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The Ghetto, Gone but not Forgotten

Part 1

by N Fourbois

"When I slip my hand up between someone's legs, I expect to feel a pair of bollocks and dick." It was one of those ironic moments when everyone else in the room coincidentally goes quiet and the remark rings out for all to hear. They say it happens when an angel passes and Simon looked at his watch to notice it was twenty to the hour. A great cheer went up with Paul blushing deep red, followed by a round of applause and slowly the pupils got back to eating their lunches. Fortunately the duty master hadn't heard the cause of the uproar.

It was the first day back at school after the long summer holidays and the Cockatoo Club was in full session. Adam and Simon and their chums were recounting their adventures, mainly in foreign parts. Paul Taylor had been telling about the encounter he had had with what he thought was a boy in a Spanish disco only to discover to his shock, embarrassment and surprise that he had been chatting up a girl.

The boys were just starting the two year run up to GCSE with its innate seriousness, but they were re-invigorated from the long break and Adam was looking forward with excitement to competing for a place in the School U15 rugby XV. The week before Simon and Adam had celebrated their birthdays, though on different days, with a combined birthday party which was still being talked about. The name 'Cockatoo Club' had stuck for the small collection of gay boys who lunched at the same table for mutual company and support. One of the main topics of conversation was that Roland Bedford had been withdrawn by his parents after his suspension for going beyond the bounds of acceptability, even at this gay tolerant school, with the str8 younger brother of Tony Legge, a founder member of the Cockatoo Club, which had been officially inaugurated at Adam and Simon's fifteenth birthday party.

Another topic was Ben Carlton, a result of one of those happy coincidences, whom the group had met at the birthday party. The topic had changed to where they had gone for their holidays. Simon's father, Philip van den Berg, had promised that he and Adam could take Tony on holiday with them if they could get the dates right. Circumstances had made it rather late for booking up as most of the decent holidays were sold out. However, Philip talked to the travel agent in London that dealt with his flights and hotels in South Africa and he came up with a rather unusual suggestion. All Philip had to do was sell it to the boys, which he did over Sunday lunch after the end of term.

"Simon, Adam, I've been talking to the travel agent about our holiday. Now we're agreed that we want a sandy beach and chance to relax?" The boys nodded their agreement. "And we've got this window where Tony can come along?" Adam winced at the use of the jargon word 'window'. "All the decent places in Spain and Portugal have been taken which leaves just the tacky kiss-me-quick resorts where our compatriots go to get drunk and vomit in the streets, and so he suggested we tried the Baltic coast, either in Germany, Poland or Lithuania."

"Let's go for Germany so that we can practise our German," said Adam.

"Just a minute," said Simon. 'Isn't that like going north? Won't it be cold?" Adam winced again at the use of the redundant 'like'.

"No, it is going north, not like going north." Simon blushed at being caught out at 'speaking common'.

"That's true," said Philip "but strangely enough, although not as hot as Spain, it will be pleasantly warm, mid-twenties celsius. The Baltic is a comparatively shallow sea and warms up quickly, not only because of that, but because the days are much longer and there's more sunshine. Because of where it is there is not much of a tide and the water is less salty. While it's popular with the people of those countries it doesn't attract many foreign tourists, mainly because no one knows a lot about it and the people there like it that way."

"What do you think, Si?"

"I'm okay with it. What about Tony?"

"Well, it's an extra for him," said Adam "over and above his family holiday. I don't think he's going to complain."

"What about Lucy? Can we take her, Dad?"

"We could these days providing she's got the right papers and injections, but I think it would better to leave her with Mrs Green." After a pause Philip said "Are we all agreed, boys?"

"Fine by me," said Adam.

"And me," said Simon.

"You'd better get in touch with Tony this afternoon and give him time to check it out with his parents and I'll get onto the travel agent first thing tomorrow."

"How are we getting there, Dad?" asked Simon.

"I don't really fancy driving there. It's supposed to be a holiday for me as well. We could catch the train, and while we could cope with Berlin or Hamburg in one day, we'd have to catch another one from there and that's one step too far. We'll fly and I'll organise a hire car from the airport for the fortnight."

Tony got back within ten minutes of getting the call and it was all systems go. His younger brother Will was disappointed that he couldn't come along, but as Tony explained to him, as he wasn't gay he wouldn't really enjoy himself. On the other hand Tony was pleased to have some respite for as much as he loved his little brother he found him terribly demanding and with him around any adventures of a sexual nature would be out of the question.

Finally the Saturday for the off came around. In the afternoon Mrs Legge drove Tony, his luggage and, of course, William to the van den Berg's house. After a cup of tea Tony said goodbye to his mother and brother. Brabazon, the butler, had already stowed all the luggage in Philip's car. It was just a question of killing time. The first stage was to travel to London and spend the night at Philip's club. His car would be safely parked there for the duration of the holiday. Early next morning before the streets were properly aired they took a cab to Victoria Station and then the Gatwick Express to the airport. They would arrive in Hamburg late lunchtime and by the time Philip had picked up the car and they had travelled to Ostseebad Kühlungsborn, to give it its full title, it was late afternoon. They booked into their hotel. The boys had a family apartment with two double bedrooms and Philip had a more than comfortable single room along the corridor. There was no such thing as perfection since the boys got the sea view, but as it was north facing the balcony had little sun, and while Philip's balcony had sun for most of the day, the view was roofs and the treetops. After the travelling all they wanted was simply a shower and a rest. They would meet at seven-thirty for dinner.

As they unpacked Adam and Simon took over one bedroom and left the other one entirely to Tony. Room possession was entirely notional as the beds were big enough for three to sleep intimately, yet comfortably together. Adam took out a large tupperware box which had been filled with 'supplies'. Simon and Adam knew that circumstances would have made it difficult for Tony to come equipped and so they had ordered an extra supply of K-Y gel and condoms in various varieties. A jiffy bag had arrived mail order on impulse from the boys' leafing through the ads in GYmag.

"You never knew what you might need a dildo," Adam had said and it was on his bank card anyway.

"If you want to use one, Tony," said Simon "put a rubber over it first. We've only got soap and hot water to clean it with."

Dinner was a subdued affair as the boys were exhausted from the journey, and getting up early. For Philip it had been a bus ride compared with the long journeys he was accustomed to. The boys went to bed early. It was not yet dark. There wasn't even any hanky panky and Tony started off the night at least sleeping alone in his own bedroom, not something he intended making a habit of during their holiday.

Eight o'clock sharp the following morning the boys were down to breakfast, bright eyed and bushy tailed, dressed in short sleeved shirts, Adam and Simon in shorts, Tony in boardies. There was no question of lying in. Holidays were to be taken seriously and they could do that at home anyway. In fact they beat Philip downstairs. Today they were going to relax on the beach with no greater ambition than to swim and lay the foundations for a suntan. Simon and Adam didn't stop talking, except that is to take the occasional mouthful of food. Tony on the other hand was in rather a dreamy mood, not that the other two noticed. The breakfast room was half full. Pessimists would have described it as half empty. Everything the Sommergästeneeded was provided in the buffet breakfast. All the minimal staff had to do was clear and reset the tables and keep the buffet stocked up. The cause of Tony's silence would not have been apparent to our boys even if they had noticed it for behind them a couple of tables away was a family of four, mother, father, son and daughter. Tony was watching them and how they interacted. If someone had asked him, he wouldn't have realised he was doing it. At a quarter to nine our family returned upstairs to collect their kit - towels, sun block, sunglasses, beach ball, something to read, a rucksack to carry the stuff in - and finally they collected their Lunchpaketein a coolbox. They would buy drinks on the way. Then they left the hotel.

When they reached the beach they turned left. The sun was just about beginning to get warm. The sea was calm, reflecting the blue of the sky, and the air was clear showing the horizon sharply. The first reaction came from Simon.

"What are those funny great basket things?"

"Strandkörbe. Beach baskets," said Philip. "They're peculiar to the Baltic coast. We're going to hire one for the day. They make a good shelter from the wind or the sun and they're a place to keep your belongings. By the way, because it's got Seebadin the official name the town is an official seaside resort and raises a tax on those staying in the resort."

"Do we have to pay that?" asked Adam.

"I do," answered Philip "but you don't because you're under eighteen, and the hotel collects it as part of the room costs. It's €2 a day in the summer. It goes towards keeping the beach clean and providing lifeguards. The next thing is to find a Strandkorbthat hasn't already been booked."

Finally Philip and the boys got settled in their Strandkorb. They were in no hurry to rush into the sea and swim for while the temperature was pleasantly warm it was not yet hot enough to entice them into the sea. They stripped off their clothes leaving the speedos they had put on earlier. They enjoyed cavorting around and posing in front of each other, although they avoided anything overtly sexual in public, and of course in front of Philip. When it came to applying sun lotion there was a minor tussle between Adam and Simon as to who was going to apply it to Tony.

"I'm going to try the water," said Philip. "Anyone coming?"

"Not yet, Dad," called Simon. We want to start our tans." But the truth was he was nursing a boner after massaging Tony and while he didn't mind being in an aroused state with the other two boys around he didn't feel that the German public were ready to be confronted by it.

As Tony lay on his front on his towel enjoying the attention he was receiving Adam took over anointing him with lotion. He slipped his hand under Tony's stomach and groped for the drawstring of his speedo which he deftly undid with consummate experience. He could now pull his costume down over his buttocks and rub them with factor 15. It was surprising the amount privacy these Strandkörbecould afford. Adam could not resist working his finger down his crevice and into his hole.

"I don't think I'm going to get sunburnt in there," giggled Tony.

"As far as I'm concerned that's where the sun shines from," laughed Adam in reply. Simon made a face of mock jealousy.

The three boys decided to sit in the Strandkorband watch Philip swimming. Adam thought what a fine looking man he was for his age and thought of the photos he had seen of Simon's mother and immediately bridged the generation gap by thinking what his Simon would look like in years to come. Since a Strandkorbwas designed to take two German size adults the three boys fitted into it perfectly and the closeness, warmth and slipperiness of their tight bodies didn't fail to take its toll. Simon adjusted himself to make his dick point north which just made matters worse as it stiffened, sneaked past the waistband and started looking around and blinking in the sunlight.

"Oh for goodness' sake put it away," said Tony. "We can't take you anywhere."

"You can talk," protested Simon as he gave Tony's bulge a gentle tweak which just made it throb harder and larger. Adam sat there laughing, unknowingly nursing a damp patch in his bright red speedos.

"You were quiet this morning, Tony," said Adam.

"Oh, was I?" he replied innocently. His deep blush revealed that 'innocently' was not quite the right word in that context, but he wasn't prepared to say any more. "Okay, I'm going for a swim. Last one in the water's gay," he shouted, leapt up and ran into the sea.

"S'pose he's right there," said Adam looking at Simon and at that they sedately walked down the sand hand in hand and entered the water. The first meeting of their mutual admiration society was over.

By four o'clock the family thought they had spent sufficient time on the beach and they noticed that the other bathers were packing up and leaving.

"Of course, you know what the Germans do at four o'clock, don't you?" said Philip. Blank stares. "Everything stops for coffee and cake, Kaffee und Kuchen. Do you want to go native?"

"Sounds good to me," said Adam.

"Can we have ice cream instead?" asked Tony.

"Of course." They made their way up the beach and looked for the nearest Konditorei. "Okay, you all learn German at school. Who's going to order?"

"They all speak English," said Tony. Sharp intake of breath through teeth and deprecating looks from the other three.

"Looks to me as if you have just volunteered, Tony," said Simon.

"It should be compulsory for anyone who wears boardies," said Adam.

"Especially when he's hot and gay," added Simon. Philip pretended he had not heard the last remark. Tony realised he had been stitched up.

The order was taken and the drinks arrived.

"Not many kids about who are our age," remarked Simon.

"That may be because they're not on holiday here yet," said Philip.

"What do you mean?"

"In Germany they stagger the six week break from June to September according to where you live so that the whole country's not on holiday at the same time. That way the resorts and roads are not so packed and production keeps going. Also I think today we were among older people. German children don't go to school in the afternoon and we didn't see a whole lot arrive after lunch, did we?" The boys knew that when Simon had said 'kids' he meant eye candy, but they always tried to respect Philip's tolerance and not to embarrass him, though on occasions they might well forget themselves.

After they left the Konditoreithey returned to the hotel feeling tired, but this was a different sort of tiredness, the healthy sort felt after a day outdoors in the sun and after exercise, where the skin glows, and they all felt the absorbed sun radiating back out of them. On reaching their room Tony said

"I must shower this salt out of my hair," and he produced a range of shampoos and lotions from his luggage. Unfortunately the showers were very much the one-man cabinet type and even if two bodies could have squeezed into it there would have been little room left to have any fun. Stripped off the three boys could see the beginnings of a tan with the lines where their speedos had covered them becoming clear. While they waited for Tony to attend to his hair, Simon and Adam lay naked on their bed and one thing led to another with some deep kissing and the rubbing of boners against each other.

"Oh, are you two at it again?" said Tony as he came out of the bathroom, his towel wrapped round his head.

"Again?" said Adam. "We haven't had the opportunity since Saturday morning." Tony did look fantastic, he thought to himself, small but perfect in every detail. Perfect in every detail yes, he replied to himself, but certainly not small. In the trouser department he was the biggest of the three, compensating for what he lacked in stature, although ironically Adam, the smallest, always gave the best display. In absolute terms, however, he was no way small. In any case, Simon was more than content with it.

"You can come and join us," said Simon, "but you might need another shower afterwards by the time we've finished with you."

"Boasting," retorted Tony. "Let me go and put the hair dryer over my locks first. I don't want them all matted." While he was in his room drying his hair, Adam remarked to Simon

"You know, he is absolutely stonkingly beautiful, but I suspect William is going to be even more so once the equipment arrives."

"I think you might just be right, and yet I still have that picture in my mind of their sister in her jodhpurs str8 out of the Thelwell cartoons."

"Nature can be cruel. Still we must stop being bitchy."

"Oh, I do love being gay," said Simon. "I just think how lucky I am to be attracted to you instead of say Angelica."

"Or Tony."

"Or William...;"

"Uh uh, don't even go there. He's too young and str8."

"Too young, yes, but str8...; I just have this strange intuition that it won't be too long before he's a fully paid up member of the Cockatoo Club."

"Fully paid up member?" said Tony as he returned from his room fully dressed in his birthday suit. "Who's that?"

"Doesn't matter," said Simon. With that Tony climbed in between them. The next thing they knew it was seven o'clock. They were meeting Philip for dinner at half past and Adam and Simon weren't even showered.

Philip was already installed at the table they were sitting at for breakfast. More staff were on duty and one waiter was more than pleased to show the boys to their table. When he came to serve them he explained that Monday evening was always a buffet as it was chef's day off and that he would take orders for drinks. Again Tony grew silent, but a little brighter than he had been at eight in the morning. Simon and Adam soon noticed and turned round to look in the direction Tony was staring. Naturally it was at the family of four who had previously been seated there for breakfast. Adam and Simon gave each other a knowing look and Philip soon caught on though he pretended not to.

"A penny for them," said Adam.

"For what?" said Tony jolted out of his dreamworld. "Oh, nothing." His deep blush gave everything away.

"That nothing dressed in the white short sleeved shirt?" asked Simon. Philip wished he could become the Invisible Man or at least have a newspaper he could hide behind. He just wanted to burst out laughing, but controlled himself with a smile. Simon got his father to change seats. Now Philip was no longer able to see what was going on and Simon had a view of the action. At that moment the family decided go to the buffet and select their starters. Six eyes followed the young man. There must have been a source of UV light in the room for although the lighting in general was pretty low the white of his shirt glowed in contrast to the black conventional figure-hugging trousers he was wearing. Our boys thought as a man it was the moment to select their food. They crowded round the boy and to their amazement they heard him and his family speaking English. They said nothing, but were certainly more interested in him than in their food. He was about Tony's height and had a very compact body. His trousers hugged his hips and outlined his butt perfectly. They tried to manœuvre themselves into a position where they could inspect his package. There was nothing subtle about them, but either the boy didn't notice or he was unperturbed. As he turned to go back to his table, he hesitated, stared at Tony and went on his way. Tony had a split second to study his face. It was ordinary, and yet...; it was not ordinary. It had a simple attractiveness, the features even, the skin tanned, yet clear, his eyes were large, blue-grey with more blue than grey, his hair fair, sandy coloured rather than blond, parted in the middle, his torso tight and well shaped down to his waist. Tony immediately detected some telepathy going on between them. They didn't speak, but gave each other a brief, coy smile of recognition before going their separate ways. Simon and Adam could only see Tony's face, but recognised immediately that something was happen ing to Tony. They were too inexperienced to realise it was a hormone storm.

Seated back at their table, waiting for Philip to return, Adam said

"Well?"

"Well, what?' retorted Tony.

"You fancy him?"

"Mmm."

"Mmm nothing," said Simon. "You fancy him."

"Might do."

"Well, I tell you we do," said Adam.

"You're not supposed to. You're a married couple," said Tony truculently.

"Not yet," said Simon.

"What are you going to do about it?" hissed Adam. Tony thought.

"Next time he goes up to the table I'm going to speak to him." Philip had come in on the latter part of the conversation and resigned himself to the fact that he was not going to get a word of sense out of any one of the boys during the meal. 'Oh, adolescents!' he thought to himself and got on with his smoked salmon.

Tony wolfed down his pâté not wanting to find the other boy selecting his main course before he was finished. As soon as the boy moved towards the table he got up. Simon was just about to get up, but Adam held him back. Tony made sure he took his plate from the plate warmer at the same time.

"After you," said Tony.

"After you," said the stranger.

"What's the food like here?"

"I don't know. We arrived late last night after dinner had finished."

"How long are you staying for?"

"A fortnight."

"So are we."

"Are they your brothers you're with?"

"No, my best friends."

"Are they brothers?"

"Well, sort of. By adoption. It's a bit more complicated than that." Tony was fascinated by the lad's voice. It was deep and gravelly, not unpleasant, but to Tony it was heaven. Meanwhile the others had joined them and said hi. They got on with the job of filling their plates and went and sat down.

"Well?" said Simon.

"You're not starting that again, are you? I spoke to him and that was it."

"Simon, Adam," said Philip "leave the poor boy alone and let him get on with enjoying his food." Enjoying his food was the last thing Tony was doing. His mind was elsewhere. After a few moments Adam started up again.

"Tell you what, Tony. When we get our pudding we'll tell him we're going play pool in the games room and ask him if he'd like to make up a foursome."

"Hey, that sounds a great idea. I'm cool with that."

"Is that all right, Dad, if we go off and play pool?" said Simon.

"It's all right by me. You're on holiday. Enjoy yourselves."

The boys timed their main course magnificently and the two families converged at the sweet table. Adam did the dirty deed.

"Hi, I'm Adam. We were wondering if after dinner you'd come and make up a foursome at pool with us. It's a bit awkward with three." It was easy for Adam. For one he didn't have an ulterior motive and those months in the orphanage had taken away any shyness he might have had and put him at ease in communal life.

"I'll have to ask my parents first." Meanwhile they had returned to their table. He went off.

"Mum, is it okay if I go and play pool with that family on the table over there? They're English."

"That's all right, dear, but it means their father will be left on his own. Go across and invite him join us for coffee." In a trice it was all arranged. He would go down to the games room with our boys and Philip would have coffee with his family.

Desserts eaten and drinks consumed - the desserts were not quite like English puddings - the boys disappeared down to the basement and Philip went across and introduced himself to the boy's family. Fortunately the pool table was free. There didn't seem to be many young people in the hotel at the moment. Once there Adam took charge.

"We haven't introduced ourselves. I'm Adam, but you know that, Adam Simon Neave van den Berg to be absolutely correct."

"You're pulling my string," said the boy trying not to laugh.

"No, it's true. Only for a few weeks though and I've got a brand new passport to prove it. I used to be Adam Neave."

"Which?" he said still thinking they were taking him for a ride.

"Adam. This is Simon van den Berg, my brother by adoption, and this is Tony Legge, our best friend."

"And I'm Ben Carlton." They shook hands with Ben and then got on with the serious busy of a pool game except...; except that Tony was sure he'd felt Ben's finger stroke the palm of his hand. No, it was just wishful thinking.

Meanwhile back in the dining room a similar conversation was going on at the Carltons' table. They were introducing themselves with the further surprise that the Carltons lived eight miles down the road from the van den Bergs and that Ben and his sister went to school in the neighbouring city. Isabella Carlton asked if she could be excused as she wanted to wash her hair and read her book before going to bed. Peter and Judith Carlton found plenty in common to talk about and he and Philip talked about having a round of golf together, but from the look Judith gave them it would have to wait until they got back to England.

