Aladdin's Awakening by Joel

I woke up suddenly early next morning and for a moment wondered where I was. We must have both slept very heavily as we were in almost the same positions we had been in as we went off to sleep. Roo had moved down in the bed a bit so his head was now tucked down under my chin and resting against my chest. My arm was over his shoulder and he had an arm loosely draped round my waist.

I carefully extricated myself from his clutches and slipped out of bed and peered at my watch, it was just after half past six. Roo grunted and settled down on his back, still asleep. I carefully lifted the bedclothes and saw that his prick was quite stiff. Not to worry, mine wasn't very soft either, something I had recently noticed most mornings on getting out of bed.

I carefully dropped the clothes back and padded off into the bathroom for a pee. All was quiet, the other bedroom door was ajar so I peeked in. It was pitch dark, they hadn't pulled the curtains back. All I could hear were two sets of regular breathing. I stealthily made my way to the bed and nearly tripped over what must have been a pair of pyjamas. In the gloom I could see Tony and Matt lying almost face to face sleeping soundly.

I crept out again and quietly ran a bath - the water was lovely and warm and I luxuriated in it for about a quarter of an hour before I heard Roo give a cough and then he appeared at the door. His prick was hanging limp now. Before he had a chance to speak I put a finger to my lips.

"Tony told me you did make a lot and how you shot all over his dressing table that first time. He was most impressed! I believe him now I've seen what you make."

"Tony told Jim Masters too and he had to see for himself as well. I didn't get round to telling you last night we'd done it together twice last week, Thursday and Friday!"

He laughed, "Old Jim's always doing it with someone or other. I think he must have tossed off most in our lot at Scouts. You know Chris Payne, in the Fifth Year, he's our Patrol Leader? He says that Jim's as thick as two short planks and all his brains are in his balls."

"Yeah, Jim told me some of the ones he's whacked off, including you!" He grinned and nodded. I went on, "He also said he was worried he might get chucked out if he came near the bottom of the class again."

We crept into the Horsebox wound round with towels and stood by the bed. Light snores from the two sleepers greeted us, but as we were just about to pounce they both sat up and laughed.

"Gotcha, we heard you splashing about and knew you would be in!" Tony grinned in the gloom at us. "Pull the curtains back and open the shutters for us, will you?"

Roo and I went to a window each and did as we were told. It was quite light now and on turning back I saw that the heap on the floor was Tony's pyjamas. I twitched back the bedclothes further. Both were in the nude and Matt had an enormous hardon, I couldn't resist it.

He laughed and Tony asked what I meant. Roo and I sat on the edge of the bed and I described Billy's scratches and the outcome when we and Nobbo got him down on the floor.

"He is, he's a great sport. I was round there on Friday after school getting all that homework done with Nobbo and he came in after we'd finished and we had a good laugh at his jokes." He paused a moment, then chuckled, "Hey, Roo, d'you know the difference between a fresh egg and a good wank?"

It took a moment before the penny dropped then I gave a great laugh, "I see! Don't you, Roo?" He shook his head. I put an arm round his shoulders, "Think, you great mutt, you can beat a fresh egg, but you can't..." I waited.

"Oh, yes, I get it," he giggled, "It's good, I like that, I'll have to remember that one. You can't beat a good wank, eh, can you, Jacko? You should know that!" He looked over at Tony, "And the same with you, eh? And was it good last night?"

"Of course, and we knew you two were enjoying yourselves 'cause we could hear you whispering for ages after you went to bed so we crept along and looked round the door, didn't we, Matt?"

It was getting much lighter and Tony looked at his wrist watch, "Crikey, it's after seven. We'd better get up, come on Matt, they've been in the bathroom already, race you to it."

He hopped out of bed, his semi-stiff prick jiggling up and down as he hurried away from us into the bathroom. Matt lazily pulled down the bedclothes further and, watching Roo, arranged his prick so it lay up his belly. He slowly pulled his foreskin down so his fat knob was clear. "Tony says you can't do that yet, Roo. Nor can you, can you, Jacko?" His tool was getting thick and hard again. "Tony says he wishes he had one as big as this, as well!"

I rolled over him as he lay on the bed, "Stop boasting, you great oaf, we're not as old as you and just 'cause you've been doing it for ages you needn't take the mick! Like Roo said, we'll get that dog after it for his breakfast if you're not careful."

We rolled off him and tipped him on the floor in the bedclothes and scampered off swishing our towels at Tony who had just got out of the bath. Both of us put on the things we had cycled over in and I watched as Roo collected various bits and pieces together and put them in a haversack.

A short sharp ring broke the silence. It was the bell, so it must be nearly time for breakfast. We quickly made the bed, I remembering to remove the wanked-upon towel which I folded neatly and put on a shelf in the cupboard. Matt came through from the bathroom, now fully dressed.

"Tony's still packing his things, he says he'll be out in a moment, and I've made our bed." He looked across at Roo, "You look very smart for your country walk, Roo. Don't forget what that Land Girl said last night, it doesn't compare with sailing in the Channel!"

Roo made a face at him, "You'll get whacked in the goolies if you say things like that! We've got to cover at least fifteen miles each day and that's enough for me, whatever anyone says!"

Tony and Roo led the way as we pantomimed being heavy laden. Actually, the haversacks were positively light, but then I suppose they would have to carry a tent and other things as well.

Breakfast was all laid out as we entered the kitchen. Mrs Crossley was already there with another quite elderly woman who was introduced as Mrs Brown who helped out round the house with Dora who we were told in a stage whisper was a bit simple. Bran was lying by the back door and eyed us as we sat down. Aunt Mary and Mrs Brown went out of the room saying we would be able to start once the boiled eggs were ready. I nudged Matt.

I was about to answer when Mrs Crossley reappeared with two loaves which soon became a pile of thick slices. She went over to a pan on the Aga and fished out a wire basket with eggs already in it.

I was starving hungry and my eggs and three slices of bread went in no time. The others were no slouches either and I was on my second slice of bread and honey when Tony who'd eaten quite a lot and fairly fast said he was full and that he and Roo, who was still stuffing bread into his face, would get ready and be off by nine to get a good start. Roo's face fell as I was certain he would have liked more to eat but the boss was boss and what he said was law!

Aunt Mary did ask Roo if he would like more and he did have another slice while Tony fidgeted with his cup and for once was silent. Matt and I also took Aunt Mary's offer of more as something we could accept and accompanied Roo who was obviously going to take his time.

As we were finishing Mrs Brown came in from the pantry with two large packets. Aunt Mary took them from her and said they were rations for two days and on Wednesday at twelve they had to check in at the village shop somewhere or other to collect the rest to last them until they arrived back on Thursday. Tony's eyes widened.

