Coasts of Cape York by Christopher Cummings Page B

snapped back, “Well, you can have him if you like.”
    Marjorie shook her head. “No. I love you,” she replied. “Besides, he is going out with Carol Battersby.”
    â€œIs he?” Willy asked doubtfully. “I heard rumours he wasn’t doing very well.”
    â€œWell, she’s here watching and giving him big smiles,” Marjorie answered.
    Willy’s gaze followed her pointing hand and he saw Carol sitting along to his right. He was surprised to see her, both because she lived near the Castor Sugar Mill which was quite some distance away, and because he had never thought she would be interested in anything military.
    After the parade Willy went with Marjorie and Stick to talk to the army cadets after they had been dismissed. Willy made a point of congratulating Graham. While he did this he had Marjorie’s story confirmed. Carol was standing with Graham and had her hand on his arm. Graham looked extremely pleased. ‘And so he should,’ Willy mused.
    They were joined by several Navy Cadets, resplendent in their dress whites. These included Andrew Collins, his big sister Carmen and Tina Babcock, Andrew’s girlfriend. For a few minutes they discussed the differences between the drill done by each service.
    Stephen joined them. “What are we doing tonight?” he asked.
    To Willy’s embarrassment Marjorie giggled. That made the others all look from him to her, then grin. Willy blushed and knew it. Even Marjorie went red when she realized what she had done. He said, “We are playing board games at Marjorie’s.”
    â€œBoard games eh?” Stephen said in a suggestive voice.
    â€œYes,” Marjorie said, trying to look indignant.
    Stephen turned to Graham. “What about you Graham?”
    Graham gestured to Carol and said, “We are going to the movies.”
    At that Marjorie nudged Willy. ‘So Graham is starting to win,’ he thought.
    Stephen had no luck with Peter or Roger either so went away muttering.  Graham made excuses and led Carol away. Stick stopped chatting to Andrew Collins and said, “Come on Marjorie. Tea time. Let’s go home.”
    â€œOK,” Marjorie replied without enthusiasm. She squeezed Willy’s arm and then whispered, “See you later.”
    After they had gone Willy talked to Andrew and Carmen for a few minutes before going to find his mother. They went home and Willy got out of his uniform and had a shower while she prepared tea. Willy then dressed in shorts and casual shirt in preparation for the games night. It was a very sultry evening, the grumble of a distant thunderstorm hinting at the possibility of rain.
    The games night at Marjorie’s was attended by Stick, Noddy, Vicki, Tod, Soper and Katrina Ferguson from 2 Section. The games included ‘Uno’, ‘Scrabble’ and a couple of dice games they had made up themselves. Throughout the evening Willy sat with Marjorie beside him. She kept up the pressure, touching him and pressing her legs against his. That got him all aroused and he was careful not to stand up when anyone was liable to see his condition.
    What he really wanted to do was get Marjorie outside but no opportunity seemed to present itself, at least not without making it very obvious and attracting sniggers and lewd and embarrassing comments. It also seemed that Marjorie’s mother was making sure they had no chance to get away. She kept coming in with drinks and cakes and stayed just in the next room watching TV.
    During a change of games Willy leaned over and whispered in Marjorie’s ear. “I don’t think we are going to make it,” he said.
    â€œNo,” Marjorie replied. She sounded grumpy and made him even more frustrated by saying, “Ooh! Oooh! Oh bugger Mum!”
    They did not make it. To put the lid on their chances Willy’s parents arrived and sat talking to Marjorie’s. At 10pm they took him home, saying he