Return to Westpoint

(Don't get too excited, Joah - this is all there is.)

"Young Love, first love. Filled with deep devotion.

Young Love, our love. We share with deep, emotion."

(The young Donny Osmond looked great singing it too. Ridiculous clothes, but big warm eyes and a dazzling white smile. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0WWvOe7MdI )

Funny how an old song can stir up old memories, old emotions, and that was a very old song. It was old when he was a kid, and that was a long time ago - a long, long time. It was a different world, way back then. So much had changed since he was a kid.

He'd changed too, he guessed. He gotten older anyway, older but no wiser than he was back then, back when he was a wide-eyed kid trying to figure out the world. He was still trying to figure it out, that hadn't changed. Some things stayed the same, like love. Young love, true love, love never dies. Never!

"C'mon Dad. Wake up! You're away in a dream again. We're never going to get there at this rate."

"Don't fret, we're getting there. It's not far - just down the end of the path here."

"I know it's not far. Nothing's far here in your little old town, but you're taking so long to go anywhere, Little Old Man."

"Hey! Don't be cheeky, I'm not that old."

"Yeah, you are. You're ancient."

"Compared to you maybe. Run on ahead then, if you're in such a hurry. I'm just enjoying being here. This place hasn't changed at all. It's exactly the same as when I was your age."

"So long ago! It's not the same, I don't see any dinosaurs anywhere."

"There never was! Go on then, run if you want to. I'll catch up."

"Yeah, slowly. See you in the river then."

His boy ran on down the sun-dappled path under the tunnel of the tangled green trees, and he carried on at his own quieter pace. He was not bloody old. His mother still called him 'Boy', didn't she? But then, she really was old. Sometimes she seemed to live more in the past than the present. That's not good.

The Domain hadn't changed at all. Everything else had, some places in town had changed out of all recognition, almost. It was a growing town, but not here. This was like walking down a time-tunnel and slipping back 30 years. Damm! Had it really been that long? It had. Thirty years since he was a horny kid, hopelessly in love with his biggest enemy. It seemed like yesterday.

Tony Bloody Southon, the competitive arse! Where was he now? He didn't know.

The tree-tunnel ended and he came out into the bright sunshine on the river bank. The old swimming hole hadn't changed either. Someone had installed a diving board, but otherwise it was much the same as he remembered. Maybe a bit smaller? The Boy's clothes were lying where he'd flung them off and he was in the water already, splashing and playing with a couple of others. That was quick.

The Boy was a teenager already, but he was still young enough to make instant friends wherever he went. If only life was always that simple.

It was a hot day, but he was not in the mood for swimming - not when he'd be the oldest one in the water. There were kids everywhere, having fun in the sun. They didn't know it, but this was the best time in their lives. Kids never believe that, they always want to be older. One day they'd find that they were and wish that they were kids again. There were some compensations, he guessed, but nothing beat that wonderful, magical time when the world was new and there for the taking. If only he knew then what he knew now.

He sat in the warm Westpoint sunshine, on the side of the river, watching the kids at play. Everyone of them looked beautiful with their flashing limbs, fit young bodies and laughing smiles. His boy looked right at home there amongst them. There was a time when he knew everyone here, now he knew no-one. No-one, that is, except for Alvin, his beautiful Boy.

Faces, names of those he used to know came flooding back. Connie, Angel, Peter, Ollie, (and Rodney!), Mavis Ryan, Jolene Eggleston and her grubby old coal-miner father washing himself in the river. Did he still do that? No, he'd be well-retired by now. The years had flown past. The kids here were a whole new generation. The names he knew woulkd mean nothing to them. Yesterday's kids were today's oldies. They might even be their parents.

That boy there, with the mop of golden curls, he wouldn't be at all surprised if he was one of Mavis' kids, he looked very like her. She married, didn't she? Yes, she did - some guy named Peter? Phil? Paul! That was it, Paul Todd. He'd heard about him years ago, he died in a car crash. What ever happened to Mavis? Who knew?

Where was Alvin? Oh, yeah - there. Still in the water. Watching him here in this place was eerie, like a flashback. So many years ago, he'd sat right here watching his brother Alvin out there in the water, (and had rude thoughts about him too! He was past that now). The Boy was the spitting image of the older Alvin, tanned skin, black hair, flashing green eyes, all exactly the same. No surprise really, Alvin was the Boy's real father. He'd adopted him, years ago - so many years the the Boy didn't even remember that tragic time in his life. He remembered, he'd prefer to forget, but never would.

Alvin and Janie, 2 beautiful young kids who grew up too fast. They married young because they were having a baby. They had a daughter and lost her. It was said to be a cot-death, but there were still questions asked about that. The grief-stricken young parents were locked in a loveless marriage. They probably should have called it quits and split, but they never did.

Years and years later they had another baby - Alvin. He was meant to be the saving of his parents' marriage, but it didn't work. Even though they both doted on him, they were too far gone. It ended when their car plunged into the sea at the end of the tiphead. The coroner's report was inconclusive, but while Alvin had definitely drowned, it appeared that Janie was dead before they went into the water, and she had an awful lot of drugs in her system.

The younger Alvin was already in his care at the time of the tragedy. He often took him to holiday on the orchard and get away from his parents' constant warring. Alvin's will, such as it was, named his big brother as the Boy's next of kin, so he kept him, adopted him and raised him as his own.

He was already living with Tony Bloody Southon by then, of course, and while they competed, clashed and battled about many things, the Boy was one thing that they never fought about. Tony accepted him and loved him like he was his own. That was his finest hour.

Aah! Thinking about the old tragedy had cast a shadow over his sunny day. Alvin's smile brought the sunshine back.

"You're not swimming, Old Man?"

"No, not today," he shrugged. "Ready for home?"

"Yeah, well ready. Let's go and see what Gran's cooking. Gran's cooking is the best thing about visiting here."

"You're a bottomless pit, Kid. Get your clothes and we'll go."

He shook his head in mock despair as the Boy scooped up his clothes and, still wet, struggled into them. He had no shoes, he never wore them unless he had to. He really was growing up. Not so long ago he would've stripped his wet swimming-togs off, now he just pulled his shorts back on on top of them. Oh well, it was a hot day, he'd soon dry out.

"Ready," he grinned.

"Okay then. Don't run away from me this time."

"Don't take all day and I won't have to. C'mon, Dad."

They went back through the Domain, it was chilly in there under the trees. Still lost in memories, he watched his feet as they strolled along.

"Oh, oh. Time to make myself scarce!"

"What do you mean?"

"Look up, Dad. See you at Gran's." Alvin took off, running up the path.

At the far end of the tunnel, on the town side, a cyclist stood waiting in the sunshine. He walked up to him, stopped and said, "You came back?"

"I came back. I always come back, I have too. I love you, Lindsay Bloody Reilly."

Andrew, 9

This computer's being cranky so we'll post this while we can - last one).

Giles started his car, went down the road, pulled in to the back of Cameron's house and tooted the horn. Jonas came out the door and waved, "Hey, Giles!"

He looked back into the house and yelled, "Cameron! Giles is here."

"Yeah, yeah. I can see him. See you later, Jonas." Cameron pushed out past him.

"Have one for me!"

"Get inside, you little punk." He slid into the car and buckled up. "Hey, Giles. Ready to party?"

"I'm ready. Hope you are." Giles backed out, turned and headed into town.

Cameron found some tunes on the radio and lay back in his seat, his head back on the headrest. A hand, with a sweet-smelling cloth, came around from behind and clamped across his mouth and nose. "What?" He struggled to get free and pulled at the hand, but it held firm. He took a deep breath and relaxed, slumped and sleeping.

"Gotcha!" Gabriel, in the backseat exulted. "One down and one to go."

Giles swept a worried glance down at Cameron who was, apparently, sleeping peacefully. "You sure he's all right, Gabriel?"

"He's fine. Stop your worrying, he's sleeping like a baby."

"He'd better be fine. Cam is my best friend and there's no way I want to hurt him."

"Giles, Cameron is my best friend too. I wouldn't hurt him. We're fixing his life here, not wrecking it."

"I hope so."

"We are. Shut up and drive."

He drove into town, along the crowded main street, along the Esplanade and around the bay. He didn't go on out to Taylor's Beach, he went straight ahead and stopped by the fish-processing factory on the wharf. The place was all quiet and dark. Gabriel got out and opened the door at the back of his father's van.

Together, they lifted Cameron out out of the car and laid him on the mattress in the van. Gabriel tied a gag over his mouth while Giles started wrapping his wrists and ankles with duct tape. "Sorry, Cam, but it's gotta be done."

They closed and locked the van and left him there while they drove back out to the Black's house.

"This is the hardest part," Gabriel said, getting back under the blanket on the floor in the back. "I hope your acting's up to it."

"So do I," Giles replied. "Wish me luck."

"Luck."

Giles got out and hammered on the door of Andrew's cottage. "Andrew! Andrew, are you there?"

The door opened and Andrew looked out. "Giles? What's wrong?"

"Everything! Fuck, Cam's in trouble, we've gotta help him!"

"Cameron's in trouble? How is he?"

"Come on, quick. We'll have to go and get him. I'll tell you on the way."

"Let's go then."

They leapt into the car and he rushed back into town.

"Where is Cameron and what's wrong?"

"He's lying in the back of a van and he's unconscious."

"Unconscious? What happened?"

"He took some stuff and it knocked him out."

"What stuff?"

"This stuff." Gabriel clamped the cloth over his face and pulled him back against the seat.

As Cameron had done, Andrew fought to get free, breathed in the fumes, and slumped - out to it.

"Damm. This one's a lot stronger than he looks," Gabriel grinned. "But, we got him."

"Yeah, we got both of them, " Giles grinned back. "Now we've just got to get them out there."

"No worries. It's all plain sailing from now on."

Back at the van, they laid Andrew in there, gagged and secured him and locked the door. Giles parked and locked his car. Gabriel took his keys, put them in an envelope and slid it under the door of the shed.

"There. They may not even be back in, but now Dad and Garth can use your car if they need it. Let's get out of here."

He handed Giles the keys, they got into the front of the van and Giles drove, back through the town, over the hill and headed south. They had a long way to go, up to Gabriel's home in the hills.

"How long will they sleep for?"

"Not sure exactly, but they'll be awake long before we get there. No worries, Giles. They're okay."

"Easy for you to say."

"Yeah, but they are. They're tied-up and locked in there and they've got the mattress to lie on. As long as you don't drive us over a cliff or something, they'll be fine."

"We'll try not to do that then."

It took several hours for Giles to drive out to Gabriel's mountain home. The roads were good but he wasn't familiar with them and it was raining. Boy, Was it raining! It started shortly after they left and the further they went, the heavier it got. It was a slow trip and Giles was worried, not about the driving but about what they were going to do when they got there.