Roo was nodding and was also looking rather relieved. I guess his stuffing with food was because he thought he might not get anything until they arrived back. Matt and I exchanged glances - we'd both eaten a good deal and we weren't going anywhere.

"Right, you two, you're in plenty of time to get going by nine o'clock. You'd better go and get the tent packed now and you know you have to take turns carrying it. And, Rupert, don't let him bully you into carrying it more than your share!"

Aunt Mary obviously had the measure of Tony who grinned weakly. They got up and went out in the direction of the stable where we'd parked our bikes. After they went out Aunt Mary turned to us.

"Now, you have to earn your keep, at least that's what your mothers have said, so I have some jobs for you." We stared blankly at her as she continued, "Nothing too strenuous today. You can sort out the apples and lay them out in the trays in the apple loft." She smiled, "It's a nice quiet job and after that you are free for the day. I'll show you what's to be done once those two are off. You can help clear up breakfast first."

We cleared the table and carried the things through to the scullery where Dora was up to her elbows in a sink of water with Mrs Brown putting things back on shelves. We were ushered out before we could offer to dry up and went out to await the appearance of the intrepid trekkers. They hove into view at exactly nine o'clock looking sufficiently laden and we waved them off down the drive.

We then followed Aunt Mary round to the apple store and spent the rest of the morning sorting the apples from baskets into trays. That is, as well as eating about half a dozen each. We finished doing all this in time for lunch and after that Aunt Mary said we could explore the house and there would be a cup of tea at four o'clock in the kitchen.

The exploration was really interesting. We started in the cellars but couldn't explore much as there were several small rooms partitioned off and the doors were all securely locked. There was a lot of old furniture and loads of boxes piled on one another but we thought we hadn't better be too nosey on our first visit.

Then we decided we would look in the other bedrooms upstairs. Most just had bedroom furniture but in one was a whole collection of African spears, animal skins, wooden statues and several drums which we decided to examine carefully another time.

The great reward was in the attics. Here there were more boxes and chests and all manner of old things. We couldn't resist having a snoop here! In one chest we found several old uniforms and in another trunk marked PAGC there were riding clothes, jodhpurs, boots and so on.

We thought at first they had been Ann's but from the size and shape they must have belonged to Piers. We went down to tea dusty and full of questions. We didn't ask what was behind the locked doors but found out that the African things were inherited by the General from his father and both had been in the South African Wars. Aunt Mary was interested to hear that Matt had been born in Cape Town as she had been there years before when she was first married.

The riding clothes had belonged to Piers and apparently there were lots of other boxes of his things about as she had never thrown anything away. We chatted on till after five when she reminded us dinner would be ready at half past six. We beetled off upstairs, washed and changed and came down again just after six.

I followed Matt into the drawing room and as he went to look at some pictures on the wall I went down the room to the grand piano. I opened it carefully and saw it was a Bechstein. Mrs Tring had a Bechstein, but that was an upright. I sat down and played through the first of my exam pieces. It was a lovely piano. I continued and played through all the pieces from memory and I think I did pretty well.

When I'd finished I turned round and saw Mrs Crossley, Miss P and Matt standing just inside the door but what really took me aback was that sitting looking at me just behind the piano seat was Bran. The two ladies came across the room with Mrs Crossley holding Matt's hand and I saw that she had been crying. I wondered what would happen next, but I needn't have worried.

"Jacko, that was lovely! No one has played that piano since Piers died in the last War. He was a good player and it was his piano and he always played just like that before dinner. I've kept the piano tuned but that's all."

A wet nose nudged my knee. It was Bran who sat down and put his paw over my leg. I stroked it and he gave a sort of growl. It wasn't an angry growl, he had obviously also liked my playing.

Miss P burst out, "Just look at Bran! He never comes in here but as soon as you started playing he went to the kitchen door and we followed him. Piers' dog use to sit and listen to him. He was Bran's grandfather, you know? It's quite uncanny!"

Well, after that we had dinner and Aunt Mary told us a lot more about Piers and what he had been like. Bran sat by my chair all through dinner as nobody had the heart to turf him out back to the kitchen.

When Mrs Crossley went to the kitchen to fetch something Miss P whispered that she had never talked about Piers so much and that it was good as she was still affected by his death even though it was so many years ago.

When she came back in she said she had news of a first sighting of Tony and Roo. They had been entertained to afternoon tea by the vicar's wife in the village where they were to set up camp. Matt and I looked at each other, knowing how Tony would be laying on the charm. After dinner the ladies settled down to cards and we went through to the library. Bran followed us and curled up on the rug.

We spent the next hour or so looking at the books we had picked out the night before until Miss P came in and said they were off to bed and would we put the lights out when we were ready. We decided to go up soon after and as we were going upstairs realised that Bran was following. Not knowing what to do we let him but when we got to the door of our bedroom and opened it he just lay down outside as we went in.

We went in and closed the door and, checking that the curtains were drawn, switched the lights on. There was no noise outside the door so we got ready for bed. I did my usual double-quick strip and was in and out of the bathroom while Matt was still removing his togs.

I thought I'd better check on Bran and opened the door very carefully and peered out into the darkness. There was no sign of him and the house was very quiet so I assumed he must have gone downstairs again.

I closed the door silently and turned just as Matt came through from the bathroom already sporting a very large erection. We faced each other as he quickly came over to me putting his arms round me and pressing his thick cock against me. I went erect immediately so I was also pressing into him. He was almost panting as he steered me to the bed.

We got into bed and clung closely face to face. I dug my fingers into the base of his spine and began the gentle rhythmic movement of my hips as I had done with Roo the night before. Matt was murmuring softly and began to do the same to me. Suddenly he turned his face up and stuck his tongue into my half open mouth. It was gorgeous. I sucked his tongue and then pushed it out and put my tongue into his mouth which he also sucked and caressed with his tongue.

We did this a few times and by this time my thighs were jerking uncontrollably. Matt felt down and clasped my prick and as I put my hand under his arm to find his he began to pull mine up and down. I squeezed his thick cock then gripped it hard as I pushed his skin down as far as I could. A few moments later I knew both of us were going to come because there were massive surges at the base of my cock and he was beginning to jerk about even more than me.

We shot all over each other seconds apart and then held each other tight until we began to relax. It was an even more intense repetition of the night before because then Roo and I hadn't used our tongues like that. It was marvellous. We disentangled ourselves and I lay back. Matt stayed on his side looking down at me and then drew his finger across the patch of spunk on my stomach.

I was still breathless and just smiled and nodded. I looked at him and he had an identical splodge of sticky come. He grinned and pulled the towel out and wiped us down.