Downstairs the pool game was in full swing. Adam had made sure that he partnered Simon so that Tony and Ben would team up. As he lined up a shot Tony felt his butt being stroked and patted. Without looking up he exclaimed

"Hey, Simon, I've told you before that distracting a player while he's taking a shot is bad form." He heard some giggling and after taking his shot looked up to see both Adam and Simon on the other side of the table. The game over Adam suggested

"Who's for some drinks? My treat." The other three put in their orders for Colas and Adam continued "Si, can you come and give me a hand, please?" Simon immediately realised the score and willingly went off with Adam. "What do you think, Si?"

"I think we've got a match. The way Ben was staring at Tony during dinner showed he was interested. Let's suggest we go off swimming together tomorrow. Dad won't mind providing we ask first."

"We'll see what we can find out in a minute." When they got back downstairs Tony and Ben were sitting on a couch together. The body language told all. Simon and Adam handed out the drinks and sat down in armchairs. After taking sippers Ben asked the question he'd been burning to ask.

"Hey, guys, why are you all wearing those gay pride bracelets?"

"We'll give you one guess," said Adam.

"You're not...; Are you...;?" Ben seemed to have some difficulty getting his words out.

"Go on. You can do it, Ben," Adam and Simon encouraged. Finally he said it.

"You're gay. You're all gay." A cheer went up and the other people in the games room looked round to see what was happening. "I don't believe it."

"Give any one of us a kiss and we'll have your trousers off in five minutes," said Simon.

"Phew, that's a relief. You see, I am too, but I don't get to meet any other gay people. I knew you were as soon as I saw you in the restaurant this morning. I've got gaydar."

"Don't you know any at school?"

"No, it's not a thing we can talk about. You can become an outcast or even get set upon."

"That's sad," said Tony. "We can be quite open about it at our school and some of us have formed ourselves into a support group."

"It's not official of course," said Simon. "We refer to ourselves as the Cockatoo Club." Ben burst out laughing. It didn't have to be explained to him.

"So you're not out?" said Adam.

"I am at home, but not at school. It's so difficult. I just have to see a boy I fancy and I've got a great big stiffie. It can be so embarrassing when you're changing for games."

"We haven't got that problem," said Tony.

"So your gaydar hasn't found anybody for you at school?" asked Adam.

"It has, but to act on it would be social suicide."

"Hey, would you like to come to the beach with us tomorrow?"

"Yeah, but I'll have check first."

"We ought to be getting to bed," said Simon. "We'll see you at breakfast tomorrow. They said good night. Tony lingered. Adam and Simon wandered on ahead holding each other's hand by the little finger. Tony looked at his new friend. He was still dressed immaculately, his black trousers making an impressive silhouette. He took a quick look around. The games room was empty now and he kissed Ben on the cheek.

The boys found Philip in the hotel lounge still talking to Peter and Judith Carlton. They said good night to them and went upstairs. On the way they showed Ben their room. He was in a family room with his parents and sister. Ben kissed Tony on the cheek and went off to his own room.

"Who'd have believed it and on the very first day of our holiday?" said Simon. As they got undressed for bed Adam suggested

"Tony, I think you're going to need something very special tonight to calm you down and Simon and I are in just the right mood to do it. Tony shuddered as they slicked up his butt with the cold K-Y. He submitted himself fully to their attentions and they were sufficient to allow him to sleep through to the morning between them without waking. When he woke and scratched his balls, as was his wonted custom, he wondered why pubes were matted and his groin felt sticky. Then he remembered the wonderful evening Simon and Adam had given him. Oh dear, they had forgotten the condoms.

The following morning the Carltons were down to breakfast before the van den Bergs. Ben was cheerful. He had great day to look forward to, going off with Tony and his friends. He had spent a restless night in anticipation. His sister had one bedroom, his parents the other and he had to sleep on the sofa bed in the living room. The only problem was lack of privacy as the rest of the family would pass through on their way to the bathroom and by heck, didn't he just need some privacy at the moment. As he lay awake, the throbbing between his legs in response to his meeting Tony would not abate and he dared not try the time proven method of appeasing it with the possibility of being caught at it at any moment. The eventual relief arrived in the shower in the morning and his orgasm came with the promise of something more substantial later on in the day.

Ben's cheerfulness at breakfast was counterbalanced by his sister's moodiness.

"Isabella, is anything the matter, dear?" enquired Judith Carlton.

"No."

"PMT," said Ben.

"Ben, please. We just do not mention such things."

"Sorry, Mum. I forgot. That was last week. Must be MT."

"Benjamin! Enough." The two Carlton women scowled at him. "We don't mention your bodily functions at the meal table."

"I'm not having any bodily functions," Ben replied irrepressibly. "At the moment." He grinned. Nothing, but nothing was going to ruin his mood this morning. Peter Carlton was fortunate to be selecting his food at the buffet.

"If you must know," said Isabella waspishly "I come here on holiday to meet some new people...;"

"Boys," interrupted Ben. Only one scowl this time.

"...;and what do I see sitting two tables away? Only the three hunkiest guys in Europe. Then just as life promises to get interesting I discover they're all as queer as my baby brother and he's set up for the rest of the holiday." Isabella got up and stomped across to the buffet to refill her coffee cup and seek some solace in her father.

"Ben, you really must be a bit more sensitive towards your sister when it's that time of the month," his mother whispered in his ear. At that point there was a loud "Morning" and "Hi" as the van den Berg party arrived.

"Hi," said Ben as he got up and hugged the three boys, which did not exactly help the previous situation.

"Morning," said Judith and Peter. "I gather we're losing our son today, Philip," continued Judith.

"I'm losing my three as well," Philip answered.

"So what are you going to do with yourself all day?"

"I'll find something. I can go off in the car somewhere."

"Well, why don't you join us? I don't know what we're doing yet, but at least you won't be on your own."

"You know," said Philip "I might just do that. I'll sort the boys out and come and have a chat." There was an ironic reversal of rôles as Philip asked the boys whether they minded if he went off with the Carltons for the day.

After breakfast the four lads went upstairs to Simon, Tony and Adam's room. They cleaned their teeth and got their things together.

"What do I need to bring?" said Ben.

"A big towel and your speedos and go and order a packed lunch at reception," said Adam.

"We've got plenty of time as we want the sun to get up a bit," added Simon.

"Anything else we need we've got," said Tony. "Coolbox, drinks we get on the way, big rucksack and placky bags for all our stuff, K-Y...;" There was a sudden silence and Adam and Simon stared at him.

"What?" said Tony wondering what was wrong.

"Do you realise what you just said, dickhead?"

"No."

"Well, we don't normally take K-Y to the beach, do we?" said Adam.

"Is that what I said?" Simon and Adam nodded in an exaggerated fashion. "I meant sun lotion," he stuttered.

"Freudian slip," said Adam.

"What's that?" asked Ben

"What? A Freudian slip?"

"No," said Ben. "K-Y." The other three stood there opened mouthed.

"It's lube," said Simon, "lubricant. You use it during sex on bits that rub together so that you don't get too much friction and it hurts."

"Oh," said Ben nonplussed, and after a pause, "By the way I didn't bring any speedos. I only use them at school."

"What!" squealed Simon. "Darling, I wouldn't be seen dead on the beach in anything else," and struck a pose, one hand on his hip and his forefinger on his chin supporting a pout. Meanwhile Adam went to his closet and returned with a light blue pair of his.

"Use these." Then an aside to Tony. "Should be fun. They're a bit small, but they've got lots of lycra in them and they stretch and cling tight to all the important places." Ben went off to his room to get his kit and to put the speedos on.

Finally they were ready to go and after receiving instructions from respective parents concerning dos and don'ts they wandered out of the hotel towards the beach. When they got there they decided to turn right this time, away from the Strandkörbeand onto the open beach. Despite the inevitable sunbeds complete with towels there was plenty of space for them to set up their pitch. The first job was to slap on the sunscreen. Simon and Adam, old hands, just got on with it. Ben was a little uncertain, but with help and encouragement from Tony he soon removed his shirt and lay down on his towel. Ben was in heaven as he felt Tony kneading the lotion into his back and was glad he was lying on his stomach as he felt his erection growing with every stroke of Tony's hands. When he reached the small of his back he pulled down Ben's shorts and speedo to reveal a small, but significant bubble butt which Tony continued to anoint and using his experience went on to slide his finger down Ben's crevice and into his hole. He had crossed the first boundary and apart from the occasional involuntary groan he succeeded without meeting any resistance or protest. Adam and Simon admired this virgin butt which they were viewing for the first time and in order not to disturb the image Adam volunteered to put the lotion on Tony. With the throb of his dick fighting the speedos Ben was grateful the others allowed him to stay there lying on his towel. The sun was starting to warm the boys' bodies and they were content to remain lying there chatting or dozing, permitted to do what adolescents need to do from time to time, that is idle their time away, perhaps with the occasional daydream.

However, for adolescents idleness has its limits and the time will soon come when they have to play with a ball, or chase one another or in this case swim. Adam got up and shouted

"Anyone coming for a swim?" Tony and Simon immediately got up and ran down the sand and into the water. Not knowing the routine Ben had to take his shorts off and re-arrange himself in his speedo after the excitement of the sun lotion. Our canny boys stood in the water and watched him run down towards them. This was the moment our keen boy watchers, particularly Tony, had been waiting for - Ben in Adam's light blue speedos - and they were not disappointed. He filled them, perhaps overfilled them, but neatly. His package was perfectly formed, round, and size apart as yet gave no indication what it contained. For further delights they had to be patient.

"He must be a dancer," said Adam as an aside to Simon "the way he's tucked them up." They clapped him as he eventually splashed into the water and the boys ran into deeper water and started to swim.

After they'd had their fun in the water it was time to dry off and have their picnic lunch. Simon organised the coolbox and the food and drinks. Tony was absolutely useless as he had been bitten by the lovebug and he just spent his time ogling at and talking to Ben. The creature he saw in front of him was despite his height thickset and solidly built without one ounce of fat. The potential of the muscle was there with the vague outlines of an incipient sixpack and his small but solid pecs each crowned with a neat small brown nipple. His navel was a firm, but definite outie. The inspection, however, was not one way for Ben was absorbing the three examples of male beauty which were surrounding him and again the tight light blue lycra was betraying his inner thoughts as it did battle with his waking trouser snake.

"Hey, you three are wearing the same speedos," said Ben, anxious to divert the attention away from himself.

"Yeah, they're our school regulation ones," said Tony. "We wore our others yesterday."

"I thought I recognised them. You see, my school has swimming matches against yours."

"So which school do you go to?" asked Tony.

"The cathedral school in the city."

"Oh, we play them at hockey," said Simon.

"And rugby," added Adam.

"They do really good lunches and teas at your school," said Ben.

The conversation and lunch continued. The boys were clearly divided into pairs now and it was difficult to tell whether Tony was chatting up Ben or Ben was chatting up Tony.

"Were you in trouble when we came down to breakfast this morning?" asked Tony.

"Not really. It was just that my sister was being a bit of a pain. That's nothing new, but I don't see why she should get away with it all the time."

"What was up with her?"

"Two things basically. One it's the wrong day of the month, and I was silly enough to mention it, and two she's jealous because you're the only three guys she's met since she's been here and we're all gay."

"If she's like that," said Adam "it's enough to turn any str8 guy gay."

"I don't know why she moans. She gets the best of everything. In the hotel she's got the bedroom and I have to sleep on the sofa bed in the sitting room. I can't even have a wank in case I get caught or stain the sofa. Have you guys got brothers and sisters?"

"There's only us two," replied Simon "and we're still learning to be brothers."

"I've got an older sister," said Tony "and she's great. She's really like a...; like a...; well, like a sister to me. She helped me a lot when I was coming out, and I've got a younger brother who's absolutely adorable, even though he can be a bit of pain at times."

"He's like Tony, but twice as hyped up," said Simon.

"Lads, I've got an idea. What do you think about inviting Ben to our room for a sleep over? We've got plenty of space."

"You forward little hussy," said Adam teasing.

"Sounds good to me," answered Simon. "Do you think your parents would let you?"

"One way to find out," said Ben. "Do you go on sleep overs?"

"Quite often...; now we've persuaded Brabazon that our guest doesn't have to sleep in a spare room."

"Brabazon?" said Ben surprised.

"He's our butler," said Simon, leading him on. "Doesn't everybody have a butler?"

"Just Brabazon. He hasn't even got another name," said Tony. The boys got on with their picnic.

"What are we going to do this afternoon?" asked Simon.

"Let's explore along the beach," said Adam.

"Mum told us that this is the biggest seaside resort in Germany," said Ben "and the promenade is the longest. Three and a half kilometres."

"Just over two miles," said Tony. "They ought to come and see some of ours."

"That's the point," continued Ben. "When it was Communist East Germany they weren't allowed to in case they didn't come back and so you'd get one and a half million holidaymakers here each year. That was more than twenty years ago and they've done a lot of alterations since and people are allowed to go abroad for their holidays."

As they walked eastwards, leaving the town behind them, the beach was becoming clearer. It was not long before they saw a large notice: 'Achtung. FKK-Strand 100m'

"What's that all about, Adam?" Coming originally from another school he had been learning German longer than Tony and Simon, and Ben didn't know either.

"Well, Strandis beach, and Achtungis attention. I've seen FKK somewhere, not at school, but in the hotel somewhere. I'll think of it in a minute." They looked up to see a wooden barrier set up from the shoreline to the promenade where there was a gate and a little hut. They walked up to the gate when a uniformed woman attendant came up to them.

"Tag, meine Jungen. Ausziehen."

"Now I remember what FKK means," said Adam. "There are leaflets in the hotel. Of course, this is a nudist beach." Ben looked a bit doubtful, but the others said fine, slipped off their speedos, leaving Ben little option but to do the same. They were then allowed through the gate. They had to walk a little way before they found other people sitting on the beach or swimming in the water. Our three, by now all experienced boywatchers, wanted to do the same thing, but a sense of good manners prevented them. This was of course their first opportunity to inspect the goodies that Ben's speedo had the privilege of safekeeping. Naturally Ben's curiosity did not remain unaroused either. Under different circumstances they would have joked and laughed about being on a nudist beach, but now they were here the place lent a natural seriousness and responsibility. They did, however, become conscious of their tanlines and talked about how this would be a great opportunity to get rid of them. They found a place to settle and as first priority applied sun lotion, although this was confined to self-anointing as there was no protection from the unwanted stiffie, and they were sure that erections would definitely be against the beach rules.

"I'm impressed with how cool you guys were about stripping off," said Ben.

"It's no big deal really," said Adam. "I lived in an orphanage for six months and there are no secrets there. Then we get changed at school five or six times a week and shower together."

"Tony spends a lot of time at our place," came in Simon " and we skinny-dip in our pool."

"And when we sleep together we sleep in the nude," added Tony.

"What? You sleep naked together?"

"It would be much too hot to wear pyjamas if we're together - body heat."

"And do you do stuff together in bed?"

"Of course, Ben," said Adam. "What's the point of suffering all the disadvantages of being gay, if we don't have the fun as well?"

"And do you go all the way?"

"Shag do you mean?" said Simon.

"Well...; er...; yes." Ben was visibly impressed. Because he had become the centre of attention it was now quite legitimate to check him out and he passed muster. He sported a pair of round balls, close to his body, but still loose, apricots rather than plums, too large to suck, and a plump dick, not as long as Tony's, but still to be admired. In the warmth of the sun, or had it been caused by the topic of conversation his foreskin had rolled back, but he was clearly uncut and was that a pearl of precum glistening in the sun? His pubic hair was neat. It could almost have been trimmed, but it wasn't, with a neat horizontal line at the top with no trace of a treasure trail, dark brown hair despite his sandy coloured head of hair, and his short and curlies really were short and curly. Anticipating the possibility of an unwanted erection he said

"I'm going for a swim. Who's coming?" Unable to resist a challenge the others jumped up and ran after him making a great splash as they ran into the sea.

They swam for about half an hour and then went back to their pitch to dry themselves off. Adam looked at the direction of the sun and then at his watch.

"I reckon we've got half an hour to work on our tanlines, then we ought to be getting back." Adam and Simon lay down together and promptly dozed off in the warmth of the sun. Tony and Ben lay down facing one another, Ben feeling a little inner contentment now that he had been able to check out his new found friends, and was impressed. They could hardly stop staring at each other, or more precisely into each other's eyes.

"You will ask your parents if you can come a sleep over with us, won't you?" Ben nodded. They held hands, they stroked one another, not trusting themselves to kiss. There would be plenty of time for that later. Ben eventually looked at his watch.

"Hey, you two, wake up or we'll be late back." Simon and Adam opened their eyes, then started to gather their things together. The four made their way westwards towards the keeper's hut and the gate. Adam and Simon let Ben and Tony wander a few paces ahead.

"Just look at them," said Simon. "They make a perfect couple. I adore Ben's body shape."

"Look. They're holding hands."

"No PDAs."

"I think it's allowed in Germany. I hope Ben does stay in our room. Sex is fun, but I really do need to make love to you tonight, just the two of us together, undisturbed."

"I know what you mean. If Ben doesn't, we'll have to ask Tony to give us some space."

Meanwhile they had reached the gate and the hut. They put on their speedos, shirts and shorts, passed through and politely said Auf Wiedersehento the Walkyrie guarding the entrance.

"Good luck." she said.

"Thanks," replied Tony automatically and realised he had been caught out by the same trick that was used in The Great Escape, not that it was a matter of life and death here, but he felt foolish and the others did nothing to alleviate that feeling with their laughter.

"Do you think we should tell our parents we've been on the nudist beach?" asked Ben.

"Dad won't mind," said Simon. "He knows that we go skinny-dipping with our friends in our pool at home."

"Don't say anything in front of mine. I've got to work on that one and I would like to come here again."

They arrived back at the hotel and went upstairs to dump their kit. No sign of their parents in their rooms, then Simon had an idea.

"Follow me, lads." They went back downstairs and out onto the hotel patio. There they were - Kaffee und Kuchenat four. They were greeted enthusiastically by their loved ones and Judith Carlton asked what they had been up to.

"My, you've caught the sun. I hope you haven't overdone it. You did use your sun lotion, didn't you?"

"Sit down, boys," said Peter Carlton. "Ices for you all?" The boys all answered with a 'yes, please' and the waiter was duly summoned. They talked about what they had done and asked the boys what they had been doing. Even Isabella seemed to have cheered up since breakfast.

"Now listen, everyone," said Philip. "Don't make any plans for Thursday because we're all going to Berlin for the day. By train. It will mean getting up a little earlier. The train goes at seven and we get back about eleven at night. So that just about covers it."

At five the party split up and agreed to meet for dinner at 7.30. Ben followed his parents up to their room. Not only did he have the crucial question to ask, but he needed to rinse the salt out of the blue speedo Adam had lent him, not that they had to be returned immediately for they were now on permanent loan for the rest of the holiday.

"Don't you think we ought to go and buy a pair, Ben? So that you have your own."

"If that's all right."

"Peter, I'm just off to buy Ben some bathers. We'll only be half an hour or so."

"I'm going to have a beer on the balcony until it's time to get ready for dinner." Ben wanted to keep his parents on side. So he was happy to let his mother take him off shopping. It gave him exactly the opportunity he wanted to talk about spending the night with the van den Berg family group.

"So what sort of day have you had?" asked his mother.

"Great. We did a lot of sunbathing,"

"I can see that."

"We swam, played with the beach ball, then we had lunch. Afterwards we went exploring farther up the coast, lay in the sun some more and swam. Then it was time to come back."

"Did you come across the nudist beach?"

"There was something there behind some barriers."

"There's another one in the opposite direction. The Germans like that sort of thing. Before you and your sister came along your father and I have swum on them. Not here, of course. You couldn't come here easily till 1990 because this was East Germany and very restricted. I wouldn't say it was impossible. They just made it difficult with all the red tape - forms and getting money - and I gather it was pretty drab."

"I can't imagine you and Dad being nudists."

"We were younger then and I can't imagine Isabella joining in the spirit of things. It's just not her. Not sophisticated enough for her. I can imagine you doing it, though." Ben blushed. "Or does the gay thing worry you?"

"Not that...; except for getting caught looking at the...; er...; wrong things...; as it were." He realised what he had said and blushed deeper. He also wanted to change the subject as he realised he could be getting into deep water. "You know Tony and Adam and Simon live near us?"

