Chapter 80

The conversations with Allison and Leslie the next day were funny. Andrew gave Leslie the summary details knowing that they would be seeing each other that night but more importantly she and Allison would talk for hours about the evening. The conversation with Allison was bubbly and flirty and fun. Her parents were insisting on meeting him and since he had plans already for Saturday night, Andrew agreed to go for dinner on Friday. He really wasn’t that worried about it, over the years his interactions with parents had become easier and easier.

School returned to normal as the 5^th year pupils came back from study and exam leave. Heriot’s treated the final four weeks of 5^th year as the first four weeks of 6^th year. There was no respite after the exams. Now it wasn’t crazy but there was purpose to the teaching. This was the time where you considered what you were going to study in your final year.

Most of Andrew’s peers had sat seven Highers, except him who had weaseled out of the language exam. The next level of courses in Scotland after Highers were called the Certificate of Six Year Studies (CSYS), which were the Scottish equivalent to A-levels. Yes, Britain might be one country but Scotland had a separate legal and education system which meant you were always dealing with comparisons. The Scottish Exam Board did not offer A-levels, only CSYS’. But just to make matters even more confusing, you could sit A-levels in Scotland, it was just much rarer. So Andrew had to decide what subjects to study for CSYS, and whether to do any A-levels as well.

He had studied Maths, English, Geography, History, Physics and Chemistry for the last year and had sat Highers in each of those subjects. Now he had to choose what to take for his final year. This was completely tied into his university plans. Andrew was going to have the discussion with Leslie and possibly Brian, and then let his parents know what he had decided.

What Andrew was going to do as a career had been looming ever larger as an issue over the last year. It was intimately tied into making a difference and he was conflicted. He doubted whether either Physics or Engineering were going to allow him a career where he could make millions. Andrew wanted to make a difference, therefore he needed to make millions, and therefore shouldn’t he pursue a career that actively helped towards that? This clashed with his interest and aptitude for Maths and Physics. Andrew even wondered whether he should go to university at all. Sometime between the middle and end of 1983 he would have a BSc in Computer Science. Was that not the most likely way for him to make his fortune? There were too many questions and not enough answers.

So he pushed the decision off. Andrew was going to decide over the summer which university he was going to apply to and for what courses. Fortunately both of his degree choices had the same basics, Physics and Maths. In Scotland CSYS Maths was split into three separate courses, Algebra, Calculus and Mechanics. In fact there were five maths course options in total but he chose those three. With Physics added to them Andrew had his four core courses. English, Geography and Chemistry were all done. All he had left to decide was whether to continue History. Here is where the school made things complicated because it was A-level History that was offered not a CSYS. Because it would never do to make things as consistent as possible.

Andrew ended up taking the A-level in History, although he knew he could drop it if it became too onerous. So there was his final year, three courses in Maths, plus Physics and History. His mum signed the appropriate form and he was committed. She also signed it after only a short chat.

It was a busy first week back from study leave. The dinner on the Friday night with Allison and her parents was funny and endearing. Her mother knew about what they got up to on their nights out so there was a slight undercurrent to the beginning of the evening. For the most part they just asked questions, listened, which was unusual in parents, and tried to figure out their relationship. In the end Allison’s mum literally threw her hands up in the air.

“I just don’t get it, how are you two not a couple? You seem so happy together, I have never seen Allison so happy. What am I missing?”

They looked at each other and Allison responded.

“Neither one of us is prepared to step back from our personal goals. We have both got goals and dreams and right now they are more important than trying to be a couple. I am off to Bristol in three months and Andrew will be here in Edinburgh. Bristol is not one of the four universities that Andrew is considering applying to. So rather than screw up our friendship up we decided to just be friends. If things align in the future then we will consider everything then. I am just 18 and Andrew is not even 17 until next week. We have grown closer over the last eight months but we are just good friends.”

At least three of them knew what that meant. Her dad piped up.

