"I hope not for his sake. Anyway, I've got other things to think about now. My next job now I'm Troop Leader is to get you made PL of Harriers."
Simon, as Second of Harriers was now acting Patrol Leader after Daniel's promotion. "How can you do that? It's up to Skip, isn't it?"
"Yes, but the Court of Honour has a big say, and I'm in charge of it now."
"But I'm in that now," said Simon. The Court of Honour was a meeting of the Troop Leader and Patrol Leaders which formed a governing committee of the troop under the guidance of the Scoutmasters.
"Yes, as acting PL. And when it gets discussed, you would have to leave."
A few weeks later, the Court of Honour was meeting.
"The first item on the agenda is the permanent appointment of a new PL for Harriers," said Daniel, now comfortable in his authority as TL. "I'm sorry, Simon, but you have to leave the meeting for this section."
Skip nodded. Simon, as ordered, got up and left the meeting.
"Before I say anything, I would like to hear what ideas the Patrol Leaders have about this?" said Daniel.
The other PLs spoke, two, including Nigel Colley, making a case for their own Seconds to get promoted, but two, whose Seconds were relatively new, spoke in favour of Simon. Faced with this result, Daniel said he felt Simon should be promoted.
"Patrol Leaders should really have their First Class," said Skip.
"He's done a good job though as Second, and acting PL," said Daniel. "Who else is there?"
"That's a problem," said Skip. "None of the other Seconds have First Class either, but some are older than Simon, who is what, twelve and a half, Daniel? Jeremy?"
Jeremy, assistant Scoutmaster, thought for a moment. "It's hard. We can't leave Harriers without a proper Patrol Leader much longer, and it would be difficult to put someone in over Simon now he's been acting PL. And I tend to think he's probably the best one for it, despite the fact he's young. He would be the youngest PL, am I right? And then younger than some of the Seconds, not to mention other scouts?"
"Yes," said Skip. "How far towards First Class is he, Daniel?"
"He's doing well, Skip. He's much closer than any other Second."
"Are you sure your judgement is not clouded by the fact that he's your friend, Daniel?" posed Jeremy. Nigel Colley smiled to himself at this.
"It's true we're good friends, have been for years. But that's why I know he'd be good for the job. He was a really good second for me when I was Harriers' PL, and I think he's doing a good job leading Harriers now, as acting PL instead of PL."
"How will he cope with any problems from some of the older Seconds. They might feel they've been unfairly passed over?" asked Colley.
Daniel considered this. "I don't think there would be a problem, and if there was, Simon would deal with it OK. There's only Tim Lawson anything like ready for PL apart Simon, and Tim's only just got his Second Class. He was made Second before he'd got it, so there's a .. you know, when it's been done before."
"Precedent?" said Skip.
"Yes, that's the word I was looking for. And Gareth's doing OK as acting Second of Harriers as well. I think that .."
Skip held up his hand to stop Daniel. "A moment please Daniel. Let me think." Skip closed his eyes and covered his face with hands in thought for a few moments. "Jeremy, I am inclined to go along with what Daniel and the majority of the Court says. Make them both up. Simon to substantive Patrol Leader and Gareth to Second. Unless you feel differently?"
"I agree," said Jeremy. "It's a risk, but Simon's a bright lad. And it is the decision of the Court of Honour. Yes, I'm in favour."
"OK, that's it then," pronounced Skip. "Daniel, all I can say is you're very persuasive. But as Troop Leader, it's up to you make it work. And Simon's got to go flat out for First Class."
"I guarantee it, Skip," said Daniel.
"Better call Simon back in then."
Daniel opened the door and saw Simon in Harriers' patrol corner. Simon looked up at Daniel at the top of the wooden steps.
"Come back now, please, Simon," called Daniel.
Simon walked back and up the steps. He looked at Daniel for some clue, but Daniel did not make eye contact and said nothing. Tim Lawson then, thought Simon. He took his seat at the table, Daniel resumed his at the head.
"The Court of Honour has reached a decision on the new Patrol Leader for Harriers," said Daniel impassively. And then he pushed a strip of white tape across the table to Simon, and smiled that wonderful smile.