He got out of bed, put the light out and pulled the curtains back. A pale moon lit the gloom as he got back in beside me. I turned and put my arms round him as he pulled the covers up and snuggled down beside me.

I shook my head, "We haven't been in bed like this, we've only jacked off during the day. And Roo didn't do it like that last night though it was ever so good."

"Yeah, I know you do! Anyway we were chatting and I said he might as well come in as my Mum and Julia were out. I was telling him about the trip and that you and I would be staying while the others went off and he said he liked you and then he said you were very horny and he felt horny too..."

"No, we only did it once, so there! Anyway, I'd done it twice on Friday with Billy and Nobbo, so we're both horny sods!" He stuck his tongue out and licked the end of my nose. "Jim kept on about how big my cock was and how much you shot so we were both complimented, eh?"

"Yeah, you've got a big cock, we all know that, so don't keep on about it or Tony and Roo'll do something to you, I'm sure, when they get back. You remember what Roo said yesterday morning?" I gave his balls another little squeeze, "Anyway, d'you think they've jacked off tonight?"

"You can bet on that. Tony said he and Roo like tossing each other off and they often do it. Oh, yeah, and he said he didn't know why but Cleggy wouldn't do it last time he was round at Tony's. Tony says he seems worried about something or other but wouldn't say what it was. He seemed to think the main reason Cleggy didn't want to come on the hike 'cos he didn't want to toss off, but he wasn't sure."

All this was getting rather complicated. I couldn't imagine why Cleggy wouldn't want to considering the number of times he'd shot his load at camp. Anyway, by this time my prick was going hard again.

He unrolled my foreskin as far as it would go over my knob. Just about half was visible. He licked a finger and gently began to massage the skin very slowly down and a bit more pink peeped out.

I peered down as he held my erect prick straight up. My naked knob was very pink and the skin at the base of the rim felt very tight. I lay back and he pulled up and down very slowly for two or three minutes as I breathed in and out very heavily through my open mouth. As soon as I felt I was beginning to come I looked down again and saw a small fountain of come shoot up into the air. The throbbings in my prick were very intense. I grabbed his hand to stop him.

He put his mouth near my ear and whispered very throatily, "You must have a real spunk factory in there somewhere, Jacko!" He began to pant as well, "Come on, I want it now, as fast as you like!"

I rolled over with the towel between us. His shaft was rock hard and I yanked his skin down and beat his meat for all I was worth. His balls were tight against the base of his prick as he shot and he produced a goodly amount as well. He was breathing hard through his teeth and murmuring, "Hunh, hunh, hunh, Oh, Jacko, hunh, just hold my prick, oh, please!". He turned suddenly and grabbed me and held me very tightly, his warm spunk spread between us. He whispered urgently in my ear, "Oh, Jacko, I just want it all the time, don't you? I'll want it again soon."

I was still holding his cock which remained pretty hard and showed no sign of softening. It felt hot and I could feel a vein vibrating against my palm. I pulled down very slowly and he lay back on the bed, hands by his side, his mouth open wide. I began to toss him off again very slowly as his prick got harder and harder and seem to swell and lengthen even more than before.

I must have done it slowly for getting on for ten minutes when with a great whoosh a flood of thin spunk shot from his end. He groaned as it happened and although his prick was still firm in my hand he went very drowsy and within a minute or so was fast asleep.

I felt a proper clot, kneeling against him, still holding his slowly softening dick, with him all peaceful and content. Of course, my rampant dong was upright again and no-one to help me. Poor lonely me beat my own meat and dribbled a miserable portion of come over his belly after several minutes of heavy pounding. I winced as I wiped the end of my naked knob with the corner of the towel. I tried to get the skin back over but it refused to move. Ah well, I'll have to leave it.

There was no response from Matt as I laid the towel across his recumbent form in case the mingled come got on the sheets. I slid down beside him and pulled the covers up and joined him in deep sleep.

I was still sleepy, the three wanks had tired me out more then him for sure. I pulled the bedclothes back and peered down. My pink knob was still unskinned and it felt a bit bruised and battered.

My skinny tassel was very thin and scrawny compared with the length hanging between his legs. He took it between finger and thumb of one hand and rolled the skin up with the other. It hurt and I winced again. "I'll do it carefully!"

He held my prick up and dropped a little spit accurately where the skin met the rim. With a deft movement he made my skin roll back over the knob. "There you are, all's well, it's done! You'll find it'll go back much more easily now if you do it every time you have a pee and, of course, when you jack off. Oh, Jacko, Jackoff! I hadn't thought of that before!" He laughed and stood up straight.

I hurtled out of bed and caught him round the waist and in a quick move he was on the floor with me straddling him. He was laughing fit to bust and trying to fend me off with flailing arms. Although he was sturdier than me he was quite helpless with laughter and I began to tickle him and he became even more powerless to do anything.

He grinned at me seraphically, "I told you I liked it a lot, didn't I?" He put his arms up round my neck and drew me down and put his mouth close to my ear, "I haven't told you but I've been doing it at least twice every day and sometimes three times since we talked about it 'cos I don't worry about it now."

He released me and we helped each other to get up. "Come on, we'd better have a quick bath and get dressed or we won't get any breakfast!" As he said this the bell gave a short ring. He put an arm round my shoulder and we walked into the bathroom, "You know, before then I was very worried 'cos I didn't know all you lot were doing it so much too! I've always wanted it more than once every day."

He let go of me and bent over the bath to turn the taps on, the subterranean rumblings of the water system covering what he was saying. I was standing behind him and could see the sprouting black hair on the backs of his legs and, as he bent over further, in the crack between his buttocks.

When we got down at seven thirty for breakfast Bran was in his accustomed place by the back door. As we entered the kitchen he lumbered to his feet and came over and nuzzled my outstretched hand.

Matt snorted and made some remark about talking to a dog whereupon Bran butted him in the back and made him turn round. Bran sat down and held out a paw. Matt shook it and said he was sorry for not saying hello properly. I was stroking Bran's head when the back door opened and Julia's friend, Diana, came in.

"Oh, hello, you two, I've come to scrounge some breakfast. The others have gone off to collect some feed for the chickens with that horrible Sergeant Higgs and I didn't want to get my own so Mrs Crossley said I should come over." She looked at me, "Sorry about Sunday night, I always put my foot in it and Mrs Crossley says Elizabeth upset her nephew saying things about sailing so no one was very polite!"

I murmured that I wasn't upset but the others had taken the mickey but I could cope with that. She smiled sweetly and was asking Matt about Julia when Aunt Mary and Mrs Brown came in from out of the scullery or somewhere.

