Paul Pulls Through. - 11. Chapter 11.

Paul Pulls Through.

Chapter 11.

***

When the semester break finished and Jeremy went off to College, Andrew helped Paul organise himself.

"Now that the holiday break is over I don't like the idea of you sitting round with nothing to do, so do you think you could work with Brian?
Peter's encouraging him to expand his printing business and it would be good for both of you. His business has picked up so much lately he has to work in the evenings to keep on top of it all and your help would make a big difference."

"Um, I hardly know Brian. ...And what would I do? I don't know anything about printing."

"What's that got to do with anything? Neither did Brian till he started. Come on, we'll have a talk with him."

Somewhat dubious that he'd be any help at all, Paul went with Andrew to the double brick garage which had been just recently set up as a workshop. Brian was sitting at a computer but he jumped up with a big smile when they walked in.

"Hi guys. What's happening?"

Andrew grinned at Brian and looked at the computer screen.

"We look like we mean business do we? Well, you're right. Paul's looking for something to keep him occupied in the mornings and I think he'd be perfect as a printer's apprentice. You work hard, Brian, and Peter says you could do with some help."

"Some? I'll take every bit of help I can get."

"Good. Then that's settled. Three hours a morning, Monday to Friday. Paul, what's your pay rate at the gym?"

"Ah. ...Ten dollars an hour."

"Hmm, well that will do for the first month but then it goes up to fifteen, because you'll be worth it."

He gave Paul a squeeze on the shoulder, then with a wink and a smile left them to it. Brian laughed.

"Well, the boss has spoken. Is this all okay with you, Paul?"

Paul worried. He could tell that Brian had been pushed into this arrangement without any warning.

"Well, you don't have to pay me anything. That was Andrew's idea. I'm happy just to help out."

"I don't? Well, you can sure work for me as often as you like."

He laughed.

"Paul, don't be crazy. Of course you'll get paid. I meant are you happy to work with me?"

"Yes, but will I be any use when I don't know anything?"

"For sure. That's no problem. You'll soon learn. Here, sit down and I'll guide you through the programs I use on the computer."

Paul was relieved. He'd always found computers easy to use, and starting up programs was child's play. Brian had them all set out neatly on the desktop anyway.

"Good, now watch while I work on this project, then I'll get you to print out some flyers I'm sending off to different galleries."

Paul watched and listened very carefully. This was way different to the kind of work he did at the gym and it was important to him for Brian to be pleased. They worked for an hour and a half then Brian thanked him and said that was enough.

"Can I stay for the rest of the day? So I get to know what to do better?"

Brian nodded and they went to the kitchen to make some lunch.

***

"What did you do?"

Paul was lying on top of Jeremy and using tricks to get him to make happy sounds.

"All sorts of stuff. The biggest job was printing out all these flyer sheets and getting them in envelopes. Brian said it saved him two hours of work, except it didn't really because it took that long to show me how to do everything. Do you know anything about spreadsheets?"

"Um. Yes. A bit."

"Really? Can you show me?"

"Now?"

"Well, in a minute."

The minute took nearly twenty before they disentangled themselves and moved to the computer.

"You like Brian don't you?"

"He's great. I felt sort of guilty when Andrew just walked in and said I was a printer's apprentice. He was as surprised as I was. I think he's happy though."

"Of course he's happy. Anyone would like to have you working for them. ...I would."

Paul gave a gentle nibble to Jeremy's lips.

"Oh yeah? And what kind of work would you make me do?"

"Mmm. ...I'll show you."

That took another twenty minutes before Paul closed his eyes blissfully.

***

The next morning Paul was awake and out of bed by half past seven, which was a real change, but since Brian started at eight there was no choice. He managed a quick shower, sharing with Jeremy, then got sprung by Michael who was waiting, and then Pete who grabbed him in a headlock and told the others to shave his nipples. That didn't happen of course but Michael did make the most of the opportunity and by the time he'd finished brandishing a can of Pete's shaving cream Paul had to get under the shower again and listen to the good-humoured complaints that he was hogging.
After he dressed and had some breakfast he was a few minutes late, but Brian didn't seem to care a scrap. The three hours passed in a flash, much of it involving Brian showing him how to do things on the computer.