"Gabriel, you said that we were going to leave them in the tent, somewhere away from the house?"

"Right. The plan is to put them down by Teddy's pool and leave them there, with Molly by day and Morrie by night, to make sure that they stay there. We'll free them when they work it out and come out together."

"Yeah, that was it, and it was a good plan too, but we can't do that."

"Why not?"

"Come on! Look at that rain. We can't, Gabriel. I will NOT leave my mate out in a little tent in that. I'm not doing it, and unless you come up with a better idea, I'm turning the van around and we're going back."

"Yeah, you're right," Gabriel sighed. "Of course you are. We can't do that, it's way too wet and that rain will be freezing cold too. It gets as cold as ice-water. We can't leave them out in that. The idea is to fix their lives, not to end them."

"What are we going to do then?"

"Dunno. You keep driving while I have a think about it. Damm. Everything was going so well until now.

"Yeah, it was. Be a shame to go through all this for nothing."

"It would. Quiet now, I'm thinking."

They went along in silence for a couple of minutes. Giles said, "They're probably going to hate us, you know."

"I know, but we had to do something. Doesn't matter anyway, if we can get those two together, it'll be worth it."

"I guess. I don't want to lose my mate though. Cameron's my oldest friend."

"You won't lose him, you're his best friend too. Blame me if you like. I've got big shoulders. Tell him that I made you do it, he'll buy that."

"He probably would buy it, but I'm not doing that. You're a bloody good friend, Gabriel. I hope we're going to be mates too."

"Me too. Shut up now, I'm still thinking."

They arrived, pulled in and parked under the carport roof at the back of Gabriel's home. The two got out of the front at looked at the teeming rain out there.

"Damm, it's wet," Giles said. "Cold too. Have you decided what we're going to do?"

"I think so. We'll just have to hit them with the truth and hope they've got enough brains to sort it. If they want it enough, they'll get over us."

"Hope you're right."

"Me too. Wait here while I open the house up and turn the lights on."

He did that, and then came back and opened the van door and they both looked in. The trussed-up pair in there were awake, lying there looking daggers at them. They couldn't talk, they were still gagged.

"Oh good," Gabriel smiled. "Everybody's okay then. Welcome to my home, Guys. We're back up in the mountains and we're here for the weekend. Don't worry about your parents, they know where we are and, roughly, what we're doing. I was going to put the pair of you in the tent and down by Teddy's pool, but we can't do that. It's too dammed wet and cold. Instead, you're going up to the guest-room and we'll put you in there, alone together.

You can co-operate, or I'll knock you out again and we'll carry you up. What's it going to be, are you going to make it easy?"

Cameron glared. If looks could kill, they'd be in trouble. Andrew nodded.

"Great, Andrew, thanks." Gabriel had a pair of scissors in his pocket. "Hold still, I'll cut the tape off your legs and we can walk up."

He cut through the duct tape, freed his legs and they helped him out of the van and onto his feet. Gabriel shut the door again. "Right, come this way, we're going upstairs.

Giles said, "What about Cam?"

"I'll come back for him in a minute."

Gabriel led the way, Andrew and Giles followed and they went up the spiral staircase to the guest-room. Gabriel sat him down on the big bed.

"You just wait there. Stay with him, Giles, and I'll go and get Cameron."

He went back down to the van and looked in. "All right, Cameron? I know you hate me and I don't care. Andrew's upstairs, now we've gotta get you there. Co-operate or I'll knock you out and carry you, that's the only choice you've got."

Cameron glared, sighed and nodded.

"Great! Thank you. Stretch your legs out and I'll cut them free."

He got him out and they went upstairs. Giles sat him on the bed.

"Here's the plan," Gabriel said. "Giles and I are going to leave you here. We'll go downstairs, get the fire going and get something to eat. You'll both be dying for a drink. You two are going to stay here. You can free each other, and then you can sort your shit out."

Giles said, "Cam, I'm really sorry to do this to you. I hope that you'll forgive us."

Gabriel said, "I don't care and I'm not sorry either. Something had to be done, so we did it. You two have been pussy-footing around for weeks and it's time you stopped. You're living in the same house, so far. Apparently, Andrew's planning on leaving. You're both gay and you care for each other. From what I can see, you both think you're not good enough. Andrew, Cameron's in love with you. I know that because he told me, and I think that you love him too. It's about bloody time you told him.

Cameron, if Andrew leaves, he won't be back. Do something about it or you're going to lose him and you'll be sorry forever. The scissors are there. You can free each other and you can sort it out. We'll take you home on Sunday. Don't even think about going out the window, it's pissing down out there and Morrie will be there to stop you. Morrie by night and Molly by day, and they'll be wild about it too, so don't try them. They are killers.

Giles and I will leave you now. We'll get the fire going and warm the place up. Sort your lives out and call me on your cell when you're done. We'll let you out and feed you, and not until then. C'mon, Giles." He led the way out.

Giles closed the door and grinned, "Awesome, Wild Boy. You're a good mate."

"Yeah, well," he shrugged. "Hope Cameron still thinks so."

"He will, once he calms down. What've we got to eat?"

Cameron picked the scissors up and, with difficulty, cut the tape from around Andrew's wrists. Andrew freed Cameron's hands, and then they undid each other's gags. Cameron was white-faced and so mad he was shaking.

"How dare he? Who the fuck does he think he is? I'll kill him. I'll fucking kill him!"

"Whoah! Settle, Cameron. From what I've heard that'd be easier said than done. Do you really think you could?"

"No, probably not. But I'll bloody try!"

"Wouldn't be wise. It's a hell of a way to do it, but I think they're trying to help us."

"Help us? Like this?"

"Yes, like this. That true, what he said, you love me?"

"Damm. He should keep his big mouth shut!"

"But do you?"

"Well . . I . . yes! Dammit. Yes I do, I love you."

"Likewise." Andrew kissed him.

Cameron melted into him. "Andrew. Oh, Drew, please don't leave me!"

"I thought I had to," he grinned.

"No! You can't."

"Right, I can't. I'm staying. I love you, Cameron."

"Damm, I love you so much." Cameron kissed him.

One thing led to another and they were busy for an hour. They finally broke apart and agreed that they were starving. They tidied up and Cameron called Gabriel on his cell.

"Gabriel, that's enough. Come and open this door and let us out or I'm going to smash it down."

"Are you going to smash us?"

"Maybe. Maybe not."

"Hope it's not. Have you sorted things?"

"Yes, we've sorted things."

"Well, good! Are you both happy?"

"Yes, we're very happy."

"You're together? Great! Come on out then, the door's not locked."

"It's not? You're a bastard, Gabriel."

"Yeah, I am. I'm a bastard who loves you and wants to see you happy. Come on down, tell Giles that you still love him, and then we'll feed you."

"Thanks, Gabe."

"Welcome my friend."

Andrew, 8

Whoah, it was a big roof!

Andrew was sitting up there, scrubbing at rust spots with a wire brush. He looked up as Giles walked, carefully, over to him.

"Hey, Giles."

"Hey." He sat down next to him. "You've got a big job here."

"Yeah. Big but straight forward. It won't take long."

"Probably not. Andrew, you're gay, aren't you?"

"You know that. I told you."

"You did. I'm not gay but Cameron is. What do you think of him."

"Cameron? Pretty cool. He's a nice guy."

"Cam is very cool. But what would you think of him as, well, as a boyfriend?"

"He'll be a great partner for somebody."

"I mean for you."

"Me? Oh no, I couldn't do that."

"Why not then? He's interested in you. I know that."

"No he wouldn't be. Cameron's not for me.""

"I don't see why not."

"Well I do. He's my boss' son and all of his family have been very good to me. I couldn't pay then back by stuffing around with Cameron. I made a mistake once and fucked up my life. That's not going to happen again."

"I don't think that would happen."

"I know it won't. It won't happen because I'm not going there. Not now, not ever."

"You're sure about this?"

"Very, very sure. Anyway, as soon as I've got enough money together, I'm out of here."

"Out of here? Are you leaving?"

"As soon as I can."

"Oh. But you do like Cameron?"

"Of course I do. He's been a good friend to me, the best I've ever had."

"Your friend, but not your boyfriend."

"Exactly. I've got to work, Giles. Mr. Liam's not paying me to sit talking."

"He's not. Okay, I'll let you get on with it, but think about Cam. Think hard."

"There's nothing to think about. Goodbye, Giles."

"Bye, Andrew."

Giles got down off the roof and walked away defeated. He went home to call Gabriel to tell him that he'd tried and failed. Andrew was too damm stubborn for him.

Andrew carried on scrubbing the roof and thinking. He'd like to get with Cameron. He'd love to, there was nothing he would like more, but that couldn't happen. Life was not that simple. He'd stuffed his own life up, he was not going to stuff Cameron's as well.

When Giles called Gabriel, he wanted a word by word replay of the conversation. He told him as well as he could remember.

"Okay," Gabriel said. "That didn't work. Cameron needs to talk to him directly."

"That won't work either. You said Cam told you that he can't get close to him. This kid's much more stubborn than Cam is, he'd never talk him round."

"Right. We'll just have to try plan B then."

"Plan B? You don't give up easily, Gabriel."

"I don't ever give up. I'll make some calls, and then get back to you and tell you what we're going to do."

"We? I think that we should drop it. It's hopeless and it's none of our business really."

"It is our business. Cameron said you're his best friend. Are you his friend or not?"

"Yeah, I am."

"We're going to help him then. I'll call you back."

Giles was not so sure about this, but, yeah, he'd go along. He'd like to see him happy, he was a misery-guts lately. Anyway, he'd only met Gabriel a couple of times, but he'd heard all about him. It sounded like the kid would make a good friend and he sure as hell didn't want him for an enemy. Cam said that the Wild Boy hadn't killed anybody - yet. He'd rather not be the first.

It was several hours before Gabriel called him back. Giles sister answered the phone and called for him. He came in and took the phone. "Thanks, Sis. Who is it?"

"I dunno. Some kid," she shrugged.

"'Kay. Thanks. Hello?"

"Hey Giles, this is Gabriel."

"Gabriel. Of course it is. Hello."

"Hi. Sorry it took so long. I had trouble getting hold of Dad. I've got a plan and I think it'll work. Can you go away for the weekend? With your car, of course, we'll need it."

"Yeah, that could be arranged."

"Arrange it then. Number two, have you got a tent? Not a big one, we need a small hiker's tent. Two man at the most. The only tent we've got is a huge three-room one and that'd be no use."

"I haven't got a tent, but Cameron has. I could borrow his one."

"That'd work. Get Cameron's tent. Get it off him before Friday, but tell him you only want to use it on Saturday night."

