"A bit," said Daniel. Simon managed to look at Daniel without causing Arthur a problem. Daniel was there, cradling him, as always. And Mum was there. But the ambulance man was still speaking.
"What's the day?"
"Friday," said Simon, and then gathering that these questions were to test if his brain was still working, added "September 11th, 1959."
"Thank God," said Mum.
"Any bleeding from the nose or ears?" asked the ambulance man. He looked at Skip. Skip looked at Daniel.
"No, none," said Daniel decisively.
"Good. Can you stand up, Simon," asked the ambulance man.
"I think so," said Simon. Carefully, helped by Daniel and Skip, he stood up. Slowly he was walked round to the back of the ambulance, bypassing the maroon stretcher laid out on the pavement, with Arthur managing to keep station. Simon now too remembered his two Patrol Leader bars.
"Thanks Arthur. We'll have to do the sheepshank next week, I think."
Arthur grinned happily that his PL recognised his efforts and where he was up to with his Tenderfoot badge, and with relief that his PL was OK. He relinquished his first aid job to a lint pad provided by the ambulance man. Simon sat in the back while his forehead was dressed, Mum on one side, holding his hand, Daniel close by on the other.
"I think we need to take him to get checked over by the Casualty doctor," said the ambulance man to Mum. "Do you want to ride with him?" Mum hesitated for a second.
"I will, Mrs Scott, if you want to follow in the car," offered Daniel, sensing the reason for her hesitation. "If you will give us both a lift home later," he added with a grin. "That OK Skip?"
"Yes, fine, Daniel. I expect we'll manage without you," he said, tongue in cheek.
So the ambulance set off for casualty, Simon, Daniel and one of the crew in the back.
Simon called through to the driver, "What no bells?"
The crewman chuckled. "Not much wrong with you, son."
"Is there blood on my uniform?" asked Simon worried.
"Not a drop," said Daniel. "Blame Arthur."
Simon was taken down for X-ray and then there was a long wait before the doctor announced that Simon's skull was very thick and was not fractured. But because he had been unconscious for quite a long time, he was to be kept in, "for observation". Mum agreed.
"Always said you had a thick skull," said Daniel as they parted from Simon in his hospital borrowed pyjamas.
"You'll be OK. Don't be nuisance for the nurses, and I'll see you in the morning," said Mum, giving him a kiss on the unbandaged portion of his forehead.
"How will Daniel get home?" asked Simon.
"I'll take him in the car. He phoned home while you were in X-ray."
And they left with a wave. Simon spent the night in hospital, making friends with the other patients. Every so often a nurse would come and tap him to get a reflex reaction. They seemed happy. He was discharged the next day, and went home, but Mum made him stay in bed all weekend. Unfair! It would be the weekend. But Daniel came round and sat with him on Saturday after his swimming club, again on Sunday, and the two friends talked, Daniel making a rare visit to his friend's home. Simon went through everything that had happened, right up to when he hit the concrete.
"It felt like straight away when you and Mum were there, though," he said.
"It was a lot longer than that," said Daniel. "I was scared stiff you were going to die."
"Mum said Skip said you were fabulous. Did everything right."
"Did Skip say that? Cor!"
"I think I'll stay away from that wall in future," said Simon with feeling.
Daniel hugged Simon. "I would if I were you. You're such an idiot." They both laughed. Simon was happy.
1959/11 A bogie wagon
When Simon was thirteen, he went one winter evening with his parents to a village near the city to visit friends. This was an ex RAF wartime friend of his father's, Wing Commander Bob O'Hanlon. He was still in the RAF. While the grown ups talked, Simon went with the four O'Hanlon sons, Matthew, Martin, Michael and Melvin - Simon was about the same age as their second son - across to a railway yard next to the station over the road from the house. There were heaps of coal and sidings with some trucks on them. This was a regular haunt for the O'Hanlon boys. As it got dark, they played in the railway yard with their torches lighting their way.
