal error.

"Paul and Peter, go and find your clothes while I deal with these criminals."

Paul walked to the dressing space and was about to grab his clothes when he heard a loud sob. Peter had tears running down his face.

"Paul. ... I ...I don't know what to do. I've hurt you and I don't know what to do about it."

Paul wanted to cry himself then, and his throat started hurting. He wrapped his arms round Peter and hugged, feeling good that he could return some of the comfort he'd been receiving all morning. They said a few personal things then got dressed. Putting his clothes on made Paul feel better.
They found the big guy by himself, doing something to the computer, and he gave Paul such a friendly smile that despite his apprehension he couldn't help smiling back. His name was Andrew and he introduced himself as a close friend of Peter's. He took the hard drive out of the computer, explaining that he needed the information on it.

"Don't worry Paul, all this will disappear and we'll fix the troubles you've been in."

Disappear? And how could he possibly know what had been going on? Paul listened to a short explanation and a promise for more detail later.

"They had seventeen other guys on their blackmail list and this drive will help me let them all know they can stop worrying. The first priority is to get you two rested and checked.
Paul, I'd like you to come to Peter's house."

Paul was uncertain about that but Andrew gave him a very particular kind of nod. He was telling him it was a good idea and Peter looked pleased when he said yes.
Andrew called a taxi on his mobile phone then waited outside with them till it arrived. Paul gawked at the gigantic motorbike which roared off as he and Peter climbed into the taxi. The drive didn't take long but Paul sensed anxiety coming from Peter. He didn't quite understand that, as Andrew had been definite that everything was over.

***

The taxi pulled into the driveway of a big double-storey house and Andrew was waiting for them. Peter started talking about someone called Michael and Paul knew straight away that that was what he'd been worrying about.
]Andrew said Michael knew some of what was going on and advised Peter to tell everyone what had happened.
Everyone? How many people were there?
Paul found out straight away when five anxious faces greeted them inside the door. One of them looked like he was going to faint and held Peter in a huge hug.
Andrew explained some of what had happened and Paul watched the disbelief on all their faces. The Michael guy went white and Peter sat on the sofa with him.

Andrew organised everyone. There was a force about him like when he came into the studio, except this time it was friendly, and a couple of minutes later Paul was sitting in a large room with a dark eyed, gentle looking guy called Jeremy. Jeremy pulled the covers of the bed back and said he was going for a glass of water in case Paul wanted something to drink.

"Ah! ...Could I have a shower?"

Jeremy found a big beach towel, led Paul to the bathroom and started the shower going in the shower recess while Paul stood watching.

"I'll be all right."

"I know, but Andrew told me to stay with you."

He grinned and turned away, while Paul undressed and started washing himself. The water was too hot. Something wasn't right.

"….Jeremy...."

Paul opened his eyes and saw Andrew in a swivel chair beside him and Jeremy sitting on the end of the bed.

"What happened?"

Andrew smiled at him.

"You flaked out. That's what. How are you feeling now?"

"All right. ...Tired."

"So you should be. Peter lasted ten seconds once he was in bed. I want you to close your eyes and sleep. Jeremy will be here in case you wake up and want anything and we'll have a big talk later. Okay?"

Paul nodded and closed his eyes.
He woke at one stage and Jeremy, who was sitting in the swivel chair reading a novel, rushed off to get him a drink when he said he was thirsty. Paul snuggled under the covers and closed his eyes. The next time he woke the drink was waiting and he swallowed it thirstily. Jeremy refilled the glass and a second drink quickly followed the first.

"How did I get here?"

"What do you mean?"

"From the shower. I can't remember."

Jeremy gave him a big smile and Paul wondered if he was always this friendly. He looked like he was.

"I carried you."

"I was all wet and soapy."

"So, I dried you. I couldn't put you in bed all wet could I? Are you hungry? Andrew said you haven't had anything to eat since this morning."

"What's the time?"

"About three o'clock."

Paul looked round the room while Jeremy went to make sandwiches. There was a bookshelf and a bench piled with all sorts of electronic equipment as well as a fancy looking computer. He picked up the book that Jeremy had been reading. It was science fiction. He didn't know anyone who read that kind of stuff. When Jeremy returned, Paul ate a couple of sandwiches and promptly fell asleep again. He woke to the muted rumble of the big motorbike. God, Jeremy was still in the chair reading. Paul sat up and was immediately asked how he felt.

In fact he was feeling much better and said so. He was about to ask where his clothes were when Andrew walked in. He was still in the black leather outfit and for a moment Paul felt nervous. A cheery greeting and a hand resting on his shoulder wiped that away though and he smiled back.

"So Paul, what have you been up to?"

"Nothing. All I've done is sleep."

"Good. That's the best thing for you. I took Peter to see a doctor and found that he'd been given a whole mixture of drugs. Have you still got that erection?"

"Uh! ...No!"