"Congratulations, Simon," said Nigel Colley, the first to say so. The others joined in and there was general chatter. Daniel rapped his knuckles on the table. Silence fell immediately.
"The Court of Honour also thinks Gareth should be promoted to be your Second, but we would like to hear your views before making a final decision," said Daniel.
Skip and Jeremy glanced at each other, slight smiles on their lips.
Still recovering, and fingering the second white stripe that would soon adorn his shirt pocket to balance the single Second's stripe, Simon thought. "Yes, he's good and learning fast. I agree with the Court, I mean the rest of the Court."
"That's it then," smiled Daniel. "Gareth Smart to be full Second of Harriers."
Later that night in Daniel's bed taking advantage of an empty house, something occurred to Simon. "Colley was the first to say congratulations. That was good."
"I told you he's a good Scout. He didn't vote for you, but he accepts the Court's decision. He's OK."
"I'm glad the Court decided to have me."
Daniel laughed, and shook his head. "Idiot, I knew it would."
"How?"
"I knew that Colley for one wouldn't back you, so I had a word with Tom Rawlinson and Ladislas Balázs coz their Seconds just weren't in it. I got them to back you. I am Troop Leader you know."
"What did Colley say about that?"
"No, idiot, before the meeting I mean. A quiet word, you know? My Dad says that all important decisions are really made before the actual meeting."
"But you looked so serious and wouldn’t look at me when I went back in. I thought it was Lawson."
"I know. Rotten, aren't I?" laughed Daniel. He leaned over and kissed Simon, stifling any reply.
"Again?" said Simon when he could, so anxious to feel Daniel within him once more, to receive him. Daniel smiled and reached down for the Vaseline.
The whole troop, or most of them anyway, went away on an annual week long camp to a large scout camp; everything, including the scouts, carried on the back of a large lorry for the two hour drive. Each patrol had its own tent, and the leaders had theirs. Previously Simon and Daniel had been in the same tent with the Harriers as Patrol Leader and Second, but Riley had slept in the tent with the Scoutmasters. They were worried that they would be separated this time, but need not have.
"Daniel, do you want to come in with Jeremy and me?" offered Skip.
"I'd like to kip in with my old patrol, Harriers, if that's OK," said Daniel.
"Of course, catch up on old times. But it's Simon's call. If he says no, which I doubt, come back."
"Yes Skip," Daniel replied, knowing full well that Simon had not only agreed, but had asked Daniel to share the Harriers' tent in the first place.
So it was that the two boys spent the week together at camp, lucky with the weather, by day each carrying out the roles of their ranks; by night, lying in their sleeping bags next to each other, falling asleep with the other's face the last thing seen, each waking in the morning, the first thing seen was again the face of his friend. This was real happiness.
1959/9 Head Injury
It was a warm September Friday evening, and being a Friday, Scout night. As normal, Simon and Daniel walked together, over the footbridge, past the stream and the church and along the lane to the Church Hall, behind which was the Scout hut.
"You don't mind coming early?" asked Daniel. As Troop Leader he had to arrive before the rest of the Scouts to help Skip prepare the
evening.
"No," said Simon. "I would rather be with you and anyway, I find out what's happening before the other Patrol Leaders, so my lot get a head start."
Daniel laughed. "I bet that's not in P.O.R. Got to keep the Harriers ahead, haven't we?"
"You're not supposed to take sides now," said Simon.
"Moi? Take sides? Favour my old patrol over the others? Of course not. Anyway, I don't need to. They've got the best Patrol Leader."
"But I'm the youngest PL, and Nigel Colley never lets me forget it," said Simon ruefully.
"That's because he mistakenly thinks the Falcons are the best patrol, and he thinks he should have been Troop Leader."
"He wouldn’t be half as good as you. Does he hate you for it?"
"No, we get on fine. I only know that because he told me to my face, and then shook hands. I respect him for that. He's a good Scout, you know that. And I know he really thinks you're a good PL too."
There came a shout from behind them. "Off to tie your little knots?"