"So I hear from Philip."

"And they go to school nearby. We play them at sport. And they've got a butler. Not Tony because he's from a different family. Just Simon and Adam."

"I didn't know that."

"He's called Brabazon and that's the only name he's got." Judith smiled. "And by the way, I nearly forgot. They asked me to go on a sleep over with them in their room tonight. Is that all right?"

"I suppose so. Have they got enough space?"

"Yes, there's three of them in a room for four."

"Okay. It will save us disturbing you in the night." Meanwhile they had reached the shops and Ben started looking for a speedo he liked. He wanted a particularly sexy one, low cut in a bright colour, for he was not just buying it for himself.

Ben couldn't wait to go down for dinner to tell our boys the news. When finally he went down with his family the van den Bergs were having a drink in the lounge and the waiter showed them to a table for eight. He was overjoyed at this and made sure he was sitting next to Tony. The waiter brought the menus and took the drinks order. The company was lively as they talked about what they had been doing. The adults had discovered the narrow gauge railway and had taken it into Bad Doberan, the next town. This is how the idea of going to Berlin had come up. But first Ben had to tell the boys he could spend the night in their room. As the conversation progressed and after what his mother had told him he felt emboldened to mention that they had actually been on the nudist beach. Philip took the news dispassionately. There was little that could shake him. Mr and Mrs Carlton looked at one another and smiled; Isabella looked down her nose, her lips said nothing, but her face told all. Ben patted Tony's hand and said quietly

"It's okay, tell you later." With the eight of them there, the meal was more leisurely and took longer. When they had finished Ben fetched his overnight things for the sleep over. Just before he went on his way, his father said

"Remember you won't be able to sleep over the following night because we've got to get up early the next morning and I want to make sure we're all ready on time."

"Okay, Dad." As he walked into our boys' room, Tony pointed at his pyjamas and laughing said

"You won't need those."

"I know, but Mum and Dad don't know that and that's the way I want to keep it."

Since it was still light, the boys went outside to kick a football around, but not too energetically after their evening meal. There was still more than a glimmer of light in the sky when they decided to go to bed. As they walked to their room, Tony held Ben back, looking gravely into his eyes.

"You are okay for a bit of fun tonight, aren't you?" Ben nodded. "Have you ever had fun with a boy before?" Ben shook his head. "Never?"

"Never," he answered.

"I've spoken to Simon and Adam and we've agreed that none of us want disturbing tonight. You see they're not just adopted brothers, but boyfriends and they do it to one another, all the way."

"What? Fu...;?"

"Uh! We never use that word because it's a swearword and crude. Shag, yes, if we're just talking about the activity, but they make love together, and they really do love one another, like Popeye and Olive Oyl, Romeo and Julian."

"You mean Juliet?"

"I would do if they weren't both boys."

The boys reached their quarters. Adam and Simon went off to their bedroom after saying good night. Ben said he was going to have a shower.

"No, don't do that," said Tony. "I want to enjoy the smell of your body, lick the sea salt off if there's any left. Now you're sure you've never done stuff with a boy?"

"No."

"Kissed one?"

"Never."

"Kissed a girl?"

"Only my sister and that's bad enough." With the door closed Tony took Ben by both hands, led him across to it and leant him against it. Ben was already beginning to react to Tony's body by breathing more slowly, yet more deeply. Tony's voice became a hoarse whisper.

"Put your arms round my waist and your hands on my butt. Not yet, but when you're ready you can pull me in." They stood there and tried to look into each other's face, but they were too close and their eyes could not focus. Tony gently kissed Ben's lips. "Okay?" Ben grunted. "This time we're going to kiss for a little longer and if our mouths open, the important thing is not to close them until the kiss is over." Ben found Tony's breath sweet and it urged him on. Their mouths met again, but this time they opened. Ben could feel Tony's tongue and his came to meet it. For a few seconds there was a little battle, but Ben gave way and let Tony's tongue in. At the same time he found his cock was expanding into a stiffie and without further thought he pulled Tony into himself and discovered that his trousers too were concealing an erection. Tony held him tighter. Ben had never felt anything like this before. Whatever he did he could not get enough of Tony and wanted more, wanted to consume him, wanted to get inside him. He had had erections before, but they had never felt like this one. Finally they came up for air. Tony pulled back slightly and asked "Are you sure you've never kissed before?" They smiled at one another. "There's an easier way of doing this. You don't want to spoil that nice shirt and your trousers."

It seemed a family thing that after a colourful day the Carlton men would appear at dinner wearing a white shirt and dark trousers.

"No, Mum would go spare if I got them dirty or creased." Tony took his shoes and socks off, then as an example, his shirt and trousers. Ben followed suit. Both boys were wearing tighty-whities which by now had returned to their usual shape. Both boys displayed damp patches where the thick cotton had soaked up their precum. They pulled back the duvet and climbed onto the bed. Tony took Ben into an embrace and kissed him hard. Their erections soon returned and Tony climbed on top of Ben. He writhed under him. Tony felt he was about to come off, so he used all his will power to climb off, but he wasn't going to stop there. He started fumbling with Ben's undies and finally slipped them over his confined erection, down his legs and over his feet. His plan had gone awry. As it was Ben's first time he was going to jerk him off, but once he saw his rampant cock, his instincts took over and gently cradling Ben's apricots in his hand he bent down and gave him head. Ben was in too great a state of ecstasy to resist, not that he wanted to, and only for a split second did the thought cross his mind that if this was the point of being gay he was so glad he was, despite being unaware of the delights that lay ahead as his experience expanded. Tony felt Ben's balls retract and he got ready to take his whole load in his mouth and swallow, but his orgasm was so strong that he only caught only half of it, the rest shooting across his face and covering his lips. As soon as he judged he had got as much out of Ben as he could he went and lay beside him again and started to French kiss him. Ben was temporarily satisfied and so he rolled over and went to sleep. Tony pulled the duvet over them and fell asleep as well.

It was dark when they both woke. It was as if the previous experience had roused something inside Ben, maybe released his inhibitions, but he took Tony into an embrace and without a further thought caressed him between his thighs, working his hand higher and higher until he discovered that Tony was still wearing his slip. As his erection was poking through the waistband it was easy to slide it down over his balls, past his knees and Tony kicked it off. Tony didn't have to say anything and Ben acted as if it were second nature to take Tony's hot weapon in his hand and gently move the foreskin back and forth.

"Faster," whispered Tony. The paroxysms of pleasure had made his voice sound hoarse. It was only a matter of minutes before his white gold shot between both their bodies and covered their abdomens. Tony rolled over on top of his bedmate, gently kissing him on the lips. Soon they were asleep again, maintaining the position. Their doze couldn't have lasted long for they became too hot to be comfortable. Tony woke and pulling off Ben found that dried semen had stuck them together and the ripping of the skin woke Ben. He could just make out Tony's head in the gloom and he smiled. He had never felt such satisfaction from sex before, but that had simply been confined to jerking himself off, enhanced with fantasies of the boys he fancied at school, but who for all intents and purposes were untouchable. Being gay had never felt so good.

"I want more of you, Tony. I want as much as you can give me, as much as you can teach me." He was slowly overcome by sleep while thinking all the time what a pleasure and privilege it had been to handle that exquisitely large piece of meat between Tony's legs.

Sunrise came early at that time of year on the Baltic coast. When they woke up they still had an hour before getting up for breakfast. Ben remembered his last thoughts before going to sleep. He raised himself on one elbow and smiled at Tony who had woken at the same time. He wanted to fondle Tony's dick, but they were both sporting wood made uncomfortable by the need to pee. They went into the bathroom to relieve themselves, then returned to bed with Ben inching open the curtains (Sorry! centimetering open the curtains as they're on the Continent.) to let in a little of the light. Ben wanted to look at Tony's cock in its relaxed state, study it, he wanted to caress it, but knew that as soon as he touched it, it would stiffen and he wanted it soft to his fingers' touch to weigh it on his hand. 'I wonder what it would be like to feel that inside me,' he thought to himself. Then as if Tony had been reading his mind, he said

"Ben, would you like that inside your butt?" Ben nodded seriously. "Not today, you're not ready yet, but before the end of the holiday, I promise, and then you can put yours in mine. I learnt that from Adam and Simon. It's a skill. You can't just do it or you could hurt yourself or your partner, do some damage, make his butt bleed even. That's why it's important that you do the first time as a bottom, so that you know what it feels and you don't hurt your partner when you top. They snuggled up close to one another, kissed, and as they did, felt the satisfaction of their erections expanding against one another.

All four lads were ready for breakfast at eight. They had all needed long showers to rid themselves of the nocturnal, and their matinal, stickiness, although Simon and Adam's stickiness was in slightly different places. All four were wide awake having by now overcome the fatigue from the journey and in their different ways satisfied their libidos. Over breakfast the families discussed their plans for the day. As there had been no objections the previous day the boys would try and make their tanlines disappear on the FKK-Strand, Judith and Isabella wanted to do some shopping and also had hair appointments and Philip and Peter thought this would automatically imply they had permission to seek out a golf course and play a round. Isabella's mood had improved and even the waiter received a smile from her, though if truth be told he would have appreciated one more from the boys, but they were too involved with each other to notice.

Breakfast over, the family split up to go their separate ways. From hundreds of miles away Mrs Green still exerted her influence on Adam and Simon. They went up to tidy their room, particularly to ensure that there would be no telltale signs for the chambermaid to find of the excitement and pleasures they had experienced during the previous night. Physically they could not have given themselves to each other more completely than they had during the hours of darkness and early morning light, and yet their relationship was still exploring the avenues of emotional and, dare one say, intellectual development. Despite having had very little sleep, they did not feel in the slightest bit tired. The hormones were driving them. The boys were in no hurry to make their way to the beach for the sun needed to radiate more of its warmth. In any case they had to make a trip to the supermarket to stock up on drinks for the cool box. They went out into the hotel garden and slung around an American football. A rugby ball would have been too much to hope for in Germany. Adam was impressed with the way Ben handled the ball and asked if he played rugby at school.

"I was in the U14s and hope to be in the U15s when I get back."

"What position do you play?"

"Scrum half."

"I thought so," said Adam.

"Why do you say that?"

"From the way you spin the ball out, and in both directions. Are you ambidextrous?"

"No way, sadly. I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous." Adam went into laughing policeman mode. "How about you? Do you play rugby?"

"I love playing rugby, but I didn't play much last season."

"Why's that?"

"Oh, things - and changing schools." Adam was not yet ready to expand on 'things'.

"What position do you play?"

"Anywhere to get a game, but I prefer centre."

"Inside or outside?"

"Either. The rugby master at my last school used to coach us to play left or right. He said it made us more versatile. The trouble with my last school was that it was larger and so there was more competition. So being at a smaller school now I'm hoping I'll have a better chance of getting into the team."

The time had come for the boys to hit the beach. They picked up their kit from their rooms, defiantly leaving their speedos behind though Ben had wanted to give his new one its first outing. They picked up their freezer blocks and packed lunches from reception and wandered off to the beach via the supermarket. At the beach they turned right and walked along the promenade. The sea appeared blue, calm and inviting with just scraps of clouds in the sky and seagulls wheeling over the water. They reached the barrier where the FKK-beach began and they walked up to the gate and the hut. The same Walkyrie, complete with unshaven legs, was on duty. She didn't sound so officious today. Perhaps she realised that these Sommergästewere from abroad. Passing through the wicket gate the boys stripped off their shirts, shorts and undies and stuffed them into a polythene bag each and then into the communal rucksack before continuing on their way to find a place to settle for the day. They spotted a family with two sons about their age and without getting that close spread their towels out a little farther up the beach so that they could look out to sea and yet keep the boys within their peripheral vision without appearing to stare. The Nivea anointing ritual began, but deliberately kept low key lest the curse of the teenage boy should raise its ugly head in the form of the unexpected and unwanted boner. Not that they should worry for from conversations with young people I gather the German youth is far more practical and unembarrassed by such happenings and indeed German girls in the school yard will often spend their breaks boywatching to spot "ob der einen Steifen hat." The priority was to get rid of the tanlines. So they lay on their towels enabling the sun to reach every nook and cranny of their bodies. The temperature was already promising to rise two or three degrees higher than the previous day and the mingling of sweat and suntan lotion made their bodies sparkle in the sunlight.

The limit of their ability to relax and do nothing ran out after about thirty minutes and as a man they got up and dashed down into the sea, splashing each other as ran into the deeper water. They couldn't play dicktag, naturally, but they played the other games they played in the swimming pool at home, finally sending Tony up the beach to fetch a ball. He made a fine sight as his dick flopped up and down while he ran, and he certainly caught the attention of the two German boys who were sat up eating a Wurstbrotas he passed them, by doubling their enjoyment of sausage, and those two had been brought up as seasoned members of the 'Free Body Culture' fraternity. Finally they decided it was time for lunch and they made for the beach until Adam heard a panic-stricken stage whisper from Ben.

"Hey, Adam, I can't get out of the water yet."

"Why, what's the matter? Cramp?"

"No. Worse than that. I've got a boner and it won't go away." Meanwhile Tony and Simon were drying themselves off, oblivious to the little drama playing out in the water, more concerned in making sure they were facing the two German youngsters and encouraging them, nay almost daring them to watch.

"Walk into deeper water, Ben," said Adam "until you're in up to your shoulders, but still standing on the sand." Adam swam behind him, turned him to face out to sea, reached round and started to wank him off. "This will soon get rid of it."

"If you're going to do that, cup your other hand under my balls." Ben gave a sharp intake of breath as Adam did. There was no finesse in this act of necessity and soon Ben's body shuddered as he pushed his butt into Adam's groin while shooting his load. The colder water made his spunk congeal into a solid mass and as it floated to the top of the water, as if from nowhere, a seagull swooped down beside them, dipped its beak into the water, scooped up the produce of Ben's loins and flew off. Ben gave an involuntary squeal out of surprise, but the bird was gone and the little shock had caused his dick to return to its normal flaccid size. Adam reassuringly took Ben by the hand and led him out of the water and up the beach to where Simon and Tony were, not neglecting to pass as close as was decently possible to the family with the two boys. Since they had seen everything that had happened - no, that's not quite true - since they had seen the gull swoop down on them, the mother called

"Ist alles in Ordnung, ihr Jungs?" and Adam managed to stutter out

"Ja...; jetzt. Alles ist okay." That was the first time the Germans realised that our boys were not from a German family. Tony and Simon had seen the gull swoop, but hadn't realised it had been so close. For the time being that remained a tale to be told later on. The main thing was to get Ben dry and warmed up. Fortunately once he was dry the sun did the rest.

It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good and now the German boys came across because they wanted to try out their English. They talked about themselves and turned out to be brothers - no surprise - a year apart with an adolescent's natural curiosity to check out any young bathers that came onto the beach and once the 'introductions' were over, then that was it, although Tony was not quite convinced after the 'reception' he'd enjoyed when he came to fetch the ball. Our boys were impressed to see that there was not even the least trace of a tanline on either of them. The German boys were called back by their parents so that both families could get on with their picnics. The afternoon continued in a similar manner to the previous one until it was time to return to the hotels. Our boys told the German brothers that they were going to Berlin the following day, but would look out for them on Friday. They reached the hotel in time to find their families reunited on the terrace and to enjoy an ice cream.

After dinner it was just the threesome in our boys' room. An early night was the order of the day. If they were going to have a decent amount of time in Berlin they would have to catch the little "Mollibahn" train at seven, make two changes and arrive in Berlin at just gone eleven, and there was no restaurant car on the Rostock-Berlin train. And so our three climbed into bed while it was still light with little thought of having any fun.

"Hey, Adam," said Tony. "What was the matter with Ben earlier on?"

"Not a lot. He had difficulty walking, just a little stiffness which I helped him with."

"Oh, I missed that. I was looking at those German lads. You know, there's something that puzzles me."

"What's that?" said Simon.

"I don't know if you've noticed, but all the German children you see are skinny, well, slim, and yet the grown ups are always so fat. You'd think fat people would have fat children." Not knowing how to answer that Simon said

"How are you getting on with Ben?"

"Great."

"Have you done...; you know...; stuff with him yet?"

"Mmm, a bit. He's never had a boyfriend before. So he's a bit like I was when we had the first sleep over."

"So you haven't shagged him yet?" said Adam.

"C'mon, you know the rules. You taught them to me - no shagging on the first date."

"But you're working on it?"

"Sure, we've promised we're going to do it both ways before the end of the holiday."

"So you're working on another sleep over?" asked Simon.

"Saturday night...; if it's all right with you guys."

"It's all right with us," said Adam. "As much as we love you, Tony, we find you so physically demanding and we do need to catch up on our beauty sleep, don't we, Si?" They looked at each other trying not to giggle.

"After a night with you we're so washed out in the morning." Tony didn't know whether to take them seriously or not.

"I s'pose I'd better go and sleep in my own room tonight then." He had called their bluff.

"Don't you dare," said Adam who rolled him over and planted a long kiss on his lips while Simon put his hands between his legs and started playing with his balls and dick. It wasn't until all three had got a result and cleared up the mess that they rolled over and went to sleep. At six o'clock the bedside telephone rang. It was Philip wanting to make sure that they were awake.

They showered quickly. At least they had two showers at their disposal. Of the three Adam was the hairiest. It would not be long before he had to shave every day, but he could get way with it at least until Simon complained, but he was also the one whose hairs the dried spunk stuck together most, while Tony had that very fine fuzz that fair people get and can only be seen when the sunlight is at a certain angle. For the moment Simon had remained fairly unscathed and head and pubes apart was still smooth skinned.

They were soon downstairs, just beaten by the Carltons minus Isabella who was still putting on her war paint. A quick breakfast, fortunately most of the buffet was already set out, back to their rooms and off. The sun had been up for some time and it wasn't even chilly. The boys were surprised to see how many people were up, about and working, but then that was the way the Germans did it. They found the station. The boys were amazed that it was a steam hauled train, narrow gauge, and before it arrived at Bad Doberan that it ran through the streets. As the tickets had been booked the previous day all they had to do was board the train and wait for the off.

They arrived punctually at the new Berlin Hauptbahnhof which itself was an architectural wonder. The north-south lines ran at the lowest level and above them the west-east lines with a daily train to Moscow. The adults had explained to the children on the train that you needed at least seven days to see Berlin properly and that they only had seven hours. So they would book onto one of the tours to have everything explained and as time permitted they would visit whatever took their fancy. They had snacked on the train and the plan was to have a late light lunch, then have dinner proper on the train back where they had reserved seats in the dining car. They were shown all the principal monuments including the renovated Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, some remains of the wall and the commentary was so good it included the history and the stories behind the monuments. After two hours it was time for lunch after which Judith and Isabella decided to do some shopping on the Ku'damm (Kurfürstendamm) while the men went off to the Wall Museum at Checkpoint Charlie. The families met at five and made their way back to the main station. The train home was an ICE, a highspeed train which could travel at over 150 mph. As they whizzed through the countryside, sitting over dinner, they were all suitably impressed, even Isabella. Exhausted, but happy they arrived back at Kühlungsborn just before ten and decided to say good night as soon as they reached the hotel. As a concession they could come down to breakfast later the following morning.

When they finally arrived at breakfast the two families were feeling the fatigue from the previous day. They had achieved a lot without seeming to do so, but now it was taking its toll. They decided that they would have a lazy day. After all that's what holidays are about, argued Simon. The boys had their own agenda, the beach, even the nudist beach, as they freely told Philip, Judith and Peter, but also the assignation with their new German friends. They must find out their names. The rest of the group was going to hire a Strandkorbfor the day and have a leisurely lunch in one of the nearby restaurants.

The boys took their time getting ready and making their way to the beach. They took a variety of balls with them so that they could organise some games. Passing a stall they saw buckets and spades on sale.

"That's what we ought to do," said Tony. "Build sandcastles."

"We'll do that next week," said Simon. The ritual of passing through the wicket gate had become routine. The Walkyrie on guard was almost friendly. The boys walked on looking for the German family and since the beach was far from overcrowded they soon came upon them. They greeted one another with a handshake and sat down to boost the vitamin D. They were pleased to note that the tanlines were fading fast as their buttocks and lower abdomens took on a brown hue. Adam leant across and said

"We don't know your names." This led to formal introductions all round. The older boy said

"I am Bruno and I am fourteen years old." His brother said

"My name is Dieter and I am thirteen years old." Our English boys in turn gave their names and ages and settled down again. Adam put on his sunglasses to read his book. The others stretched out on their towels, either face up or face down. Simon and Ben actually fell asleep.