For the next three weeks it was a real brain strain trying to learn everything he was shown, but Brian was very patient and helpful and they quickly settled into a routine where Paul did several hours of time-saving tasks before being shown something new.
Occasionally Paul worked extra hours when there was a deadline looming or if something unexpected happened, but Brian mostly wouldn't let him because of the hours Paul was also working back at the gym.

Alan had rung after the two-week gap, wanting to know when Paul could start again and when Paul turned up on the Wednesday he was immediately taken into the office and confronted with a proposition for extended hours and a slight increase in pay. He was excited and flattered but he had to think carefully and with some negotiation ended up working the busy shift from four till nine in the evening on three weeknights.
He kept Thursdays free because of the night swimming, and Fridays and the weekends had to be free as well because they were the only time he and Jeremy could do things together.

***

Andrew also helped him think about himself. One day, out in the bungalow, Paul complained about how useless he was.

"Everyone else here's so clever. It really does make me feel useless. I look at Jeremy's books and can't even understand them."

"You could if you wanted to."

"No way. I haven't even got Year Eleven."

"Why not?"

"Like I said. I'm not that clever."

Andrew smiled and raised a quizzical eyebrow. Paul blushed. This was one of the tricky things about Andrew. You never seemed to be able to get anything past him.

"Well I.."

No, his normal excuse of having worries would be embarrassing to say the least, against what Jeremy and Michael had worked through.

"Which areas of school were easy for you?"

"Um... Maths and Info-tech."

No way was he going to admit that they all were.

"Really? Info-tech? That puts us on the same wavelength then. All right, we'll make a Web page."

Paul sat at Andrew's big computer, and following instructions, had a Web page built in ten minutes.

"Were you listening while I'd told you what to do? ...Good. Delete that and do it again by yourself."

It was a very basic page and, with his good memory, Paul had no trouble.

"Good. Now make a different one and I'll show you how to link them."

Linking was easy as. Half an hour later he'd learnt how to fiddle with fonts and colors and after that came pictures.

"For someone who's not so clever, you're doing rather well."

It was a stir, but it made Paul feel good.

"Right, off you go to your own computer. Let's see. ...I want you to make up a project about the gym where you work, with five or six linked pages, pictures, the gym's main features and basic information."

"Pictures?"

"Off the net. Any old gym will do for the moment and you can get the real ones later. Two hours should be plenty to get something functional. I'll check on you then."

Paul rushed off and finished in an hour and a half. It was very rough and basic given the time, but that didn't matter as tidying up would be just a matter of application. Andrew was pleased and dropped his bombshell.

"Three weeks Paul. We'll have it ready for the Internet by then and I'll come out with you to show your boss."

"But. ...It's not good enough."

"It will be when it's finished."

It was too, and Paul felt like a hero when he showed Alan.
For a start he walked in next to Andrew, which was striking enough anywhere, with both of them wearing leathers from the ride on the big bike, Andrew in his usual black, and Paul feeling very rugged in Michael's blue. Alan didn't know what to make of them for a moment.

"Paul? ...I thought we were having a visit from the Hell's Angels."

Paul introduced Andrew who took over and asked Alan if he could spare them twenty minutes of his time. Paul could see Alan trying to figure out what to make of Andrew. Mick had to come to the front desk and they moved to the office with a rather mystified Alan.

"Is there a ...Um. ...problem of some kind?"

Andrew was using his friendly manner.

"Not at all. Paul tells me this is a wonderful place to work. He's been a busy little entrepreneur though, and if you don't mind him using that computer he has a surprise which you might find interesting."

"It won't affect anything will it?"

Paul assured him it wouldn't, and with the go-ahead, inserted the CD and loaded his project. The first page showed a classy picture of the gym which Peter had taken for him, and a menu connecting the rest of the pages.

"What is this?"

"It's a website for the gym. That's if you want it."

"Where did you get it?"

Andrew said it was all done by Paul.

"Paul, I've already looked into this and websites are too expensive."

"Not from Paul it's not. It's his first project and he wants to give it to you free of charge. I suggest a $100 retainer fee to cover maintenance and any upgrades you might like."

"A website for $100? Done! It's a fraction of the previous quotes I've had."

