Re: Topside, 23rd May, Mid-Morning

**Tom Oxley** Thu Sep 10, 2009 9:52 pm

He shrugged. "Can't read, sir. Won't make a good sergeant if I can't read."

**Simon Fletcher** Thu Sep 10, 2009 10:05 pm

"Well why don't you learn?" It seemed a simple enough answer to Simon. "It's not that difficult, really."

**Tom Oxley** Thu Sep 10, 2009 10:09 pm

"Learn? Me?" Oxley hadn't even though about learning to read.

**Simon Fletcher** Thu Sep 10, 2009 10:14 pm

"Yes." Fletcher looked up at Oxley curiously. "Why not? The local boys in our village went to the church school to learn, so I don't see why you can't - learn to read, that is."

**Tom Oxley** Thu Sep 10, 2009 10:18 pm

He fidgeted a little. "Dunno anyone as would teach me, sir." It was an intriguing thought, though.

**Simon Fletcher** Thu Sep 10, 2009 10:19 pm

"I'm sure there'll be someone," Fletcher persisted.

**Tom Oxley** Thu Sep 10, 2009 10:23 pm

"I dunno anyone as would, sir," he said with a shrug. "Be nice if there was, though."

**Simon Fletcher** Fri Sep 11, 2009 6:58 am

"Could you not ask Sergeant Quinn?" Fletcher said. "Or I suppose... if you really cannot find anyone else I could teach you."

**Tom Oxley** Fri Sep 11, 2009 7:24 am

"I s'pose I could, sir, though he's usu'lly busy doing his Sergeant stuff," Oxley said. He looked at the younger boy. "That'd be nice... only, wouldn't it interrupt your... studyin', sir?"

**Simon Fletcher** Fri Sep 11, 2009 7:39 am

"Oh no, not really. It's study of a sort, after all."

And with Peter gone he would not have anyone to spend much of his precious free time with...

**Tom Oxley** Fri Sep 11, 2009 7:56 am

"I... I would like that, sir," he said, suddenly feeling shy.

**Simon Fletcher** Fri Sep 11, 2009 8:06 am

Simon was surprised to find that he had the odd feeling he had just "made a friend". He gave his own awkward smile.

"Well, we'll see how it turns out. We could start on Sunday?"

Guest Fri Sep 11, 2009 8:16 am

one of the newly arrived marine privates would make his way up onto deck carefully adjusting his uniform before taking a deep breath from the far fresher air above deck

**Tom Oxley** Fri Sep 11, 2009 8:19 am

He was glad Mister Fletcher had stopped to talk. He didn't look so... lonely. now.

"That... that sounds good to me, sir. Us lower-decks folks, we ain't so bad, are we, sir?"

Guest Fri Sep 11, 2009 8:26 am

the marine would make his way for'rard, giving the speaking pare some space as he walked past them saluting the midshipman smartly before stepping to the rail and looking out over the dark water.

**Simon Fletcher** Fri Sep 11, 2009 8:34 am

Simon's smile disappeared and he made an attempt to try and look more authorative as the other Marine saluted him and walked past.

"No, I suppose not," he said in reply to Oxley after a moment, once he had decided that he could relax enough again to talk.

**Tom Oxley** Fri Sep 11, 2009 8:39 am

"It's allus good to have friends, sir," he said, and hesitated for a moment. "I... If you want to... to talk to me, friendly-like, 'bout anythin', you can. If it'll help." He shrugged, feeling a bit awkward, "I mean, if you don't think it's a cheek of me to say so, sir."

**Simon Fletcher** Fri Sep 11, 2009 8:41 am

Simon did not know what he thought, but he felt that it was kind of Oxley to offer. He gave the Marine a small smile and a nod.

"Sunday, then," he said.

**Tom Oxley** Fri Sep 11, 2009 8:51 am

Oxley smiled, and sighed as he looked at the stock he was still holding. He raised his chin to slip the thing back on, fumbling behind his neck to fasten it again.

"Sunday sounds good, sir. I'll look forward to it."

**Simon Fletcher** Sat Sep 12, 2009 9:43 pm

Fletcher's smile broadened a fraction.

"Carry on then, Oxley," he said, seeing as that was what officers generally said to Lower deck men at the end of a conversation.

**Tom Oxley** Sun Sep 13, 2009 1:34 am

"Aye, aye, sir," he said, picking his drum up and clipping back to his cross-belt. He couldn't help wearing a grin as he saluted the young midshipman.

Who'd have thought it would be so... nice... to talk to a midshipman that way? He was still grinning as he headed for the aft companionway.

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