"Over here!" shouted Michael. He had found a flat top bogie wagon, the type one can make go using levers.
"Come on, lets have a ride," urged Martin. So the five boys jumped on board. It was heavy but together they had enough muscle power to get it moving. They played with this up and down the track a few times, but as they tired, they lost control of it. The siding was slightly higher than the main line that ran past and through the station. The bogie got past the tipping point and started to move downhill.
"Harder!" shouted Matthew, as the heavy wagon slipped out of their control. The boys all strained to control the wagon, but despite their efforts, it trundled down where it stopped as the points on the main line were set against it. There it remained, half overhanging the main Central line. They heard a bell from the signal box at the far end of the yard.
"Let's push it, " suggested Melvin, but it was a hopeless task. It was simply too heavy.
"What are we going to do?" asked Simon.
"You can do what you want, but we're not staying here," said Matthew. "Come on, we're off."
The brothers ran off, realising that this meant trouble, and Simon followed but then slowed. He could see that if a train hit the bogie in the dark, there would be a crash, possibly a high speed derailment (most trains sped straight through the village station) and injury or worse. Simon had the image of the giant steam locomotive, off the tracks hurtling into the trucks, pulling its coaches of people behind. Simon knew in his soul what he must do. Torn between fear of retribution and fear of disaster, he stood unmoving, unable to leave yet unable to do what had to be done. He needed courage. Then he tapped himself on the chest twice, and filled with sudden resolve, he ran along the yard to the signal box. He knew there would be a reckoning, but as often at such times, he felt himself simply to be an actor in his own life, watching from without.
He climbed the steps and could see through the door windows into the lit interior of the box where the signalman was drinking from an enamel mug, tea Simon assumed, and looking at a newspaper. Simon's courage started to fail him, so he tapped his chest twice and then the door twice. The signalman looked up, and seeing a teenage kid at the door, waved him away. Simon knocked again, harder. He was committed now. The signal man got up and opened the door.
"Go away, son," said the signalman. "You shouldn’t be here."
"There's going to be an accident," said Simon. Something about his determined tenor and confident steadfastness struck a chord with the signalman.
"Come in, and tell me what it's about."
Simon went in and, heart in his mouth, told the signalman what had happened.
"Christ Almighty!" said the signalman. "The express!" He leapt across to the long row of levers and threw several of them, some points, some signals. Then he was on the phone, winding the handle and talking to someone. Bells were clanging in the signal box, and the signalman made some more ring. It was all pretty meaningless to Simon but the storm of frantic activity from the previous calm made him feel that he had done the right thing, whatever the consequences. At least there would be no train crash.
"You're a lucky lad," said the signalman after the storm subsided. "A few more minutes and there could have been a disaster. Now show me."
They walked quickly back along the yard to where the bogie wagon was stuck.
"Bloody kids! What the hell did you think you were playing at? This isn't a bloody playground."
Simon said nothing. What could he say?
"Come on, back to the box. You're staying with me."
Simon followed him back to the signal box. As they did a police car came into the yard,
and his heart sank.
Of course the police came to the house too and the four boys got a beating from their father. Simon was terrified that he would too, but instead, all he got was a severe telling off. Looking back, perhaps there was a little parental pride that Simon had gone to the signal box and had averted a possible tragedy.
1960/3 New decade
The first Spring of a new decade went well for Simon. He was doing well in the top stream at Hooray Henrys, but never matching Daniel's record, who was never lower than third and very often top in his class. It was, as ever, his Maths that held him back.
Then there was King Henry's attempt at sex education. Daniel had warned Simon about this, saying it was pretty useless, and saying that perhaps he and Simon should run the class. To Simon's shocked look, he added hastily he was only joking.
The sessions were taken by the Divinity teacher, nicknamed 'God's Partner' probably from his surname Pardiner, and seemed centred round establishing marriage as the one and only situation where sex could legitimately take place. Mr Pardiner stumbled along until one day when he was talking incomprehensibly to the class of boys about God's purpose for seed, abuse of the body and the sin of wastage. The class of boys looked at each other, puzzled, the unspoken question, "What's he on about?"