I blushed, remembering how piggy I'd been at breakfast and I hadn't stinted myself at dinner last night. Still Matt was the same and I suppose two healthy lads needed to keep their strength up - before I could think more on this theme Diana was chattering away at Mrs Crossley as boiled eggs were placed in front of us.

Mrs Crossley said it was and began to cut up a loaf. Diana continued between banging away at the shell of her egg, "I see Muscles and Mr Pickwick have started already this morning." She looked across the table and saw my quizzical look, "Oh, you don't know who they are! They're the prisoners of war we have to help out, the young one and the one with the wire specs. I think he looks just like Mr Pickwick, don't you Mrs Crossley?"

"And the younger one, he was sawing wood yesterday and he must have been hot 'cos he had his shirt off like he did during the summer. He looks as if he could lift a carthorse, that's why we called him Muscles!"

Mrs Crossley said very gently, "You mean Herr Vogel and Hans. They're getting our wood store ready for the winter. Major Proctor said they could do that as there wasn't much else at the moment around the gardens or orchard. It's lucky Herr Vogel can speak French as I don't know any German and neither he nor the boy speak much or any English. Still they're very helpful and I always let Herr Vogel have a few eggs on Fridays."

I think Diana was quiet through all this as she was pigging herself and was well into the pot of jam before Matt or I had a chance to get at it. Mrs Crossley turned to us.

"I've got a few jobs for you today, if you don't mind. I would like you to go to the village with a parcel for Mrs Fry at the house next to the Rectory and also collect some things from the Post Office for me. Then, you could help stack the wood in the cellar. Is that alright?"

We both said it was perfectly alright and were ready to go as soon as we finished breakfast. Mrs Crossley brought the parcel out from the scullery and gave us directions which meant a short cut through the grounds and through a back gate near the church wall. As we got up and went to the door Bran stood up and began to follow us. Mrs Crossley watched, looking rather startled.

"I think Bran wants to come with you. It's very strange, he never goes with anyone usually, he wanders off by himself and then comes back soon after. Do you mind if he follows you?"

Bran and Matt followed me out of the door, then Bran passed me and preceded us across the courtyard and behind the stables. As it was the direction Mrs Crossley had said we should go we just let him take the lead. Bran got to the gate first and sat patiently until we arrived and Matt unlatched it to let us through. The lane we were now on led out onto the main village road and we strolled along until we came to two large houses side by side. I saw 'The Rectory' on the gate of one and so we all went on to the drive of the other one.

We set off again, Bran in the lead. When we got to the church gate Bran turned and waited. Matt looked at me and shrugged his shoulders. He opened the gate and we went under the arch into the churchyard along the gravelled path. Bran led us over to a large memorial stone set in the ground just off the path near the church door. It was the General's gravestone and there were two further inscriptions on it, one for Piers and the other for Ann. Bran sat down as we read what it said on the stone. Then I turned and knelt down beside Bran and put my arms round his neck. He nuzzled my face.

Matt nodded and we turned and walked slowly out of the churchyard with Bran following. Matt closed the gate carefully and Bran took up the lead again and led us to the Post Office and waited outside while we went inside.

The woman behind the counter immediately said she didn't see that dog in the village much especially since the General died and wanted to know if he was a good dog. I said he was and then asked if he ever went to the churchyard by himself and she said not as far as she knew. We told her about the way he had led us there and she looked very puzzled and peered out of the window at Bran in a somewhat alarmed way.

"Lawks, what a dog, it's most queer him doing that. He rarely comes down here anyway and that's always with Mrs Crossley. I know, I'll ask and see if anyone's seen him about."

Matt picked up the bag she had ready for us and we said our goodbyes and set off back to the Manor House. Bran again led the way. When we arrived at the back door Miss P was in the kitchen. I told her about what had happened and she listened in a very thoughtful way.

"That's all very strange. That memorial stone was put on the General's grave just before the war started and I can't remember Bran ever being taken there. I think I'd better tell Mary about it so don't say anything to her until I've had a chance to talk to her."

We said we wouldn't and that we would go and find Herr Vogel and the younger POW and help to stack wood. So began a second adventure of the day. Again Bran wanted to come and we walked off towards the outbuildings where we could hear the sound of sawing. As we came round the side of a barn-like structure we found a large young man with close-cropped blond hair, stripped to the waist, busy sawing an enormous log of wood. As we approached he stopped, looked up and smiled at us.

Well, well, I thought, here goes, so I replied in kind and then said in my best German that I was Jacko and this was my friend Matthew - remembering that it would be Johann and Matthaus in German. He responded by saying he was Hans-Peter which made me laugh because I then had to explain that I was too, but Jacques Pierre in French.

His accent was somewhat like Ma's so I asked him where he came from and it turned out that he was from the Hunsruck but he had been to school in Heidelberg and I knew that Ma had gone to school in Strasbourg where Granddad had been a Professor and that wasn't all that far over the border.

We chatted on for some time because he wanted to know why we were staying at the Manor House and Matt looking increasingly overawed. I didn't realise I actually knew so much German but, of course, I had picked up a lot with Ma switching between three languages.

I was then aware of a soft footfall behind us and then a very excited interjection from a small round-faced older man, who really did look like Mr Pickwick, wire glasses and all. This turned out to be Herr Vogel. I was cross-questioned about how I had learned German and explained that Ma came from Alsace so I knew French as well. Herr Vogel then changed to French and when I replied in that language told me he had been a teacher of French in a school in Karlsruhe, again just over the border.

I then told him that Granddad had been a Professor at Strasbourg University. He wanted to know his name and when I said Jacques Fontane, he got even more excited. He asked if he had taught Theology, I was puzzled by the word which I couldn't translate from French but managed to when he switched to German. I said I thought so because he was a Reverend as well. It turned out he had heard of him as he had attended lectures at Strasbourg and knew the name.

"What's it all about?" he asked plaintively, "Tell me what you're saying. I know he said something about your Grandfather in French and he knew him, but what was all the rest, was that in German? I didn't know you knew German as well!"

I explained to him what we had been talking about. We then arranged that I would help Hans-Peter as he sawed and that Herr Vogel would push barrows of logs for Matt to stack. Hans-Peter and I could talk in German and Herr Vogel would help Matt with his French. Well, time flew by and it was soon lunch-time. We said we would be back at two o'clock and went back to the house.

What a lot we had to tell Mrs Crossley and Miss P. Miss P had already told Aunt Mary about Bran and the churchyard and she was surprised because she often went to put flowers on the grave but had only taken Bran with her once or twice. We then told them about Hans-Peter and Herr Vogel and Matt said he had been complimented on his progress in French.