"On Saturday night?"

"Yeah. You're taking Cameron to the Taylor's Beach party on Friday night."

"Am I? We've done that before. I don't know about camping out this weekend. The weather's not too flash and the forecast is foul."

"I hope it is. I hope it's really wet. Don't worry, you and I are not sleeping in the tent. We'll be in a nice warm and dry house."

"Well, good! What do we need the tent for?"

"For Cameron."

"You're putting Cameron in a little tent in the rain? Gabriel, what are you plotting?"

"Not plotting, planning. We're going to fix Cam's life."

"I don't see how."

"Listen and I'll tell you."

Giles listened open-mouthed as Gabriel outlined his plan. He seemed to have everything worked out. It was bloody outrageous, and it was going to take a lot of hard work. Cameron was worth it, wasn't he? Yeah, he was. Okay, he'd go along with it, he couldn't think of anything else to try. If it worked, well, good!

On Wednesday, John and Garth came in from sea a day early. They unloaded at the wharf, and then went home. They walked into the house, and Gabriel grinned.

"Cool. Thanks Guys. I'll love you forever."

"You'd bloody better!" his dad replied.

Garth added, "If this plan doesn't work, it's all on your head, Gabe. We know nothing about it."

"It'll work, don't worry."

"It's not us who need to worry, it's you."

"Okay, Gabe, his dad said. "What've you done with the phone?"

"You're doing it now?"

"Sure I am. That's what we're here for. Where's the phone?"

"I think it's in my room. Hang on, I'll get it." Gabriel returned with the mobile, handed it to his dad and he made his call.

"Hello. Is this Liam Black? John Ayres here. I think we've got a job for you, a big one. We've got a house, on our property up back of Springs Junction, over the Lewis Pass. We want to build a second house there. Would you be interested? Yeah, 4 or 5 bedrooms. We'd want to approve the plans, but we'd leave the whole job to you - plumbing, wiring, everything. We just want to pick up the keys when you've finished.

Yes, we've got finance. You'd be paid cash, however you want it. Good then. We're tied up for this week, but you could maybe come up there with us next Tuesday? Spend the night if you like, you'll be our guest.

Okay, great. Thanks, Liam. Pleasure doing business with you. The second thing is, Gabriel, our son, is a friend of your Cameron. You know of him? Yes, that's him, the Wild Boy. Gabriel and Giles have got this scheme and they want to take Cameron and Andrew away for the weekend, Friday night until Sunday. But it's a surprise, they are to know nothing about it. I think they're taking them up to our home. Is that all right with you?

Okay, great. Thanks, but remember, don't tell them. We're going back to sea, I'll ring you on Monday. Bye now."

He disconnected and grinned, "Happy now? You owe me, My Son."

"Very happy. Thanks, Dad. You're the best. He said it's all right?"

"He said it's fine by him. It'd do them both good to have a break but good luck getting Andrew to go anywhere."

"He'll go. He's not getting a choice."

"I suspected that. You be nice to your friends, Gabe."

"Always. They'll come back smiling or they won't come back at all."

"I wish you hadn't said that. We don't want to know any more."

Also on Wednesday, Giles drove Cameron home from school and he stopped to pick up the tent which Cameron had said he could borrow. Cameron brought the tent and gear out and dropped them in the boot. "I wish you'd tell me why you want it."

"For sleeping in of course."

"But where are you going and who with?"

"Gentleman doesn't kiss and tell, Cam."

"A gentleman? You? That'll be the day."

"Shut up. You know what I mean. Is that the lot? 'Kay, thanks Mate. See you tomorrow.

"Yeah, 'bye. Be good - until the weekend anyway."

"Yeah. About the weekend, are you going to the party Friday Night? I'll give you a lift in."

"I wasn't going to."

"Come on, Cam, you've gotta come. You haven't been for ages and you'll turn into an old granddad if you're not careful. Why don't you ask Andrew if he wants to come too?"

"Andrew wouldn't come. He never goes anywhere."

"Yeah, he's getting like a granddad too. You need to come to show him that life's about having fun, not just working and sleeping.."

"You might be right. Yeah, okay, I'll come. I'm not getting ripped though, that's not fun."

"A little bit can be. Okay, I'll pick you up about 7.30 Saturday night."

"Right, see you then. Don't be late."

"Whatever."

Giles drove home feeling well pleased with himself. That went well. One more step in Gabriel's devious plan. It was going good and just might work at this rate. What was the worst that could happen? Well, they could kill somebody. He sure hoped not. He didn't want to think about that, but Gabriel had better know what he was doing or they were in major trouble!

As soon as he got home, he rang Gabriel for reassurance, again. Gabriel just laughed. "No worries. I know this stuff, I've been using it since I was a little kid. When you're dealing with injured wild creatures, you need it."

"But have you used it on a person?"

"Not a human one, no. But it'll work."

Friday night came. Their arrangements were made and everything was ready to go. Gabriel told Giles, for the 100th time that it'd be okay. Giles sat in his car and sighed.

"I could do with a drink."

"Don't be dumb. Wouldn't help. It'd just make you silly."

"I need a toke then."

"That's worse. C'mon, Giles, it's time. Let's do it."

Andrew, 7

They went home, relieved and happy. Cameron wanted to get Andrew alone so he could talk to him, but it wasn't happening. No-one wanted to leave him alone, the parents and the kids were hanging around him like flies around a honey-pot. He really wished that he could claim the boy as his special friend, but so, it seemed, did everyone else.

They were all reassuring him that they wanted him there as part of their family and they never wanted him to leave. He did have to admit, if only to himself, Andrew had been very good for their family. The place had never looked so good, it looked like a new house. Even the outbuildings, right down to the chookhouse, were looking good. But, apart from all the work he'd done, the family had never been so united and cohesive. The parents had even stopped drinking. Well, almost.

Cameron knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was in love with Andrew, but so, it seemed, was everyone else and Andrew didn't treat him any different to the others. He was a bit withdrawn from him if anything, like he was holding back.

However, Cameron did know one thing about him that none of the others knew, so he was going to make use of it. He obviously was not going to cut him out from the herd, so he gave up and went to bed early. Before he went, he insisted that Andrew take his cellphone and keep it by him for the night.

"Mum is no.3 on the speed-dial and Dad is no.4. If there is any trouble at all, call them and they'll come running."

"I will. Thanks, Cameron. But who are no.1 and no.2?"

"They wouldn't be a lot of help in a hurry. Giles is no.1 and Gabriel's no.2, but they're miles away. Mum and Dad are right here if you need them."

"Hope I don't, but thanks."

"G'nite then. See you in the morning."

"It's early for you, Cameron," his mother said, smiling. "You might even get up on time for once."

"G'night, Mum." He went to bed and left them to it.

He'd see Andrew alone in the morning. What he knew that no-one else did, was that Andrew often went over and sat on the beach in the early mornings. He didn't swim or fish or anything, he just sat there looking at the sea. He'd never bothered him there before, but tomorrow he would. He wanted to talk to him about private stuff.

The alarm jarred him awake shortly before 6am. Damm. It wasn't even daylight yet. He lay there for a minute to get his head together, and then got up, got dressed and hurried over to the beach. It soon would be daylight, the eastern sky was awash with pink, purple and oranges. Sunsets around Kaimoana were nothing much, but the sunrise could be spectacular as the sun rose out of the sea. Not that he saw it a lot, but sometimes he wasn't even in bed yet.

He got over to the beach and looked around. Curses! The boy wasn't there. Well, not yet anyway. He sat down to wait in case he did come. There was a sheltered place below some toi-toi bushes, so he sat there and promptly went back to sleep. He was tired.

When he woke again, the sun was well-up in the sky, there was no-one else around and it was almost a quarter to eight! "Bugger! Guess who's late again?"

He hurried home to shower, dress for school and, hopefully, grab something to eat before the bus arrived.

When he emerged from the house in a rush, all fresh and clean with his hair nicely gelled and munching on toast, Andrew was out there, painting the fence along the driveway. He stopped, said hello and goodbye, and then ran out to the waiting bus. Hopefully, he'd get to talk to him after school. Andrew grinned and said goodbye to his back.

He got home in the afternoon and rushed up to the house. The fence painting was finished and Andrew was not there. Neither of the parents were either, so he had no idea where he was.

His mum arrived home with a load of groceries and told him that Andrew had gone with his father. They were having a look at a job that he'd been asked to tender for - restoring and repainting Department of Conservation huts up in the back country. They were all away out in very remote areas and the job, if they got it, would be worth a small fortune. That was all she knew. They'd just have to wait until his father came home to find out more.

They were late getting back. Everyone else had finished and cleaned up before they walked in and their dinner was in the oven. They sat at the table to eat.

Cameron got himself a drink and sat down with them, but he soon gave up and went to his room. He doubted that they even knew that he was there. His dad and Andrew were busy talking excitedly and were full of their plans with what they could do with the DOC contract.

He knew that he should be glad that they were getting on so well and that things were working out for Andrew, but, dammit, he was not! He was jealous of them. The pathetic, lost and broken boy who he'd brought home from Christchurch had changed so much. He was so keen, capable and hard-working that any employer would be glad to have him. Nothing was ever a problem and he was always so dammed happy in his work - always laughing, singing and whistling and always bloody working. He never stopped.

Andrew had made a place for himself here and, it seemed, there was no room for Cameron in it. He was always friendly enough, but no more than he was with the others and he never stopped. What a catch he'd be! Some day, some guy, someone good enough, was going to score the perfect boyfriend in Andrew. But it wouldn't be him, he wasn't that good. Dammit. Seemed like he was fated to fall in love with people who'd never love him. The parents were delighted with Andrew, especially his father. It almost looked like he was in love with the kid. He'd not only got himself an excellent worker and boarder, he had a new, and better, son and friend. Dammit. He'd never been that close to Cameron. He went to bed and felt sorry for himself.

Andrew went to his bed too, eventually. He was grinning and laughing when he went out to the cottage. He went in there, closed the door and the smile fell off his face. He didn't know how much longer he could keep this up.

The DOC contract looked really good. It'd be perfect. The plan, if they got it, was for him to do the bulk of the work. He, and 2 builders, would be flown in by helicopter to the back-country huts. The builders would spend a couple of days doing repairs, and then he would be left there alone to finish off and do the painting, inside and out. There'd be enough work to keep him out there for weeks and weeks, maybe months, and they'd be paid heaps for it.

His father would never be able to track him down out there and, by the time they'd finished, the legal stuff would be sorted and he'd be free of him forever. He'd be legally independent with heaps of money and, hopefully, a good reference. With all that behind him he'd be able to go, probably back to Christchurch, find somewhere to live, get a job and make a fresh start at building a life. He didn't care where he went, anywhere would do - anywhere away from here and away from Cameron.