"No stamina," remarked Adam without looking up from his book. Finally the lure of the water could no longer be resisted and even the sleepyheads woke and ran down the beach into the water.

"We're coming with you," shouted Bruno and joined by his brother he ran down the beach after them. After fun and frolics for half an hour or so they came out of the water and dried themselves off. Bruno and Dieter's parents handed round some biscuits, but they weren't like English biscuits. The boys started talking a mixture of German and English according to knowledge and ability.

"Are you on holiday?" asked Simon. "It's just that there don't seem many holidaymakers here."

"Wait until next week," said Dieter. "The schools here in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern finish for the summer today and from tomorrow the beach will be full."

"You will have to put your towel on your sunbed early like in Spain," said Bruno.

"So you don't live here?" said Tony.

"No, we are from Brandenburg and have our holidays at a different time."

"You know there are other possibilities here?" came in Dieter. "Over there are picnic tables in the forest and footpaths for wandering. You can play football or volleyball too."

"And by the way," added Bruno, "although it is a free body area there are certain clothing articles you are allowed to wear such as shoes and socks, and hats to protect your head."

"And if you are sunburnt you are allowed to wear a tee shirt, but nothing down below," said Dieter.

"Do you like to play volleyball after our picnic?" said Bruno. They all agreed they would. Now it was time to warm up again after swimming. Adam had got to an exciting part in his book.

After lunch our boys followed Bruno and Dieter into the wooded area, the forest as they had called it. They reached the volleyball pitch. Beside it was a picnic area with several tables. Occasionally some naked hikers would pass through. The boys divided into two teams, splitting up the couples. With a little instruction from Bruno and Dieter the English boys soon got an idea of the rules and tactics. Finally feeling exhausted the boys sat down on the benches. Then Bruno stood up and said to the English boys with a smile on his face

"Do you like to...;?" He hesitated for he did not know the word he needed and so he made a well known gesture with his hand.

"Oh, wank," said Ben. The group quickly agreed.

"Let's do it now," said Bruno.

"What of someone comes along?" said Tony.

"Easy. We turn round and no one will see what is happening under the table - unter der Bank - we say in German." Dieter laughed when his brother said that.

"Are you gay?" asked Simon.

"Schwul? No," said Bruno. "You don't have to be schwul to enjoy...; wichsen...; wanking together. When we do it we think of girls at school, don't we, Dieter?" Dieter nodded and grinned. "He only learnt to do it a month ago and so he might be a bit slow...; you know."

"No, I won't. You see." Simon and the others caught on quickly that it would be better to say nothing about their being gay. Bruno sat down. The other five were already rubbing themselves and although it wasn't a race Ben was the first to shoot his load, followed ironically by Dieter. The wise ones had shot their load cleanly, but Simon had to pick a handful of grass to clean himself. Meanwhile the others went and fetched sand from the volleyball pitch to cover up the seed they had spilt. Then they made their back to the beach.

"Don't forget to shake your tails...;"

"Dicks," translated Adam.

"We don't want our parents to see us with white stuff hanging from them." The boys took the precaution and Tony whispered

"I'll volunteer to lick them all clean."

"Under different circumstances I'd take up your offer," Adam whispered back. Once they had reached the shore they ran into the water to clean themselves up properly.

Towards four o'clock the beach began to empty and Bruno and Dieter's parents started to pack up.

"See you tomorrow?" Adam asked them.

"No," answered Dieter. "This is our last day. We have to travel home tomorrow." The boys' faces were visibly saddened when they heard that and so they lined up to say goodbye formally and wish them a safe journey.

"I was getting to like them," said Ben after they had gone. They started to walk back to the hotel, getting dressed before going through the wicket gate.

"It's odd," said Adam. "It now seems perfectly normal to be naked. I don't even want to stare at anybody anymore."

"Not unless a good looking boy comes along," said Simon.

"Or even an ugly looking one," retorted Adam. "Otherwise how can you tell the difference? What I mean is that I don't bother to check out adults."

"Ben," said Tony "don't shower when we get back. I want to lick the salt off you."

"I'll have to wash my hair. The seawater makes it itch and hard to comb. And I'll have to check with the Ps if it's okay to sleep over with you tonight."

"I shall be very disappointed if you can't." They arrived back at the hotel in time for ice creams. They each had ice cream sundaes. Amid the banter Tony and Ben behaved like young colts. Within the bounds of the acceptable - no PDAs remember - they touched one another, stared into each other's eyes and grinned at one another until in a moment of daring Tony leant across and stole Ben's cherry. Simon and Adam looked at each other fully cognisant of the symbolism of the situation.

Ice creams, coffee and cake consumed, the boys went up to their rooms.

"See you in a quarter of an hour," said Ben. He returned with a big grin on his face and his hair still wet. "It's okay. I can spend the night with you. Can I use your hair dryer?" After a few minutes Tony had combed Ben's hair dry. He really felt turned on by the simple act of running his fingers through Ben's hair and as he walked round the chair Ben was sitting on he pressed his swelling package against him. Ben could not move, but had to remain still and look ahead while his hair was being dried. His loins, however, didn't remain unmoved, which encouraged Tony to take longer than necessary in giving him a blow dry.

"We're off for a little R & R before dinner," said Simon.

"R & R?" said Ben.

"Rest and recuperation," replied Adam before they disappeared into their bedroom and shut the door behind them.

"Sounds good to me," said Ben. "Shall we try a bit of R & R?" Tony switched the dryer off and they went off into his room, closing the door behind them. Ben sat on the bed because the chairs in the room all had stuff on them, a little trick Tony had learnt so that the bed remained the only place to sit. Tony took off Ben's trainers and socks, then his own sandals and climbed onto the bed beside, put his arm round him and gently kissed him.

"I love the taste of salt on your lips," groaned Tony. After making sure the kissing had put Ben into the right mood he started unbuttoning his shirt, helped him out of it and found that Ben's nipples tasted even saltier. As with potato crisps once you get the taste of salt you want more and his tongue continued to explore down Ben's body until he reached his outie of a belly button. Sated with salt he went back to kissing Ben's lips penetrating with his tongue and slipping his free hand up the leg of his shorts, exploring for treasure. "Gold digging they call this," he whispered in Ben's ear. Finally it became too much for both of them. They stripped naked and for the second time that afternoon shot spunk.

They did not feel sleepy, but just lay there in each other's arms, from time to dipping their fingers into each other's and their own ejaculate and savouring it on the tip of their tongues until it became too congealed and sticky, when they cleaned each other up.

"Are you still on for tonight, Ben?" He nodded.

"What do you think?"

"It'll be a bit mechanical and we've got to prepare ourselves properly or it could hurt or worse. That's what Adam and Simon did for me for my first time. Then I got done by both of them. It was awesome."

"Who was first?"

"Simon, because his dick's thinner and slips in easier." Tony looked at his watch. "C'mon, Ben. We'd better start getting ready for dinner." Ben went back to his family's room to shower, change and get his 'overnight bag' ready.

Over dinner Ben looked radiant, so relaxed, so bronzed. He proved himself to be so sociable that he easily outshone his sister, though no one dared say so, nor did you have to be homosexual to acknowledge the fact. It was not just from the healthy environment of his holiday. Indeed after the strains and stresses of the previous day's journey to Berlin and back it should have been quite the opposite. No, it was obviously the sexual awakening occurring within him as he approached that peak of perfection achieved by some adolescents before they mature into young adults. For some time now he had been carrying the emotional burden of being gay and although out to his family he had now found companionship with some like minded people who apart from their sexual tastes were normal fourteen year old boys with a zest for the life in front of them, a zest that would be expressed through their relationships, in their love of activities together and of sport and in the final analysis of simply being lads together. Not that this was his first encounter with the gay life, it was just that his limited experience had up to now been confined to his schoolmates, had been part of a tawdry, unsavoury world, the dark side of school life, the underworld of the older predatory boy, the dirty young man. Why did the openly gayboy at school also have to be the scruffy one who rarely washed and never showered, whom no one wanted to care for properly, not even his parents, one who thus unwittingly made gay synonymous with revolting so that the world could not separate such a state from being gay, the hidden world of the lavatory cubicle and the bicycle shed? What was the expression Dieter had used in German and fitted the bill so well? Unter der Bank. 'Under the desk' we would say in English. And now he had met three gay boys as open as the day is long, without any chip on their shoulder about being created different, but indeed thriving on it, boys whose parents were, or if the circumstances had been different, would have been proud of them, boys who had other difficulties to cope with and had borne them with pride. This was the great difference between Ben and Isabella. She had everything going for her except attitude. He would have willingly helped her, but 'what does a younger brother, and a gay younger brother at that, know?'

Again over dinner the hidden ultraviolet light picked out the whiteness of Ben's shirt and made it glow. His mother must have been using the right washing powder. The aim had been to make the waiters and waitresses stand out as they went about their jobs. Since the van den Bergs and the Carltons had joined forces on the one table a particularly attentive young waiter had been assigned to them, the one with the ability to pick out Simon, Tony and Adam on the first evening, the one on whom Isabella's eventual smile had been wasted. The meal came to a leisurely close. Family meals were obviously as important to the Carltons as they were to the van den Bergs and the Legges for it was no strain for the children to sit at the table and join in the family conversation. However, eventually the boys used the previous day's excursion as an excuse for an early night and Isabella said she would sit in the lounge.

"Do you worry about your boys, Philip?"

"All the time, Judith, but I don't think that's the point behind your question."

"I mean the fact that they have these sleep overs."

"No, you have to trust them."

"Trust them to do or not to do what?"

"Not to disgrace themselves and not to disgrace the family, but I still think you are not asking the right question to get the answer you want."

"What Judith is saying, and we both have these concerns, is that they sleep together...; in the same bed...; and get up to things."

"Yes, they probably do, but think back to when you were fourteen, or probably for our generation when we were sixteen. Did we get up to things?" Peter and Judith looked at one another.

"Yees...;" said Judith "but we kept it secret from our parents...; and we weren't gay."

"Exactly," said Philip. "Secretly, is that being trusted? And being gay just muddies the waters. Using as a starting point the notion that no one wants to be gay, does being gay make any difference? It's just a factor you have to come to terms with and you're ninety per cent of the way there. I'm lucky. I can compare notes with Tony's parents. We give each other support. When we get back home you must come to dinner and meet them. Bring the children. We're inclusive and Brabazon will enjoy catering for a large number."

"Brabazon?"

"My butler."

"Oh, yes. Ben mentioned you had a butler," said Peter.

"So you don't worry that they might be getting up to things?" asked Judith.

"I don't know whether they do or don't and so I don't worry. If they do I'd rather they did it in the safety and privacy of their own rooms than in public lavatories or in the woods where they could get caught and beaten up. I can ensure that they follow basic safety and hygiene and that brings peace of mind."

"I think that was behind our thinking when we gave Ben permission to go on a sleep over with your boys. It's just that we feel uneasy because it is breaking new ground for us."

"I hope I've been able to re-assure you a bit. But haven't you noticed? I certainly have in the four days I have known him. Your Ben is blossoming. Would you like another drink before we say good night?"

"That would be lovely," said Judith. "Let's take it in the lounge and see whether we can cheer Isabella up a little." They left the table. When they entered the lounge they saw Isabella talking to a young man.

"We'll order the drinks on the terrace," said Peter.

The boys returned noisily to their room. Once inside they disported themselves in the living room.

"So is this the big night?" said Adam. Tony and Ben went red.

"We'll tell you in the morning," said Tony.

"Don't let Tony suck your toes. He'll draw blood," said Simon.

"You big fibber," said Tony. "I've never sucked a toe in my life. On the other hand it might not be the only first time tonight." The boys dissolved in giggles.

"And keep the noise down." said Adam. "We have some important lovemaking to attend to. Have you taught him about enemas, Tony?"

"Already done," said Ben.

"Okay, you guys," said Simon. "Have fun and we'll see you in the morning. Don't be late getting up."

With the door closed behind them, Tony and Ben kissed to set the mood. They had already acknowledged that this would be a 'business' meeting of their bodies rather than a 'social' one. They stripped off their clothes. Tony kept his slip on to control himself until the crucial moment. He thought back to how convenient it had been to wear a jockstrap when he was in Ben's position, but he hadn't had the foresight to pack one. 'I daren't disturb Simon and Adam,' he thought. Ben had assumed the position and Tony gently fingered his crevice. He flinched when Tony first applied the cold K-Y.

"It's amazing," said Tony.

"What?"

"You see, I'm used to seeing dicks and bollocks all different shapes and sizes, but butts, you don't expect that."

"Explain."

"If you look at Adam's bum you just see the crack. Although he says he's versatile he usually tops and his arse is very very tight. You have to do a lot of work on it. It's hard work getting in there and when you do, his sphincter is likely to clamp down on your dick all of a sudden. Simon's quite the opposite. Again he says he versatile, but usually ends up the bottom, but when he kneels like you, you see a gaping great tunnel and you're expecting to see the train coming the other way, but he's easy to penetrate and when you've shot you're load you know it's going to come pouring out again. You're different again. You've got a distinct rosebud. It's giving a little resistance, but once I got my fingers in there it was easy to lube up."

"What's your butt like?"

"I don't know. I've never seen it from that angle. You can tell me tomorrow. Are you ready?" Tony went and washed his hands, dropped his slip releasing his hard cock and handed Ben the condom he had ready. "Slip this over my dick." Tony gave a sharp intake of breath. "That's right. Roll it right down to my pubes."

"Why are you using one of those?"

"Good practice. I don't with Adam and Simon because we know we're all clean, but we promised each other we would if we did it with anyone else. Also it saves getting shit on your dick, especially mine 'cause I've got the longest one and penetrate deepest. Adam's got the chunkiest. You know it if you've been rogered by him. Here goes." Ben knelt on the edge of the bed. Tony stood behind and cock in hand started to probe. He felt Ben give and plunged in. Ben gave a yelp, drew a draught of air in between his teeth and exhaled it all out in a huff. "Okay, Ben?"

"I am now. It hurt to begin with, but now feels great. No, don't stop. That's right. Keep going." Both boys were as hard as a rock. "You know what, Tony? I'm coming."

"So am I," and then the explosion inside Ben and outside occurred. Ben collapsed on the bed, forcing Tony out of him who removed the condom, knotted it, then climbed onto the bed beside him. They lay side by side, breathless, exhausted and yet fulfilled. "All right, Ben? You were fantastic. Next time we'll try it missionary position. It's more romantic. You can kiss during it."

"Can I do it to you next time, Tony?"

"Sure, but not tonight. So you're no longer a virgin. How does it feel?"

"Great. It's just so different. Even the way I came off was different. Not like having a wank." When the boys woke again, the sun was above the horizon.

Both boys went to the bathroom and climbed back into bed. They snuggled together.

"It's your turn now, Ben."

"I will before we get up, but let's have a kiss and a cuddle first." Ben took charge and deep kissed Tony. He now considered he had enough experience and confidence to take the lead. His dreams were coming true.

The four lads gathered in their living room before going down to breakfast together.

"Well?" said Simon.

"Well what?" said Tony

"Did you do it?" asked Adam.

"Do what?' asked Ben.

"It," emphasised Simon.

"Shag," responded Adam.

"Oh, that," chorused Tony and Ben. "Yeah."

"Did you?" said Tony.

"No," said Simon.

"We made love," said Adam.

"Twice," added Simon.

"We're beginning to get the hang of it now," said Adam. Ben was bemused, but Tony was used to these deadpan, obstructive, almost pointless conversations. The boys broke. Simon took Tony in a hug. Adam took Ben in more than a hug, pinching his bum and pulling him in so that their packages pressed together while kissing and congratulating him.

"Piggy in the middle next?" said Simon.

"Not yet," answered Tony, "but by the time we go home I reckon. He still needs a bit of loosening up."

"We'll spray on some WD40," giggled Adam. Ben could not catch up with the banter and stood there mouth open until Simon grabbed him and filled it with his tongue.

"Mmm, don't like your brand of toothpaste, luv," said Simon.

Celebrations and giggles over, they went downstairs and said good morning to the other family members who had already arrived in the dining room. As everyone went to select their food, our boys overheard Mrs Carlton say

"Is your leg all right, Ben? You seem to be walking funny." The other three boys breathed in, put their fingers to their mouths and tried to stifle a giggle. Ben blushed.

"It's okay, Mum, thanks. Must have pulled a muscle or something playing volleyball." Tony, Adam and Simon looked at one another knowingly. One of them had to say it.

"If you'd had that monster trouser snake of Tony's up your butt, madam, you would be walking funny," whispered Adam. That was just too much and the three guffawed out loud as only teenagers can when sharing something unsavoury, but at least it took Mrs Carlton's attention away from Ben.

"You boys seem in good spirits this morning," said Philip as he came up behind them to fill his plate.

"We're just beginning to feel really relaxed on our holiday, Dad." Adam and Tony agreed, perhaps too heartily.

"What was that all about?" asked Ben.

"Nothing," said Tony. "Tell you later."

Finally they had all filled their plates and were sitting down at their table consuming their food. Despite its being a one hundred percent self-service breakfast the young waiter came across to wish them good morning and enquire if everything was satisfactory and whether he could bring them anything. As he stood over Tony he rested a hand on his shoulder. He couldn't have been more than sixteen.

"My, that waiter's certainly looking after us," said Peter after he'd gone. "He'll deserve a big tip before we go home."

"And he'll get one if he keeps feeling my shoulder like that," whispered Tony to Adam who were both sitting at the opposite end of the table. "Mine."

"So what are you boys planning to do today?" enquired Judith.

"We're going to buy buckets and spades and build sandcastles," answered Ben.

"And attend to our tanlines," added Adam.

"You're the only one who's got one left," left giggled Simon.

"And you, Isabella?" continued Judith.

"There's a disco tonight here in the hotel. I might look in at that."

"Is that young man you were talking to last night going?"

"He might be. I don't really know." Isabella blushed. "He was the one who told me they hold a disco here on Saturday nights."

"We're going to hire a Strandkorb," said Judith.

"You'll need to reserve it early," said Ben. "Our German friends said the school holidays begin here this weekend and there'll be a lot more people on the beach."

"We'll see whether the hotel can book one for us," said Peter.

Breakfast over, the boys made their excuses and left the table to get ready. They had to replenish the coolbox as well as buy their buckets and spades, and they wanted make sure of their place in the sun. They went through the routine of walking down to the promenade, along towards the nudist beach, through the wicket gate and finding a place to set up camp for the day. Bruno and Dieter had been right. Even the FKK-beach was fuller than it had been, though not as full as the ordinary beach. Adam noticed that Ben was still hobbling a bit.

"How's the volleyball injury?" he enquired.

"Okay. It's going off a bit now," said Ben. "It's odd. Yes, it hurts, but also feels nice."

"You'll get used to it. It happens to us all when we start. It hasn't put you off doing it again?"

"No way."

"The best thing would be to get laid again tonight and get Tony to use a bit more finger before he goes in."

"Tony says you're really tight."

"So they tell me. Admittedly I don't bottom a lot and when I do Simon slips in nicely. It's that Indian club Tony keeps between his legs that finds it difficult. But if we play piggy in the middle, you're welcome to try and make your own mind up. Come on. We'd better catch the others up."

"Piggy in the middle?"

"It's a threesome. Think about it." They sped up a little. "Since you lost your cherry last night, I take it you haven't got a boyfriend at home."

"No. I don't really even know anyone at school who's gay. That's been the trouble. I nearly got busted once or twice."

" I don't want to be labelled a matchmaker, but you know Tony's looking for a boyfriend, don't you?"

"I gathered he was sort of on his own, but I didn't know he was looking."

"Well, he only lives down the road from you."

"I'll think about."

"I doubt it."

"What do you mean?"

"I bet that by the end of the week you'll have fallen head over heels in love with one another like Simon and I did, and thought and decision will have nothing to do with it. Your hormones will take over. Trust me."

"How did you two fall in love?"

"I'll tell you some time, but there's not time now."

