We all know the Bo Peep nursery rhyme and, of course, there is a story behind it. It was originally a smugglers song. (So says Albert Jack in his book “Pop Goes the Weasel. The secret Meaning of Nursery Rhymes.”) But what is less well known is the more contemporary meaning of this rhyme.

This version concerns one Robert Peep, only child of Mary and George Peep who were a farming family, Mainly sheep but with a scattering of other livestock. Robert obviously grew up around the farm and learned his trade from his parents who assumed that he would take on the farm after them. Robert had other ideas. As children do.. By the time he was 16 he was tall and big. 6’ 3”  tall  (or1.9 m for younger readers) and weighed a healthy 14 stone (or 88 kgs). A big lad. And he had his eyes on the armed forces He’d been an ATC cadet at school and thoroughly enjoyed it. (It did no harm with the girls either. Who can resist a uniform?) So, when he could he joined up for twelve years with the army. His parents were saddened but phlegmatic, hoping that he might come back and carry on the farm. One day. Robert had his own ideas. Farming was not one of them.

He did well in the army. He liked the discipline. The sense of camaraderie; the physical and mental challenges. He grew up in it. He applied to join the  SAS in his middle twenties. And was accepted.. Again he shone here. His size was an advantage as was his tenacity. He rarely or never failed to complete a mission of any kind. Be that rescuing a comrade from behind enemy lines or being the last man standing in a drinking contest.

Being in the SAS meant he soon acquired a nickname. Ir was a mark of respect and affection. So, Robert became Bo. You can guess the rest. Bo Peep inevitably gained “Little”.. So was born the legend that Little Bo Peep had joined the SAS. The nickname stuck. Which was fine with Rob. Up to a point. He’d take it from his regiment and one or two others.But there he drew the line. You crossed it at your own risk. As a number of people discovered.

So that’s one half ofter story of Little Bo Peep. There is, however, another strand to this tale. In the late 1980’s the LGBT community were growing in number and influence. They could be found not only in closets but also “out.” Most of us knew at least one or two people in this community. The forces were no exception. Although one kept quiet if possible. Closed communities can be very intolerant of “difference”. Being LGBT was “different”. Which slowly brings us closer to the Bo Peep story.

When he leaves the SAS aged fifty, Rob has known no other life. His whole being is defined by it. Like the proverbial Blackpool rock, Rob has Army written all through. From the cropped hair, to his  Winged dagger tattoo to the knife he always carries in his boot top. He’s Army.  Only now he’s not. He’s plain Robert Peep. Looking for… something. He does door security for a while. But gets bored.His attitude is “You’re welcome to have a go at me. I don’t know how it will go because nobody has ever bothered. But feel free to try.” He thinks but doesn’t add “Make my day, punk.”

Curiously, the one club he enjoys working for is the “Fan and Feathers”. The local LGBT meeting place. The people are always polite and courteous. He’s often been here at one or two in the morning drinking and listening to their stories.There’s Jo Jo, a drag queen who flirts appallingly with him. Then Mike and Pete. Both civil servants and hoping to get married at some point. (Although gay marriage is a long way off.) Then Michaela and James. A straight couple but who have an “Open” marriage. How open is a matter for conjecture in the Fan and Feathers community. “Can you ever be too open, darling?” enquires Jo Jo archly, giving Bo a knowing wink. Bo smiles back at her. Him. Whatever. Plain Jo Jo. He feels safe here. He knows that these people are also trying to fit in with “normal”.

And here we end the first part of Little Bo Peep’s new story.