Miss P and Aunt Mary roared with laughter when they learned that Herr Vogel had heard of my Grandfather and were intrigued to find out about the pair of them. Aunt Mary said she had always thought that Hans was a bit slow-witted because he always looked down and blushed when she spoke to him. I said he had told me that she was a very grand lady and he was going to study Engineering when he went back to Germany. They had a good laugh at that as well, I mean the bit about Aunt Mary being a very grand lady.

Back at work that afternoon we got through a great pile of logs because Hans-Peter worked very hard as he chatted away to me. I could see why Diana called him Muscles, he was obviously very strong and said he liked keeping fit. He had very powerful arms with big tufts of blond hair under them. I found out he was nearly twenty-two and he also said he liked to make out he was bit slow 'cos he was the youngest of the prisoners in the camp and the rest generally ignored him. He said Herr Vogel looked after him like a father and was very respected by the others.

I learned there were twenty-five of them in an old house in the next village and that they had an officer, Herr Major Proctor, a Sergeant who they didn't like, and five Privates to guard them. There didn't seem much need to guard as Hans said they were very happy working on the farms as most of them were from country areas in Germany and it was very much like home. He said he didn't really miss his family as he had been away at school but he was the youngest of five brothers and sisters.

I told him about Ma and her sister in Switzerland and the other sister in America. We got on very well and I found I was learning a lot more German as he gently corrected me or helped me with words I didn't know. At tea-time we promised to be back next day. They both looked pleased, I suppose it was something different for them. I was worn out lugging logs of wood and thought If I went on with this much longer Diane would be calling me Muscles as well.

Of course, Aunt Mary and Miss P wanted to know what we had been doing. Matt was full of it and said he'd thoroughly enjoyed himself especially as he'd found Herr Vogel to be very good at helping him with his French. After tea Aunt Mary said we should get ourselves cleaned up and not be late for dinner and if I wanted to play the piano I could.

We went up to the bedroom and looked in the bedroom mirror and saw two rather grubby lads. We shucked off our clothes and got into the bath together. I told Matt about Hans-Peter and his hairy armpits and Matt said with those muscles he bet he had balls like a horse. Being in the warm water and with our conversation I felt a bit randy and my cock began to go stiff.

He took the matter in his capable hand and I said it was the first time I had been tossed off in the bath. A bit later Matt said it was a first for him as well. I pointed out it was actually the second time for him today. He just grinned and said, "And not the last, wait and see!".

After we got dressed we went downstairs and Bran was waiting at the drawing-room door. He pushed the door open with his nose and marched straight to the piano and sat down beside it. I took this as my cue and opened the piano and played through my repertoire as I had the night before. I then lifted up the piano seat and found a whole collection of music including some I had tried out at home. I played a couple of pieces and I wasn't too bad. I looked round at Matt who was curled up in a chair watching me.

Bran lumbered to his feet and stood by me as I sat at the keyboard. He put his big furry head on my leg and rubbed it by nodding up and down. It was quite uncanny, it was if he was nodding in agreement with what Matt had said. A sudden thought struck me.

"Gosh, Jacko I didn't realise that." He stood still a moment. "No," he said with finality, "That's not an explanation, he just likes to hear you play!" He stroked Bran's head again. "I was quite frightened of him when I saw him first, but he's lovely isn't he?"

I whispered to Matt, "I wish I could take him home, but he's so big!" Bran responded by licking my face with a very rough tongue. I spluttered and let go of him.

The gong sounded in the hall so we wandered into the dining-room followed by Bran who curled up by the table. When Aunt Mary came in she said that her second set of spies had reported back that Tony and Roo were at the right place at the right time so were doing very well. Of course, we then had to go through all the events of the day again and Miss P said we were having a really jolly time. We agreed and when they went to play cards we said we were tired and would go to bed early.

We decided we would sleep in Piers' room again as both of us liked it better than the Horse-Box which we decided was much more to Tony's taste. It didn't take Matt long to wash and get his togs off and he was undressed and looking at some of the photos hanging on the wall before I was anywhere ready for bed. Finally, flinging my socks into the corner, I went to see what he was peering at.

"There were some big blokes in that rowing team and over in that one, the Rugby lot. Look, there's PAG Crossley and it says that one's the Hon. James Pike. What does that mean? Do you think he's some relation of Miss P 'cos she's Miss Pike isn't she?"

"Yeah, I think Hon means Honourable and it's something to do with being the son of a Lord or something. If he was at a Public School I expect there were people like that there." I pointed at the Rugby team, "Anyway, Roo and I had a good laugh about those long shorts!"

"They'd do for you Jacko, you need some new ones. Those white ones you had on for rugger practice the other day were a bit tight. When you were down hooking you could see your balls and cock all bunched up at front 'cos I heard Johnny Reed say to Dave Morgan you had a big pair of bollocks." He cupped a hand under them as he stood by me. "You have too, they've got much bigger the last few weeks haven't they?"

He rubbed his chin pensively, "Yeah, what should I do. Dad's got a spare razor in the bathroom cabinet at home and I've used that sometimes. He doesn't know that and I haven't brought it with me. D'you think it'll be OK for the rest of the week?"

I looked closely at his face. There wasn't too much evidence yet but he had the beginnings of a moustache and there was a faint stubble of hair on his chin. "I think so, but you really need to trim there and there," I ran my finger over his upper lip and by his ear. "You have a look in the mirror in the morning."

"Let's go and lie down now and we can talk and have a look at each other." Saying this he turned and got into bed. I followed and lay down beside him. He looked closely at my upper lip.

"I'm telling you there is!" He leaned over me and raised my other arm, "And there's more here, you can just see them! Go on, you go to the bathroom and look in the big mirror."

I got out of bed and hopped into the bathroom and switched the light on. I raised my left arm first where he had said there was more evidence. There was too, I could just see the beginnings of a little patch of hair. I quickly looked into the other armpit. I counted three hairs where he'd seen two. Hooray, I was going to have hairy armpits!

Matt was standing at the door grinning so I turned round to him and grabbed him and kissed him full on the lips. As his mouth opened a bit I stuck my tongue in and he sucked it hard. I had an immediate erection and he wasn't far behind. I pulled my tongue out.

We walked slowly back remembering to switch the bathroom light out and got into bed again. We spent a long time steadily examining each other from top to toe. Matt was certainly going to be a furry creature as he even had some dark hairs growing at the base of his back. Finally, after making a close inspection of my balls, Matt laid down beside me and leaned across me. He touched my lips with his tongue before drawing it down my chin and onto my neck.