"Come on, you two. Catch up." It was Simon shouting at them. He and Tony had already found a pitch and spread out their towels on the sand. Not without reason for farther down the beach was a family with three superb looking boys, only a year between them, perhaps fifteen, fourteen and thirteen. They could see no more than that. The ritual started: towels out, sun lotion on, lie down in the sun. Adam put on his sun glasses, ostensibly to get on with reading his new edition of GYmag, which until now he hadn't even opened, but in fact to observe Ben's naked body, which he had admittedly seen many times, but had never studied closely. He started with his equipment: loose balls, not low hangers, nicely tucked in, average dick about the length of Simon's, a tad thicker maybe and a foreskin that completely covered the glans coming to a neat point, perhaps a bit red from last night's activities, pubes above and below his dick and hairy balls, slightly darker than the hair on his head, not long, not trimmed either, with the beginnings of a treasure trail, his navel an outie, but neat, the outline of a sixpack and two well defined nipples. Adam was in danger of giving himself away as he felt his dick being engorged by blood. He wasn't concerned about sporting an erection - all three had seen it before and he had seen theirs - rather he was concerned with their discovering the reason for it. They were after all in public. He turned over and faced away from his friends, but not without Simon realising what was happening.

"Anything interesting in the mag, Adam?" he teased.

"Not really."

"What is it?" asked Ben who had just opened his eyes.

"GYmag," replied Adam.

"The GY stands for 'gay youth'," explained Simon.

"Yeah. I get it for the Spot the Ballcompetition," continued Adam casually. Tony exploded with laughter. He hadn't heard that one before.

"What sort of things are in there?" pressed Ben.

"Oh, all sorts. I don't mean the liquorice kind." Adam was in a quirky and whimsical mood today. "That would be silly. There's an agony uncle column for example. 'Dear Uncle Julian, my boyfriend won't stop talking. How do I deal with that?' Answer: 'Make him give you head, but mind he doesn't bite you cock off.'"

"I bet it doesn't say that," objected Tony.

"You're right," said Adam. "I just made it up," and he got up and ran into the sea before the others could throw anything at him, waving on the way to the three German boys who had looked up to see what all the commotion was about.

The other lads ran after Adam and they splashed about and swam in the sea. The constant warm weather was having a gradual effect on its temperature and they could stay in the water a little longer each day. They noticed that the boys from the German family were making their way down the beach towards them. They tried not to stare at them, but all three were enormously attractive as so many German boys are. Size apart they could have been triplets, resembling those Russian dolls which fit inside one another, except that they were far more good looking. Even their equipment was modelled on the same pattern and reduced in size as the boys got younger. Our boys suddenly realised they were staring and so busied themselves ducking and diving in the water. The two groups acknowledged each other without speaking for the Germans had realised our boys were foreigners and so had proceeded with caution.

After swimming and getting dried in the sun our boys got on with the important business of the day, building sandcastles. The first thing they had to do was fetch buckets of water to wet the sand as there was very little tide to do it for them. The castles were in the most rudimentary form, a heap with a moat and upturned buckets of sand as turrets. However, it created interest among the other sunworshippers including the three German boys. The oldest one introduced himself and then his two brothers.

"I'm Rainer Bauer and this is Gerhardt and the youngest is Sven." Our boys went along the row and shook hands very formally, saying their names as they did.

"Are you all brothers as well?" asked Sven confident in his English. Adam volunteered the complicated answer.

"Can we help with the building?" asked Gerhardt. It was quickly agreed that to refuse help from such good-looking boys would be utterly foolish even if they're not gay and they were welcomed to the work party.

"They're not," affirmed Ben, he with the gaydar, but it was unimportant. The Bauers soon got down to work and it was easy to see they were a team. The first thing they did was to wet more sand. The activity cause a great deal of interest all around aided by a mixture of English and German. Sven taught Ben how to build castellated towers and together they went about embellishing the simple towers that were there before. Eventually they even managed to keep a little water in the moat, now the sand was so wet. As they finished the onlookers gave them a round of applause and all seven of them took a bow. It was time for lunch.

As our four munched on their packed lunches Simon said

"It's strange, but I find it's absolutely normal now to wander around in the nude. I don't think about it any more."

"Same with me," said Tony "except when running or like yesterday and we were playing volleyball and everything started flopping around."

"Well, you are carrying a little more weight around in that department," said Adam.

"You're one to talk," retorted Tony. "You nearly gave me a black eye once."

"You've really got to warn me if you're going to kiss me there." Everyone rolled around laughing. The locals wondered what was going on. Ben looked up from reading Adam's GYmagazine.

"They've got an article here on getting a new boyfriend and name the five points you go though: 1) point of observation when you meet him, 2) point of evaluation when you check him out, 3) point of revelation when you get undressed and take his undies down, 4) point of stimulation when you start to get it on together ending up with 5) the point of ejaculation which is the whole point anyway."

"Hmm, never thought of it that way before," said Simon.

"Some journalist with too much time on his hands," said Adam.

"Before I met you guys I was lucky to get to point two," said Ben.

"And you can only do point three once with each person," said Tony.

"That's not entirely true," said Adam. "Take this scenario for example. You're at school, you see this absolutely stunning kid and you get to point three and realise you'd be cradle-snatching. Then the end of term comes and eight weeks summer holidays and when you get back in September you see him and he's even more stunning at point two. You proceed to point three, the point of revelation, and realise the equipment's arrived and you want to get on to point four."

"Like my baby brother you mean?" said Tony.

"Like you, Tony," said Simon who had been quite taken by the concept. "It's odd," he continued thoughtfully. "If I hadn't met Adam and if I'd known earlier on you were gay, things could have turned out very differently. But don't let's go down that road," he said as he squeezed Adam's hand re-assuringly and gave him a look that exuded love.

"And Tony wouldn't have had me," said Ben. The other three started momentarily. Was this a declaration of love?

"Who's for a swim?" It was Adam who broke the magic moment of silence.

"Me," said Simon and he ran with him into the sea purposely leaving Ben and Tony together to enjoy a magic moment together, if indeed that is what they wanted. And if they didn't they'd soon be in the sea with them.

"Simon, I'm getting a stiffie. You wouldn't like to sort it for me, would you?"

"As long as there aren't any seagulls around." They both looked up at the sky. "Let's swim out farther. Less likelihood of people seeing what we're doing." They swam out and started treading water. Simon swam behind Adam, put his left hand under Adam's balls and his right on his boner and slowly worked away. "I love you, Adam Neave. You won't ever leave me, will you?"

"Adam Simon Neave van den Berg. Simon van den Berg is such an important part to me." As Simon worked away, his own dick stiffened and he rubbed it along Adam's crevice without attempting to penetrate.

"I'm so glad I put sun lotion on your butt." Without warning Adam came off and shot his load into the blue of the Baltic waters and immediately a trail of spunk dribbled from Simon's dick. They parted making sure they'd cleaned themselves up.

"Beat you back to the shore," said Simon.

"You're on," said Adam. They thrashed their way back towards the beach. Simon won by a second. He was the stronger swimmer, Adam the stronger runner. Then they walked up the beach to where Tony and Ben were lying, as if nothing had happened.

A little more sunworshipping, another dip in the ocean, and it was time to go back to the hotel. Our boys said goodbye to Rainer, Gerhardt and Sven Bauer and to their parents and said they could keep the buckets and spades as they wouldn't be taking them home with them.

"You're walking much better, Ben," remarked Adam as they were nearing the wicket gate.

"Yeah, the pain's gone now. Felt it disappear in the warmth of the sun. I should be all right for the disco." The boys went str8 out to the terrace when they arrived back and ice creams were served. They talked about their day and told the others about the Bauer family and the sandcastles. The parents talked about their day on the beach with the Strandkorband how crowded it was, but they'd enjoyed themselves just relaxing. Ben asked whether they could have dinner a bit earlier so that they could go to the disco and checked that he could sleep over again. He didn't realise that his chief ally there was his sister who would always say something encouraging when the question came up, although her motives were not exactly altruistic, as told by her face when she learnt that the boys were going to the disco as well.

"It's okay, Sis. We won't be cramping your style. There are other fish in the sea." The very idea that they would find girls to dance with she held in contempt and was too orthodox to contemplate the alternative.

"Ben, we'd better go upstairs get your clothes sorted out for tonight if you're stopping with Tony." The boys did not miss the fact that it was Tony who was mentioned and not Simon and Adam. "You'll need some clean pyjamas." Ben blushed. That was the last thing he needed. He hadn't worn any since the sleep overs had begun. The hotel had delivered a supply of laundered white shirts, underclothes and casual tops. He took them down to the boys' room and rejoined them on the terrace. Isabella and Peter were just about to go upstairs which left Philip. The boys decided to sit down and chat with him.

"Dad, you don't mind us not spending much time with you, do you?"

"No, not in the least. I wouldn't be able to keep up with you all the time and you wouldn't want me holding you back. It might be different if I were alone, but Peter and Judith are good company. We're hoping for another golf day next week and we ought to have another awayday, Rostock or even Hamburg. You're happy spending the whole day on the beach? I've got a bit of a conscience that I ought to be providing more entertainment for you."

"No, it's great," said Adam, "really relaxing. We're meeting all sorts of people and we haven't been bored once."

"How are you enjoying yourself, Ben?" asked Philip. "Are these three making you welcome?"

"Couldn't be better."

"And you, Tony?"

"It's like normal, like being one of the family."

"So no one's homesick?"

"Not homesick," said Tony, "but I do miss my little brother a bit even though he winds me up at times. He's so lively."

"I'm going up to have a nap before dinner. I'll see you four lads then."

The boys were happy where they were and continued to sit at their table. Adam started up.

"Hey, guys, you know our waiter at dinner. I reckon he's gay."

"He is," said the omniscient Ben. "I meant to mention it before."

"But he looks too young," said Tony.

"What? To be gay?" said Simon.

"No, Dummkopf." The locals looked round when they heard the word 'Dummkopf'. "To be a waiter," continued Tony.

"I've got an idea," said Adam. He put a €5 note on the table. "A sweepstake. We all put €5 into the kitty and the first one to get his hand into his trousers gets the €20."

"Front, back?" demanded Simon.

"Front. The back could be by accident almost."

"Or gets his trousers off all together," said Tony.

"And if no one succeeds?" said Ben.

"Then he gets it as a tip at the end of the week over and above what the family gives him."

"I'm in," said Simon and put another €5 note on the table.

"Me too," said Tony and put ten on the table and took five.

"So am I," said Ben, put a twenty on the table and took the remaining fifteen. "You look after the money, Adam, as you suggested it." At that point the desk clerk interrupted them.

"Herr Legge zum Telefon, bitte." Tony looked surprised, but got up and followed to reception.

"Hi, Mum." (...;) Yeah, great time. How are things at home? (...;) No, the weather's been great. (...;) «Here's Dad.» "Hi Dad." (...;) «Hold the line, Tony. Love you too.» (...;) "Who's that?" «It's me...; William.» "I didn't recognise your voice. Have you got a cold or something?" «No, it's broken in the last week. Mum says I've got a really dark brown voice, deeper than yours.» "That's great, Will. Is anything else happening?" «Can't say at the moment. Tell ya when you get home. Gotta go. Love you, Tony.» "Love you too, Will. Miss ya. Bye."

Tony put the phone down and went back out onto the terrace.

"That was the family."

"Everything okay?" asked Ben.

"Yeah. Guess what. William's voice has broken since I've been away. It's really gruff."

"That means his balls have dropped," said Adam.

"He wouldn't tell me that. Said I'd have to wait till I get home to find that out."

"While you were on the phone," said Simon "we came to an executive decision. We're going to dress like Ben for dinner and the disco - white shirt and dark trousers. Are you okay with that?"

"Sure. Corporate identity they call that. Now I feel like a bit of R & R. You coming upstairs, Ben?"

Reconvened for dinner the families sat at their table happily chatting. Isabella was dressed to kill. She obviously had a date lined up, but wasn't telling. The boys looked radiant in their white shirts, so much so that they almost lit up the room. With twenty euros at stake the young waiter suddenly became the centre of attraction and whenever he brought food or drinks to the table he faced a barrage of questions. No, he wasn't a proper waiter. His father owned the hotel and he worked to help out and earn some extra pocket money. Yes, he was only sixteen and was still at school. Yes, he did hope to look in at the disco when his work was finished. No, he didn't have a girlfriend. No, he wasn't Isabella's secret date. Finally the meal was over. The adults went and sat out on the terrace. They could already hear the beat coming up from the cellar. The children went to make their final preparations for the disco.

The boys went down together - safety in numbers. They gingerly entered the cellar, organised drinks for themselves and went and sat at a table in the corner, but because of the UV light they couldn't hide. They shone out in the near darkness like ghosts. The basement was filling up quite nicely. Finally Adam plucked up courage and asked Simon if he would like to dance. Since after five minutes nothing untoward had happened Tony and Ben took to the floor. They made sure that they danced apart. They didn't dare get close enough to touch one another. They were after all breaking new ground and would they have done this at an English disco? All four doubted it. They eventually returned to their table still half expecting to be arrested or at the very least asked to leave. It was at that moment that their young waiter appeared and on seeing the collective white glow headed for their table. They welcomed him and asked him to sit down, but before he did he insisted on fetching a round of drinks.

"Auf Kosten des Hauses," he said as he returned. They formally introduced themselves and found out that that his name was Otto. "I want to ask you a personal question. Are you schwul?"

"Gay?" said Adam. "Yes, all four of us. How did you know?"

"I am gay too and I just knew. I meet willingly a lot of boys because I work in the hotel and I can always tell the gay ones." Simon said he was going upstairs to fetch a handkerchief. Adam asked Tony for a dance, which left Ben and Otto chatting at the table. They then decided to have a dance, during which Otto took hold of him and drew him closer.

"It is all right these days," he said to Ben as he tensed a little. Boys are allowed to dance with boys and girls have always danced together. From the age of fourteen it is our legal right." As they held each other Ben could feel the lump in Otto's trousers and he started to press his own hardening lump against. He was ecstatic. "Ben, would you like to go and do something with me?" Ben thought and nodded. "I know a little place. Follow me." At first he was horrified to see Otto leading him towards the toilets. "It's all in order. Don't worry." As they passed the toilets, Otto took a bunch of keys off his belt. "This is a special room we keep in case a guest has an accident or a member of staff feels unwell." They went in and he locked the door and put the bunch of keys on the table. There was a couch type bed, a couple of chairs and a sink. Otto pulled Ben into him and their lips met as did their hardening packages. Ben suddenly remembered the sweepstake. He put his hand in between them and pulled down the zip on Otto's trousers, and putting his hand in, he was surprised to discover that he was going commando. He pulled his dick free and started to jerk it. "I don't want you to do that. I want you to suck it - lutschenwe say in German. That's the same as you do to a lollipop." Ben undid the trouser belt and catch and the trousers fell to the ground.

"Sit up on the couch, Otto." Now Ben didn't have to crouch or kneel. He just applied the lessons he'd learnt from Tony until Otto without warning ejaculated, partly in Ben's mouth and partly over his face. They cleaned themselves up and Otto pulled his trousers up.

"Now I want to do the same to you, Ben," and he was about to unzip Ben's fly when his mobile rang. "Oh dear, I have to go. My father needs some help. There is a drunken guest in the bar. We must meet before you go home."

Otto locked the door behind them and dashed off to the bar. Ben walked back to the disco. It was the interval and his three friends were sitting at their table.

"Where have you been?" said Tony.

"Oh, I've been giving Otto a blow job."

"Oh, that's all right then." Five seconds must have passed.

"You did what?" shouted Simon.

"I gave Otto a bj and by the way I claim the €20 sweepstake money. Or rather I don't want it. You can give it to Otto as a tip at the end of the week."

"Is that it? Aren't you going to tell us about it?" asked Adam.

"Nothing to tell really, except that he doesn't wear undies." At that moment who should turn up at their table, but the three Bauer brothers?

"We didn't know you were staying in this hotel too," said Rainer.

"Come and sit with us." Although the room was in near darkness our boys could see that they were just as good looking dressed as they were naked. Ne'er a word was spoken by the English quartet on the subject, but they knew what each other was thinking. What a loss to us gayboys that these three were str8, but that didn't prevent a little chatting up, posing, touching and coquetry. How grateful our four youngsters were that they were learning German at school.

"You know that in the second half there is a...; Konkurrenz...;" said Gerhardt.

"Competition," said Rainer.

"...;for the best dancers." Tony, Simon and Adam looked at one another.

"We learn dancing at school," said Simon by way of explanation.

"Classical and modern," added Adam.

"Adam and Simon danced a little ballet in front of the whole school last term," said Tony. At that point Otto returned.

"Emergency over," he said and introduced himself to the Bauer brothers who of course had seen him around the hotel. "Does anyone need another drink?" Otto organised drinks for everybody and the second half of the disco started off.

Soon it was time for the competition and Adam, Tony and Simon had made a decision. They would dance one of their routines from school. The dancers cleared some space and one by one the competing groups took to the floor, all receiving loud applause afterwards. There was a really good atmosphere in the place. Our boys' turn was about halfway through. Like everyone else they received rapturous applause and then went back to their table to enjoy the rest of the dancing, the brothers Bauer admiring the girls while our boys and Otto indulged in a little boywatching. The competition came to an end and after a brief interlude the results were announced, in reverse order naturally. Imagine their surprise when Tony, Simon and Adam were declared the winners, surprised not only because they thought they had no chance, but also because they were a boys only group and didn't think that would go down well. They went up to receive their prize which was a trophy, certificate and a large bottle of sekt. They were interviewed briefly by the compère, half in German and half in English, helped out by Otto, and asked if they would perform an encore. The three boys put their heads together and provided some suitable music could be found Adam and Simon agreed to dance their ballet piece from the end of term. They felt confident enough to do it and Tony didn't mind sitting this one out. The music started and Simon and Adam went through their routine in stockinged feet. They felt restricted in long trousers rather than tights and had to avoid the danger of squashing their balls, but they survived the routine, again to thunderous applause.

"Now I know why it's called The Nutcracker," Simon whispered to Adam.

"With your low hangers you'll have felt it more than me," laughed Adam. Then the dancers took over the floor and the disco continued.

The Bauer brothers were content to dance with one another and later with the English boys. Sven, the youngest, gained a great deal of confidence from dancing with Otto and in the whirl Ben caught the occasional glimpse of his sister with a young man. At five to twelve it was time for the last dance, Simon with Adam, Ben with Tony, Rainer with Gerhardt and Sven with Otto. At the end the lights went up and the DJ wished everyone good night. The Bauers took their leave and our boys invited Otto up to their room. Otto said he could not stay long as he had to be up early to help prepare breakfast. They sat around in the living room chatting, but not before raiding the minibar. They got Otto talking about his job as a waiter, how he would pick out the gay guests and if he liked them he would give them the special attention that he was giving to the Carltons and the van den Bergs, and if he liked them a lot the extra special attention he had given Ben that evening. Yes, when he was working he did wear undies. He found that the way he worked did earn him tips, and good tips at that. What did his co-workers think about it? They put it down to his being the boss's son and as none of them were gay he had the playing field to himself.

"Do you know the English game Piggy-in-the-Middle?" asked Adam.

"No," said Otto. "You must explain it to me." Adam and Simon started from the children's ball game to their own adaptation. "Yes, I think I would like to play that." This was the point where Ben and Tony said good night and went off to their own room. Simon and Adam took Otto into theirs and started to make the preparations. Towards three am Otto finally put his clothes back on and made his way back to his own room in the family apartment of the hotel. At breakfast the following morning the youngsters made their appearance in dribs and drabs, the last being Isabella, but Otto was on duty dressed in his immaculate waiter's uniform (complete with undies) and a smile on his face. But then, despite being tired, so had Adam and Simon.

"So how did last night go?" enquired Philip.

"Brilliant," said Simon. "We won a prize for the best disco dancing."

"Yeah," said Adam, "we just adapted something from our dance classes at school. Then we did our ballet piece as an encore."

"And we met up with our German friends, the Bauer boys."

"Then Otto who was off duty came and joined us," said Ben. "It was great fun."

"How about you, Isabella," enquired Philip. As an answer he simply received a sickly smile. The effort of enjoying a whole evening had obviously been too much for her.

"We think she enjoyed herself," her mother replied on her behalf.

"Now, boys," said Peter, "we're hoping you can tear yourselves away from the beach for the day, for as it's Sunday we'd like to take the little train into Bad Doberan and have a leisurely family lunch together. Does that cause any problems?" The boys looked at one another shrugging their shoulders and shaking their heads. "We'll take that as a no then."

"Will we have time to go swimming when we get back?" asked Adam.

"Oodles," said Philip. "You can either use the hotel pool or go down to the beach."

"We need to keep our tan up, you see," said Ben.

"But remember you won't be able to do any shopping," said Judith. "Germany's very strict about Sunday trading."

"If you want to shop, you'd best wait until we go to Hamburg," said Philip.