Simon and Daniel turned to see Fielding's little brother, as nasty as his older sibling, catcalling from a safe distance. Dressed in their full Scout uniforms, the two were conspicuous. Simon tried to think of a stinging reply, but Daniel forestalled him.
"You should come along," Daniel called back. "You would learn a lot."
Nonplussed by this placatory answer, Fielding Jnr. just stuck two fingers up and turned away.
"Like where his brains are," added Daniel quietly, and they both laughed. They arrived at the Scout hut and went in. Colley was there already rummaging through his Patrol Box.
"Hiya Daniel, hiya Simon, he said.
"Hiya, Nigel," they both said back, and Daniel nudged Simon and nodded, as if to say, I told you.
"See you soon," said Daniel to Simon, and went up the wooden stairs to the office. He knocked and went in. Simon heard Skip's voice say, "Oh, hello Daniel" as the door closed.
Simon set about checking his Patrol box, making sure the subs book was there. He had a new Scout still doing Tenderfoot so he made a note to go over the Scout Law with him, and he still couldn't tie a sheepshank. Other scouts started to arrive and were milling around outside, although there was some time before the meeting was due to start.
"Shall we sort that lot out?" said Simon to Nigel Colley, heartened by what Daniel had told him.
"Yeah, set 'em up with something," said Colley, "I'll be out in a minute."
Simon went outside, and seeing a Patrol Leader, the scouts gathered round, waiting for instructions. Simon quickly set up a small wide game based round the Scout hut and Church hall grounds. The Scouts scattered to take part. It soon became a chase, with the boys running around at full speed, Simon included. He noticed his new boy and to make him feel included, gave chase. The Scout took the hint and set off with Simon in full pursuit. With Simon's speed he was soon catching him up, but at the front of the church hall, the eleven year old boy leapt the small wall that formed the boundary with the pavement, and Simon followed. But he missed his footing, his feet slid back, but his momentum carried him onward, he was falling uncontrollably forward, too late to put his hands out he saw the pavement coming up to meet him, there was an explosion of white light in his head and -.
Daniel had come down from the office and gone out to join in the fun when several scouts came running up to him, all talking at once.
"Daniel, it's Simon … Dead … fallen over .. not breathing .. over the wall."
Daniel felt his heart go cold with fear. Not Simon. Please, no. But he must function.
"Michael, go and get Skip. Now! Right you lot, show me, quickly." He ran round after the scouts to the front of the church hall. A couple of scouts were standing there, including the new kid from Simon's patrol, he noted. But what he saw froze his heart. Simon was lying face on the ground and head down over the wall, his legs still sticking up in the air against the wall, arms crashed out at his side. There was blood pulsing from his forehead. At least that means his heart is beating, Daniel thought. He took command, as his three Troop Leader bars required.
"You and you, help me lift him. You take his legs, you, his body," he ordered. Daniel took Simon's shoulders and head himself and the three scouts, watched now by a gathering crowd, lifted Simon, turning him. "Lean him against the wall. Gently." Simon was carefully propped up against the wall, legs in front of him. Daniel used his hanky to wipe the blood away, and then kept pressure on the cut.
"Here, keep that pressed on firmly," he said to the new scout, whose uniform shirt pocket was still bereft of the coveted Tenderfoot badge.
"He's my PL," said the boy. Daniel didn't answer, he was too busy checking to see if Simon was breathing. With relief he felt Simon's breath. He looked under Simon's eyelids. His eyes were looking up and unseeing. Daniel felt a pang of strong emotion, grief, anxiety.
"Is he going to be all right?" asked a scout.
"Yes, of course he is," replied Daniel. "We'll sort him out OK."
When Daniel said something could be done, all the boys believed it. Simon of course knew that already and that was why he was Troop Leader.
Then Skip was there, next to Daniel. Discipline and training took over.
"Skip, there's a cut on the forehead that this scout is compressing, he's breathing and he's unconscious, his eyes are turned up a bit. He was upside down when I got here, but we sat him up."
"Any sign of him being sick?"
"No, Skip."
"Well done, Daniel. I think we should move him as little as possible." Skip carefully felt Simon's legs and arms. "Nothing seems broken, he's breathing OK. Will you stay with him? I need to phone an ambulance. Shout if anything changes, even the smallest thing. Any sign of retching, turn him."