Quickly he moved further down and began to circle my right nipple just with the tip. The feelings were exquisite. He changed position and did the same to the left then snaked his tongue down my chest, stomach and belly and began to lick my balls. My mouth was open and I was involuntarily licking my lips while muscles in my back and legs were tensing and relaxing and sending great waves of pleasure all over my body.

I began to explore his cheek and rough chin with my tongue and made little circles on his throat as he stretched his head back. Slowly, I traced a line straight down to the centre of his chest and then out to the side and licked the tip of his right nipple. His thick cock was pressing hard against my chest so I lifted myself and worked my tongue down to his navel and then met the tip of his prick.

I opened my mouth slightly and pressed my lips around his foreskin and pushed down feeling his knob free itself in my mouth. I let go and his heavy prick fell back to lie against his belly. I moved my head up and licked under the rim of his knob end then slowly ran my tongue down his shaft and teased his bollocks.

A colourless drop of fluid appeared at his knob end. I licked it off with a flick of my tongue. It was quite sweet tasting. I looked up at Matt's face. He was now in the same state I'd been in a few moments before so I stopped and slid up the bed beside him. He was breathing quite fast.

He pushed me again onto my back before moving down the bed very rapidly and startled me as he took my prick fully in his mouth. As he did this he sucked hard on it before pressing down on my skin and releasing my end all in one go. He slid back up beside me.

"OK, Jacko? We're both sticking up like lollipops now!" he giggled and raked his tongue over my upper lip. I could feel my unconstrained knob pressing on my belly. I looked down and was agreeably surprised to see I had the biggest erection ever. His hand went down to it and I watched as he pulled my skin back so it stood out even more.

I could merely nod in agreement as he worked it up and down a few times, then he slid down the bed again and took my end in his mouth and sucked hard a second time. I felt his tongue exploring the rim, then after another long suck he let go and moved up the bed again. My mouth was open so he poked his tongue in and between that and the movements of his fingers on my prick it wasn't long before the deluge. As half his body was over me he had the full force of the cascade of warm spunk against his side. He gripped my prick hard as it jerked away of its own accord.

I was too far gone to answer, I merely grinned inwardly and wondered what it would be like to be sucked until it came. He reached out and got the towel and wiped his side. Then he looked down at me and ran his tongue over my top lip again.

I put my arms round him and we rolled over in the bed until I was on top. His lengthy prick was almost up to his navel as I copied him and slid down the bed. First I licked round under his rim and then gradually slipped his knob between my lips coating it lavishly with saliva. I began to suck very gently as the knob went in past my teeth. As I closed my mouth over it I had to be careful not to bite him. I gave him a few experimental sucks before dropping his prick from my mouth.

I slid up the bed and caught his slippery cock in my full hand and squeezed it as I explored his open lips with my tongue. I jacked him off slowly as he had demanded and it must have been a full five minutes before I knew he was about to come. I leaned up and off him so his spunk shot between us before hitting me and dripping off onto his chest.

I straddled him and dropped down until I was lying directly on him. His mouth was open so I stuck my tongue in and we spent the next few minutes lazily caressing each others mouths. I rolled off him and felt for the towel and after wiping us down I put it between us in the bed.

Matt whispered, "You put the light out and I'll pull the curtains back!" I nodded and he slipped out of bed as I sat up to find the light switch. The task was done and we snuggled down into the bed, heads together.

"Yeah, I've noticed that. It makes my knob all slippery. I don't know what it is, though." Matt was silent for a moment or two and I knew another little worry was appearing. "D'you think it's alright? Have you seen any on yours when you go stiff?"

"I haven't noticed any..., yet." I hoped the qualification would ease his disquiet. He didn't say anything but I sensed he had something else on his mind. He moved even closer.

"She says all boys stink and I've noticed I do smell sweaty when I get back from school sometimes." He pulled me closer to him, "You don't, you smell nice but I remember those two last summer were ever so smelly after they had been throwing the discus 'cause I noticed that when we got in the bath."

"I think it's probably another thing about growing up. You'll just have to wash more often!" I laughed, "You'll have to sniff me every day to see when I start to smell sweaty now!"

"D'you want it again now?" I nodded in reply and his hand groped down and practised fingers ringed my semi-stiff rod. I moved over onto my back and pushed the bedclothes down. He moved his head over me and began to circle round my nipple with his tongue as he slowly tossed me off. Slowly was the word for it. All I could feel were small, very regular tugs on my shaft as he wound me up and up with the incessant stabs of utter pleasure from the action of his tongue. I couldn't control what happened as my body went rigid and arched as I came. The tongue probing stopped immediately.

"Christ, Jacko, you've shot stuff all over the side of my head!" He collapsed across me in a fit of giggles. I just lay, still rigid, panting madly. His nose was near my right armpit. "Hey, Jacko, you smell sweaty, too!"

Christ, I should think so, I was sweating buckets. That was one of the most intense wanks I'd ever had. I still hadn't recovered sufficient breath to respond other than to put my arms round him to imprison him against me. I freed a hand and felt the side of his head. It was true, his hair had a liberal coating of sticky come. My breath was coming back.

I dragged the towel out from underneath us and rubbed his hair then repeated his performance. Poor old Matt, he certainly must have had a very intense experience as he came but he didn't plaster me. When I sneaked a look there were just a few drops of thick spunk just above his navel but I was unscathed.

Just like the night before he drifted off into a deep sleep leaving me to wipe his stomach and pull up the bedclothes. I also realised my foreskin was still back but decided to leave it alone. Then, just before he went right off, he reached for my hand and interlaced his fingers with mine and we were still like that when I woke in the morning.

I untwined my hand and reached for my watch. It was just past six thirty. It was my turn to be up bright and cheerful. I clambered out of bed and went across to the window - gosh, the radiator was hot, no wonder the room was lovely and warm. It looked a rather grey, uninviting day. I peeked down at my cock, it stung slightly at the end where the skin was still back. With a bit of an effort I rolled the skin back over, remembering to moisten the tip first. It still hurt a bit when I went to the bathroom and had a pee and managed to roll the skin back and over again, quite a triumph. Then I had a good wash making sure I scoured thoroughly under my arms in case I smelled sweaty after last night! I had just finished dressing and was standing at the side of the bed when Matt opened an eye.

My cock was a trifle sore after the triple comings of the previous night but he was obviously raring to go, or, rather come, even though he had beaten me with the extra one yesterday morning.

He insisted on standing so he could see himself in the mirror while I tossed him off and seemed rather surprised when I said I would wait until the evening. Then, while he had a bath I went back into the bedroom to explore the cupboards. There were quite a few old school books and books for boys in one of them but the most interesting things were in the cardboard boxes. Mrs Crossley said she never threw anything away and it was true.

