Westpoint Tales

by Kiwi

Entangled Tales - 36 - Justin & Billy

Back on Thursday, at lunchtime at the school, Jonathan and Toddy were sitting watching the girls playing netball. Toddy saw Daniel walking over the other side, and ran over to speak to him. He returned, alone, a couple of minutes later and flopped down again.

Jonathan looked at him and queried, "Trouble in paradise?"

"What? No. We're okay. Daniel's just a bit down again. I don't know what I can do for him. I hate seeing him get like this."

"What's the trouble then? If it's not you, what's the problem?"

"It's Tony. It's always Tony. I wish he could just forget about him."

"Who the hell is Tony? I haven't met any Tonys."

"No, he's not here. Daniel just moved here from up north. Tony is the friend he had to leave behind, and he's missing him like hell. Everyday something reminds him of Tony and he gets upset all over again."

"Sounds like he's got it bad. Are they gay?"

"No, they're not. It's just that they grew up together - not related, but like twins, like you guys should have been. He's never known a day without Tony, they shared their birthdays, their toys, clothes, everything. They shared their lives and now he's lost him. He's had to come and live here, and he's REALLY missing his best friend."

"Can't he ring him up, or e-mail, MSN, or something? There's lots of ways to stay in touch."

"There is if you want to keep in touch. Tony won't talk to him or answer him in any way. Personally, I think that he must be just as upset as Daniel is, and this is his way of dealing with it - running away. But it's really hurting Daniel. I love Daniel and I hate seeing him like this. If I had the money, I'd fly up there myself and try to sort things out."

"Would you really do that?"

"Yeah, sure I would. Like I said, I love Daniel."

"You do, don't you? Are you two a couple then?"

Toddy looked around to make sure no-one was listening. "Cheese, Jonathan! Keep it down. But, yes, we are a couple. Just don't tell everyone, okay?"

"Don't worry. I'm not going to 'out' you. Thanks for being honest with me. But, Tony eh? And they're not gay?"

"No. I told you - they're like brothers, and he's lost him."

"Well I know what that's like, sort of. I know the hole it leaves behind. You wouldn't mind if this Tony showed up in Daniel's life again?"

"No. I wouldn't mind at all. If it stopped his hurting, I'd be delighted for him."

"You're a good friend Toddy. What's this Tony's name? And where does he live?"

"He's Tony Duncan. He's 15, of course, same as Daniel. He lives in Warkworth, just north of Auckland. His family live up above their café, they've got the 'Riverboat Queen' cafe in the main street in Warkworth."

"Hmm. That should be easy enough to find."

"What d'you mean?"

"I'll tell you a story, Toddy. Before I came here, my little brother was a bit of a sad-arse, right? I mean - he was sick and all, but apart from that, he was a sad-arse. Then I came and his world brightened up. I know that mine did. Now he's got involved with Billy Mathieson."

"He has? I thought there was something going on there. So - Superboy and the Carver kid eh?"

"Yes - Justin and Billy. Sorry, I thought you knew. Keep it quiet, okay?"

"Yes of course okay. But what about them?"

"Well - they had a row and split last Saturday, and Justin was a real misery-guts all week. He wasn't talking to anyone, not even me, and he wouldn't come to school."

"I've noticed that he hasn't been around."

"No, he hasn't. Anyway, yesterday lunchtime, Gran told me to go and get Billy and bring him to Justin."

"Your Gran did that? How cool is that?"

"Yeah, Gran's cool. Will you shut up Toddy! Anyway I did - I dragged Billy around to the Adelphi and shoved them in a room together."

"And now?"

"And now Justin's on top of the world - he's got a grin from ear to ear and he's just so happy. And Billy is too. Billy's still there actually, they spent the night together."

"Good story. But what's the point?"

"The point is, I did something nice. Justin's happy, Billy's happy, and I feel good. So, I'm going to do it again. Daniel's a sad arse. Tony probably is too. The holidays start after tomorrow. I've got the money, I'm going to go and get this Tony and drag him down here to fix things up. Well, we've got the money, Justin and I, but I'm sure he'll agree. It'll be a good thing to do with it, plus, we'll get a bit of a holiday out of it too."

"You're taking Justin with you?"

"Yes of course, if he'll come. I've never been to Auckland, not that I can remember anyway. He used to live there once. But I'm going anyway, even if he won't come. That's provided that he agrees to spend the money, but he will."

"Jonathan, if you would do that, I....."

"If I can do this, I'll be happy too. That's all I want."

"You're a good friend too, Jonathan. Thanks."

"Thank you, Toddy. But don't tell Daniel anything about it - if it works, it'll be a surprise. If it doesn't - well he's better off not knowing."

"I won't tell him, but I want to be there when you bring Tony back."

"Kay - deal."

"Deal."

Jonathan met Justin outside after school. He was there to see Billy off on the bus -- going home. He waited until the bus had gone, then dragged Justin into his car as he 'had to talk business'.

Instead of going home, he drove down to the tiphead and parked there. He told Justin that he wanted to fly to Auckland, to go and get Daniel's Tony. Justin agreed wholeheartedly and said that he'd come, as long as Billy could come too. They could take a couple of days and stay in a motel somewhere. When they went back to the hotel, Justin waited what he thought was long enough, then rang Billy's home. His mother answered, but Billy wasn't home yet.

"No. Wait a minute, Justin. Here they come now. Billy, telephone for you."

A short wait, and Billy got on the phone. "Hello?"

"Billy! Hi. Did you miss me?"