"Okay. What about your head? Have you been dopey brained?"

That was exactly how Paul had felt all morning and he nodded.

"Don't worry about it. It was a drug to take away your resistance so you'd follow their orders. They gave you an aphrodisiac too."

Paul didn't have a clue what that was.

"It increased your libido, gave your body an imperative which made it crave sex. The doctor says you'll be uncomfortable but it won't last long. Have you got any pain at all?"

Paul didn't know what he meant.

"No."

"From the penetration. We'll have you checked if you get the slightest indication ther's anything wrong. Peter wouldn't hurt anyone, but if it was new for you he might have."

"Um. ...No, they made me use things last night so I'd be ready."

Andrew's hand returned to Paul shoulder and gave a reassuring squeeze.

"You've been through a rough time. Don't worry though. I'll get it all fixed for you."

Paul stared at him. If only he could.

"Tell us your story Paul. I want you to talk it out."

Paul felt uneasy. He didn't know these people. He had no qualms about Andrew, but what would this dark eyed, smiling Jeremy think?

"Jeremy will understand, Paul, and he's your official nurse for the next few days. I know he'll do a better job of it than I could."

Paul was startled. This guy was reading his mind? He still hesitated, then felt awkward when Jeremy stood up and said he didn't want to intrude.

"Stay, Jeremy. Paul's worried about you discovering he's gay."

His mind was being read, but he didn't have time to dwell on it because a great smile spread over Jeremy's face as he gave a nod and pointed at his chest. Did he mean he was gay too?

"Um. ...What do you want to know?"

"Everything, but your involvement with the porn studio will do for a start since that's what I'll be clearing up first."

Paul went through it all and Andrew kept nodding and prompting for more details. He didn't know what to make of Jeremy who gave him hugs all the time. It felt wonderful though, especially when he was explaining about his Sis, and when Andrew left Paul felt disappointed that the hugs would stop.

Jeremy was sitting on the edge of the bed right next to him.

"Are you still a bit tired?"

"Not really, just lazy. Who is he?"

"Andrew? ....He's amazing isn't he?"

"Is he as strong as he looks?"

"Stronger. He tipped a car upside down with his bare hands once."

"Really? He broke the door off its hinges when he came in for Peter and me. I was scared."

Jeremy was nodding.

"I would be too. But he's not scary really."

Paul wasn't so sure about that. He'd been rather unnerved at the way Andrew seemed to know what he was thinking.

"Um. ...Jeremy, why did Andrew tell you to stay?"

"Oh that! He probably thought it was funny. I'm gay too, so there was nothing for you to worry about."

"You are?"

"Yes, we nearly all are and I know why he's got me looking after you for the next few days too."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, I was in a couple of halfway houses before this year, so I know what it's like."

Paul looked at the dark eyes regarding him. Wow.

"Is that why you kept hugging me?"

"I'm sorry. I couldn't help it. I won't do it any more."

"I didn't mean that. It surprised me that's all. My best friend used to hug me like that."

"Used to?"

"He went to England last Wednesday."

"He? Was he your boyfriend?"

Paul laughed.

"I wish. No, just best friends. We hacked round together all the time."

"What do you mean, you wish? Was he good-looking?"

Jeremy's smile hit Paul like a bolt of lightning.

"Un-real. Nearly as good as you."

"Idiot! Tell me about him. "

Paul loved being called an idiot. It had the same good feeling as when Jarrod said it. Some kind of barrier disappeared and his spirits rose.

"All right, but you have to give me another hug first."

The smile lit up and a hug proceeded.

"Now, tell me about your boyfriend."

"Not my boyfriend."

"OK, your boy friend. How did you meet him?"

"In Life Maths at school. I used to sneak looks at him all the time and then I started helping him because he was so clueless."

"Was that what made you friends?"

"Not really. He made me laugh all the time."

"Sounds like Pete."

"Pete? Is that what you call Peter?"

"No, Pete was here at the house when you arrived. Andrew sent him off with Michael and Sam."

Paul vaguely knew who he meant, but hadn't taken all that much notice at the time.

"So what did you laugh about?"

Paul found himself telling the story about the Op shop changing room and the little old lady, and then loving the way Jeremy enjoyed it.

"Did you really? I would have died of embarrassment."

Jeremy scrambled onto the other side of the big double bed and stretched out while Paul talked about Jarrod.

"Paul, why don't you send him an e-mail? My computer's on the net."

"Now?"

Jeremy crawled over the top of Paul and started up the computer.

"It looks like a good computer."

"It is. Andrew gave it to me when I came here."

"Gave it to you?"

"Yes, Peter organised it and they all gave me stuff."

Paul slipped his legs out beside the bed.

"Um. ...Where are my clothes?"

"They're in the wash. Use the towel and I'll go and put them in the dryer for you."

Paul sat at the computer and composed a message for Jarrod. Jeremy arrived about ten minutes later and Paul pulled on his boxers, jeans and T-shirt, all warm as toast from the dryer.