Paul explained a bit about getting a site set up then had to leave to change into his gym uniform. Andrew was still talking to Alan when he came back to check on his jobs for the evening.
The next day when he saw Andrew again, there were more bombshells.

"Two more projects, Paul, both of them important. First is a web site for Brian's gallery catalogues with animated graphics and sound, and the second is your own business site."

Sound he had a rough idea about, but animations? A business site?

"What business?"

"Websites. By the time you finish these two you'll be ready to design them for anyone."

It sounded pretty scary to Paul but five weeks later, after a great deal of learning and effort, Brian's printing website was up and running. It had been much harder than the gym site because Brian had his own ideas about how the pages should be designed and that took a lot of collaboration. Andrew helped him when he got stuck, but rarely by showing him answers. Instead he directed him to a few places on the net which were about making websites and showed him how to find the answers for himself.

Everyone was impressed, which in this house of talented people make him feel good indeed. What with helping Brian in the mornings, his evening work at the gym, keeping up with his running, the swims at the College and a growing involvement with helping Anthony on the building project, Paul was starting to scream that there wasn't enough time left for the hours he needed to do his Web designing.

Jeremy had a policy of working hard on College nights and keeping weekends free so at least that was time when they were together. Last thing at night was together time too with half an hour to an hour always reserved for bed games and talking.

***

One Tuesday morning after Jeremy had left for College Peter said he had something to talk about and took Paul to Sam's room. Sam was in his fourth year of College and on Tuesdays didn't have a lecture till eleven, and often stayed at home doing his art stuff. They were both looking very happy.

"Can you keep a secret?"

"Um. ...I think so. What about?"

"A surprise for Jeremy."

That brought a big smile. A surprise for Jeremy sounded terrific.

"We've just read Jeremy's story about an elf who gets banished from Faerie and it's so good we're going to try making it into a book. Sam's as excited about it as me and he's going to do the artwork, but to make it special for Jeremy we hope you'll be the model for the main character."

"Me?"

Paul gawked at them.

"Well, who else? Sam thinks you'll be perfect."

Of course he would do it.
Peter explained that Paul would be an elf and Sam would make pictures that matched the storyline.

"It's a big project, Paul, and Sam will need you every Tuesday morning for the next couple of months for sketching and photos."

"Um.. What about Brian? I help him for three mornings."

"Yes, that's a bit awkward, and you might have to do some time swapping because he's very excited about the new printer we've ordered and he'll be relying on you to help get it set up.'

"Me?"

Peter nodded.

"Of course. You know how full his schedule is. This new printer will involve a great deal of learning before he can use it properly and he's hoping you'll go to the workshops the company puts on to help it's customers."

"Me?"

Peter and Sam laughed and it took Paul a moment to realise he was repeating himself.

"Why not? Brian thinks you'd be excellent and Andrew says you'd breeze through it."

Now it was Paul's turn to smile. There'd been some behind the scenes planning and he was being heavied, but that in itself made him feel good and he had a suspicion the workshop involvement was Andrew's doing.

"Ah. ...Sure. I can have a try anyway."

Peter left for College and for the next two hours Paul worked with Sam. For a start he took stacks of photos, then he did what he called rough sketches, which didn't look rough at all.

"Where are the long ears?"

"They'll come. I'm getting used to you."

He gave a grin and sketched quickly for five minutes.

"First effort only, Paul. I'll probably change it dozens of times."

Oh wow. If that was a first effort it still looked amazing to Paul. The ears he'd asked about were there, as well as sharper features, something very different about his eyes and with hair much longer than he'd ever grown it. It was quite startling.

***

Paul thought Sam was amazing. He'd liked him right from the start but as they worked together, week after week they got closer and closer. Every hour they could sneak without Jeremy's knowledge became more and more important, and Paul was astonished at the effort Sam poured in.
Mostly they worked in Sam's room, but sometimes they travelled in Pete's car, which Sam used almost as much as Pete, to a park, a river or some other scene that Sam wanted as a background, and one weekend when Peter was away with Jeremy they went to get mountain backgrounds which Sam said were vital.
Gradually Sam's Jeremy project portfolio grew, way past the original six or seven pictures Peter had talked about.

