The Governess-1

It was hot, very hot and Richard had been walking quickly for over an hour. The
sunrays filtered through the treetops, blinding the boy’s eyes as he looked up.
‘Not much further’, he thought as he began to mount the rise that led to the
lake. Richard was dressed, as were all boys at the orphanage in long grey
flannel shorts, that came to his knee’s, a heavy flannel jacket, long grey
socks, ending in black boots. His shirt was soaked in perspiration with the
effort of the long walk. Richard reached the top of the rise and looked quickly
about before hurrying on towards the lake. The lake was in a part of the wood,
which was out of bounds. The boy had heard that it was part of a large estate,
owned by a local farmer. The thought of trespass made Richard look round once
more, as he neared the small jetty at the lakeside. There was no movement in the
wood. Small sounds came from the treetops as birds flew and resettled.
Richard quickly threw off his jacket and shirt, unbuttoned his trousers and
kicked them over his boots. Underneath the trousers were the long old fashioned
underpants that had irritated his skin so much. Richard struggled with his
bootlaces, finally throwing them on to his pile of clothes. Standing up he let
his underpants fall to the ground. Richard was now naked and was already feeling
cooler. The boy ran towards the jetty, his lithe body glistening in the sun, two
more steps.. Richard plunged headlong into the water. The cool water of the lake
felt wonderful against his naked body. For a moment he was able to forget
everything and just bask in the serenity of the moment, heaven beneath an open
sky.