I found lots of old school clothes including some of the long shorts in the photos. Everything was marked PAGC so they were pretty old but in good condition. I was just unfolding a rather ornate green school cap with a tassel on it when Matt came through from the bathroom and wanted to know what I was doing. I told him and showed him the cap and put it on.

"Come on, it's nearly breakfast time, wrap it up again and put it back in here. We can ask Aunt Mary or Miss P at breakfast and we can have a good look at all the things later 'cause I found those long shorts as well in another box."

Just then the bell rang so we scurried around making the bed and tidying up before sauntering downstairs ready for breakfast. Bran was waiting for us at the kitchen door and greeted us by wanting to shake paws. The more I saw of that dog the more uncanny I thought he was. As we sat down at the table he went over to the door and lay down beside it.

Miss P came through from the scullery and told us to start. As usual, eggs again. I winked at Matt across the table and he was about to say something when Bran jumped up and pushed the door open and bounded out making the loudest barks I had ever heard. We both got up and rushed to the door to see a soldier coming into the courtyard on a bicycle. He had three stripes so he must be Sergeant Higgs. Bran stood in front of the door and gave half a dozen more barks while the unwelcome visitor got off his bike and stood by it some ten or so yards away. He saw us and frowned then barked himself.

No 'please', it was an order. I took an immediate dislike to him. I stood still but Matt turned and went indoors. While he was gone Sergeant Higgs continued to address me in a most unfriendly tone.

"You two have been fraternizing with the prisoners, haven't you? Talking to them in their own lingo, eh? It's not allowed under Regulations, it gives them ideas!"

I could see he was seething with rage and Miss Pike took up this conversation at a distance, "Hallo, Sergeant Higgs, how is your German getting on. Do you manage to understand what they are saying yet? I'm sure Jacko here would be willing to help you if you need any assistance. He's quite fluent."

Sergeant Higgs was going rather red in the face but merely said he would report back to the Major that all was satisfactory, turned on his heel and rode off to a single bark from Bran as he turned the corner.

"We heard what that obnoxious little man said to you, Jacko," Miss Pike said with a great smile, "You can tell no one likes him, even Bran detests him. Don't worry, we know all about Sergeant Higgs and he has to watch his P's and Q's with us and you are not to take any notice of what he says. He's only jealous because he can't understand German at all."

We went back inside and as we ate breakfast I took the opportunity to ask Miss P about the cap and photo. It turned out that the Honourable James Pike was Miss P's brother, she was a few years older than him and she was really the Honourable Miss P! Their father, who was very old was a Lord Something or Other and the Hon James would inherit the title when he died.

Apparently, James and Piers had been great friends although James was a year older than Piers but always spent a lot of time in the school holidays at Ulvescott because he didn't get on with his father. He and Piers always shared the room so that was why Mrs Crossley had put us in pairs. It turned out the caps were awarded each year to the best players and they had won their caps in successive years and were very proud of them.

After breakfast Mrs Crossley said that she wanted Hans to bring some carpets down from the unused rooms and would we show him where they were and then tell him to hang them over lines near the stables as one of the girls was going to give them a beating. She also needed Herr Vogel to look at a leaking gutter and wanted to know if one of the POW's could mend it. A gentle rap was heard on the back door. Bran raised his head as Miss P went to it. There on the door step were Herr Vogel and Hans. Miss P beckoned them in and said in very correct French that they should sit down and have some tea. As they did this she turned and winked at me.

I explained to them as best I could what Aunt Mary wanted. I did get stuck on 'leaking gutter' but Herr Vogel knew what I wanted to say and corrected me very patiently. He disappeared off with Miss P to go up on the roof and Aunt Mary gave me a piece of paper with the list of rooms and which carpets to find.

Matt and I led Hans through to the hallway and up the stairs. He said he'd never been really inside the house before which was very big. We showed him our bedroom and the 'Horse-Box' which amused him and he was most impressed with the bathroom. We helped him roll up the carpets and although they were immensely heavy he managed to get them downstairs one by one and onto the lines. Then we went back to our previous tasks.

I fetched and carried large pieces of wood for Hans to saw and chop and Matt barrowed them to the top of the cellar stairs where they were tipped before we stacked them down below.

We knocked off at twelve and as we turned the corner of the stable we were met by the sight of Elizabeth vigorously attacking a suspended carpet with a carpet beater. A thought struck me. I poked Matt in the ribs and whispered, "Hey, Matt! I bet you don't know the difference between a carpet and a good wank, d'you?"

At that moment Elizabeth stopped and turned, "Hallo you two, you look pleased with yourselves. I hear you're improving your languages. And what about the other two? They'll get wet tonight, it's going to rain later."

To tell the truth no one had mentioned Tony or Roo this morning with all the happenings. We said we'd met Sergeant Higgs and the look on Elizabeth's face showed she had the same opinion. We also admitted we hadn't any news of the others, in fact they had slipped our minds. She laughed and said they were being tracked round and should be in for a surprise tonight but she wouldn't tell us what it would be. Also, did we know it was Miss P's birthday on Friday and there was going to be a special dinner? We said we didn't know but it sounded good.

After lunch we went back to our tasks and then about three Elizabeth came to say the carpets were ready and that tea would be ready at four. Hans said we could leave the wood chopping until the next day if Matt would take the rest to the cellar. Hans and I went off to take the carpets back which didn't take long.

After the last one had been unrolled in its rightful place I said to Hans I was going to have a wash before tea as I was fairly dirty. He followed me into the bathroom and was looking around so I asked him if he wanted a wash. He said he would really like a bath as he hadn't had a proper bath for a long time. I said if he hurried it would be alright and while he was undressing put the plug in and turned the taps on. He was only wearing a shirt and loose army issue fatigues and he was in the bath in no time.

While he was washing I told him about the encounter with Sergeant Higgs that morning and he said he was a nasty type who was always trying to get the POWs in trouble but they liked the Herr Major and all the Privates.

When he had finished I handed him a towel as he stood up so I had a very close look at him. I had already noticed how blond the hair was under his arms, almost as fair as that on his head. His strong arms were matched by very muscly looking legs and these were absolutely covered with tight curls of blond hair. This ran up from his thighs to form a wiry golden tuft around his cock. His dong was not all that long, but broad, and his knob end was covered in a thick wrinkled skin. Matt's guess was right, his balls were massive. They hung loosely quite a way below his dick and they were also covered in very wrinkly skin and a fuzz of light hair. He spotted me looking intently at his equipment and asked lightly in German.

He grinned, "Ach, you will be, you've big strong arms now with all that work!" He shook his hips as he stepped out of the bath, "And you'll be big down there as well, my friend, before long, eh?"