***

Paul found out more details about the printing machine from Brian, but when it arrived he nearly had a heart attack at the size and complexity of the accompanying manuals.
Four of them.
No wonder they had to have a course. Brian wasn't phased at all, just got more excited, and with Paul, spent time each day getting an overview and trying out some of the basic features.

Three workshops were involved, a standard, intermediate and advanced, and the first one started a week after the machine arrived.
Totally nervous and feeling quite out of place for being years younger than any of the dozen other people, Paul didn't relax till a guy dressed smartly in a suit and tie asked a totally dorky question. Paul nearly laughed out loud.
Well, at least he knew more than someone. Half an hour later he realised he knew more than most of them and by the end of the day there was no question that he was ahead of everyone else.
There were two machines set up with an instructor for each, and by lunchtime Paul was one of five working with a bearded instructor dressed in jeans. The other instructor was the one in charge, but Paul quickly figured that his knew more and explained things better.
The workshop finished at 2 p.m. and Paul promptly went home to spend the afternoon and evening with Brian, going over what he'd learnt and getting ready for the next day.

It was really full on, starting at nine in the morning and working through till ten each night. On top of that he'd made a deal with Alan to work weekends in lieu of his normal nights.

There was a week's gap between each workshop and Paul kept up his efforts to make sure he'd be ready for each. By the end of the advanced workshop Brian was calling him the guru.
He did know enough to make the printer jump through hoops though, and Brian was over the moon when they printed their first high quality catalogue with no charges from a publishing house.

***

Paul loved the day that Peter paused from his busy, busy, life to have a look at Sam's progress. He leafed slowly through the rack of poster sized pictures, sighing and shaking his head. Paul was shocked at this but Sam must have been expecting it because his smile grew larger and larger.

"Sam. What are we going to do? This is magic."

Sam chuckled and so did Peter when he realised what he'd said.

"We'll have to change everything. How are we going to decide which ones to use. Come on you two, we'll have to talk to Brian about this."

Brian didn't think it was a problem at all.

"Peter, we'll just put more pictures in the book. How many are there?"

"It could be about thirty."

"Thirty? Whoo! I see what you mean. All right, I'll cost it out with different numbers of pictures and we'll see what happens. How long before we're ready to go?"

Sam looked at Peter.

"At least another month. Even more to finish everything off the way I'd like it."

That meant Peter's idea of having the book ready by Jeremy's birthday wasn't possible.

"Sam, take as long as you need. Two months, three months, whatever. It can be a Christmas surprise, or start of next year's College surprise, or anything surprise."

Sam was relieved.

A new guy called William moved into the house and for a start Paul didn't have much time for him. Not too long ago Paul would have called him a loser but Peter gave him a lot of time and help, and after a very bad incident involving drugs so did Andrew, and watching him respond was a real lesson for Paul about making hasty judgements, because, before long, he was doing the accounting for Brian, joining in all the activities that went on, and had become another friendly part of the household.

***

"How about asking William to come with us Paul?"

"William? How come?"

"He's the only person in the house by himself this weekend and he loves going away, so I thought it would be friendly."

Typical Jeremy.

"Sure. What'll we do? All squeeze in the one tent?"

"No way. He can take a small one for himself."

They grinned at each other and Paul nibbled on Jeremy's neck.

"Mmm! That's nice. Do it again."

Paul promptly did, except Jeremy's nipple was the target this time.

"Oooh! That tickles."

It didn't actually tickle, as Paul very well knew. It was one of the understandings they'd built up and it meant Jeremy wanted him to keep going.
He let his hand wander down to check out the beast and the beastie-boys. Jeremy was always being stirred about his large dick and his busy balls, and when Pete heard Paul calling it the beast one time, he'd added the beastie-boys.
God, the beast was on the rampage again. Already?
Paul lifted his head, had a look, then moved so they were chest to chest and gave Jeremy's chin a gentle bite.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll like it."

"Yeah? Why?"

"You'll find out."

It only took a few minutes. Jeremy was a pushover that way.

"A secret beach?"

"It's beautiful. There's a cave to camp in and interesting rocks and cliffs to explore and I'll teach you how to surf. We'll borrow wetsuits off the others.

"How come it's secret?"