The poor boy falling in love with the boss' daughter was a joke, whoever heard of someone falling in love with the boss' son? It was just not done. Even if he could, he wouldn't do that to Cameron.

Cameron was such a cool kid, he was practically perfect. He was very good-looking, a great body and beautiful hair. Those eyes! That smile! All of Cameron's friends loved him and he had some great friends. He was bright, intelligent, popular and caring. Cameron had saved his life and he was very grateful to him, but he knew he'd do that for anyone, it was just the sort of person he was. Plus, he had a really good family who loved him. He had a great future ahead of him and he didn't need a pennyless nobody bringing him down.

He said that he was gay, but he was way too good for Andrew. Whoever he finished up with would be somebody special, not a nobody who'd been rejected by his own family. Then, there was his family - Mr. Liam, Mrs. Black, Jonas and Lennie. They were all special people too. They'd been so good to him and made him so welcome here, he couldn't pay them back by fucking around with their no.1 son and brother.

He did his best to keep his distance from him, but it wasn't easy. It was bloody hard being so close to the perfect boy and knowing that he was not for him. Sooner or later, he was going to make a fool of himself and stuff things up if he stayed here, so he had to leave. The sooner the better.

If they got the contract, he'd be away working and living out in the huts for 5 or 6 days a week. He'd easily be able to keep busy around the land on the other days. He so hoped they got it, it would be perfect! If they didn't, well, he'd just carry on as he was, working hard and keeping his thoughts to himself and saving every penny until he had enough to go.

Cameron gave up. It was time to face reality, him and Andrew were never going to happen. He'd just have to get on with his life, somehow. He was not happy.

He was so not happy people were starting to notice. His mother and Giles both saw that he was miserable and asked him why, but he brushed them off and kept his troubles to himself. Gabriel was not so easily detered.

On Tuesday, Cameron went to Gabriel's place for lunch, which he did sometimes. After they'd eaten, Gabriel showed him a hilarious video that Garth had made of Molly Hawk and Teddy Tuna fighting over a string of sausages. (Teddy won). Cameron didn't even crack a smile.

"Okay, Cam, what's eating you?"

"Mmm? Oh, nothing."

"Nothing?"

"Yeah, nothing. Just got things on my mind. Sorry."

"Yeah, I'm sorry too. What things? They must be heavy, I've never seen you so down."

"Just personal stuff. I'll get over it."

"I hope you do. Do you still want to suck my dick?"

"What? Shit, Gabe, no I do not!"

"Good, 'cause you're not going to. Tell me your problems. What's wrong, Cam?"

"Thanks, but there's nothing you can do."

"You don't know that. Tell me."

"All right then, it's Andrew," he sighed.

"Of course it is. I should've known. What's he done?"

"He hasn't done anything. He wouldn't."

"What's the problem then?"

"Don't give up easily, do you?"

"I don't give up at all. I killed a stag by hounding it for 4 days."

"You haven't got 4 days."

"Tell me now then. I love you, Cameron and I want to know what's wrong with you."

"Well . . okay. I'm in love with Andrew. It's stupid and it's hopeless, but I love him and he doesn't love me."

"Has he told you that?"

"No, but he doesn't have to. I've got eyes and I can see. He's way too good for me."

"Your eyes are full of shit. You are full of shit. No-one's too good for you, Cameron Black. Nobody!"

"Wish you were right, but you're not. He's way too good. He's a star. He's thinking about leaving, going to Christchurch. Dad's not going to like that."

"He's not. But what about you? Are you going to like it?"

"I'm not, but it's probably best. I'll get over him. I got over you."

"You just had the hots for me. I think this is much more serious."

'Yeah? Probably. Seriously hopeless."

"It's not hopeless. Damm, Cam. If I was gay, I'd be interested. You'd be a great catch for any gayboy. You've gotta, at least, tell him how you feel."

"Not going to happen. I wanted to, but I couldn't. Damm, look at the time! I've gotta go or I'm in trouble. I'm gone, Gabe. Thanks for lunch and, well, thanks. Catch you later."

"Okay. Short and sweet then. Go to school. Before you go, Giles lives out your way, doesn't he?"

"Giles? Yeah, just up the road a bit."

"And what's his surname? Something to do with cows, wasn't it?"

"No! His name is Townsend. Kids call him Cowsend. What do you want to know about Giles for?"

"Just wondering. Maybe I've got the hots for him."

"Yeah, right! That'd work. You're not gay and neither's he. Gotta go. 'Bye, Gabe. Love ya."

"Me too. 'Bye, Cam."

Cameron went running back to school. Gabriel cleaned up their lunch stuff, and he had a think. He had a think, he had an idea, and he made a phone call.

"Hello?"

"Hello, is this Mrs. Townsend?"

"That'd be right."

"Good. Mrs. Townsend, I'm Gabriel Ayres, I'm a friend of Gile's friend Cameron. I want to talk to Giles about him. Has he got a cellphone?"

"Yes, of course he has. 021 212363."

"Thanks, Mrs. Townsend. That's all I wanted."

"You're welcome. But don't call him yet, he's in school until 3.30."

"I'll call him then. Thanks."

3.30pm came, Gabriel stopped what he was doing, waited a couple of minutes, and then he made a phone call.

Giles gave Cameron a lift home. He often did now that he had his own car, but he refused to take him to school in the mornings. He said he wasn't waiting around for him to get his act together in the morning. He was a pain and always late. Besides, if he did take him in, the kids on the bus would be robbed of their early morning entertainment. But, he took him home. He was usually awake by then.

They pulled into the drive and stopped at the back of the house.

"The painting looks good. Is it all finished now?"

"It's finished," Cameron replied. "Andrew did the lot and everything that doesn't move around here has got a fresh coat of paint."

"He's done well. What's your dad got him doing now?"

"He's got him woking with him. They're fixing up the roof on the Memorial Hall, and then Andrew's going to paint it."

"Big job!"

"It is, but he'll do it. No sweat."

"He's a good worker."

"He's bloody incredible."

"He is. Okay, Cam, out you get. I've got things to do."

"I'm going. Thanks, Giles. 'Bye."

"Laters, Cam."

Cameron grabbed his bag, got out of the car and watched Giles back out of the drive. At the highway, he turned and headed off, back into town.

"What are you doing? You'd forget your head if it wasn't screwed on." Cameron went inside - time to eat!

Giles stopped in the carpark at the side of the Memorial Hall and Cameron's dad was leaving in his ute. So that was good timing.

"Hey, Mr. Black. Andrew around?"

"G'day, Giles. Yes, he's up on the roof. If you're talking to him, tell him I'll be back in 5 minutes."

"Okay, sure."

Mr. B left in a hurry and Giles ran up the ladder.

Andrew, 6

A month and more went past. Andrew kept on working the way he had on the first day and the family were all in love with him. The place was looking great. Even the overgrown gardens had been cleaned-up and reorganised. Come Springtime and it'd look like something out of House and Garden.

They were all impressed and more than happy with their willing worker, they just wished he'd relax and smile sometimes. Cameron was amazed at what he'd done, but he was not happy, not even a little bit. To make it even worse, he called around to spend a Saturday morning with Gabriel and he was on top of the world. He was grinning like a Cheshire Cat!

"Cameron, my friend! Hug me!"

He wasn't saying no to that. Nobody hugged like Gabriel did, he put his all into it. He just wrapped around you and all-but melted into you. He was not gay and they'd never be more than friends, but Cameron loved Gabriel and he knew that he loved him too. They were good mates.

Cameron took a hug, but, for once, he cut it short and pushed him off.

"Something wrong, Cam?"

"No, nothing's wrong, but what's that horrible smell? You stink, Gabe."

"Thank you very much! That's my new after-shave. Don't you like it?"

"No, I don't. You've got far too much of it on. And, after-shave? Shouldn't you be shaving first?"

"Hey! I shave, at least once a week. I'm a man you know."

"Yeah, sure you are."

"Shut up. Just because you've got a face as smooth as a baby's bum. Some of us are growing up."

"Some of us?"

"Yeah, some. Come inside. Do you want a drink? We've got beer."

"Beer? Yuck. No thanks and neither do you. You're not that grown-up."

"Probably right. We'll have a coke. C'mon."

They got cans of coke from the fridge and took them into the living-room. "You're home alone again?"

"Yeah, I have been for a few days. Not for much longer though, Dad and Garth are on the way in now. Dad says they'll be here by lunchtime, and they'd better be. There's rellies on the way here, from Wellington, and I'm not feeding them."

"I'm sure they'd rather have John's cooking anyway."

"Course they would. You're getting cheeky in your old age, Cameron Black."

They exchanged a grin. Cameron was so glad that Gabriel was his mate. He never felt this comfortable anywhere, not even at home. "You stink but you're looking happy, Gabe."

"I'm happy. Why wouldn't I be? Everything's beautiful and it's a wonderful world! And, I do not stink."

"Yeah you do, but you're happy with it. If your grin gets any wider, your head'll fall off. What's up?"

"The sky's up."

"Shut it. I'm serious."

"You're way too serious. But, if you must know . . . "

"I must. I must!"

"Okay then, I think I'm in love."

"In love? You? Who with?"

"Cameron! With Fern of course. I've been seeing her for weeks now. You know that."

"I do know that, but Fern? I never thought that she'd be the one for you. How's she going to fit into your world up in the mountains?"

"Fern will fit in fine. She's coming out there to spend a weekend with me and looking forward to it too. We both are."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. Plus, I've got something else to tell you. Fern stayed the night here, last night, and, well, I'm a man now."

"You're a . . . okay, stop right there. No more information - ever! Eww!"

"It's not eww, it's great. That's all I'm telling you anyway."

"Well good!"

"Yeah, it's all good. Enough about me, what about you, Cam? You don't look happy at all."

"I'm not, I think."

"Why not?"

"I think I'm in love too."

"You're in love? But that should lift you up, not bring you down."

"Probably does in a perfect world. But my world's not perfect, it's far from it."

"Oh? Am I allowed to know who you're in love with?"

"Yeah, you are, but no-one else. I think I'm in love with Andrew."

"Andrew? Of course it is. But he's young and beautiful and gay, you both are. You're even living in the same house. What's the problem?"

"It's just one-sided and Andrew hasn't got any time for me."

"He's a swine! Why wouldn't he like you? You're a great guy. If I was that way inclined, I'd be interested."

"Shame you're not. Thanks, Gabe. It's not that he doesn't like me, he does, I think. But Andrew likes everybody. He just hasn't got any time for just me. He's either working, studying or sleeping, all day, everyday."

"What is he studying?"

"How to do his work. Pasture management, building, stuff like that. It's all he reads."