When we got down to the kitchen Matt and Herr Vogel were already sitting at the table with another German, a stocky man who turned out to be an expert gutter fixer. Matt was being rehearsed in past tenses of verbs. I was impressed, even though my French was better than his he was rattling through quite expertly and I had to think hard to keep up.

The other German asked Hans what we'd been doing and he told me to explain, which I did. I could see that I had made an impression as well and we chatted on while Mrs Brown brought in two large pots of tea and I heard her making remarks to Miss P in the scullery about 'them boys and they heathen tongues'.

The three POWs said their goodbyes just before five so Matt and I went up to get changed ready for dinner, as we had now learned to call the evening meal. Matt wanted a bath so I joined him and while splashing around I told him about Hans and that he was quite right in his assumptions!

I was ready for anything and lay back with most of my cock submerged and a halo of bubbles around it as he thrashed away. My knob was sticking right out after about the third pull down and I came with a fine flurry of spunk and soap bubbles pretty quickly. Second time today for Matt and he didn't take long to come either. I made a great lather around him as I jerked him off and said he looked like Neptune with his trident in the foam. He started to laugh and came at the same time which was very funny.

We rinsed ourselves and then dried each other off before parading back to Piers' room, tassels dangling and very happy. Bran was waiting at the bottom of the stairs when we went down just before six and led the way into the drawing room.

He sat by the piano as I played through my pieces again and then went and sat at Matt's feet while I tried out other bits from one of the books in the stool. I noticed that in one of them was the music of 'Happy Birthday' which would be useful for the celebrations and it didn't look too difficult. Two of the girls came in to dinner that evening and there was much whispering about plans for Friday when Miss P went out to fetch the pudding, or 'afters', as one of the girls called it.

"Hey Jacko, you were put in your place when you said the dessert was good and Elizabeth said that dessert was really fruit and nuts and that was a pudding! Got you that time, eh?"

I laughed, "'Cos I thought it should be the proof of the pudding is in the pulling!" I made a lunge at him dragging his pants down and grabbing his cock, "Just like this, you big erk!"

He was really taken by surprise and began to laugh as the quip sunk in. I gave him a shove and he fell backwards onto the bed still with me holding his swiftly enlarging chopper.

Needless to say we both gave further proof of our puddings before putting the lights out and dropping off to sleep that night. Twice each, in fact, for two randy and gloriously happy young lads.

Thursday morning was drear. I pulled back the curtains at half past six and the rain was pissing down. Matt was still snoring hard as I went to the bathroom and completed my ablutions. I rolled my foreskin back fairly easily when I had a pee which pleased me greatly. It was rather tight getting it back over my knob end again and my dick was still a bit sore after all the rough handling it'd had over the last few days.

We hadn't talked much while dealing with our wants the night before but after, when we were lying quietly, Matt had asked what I thought about when I tossed off by myself. I didn't get a chance to answer as he went on to say that he often thought of Billy Clarke and Andy Symes, as well as Nobbo and me. Then he confessed he really thought about Tom Buchanan's older brother Duncan most. Matt said he had always wanted to do it to Duncan and just thinking of him made his prick go hard.

It was a real case of hero worship as he'd admired Duncan at a distance for at least a couple of years ever since he'd seen him performing on Sports Day and had watched him play rugby several times. Of course I had to tell him I'd jacked off Dunc's brother Tom which made him a bit jealous, I think, but then I confessed that my hero was Mike and I often thought of him. Matt wanted to know if we'd jacked off together. I said we hadn't but I wanted to and then told him about the drawing Mike had done of me so he obviously liked me. Matt said he was glad he wasn't the only one to have a hero and on that note we must have dropped off to sleep.

I had to wake him up as he was still soundly snoring when I went back to get dressed. For once he wasn't rampant when he crawled out of bed and I wasn't really surprised 'cause he'd come eleven times in the three days we'd spent together. Still, I suppose I wasn't too far behind with nine times!

Tony and Roo were due back in the afternoon and we were both looking forward to seeing them to find out what they'd been doing and to tell them about our adventures. Over breakfast Mrs Crossley said she'd 'phoned Ma last evening just to let her know we were all OK. Ma had been most interested to hear that Herr Vogel had known about her father. She had given Mrs Crossley some other names to see if Herr Vogel remembered them as well and Mrs C gave me a piece of paper on which they were written.

"Now, before you go and find out I've got another errand for you to do if you will. Mrs Fry has got a piece of beef from her brother-in-law for Miss Pike's birthday dinner tomorrow, so would you go and fetch it? Mrs Fry says you probably know her nephew as he went to your school. I can't remember what his Christian name is but his surname's Chater."

I was rather startled, the only Chater I knew was Big Jim and the only things I knew about him were what I had seen in my first week at school in the bogs and what Tony had told me about the summer camp. Oh, no, I also knew he'd been Captain of the First XV so I was about to give this bit of information but before I started Matt said we did know him, also his name was Jim and explained about his prowess at games.

Luckily the rain had stopped but Mrs Crossley said we should hurry because she expected it to start again soon. Without any prompting Bran got up and led the way. This time he didn't stop at the church gate, merely looked round when he reached it to see if we were still following. We were walking quite slowly as I was reminding Matt about Tony's adventures at camp with big Jim and all Matt could mutter was that it was enough to give him a bloody hardon.

Of course, when we reached Mrs Fry's we had to hear the whole story about Big Jim from her. He was obviously the favourite nephew even though she thought her youngest sister's little boy was a good lad as well. We were also told that Mrs Fry's own son was already a Captain and was somewhere overseas and she didn't know when she would be seeing him again, etc. etc. We were rather itching to leave as there were plenty of black clouds overhead but we listened politely and equally politely refused a second cup of tea saying we had to get back to finish stacking the wood.

Coming out of Mrs Fry's I remembered I'd seen some rather dusty birthday cards in the Post Office so we went in and bought one for Miss P. The lady behind the counter was still mightily flummoxed by that dog, as she said. She had asked if anyone had seen it going near the churchyard but nobody had. Matt and I were also mightily flummoxed in return and all Bran could do was to sit and look intelligent, which I am sure he was.

We took it in turns to carry the parcel back as the piece of beef was quite weighty and was presumably not the usual rations! We didn't ask when we delivered it safely but Mrs Crossley put her finger to her lips as we handed it to her and she took it to the pantry.

It was pouring with rain again as we went round to the barn where the two POWs were working away. Herr Vogel did know some of the names and was very voluble about one in particular who had impressed him very much when he had studied French literature. I said I would tell Ma as soon as I got back.