"I suppose it's not really, but that's what Peter calls it. You get there on an old track which has been blocked off. I want to explore everything properly because we didn't have time when Peter took me there for photos.”

It sounded great.

"Do you think William will like exploring?"

"He loves it. Pete told me he nearly blew his mind when they took him to the Grampians and he was into everything at the Barrier Reef."

"Can we go to the Grampians sometime? Sam says it's special."

"I don't think so."

He didn't mean that. The hint of laughter was the signal, so Paul chewed gently on Jeremy's ear lobe, blew warm air into his ear, and pressed a finger into the nape of his neck.

"Mmm!"

Jeremy's happy murmur was another request for more.

"Mmm!

Mmm!

When will we go?"

That was a different question and when they tried to work it out there was no free time till after College finished for the year. Even that was complicated so the whole idea ended up being put on hold.

"Hey Jer, let's leave early."

That didn't take much persuading either, but it would depend on whether William wanted to go with them and what time he could get away.

"Go find out now, so we know."

"Me? It was your idea."

"I know, but if you ask him he's more likely to come with us."

That involved some talking out, but Jeremy was right so Paul slipped into some shorts and went to knock on William's door.

"Paul?"

"Yo, William, you busy this weekend?"

"Yeah, I'm working on Brian's books."

"Oh. Is it much work?"

"Yeah, why?"

"We wanted you to come on a trip with us."

"Fair dinkum? ...Where are you going?"

"Jeremy says Peter calls it the secret beach. It's somewhere near Anglesea."

"Man, are you serious? That would be unreal. But why me?"

Paul was slightly startled.

"Well, um ...Jeremy says you'll be on your own and we thought you'd like it."

"Pete's told me about that beach. He says there is a cave there. I'd love it."

"Can you leave early?"

"What time?"

"Lunchtime on Friday."

"No, I've got two lectures in the afternoon."

He grinned.

"I can feel a sicky coming on."

They talked it over, organised to get Jeremy's car packed the next night and Paul went to leave.

"Hey Paul. ...Thanks."

***

Jeremy's little hatchback went humming down the freeway with three happy occupants. Jeremy proudly driving, now that he had his probationary licence, and all of them in high spirits about the next few days.
Straight through Geelong, with one stop for final supplies, and by two o'clock they were approaching Anglesea.

"Hey, Jeremy, why don't we take Paul out to Point Addis?"

What did that mean? Jeremy had a funny grin and so did William.

"What's at point Addis?"

"Lots of interesting scenery.

That made Jeremy smile even more.

"It's a nude beach. Pete took us there once."

"Nude? Did you take your clothes off?"

Jeremy and William both laughed.

"It was my first time ever."

"Me too. Pete had fourteen of us running round.

Hey, Jeremy, is there time to take Paul?"

"We could. ...No, there's no need. You can go nude at the secret beach if you want to. No one else will be there."

"Hey, great idea? Have you ever swum in the nude, Paul?"

"No."

"It's great. You'll have to try it. What do you reckon Jeremy? Would Paul be game enough?"

Jeremy laughed like anything.

"You just want to perv on us."

"That's for sure. And you can perv back."

"Well, you can set the lead and if we feel like it we'll join in."

"Oh man, look!"

Paul and Jeremy already were. The first view of the ocean, blue and vast, had appeared as the car crested a long slope. Ten minutes later they turned off the main road, followed a gravel track for several hundred metres and pulled up at a cliff-top look out. The doors burst open and they ran to the railing to look down at the surf crashing on the rocks below.
They stayed a few minutes but the call of adventure quickly had them organising their supplies. A quarter of an hour and three overloaded backpacks later Jeremy headed towards a pile of dead, white-bleached vegetation.

"Through that?"

Ten metres further on the dead vegetation ended and revealed a clearly defined, though heavily overgrown track, which they followed for about five hundred metres.

"Down there?"

"You wait. It's even better near the bottom."

The trail now wound steeply down through the coastal scrub and tea-tree. Paul followed ever so carefully behind Jeremy, clinging to the sturdy vegetation on either side and searching out rocks and tussocks to give a more secure footing.
When Jeremy stopped Paul's eyes nearly fell out.

"No way. It's a cliff. We'll kill ourselves."