"When's that?" asked Tony. "I'll have to take some presents home."

"And we'll have to get something for Lucy and Brabazon," said Simon.

"And don't forget Mrs Green for looking after Lucy," added Adam.

"I suggest you all chillax this morning. You obviously had a late night yesterday, and we'll meet at reception at eleven to catch the train," said Peter. Ben gave his father a look for saying 'chillax'. At least he hadn't said just 'chill and hang'. That would have been like soo embarrassing. At that moment the Bauers, parents and sons, came into the dining room and the boys called across a greeting.

The first week had really set the seal on the routine of the second week. Sunday night had obviously seen a shower of rain, but by the morning the sky was clear again and everything refreshed. It was now the done thing for Ben to sleep over with the other boys and he had permission to do so for the rest of the stay. The four boyswould regularly stand naked in front of the mirrors in their room admiring themselves and to see if they really had lost their tanlines and quite often this would lead to a little naughtiness.

The day in Hamburg was a little rushed. Again it started with a tour of the city and this was how the boys learnt about the Miniatur Wunderland, the largest model railway in the world.

"I'm afraid that would be a day's visit on its own," said Philip. "If you boys really would like to see it, I'll drive you there tomorrow." They talked amongst themselves and came to the conclusion that it was something to be put on the list for a future occasion and with just two days left for the Carltons and three for the van den Bergs the call of the beach was stronger.

"Unless it's raining, of course," said Simon. Shopping came next on the list and Simon bought a rubber bone with a bell in it for Lucy, and before going back they took a wander round the huge docks. Finally they returned to Kühlungsborn tired, but happy after a day out.

Late Thursday morning they were lying on the FKK-beach, drying out after taking their first swim of the day. They hadn't been able to find the Bauer family. Perhaps they were on an excursion.

"I need to get some hair conditioner on the way back to the hotel," said Tony. "This salt water really does give you a bad hair day."

"As long as I can run my fingers through it, it's okay by me," said Ben.

"Don't be such a big tart," shouted Adam.

"Who? Me?" protested Ben.

"I meant Tony, but now you come to mention it, it applies to both of you." At that they both got up and started kicking sand into Adam's groin. "Hey, stop it. What do you think this is? A Charles Atlas advert?" He got up and rounded on both of them. Simon just looked on laughing. Two fit boys were too much for him. They pulled him to the ground, knelt on his wrists and legs and as they did started to shovel sand over him. Having two small, but sexually mature and attractive boys dominating him did nothing for Adam's self-control and as if in slow motion his dick slowly started to rise. "Hey, guys, stop it. They'll throw me off the beach if I'm found like this." The other three simply giggled and guffawed and Simon joined in to pile even more sand over his groin. As his foreskin peeled back the grains stuck to his moist glans. "Hey, there's nothing worse than getting sand under your foreskin." Luckily the bathers around them just thought it was normal teenage horseplay.

Fortunately Ben, Tony and Simon soon relented and as Adam cleared the sand off his body his dick began to relax, but the damage was done and as his foreskin recovered his glans the irritation started. There was only one thing for it. He had to go back into the water and give his pubes and dick a thorough rinsing. As he came back out of the sea he gave his friends a dousing by shaking the water out of his hair over them, just as Lucy was wont to do when she had been swimming in the lake.

When law and order had been restored Adam said

"We've only got two nights left with Ben. Is there anything special we want to do?"

"Tomorrow night Mum and Dad will make me do packing. But I'll make sure I can sleep over in your room," said Ben.

"And tonight we thought we would go out together, just the two of us," said Tony.

"Oh, a date," said Simon.

"Might be," said Ben. The two boys blushed.

"There's a film on we thought we might see," said Tony.

"But it'll be in German," countered Simon.

"It doesn't really matter," said Ben. Adam motioned to Simon not to push it.

"That's great," said Adam. "You two go off and have a good time. We'll soon find something to do, and if you're back late don't wake us up," he winked and grinned.

"We'll be as quiet as mice," said Tony.

"And make sure your bedsprings are as well," added Adam with a giggle.

The boys continued their sunbathing.

"The trouble with having no tanlines now we don't really know how brown we've got," said Ben.

"It's easy," said Simon. "I just take my watch off."

"It's all right for you, but you're the only one that wears his watch all day," said Tony.

"It's waterproof to six fathoms."

"I remembered to bring the camera today," said Adam.

"Great," said Simon. "We need a photo of Ben for our guest book." Ben was game. He posed alone and with Tony. Then Adam asked one of the other bathers to take a group of the four. They stood with their back to the sea so that their fronts were fully illuminated by the sun.

"We'll e-male these to you when we get back," said Simon.

The families met again for dinner that evening. It was obvious that Ben and Tony were impatient to leave.

"What's up with you two this evening?" challenged Isabella.

"It's just that we thought we would go to the cinema tonight," said Tony.

"On a date?" Simon and Adam gave each other a knowing look.

"Might be," said Ben. "Remember how impatient you got before the disco?"

"What are you going to see?" asked Judith.

"It's a James Bond film in German. So if we can't understand it we'll know the story."

"If you've had enough to eat," said Peter "why don't you skip dessert?"

"That's a good idea," answered Ben.

"Have you got enough money?"

"Yes, thanks." Suddenly the main course had disappeared from their plates and the two boys made their excuses.

"What are you doing this evening, Adam and Simon?" asked Philip.

"We'll probably go and play pool, then go upstairs and read," answered Adam.

"Why don't you join us on the terrace and chat? We really haven't seen or heard much of you this holiday." Simon and Adam looked at one another, shrugged their shoulders and said

"Fine."

It was no strain for the pair to spend time leisurely over a meal. They had had plenty of practice with their father and there was nothing they wanted to do which couldn't be put off until later. The Carltons and the van den Bergs adjourned to the terrace for coffee. The evening was pleasantly warm and the sun was not even preparing to set yet.

"I love these long evenings," said Simon.

"You know," said Adam, "I'd really like to go so far north that the sun doesn't even set at night."

"You'd have to go north of the Arctic Circle in June, or at the latest July," said Peter. "It's a beautiful sight and an odd feeling for although you do need to sleep, you just don't get tired. I did it years ago."

"It's something we could try when you've finished your GCSEs," said Philip. The school likes you organise something like that for yourselves before the end of term." Isabella looked at her watch and said

"I must fly."

"On a date?" chorused Adam and Simon.

"Yes," replied Isabella and she picked up her handbag and left.

The five remaining carried on chatting. It was obvious Judith had something on her mind and finally she could contain herself no longer.

"Simon, Adam, I know this is asking you to tell tales out of school, as it were, but are...;" Here she hesitated. "...;but are...;" Simon knew what the question was going to be and was dying to complete it. "...;are Ben and Tony an item?" Again Adam and Simon looked at each other, then at Philip, then at each other again and Adam nodded at Simon. Simon was the more diplomatic of the two.

"I think if you had asked us that question at breakfast tomorrow, we could have said yes or no. I think this evening is going to be very important for them and if I were you I wouldn't ask them too much about the film tonight." Judith smiled, but it was clear from her face that the next few hours were going to be a mild form of torture for her. Peter put his arms round her shoulders to comfort her.

"I shouldn't worry," said Philip. "Tony's a lovely boy and comes from a wonderful and supportive family. You'll meet them soon either way, and if Tony does become Ben's special friend at least they'll be safer together. Ben won't be looking around for...; what shall I say? ...;companionship from more dubious quarters." Peter knew what Philip meant and he thought Judith understood too.

Meanwhile two English boys were heading for the resort's cinema, grasping each other's hand by the little finger. They walked past it and on towards the beach. Instead of turning right, they turned left and carried on beyond the Strandkörbeand towards the grassy dunes. Red roses seemed to thrive in the sandy soil, the bushes a mixture of blossom and immature rose hips. They found a grassy mound where they could sit down without getting covered in sand and look out to sea. There was a fishing boat on the horizon followed by a squadron of gulls. The sun was in the northwest without even making its final approach to land in the sea and it still cast its warmth onto the ground. The boys were content to lie there holding hands, fingers intertwined. It was Ben who was the first to speak.

"Are Simon and Adam really in love with one another?"

"It was love at first sight I gather."

"And where do you fit in?"

"We're what are called 'just good friends' or better best friends."

"And you do stuff together?"

"Yeah, but not all the time. Like they sometimes do stuff with you. It doesn't mean that they love each other any the less," said Tony.

"So you haven't got a boyfriend yourself?"

"No." They remained silent for a few moments."

"When we get back to England, can we still see one another? We don't live very far away."

"Sure. You can come and meet my family. You'll love William, but he's not gay, or so he says, but he does take a lot of interest in me being gay. And I'm sure you can come to the van den Bergs' with me. They've got a big house near us and they're ever so rich, but have you noticed? They never talk about money. They don't have to. And Adam's been adopted by them because his parents died in a motorway crash...; and because they fell in love. That's the real reason."

"And Philip doesn't mind?"

"No. It sort of filled a gap for him and Simon when his wife died."

"How did she die?"

"Cancer. About the same time Adam's parents died."

"So we can still be friends?" Ben repeated. Tony knew where this was leading and how difficult it was for Ben. He had to help him out.

"Of course. Unless...;"

"Unless what?"

"Unless you'd rather we were...;" Now Tony had made up his mind he was teasing. "Unless you'd rather we were boyfriends...;"

"That's what I wanted to say. Can I kiss you?" Their lips met.

"Sealed with a kiss," said Tony.

The sun was heading for the horizon and the light was going. With a clear sky it would never grow completely dark at this time of year.

"We'd better get going," said Tony. "I want to make love to you for the first time tonight."

"But we've done that before."

"Oh, no we haven't. We've shagged each other's arses off, but this will be the first time we'll have made love together."

"What do we say about the cinema?"

"Simple," said Tony. "We changed our minds and went for a walk. People never know how to handle the truth and usually don't believe it."

"Who said that?"

"I did. There's nobody else around."

"No, dumbo. I meant originally."

"That's a nice thing to call your brand new lover, but to answer your question is it was Max Frisch."

"Who's he?"

"A Swiss writer. He wrote a whole play about it. We read it in school. In English of course."

When they got back to the hotel they went out onto the terrace. The remains of the two families were there, the adults having drinks, the boys ice creams.

"Hi there, we're back."

"Good film?" asked Peter.

"No, we gave it a miss and went for a walk along the beach," said Tony.

"Too hot and stuffy in there on a nice evening like this," said Ben. Judith was itching to ask questions.

"Ice creams? Or a drink?" asked Philip.

"No thanks," said Ben for both of them.

"We're a bit tired," said Tony. "We're going to have an early night."

"You sound like an old married couple," said Adam and winked at them.

"Don't make too much noise when to come to bed," said Tony. "Those beds certainly creak a lot. Good night, everyone."

"Good night," added Ben and they disappeared up to their room with the others calling good night after them.

"Well?" asked Judith

"Well what?" said Peter.

"Are they or aren't they?"

"I don't know. You'll have to ask them in the morning, dear."

"You can be so frustrating at times, Peter Carlton."

"Moi?"

The families sat outside a little longer chatting to give Ben and Tony time to get to bed. The adults at least seemed to have bought the one about needing an early night and the boys saw no reason to disabuse them.

Friday, the last complete day together. All the boys were up, bright eyed and bushy tailed by half past seven. Adam was reading a novel and Simon was catching up with GYmag.

"I reckon we ought to send up that photo of the four of us on the nudist beach for the centrefold."

"Only one difficulty about that - age," countered Adam. "But I agree. We're just as hot as most they put there."

"I wonder what they'd say when it got round school."

"Doesn't bear thinking about."

"The authorities I mean, not the pupils."

"I know exactly what you mean, Si. I'm not worried about what the lads would say." At that moment the door to the other bedroom opened and out came Tony and Ben, beaming and holding hands. Simon and Adam didn't have to ask the question.

"Congratulations," they both said and got up to give them a hug.

"When you get back, Ben, you must come round to our house with Tony," said Simon.

"And if you need a little R & R, know what I mean, we can always organise a weekend sleep over," added Adam.

"We've got Brabazon quite well trained now."

"You know you're going to get the third degree when we go down to breakfast, don't you?"

"We did last night," said Simon.

"Did you say anything?" asked Ben anxiously.

"We didn't even know anything," Adam re-assured him.

They got down to breakfast. The mood was light and the conversation frivolous. It was obvious what everybody wanted to talk about, but no one dared broach the subject, and the boys weren't telling. Even Isabella was in a good mood. The adults went off to fill up their plates at the buffet table.

"First time for everything," mumbled Ben as she followed her parents. "I reckon she got laid."

"I heard that," she turned round and retorted "and you can just mind your own smutty business, Ben Carlton."

"I did," said Ben and guffawed. Isabella gave him a filthy look. "Back to normal. She didn't."

"You're trying your luck, aren't you?" remarked Tony.

"The mood I'm in I don't care. I can't spend my life being emotionally blackmailed by her and if something did happen last night, she certainly isn't going to go and complain to Mum about what I said."

When the eight were gathered back at the table Judith said

"As it's our last day I expect you boys will want to go off to the beach together. Philip and Dad are going off for a game of golf and Isabella and I are having our hair done and doing some last minute shopping. You're welcome to join us if you wish." The boys just looked at each other with knowing smiles. "Now this evening we want to make dinner special and after that there's packing to be done. I don't want a panic in the morning. When the packing's done you can spend the night in Tony, Simon and Adam's room, Ben. The taxi to take us to the airport is booked for ten o'clock. Philip kindly offered to take us, but the arrangements are all part of the holiday package. Now has anyone got any questions?"

"Yes, I've got one," said Isabella. "Ben, are you and Tony an item?" Everybody burst out laughing, including Ben and Tony, but when the laughter died down no answer was forthcoming, just two enigmatic smiles. Breakfast and the frivolous conversation continued with no one the wiser and Judith trying to pretend that the question hadn't asked. Finally the meal broke up and the boys went off to get their packed lunches from reception. After they'd gone a couple of yards Ben and Tony held the other two back and holding hands announced so that the whole dining room could hear

"The answer to Isabella's question is yes," and the four lads left the room before there could be any reaction.

"Now if Mum or Dad had asked, or even Philip, we'd have answered str8away," said Ben.

"I don't have any trouble like that with my sister," said Tony.

At reception they saw Otto who was helping out there rather than in the dining room.

"Morgen, Otto," the four lads greeted him. They explained that that evening would be the last time they would all be together and asked whether he would be serving them at table. They were delighted when he said he would make sure he did. The boys went off to get ready for a day in the sun. With all their kit they made their way to the beach, stopped by the supermarket on the way to stock up on drinks, found the Bauer family on the FKK-beach and settled down for a calm and uneventful day. As they lay on the beach idly chatting Adam said

"Si, we've got to be careful tomorrow. With the Carltons gone your dad's going to be on his own. We've got to work out something to include him. Any ideas, Tony?"

"We could bring him here," said Simon. "I'm sure he would be up for it."

"Maybe," said Adam, "but don't you think for one day out of fourteen we ought to do something he wants to do?"

"We'll talk to him this afternoon." They continued to soak up the sun. "Do you realise, Adam, there's something we haven't done all holiday?"

"Give me a clue."

"Something important."

"You'll have to do better than that."

"We haven't been for a run."

"That doesn't matter. That's what holidays are all about. Getting out of routine, and anyway the amount of swimming we've done will make up for it. We can do something about it on Monday."

"Are you on for that, Tony?"

"Er...; um...; I'm not sure yet. I might have something else on."

"You dirty little beast," said Adam in jest. "You're obsessed by sex."

"And you're not?" retorted Tony. "Who taught me to be obsessed by sex anyway?" Ben kept quiet during this exchange, his blushes almost imperceptible through the suntan on his face.

"Simon."

"Ooh, you fibber. You're just as bad as I am."

"Just as good you mean," said Adam and wiggled his eyebrows at him.

"Anyway, if I've got a boyfriend he's got to meet the family. I've already met his." They returned to the serious business of sunworshipping.

With four o'clock approaching the boys packed up their belongings, said goodbye to the Bauers, then when they reached the wicket gates to the Walkyrie on guard, telling her that their holiday was coming to a close. They reached the hotel terrace just as orders were being taken amongst the chit chat of what had happened on the golf course, at the hairdresser's and on the beach.

"Dad, what are we doing tomorrow?" asked Simon.

"Well, I expect you're going to the beach, aren't you?" replied Philip.

"We didn't think it was fair to leave you on your own."

"That's kind, but I was thinking of going to an art exhibition in Güstrow."

"Can we come too?" asked Adam.

"You might find it rather boring."

"You can explain it all to us," said Tony. "We can always go for a swim when we get back."

"Okay, if you're sure you'd like to," said Philip. "Discuss it amongst yourselves and let me know over dinner."

"What sort of art exhibition is it?" asked Adam.

"Actually I am not interested in the whole exhibition, just one statue. It's carved in wood by a sculptor called Ernst Barlach and it's called Der lesende Klosterschüler,something like the 'Novice Reading' and it goes back to something we read when I was at school and has always stuck in my mind. It seems such a pity to find myself a few miles from it and then not see the real thing for myself. I could probably explain it to you and show you some of the locations and if you don't like it, we can find something else to do." Just then the ice creams, Kaffee und Kuchenturned up. Alles mit Sahne.

The conversation round the table gradually became subdued at the realisation that the holiday was about end. Tony and Ben knew they would see one another when they got back, at least in the school holidays, but that would not be the same as here in Kühlungsborn and even that would not be so easy once school started again. Judith had no more instructions to hand down to her family, at least for the time being. The boys agreed to wear white shirts and dark trousers for dinner, with the addition this time of a tie. Ben was reminded, not that he had forgotten, that he had the €20 tip to give to Otto that evening. Even the news about Tony and Ben was after seven hours no longer news, although Peter and Judith had not had the opportunity to discuss it private. On the golf course Philip had simply advised Peter to accept the fact and go with the flow. Openness and tolerance had worked with his two boys and he counted himself lucky that there had been no major ructions. He knew that Tony was basically a good, kind and considerate boy whom his family had brought up well and that when he met them he would like them. Finally the gathering broke up. Philip could take a nap, Isabella was encouraged to do a little shopping, Judith and Peter could talk and the boys could have a little R & R.

At half past seven the eight were seated round their normal table in the dining room. The boys had just taken Otto on one side. On their behalf Ben presented him with the €20 tip not omitting to regale him with the story of how they had come to contribute it. Otto laughed when he heard and said

"So I didn't earn it by serving at your table? And what would have happened if no one had succeeded?" They couldn't answer the question for they knew their parents would also be giving him a tip before they parted, although it had been earnt in a slightly different way.

"What time do you finish tomorrow evening?" asked Adam. "We should like you to come for a Coke in our room."

"I'll tell you tomorrow. Will it be as much fun as last Saturday?"

"I don't think so," said Ben "because I shan't be there."

"Ooh, get you," squealed Simon so that everybody looked round, "but we'll take that as a yes." Otto returned to the kitchen and the boys returned to the dining room to join their families. The normal table, however, was not normal, but the boys could not work out why. Perhaps it was the two vases each with a single red rose in it and one was positioned prominently by Ben's place. Perhaps it was the white linen napkins rather than the usual paper ones. Otto had taken extra special care that evening. Without saying anything, the boys wondered whether he was going commando. The white pinafore he was wearing made it impossible to judge, but they didn't mind betting he would be the following evening. The white table linen reflected under the concealed UV in the same way as the boys' shirts and it slowly dawned on them that earlier on in the holiday the tablecloths had been various pastel shades, but never white. They were indeed honoured.

The meal proceeded in a leisurely manner that evening even though the Carltons had work to do afterwards. As a treat the boys were permitted to drink a glass of white wine with their meal, but there was no danger that was going to turn them into alcoholics. The first one to leave was Isabella who had an assignation. After she had gone Ben asked

"Mum, why can Isabella go out while I have to stay in to get my packing done?"

"She's done hers already," said Judith. "Please don't make a fuss, dear."

"I'm not making a fuss, mother. I'm asking a logical question." Ben was not going to get a logical answer there and then, but knew he had wrong footed his mother over the treatment of himself and his sister and had made his point. Ben's strength was that he could now carry without vituperation or any sign of moodiness. As the other diners left the dining room Otto had more time to talk to the English Sommergäste. In his peculiar position as the boss's son he had some leeway which the regular staff did not enjoy, but then they also knew that he did not receive the established pay rates that they did. He was under age for a start and he had to pull his weight within the family. Whatever work he did made it easier for the regular staff. Eventually that dinner party broke up and while Judith and the boys went up to their rooms Philip and Peter remained behind to express their families gratitude in an unobtrusive and generous way. It made you wonder if they would have been quite so generous if they'd known about the carnal services the children in their care had enjoyed with Otto, but they didn't know and it remained that way.