"Justin! I was just thinking about you."

"I'm always thinking about you, Billy."

"Yeah , right. Did you want something? Or are you just welcoming me home?"

"I'm always wanting something Billy."

"Justin!"

"Okay, seriously. Jonathan's going to fly up to Auckland for a couple of days - as soon as he can get tickets, maybe tomorrow. He wants me to come with him and I want you to come too. Would you? Please? Say you will."

"To Auckland? I'd love to Justin, but I can't - I've got no money. So I'll see you when you get back."

"Who said anything about money? It won't cost you anything, this is our treat. We've got lots of money and we're going to spend some. Please say you'll come Billy. It'll just be for two nights, and you did promise that we'd spend as much time together as we can over the holidays."

"That's a low blow. Nobody mentioned flying to Auckland. But, yes I'd love to come, thanks. As long as Mum agrees, I'll be there. Hold on while I ask her."

A couple of minutes later he was back. "Justin? Mum wants to talk to you. She's not saying no, but she's not too keen. Lay on the charm, Justin, lay it on thick. Here's Mum."

Justin spoke to Cecily at some length. She didn't mind Billy going, it was the money she was concerned about. Finally, reluctantly, she agreed, "Just this once." He smiled at Billy's whoops of delight in the background.

Billy got back on the phone. "Ace Justin! She said yes! Great." (whispering) "How did you convince her?"

"I was very charming. And I begged. And I said I'd be very upset if you couldn't come and I'd tell her mother on her."

"You what? You didn't."

"Bloody did."

"Okay - so when are we going? When will we be back?"

"I don't know, and I don't know. It depends on how soon we can get seats on the plane. There's only two planes a day, and they be heavily booked with the school holidays starting. Jonathan's going to the travel agents now. I'll ring you back as soon as we know, okay? Right, 'bye then. I love you Billy."

"Umm, yes. That's good, thanks. Me too."

"Your mother still there is she?"

"That's right , and more."

"More? Your sisters and brothers too?"

"Yes, some. So, I'll talk to you soon."

"Soon as I can. Love you Billy. Bye."

There were no seats available on the planes until Monday morning - 7.15am. to Wellington, making a connection there with a flight to Auckland, arriving 10.30am. So Billy arrived at the Adelphi at lunchtime on Sunday, complete with his luggage.

Justin greeted him gleefully, picked up his case and ran/hobbled off to his room laughing. Billy ran after him protesting and threatening to "throw you out of the bloody window."

This because, Justin had taken one look at his case and told him that he was not taking that - it was far too big to take on the plane. He could only take a small bag that he could carry on, and, besides they were only going for two nights - he didn't need his whole bloody wardrobe. So Justin was going to take out what he needed, and he'd throw the rest out of the window.

When they had disappeared, and the noise faded up the stairs, Crispian smiled at Connors. "So that was the famous Billy, seems like a nice enough kid."

"That was him, Lordship. I dunno, he's got a bad reputation, but Justin really likes him, so I suppose that's all that matters."

Kathleen said, "Our boy's in love, Connors. That's all that matters. Billy is all right. I just hope he's strong enough to handle that iron will of Justin's."

Bob snorted, "In love! I still don't like this Kathy. Well, hopefully it will soon blow over."

"I wouldn't bet on that, Robert. Just take a good look at how he is around that boy. Anyway, all I know is that Justin has never been happier. I don't care about anything else."

Connors said, "The Boss is right, Bob. And this old place has never been so full of life and laughter. If you think back on how it used to be - it was like a morgue around here. Look at it now. Anyhow, I'd better get home and feed my own tribe."

Justin and Billy came back down to collect Crispian. "If you're ready, Lordship, we'll go around to Claire's now. Grandmother, don't worry about dinner for the family tonight. Billy's going to make us some of his burgers - he's got all the fixings in the enormous case of his. We'll just pick up some buns on the way home. Have we got French fries?"

"There's plenty of fries in the freezer, but......"

"But nothing, Grandmother. You've got to try Billy's burgers - they are the best! You too, Crispian. You've never tasted anything like them."

"We are not serving up hamburgers to His Lordship."

Crispian smiled, "Mrs. Reynolds, please. His lordship would love to try these best burgers."

Justin nodded, "So that's settled then. Come on, Lordship, we'll go and see Claire now."

They drove around there in Crispian's car. Eventually, Justin and Billy left him there talking with the Lewis family, and they went for a walk out to the North Beach. Down there, they stood out on the hard-packed sand looking up the long expanse of the beach.

Justin sighed, "I do miss the beach. Can't wait ‘til I'm running again. Are you going to come running with me, Billy?"

"Running with you? Not bloody likely! I've seen you running - I couldn't match that pace, not for 30 seconds."

"When have you seen me running?"

"Early mornings, in the Square. When I snuck down there to watch the 'hot' kid running."

"You came down there to watch me?"

"Course. I had to see to see what everyone's talking about. Besides I've been watching you for weeks - you're hot."

"I've been watching you too. You really are the 'hot' kid."

"I know you've been watching me - friggin' weirdo!"

He ran off, laughing, back towards the end of the beach road. Justin chased after him, then stopped and called out.

"Stop Billy. I can't run yet - I'll bugger up my foot."

Billy stopped and waited for him, grinning as he approached. "Ah. You poor old man, you."

Justin grabbed him and they embraced tightly. But when he tried to kiss him, Billy pushed him away. "Damn Justin! Not in public. Wait ‘til we get back to your room."

"Well, come on then. Let's get back there. I wish I could run."