Page 144 of Crocodile Tears

“Well, it’s never exactly been your strong suit.” Alex gave a little smile, because he’d always teased Charles for spending his money as soon as he earned it. “But I can’t talk: I should have been better with other people’s money.” He gave a self-deprecating shrug.

“I don’t know when I’ll see you again,” Charles whispered tearfully.

“Hopefully, my new houder will allow you to visit. In the meantime, just be there for Dad – he needs you now, more than ever. Win some more gold medals for him – that’ll help.”

Charles nodded, tears running down his cheeks. “He won’t be coming to visit you, to say goodbye, in case you were wondering… hoping. I thought I should tell you.”

“I know. I heard what he said in court. He’s disowned me. He’s trying to protect himself, to get through this any way he can. I understand. It’s fine.” It wasn’t. It hurt. But Alex didn’t blame his father.

“I’ll speak to him. I’ll get him to change his mind.”

“Have you seen Solange?” Alex asked after a short silence. He’d kept his relationship with Solange very much on the downlow, but they’d gone out to dinner with Charles a couple of times, at Solange’s insistence, because she’d wanted to meet the great Olympic hero.

Charles shook his head. “Sorry, no. She hasn’t been in touch. You haven’t heard from her at all? Not once, throughout any of this?”

“No. I wish I could see her and explain… I wasn’t in love with her, Charles, but I was fond of her. I feel I owe her an explanation.”

“I do have news about Neil,” Charles said. “He went to Dad after the trial and asked for his contract to be terminated. Dad agreed, obviously.”

“Where did he go?”

“I don’t know for sure – but I can think of only one place.”

“The Quarterlands.” He winced. “Neil and I didn’t always get on, but I wouldn’t wish that on him. He was always petrified of ending up there.”

He wondered why Neil had asked to be released from his contract. He’d been found innocent of any wrongdoing, although the trial had done him no favours. Questions had been asked about his flat-sharing arrangement with Alex, and why he hadn’t flagged the unauthorised transaction to his line manager. It was unlikely that any reputable employer would buy his contract. His future was surely bleak.

“Charles – I’m scared,” Alex admitted suddenly. “I’m afraid of what my life will be like. Who will buy me? And will I raise enough money to save Lytton AV? Nobody’s ever paid a hundred and forty million pounds for an indentured servant. Not even close.”

“But you’re the most famous IS in the country – that’ll push up your price. You might be surprised by how many interested parties are out there,” Charles said brightly.

“I know – but what will they want me to do?” he whispered, wrapping his arms around his body to try and prevent himself from trembling. “What service will they want from me?” He could tell by the expression in his brother’s eyes that they were both worrying about the same thing.

“Well, like I said, you’re famous,” Charles repeated soothingly, as if that was the answer to everything. “Maybe they’ll just want to take youto parties and show you off. You know – dress you up, parade you around to their friends, and make you smile at everyone.”

“I’d hate that.” Alex shuddered. “Bailey says my contract won’t specify what duties I might be asked to perform. I could get sent down a coal mine for the next fifty years.”

Charles laughed. “Nobody is going to buy an IS like you and then send you down the mines, Alex. You’re far too—” He broke off abruptly.

“Pretty?” He raised an eyebrow.

“No, I mean – yes, you are, obviously, very good-looking – but I’m sure your new houder will also appreciate your manners and education,” Charles suggested. “Whatever you end up doing, you’ll be good at it, and you’ll be treated well, because you’re famous… Nobody would dare mistreat you, I’m sure.”

Alex grunted. “I’m famous now, but give it a couple of years and who’ll remember me then?”

“I will,” Charles said firmly. “I’m going to work my arse off and save, save, save, and in seven years’ time I promise I’ll go to whoever owns your contract and offer to buy it, and then I’ll set you free.I promise,” he said, his eyes sparkling with tears again.

“Thank you. It’s only seven years. It’ll fly by,” Alex said, trying to convince himself.

“Time’s up,” the prison warder said.

“One last thing.” Alex leaned across the table and spoke softly. “I kept one of Mum’s scarfs. Please don’t let them take that. All my property will be sold, and I can’t let them have that. It’s in my bedroom; please find it and keep it safe for me.”

“I will, I promise,” Charles said, grabbing his hand again and holding it tight.

“Goodbye, Charles.” He kissed his brother’s cheek, pressing his lips against those dimples one last time.

“Goodbye, Alex,” Charles whispered hoarsely.

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