"Yes Skip."
Skip left, leaving Daniel and the Scouts.
"I need a couple of you to wait with me, in case I need messengers," said Daniel.
"We'll wait," said a few voices, but all the Scouts stayed. Daniel now noticed that all the Harriers were there, with worried looks on their faces as they saw their unconscious Patrol Leader. They started to talk, later arrivals being updated by the others. Daniel sat next to Simon on the pavement, carefully putting his arm round him and putting his own head close to Simon's so he could detect his breathing by the slight movement of his chest. Daniel felt a pang of pain at the feel of Simon's completely inert body, almost dead instead of the fit, healthy boy he knew so well. The new boy was still holding the handkerchief.
"Here, let me," said Daniel, placing his hand on the hanky and carefully removing the pressure. The hanky was red with Simon's precious blood, but Daniel noticed that the bleeding was now just oozing lightly. He remembered his role.
"Well done," he said to the new scout. "You controlled the bleeding. What's your name again?"
"Arthur, sir .. I mean TL, er Daniel." He stuttered to a stop, pleasure at the compliment from his Troop Leader mixed with confusion as to how he should address such an important personage directly. One or two of the scouts laughed, but kindly.
"Carry on then, Arthur. Gentle but firm pressure. Find a clean part though."
Arthur refolded the hanky and carefully put it back on the cut. Daniel turned back to Simon's motionless body. He fought back tears. No way could he possibly allow tears in front of the Scouts. But the emotion must have shown.
"You OK, Daniel?" Daniel looked up. It was Colley. Daniel just nodded, not risking speech until he had control of his emotions.
"They're best friends out of Scouts," one of the Scouts was saying. And in Scouts too, thought Daniel. He looked, it was Neil Smith, Second of Kestrel Patrol. He lived at the end of Daniel's road. Daniel turned his attention back to Simon, holding his friend close, tenderly, probing with his finger past Simon's lips. Tongue still flat, airway clear.
Soon Skip came back. "Any change?"
"No Skip. Breathing and pulse still OK. No sign of consciousness though. No retching, mouth still clear."
"
Good. An ambulance is coming, and I managed to get his mother on the phone. Good job they've got a phone."
Daniel nodded. "Have to send runners otherwise," he said, and then remembered Arthur. "Arthur's doing a grand job here, Skip. He'll do OK I think."
Arthur beamed with pleasure.
"Good lad, Arthur," said Skip.
"He's my PL, Skip," said Arthur, now emboldened.
"I know that," said Skip. "So now you can help look after him as he looks after you." Arthur nodded and focused on the hanky.
A clanging bell could be heard in the distance. It was coming closer. The ambulance swung round the corner and came to a halt by the group of Scouts, the bell stopped. The two crew got out. One came for Simon, the scouts parting to make way, falling back to allow room, the other went to the back of the ambulance, and started to pull out a stretcher. A couple of the scouts went to help.
"Simon!" There was an anguished shout. Looking up, Daniel saw that the Scotts' Austin Cambridge was now parked behind the ambulance. Again the scouts parted for Simon's mother.
"What happened?" she asked.
Skip answered. "It seems he missed his footing jumping over the wall and fell head first onto the path."
At that point Daniel felt Simon move.
"He's waking up, I think," Daniel announced, turning back to examine Simon's face. The ambulance man was crouching down, looking at Simon, Mrs Scott standing just behind.
"Daniel? Mum?" Simon's eyes slowly opened and focused. Relief swept through Daniel's body. He gently squeezed Simon.
"Are you all right, darling," said Mum.
"My head hurts," said Simon.
"What' your name, son?" asked the ambulance man.
"Simon, Simon Scott."
"Can you hear me OK? Both ears?"
"Yes."
"How old are you?"
"Thirteen."
"Where are you?"
"Scouts. We were playing a game and Arthur was in front of me and…" Simon became aware of Arthur, pressing the hanky onto his head. "Arthur, not so hard. It hurts. Is it bleeding?"
The Secret Catamite Bk 1, The Book of Daniel Page 21