William was looking as worried as Paul felt, at the fifteen metre, almost vertical, drop to the sand.

"Yes we can. Watch. I'll go first."

Jeremy clambered to one side where a thick metal spike was hammered deep into the rock. Attached to it with a braided loop was a strong marine ply rope which dangled all the way down. He took hold and one careful step after another started lowering himself.

"It's easy. Just take your time."

It didn't look easy. It looked scary as hell. The only ropes he'd ever dangled from were the ones in the gym and they weren't fifteen metres above a jumbled mass of boulders. With his heart pounding Paul watched Jeremy steadily dwindle below till with a shout he let the rope free, moved past the boulders to the sand and dumped his pack. What was he doing? Coming back up?

"Give us your pack. You'll keep your balance better that way."

Paul wasn't going to argue and the transfer was made.

"Watch how I start. Once you get going you'll see how easy it is."

Paul watched, extra carefully, then, when the rope was free, moved across and grabbed on for dear life. Well, he was strong enough, his brain told him that, but it was still scary. With his heart hammering he focused on the first step down. It wasn't too bad. Neither was the next one. He was concentrating so hard that he saw nothing but each new foothold till he paused to take stock. Oh my God. He was about one third of the way down. Jeremy was looking up from below and grinning like crazy. Likewise, William was looking down from above.
His own grin started to spread and a minute later he let out his own excited shout when he finished with the rope. He shared a special look with Jeremy then turned his attention to watch William make his way down.
William didn't shout, he punched his fist in the air in a victory gesture.

The beach was beautiful. Clean, cream coloured sand stretched in a gentle arc for several hundred metres, bounded at one end by rocky platforms, and vertical cliffs at the other, with white foaming waves in between. In a flat out run, Paul took off across the sand till he reached the edge of the water. The others arrived and they stood, getting the feel of the place, till Jeremy suggested they get everything organised. That meant the cave and after grabbing the packs Jeremy led the way. Wow, what a setup.

It wasn't really a cave, but an overhang of rock arching back into the cliff face with soft dry sand as the floor. Jeremy spread a large ground sheet for their sleeping bags and another smaller one for the food and any other gear that was unloaded.

Jeremy and William were eager for the swimming and that meant using the wetsuits, which was a first for Paul. So was swimming in the ocean for that matter. Jeremy was into his wetsuit before Paul even started and was promptly stirred about the way his big dick stood out. He took no notice, he was so used to it, and helped Paul. William looked like a real surfer type with his blue eyes and blond hair.

The first couple of waves knocked Paul over till he copied the way Jeremy and William dived under them, and then they were out into chest deep water. Wow, the wetsuit made you feel like a cork bobbing on the surface. No wonder people wore them, the way they let you float effortlessly.
The biggest wave yet loomed in front. Holy hell, it was going to kill them. Jeremy yelled to dive and Paul followed him into the bottom of the wave. Another wave came after it and Paul dived again. Where was Jeremy? Thirty metres inshore, waving and yelling with William next to him.

The following hour was a mixture of mouthfuls of water, dumpings and being bowled over, but also of quickly increasing skill, as Jeremy and William coached him in what to do. William was first out, and by the time Paul and Jeremy reached the shore he was stretched on a towel near the cave wearing nothing but his grin. God, he did look sexy. Paul had trouble pulling the wetsuit off and ended on his butt while Jeremy did the tugging. The wetsuits went into the shade, Jeremy spread their towels next to William, stepped out of his speedos then flopped on his stomach with a contented sigh.

Right! So they'd meant it when they'd been talking about being nude. Well, if they were game so was he. He couldn't help glancing to see if anyone else was round, then laughed and pulled off his own blue speedos. Two grinning faces were checking him out as he went to kneel on his towel.

"Hey, Paul, the sun cream's in the outside pocket of my pack."

Paul had been joking in the car about putting the sun cream on and now the faces were nodding. Well, he'd asked for it. All over Jeremy's back. This was fun.

"Turn over."

"Paul,You'll have to finish him properly. Imagine what a sun-burnt dick would feel like?"

Jeremy agreed and closed his eyes while Paul went ahead.

"My turn."