Then Thomas English from the back of the class saw the light.
"Oh, sir. You mean wanking!" he blurted out before he could stop himself. Laughter and uproar ensued, bringing the lesson, and the only formal sex education Simon was ever to receive, to an abrupt end. Mr Pardiner stuck to Divinity after that. Thomas English became a hero for a while, and when he was told about it Daniel thought it was hilarious. He said it just showed how little they really understood their teenage pupils.
Simon's self esteem was boosted by the regard his own scout patrol seemed to have for him. He would spent summer weekends and holidays off on day hikes with them in the Midlands shire countryside, cooking over an open fire. Simon had developed a method of cooking the sausages by setting fire to the fat in the billy can! They cooked quickly and evenly! They made 'dampers' and 'twisters', flour and water baked in front of the campfire, and simply had fun. The other scouts were always wanting to go again. Arthur now regarded Simon as a firm friend, he had completed his tenderfoot and was working hard for the second class badge. And he had done the first aid badge! Sometimes, but not always, Daniel would also come along on these hikes. Daniel did not want to upstage Simon, such as one day when Simon asked Daniel to come on a Harriers Patrol hike.
"I'm going to see my Grandma," said Daniel. "And anyway, I shouldn't come really. I'm not Harriers' PL anymore."
"But you're Troop Leader."
"Which means I can't favour one patrol, even my old one. And they have to see you as Patrol Leader, capable of commanding them without me there."
"They do, I'm sure of it. They think I'm good for persuading you to come along. But you know I've taken them out lots of times without you."
"And that's good, but me being there should be the exception."
"When they call round, whose house do they come to now? They don't call at yours anymore, they come to mine."
"Which proves what I said. They look to you now, and I don't want to spoil that for you. It's your hike, and if I'm there, there just might be doubt in their minds about who is in charge. I do outrank you, remember," he ended, smiling at Simon to draw any sting from that last part. Not that it was needed, their mutual trust and closeness ensured it was simply a statement of fact to help the argument.
"Don't you like coming along, then?" persisted Simon.
"Of course I do. I love it, but yours are the only ones I've been on, and if I keep coming on Harriers' hikes, I'll have to go with other patrols as well, and there's not the time."
"Other patrols don't do their own hikes at weekends," said Simon.
"Maybe not. Well, Eagles did last year but they got washed out. But suppose they did? You'll find out what it's like when you're Troop Leader."
"Me?"
"Of course. You'll be Troop Leader after me. And then you'll have to take all the patrols on hikes," laughed Daniel.
"OK, I give in," said Simon, and then grabbed Daniel and wrestled him to the ground, the fun fight resolving any tension from their discussion. Daniel won of course, as usual. Simon liked it that Daniel played it straight and never let him win on purpose. He knew that Daniel recognised that it would be demeaning for Simon to be allowed a victory and it would render meaningless those times when Simon did actually manage to better Daniel.
A wet weekday summer afternoon, and the boys retired to Daniel's bedroom to quench their needs together. Daniel tenderly running his hands across Simon's willing body, kissing and stimulating, gently entering. Simon welcoming Daniel, his arousal rising rapidly with Daniel's action. Simon was then unaware of the erogenous nature of the prostate but was highly responsive to its effects as together they reached climax, holding close, the fire sweeping through their young bodies, uniting them in unspoken love.
Their lovemaking completed, they lay as one on the bed talking. The conversation covered scouts, school and Francis Chichester's solo Atlantic crossing among other things.
Then Simon asked, "Do you ever think about girls?"
"Yes, sometimes, do you?"
"Sometimes, yes."
"Any girl in particular?" asked Daniel, curious about what had prompted this at this moment as they cuddled naked on the bed.
"No, it's just a sort of general feeling. What about you?"
"Same really. Well, there is one girl, Janice, at the swimming club. She's nice and I talk to her sometimes."