"Have you had any e-mails back from him?"

"No, he's not really into computers much. He said he'd mostly send letters or postcards."

"I bet he answers your e-mail.
Paul, are you upset with Peter?"

"No, it wasn't his fault and all the time he made me feel like he was protecting me. He got into trouble right at the start for saying he was sorry and I could tell he meant it."

"Were you scared? You must have been."

"I was before he got there but then that aphro drug they gave me made me so worked up I wanted everything we had to do."

"He'll be worrying. He's so kind he wouldn't hurt anyone."

"There's nothing for him to worry about. He was gentle as anything, and anyway I did all the same things to him."

Paul could tell how Jeremy was relieved by his reply and decided it was time to find out more about Peter.

"What's he like?"

"Peter? Well, ...Everyone in the house loves him."

Oh wow, that was a much stronger answer than Paul was expecting, and he waited for Jeremy to say more.

"He lectures at our College and he saved Andrew's life twice and he's helped everyone else in the house. Me especially."

"He saved Andrew?"

"Yes, once from being electrocuted and once from being drowned."

"Wow, what happened?"

I don't know all that much about it but I'll get Pete to tell you sometime.

"How did he help you?"

"He stopped me being lonely and asked me to come and live here."

"Were you lonely?"

"Yes, really lonely. Halfway houses aren't much fun, especially when you're gay."

Paul didn't say anything to that, he just nodded, then teased a bit.

"Is he your boyfriend?"

Jeremy laughed at the comeback.

"I wish. No, not really. Peter is more important than a boyfriend."

Paul had no idea what that meant.

"Is he your best friend then?"

"That's Pete."

"Pete? I thought Andrew said he was with that Sam?"

"He is. But he's with me too."

Paul was feeling bemused by this relationship tangle.

"So, Pete's your best friend, and he's Sam's best friend too?"

"Yes, and Michael and Peter are special to each other."

"Michael? I thought Andrew was Peter's friend. Where does Andrew fit in
then?"

"Andrew is everyone's friend."

"What was wrong with Michael? He was the one who looked like he was going to faint wasn't he?"

Jeremy gave a worry frown.

"I'm not exactly sure. I think he was the one who found out Peter was in trouble. He's been quiet since Monday when Peter first went off by himself."

Just then a car pulled into the driveway and Paul watched a new guy come rushing to the front door.

"Who's this?"

"Anthony. He is Brian's partner. Come on. We'll see what's happening."

Paul vaguely remembered Brian as someone who hadn't said anything this morning, and followed Jeremy to the large kitchen area where a worried looking guy in dirty overalls was demanding to know what had happened.

"Shh! Peter's asleep."

Just then Andrew came in and the Anthony guy rushed over to him. Andrew rested one hand on his shoulder, and like magic he went quiet.

"That's better, Anthony. Sit down and we'll tell you what we know. Peter's asleep but he'll be okay. Say hello to Paul. He was in the same trouble as Peter."

Anthony's mouth opened in surprise then he came over, shook Paul's hand and
said he hoped he was all right.

Paul liked him straight away. The shaking hands bit was unusual.

Andrew went through what had happened and Paul couldn't get over Anthony's shocked, intent expressions. It was embarrassing when Paul's part in it was explained and even more embarrassing when Andrew described him as brave and coping better than anyone could expect.

"Anthony, go and have your shower while we organise food for everyone."

After the meal Paul went back to the bedroom where he was given a run-through of Jeremy's interests. The books didn't do much for him, though he could tell how important they were to Jeremy. The workbench did, and he was amazed to discover that Jeremy was learning how to build sound systems.

"You build them yourself?"

"Well, I try. And when I get stuck Andrew helps me."

"I got a sound system not long ago."

"Really? What sort is it?"

Jeremy was impressed when Paul described it, aghast that he'd only heard it through headphones, and then quickly organised for them to collect it the next day.
They talked for a while then went upstairs to see Peter. He looked tired and worn out and Paul felt sorry for him all over again. Jeremy left them alone and by the time he left half an hour later Paul was starting to understand why Jeremy liked him so much.

***

"What did you talk about?"

"Just what happened. He thinks it was all his fault though and kept saying sorry. We had a big hug at the end and that made him feel better."

Jeremy smiled and said they were going for a walk.

"Now? In the night? Do you walk in the night time?"

"No but you do. Well, that's what you said. We'll only go for half an hour because you're meant to take things easy."

It was a wonderful walk that Paul would never forget. Jeremy kept bumping into him as a kind of friendly game and Paul bumped back each time so he wouldn't be pushed off the path, and when Jeremy stopped, Paul did the bumping to keep the game going. They went through a small park and Jeremy linked arms. Wow, it felt great, and Paul slowed his walking so it would last longer. By the time they reached the house he had a smile he couldn't stop.

The end of Chapter 8.