Was he serious? He was, so Paul smoothed the cream over William's back. William turned over but didn't close his eyes and relax like Jeremy. Instead he watched Paul's every movement.

"Your turn now."

Paul expected Jeremy to do this, and he did, but when Paul turned onto his back William took the cream. God, how much was he putting on?

It oozed through his fingers so he wiped the excess onto Paul's balls and rubbed it in. Both of them laughed and the smoothing moved to the rest of his body. The mucking round was over and for twenty minutes they soaked up the rays of the afternoon sun.
They wandered along the beach.
Paul discovered William was faster at running than he was.
He discovered that William was as strong as he was, and he discovered he was fun and a real charmer.
They watched the waves breaking. They went for a swim without their wet suits or bathers, shrieked at the cold and laughed at the effect it had on each other then headed back to the cave where Jeremy showed them how to give each other what he called a bush bath.
He'd learnt it from Peter, which was interesting, and you started with one handful of water in your hair, lathered in some soap, added another handful of water and more soap, then worked the suds all over your body before wiping them off using the smallest amount of water you could manage.
Paul got the first treatment and had to stand with his eyes shut while with much laughter and enjoyment two sets of hands rubbed soap suds into every nook and cranny of his body.

William, then Jeremy, had their turn and Paul took delight in making them squawk and jump from rougher treatment than they'd given him.

William started a campfire while Paul and Jeremy collected enough driftwood to keep it going through the night. They stopped everything to watch the sea and sky change color when the sun set, and then spent an hour with the satisfying business of filling themselves with food.

They sat talking and watching the glow of the coals, and as the night got darker the sound of the crashing waves seemed to amplify. Paul was so sure the waves were closer he walked to the water's edge so he could check.
The air started to cool so they stoked more driftwood on the fire and made themselves cosy under the sleeping bags. Paul was in the middle and snuggled with his back against Jeremy's front. This was one of their favorite talking positions and normally things would get very physical, but Paul wasn't sure what would happen with William next to them. Putting him in a tent or somewhere separate hadn't lasted long as an idea.

"How do you like it at the house, William?"

"It's amazing. I can't keep up with everything. It's the best place I've ever been."

"Have you stopped using marijuana?"

"Yeah, Andrew's got some if I need it, but he's talked me out of it really."

"I'm glad you stopped. My sis started with it, and the people she was with mixed other stuff in and got her onto hard drugs."

"Is she all right now?"

"Sort of. Andrew's helping her. She's at a retreat with all these monks at the moment."

"Monks? Wow, I've never heard of that before. Is that Andrew's idea?"

"He got it from some people he knows."

"God, he seems to know everyone."

Paul made a little sound when Jeremy tickled his balls and William picked up on it.

"Are you two making out?"

"No, just cuddling."

"I bet you do it a lot."

"Yeah, Jeremy never stops. His beastie-boys work a hundred percent overtime."

There was a snort, but no denial.

"What about you, William? Pete says you're a real stud."

"I used to be. But I've stopped that."

"Stopped? How can you stop being a stud?"

"Peter stopped me. Well, he didn't actually stop me. He took me with him one weekend and when we talked a lot I decided I liked his way of doing things."

"What's that mean?"

"He only does things with people who mean something to him. He says it's better then."

"So who do you do it with now?"

"Well ...it's only been a couple of weeks."

Jeremy responded straight off.

"What? No-one? William, you can do it with us. We both like you, you know that don't you?"

"But you're partners."

"Yes, but we follow Peter's ideas too. Paul sleeps with Pete and Michael."

Paul had to butt in there.

"Yeah and guess who Jeremy sleeps with? Every single one of them."

"No I don't. Brian and Anthony keep to themselves and Andrew's not gay."

"Everyone else? Even Peter?"

"Especially Peter."

"Wow, lucky thing. I tried it with Peter but he wouldn't let me. He said he'd like to though ...If I was old enough."

"Me too. I tried that and he wouldn't let me."

"Hey, William, check out Paul's boner. I bet you've never felt one as hard."

There was quiet for a moment.

"You sure?"

"William, you've been dying to all afternoon. Come on."

Another hand closed round Paul's boner and William wriggled against him. Boy, this was exciting. Three bodies, lightly scented from the sandalwood soap Jeremy liked to use, twined close with passion, laughter, curiosity and endless energy.