“Can I ask about last Saturday? I am not upset, in fact Allison never looked lovelier, but it was quite a shock.”

Andrew’s turn.

“Allison got a stupid put down after her final exam from some bitchy girl in her year. I had been thinking about doing something for the end of the year and as a congratulations on being the Dux. I wanted Allison to feel special so I came up with that. I knew Allison could be that person, so I asked her. I told her I wanted to get her a bold, daring and sexy dress and I wanted to walk into a restaurant with her on my arm and for her to own the room. You saw her. Nobody can fake that aura, she absolutely owned it. She did it as much for you guys as well. We knew that you were likely to be there. So she and Leslie went shopping for the dress and the shoes and the rest you saw. As for dinner with Lord Barnes, that was your fault. When he introduced himself at the entrance, Allison recognised his name from your dinner table conversations. They had not made a reservation and were being turned away. It was your daughter who suggested that they join us for dinner, just for your reaction. I knew Lord Barnes’ daughter last year at school and had met him a couple of times.”

Allison had been smirking over at her father. Alexander Page looked speechless. Her mum looked at him closely.

“You did all that for Allison?”

Her eyes were starting to tear up.

“Of course.”

The Pages gave up trying to understand them, they were too confused. Allison drove him home at the end of night and when she parked at his place passed on the best news of the day.

“Mum is taking Dad away next Saturday night. I think she wants to give us some alone time. Will you be able to stay over?”

She looked adorably, biting her bottom lip and he smiled an enormous smile.

“Definitely. I have only one request. Please wear the dress and shoes from last week.”

Allison had an equally large smile.

“Of course Andrew. I will be wearing the dress and the shoes. Nothing else, just the dress and the shoes.”

Andrew groaned and she laughed.

“Sweet dreams Andrew, sweet dreams.”

It was going to be a long week.

The following night he went out with Suzanne. They celebrated the end of the exams and talked about the future. Suzanne was less sure what she wanted to do the following year and had no idea what she wanted to do as a career. They talked about it on the walk home, the different choices and the difficulty of making what seemed like life defining choices so soon. The walk home had become part of the ritual of their nights out. The following Friday Andrew turned 17 and could apply for his learner’s driving licence. He was looking forward to learning to drive and getting a car as soon as possible thereafter. Right then though, the walks were part of their time together. Often it was the only time they were alone and could talk without being bothered, interrupted or overheard. They carried on talking about careers, he was doing the same thing to Suzanne that Faith and Leslie had done with him three years earlier. They talked through different possibilities and just talked about life. Andrew talked to Suzanne about the dilemma he was struggling with and how he had just pushed it off for another year.

“How are you going to decide what to study?”

“I am leaning towards Engineering because of the practicality of it. I am not going to the CCF camp this year, instead I am going to an Army cadet camp for the Royal Engineers.”

He explained that the Army cadets were the same as the CCF but were not tied to a specific school. It was the military version of the Scouts.

“The Sappers run a couple of camps a year to showcase what they do. Travis got me on the course that starts in Chatham in the last week of June, straight after school. The CCF is running around Barry Budden again so I am pretty pleased to get the chance to try something new. I planning to join the OTC at whichever university I attend, so this is good experience.”

“Are you going to join the Army after university Andrew?”

“I doubt it. I may apply to be commissioned in the Territorial Army as a reserve officer but a lot will depend on what I do upon graduation. I also talk like that is a given, when in fact I will have to apply, be selected and then pass the course and get commissioned. I have enjoyed the CCF although a lot of that is the fun that Pete, Don and I have. It will be different next year as Don is leaving after this year and is off to university. When I think about Engineering there seems to be more possibilities than pure Physics. I am not sure I am best suited to a life as an academic.”

“Why not, you study all the time? You are a good teacher and motivator, why do you think that you won’t like it?”