"That's not good. Everybody needs some time off"

"He could have all the time he wanted, he just doesn't want it. Say he's busy and he likes it like that. Mum tries to tell him to slow down, but he won't. It's like he's driven or something."

"What does your dad think about him?"

"Dad's totally in love with him. He thinks he's the greatest boy there ever was. They're all in love with Andrew. Dad is, Mum is, Jonas worships him and he follows him around like he's his shadow. Lennie says she's going to marry him and she's always giving him flowers and making him presents."

"Sounds like they wouldn't object if you got together with him."

"Object? They'd be delighted. Believe it or not, Dad has actually suggested it."

"So all that's stopping you is Andrew. What's wrong with the boy?"

"I wish I knew. He's just not interested and he's too busy."

"He's an idiot! Shit, I love you, Cam, and I'm not even gay."

"Thanks, Gabe. I love you too, you're my best mate ever. Story of my life, innit it? The straight boys love me and the gay boy doesn't."

"Yeah, that's crazy. Giles loves you?"

"I think so. I'm pretty sure he does. He acts like it, he just doesn't say it. He never has."

"You've known Giles for a long time, haven't you?"

"All our lives really. We started school on the same day."

"Old friends are good friends."

"They are. Sometimes, new friends are brilliant too - you are."

"Yeah? So are you, Cam. So are you."

"I had a crush on you and high hopes, when I was first getting to know you. Hopeless hopes of course. Looks like it's happening again with Andrew. At this rate, when I'm an old dude, I'll have good friends and no lovers."

"You'll be loved. You'll be hugely loved, I'm sure of it."

"I wish I was sure. Thanks, Gabe."

"When am I going to meet Andrew? I hear all about him, but he's been out there for weeks now and I've never laid eyes on him."

"He's been there for nearly 2 months and it's your fault you haven't seen him. He never comes to town, unless it's with the parents to get supplies. You want to see him, you've gotta come out to ours."

"It must be time I did then."

"It is, it's past time - way past time. Giles met him. He came around to check him out."

"What does he think?"

"He thinks he's cool. He said Andrew's way too good for me. Know what? I think he's right."

"He is not!"

"No, he is. Andrew's not ready for a relationship with anyone, but when he is it won't be me. I'm not in his class."

"Total rubbish, Cameron Black! You're good enough for anyone and don't you forget it."

"Thanks, Gabe. You're a good mate."

"And so are you."

After Cameron had gone, Gabriel sat gazing out at the sea over the road and thinking. Cameron was a good one. The only thing wrong with him was that he lacked confidence. Probably that bitch Ellie's fault. What he needed was someone to love him. Why not Andrew? Cam was good enough, he was good enough for anyone - anyone gay that is. He'd have to meet Andrew and see what they could do.

Trouble blew up at the Black's house later the same day. Well, it didn't actually blow up, it arrived in a car. The family were all sitting around the table, eating dinner, when a car pulled up outside. A big, portly man got out and knocked on the glass patio doors.

They all looked around and Andrew's tanned face went white. "Ohmigod," he whispered. "It's my father!"

Mrs. Black looked at the boy, he looked terrified. She patted his hand. "Don't worry, Honey. Nothing's going to happen. You're safe here, I guarantee it."

"If you don't, I will." Mr. Black stood up and went to the door. "Can we help you?" He asked the guy outside.

"Liam Black? Vincent Davis. I've come to get my boy, where is he?"

"You've come for Andrew?"

"I do know my own son's name. I've come a long way and I'm in no mood to be messed with. Where is he?"

"Andrew is here and I think he's happy to be here with us. Perhaps you'd better talk to him."

"Perhaps I'd better!" Vincent Davis puffed up.

Mr. B. looked back. "Andrew? Come over here, Son."

Andrew came, timidly but resolutely, to the door. Cameron went with him and stood beside him with a hand on his shoulder.

"You're not alone, Drew."

"Thanks, Cameron."

"Son?" said Mr. Davis. "This is my son, no-one else's." He looked at Cameron. "And what the hell's this? Your boyfriend?"

"Cameron is my friend," Andrew mumbled, his head hung low.

"Whatever it is, it's over. Get what you want to bring and get in the car. We're going home."

"Home?" Andrew raised his head. "You told me to get out of your house and never come back. This is my home now."

"Don't be ridiculous! Get in the car."

"No, I'm not! I'm staying here."

"You bloody are not." Mr. Davis grabbed his arm, but paused when Liam's big hand closed around his wrist.

"Let him go."

"This is bloody ridiculous. This is my son, I've been looking for him for weeks and now I've found him and I'm taking him home."

Andrew was crying, angry tears. "You told me to get out. You beat the snot out of me and told me that you never wanted to see me again! That's fine by me. These people have given me a place and a job to earn my way, and I'm staying here."

"All right," he replied. "I said some things I shouldn't have. That's done with now. I've come to take you home. We need you there."

"Need an unpaid slave, you mean."

"Families work together. You don't get to choose. You're 15 years old."

"I am not. I'm 16."

"Whatever. You're still a minor and you live where I say you live."

"You gave that away when you threw me out. I live here now and I'm staying here."

"I think, Mr. Davis," Mrs. Black came from the table. "You'd better leave. Andrew is staying with us."

"He bloody is not."

"He bloody is so. Get off our property - NOW!"

"I will then. I'll go and I will be back with the police. I know my rights and the law is on my side. You, Boy, will be ready to go when we return." He slammed back into his car and left in a hurry.

"Well." Said Mrs. Black. "You all right, Andrew? Come and sit down." She led him back to the couch.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I'm really sorry that I brought all that on you. It'd be best if I pack my bags and go before he gets back."

"No need for that." Mr. Black sat on the other side of him. "It's not your fault. You've done nothing. If you want to stay here, then you will and we'll fight to keep you here. You said that he beat you? I didn't know that."

"Not your problem, Mr. Liam. He did beat me, he often did."

"Well he's not doing it again!"

"Andrew?" said Cameron. "When did you turn 16?"

"A couple of weeks ago."

"You should've told us."

"You didn't need to know. That would've been like, 'Hey, gimme presents!'"

"We would have. If you're 16 then you're old enough to leave home if you want to. Kids can divotce their parents when they're 16, can't they, Mum?"

"I'm not sure, but you might be right," she replied. "I think that we need a lawyer, but there isn't one in Kaimoana. We'll have to go to Blenheim."

"No, we don't!" Cameron exclaimed. "There is a lawyer in town, Mrs. Sullivan, Riley's mother. She's got the Craypot Cafe and she's a lawyer and a dammed good one too! She helped the cave-boys, Jacob and Colin, get their lives sorted out and she helped Ashton Woods too. I'm sure she'll help us if we ask."

"We can ask, I suppose." Mrs. Black stood up. "And we will. At least, Mrs. Sullivan will know what we can do. Everybody, in the car. We're going to town right now!"

"Excellent idea," Mr. Black said. Come on Andrew, Kids, in the car."

"All right!"

"Choice."

Jonas and Lennie ran out.

"Come on, Drew." Cameron took his hands and pulled him to his feet. "You want to stay with this totally excellent family, don't you?"

"Yes, I do! I do want to stay here. Thanks, Cameron, Mrs. Black, Mr. Liam."

"Thank you, Andrew." Mrs. Black put an arm around his shoulders. "You've made a place for yourself here and this is where you're staying. We'll go and see Mrs. Sullivan now." She led him out to the car.

Cameron and his father got in and the crowded car went to town. When they got there, the cafe was closed, but there were people moving around inside, cleaning up. The family stood on the sidewalk while Mr. B. went up and knocked on the door. Mrs. Stone saw him there, came over and opened the door.

"Sorry, Liam," she smiled. "We're closed. Try the Aromas Cafe over the street there. They're still going."

"Thanks, Betty. But we're not looking for a feed. We need to see Mrs. Sullivan. Is she here?"

"No, Dianne's not here. She's gone up to the house to put her feet up. It's been a long day. Can it wait until tomorrow?"

"No, it can't!" Cameron walked up to the door. He saw Riley behind her, mopping the floor, and called out to him.

"Hey, Riley! We need to see your mum. How do we find her?"

"Hey, Cameron. What do you want Mum for?"

"We need some advice, legal stuff. That's Andrew. His father beat him up and threw him out, and now he's telling him to come back and he doesn't want to."

"Oh? Why did he throw you out?"

Andrew shrugged, "Doesn't like gayboys."

"You're gay? Oho! Sounds like a case for Super-Dianne," Riley grinned."Okay. She's up in the house. Drive back down to the end of the street, around into Churchill Street and I'll meet you up there - No.29, about half-way up."

"Thanks, Riley. See you there."

By the time they got there, Riley was standing in the street waiting for them. "Hello again. Come inside. Mum's in the lounge."

Everyone got out of the car, but Mrs. Black said, "No. You kids can wait here in the car. Cameron, you'd better stay with them."

"Mum! I'm, not. This concerns me too."

"We're coming too," Jonas spoke up. "Andrew's our brother too."

"Yeah, he is," Lennie agreed. "We have to come. We're a family."

"Well, I don't know."

"It's not a problem, Mrs. Black," Rley said. "There's lots of room. Let them come."

"Okay then. But you behave yourselves or you're out of there."

"Course we'll behave!"

"We always do."

Riley led the way inside. Mrs. Sullivan was in the lounge and she did have her feet up - in the Lazy Boy recliner chair.

"Hey, Mum. We've got some visitors."

"Oh?" She looked around but didn't get up.

"Yeah. This is Cameron Black. He's in my class at school, and these are his parents and family. The other one is, umm, Andrew and he's got a problem they want to talk about."

"A problem? Okay, thanks Riley. Hello the Black family, my name is Dianne. Excuse me if I don't get up. My feet are tired but my brain isn't. Sit down and what's the problem?"

They all sat down. Cameron sat next to Andrew. They all looked to the mother to do the talking, she usually did.

"Yes, well. Sorry to disturb you, Mrs. Sullivan, but we do need advice and I think we need it pretty quickly. Cameron said you've helped other kids, so we're hoping that you'll help us."

"Tell me what it is and I'll see what I can do."

"We can pay," Liam interrupted. "Whatever you charge, we'll pay it. Not a problem."

"Thank you, Mr. Black. I don't normally charge anything." She looked back at Mrs. Black. "The problem is?"

"I think we need to get legal custody of Andrew as soon as possible."

"Because?"

"Because . . . I'd better start at the beginning."

"Always a good place to start," Mrs. Sullivan smiled.

"Yes. Andrew lives with us and he works for us, around the property and on our lifestyle block. A wonderful worker he is too. He came from Winton, down in Southland.

Our boy, Cameron, was on a football trip in Christchurch and he met him there . . ."

They all sat and listened quietly while Mrs. Black told the story. She finished and Mrs. Sullivan nodded.

