' 'Fuck off!' Tim retaliated, attempting--yet failing, I thought with an inward smirk--to look unconcerned as he loped down to the shore to retrieve t...e ball. 'When did you last have a shag, anyway?' Another of the guys took up the call. 'Yeah, Foster, when did you last have a shag?' All eyes, mine included, turned on the stocky, broad-chested male wearing bright red board-shorts.'Ah, well now,' he said, tapping his nose knowingly. 'That's between me and the extremely satisfied woman I shagged.. .” I nodded.“Would you like to stay for coffee?” he asked in a kind voice.It was Saturday so I didn’t have to rush back for school and I had no particular plans for the day so I nodded again.“Er… yes please – if that’s OK?” I replied nervously. He just smiled and put another mug on the tray.“Let’s sit outside, it’s far too nice to be indoors on a day like this,” he said and then added, “Oh, and bring the paper will you?”I followed him out into the large garden and we sat at the wooden table on. .I had not given up my idea of a flotilla to chase pirates, so we decided to take the prize to New Orleans and have it refitted to be our second vessel with Capt. Abernathy in charge. The trip back was not as comfortable for them as it might have been because of the squalor on board, but we rotated the crew everyday to give them some relief, and Cookie cooked for everybody. In appreciation for his efforts, everybody kicked in a little to bring Cookie’s share of the loot up to equal that of the. I’d seen enough of Jeff not to be surprised, but I was surprised. Mom asked one question. ‘How old are you?’ ‘You probably won’t be surprised to know that is the question I’m most often asked. You shouldn’t be surprised to hear I’m one year older than high school.’ Mom smiled. ‘That’s what you said the first time I met you.’ ‘When can we get Dad back here’ I asked. Jeff held up a cautionary finger. ‘I’m not certain of the details of the relationships, but I don’t think you can present this to.