Like all my stories this is total fantasy.
The wind was quite strong on that late spring morning. Ben's fringe was blown onto his forehead throughout the walk to the cars during which he clutched his grandmothers hand tightly.
Ray walked some distance behind the relatives.
He noticed that Ben's long grey socks on his right leg was sliding down to his ankles. he would deal with the boy when they got home. But no..what was he thinking on this day of all days. A time of sorrow.
Ray had forgotten that Ben would be spending a month with his father's cousin and his family of a wife and two boys almost the same age as Ben. Even though Ray and Ben's gran, his only close relative, had expected the worst, it had been a shock for young Ben.
Ben was lost in his own thoughts and gave not a second thought to his predicament. All he knew was that he was off to the country for a month. He was a sad, lost little boy.
One week passed before Ray paid a visit to Ben's gran.
Ray guessed that Ben's gran would agree with his suggestion. After all, her only son had been happy to entrust the boy to his best friend, and anyhow, what was she to do with a lively ten year old, She knew she could not cope. Ben had to be in school by 8.30 and she never even awoke until 9.30.
As agreed the boy would stay with Ray, she would provide an allowance from her son's estate but man and boy could live in her son's house, keeping his memory alive for her precious grandson.
Ray managed to obtain a redoration allowance from ben's gran and he set off to play how he would spend the money. Certainly changes had to be made. Ray would occupy Ben's dad's old room and Ben's room would be re-decorated. A school desk and chair would be bought for the boy's room.
As Ray entered his new home he felt pleased with the way things were turning out. The small paddle that Ray had used on ben would be kept out on the boys dresser permanently now and Ray would get a junior cane which would hang from a hook in the entrance hall of the house.
In the countryside Ban enjoyed a carefree time playing with boys his own age and being thoroughly spoiled by the adults around his.
All too soon Ben was back sitting n his gran's front room. He had forgotten how his gran's house smelled stuffy of an old lady smell like a pile of apples left in a barn to rot, ben thought. Not nice at all. He had not given a thought to what was to happen to him when he went back home but was just pleased that he no longer had Ray in his life. Ben sat and stared at his gran. She seemed restless and Ben reckoned that it was something to do with his new arrangements. He wondered where in the house he would be sleeping and he was just about to ask for another chocolate biscuit when he heard a car pulling inot the driveway.
''Would you open the door dear'' Ben's gran asked.
ben jumped up, eager to please. He reached up high to undo the door latch and as he pulled the door open he shuddered as he caught sight Ray.
Ray smiled at Ben.
Ben hated that look. Ray was so self assured and Ben backed away from the man, remembering the painful slaps and whacks his young bottom had endured at the man's whim.
''I see you have your socks pulled up neatly'' Ray exclaimed as he opushed past Ben. Ben followed Ray into the front room of his gran's house.