"I see. Thank you, Mrs. Black. Your turn now, Andrew. Your father threw you out because you're gay?"

"He did. He caught me with a boy in the back of his truck."

"We don't need to know the details. And he beat you?"

"A bit. It was just cuts and bruises."

"Did you have treatment for them?"

"Yes. I went to the local hospital and they patched me up. It was the doctor there that told me I'd better leave town. My father's a big man there and he's got influence."

"That's really good. Not good that you were injured, but good that you had treatment. That means there'll be a record of the injuries. How old are you, Andrew?"

"I'm 16. I turned 16 a couple of weeks ago."

"Excellent! If you're 16, you don't have to go back if you don't want to. You are old enough to sue for a legal separation from your parents."

"Oh, good! I don't want to go back, I really don't want to. I want to stay where I am."

"That can be arranged. Mr. Black, you've been employing Andrew. What happens when the painting is finished?"

"The painting's all-but finished now. There's just the fences left to do and, at the rate Andrew works, that'll take no time at all."

"What happens next?"

"It's no problem. We've got 4 hectares badly in need of attention and once we've done that, I'm also a builder and we could do with a good painter on the team. The work is never going to run out."

"And you've been paying him legally and everything?"

"Yes, of course. Our accountant arranged all of that."

"Very good. That's probably how your father tracked you down, Andrew. Why do you think he wants you back now?"

"We know why," Cameron said. "We know exactly why. He's found he's lost a really good worker."

"Probably true. A good worker and cheap by the sound of it."

Lennie said, "Andrew's father said that he was going to get the police and they would make him go with him. Can they do that?"

"Not once I've finished with them. Mrs. Black, do you have a fostercare licence?"

"We don't. We didn't know we needed one."

"Someone should. Until such time as Andrew has been declared legally independent, someone has to hold custody for him."

"Oh dear."

"Don't worry." She got up out of the chair. "Wait here a few minutes, I'm going to make some phone-calls. Jacob and Riley, see if our visitors want a drink."

Nobody wanted a drink, which amazed Cameron. They just sat and waited until Mrs. Sullivan came back. She returned and settled into her chair with a smile.

"That's that then. I do like this game - it's fun when you win one. Andrew, you are now my foster-son and you will remain in my care until we've been to court and sorted things out."

"Great! Thanks, Mrs. Sullivan, but does that mean that I have to stay here?"

"Stay here? I don't think so. I've got more than enough smelly teenagers in my house as it is."

"Gee, thanks Dianne. We love you too."

"Of course you do, Jacob. No, I see no reason why you shouldn't stay where you have been, if everyone's willing to have you of course."

"Everyone is very willing." Mrs. Black had tears in her eyes. "Thank you, Mrs. Sullivan. You're wonderful!"

"I am, aren't I?" She grinned. "I think it's time we dropped the Mr and Mrs's. My name is Dianne."

"Thanks, Dianne. We're Liam and Patti."

"That's better, Liam. By the way, I've spoken to Constable Lowry. He won't be wasting a trip out to your place."

"You've called the police off, just like that?"

"Just like that. We've had dealings before and they know me."

"I'm sure they're careful around you too."

"You'd better believe it!" Riley grinned.

"So," Mrs. Black said. "Will you let us know how much we owe you?"

"You owe me nothing, Patti. Friends are worth more than money."

"You've got friends here. Friends forever! Thanks, Mrs. S," Cameron said.

"What more could anyone want? Now you can all go home and relax I'll be in touch when the court details need sorting. Colin, where's my coffee?"

"Coming right up, Super-Dianne!"

The Ocean View Motels

(A wee bonus - just need to post & record this before I lose it again. Thanks Lloyd!)

Doctor Stevens finally finished reworking his script and rehearsals went on for the Operatic Society's show about the "true" history of Kaimoana. It was far from true really, it was all a lot of nonsense, but it was all good fun. Everyone agreed that it was going to be an excellent show. With the talent they had, it couldn't be anything but great. They were all amateurs, but they were as good as anything a much larger town could produce.

This was going to be the best show that Kaimoana had ever seen and it would be well worth filming it so they'd have a permanent record. Gary thought he'd even be able to sell it in the music division of his planned shop, which would generate some much needed funds for the Society. Mrs. Braidwood mentioned that she wished she knew of someone who could video the show. Gary advised that he would find someone to do it. No worries. Gary telephoned Peter Lewis in Westpoint. Peter made a CD of Gary’s piano playing for Lachlan and Gary thought he might know of someone who could video the show.

Peter responded, “Actually Jay and I can do that for you. For a project such as you describe we would want to use three cameras, but that is not a problem. We have two friends here in Westpoint who often help us out when we need extra camera support. They are both artists and you may be able to get them to do the art work for your DVD package as well. Our cameras are state of the art. They are light weight with image stabilization and are easily used with only a shoulder brace. We do not need dollies. Also, the cameras and all our microphones transmit their signal to our master console wirelessly. We do not need cables. We will need to park our van near a building where we can connect to the mains so we do not have to run the generator to charge the camera and microphone batteries. We should come to Kaimoana at least two days before the show. Make a reservation for us somewhere for two rooms each with a king size bed for two nights before the night of the performance as well as for the night of each performance. Jay’s last name is Kynnersley. The two friends that will help with cameras are Jason McDonald and Jordan Taylor.”

Gary thought the Ocean View Motels would be the place to make the reservation as it was one of the nicer places in Kaimoana. He went round there to do so. The manager and his wife were in the office. Gary asked if he could make a reservation for two rooms each with a king bed for the necessary nights.

The manager said, “What’s this, a bunch of queers? Who’s going to be paying for this?”

Gary was taken aback, but said he would pay for it and offered his bank card.

The manager went on, “You’re the kid that lives with his cousin in the caravan at Griffin Marine Engineering in South Bay. You don’t work, where did you get that bank card? Steal it did you? What is this, some kind of scam? You better get out of here before I call the police.”

His wife made a comment, “The foreclosure will probably take place before that date anyway.”

Gary controlled his anger. He knew that his getting mad would not solve anything and he had the philosophy, ‘Don’t get mad, get even.’ He was pretty sure that the way he was being treated was illegal in New Zealand. His first reaction was to reach for his cell and say, ‘Yes, call the police. If you don’t, I will.’ But he didn’t. The wife’s comment about foreclosure taking place stopped him. He knew that the motel was owned by the Woods family and that they were having problems. Maybe this was an opportunity.

Gary left without saying another word and went to The Craypot Café to see Dianne. He told her the story. Her first reaction was to go give them a piece of her mind, but Gary said he was more interested in the foreclosure comment. Dianne checked and found that both the bank and the tax authorities were in the process of instituting a foreclosure for nonpayment of taxes and the mortgage. Gary asked if he could buy the place for the outstanding debt. Dianne checked and the bank, the tax authorities and the Woods and all agreed they would quickly sell for the outstanding debt and avoid going further into foreclosure proceedings. Gary asked Dianne to make an offer subject to checking the accounts of the business. Dianne said she would get letters from all three of them instructing the managers to make the books available to Gary. She would have them by next morning.

Gary went round to see Peter de Groot.

“Peter, you recently completed an accounting course didn’t you?”

“It was just a bookkeeping course Gary. I wanted to be able to help my parents with their business and also to prepare myself for when I went to University next year.”

“Would you come with me tomorrow morning? I want you to look over the books of the Ocean View Motel. I may want to buy it. “

“Gary, I don’t know enough to do that. You need to have a public accounting firm from Christchurch do that.”

“You are someone that I really trust, Peter. You would know what documents I should send to an accounting firm for review.”

The next morning a reluctant Peter accompanied Dianne and Gary to the Ocean View Motel.

“Good morning Mrs. Sullivan, how can I help you?” Then looking at Gary, the manager said, “You again. I thought I made it clear yesterday that you were to stay away from here.”

“He’s with me.” said Dianne.

The manager went on, “He was here yesterday trying to pull some sort of scam. I think he thought I didn’t know he was just a kid living with his cousin in a caravan.”

“Actually,” Dianne said, “He now lives in an apartment above the former Woods' souvenir store.”

“How does a kid who does not work afford the rent for a place like that?”

“He does not pay rent. He owns the building. Now, he has made an offer to purchase The Ocean View which has been accepted. There only remains for him to review your books and satisfy himself that they are in order. The other young man is Peter de Groot who is going to do that for him. I have letters from the bank, the tax authorities and the Woods family instructing you to provide complete access to the books and records of the business.”

There was a loud silence as the manager stared at Gary, Peter and Dianne in complete disbelief. After reviewing the letters offered by Diane, he looked at Peter and said, “I know you. You're Ashton Woods' "friend"! The accounts are all on the computer located in the office. I'll give you the necessary passwords.”

Peter sat down and logged on the computer using the provided passwords.

“Oh good, it is the same accounting software that I used in my studies. I should not have any problem getting the information that you need for your accounting firm. It will take maybe a couple of hours though.”

Dianne and Gary left Peter to his task and returned to The Craypot Café.

Dianne said, “Gary why do you want to do this? What about your plans to open a music store?”

“No change there, I still intend to do that. This is just an investment. I think that I can persuade Patsy Tanner to run the Ocean View for me. She is the secretary/treasurer of the Kaimoana Operatic Society and I have seen how effective she is at getting things done. She has been working as a chambermaid at the Blue Pacific Hotel and I suspect that she knows quite a bit about the hospitality business. She is a quick study and will quickly learn what she does not know. I will have her spend some time with the Reynolds in Westpoint. They operate the Adelphi and several other lodging facilities there. We made friends with them the weekend Riley, Lachlan and I took Colin, Jacob and Virgil to Westpoint to meet their cousins. Colin and Lachlan ran with Justin “Don’t call me Superboy” Reynolds and I think he will see that Patsy learns whatever she needs to learn. Also, Mrs. Mathesion knows me and the Ocean View. She will be supportive.”

“When Peter Lewis and Jay come here to video the show, I am going to ask them to help me set up the music store. They operate a wonderful music store in Westpoint. I may be able to get Jason and Jordan to make up some advertisements and perhaps even develop a logo for me. I think it was Jason that did the logo for Billy’s Burgers.”

Their conversation was interrupted with the arrival of Peter with a stack of paper. They looked at him apprehensively.

“There is good news and bad news. The bad news first. The balance sheet is a disaster. When you subtract the liabilities from the assets you end up with negative equity. The Woods have extracted all the equity and then some from the business. In addition to the mortgage and tax debt that you already know about, they have huge accounts payable. Some of the suppliers have not been paid in three months and some of the employees have not been paid in two months."