"Is she good looking?"
"I suppose so. She's got short brown hair and brown eyes, and she's really fit. One thing about swimming is you can get a better idea of a girl's figure."
Simon grinned. "So you fancy her, then?"
"Sort of," said Daniel, uneasy about being put on the spot. "But I've got my GCEs to think about this next year and I'm going to get all A grades, so I can't afford to start thinking more about that. And anyway, I've got you."
That raised a spectre in Simon's mind. "But after that? I mean if you start going out with her later on, what about us?"
Simon's apprehensive tone registered with Daniel. "Simon, nothing could affect us, I promise. You're such an idiot."
"You always say that. Do you really think I'm an idiot?"
Daniel looked shocked. "No, absolutely not. If you really were an idiot, I would never hurt you by saying it. I mean, look at some of the scouts. Not all the brightest penny in the shilling, but they are all scouts, they try their best. I try to help them, not show them up."
"Yes, you're good at that. No wonder they all think you're fantastic. I do too. So you like being my friend?"
"Of course I do, Simon, more than anything. Remember something else, too. I know the patrol think you're fantastic. You're a better PL than I was, you do loads more for them. I'm proud to be your friend. You're my best friend."
"I sometimes think I'm not as good as you."
"Why d'you say that? Course you are. They think you are. Remember, you are what other kids say you are. You're fun to be with, you make me laugh more than anyone I know, you're clever – "
"Not as clever as you."
"Oh stop it. I bet you are, just a couple of years younger, that's all. I wish I had your way with words, you're brilliant there. I once told you that you gave me my strength, remember? That's still true. You're so good for me. And you would never let me down, I know that. It's really good having a friend like you, that I know would stand by me whatever."
"Well, you would me, I know that, too."
"That's coz we're friends. And we know each other so well, in every way," Daniel smiled, taking intimate hold of Simon to make the point. "I know I can talk to you about anything, anything at all," he continued. "You know me better than anyone else, even Dad and Mum. I love that about you."
"I love that about you, too.
It's not just sex," said Simon.
"Of course not. Although that's really good too. Having a friend I can trust enough to have sex with and be completely relaxed with is just super. I love it that you know me in every possible way. Don't you?"
"Yes, you're right," said Simon. "I feel just like that too."
"So don't ask if I like being your friend again. Idiot!" he laughed, punching Simon playfully. Simon punched back and their fun fight on the bed released the tension and emotion of their talk, reawakening their arousal.
The summer passed with the friends spending much time together. Daniel did accompany Harriers Patrol on one hike, but Simon led the remainder himself. They were apart as always for the middle two weeks of August, with the Scott family making the annual trip to Salcombe. Simon renewed his friendship with Jack Griffin and his role as ferryman for the group of families using the inboard motor boat Invention. Once more, away from the pressures and possibly temptations at home, Simon's parents did not argue and one could perhaps see why they had got married in 1940. Frances was involved with sailing and spent time with her friends who again were racing the National 12 foot. Simon was happy, his role with Invention providing him with a pivotal role in the group's affairs. He and Jack spent time together, but Simon sometimes missed Daniel, perhaps this year more than before. Jack was a great pal, but just that; there was not the closeness there was with Daniel. But this did not spoil Simon's happiness, and he knew that he would see Daniel again soon.
As always, once back in the tempest that often was his home life, Simon made the countdown calendar to mark off the three hundred and fifty days until the next holiday to Salcombe. And he and Daniel would pick up where they left off, talking about their holidays.
In the new term it was Simon's turn to be a hero. He had been selected to represent the school's athletics club in the 100 yards at the Midland Counties meeting in September. This really marked the climax of the season. Daniel had Simon running and working out in their homemade fitness room, in other words Daniel's room, as well as working on the all important start. The benefits from this training were already evident in his selection, but Simon was determined to make the most of this opportunity and he was strengthened by Daniel's unwavering support.
The Secret Catamite Bk 1, The Book of Daniel Page 22