“It is just a feeling. I think that Engineering will bring more practical challenges. I am going to open days in London and Cambridge in the last week of school. I will be away on the Monday and Tuesday of the last week, Monday in London and Tuesday in Cambridge. I am thinking about University College in London for just Engineering but I will talk to both faculties in Cambridge. I hope that helps me make up my mind.”

“So you are definitely going away for university?”

“More than 80% likely but not definitely. I just feel that I will benefit being away from home. What about you?”

“I will likely stay in Scotland. My first choice will be Glasgow with Edinburgh as a backup.”

“Oh, there is one thing I wanted to ask you. I was going to have a quiet word with Mrs. Griffiths in the Head’s office and see if we can be in the same form class again next year. I assumed that you would be okay with that but I thought I would check.”

“Great idea, I don’t know how they allocate the 6^th year classes, it seems to be almost random. Do you think Mrs. Griffiths will help?”

“I see her all the time on prefect stuff, and I am always happy and cheerful with her. I figured there was no harm in trying.”

“So what you are saying is that you have flirted with her all year and now you want a favour.”

“Harsh Suzanne. Truthful, but harsh.”

As they walked along the street, Andrew thought about Suzanne. They laughed all the time, she kept him sane and grounded at school. There was an irreverent streak to her that made him chuckle.

“Do you think we can have some time alone this summer?”

Suzanne asked as they walked along.

“We both have little sisters but I am sure we can manage some time where it is just the two of us.”

He squeezed her hand and teased her.

“What did you want to study?”

She smiled at him.

“You are a child sometimes; do you know that?”

He nodded eagerly.

“You know very well what I want to study. I want to study your body, I want to feel your body. Most of all I want to lie beside your body while we talk. Naked and vulnerable but desired and lusted after. I want to us to get to the end of the day and be exhausted. How does that sound?”

All he could do was pull her to him and caress her arse as they kissed passionately. She giggled when they finally separated.

“I’ll take that as an unqualified yes to the idea then.”

Suzanne Jenner was very good for him.

June of Andrew’s 5^th year was a time of change. Quarter of the year were leaving, mostly to start at Scottish universities based on their Higher results. This included his friend Don White. He, Pete and Don had been in Math, English, History, Physics and Chemistry for five years together, and they had been in his primary school classes before that. They had been in the Army section of the CCF for the last three years, with both of them having joined right at the start of senior school. It was a school friendship. He had never seen Don outside school but the three of them normally walked between classes together. Andrew and Pete had started to go to gigs on a semi regular basis. Pete had introduced him to U2 the previous year and they had gone to U2, The Jam and Simple Minds concerts together. He had a much wider taste in music than Andrew did. Pete was musically open whereas Leslie and Tony were like Andrew and more into rock and metal music.

Since January he and Pete had gone to the Nite Club on a Friday night without checking to see who was playing. They paid the £5 cover, often it was not even that much, and seen who was playing. They had seen some dreck but had also seen some great bands before they became better known. It was hit and miss and that was part of the fun of it. It became their thing to do and they had a good time either way. That night though Pete wanted to talk. The band weren’t scheduled to be on for at least another 45 minutes. For once the music from the DJ was not stupidly loud.

“You thought about next year Andrew?”

“In what way? Done pretty much nothing but think about next year since I came back from the exams.”

“Everything; we don’t really have deep serious conversations but you seem to have got things sorted out. You are the most freakishly organised SOB in the school.”

Andrew laughed.

“Nah, not really. I was talking to Suzanne about this very thing last weekend. I do not know yet what I want to study at university or even which universities I am going to apply to. I think I am okay with the courses for next year and I know I can drop History if the rest get too much.”

“Maths 1, 2 & 5 and Physics?”

These were the course numbers for CSYS Algebra, Calculus and Mechanics.

“Yes, I should be fine but I don’t want to presume it will always be as easy as I have found it so far.”

“Fuck sake Andrew, you have been top of the year in both of them for the last four years. Why would you suddenly struggle with them now? But it is not just the academics that you have figured out. It is life in general. I remember you the summer before they found out about your cancer. You were a runt, and a pretty annoying one. Now look at you. In the year and half after you came back you just got more and more toned, all that swimming you do I suppose?”