“The good news is that if you ignore the debt and focus on the income/expense or profit and loss statement, it is a viable and profitable business. There are several ways to value a going concern. I only know two and using them, the value of the business is four and five times the total debt plus a reasonable amount of working capital. If you can acquire the business for the debt and put in a modest amount of working capital, you will have bought a true bargain. But, I insist that you have these papers and my figures reviewed by an accounting firm. I have the financial statements including the general ledger for the past four years.”

Gary said, “I’ll do that. I send them to a firm in Christchurch, but I doubt they will do much more than confirm your findings. Let’s go and tell them that we expect that we will go through with the purchase.”

The three of them returned to the Ocean View and Gary told them that based on what he had seen so far, he expected that he would continue with this purchase. He added, “You don’t like me and I don’t believe that you would want to work for me, but if you continue to operate the Ocean View until I can get my own management team in place, I will give you a severance package of two months wages for every year you managed the Golden View.”

“You would do that for me?”

“Yeah, you have done well by the Ocean View and you deserve it.”

In a voice choking with emotion he said, “We have been here seven years.”

“Fourteen months then. You will not have difficulty finding another job. Your record here is an excellent résumé.”

His wife was in tears and he could barely croak, “Thank you.”

“Don’t forget to book the rooms I requested yesterday.”

Dianne, Peter and Gary left. As they walked together, Peter said to Gary, “I’ve said it before and I'm saying it again, you are a good person – you are the best.”

Dianne added, “And smart as well. You changed that man’s life. You totally destroyed his arrogance. He will never jump to conclusions about anyone again. Sweet revenge, Gary.”

Gary just smiled.

Andrew, 5

Mr. Black arrived home, tired and dirty, and he was introduced to Andrew and told of the scheme. He looked at the nervous, pathetic, broken boy and he pursed his lips. He did need help around the place, but he wouldn't hire this one. He didn't look like he'd be any use at all.

However, he kept his mouth shut. He knew who the boss was around there, and it was not him. They'd see how he went and, if he was no good, he'd be gone.

He cleaned-up and had a shower and a think. He finished, dressed and went outside to where the boys were sitting outside the cottage that would be Andrew's.

"All right there, Boys. How's that foot? Any pain?"

"It's not too bad, thanks. It hurts a bit but I've got painkillers for when it gets too bad."

"You can't live on painkillers. Maybe you'd better rest a few days before you start doing any work."

"That's what I've been telling him, Dad. Andrew, you've got to get yourself right first. The work can wait."

"There must be something I could do."

"No, there's not."

Mr. Black said, "I hear you know something about painting?"

"I've done some. My father is a painter and I used to help him."

"A good way to learn. Have you ever done any farm-work?"

"No, never, but I'd like to learn. I'll try hard."

"I'm sure you will. We can't ask for more than that. How about a water-blaster, for the painting, ever used one of them?"

"Oh yes. Water blasting is fun!"

"Fun? For some, I guess. I've got one at work, I'll bring it home so that you can get started, but not for a few days yet. My workshop is down the back there. Cameron will show you where. Have a rummage through there for any tools you can use and let me know what else you'll need."

"Yes, Sir. I'll do that now."

"You will not. Start tomorrow, but only if you feel up to it. Andrew, my name is Liam. We're going to be working together. Don't call me Sir."

"Okay, thank you, umm, Mr. Liam."

"Mister? That's a start I suppose. Do an honest day's work and we'll get on fine."

He went back to the house. Cameron grinned, "Relax. No-one expects too much of you, just do what you can. My dad's a hard task-master but he's fair."

"Thanks, Cameron. Thanks for everything. I can never pay you back, but I''ll never forget what you've done for me."

"You're okay, Andrew. Just get well, be happy and be my friend, that's all I want."

"You've got a friend for life!"

"Cool."

The workers' cottage was old and musty, it hadn't been used for years. Originally built to house the workers when the place used to be a complete farm, before it was sub-divided into lifestyle blocks and hobby farms, the cottage was older than the house. Cameron's grandmother had lived in it for a while, but she found the life too quiet and she moved back to the city. That was years ago. Since then, it had sat empty.

There was no view from the front windows, it sat across the backyard facing the back of the house. The outside of the cottage was mostly covered by a shaggy overgrown vine with big, green leaves. It grew up the walls, covered some of the windows and even sprawled thickly across the roof. There was a small covered porch along the front wall.

Inside, once they got the sticking door open, there was one large bedroom/living-room with a small bathroom and a kitchen/laundry out at the back. There was an open fireplace, but they wouldn't dare light a fire because the vine outside had grown over the chimney. It was even growing inside the cottage, pale and sickly-looking for lack of light. The roof had been leaking at one end of the main room, mould on the ceiling and rotten carpet on the floor. At least it was at the far end from the bed.

There were rat droppings on the linoleum floor in the kitchen. The whole place was dark, dirty, dusty and musty. They stood looking around and Cameron shook his head.

"No. This is no good. You can't live in here. The place is disgusting! Wait here and I'll get Mum to come and have a look."

"Don't, Cameron. It'll be all right when I clean it up."

"You sure? It's gonna be a huge job."

"I'm sure. It'll be a challenge and something to do with my spare time."

"But it's awful!"

"No, it's not. It'll be a great place. It's a thousand times better than nothing and that's all I had."

"Well. . . if you're sure? I'll help you clean it up."

"No, you won't. It's my room and I'll clean it."

They opened the windows that they could. Three of them wouldn't open, 2 were covered in the vine and 1 was just plain stuck. The back-door wouldn't open either. The power wasn't going and there was no water on in the kitchen and bathroom.

"It's a dump!" Was Cameron's verdict.

"It is not! For a beggar, it's a palace."

"You're not a beggar, Andrew."

"You think?"

Cameron showed him where all the cleaning materials were, in the laundry at the back of the house and they took towels, linen, pillows and 2 duvets to fix the bed up. The mattress was a bit damp, but Andrew said not to worry, he'd put it outside in the sun tomorrow.

Once that was done, Cameron showed him where the workshop was and around the other buildings - garages etc. He met Cameron's brother, Jonas and sister, Lennie. ("It's Leonie really, but we call her Lennie") and they ate with the family.

At the table, Andrew was quiet, unlike anyone else. He answered questions, but that was all he said. He said that the cottage would be great, thanks. It just needed a bit of cleaning up.

"Just a bit!" Cameron exploded. "Mum, you've got to go and have a look at it. It's a mess and it's a dump. Nothing works - the power, the water, the windows - nothing!"

"It'll be fine," Andrew said. "I'll clean it up and fix what's wrong. It's really not a problem."

"As long as you're sure, Andrew," Mrs. Black said. "I think the curtains for the windows are in the linen cupboard somewhere. I'll get them out tomorrow."

"Curtains are the least of the problems," Cameron snorted. "The backdoor and half the windows won't open and the roof leaks."

"The roof leaks?" Mr. B. said. "We'd better see to that then. That vine will have to be cut back off it first. Actually, we could cut it right down. It can't be doing the building any good and it'll have to go if we're going to paint it. Cut it down and pile it in the paddock, over the fence. Once it dries out, we'll burn it. Help yourself to any tools you need, just don't leave them lying around. Put them back when you've done with them."

"Thak you, Mr. umm, Liam. I'll start tomorrow."

"You're meant to be resting!" Cameron said. "The most important thing is to get that foot right and don't you forget it."

"I won't forget it." He looked down at the cast on his leg. "It won't let me forget it. Thank you again, Everybody. I think I'll go to bed now. Good night."

Cameron stood up. "Will you need any help?"

"No, Cameron. Thanks, I'm fine."

He didn't want to watch TV and, no, a walk over to the beach would be a bit much at the moment. All he wanted was to go to bed, he was SO tired. He hadn't been sleeping much lately. He put his dishes in the dishwasher, thanked Mrs. Black for the meal and went out to bed, leaving Cameron feeling a bit lost and alone.

Mr. Black said, "Don't baby him, Cameron. It's good that you want to help, but he's got to do what he can for himself. I'm still not sure what you've got us into here. I don't mind helping a kid in trouble, but he has to pull his weight. The look of him doesn't give me much confidence. I don't think I would have employed him, but we'll see how it goes."

Lennie grinned. "Is Andrew going to be your boyfriend, Cameron?"

"Shut up, Lennie! No, he's not. He's my friend and that's all."

"I hope that is all," said his mother. "I realise that, one day, you will probably have a relationship with somebody but, well . . . I think you could do better, that's all."

"Mum, don't." Cameron blushed and he went to his room.

His parents were horrible people. What was wrong with them? There was nothing wrong with Andrew, well, apart from his foot and that would get better.

When he went out the backdoor next morning, Liam Black stopped and looked at the old cottage. It was the same as usual, except that the frontdoor and one of the windows was open. Usually, he tried not to look at it, it was a mess! It hadn't been touched since his mother-in-law had moved out and that was, what? 6 years ago?

He hated mucking around with old buildings. It'd be easier to bowl it and build a new one. But, that'd cost a fortune and they didn't really need it anyway. Well, they didn't need it until now. Now, it appeared, they had a worker to house.

He guessed that it would do for now. The boy probably wouldn't be staying long anyway. Heaven knew, he needed help around the place, there was so much that needed doing, but he needed a man, not a boy who'd blow over in a decent wind. They'd give him a chance, but he expected that the boy would be useless, he was just a kid.

He got into his ute, backed it out of the tractor shed and turned to leave for work. The boy, Andrew, was down on his hands and knees with his head under the vine on the back-wall of the cottage. He pulled over, stopped and leaned out of the window.

The kid turned and smiled at him. "Good morning, Mr. Liam. Sleep well?"

"Good morning, Andrew. Did you sleep well?"

"I did, thanks. Very well."

"That's good. What are you doing there?"

"I'm just trying to work out where to start on this vine."

"Where to start? Just cut the whole damm thing down. Lop it off at ground level and get it out of the way. It'll soon grow back. You'll find a pruning saw, lops and shears in the workshop. Make a start on clearing it. Cameron can help you when he gets home from school and I'll get the chainsaw on to any trunks that are too big to cut by hand, I'll do that when I get home from work. Do what you can and look after that foot. Have you had any breakfast?"

"No. It's okay thanks. I don't usually eat breakfast."

"Well now you do. A man can't do a day's work on an empty stomach., you need some fuel in you. Go inside and Mrs. Black will feed you. I'll call in and see our accountant later. We've never had a full-time helper around here before, we're going to have to work out what we're going to pay you."

"Pay? You're going to pay me?"

"Of course we are. What did you think?"

"I thought I'd be working for food and somewhere to sleep. That's all I need really. I'm not worth much."

"Of course you're worth more than that. Didn't your father ever pay you?"

"No. But I went to school and just helped in my spare time. I got pocket money."

"Every kid should get pocket money whether they're working or not. You do a day's work, you get a day's pay."