Upstairs Ben quickly got his things packed with his mother's help and simply had his overnight requirements and his travelling clothes in a plastic bag. Just as he was going to wish his parents good night Peter said

"Ben, come and sit down on the settee." His mother joined them. "How have you enjoyed the holiday?"

"It was great. Couldn't have been better. I admit I was doubtful before we came. After all who comes to the Baltic coast for their holidays?"

"Quite a few people as you've seen. It's just that not many of them are foreigners."

"I think it's a little secret the Germans like to keep to themselves."

"It's certainly better than Spain. And I wouldn't have met Tony and the van den Bergs if we hadn't come here. We can keep in touch with them when we get back home, can't we?"

"Of course. In fact Philip wants to organise a dinner party at his house so that we can meet all the Legge family," said Judith. "It should be nice." Pause. "Ben, I really am sorry about this packing thing with Isabella. You see, we just don't realise how quickly you're growing up. I think your meeting Tony made us realise, and you must by the way invite him to come to the house to see us. And that's why we tend to treat you differently. I know we shouldn't."

"But the way it looks to me is that she can do all sorts of things because she gets all sulky and bad tempered whereas I don't." Peter looked at Judith and then at Ben as if he was going to say something, but thought better of it.

"I think we're coming to understand that, Ben," and she took him into a hug.

"Is it okay if I go and see the others now?"

"Off you go, Ben," said his father "and don't be late for breakfast."

"There's still a lot to be done before the taxi leaves," said his mother. They both kissed him good night.

The other three boys were sitting around talking about their holiday experiences when Ben got to their room.

"I think I've got my point of view through at last," he said. "I've just had a talking to and the parents have realised that the different way they treat Isabella and me is unfair. We'll see anyway."

"Is there anything particular you want to do on your last night?" asked Simon.

"Simon, you must be kidding."

"I didn't mean that. I meant before we went to bed."

"I wouldn't mind going down to the sea for one last look before going home."

"We'll have to be quick," said Tony. "It'll be dark soon." The boys took a leisurely stroll down to the beach, along the promenade and back to the hotel. They had a drink in the bar before going upstairs for an 'early night'.

"I expect, Si, Tony and Ben will want to be on their own for a bit," said Adam. "Any idea what we could do."

"I haven't finished your magazine yet."

"And I'm just getting to the exciting part of my book."

"We're going to go and read in our room," said Simon. "You don't mind, do you, lads?"

"Oh, no, no," said Tony. "We're a bit bored really."

"We don't know what to get up to on our last night together," added Ben.

"Ooh, right. We'll wish you good night then," said Adam. They all said goodnight and made a rush for their rooms. You couldn't see their feet for dust.

The next morning all eight were down to breakfast sharp at eight o'clock. Otto was ready to attend on them. The chat was lively despite the early hour. Even Isabella joined in the conversation. However, once eating was over there was work to be done, cases to be brought down, bills to be paid, rooms to be tidied. At a quarter to ten the van den Berg contingent lined up outside the hotel as the Carltons waited for their taxi to arrive. When it was about to leave there was a great deal of hugging and shaking of hands, and finally Tony took Ben into a hug and after kissing him on the cheek he said

"See you on Monday." Ben was the last to get into the taxi. It pulled away and the van den Bergs waved until it turned the corner.

"Okay, boys?" said Philip. "We'll get our stuff, then off in the car to Güstrow."

They didn't arrive back until gone seven. The day had obviously been a success and Philip had managed to capture the boys' imaginations with what he had to show and tell them.

"A quick shower and change, boys, and I'll see you in the dining room for half past seven.

It seemed strange to be dining at a table for four after nearly two weeks of the combined meals. Otto was on hand, immaculate in his white shirt, black bow tie, black trousers and white pinafore. His attention was absolutely unobtrusive as he could see his guests were deep in a conversation led by Adam.

"So, Philip, if I understand you correctly, Barlach's art was officially described as degenerate, not because it was degenerate, but because he criticised the Nazi government?"

"That's right and then after the war it was rehabilitated by the Communists, not so much for its undoubted artistic merit, but because it had been banned by the Nazis. Or at least that's my thesis."

"It's a good job that sort of thing can't happen in our country," said Simon.

"But it can," warned Philip "and in a subtler way it does. We don't have people put behind bars or execute them for their political ideas and we're supposed to have freedom of speech. We don't ban people from working at their jobs for political reasons, but we do it in a different way."

"How do you mean?" asked Tony.

"Until recently we had multi-culturism and if you spoke out against it, however rationally, you were labelled a racist. Things are changing there, but how many of you have heard of global warming?" A groan went up.

"Every geography lesson at school it's dragged in," said Tony "and that's one reason I didn't choose geography for next year."

"And what do they tell you?" asked Philip.

"That it's going happen and they make it an excuse to ban, to tax and spoil people's fun," said Simon.

"And what happens if you speak out against it?"

"Everybody laughs at you, like they do at Jeremy Clarkson," said Adam "and they won't even let you put forward rational arguments against it. Then the famous people who do, like David Bellamy and Christopher Booker, get shunned and they don't get the best jobs. When did last see David Bellamy on television?"

"And if you want good marks in your geography exams, or biology or physics, even English, you've got to go along with it and pretend you agree," said Tony.

"Exactly," said Philip. "And the marvellous thing is that you've got the intelligence to notice."

"They try to tell us that global warming is killing off the polar bears," said Simon "and yet there are more polar bears at present than there have ever been."

"I don't think the teachers even believe it," said Adam "if you look at their faces and listen to the expression in their voices, but they have to get us through the exams."

"Subtle, isn't it?" said Philip. At that moment Otto brought the main course, a selection of five different fish, all caught in the Baltic, with dishes of vegetables to help yourselves from.

"I like the way they cook this red cabbage," said Tony.

"It's 'blue' cabbage in German," said Adam.

"So what are you three up to for the rest of the evening?" asked Philip. "Or shouldn't I ask?" he added with a twinkle in his eyes. Three blushes appeared on the three faces. "I hope you didn't corrupt Ben," he whispered conspiratorially.

"Father, I don't know what you could possibly mean," replied Simon in mock indignation.

"I may not say a lot, but that doesn't mean I don't notice things, either."

"Come on, Philip, chapter and verse," said Adam.

"Do you really want me to?" he countered. "By the look on your faces I'd say no." The boys looked at one another. "Let's just say that when the Carltons arrived, Ben was not the happiest bunny in the warren and when he left his mood had changed completely."

"The holiday had done him good," said Tony. "No more than that."

"Come to think of it, his sister was a lot happier too at the end," remarked Adam.

"QED," said Philip. "I rest my case." The boys realised there was no mileage in pursuing the matter. "So to return to my original question, what are you doing this evening?"

"We'll get as much packing as possible done and then...;" said Adam and reduced his voice to a whisper as the boys leaned in towards Philip, "we have every intention of corrupting Otto."

"We've asked him to have a drink with us in our room," Tony hurriedly added by way of explanation.

The meal reached its natural conclusion and the party broke up. There was no urgency as it was obvious that Otto still had a lot to do before he finished work.

"I'll wish you three boys good night. Not too late. I don't want to travel home with a load of zombies tomorrow. And be safe, okay?" Simon and Adam definitely knew what Philip was referring to and if Tony didn't it would be made clear to him later on. He hugged them and kissed Adam and Simon on the brow. They said

"See you later," as they passed Otto, thanked him and carried on up to their room.

"This is where I wish we had Brabazon," said Simon. "He can pack a case better than I will in a hundred years."

"Have you checked the minibar to see we have enough drinks?" said Adam.

"I have," answered Tony "though I think that's the least we have to worry about. With Otto we have instant room service."

"How are we off for Durex?" checked Adam.

"I've only got one left," said Tony.

"You horny little rabbit. It's a wonder you haven't worn you dick away."

"Now c'mon, Adam. You know that's the least I've got to worry about, and anyway, share and share alike, I didn't use them all."

"It's okay," said Simon. "I've got a dozen pack right here in my case. Extra strong? Is that all right?"

"We'll need them with our friend the rabbit here," and they both grinned at Tony.

"Anyway you can call me the lion. They say a lion can do it up to thirty-six times in a day."

"Ho, ho, ho," and the other two went into laughing policeman mode.

"Let's get organised," said Adam. "Whose room are we going to use?"

"We'd better use ours," said Simon. "The bedsprings will be severely stressed in Tony's."

"Hey, guys, why are you having a stab at me tonight?"

"Because we love you," said Adam, grabbed him in an embrace and kissed him, pushing his tongue in as far as it would go and when Adam had finished he did the same to Simon.

"Just to show we share everything," said Simon "and that we don't get jealous."

"You given him a stiffie now, Si"

"You started it, Adam."

"Hey, guys, you're forgetting me again."

"How could we forget you?" said Adam and gave him a quick peck on the lips. "Back to work. Let's get the gel and jonnies out so that we don't have to fumble around after them."

At about a quarter past ten there was a knock at the door. It was opened and in came Otto, resplendent in a white tee shirt, light grey sweats and flip flops, waving a bottle of sekt. It didn't take a trained boywatcher to spot that he was going commando.

"This is the bottle you won for your dancing at the disco last Saturday." If you kept still for a few moments you could hear the thump of the beat from this evening's disco coming up from the basement. "I've kept it safe for you, and on ice." The boys fetched four glasses and Otto deftly popped the cork.

"Here's to us," said Otto, "to a successful holiday for you and a successful evening for me...; no, for all of us. Prost." After chinking glasses they sat around the room chatting.

"Well," said Adam "you are our guest this evening and so you decide what we do."

"I am honoured," said Otto "and I will tell you in a few minutes, but first let us talk for a bit and get to know each other better. However, I must tell you that I have strict instructions from my father to be back in the private parts of our hotel by midnight at the latest." Our boys rolled around on the floor laughing. "What is funny?" asked Otto. "What have I said?" Adam was the only one capable of explaining the meaning of 'private parts'. The sekt had taken over, but fortunately a bottle didn't go very far among four.

Order restored the boys started asking Otto about himself.

"Does your family know that you're gay?" asked Tony.

"Of course. I think it is different in Germany from England. Here nobody minds and we have equal rights under the law. My schoolfriends know and a couple of them are gay too and we go out together."

"Have you got a boyfriend?" said Simon.

"No, for two reasons. With my studies and my work here in the hotel I have not got enough time for a regular relationship. That might happen at university. The other reason is that I like sex too much."

"What do you mean?" said Adam.

"We have a lot of guests in the hotel and many of them are young like you and I like them...; now that is not quite the right word...; I fancy them. Sometimes the boys I fancy are gay, like you, but not always. I have this gaydar. If they are gay I make them notice me, but only if they are roughly my own age, again like you. I do not like men. Perhaps I will when I am a man, but not yet. And sometimes, but not very much, I fancy a str8 boy and if I am very very careful and very very lucky I seduce him. But I have to be careful because his parents are our guests. Though nothing is illegal what I do. We are permitted by law have sex from the age of fourteen in Germany. And I must tell you that I enjoy it much more having sex with a str8 boy. It is a different feeling, a different Leistung...; achievement."

"Are you a top or a bottom?"

"I am both. When I see a boy I...; er, fancy I think ah! I would like to be inside him, or when I see another boy I think I would like him inside me. It just depends. And I like boys who are...; beschnitten...;"

"Cut or circumcised," said Adam.

"...;because they are unusual and therefore interesting."

"You'll be unlucky with us," said Adam. "We all adore our foreskins and they're such fun when you give head."

"Give head?"

"Suck dick," explained Simon.

"Ach, I understand, like Ben did to me."

"And so what do you want to do this evening?" said Adam.

"Tell me if you don't want to, but I want everybody to...; now, what's the word because you don't like the F word...; I want everyone to shag me. I am in that sort of mood. And if we have time after that something special." Everybody agreed and moved off to Simon and Adam's room.

Otto started to remove his tee shirt when Adam stopped him.

"A gentleman never shags without starting with a kiss."

"I volunteer," said Tony. The height difference was not too bad and Adam and Simon sat in chairs watching Tony kiss, work his hands under Otto's shirt and finally pull it over his head. Carrying on Tony slid his hands under the waistband of Otto's sweats and tried to lower them without reckoning with the barb his erection formed. Finally Otto was ready.

"I volunteer to lube his hole," said Simon.

"That will not be necessary," said Otto. "I did it after I showered and cleaned my bottom thoroughly." He turned round and not only was his hole amply lubed, but his hairless buns shone from some kind if skin conditioner.

"Who's first?" said Adam.

"Simon," said Otto. "That is my wish. Then Tony and last Adam. And whatever position they like." Simon pulled off his clothes. He was already half hard. Adam unwrapped a condom, manipulated Simon's dick a bit and unrolled it over his rampant weapon. Then Simon took him doggy fashion with Otto kneeling on the bed.

"When Simon is finished," said Otto "I want Tony str8 in." Tony stripped his clothes off, Adam got him hard, not that he needed much help, rolled the condom over his dick and lubed it. As soon as Simon pulled out, Tony told Otto to lie on his side, got on the bed beside his and very gingerly lined up with Otto's hole and easily slipped in. While he was going at it, Adam washed the lube off his hands, took all his clothes off ready for Simon to prepare him. Tony tried to stay in as long as possible, but nature took its course and he slipped out. Adam told Otto to lie on his back and raise his legs in the air. He was going in missionary position. Adam knelt between his legs and lined his cock up against his rosebud. The other two had done their work well in opening up Otto's hole. All the same Otto gave a yelp as Adam gently pushed in. He could take Tony's length with ease, but Adam's chunkiness was breathtaking. However, everything fell into place for the momentary pain made Otto's erection collapse which prevented him shooting his load between their bodies. Adam knew his art well and held back until he could hold back no more and when he did come it shook the bed so much that some of the furnishings and fittings rattled. Adam withdrew, momentarily exhausted.

The boys sat around for a few minutes to recover and then cleaned themselves up and disposed of the condoms hygienically without attempting to flush them down the loo.

Finally Otto spoke. "That was fantastic, the best ever. What a pity I could not add Ben to complete the set. Now it is only half past eleven and so I would like you to grant me my last wish. I would like to shag one of you, but in a special way. It's the way where I sit on the bed and one of sits on my stiffie." The boys looked at one another. None of them had ever dared try this method. "And I would like to do it with Adam." Adam went white. He was the one who had slowed up Simon on using that position, but with the effect of the sekt, the hyped up sexual atmosphere of the occasion and the encouragement of the others, after a little hesitation he agreed. He rolled the condom over Otto's ready, erect dick, an activity he loved for its own sake, then Simon lubed his butt.

"If I say 'stop', it means stop. Okay, lads?" He climbed onto the bed next Otto.

"I think for your first time it will be easier if you face away from me. Then I can help you better." Adam knelt astride Otto and slowly lowered himself. Otto guided his cock towards Adam's crevice, manipulated it until he found his hole and told him to continue lowering himself slowly and gently. It slid in like a dream. Months of anal activity had paid off. Adam found it odd to be acting as the bottom and yet in control.

"You know, despite all the fuss, I could get to like this." Little whimpers came from Otto and the distortions on his face were a homogenous mix of pleasure and pain. Finally Adam's movements reached their goal causing Otto to climax and then he just collapsed on top of Otto to recover. Otto aided the recovery by kissing the back of Adam's neck. Finally they parted.

Otto looked at his watch. It had gone five to twelve.

"I must go or I'll be in trouble." He put his tee shirt and sweats on without even bothering to remove the condom. He kissed each boy good night and dashed through the door and down the stairs, not bothering to wait for the lift.

"Oh, look," said Tony "he's left his flip flops behind."

"I'll send Dandini round the hotel with them in the morning and I'll marry whoever they fit," said Adam drily.

"They'd better fit me," said Simon "or there'll be trouble." The boys tidied up before going to bed and despite being sticky didn't bother to shower.

"Who are you sleeping with tonight, Tony?" asked Simon. "Madam Palm or us?"

"It's a hard choice, but on this occasion you." The three climbed into bed and within five minutes they were all out for the count. There was no more hanky panky that night.

Surprisingly the boys were down to breakfast before Philip. Otto was in the breakfast room on duty and smartly dressed in his waiter's uniform.

"Guten Morgen, die Herrschaften." The boys said guten Morgenback.

"Any problems last night?"

"No, none, fine."

"Here are your flip flops."

"Thanks. I wondered where they'd got to. No, just one thing. Slightly embarrassing this morning." The boys gathered round to listen. "My mother took my sweats to put them into the washing machine and found rolled up inside a used condom." The boys sniggered at Otto's misfortune. "It has a positive point, though. My parents know what I get up to and I think they found it re-assuring that I use protection." They patted him on the back. "What time are you leaving?"

"Half past ten," said Simon.

"Good. I want to say goodbye properly, not like last night." Otto laughed nervously. There was a loud guten Morgen. They all turned round and saw that Philip had arrived for breakfast.

"Good time last night?"

"Yes, thanks."

"You can tell me all about it on the way to the airport."

"As if...;" grinned Simon in reply.

Over breakfast Philip gave the final instructions. Leaving at half past ten will give us plenty of time to get to the airport and for me to hand the car back. If they don't provide lunch on the plane we can eat at the airport. The worst bit will be between landing and getting to Victoria. Taxi to the Club. Now,Tony, I hope you don't mind. We could motor home str8 from there, but I thought rather than keep your parents up late if there's a delay and to give Brabazon an extra day's holiday, I have booked us in for dinner and the night at the Club. Jacket and tie for dinner, boys, even if we are on holiday, or we'll have to have dinner in town.

"It's ever so posh, Tony," said Simon. "Trust us. Go for dinner at the Club."

"It's okay. I was there on the outward journey. You're forgetting me again."

When Philip went to reception to settle any outstanding bills, Otto's mother and father were there to say goodbye to the group officially on behalf of the hotel. Otto had started taking the luggage out to the car. The luggage loaded he shook hands with Philip and hugged the boys handing each of them a doggy bag.

"I have one more wish to ask you. When you have finished with your copy of GYmag, will you send it to me in the post?" Philip was slowly drawing away.

"We'll do better than that," said Adam, but the rest of the reply was lost to Otto as Philip turned out onto the main road. "We'll take out a subscription in your name." Sitting in the car the boys were overcome by curiosity and undid their doggy bags to find not only little snack things, chocolates and a set of the complimentary toiletries, but also a single condom, and this was the icing on the cake - they were all wrapped in paper or foil with the hotel's name, address and compliments. At the bottom of the bag was Otto's business card. They now had his e-male address.

The journey went smoothly through to the airport. Their flight was delayed as the incoming aircraft was delayed leaving Gatport Airwick. On board Tony was seated in the window seat next to Philip while Simon and Adam were together across the aisle.

"So, Tony, how did you enjoy your holiday?"

"Fantastic, thanks."

"What was the best part for you?"

"Meeting Ben, naturally."

"I gather from his parents that you made quite an impression on him too."

"It's great to have a special friend. Adam and Simon have always been good to me, but you can't avoid the two's company, three's a crowd situation. Now with Ben I feel I can meet them on an equal footing."

"It'll be interesting when your parents meet his. His parents are like all parents who find out they have got a gay child. Because they are not gay themselves they have no experience of the situation. They don't know any other parents to talk to about it and as I've said before, you can't simply go and get a book out of the library about how to bring up a gay child. That's where your mother and father have been such a help to me, and while I'm having to learn to be a single parent."

Meanwhile on the other side of the aisle a similar conversation was going on.

"What did you think of the holiday, Si?"

"Great. How about you?"

"Wicked."

"Any reservations?"

"Mmm. One or two," said Adam.

"Go on."

"It might sound as if I'm contradicting myself, but firstly I thought there was too much sex and not enough lovemaking.

"Well, Ben helped out there a lot or there would have been nil lovemaking. What else?"

"This is where the contradiction comes in. I'd love to have got my hand up between the legs of the Bauer brothers, all three of them."

"But they were str8," objected Simon.

"Yeah, but don't you remember what Otto said about what great fun it is getting off with a str8 guy?"

"Oh, yes."

"I reckon we could have given them quite a good time between us, especially as they were staying in the same hotel. Remember we did it with Bruno and Dieter even if it was only mass masturbation."

The plane landed at Gatwick. It was raining. Everyone stood up in a rush to leave.