Andrew shrugged and nodded.

“How tall are you now? 6’4”, 6’5”?”

“6’4” plus. The growth seems finally to be slowing down so I think I will end up at 6’5”.”

“Exactly. Most people have forgotten that you had cancer and were not here for two terms in 2^nd year. Look at you now. What do you always say, lentil soup and grilled chicken.”

Pete shook his head.

“What do you think about CCF? Who is going to get head of section?”

“You will be, you have been in the contingent for two more years than me. I am a prefect and miss the start of parade sometimes because of stuff I have to do. I am sure it will be you.”

Andrew knew this was important to Pete.

“That would make sense. You don’t mind?”

“Not at all, exact opposite in fact. I am already a prefect and have had year prizes for Maths and Physics. Most importantly you are so relaxed and natural at the command stuff. That is clear to the staff. I do okay but it doesn’t come as naturally to me. You get that stuff so much better than I do. I am stiff and formal. It is something that I have to work on all the time. Probably harkens back to the annoying runt phase of my life.”

Pete snorted.

“That is well and truly done with. You may have once been an annoying runt but you laid that reputation to rest a long time ago. How is it that the class nerd, the guy who finally beat Vinnie Kirk for goodness sake, has so many girlfriends? Who all know about each other apparently and nobody seems to care.”

“Was there a question in there?”

“What was your secret Andrew? You have dated Kate, Hannah, Allie, Suzanne, Paula and June just in our year. You dated Tanvi and Katie in the year above last year and Allison this year. And there have been several other rumours. You dated four girls for the last four or five months without any drama and very little gossip. That is the definition of having your life in order.”

“I was truthful with them all. Remember Hannah called me boring and dumped me. Katie and Tanvi dumped me. Allie dumped me. What I did was go out with people who were like me, studied too much and needed a break. I also was carefully to talk about having a night out, not a date. Just friends, no boyfriend/girlfriend bull and had fun. My secret, be truthful and kind. Everything else works out.”

Pete looked at him and thought about what Andrew had said.

“You really don’t have a girlfriend? You go out with these women all the time.”

“So? I told all of them up front that I was putting studying first and that I wanted to go out occasionally on a Saturday night to relax after studying. I speak to Kate and Suzanne every day and I listen to June every day. I see them all at hockey every Thursday and Saturday. As you say, they all know about the others.”

“Don’t get me started on Andrew, the hockey coach. Is that how you managed to go out with so many of girls?”

“Exact opposite mate. You know all the shit that Sandra’s dad was throwing around. I have never spoken to any of the team on a Thursday or Saturday at the pitch without Hendricks or McIntosh being there. We all stay squeaky clean on that one. If anything happened there it would be on the front page of the bleeding Evening News the next day. But I am allowed to talk to them on the bus home.”

“I hear what you are saying Andrew, and although I am giving you a hard time I have sat next to you for too long to not know the real you. You have walked in with Suzanne for the last two years at Assembly. You are mates. I heard Kate say you talked her off the ledge a couple of times during the exams. June likes someone to listen to her go on about herself. That Allison Page is like you and Vinnie for her year, scary smart. You two probably sit and solve equations or some ridiculous shit like that.”

Andrew had to bite his tongue to stop laughing at that. Pete’s reaction to the truth about Allison and him would be epic.

“Pete you make me sound like I know what I am doing and that I have my life sorted. It doesn’t feel like that to me. I don’t know what I want to do at university or at which one. And I have no idea what I am going to do after I graduate. I am still trying to understand women, still trying to understand myself and women. I am going to join the OTC at university and maybe think about becoming a reserve officer when I graduate. You are so much better at the male teamwork, the camaraderie of the Army than I am. You are a natural at all that stuff. Sure I have done some stuff that others in the year have not but it is still not much compared to what we have to face over the next five years.”