"That'd be great. Thanks, Mr. Liam. Then I'll be able to pay Mrs. Black for my room and board."

"Andrew, you don't pay for them. They're on top of whatever wages you get."

"Really? Really??"

"Yes, really. Know something, Boy? I think that when your father threw you out, he lost more than you did. Okay, I'm going to work. I'll be home about 5, hopefully. Do what you can and we'll see how it goes."

"Goodbye then, Mr. Liam."

"Bye, Andrew. Go inside and eat!"

Cameron emerged from his room, late as usual. "Morning, Mum."

"Hello, Son. You're late again."

"Yeah, and I hate hurrying in the mornings. Seen Andrew?"

"Get up earlier and you won't have to hurry and, no, I haven't seen Andrew. Go and tell him to come and get some breakfast."

"I'll tell him on the way out. I'm going to miss the bus!"

"You'll be walking if you do."

"Damm, damm, damm!"

He left the house, school-bag in one hand and toast in the other. "Andrew!" He looked out from the cottage door. "Mum says you're to go inside and eat. I've gotta go, I'm late! See you this afternoon."

"Goodbye, Cameron. Have a good day."

"You too, and look after that foot." He left, running down the drive. The bus was coming down the highway.

Andrew carried on with what he was doing.

When they returned from school, Cameron, Jonas and Lennie were talking and joking as they walked up the drive. They got to the back of the house, looked at the cottage and stopped, speechless.

"Wow!" Lennie was the first to recover. "Look at the cottage! Ohmigosh."

The three stood and stared. The cottage was bare, Cameron could never remember seeing it so exposed. The vine had gone completely! There was no trace of it anywhere.

"Well," he said. "Andrew's been busy."

"It's over there," Jonas pointed. The green vine was in a big heap in the paddock over the fence. "Not bad work for someone who's meant to be resting."

"Yes," Cameron agreed. "He'll be worn out. I'll go and see him."

The kids went inside, Cameron went into the cottage. It was opened up again, the mattress from the bed and the old armchairs were outside in the sunshine and Andrew wasn't there. "Damm. Where are you? In the house?"

He wasn't there either, the mother hadn't seen him. "Andrew hasn't been inside all day. He only stopped for lunch because I took it out there and sat while he ate. The boy's a wonderful worker, but he'll never keep this up. Have you seen what he's done to the cottage?"

"Yeah. The vine's totally gone and all dumped out in the paddock. Would've taken me a week to do that much."

"It would. At least a week."

"I'll go and look for him in the sheds out back."

"Change out of your school clothes, Cameron."

"Yeah, yeah. In a minute, Mum."

He dropped his bag and ran down to the sheds at the back of the yard. Andrew was in the workshop, next to the tractor shed. Cameron raced in the open door, stopped and looked around.

"Whoah, Andrew. What've you done?"

"Hey, Cameron. What do you mean? I'm just cleaning the place up a bit."

"A bit? It's never looked like this. Look at all the floor area!"

"I was putting the tools away and thought I'd straighten the place up a bit. It was a mess in here and impossible to find anything."

"Yeah, it was a mess, it always is, but Dad says it's an organised mess and he knows where everything is. I dunno if he's going to like this."

"He's not? Damm. I've stuffed-up, haven't I? Trust me. My first day in my first job and I've ruined it already."

"Hey. It's not that bad. He'll get over it."

"But it's his workshop and his tools. I should've left things where they were. I've stuffed-up."

"No you haven't. Dad might know where everything is, but no-one else does. He told you to use his tools, didn't he?"

"He did, but he didn't say to move everything around. Where does Giles live?"

"Giles? He lives on their farm, about 7 kilometers up the road. Why?"

"He said that his father might have some work for me. I'll pack my bags and go and see him."

"You what? You will not!"

"Yeah, I will. I'll do it now."

"And how are you going to get there?"

"Walking."

"Seven kilometers?"

"It's not that far. I can do it. It's better to go now. If I hang around and wait to get fired, it'll make it harder to get another job."

"You're not going to get fired. Dad wouldn't sack you for cleaning up his mess."

"But it was his mess. You said he liked it like that. I should've left things as they were."

"Okay, maybe you should have, but it's not that bad. Hell, Andrew. Everyone makes mistakes. It's not a big deal."

"It's a big deal for me, I can't afford to make mistakes. Your dad's not that happy about me being here anyway. It wasn't his idea."

"Has he said something to you?"

"No, but he doesn't have to. I can tell."

"You're too hard on yourself. Sometimes I think he doesn't like me being here either."

"That's totally different. He's your father and you're his son. My own father doesn't want me, why should anyone else's?"

"Because your're worth it! Fuck, Andrew. Your father is nothing but a pig. I hope I meet him one day. I'll tell him he's a wanker. Please don't go. At least, wait and see what he says. He's going to be so impressed that you've cleaned that vine up already. No-one expected you to do half of that today. Why aren't you resting anyway?"

"I'm not getting paid for resting. Your dad said he was going to pay me for working, so I have to work."

"We might have to have second thoughts about that then." The boys both swung around at the voice behind them.

"Dad! How long have you been there?"

"Long enough. I came home early to start cutting that vine down and, my god! you've done it. Well done, Boys. Thank you."

"It wasn't me, I went to school. I got home and Andrew had done the lot."

"On his own? Damm, Andrew. You were meant to make a start on it, not finish it in one day."

"It wasn't hard and it was fun to do. I'm sorry about your workshop, Mr. Black."

"Sorry? What for?" He looked around. "It's way past time that it was cleaned up. I've been meaning to do it but never got around to it. Just keep on doing what you're doing, and thanks. And don't call me Mister!

"Sorry. Thank you Mr. . . umm, Liam"

"That's better, but next time try just saying Liam. I've got some spare time then, I'll have a look at that roof and find where it's leaking."

"You don't have to, I've done that."

"You've found the leak?"

"I've fixed it. It was just some sheets of iron being lifted by the vine. I nailed them down and, well, no more leaks."

"Let's hope it's that easy. We'll find out next time it rains, I guess."

"It won't leak, it's fixed. I've been up on the roof with a hose and no water got in at all."

"You've tested it as well? Damm, Boy. Did you sit down at all today?"

"Yes, I did. I sat down for lunch. Mrs. Black said I had to."

"Quite right too. Okay, knock off for today, you've done more than enough. Go and put your foot up. Tomorrow, you could carry on in here and, maybe, see if you can get the rest of the windows and the backdoor in the cottage open. They'll need sanding down so they'll fit. We'll get an electrician and a plumber in to look at the power and water.

I'll have the water-blaster here by Friday, until then you can just potter around and let the foot recover. Okay? Time for a drink, I think."

"Thanks, Mr. Liam. I thought I'd ruined everything."

"Ruined? You've ruined nothing. Damm, Boy, you won't be able to keep this pace up, but you do half of what you've done today and you'll still be the best worker I've ever had. Go and do nothing. Cameron, you make sure that he does."

"Sure, Dad. I will."

He didn't. He gave up trying to stop him and finished up helping clean the inside walls and ceiling of the cottage until it was time to stop and eat.

After dinner, Andrew didn't want to sit and watch TV or play games. He had to put the mattress and chairs inside and fix his bed up. Cameron helped him to do that, and then he went inside to do his homework and stuff while Andrew carried on cleaning until it was too dark to see. Then he went to bed.

Next day, Andrew was left alone there as Mrs. Black had a day in town. She had a meeting to go to, some shopping to do and accounts to pay. He hadn't been in for breakfast again, so she left him a tray with lunch on it and told him to bloody well eat it!

When the kids got home from school, he'd fixed the doors and windows and put some primer/undercoat on the sanded edges so they wouldn't swell again. He'd got the power going in the cottage. ("No problems, it was just blown fuses."), and was working on the water supply. There was a blockage in the pipe coming out from the house.

That had been cleared, the water was running by the time the parents came home and he was busy cleaning the shower and bathroom in the cottage.

Mr. B greeted him when Cameron brought him in for dinner. "Well, Andrew. Did you have a good day?"

"Oh, yes. I had a very good day, thanks."

"I see you've finished cleaning the workshop up. Thanks for that, it's never looked better. Did you get the doors and windows open?"

"Yes, I opened them, fixed them and painted the edges. They're all fine now."

"Finished? What else have you done today?"

"Not a lot. The power and water are going, and there's this. . " He passed a folded sheet of paper over the table.

"What's this then?" Mr. B. opened and looked at it. "Tools and supplies needed for painting. Turps, putty, sanding discs, scraper blades, undercoat and topcoat. Looks like you've got everything here."

"I can't think of anything else. I know it looks a lot, Mr. Liam, but that's for the house, all of the sheds and the fences around the yard. You do want them painted, don't you?"

"Yes, of course, if you've got the time. You don't have to do everything yourself, you know. Cameron and I will help you and I might send a couple of the guys from work out for a few days."

"You don't have to do that, I can do it. Thanks anyway."

"You think you'll do the lot? You're not Superman you know."

"I know I'm not, but I can paint. That's one thing that I do know. If you think it's too much, take out what you think and I'll make-do."

Mr. B. passed passed the page back to him. "I'll trust you. Mrs. Black will take you to town tomorrow, to the hardware store. Get whatever you want and tell them to put it on my account. Make sure you get everything you need."

"Everything?"

"Yes, everything. There won't be any waste, what you don't use, we'll use on other jobs. No worries.

"Okay," Mrs. Black brought the meals over. "Enough talking. Forget about work now, the day is over. Eat."

When the meal was finished, Jonas and Lennie were told to clean up. Cameron asked Andrew if he wanted to watch TV. Andrew said, no thanks. He never watched TV.

"Never?"

"Never! Rots the brain, you know. Besides, if you watch TV, you get ads."

"True, but there's no ads on Sky, not many anyway."

"Still too many."

"What do you do with your spare time, Andrew?"

"Sleep mostly. I'm definitely ready for sleeping tonight. I think I'll go to bed early. Thanks for the meal, Mrs. Black. That was great."

"You're very welcome. Pleased you liked it."

"I did, a lot. I'm going to bed now. G'night Everybody."

"Bye Andrew."

He left for his cottage and Cameron went to his room. Damm. He'd brought Andrew home because he was in trouble and needed help, but there was more to it than that. He liked him and wanted to get to know him. They were both young, gay and single and now they were living in the same house. Who knew what could happen? He kinda hoped that it would. Not straight away, of course. The boy was broken in more ways than one, but, given time, he'd get better.

He could see that his parents were impressed all ready. He was timid, shy and scared, but that would pass with proper care and he was sure that they would give him that. His parents were good guys, unlike Andrew's.

He wasn't bad-looking either. He'd look a lot better if he smiled. Could he smile?