still and in the self discipline of trying to make his muscles do exactly what he wanted.
After the dismissal parade Willy sought out Marjorie to check that she was attending the army cadet passing-out parade the next day. She looked deep into his eyes and said she was. The look in her eyes made Willyâs heart beat faster and he went dry in the throat. âI wish we could get together tomorrow,â he murmured, keeping his voice down so that no-one else could hear.
âWe can tomorrow night,â Marjorie said. âCome over and we will play board games or something.â
âOr something,â Willy hinted.
Marjorie giggled. Stick, who was walking towards them said, âOr something what? What are you two planning?â
âOh, nothing,â Marjorie replied, trying to look innocent.
âNothing eh? Well that nothing might cost you a fair bit to buy my silence,â Stick answered, giving them a wink and a leering grin.
Willy felt a rush of guilt and went red. Marjorie just poked her tongue. âYou tell on me and I will tell on you,â she retorted.
That silenced Stick at once and he changed the subject to the army cadetâs passing-out parade. Arrangements were made to meet at the school oval. They had permission to wear their Number 1 uniform and Willy was looking forward to that. He often saw the army cadets in their uniforms but he rarely got the chance to wear his where they could see him.
Willy walked with Marjorie and Stick to the car park and said goodnight, then went to his motherâs car. He knew his mother approved of Marjorie- though would not approve of them being too naughty. That made him feel another surge of guilt for trying to deceive her.
At home he had supper, then a shower because it was the last day of October and the night time temperature still hovered around 23 degrees C. When this was coupled with a humidity level of 70 or 80 % it made it very sticky. As neither of his parents liked air conditioning he had to lie under his fan with the window open to get cool.
But it was not the heat and humidity that kept Willy awake until well after midnight. It was shot thoughts about Marjorie. For several hours he lay and fantasized about having sex with her. Finally he drifted into a restless slumber.
Next morning he felt tired and hot but made himself get up at the normal time and have his shower and breakfast. Then he set to work on his Saturday chores of mowing, sweeping and tidying up. His father and mother both joined him in the garden, snipping, weeding and pruning. Sweat poured out of them in rivulets, necessitating frequent cold drinks and a good long morning tea break.
After lunch Willy ironed his uniform and polished his boots. His mother had insisted from the day he joined the air cadets that he do all these things himself and he now accepted it as part of his duties. When his uniform was ready he lay down on his bed to read. Despite the 34 degree heat he drifted into a fitful sleep.
By 3:30pm he was up and having a cold shower. After that he dressed carefully in his uniform, then had another large cold drink. At 4:15pm he and his parents set off in the car for the High School. On arrival they parked the car and joined the crowd of spectators. By 4:40pm they were seated on a row of chairs under the trees beside the school oval.
While they waited one of the army Officers of Cadets, Lieutenant Hamilton, came walking along greeting people. When he got close Willy stood up and self consciously saluted.
Lt Hamilton returned the salute then fixed Willy with an intense stare. âYou arenât going to try any tricks like last year are you Willy?â he queried.
Willy blushed and shook his head. âNo sir,â he replied.
âThere had better not be or it will all end in tears,â Lt Hamilton warned as he walked on.
Willy sat down embarrassed, perspiration from his anxiety adding to the trickle from the humid tropical heat. His blue
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