"I never understand why people do this," said Adam. "The carousel is a great leveller and you only have to wait longer there instead." While they were waiting in the baggage hall Tony went to phone his parents to say they had arrived back safely. Through the customs they made their way to the station and onto the Gatwick Express. Victoria in no time, a cab to Philip's Club and they being greeted by name by the commissionaire. Philip signed his brood in and they were given the keycards to their rooms.

"Dinner in half an hour, lads?" asked Philip.

"We'll meet you in the lounge," said Simon.

The meal passed quickly, mainly because they could talk more freely without the Carltons there and they could hear the other side of the story, as it were. Philip was pleased that since his little tour to see the statue of the novice a new level of interest had opened up with the boys and he could discuss matters on a higher intellectual plane. He congratulated them and while Simon and Tony took this for granted as a part of growing up, Adam was more contemplative and was certain that he would not have been interested in discussing ideas, had he remained at his old school. They were all in agreement that Isabella had been most difficult to get on with and that Philip had really borne the brunt of that as he had spent so much time with the Carltons. On the other hand they were united in thinking that Ben was a cutie, not that Philip used that word, and that he was more sinned against than sinning.

"Do you know what?" said Tony. "When he was away from the family, he never complained about her once."

"That shows some strength of character," said Philip. "Tony, am I to take it that you two are...; what's the word you use, Simon and Adam? An item?" Tony blushed.

"Yes, but don't tell my parents. I want them to meet Ben before I say anything."

By the time the meal had finished time was getting on and although during a day's travelling you don't actually do very much, it can be most exhausting. Up in their room the boys slept according to their custom, naked three in a bed, despite a single bed being available.

"You might be committed now, Tony," said Adam, "but we cannot guarantee the sanctity of your butt hole."

"I'll take the risk," he replied, but it all proved idle pomp and boast for within five minutes all three were sound asleep and none woke until Tony's alarm watch beeped at seven. They were all down for breakfast at eight and on the road homeward bound just after nine.

The first drop off point was Tony's house. As they pulled up outside Mrs Legge opened the door, quickly followed by William who ran past her and jumped on his brother clasping him with his arms round his shoulders and his legs round his hips.

"I have so missed you, bro," he said as he hugged and kissed him. At first Tony didn't recognise the new voice.

"Uff, Will," Tony exhaled as his brother took his breath away. "You're getting a bit too big for this." William, he was sure, had grown while he'd been away.

"Would you like a cup of tea?" asked Amanda.

"A quick one would be nice," said Philip. The smutty adolescents grinned at one another, but otherwise managed to control themselves. "I've got a fast turn around as I'm back at work in town tomorrow for the rest of the week." The boys looked disappointed. As they sat round the kitchen table drinking tea, Philip said "I'd like you to come over to our place on Saturday and meet the Carlton family. We were on holiday with them and if Tony hasn't already mentioned them to you, I'm sure he will. They said they were free and if you are, shall we say dinner for all the family at seven? Don't answer now, but give me a ring later. Sorry to rush you, but I shall be off to South Africa in ten days' time." They continued drinking their tea and talking about the holiday. Philip looked at his watch. "Come on, boys. We'd better go. There's lots to do and I'm sure Tony's got a lot to tell."

"Philip," said Tony. His mother raised an eyebrow at such forwardness. Philip pacified her with a look. "I just want to thank you for an awesome time. I don't think I can fully tell you just how great it's been."

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. You've been good company and I'm sure the boys think so too." They added their agreement. "Thanks for tea, Amanda."

"The least I could do." The van den Bergs got into the car and drove off.

When they'd gone Tony said

"Mum, I've got Ben coming round this afternoon. Is that okay?"

"Certainly, Tony. He can help you load and unload the washing machine and dryer with all your dirty clothes."

"Aw, Mum, you're all heart," and she gave him a big welcome home hug.

"Can I have one too?" asked William. She was about to give him a hug when he said "Not from you, Mum. From Tony." Amanda made a mock protest.

When the van den Berg's car drew into the drive the front door opened and out stepped Brabazon with Mrs Green one step behind holding Lucy on a lead. Gosforth Parkwas not dead yet.

"Welcome home, Mister Philip," as he opened the driver's door, "Master Simon, Master Adam." As soon as she realised who had arrived Lucy went mad with a special bark and wagging her stumpy tail. She went up to Simon first, then Adam and finally Philip, greeting them enthusiastically, to such excitement that she finally wet herself. Brabazon looked down his nose in disgust. Fortunately it had happened outside the house.

"It's all right, Mr Brabazon," said Mrs Green. "I'll deal with that."

Once the excitement had died down, Brabazon attended to his master and Mrs Green helped the boys to get unpacked.

"I hope you had a good time, Simon and Adam. Lucy certainly missed you."

"We've brought her back a present somewhere in our luggage," said Simon.

"We're going to take her for a walk to make up for being away."

"Bring those dirty clothes down when you change and I'll get them into the machine, and deal with your unpacking while you're out. Mr Philip has organised a light buffet for lunch in the kitchen for whenever you want it and dinner at seven."

The boys changed into their running gear and looked for Lucy. During the run she kept very close to the boys in case she lost them again. When they reached the wishing well, they had to admit that they'd lost a lot of form after more than two weeks without running.

"We'll have to do this every day," said Simon.

"And work out in the games room if I want any chance of getting into the rugby squad, let alone the team." They took off and ran home avoiding the lake. Lucy would have felt miffed if she hadn't just been grateful to have her humans back. Once home it was down to the swimming pool. It felt odd to be swimming in speedos again. They swam their full work out with no difficulty. As they climbed out of the pool Simon went up behind Adam, took him in a full nelson and whispered hoarsely in his ear

"Adam Neave van den Berg, after lunch I want to make long and slow love to you."

"I'll have to consult my diary to make sure I have a window for you," and he took a step backwards so that they both fell back into the pool.

Later that day on the other side of town a bicycle was balanced on its stand outside the Legges' house and locked up. A figure clad in full cycling lycra and a helmet rang the doorbell.

"He's here," grated a brand new broken voice.

"Who's here?" enquired Tony.

"Ben."

"How do you know? You've never met him."

"Well, you only know three studs and it's not Adam or Simon, and so it's got to be Ben." During all the arguing Mrs Legge had answered the door.

"Hello. Mrs Legge? I'm Ben Carlton."

"Come in, Ben. We're expecting you." The light blue lycra on a warm day wasn't hiding anything. The last words were drowned out by a stampede on the stairs. Tony grabbed him in a hug.

"Mum, this is Ben."

"Yes. He said," replied Amanda in a faraway voice. Though a respectable and happily married woman she could not help being impressed.

"He's my special friend." Ben blushed. Insensitive to what was going on Will said

"And I'm William." Ben was not free yet to hug him.

"Hi, William, I've heard such a lot about you." Recovering quickly Amanda said

"Angelica is out with her friends."

"That's our sister," added Will helpfully. "She rides horses."

"Well, welcome, Ben. I'll let you boys get on with whatever you were going to do. William, I've got a little job for you."

"Aw, Mum."

"In the kitchen." With the door closed Will's mother said "You are notto play gooseberry, okay? If they want you to join in, they'll ask you. Otherwise leave them alone."

"Okay, Mum. What was that job?"

"I just told you."

Lucy would not leave her humans, she had missed them so much and she was anxious they might go away again. Even while Simon and Adam were enjoying a little R & R with the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on their doors, she insisted on being in the room, and if she hadn't been spoken to sternly would have done her best to prevent their coïtus, she wanted to stay so close to them.

At seven the boys joined Philip in the dining room. He had spent his time in his study catching up with post and e-mails from his time away, making work arrangements for the following month and talking to his PAs in London and South Africa. He was lucky in that respect for between them they could run the company in his absence. It helped that they knew each other personally and that their salaries were mainly related to results. It kept them on their toes and there was healthy competition between the London and South African offices. For dinner Brabazon served avocados, gammon steaks and fruit salad. He apologised, but had not been able to put his weekly order in and had had to go shopping rather at the last minute.

"I'm sorry, boys, but this is going to be a bit of a business meeting. As you know, I'm in London from tomorrow until Friday. After the weekend I'm off to South Africa for about ten days. The good news is that the dinner party with the Legges and the Carltons on Saturday is on. That will be all hands on deck. I gather Isabella has consented to accept and that Angelica will be having her horse surgically removed for that evening. That should be interesting as I shall ask Brabazon to seat them together. I'm going to organise taxis to fetch them and take them home so that we can have a relaxed evening and not worry about driving. Smart wear that night, boys, ties, though we can dispense with jackets since it's summer, unless you want to be fitted for lightweight linen jackets, but that wouldn't be fair on Tony and Ben. We shall be catering for twelve and I know Brabazon is looking forward to the challenge. Mrs Green is coming in as back up. So she won't be in on Wednesday this week.

"I think on Sunday we should go to church as we haven't been for some time. Brabazon has received enquiries from the vicar. Don't worry, boys. It will be the 11 o'clock service so you can have a lie-in. All right so far?" The boys grunted in an adolescent manner which Philip interpreted as their agreement.

"Now I want you to give some thought to your birthdays." Brabazon served the gammon steak, smoked, thick cut and with both egg and pineapple and a covering of melted cheese. Gammon was one meal where Brabazon would relent and fry chips. They were hand cut and for some reason only known to him he would cut the ends square. Undersized chips would never reach the chip pan. Undeterred by modern ideas on this particular matter he would fry them to perfection in beef fat. "As you know, they are two days apart and I suggest with your consent we have the family celebration on the Wednesday in between. Think about what you want to do with your friends. For that I suggest the Saturday before you go back to school. I shall be home that weekend.

"Adam, as you haven't been with us for a year yet, I'd better explain the family tradition on birthday and Christmas presents. This might sound patronising, but I don't mean it to be. As a family we are extremely fortunate since we have all we need, probably all we want. If we need anything expensive, we can buy it and as I told you, Adam, when you joined us, you just have to ask. What I am trying to say is that we give each other small presents, either of sentimental value or humorous ones, and spending £10 is a lot of money.

"Okay, I've talked rather a lot. I think it's your turn to say something and I don't want this excellent gammon to grow cold."

Adam was the first to speak. He took hold of Simon's hand and said

"We both want to say this and that's thank you for a lovely holiday in Germany." Simon added his agreement and Philip was wise enough to understand that the two boys had grown so close together that they could genuinely speak as one. "I know Tony loved it and we would never have met Ben."

"We'd like to go back to Berlin and Hamburg again," said Simon, "maybe as a short break."

"As I told you, it's no good going over a weekend. Traditionally the German weekend has always been for the family. The country closes down and can be a very lonely place on Saturday and Sunday. Think about it for half term."

"We've talked about our birthday too," said Simon "and we'd like to have a small party just for our gay friends...;"

"Doing gay things," added Adam.

"And we went through the list and it would be a maximum of eight including us."

"That shouldn't cause a riot," said Philip " as long as you don't put it on e-Bay...;"

"Facebook," said Simon.

"Pardon?"

"It's Facebook or Twitter, Dad. e-Bay sells things. Facebook and Twitter are the social networking sites that get the gatecrashers in and we haven't signed up to them anyway."

"Whatever. Don't expect me to join in," said Philip. "I wouldn't know which way to turn at a gay party." (Boys slip into laughing policeman mode.) "But as I say, I'll be here with Brabazon in case of emergencies and I'll make sure Mrs Green has the night off in case you want to use the pool."

"That brings us on to another thing," said Adam without the slightest embarrassment. "When we were in Germany, we lost our tanlines on the FKK-beach...;"

"And so did Tony and Ben," interrupted Simon.

"...;and we wondered if it would be all right to carry on with nude sunbathing here. The neighbours can't see into the back garden."

"We've checked it out," said Simon. Philip thought for a moment.

"Mmm, I suppose it is in the privacy of your own home and I don't think it's illegal. Okay, same conditions as naked swimming and just you four, no extras."

"Thanks, Dad."

"Now, is there any other business to discuss?" Philip rapped a spoon on a table mat. "I declare this meeting closed." Dinner continued sociably, but at the end all three were still feeling the effects of travelling and had an early night.

The following morning all was serene in the Legge household. Tony's body clock was still on German time and so he woke an hour earlier than was his wont. However, he was quite content to lie there in his warm bed, daydreaming about his loved one, the successful introduction to his family - they immediately took to him - and now of the afternoon he was going spend at the Carltons' house. He was beginning to get hard and his hand was roaming between his legs. Suddenly his bedroom door burst open followed by a knock on it. It could only be one person.

"Hi, Will," he said without looking round. He saw no point in repeating the mantra 'How many times have I got to tell you...;?' When he did look round, though, he was amazed. Will was dressed just in his pyjama bottoms and out of the gap there swung not a cigarette butt and two peanuts, but a full size cigar and a pear - a Williams pear Tony thought to himself and giggled. "My god, where did you get those from? And close the door before you answer. We don't want the whole house woken up."

"I told you I had something to show you. I don't know how to answer your question." Will's pyjama bottoms fell down and he didn't bother to pick them up, but jumped into Will's bed and, chilled as his body was, spooned himself against the front of Tony's body. The cold made Tony's dick immediately lose any pretensions it had for a union with his hand.

"Tony, you won't love me any the less now that you've got a boyfriend, will you?"

"Of course not, silly. I've got enough love to spare for you, and Mum and Dad, and Angelica, as well as Adam and Simon."

"Do you think Ben loves me?"

"He's sure to. Do you want me to ask him?'

"You don't have to." William took Tony's hand and rested it in his groin. It felt good to Tony. It felt good to Will.

"Hey, I thought you weren't gay."

"I'm not, and I'll prove it to you, but it's an older brother's duty to teach his younger brother about sex."

"Who told you that?"

"Rex."

"Who's Rex?"

"A boy in my class. He says his brother taught him to do all sorts of stuff and I want you to do your brotherly duty. You can do it now the equipment's arrived."

"Does his brother go to our school?"

"Yeah, he's in the sixth form and he's called Everard."

"That's not his proper name, you know. It's his nickname."

"Why do they call him that?"

"Oh, c'mon, Will. Think about it. You're not that innocent." He sniggered and then burst into uncontrollable giggles. "His name's Raymond and I know who you mean now. They say he's gay."

"Rex isn't, but his brother taught him to...; you know...; wank off."

"And you want me to teach you. Who do you think taught me?"

"You got Teach Yourself Masturbationout of the public library?"

"Yeah, sure. Anyway, you're going to prove to me first that you're not gay."

"Can you keep a secret?"

"Yes."

"Promise you won't tell Mum and Dad?"

"Am I likely to with all the things I get up to with Ben? I promise."

"You know that girl that chats me up at the swimming baths?"

"Yeah."

"She's called Kathy. Anyway, last Saturday when we were talking, she was staring at my speedo and said 'Have you got a stiffie?' I said no. She then got me to go with her into one of those cubicles by the side of pool that parents with young children use. She said that if I showed her my willy she would let me put my finger in her hole. I don't care who sees it, 'specially now it's bigger and it's not Roly Bedbug, so I showed her. Then she pulled her costume aside and I stuck my finger in her hole and she said I should use my middle finger because it's longer and goes in easier. And next week she said that if I can get a condom she'll let me put my dick in her hole. So you see, I'm not gay." Tony sat bolt upright in bed. Any feeling of randiness had instantly disappeared.

"Now, listen to me, Will, and I'm serious. You mustn't do this because if you get caught there'll be big trouble."

"But you do stuff with Ben, and Adam and Simon."

"Yes, that slightly different."

"How?"

"Firstly you have never seen us do stuff and we have never told you what we've done. With you you told us exactly what you did and worse what you might do. Secondly, anything we might have done has been in private with little possibility of getting caught. In Germany the law is different and we didn't do anything illegal. But you're doing something illegal in public with a stranger. How do you know you can trust her? Then if you do get caught, getting banned from the baths would be nothing compared to being reported to the police. You could end up in court and on the sex offenders' register which will ruin things for you for the rest of your life."

"But I'm only twelve. They wouldn't do that to me, would they?"

"They've already done it to ten year olds and it's always the boy that gets the blame." Tony took William in a great big bear hug. "Promise me, Will, you won't have anything to do with her again. Promise me you won't go the public baths without us again. If you want to swim we can always go to the van den Bergs'." By now William was in tears. He realised how shocked his brother was.

"I promise, Tony, I promise," he sobbed.

"I promised not to tell Mum and Dad, and I'll keep my promise, but if you ever do anything like that again I will tell them for your own safety." The tears were in full flow.

"I thought you'd be proud of me."

"I'm always proud of you, Will, and I love you, but I am also very very scared for you. Pop your pyjama bottoms back on and I'll cuddle you in bed." In five minutes William had gone to sleep in his brother's arms.

Tuesday afternoon Tony cycled to Ben's house. They didn't do very much, but he was introduced to Ben's bedroom. On the wall he saw the framed photographs of him in the school rugby team and realised that he was not only a regular team member, but also the captain. He was just as handsome and as compact looking in his rugger kit and on closer inspection of the U14 photograph Tony could just see the white of his jockstrap peeping out from his dark blue shorts. Tony had an instant boner.

"You like that one, I see," teased Ben. "I was lucky to get hold of it, just because I was captain and had the job of getting the orders in. When it was discovered on the proofs a different snap was used for the official photo." After that they went and sat on a sunlounger in the garden.

For Wednesday afternoon they had the arrangement to make their own ways to the van den Bergs' to go swimming. William was told firmly that he couldn't come because he wasn't gay and they were going to do gay things he wouldn't be interested in.

"Tony, couldn't I be a teeny weeny little bit gay just for the afternoon?"

"No, Will. Firstly you can't choose to be gay and then switch it on and off when you want, secondly it's not our house and you haven't been invited and so that would be gatecrashing and thirdly you have been invited for Saturday evening and you'll see everybody then."

"I know, but I'll have to be on my best behaviour then," and he pouted. But he thought he'd had the last word, when, just as Tony was leaving on his bike he shouted out of the window "Hey, bro, you've forgotten your swimming costume."

"I know. I won't be needing it."

Tony met Ben heading from the opposite direction. They braked, said hallo and put their arms round each other's shoulders. Otherwise no PDAs. They carried on to the van den Bergs' house. This would be the first occasion on which Ben would encounter Brabazon. Tony rang the front door bell and this sepulchral, at least to Ben, figure dressed in a morning suit, stiff wing collar and black tie opened.

"Good afternoon, Master Anthony and...;?"

"My name's Ben Carlton."

"and Master Benjamin. Master Simon and Master Adam are expecting you."

"Thank you, Brabazon," Tony quickly said to cover any confusion or giggles Ben might have had. Adam and Simon quickly appeared, preceded naturally by Lucy. Once Ben had been formally introduced to her the four could go indoors. They showed their friends through to the back garden.

"Hey, I've got some news for you," said Simon. "Dad said that so we don't have to worry about our tanlines we sunbathe in the nude in the back garden."

"Providing Mrs Green's not here," added Adam "and it's only us four allowed to."

"A good job I didn't bring Will," said Tony. "He so wanted to come."

"I'll ask Dad whether we can include him."

"I know he's my brother, but he's such a hunk now and it's happened since we went off on holiday. If I didn't have Ben...;" Tony looked at him and squeezed his hand. "...;I'd be tempted the seduce him."

"It's the game the whole family can play," chimed in Adam.

"What is?" said Simon.

"Incest."

"Oh, do shut up, Adam, you plonker," said Simon.

"Moi?" he replied, looking surprised and holding his hands out, palms upwards.

"I haven't brought any sun lotion," said Ben.

"It doesn't matter," said Adam. "We've got plenty."

The boys spread out their towels on the lawn and stripped their clothes off. They helped each other to apply sun lotion, then just lay there in the hot summer sun either on their backs or their fronts. Meanwhile in the house, upstairs on the landing, no one noticed Brabazon standing there gazing down into the garden, a pair of field glasses in his hand.

Suddenly the piercing ringing of a school bell interrupted the story telling from Simon, Adam and Tony.

"We'd better get off to rugby training," said Adam. "I declare this meeting of the Cockatoo Club closed until the next meeting at lunchtime tomorrow," and he banged a dessertspoon on the bare table. The remaining people in the dining hall went silent and looked around, then burst out laughing.

"So when are we going to see Ben again?" asked Paul Taylor as they walked off to the changing rooms.

"Probably not before half term," said Tony.

"Unless, of course, we see him when we play his school at rugby," said Adam. "Has anyone got a fixture list?"

© N Fourbois 2010
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