***

First thing next morning Jeremy went to get water from the car. Paul suspected he mainly wanted to check it was all right. William got up because he needed to and Paul followed for the same reason, then it was straight back under the sleeping bags as the air was crisp and the warmth from William's body felt nice.
So did his hand.

"Jeremy's special. You're really lucky, Paul."

Paul gave a murmur of assent.

"He's very kind. I wish I knew someone like him. What are you going to do next year?"

"What do you mean? With Jeremy?"

"No, are you going to College?"

"Oh, no! I couldn't get in."

"You? That's crazy. You could do anything."

"What about you? Brian says he hopes you keep doing his books."

"Yeah, I hope so too. I'll have to do two more years of study if I want to be properly certified though. Did you have another boyfriend before you met Jeremy?"

"No. I have got a good friend but he's not gay."

"What? You mean you wish he was?"

"I used to, but when we got to be friends it didn't matter."

"Did you ever try anything with him?"

"Not really. He had a girlfriend."

"Not really? ...That means you did something."

"I didn't have to. He liked being nude and we always wrestled when I stayed with him."

"Wrestled? In the nude? Paul, did he get boners?"

"We both did."

"Sounds like he's bi to me. Hey, does he know you're gay?"

"No. I wasn't game to tell him."

"Ha, and I bet you tried to make him think you were straight."

"Um. ...Yes."

"Well, you both wanted it then, and you both thought the other one didn't. Is he good-looking?"

"Unreal!"

"As good as me?"

"You? You're not good-looking."

William laughed and gave Paul's boner a twist.

"Cheeky. I'm going to give you boners all day for that."

"All day? Well, I'll do the same back then."

"Excellent. Promise?"

Jeremy arrived and used his little gas burner to make coffee for them all, then prepared cereal and toast for the slack-a-beds. The day passed in a flash, the first couple of hours spent exploring the rock platforms at the eastern end of the beach while the tide was out, then swimming, surfing, lazing in the sun and scrambling along the cliff-tops at the cave end of the beach, then more time in the water. Jeremy organised their evening meal and then the changing light took all their attention.

"Look at it."

"Unreal."

What they didn't realise was that the spectacular bank of clouds reflecting the glowing sunset was the leading edge of a weather change.
At about eight o'clock there was a swirl of air and embers went flying. Within minutes there was a steady rush of wind and Jeremy dumped sand on the campfire to make sure no sparks reached their gear. Darkness descended like a blanket and there was a search for their hiker's headlamps.
The temperature dropped, the rushing sound built to a howl and Paul led the rapid retreat to the cosy setup of the sleeping bags.
The sound of the wind grew till Paul wondered if it would blow trees or rocks from the cliffs above. Maybe it was the amplifying effect they'd notice the night before, but this was unbelievable, like a wild creature howling anger and fury at them. In his imagination he could hear the actual voices. Oh boy, you had to pull the sleeping bag over your head to even hear each other speak.

"Are we safe?"

"Of course we are. Storms like this happen all the time."

He listened, and as Paul got used to the wildness it crept through him till he sat up and gave a great shout. Jeremy grabbed him and wanted to know if he was okay. They both understood when he tried to explain his feelings, but then started stirring him for being a crazy nature boy.
William said he sounded like he was having an orgasm, and brought laughter when he started describing sounds he'd heard from some of his conquests. Jeremy copped it then because he sometimes got quite noisy. William hand started wandering and the weather turned into a backdrop for another kind of storm.

***

"What will we do?"

"We'll just have to wait. It can't stay like this for very long."

They were looking at the rain pelting him down in the grey, early morning light.

"I know what we can do."

"Ha, we'll be here all day once you get going, William."

"Well, it looks like we mightn't have any choice. Want some coffee first?"

Jeremy made a quick set up of his little camping stove then dived back out of the cool while the water heated. He went out again to fill the mugs and Paul watched. Typical Jeremy. He'd happily do all the jobs if you let him.
They had to sit up to drink the coffee and when they finished Paul complained he was cold. He wasn't really complaining and he wasn't a really cold, just reacting to the difference from the warmth of the sleeping bag.

"Let's warm him up William."

***

The end of Chapter 11.