Chapter 18

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Mercury woke with a jolt.

"Wake up," Nick said. "We've bloody overslept."

The world rushed in at a pace that did not agree with Mercury. He lay on the pillow, fighting to get his head together.

"What's going on?"

"The alarm didn't go off," Nick replied.

"And? You're the boss, remember."

"You're not and I don't like the idea of people seeing you here. We've already been sussed by Eddie."

Nick dragged the duvet off Mercury.

"Bloody hell, Nick. I'm coming. Jeez. Can we have coffee at least?"

Nick scowled at him. "Next door."

Mercury scurried around, getting his clothes. He didn't really share Nick's worry. He'd made it past the halfway mark of his time at Bodhi House now. Did it really matter if they were caught out?

As he put a T-shirt on, Mercury peered out of the window. If he craned his neck, he saw the House car park.

"Cath's here," he hollered.

"Oh, fucking hell. Aren't you dressed?"

Mercury couldn't stop giggling. It was a family failing in a stressful situation. He and Madeline had both been told off for laughing at funerals.

Once he'd got his loafers on, he ran down the stairs. "There had better be emergency toothpaste. My mouth feels like filth."

Nick grabbed him as he walked into the lounge. "That's because of the dirty things you were doing with it."

He kissed him.

May he always find the time to kiss me.

"Okay, you go first," Nick said. "I'll give it ten minutes and follow you."

Mercury frowned. "Why would I be arriving so early? It's not even half seven. Wouldn't I be better following?"

"No," Nick said. "There'll be kids here by eight. Say you stayed at with a friend."

"Darling, I don't have friends in South London."

Nick pinched him. "Yes, you do. Me. Now go."

With one last kiss, Mercury rushed out of Nick's door. He made it out onto the pavement undetected. Slowing his walk down, he wandered around the House.

When he got to the door, Cath was in the kitchen.

"Morning, Cath."

"Gosh, you're an early bird today. What's got into you?"

"Oh, I, uh, stayed with a friend last night. Was closer than I realised."

Cath regarded him. "Practically next door, you could say."

Fuck.

The moment seemed to stretch forever.

"Relax," Cath said. "I think it's brilliant."

Mercury let out a huge sigh of relief. "How did you twig?"

"I saw you creeping down his path like the Child Snatcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang when I walked through. As a criminal, you're a dead loss."

Leaning against the kitchen counter, Mercury faced her. "Do me a favour. Don't mention it to anyone, including Nick. He's already panicking."

"Your secret is safe with me, petal," Cath replied. "It'll break poor Gavin's heart anyway. Let's keep him safe for a little while longer."

"What's the deal with that?"

Cath sat at the table and gestured for Mercury to do that same.

"Basically, ever since he got here, Gavin's been making eyes at Nick. Poor thing. Gavin isn't the most subtle of individuals."

It made sense why Gavin hated Mercury. He saw him as competition. And rightly so.

"I've only got a few weeks left," Mercury replied. "I can be charitable and keep it a secret."

Cath clapped him on the shoulder. "That's the spirit. Can I say, you lucky bugger? He's gorgeous."

"I won't argue with that."

Later that day, Mercury was being annihilated at ping-pong by Hassan.

"You're way too good at this," Mercury complained.

"At least it's not for money," Eddie said.

Mercury turned to see Eddie and Brooke entwined on one of the chairs. "Hey, guys. Not here."

Brooke reared up and Eddie stayed her. "He's right, babe. We wouldn't stand for it if it were anyone else."

"Spoilsport," Brooke said with a pout as she got up. "How about I play the loser of this game?"

She cracked her knuckles.

"If that is supposed to intimidate me," Mercury said, "it's working."

Brooke nudged him with her shoulder and winked.

"You can play Hassan. My phone's ringing."

He was technically supposed to leave it locked in the staff room but Jeannie had messaged earlier to say she had a proposition for him.

Mercury dashed out into the garden and answered. "Hello, babe. You're being very mysterious."

"Sorry. I didn't want to offer you something until I had it as definite."

"And is it?"

"Yeah. You know Oluf?"

Oluf Einarson was a hot Icelandic fashion designer. He had his finger on the pulse of street fashion that he sold to rich kids like Mercury.

"I've met him. I love his stuff. Why?"

"He wants to do a shoot with the kids at that place you're at."

"Are you kidding me? Why would Oluf want to do that?"

"He thinks it is a worthy cause and wants to help."

"I'm not sure about an ad campaign, babe. There are rules here."

"Can't you use your ways of persuasion?"

Mercury cackled. "I do have very powerful ways of persuasion, it is true. Let me see what I can do."

He terminated the call. Nick would never agree to that. Still, it was a credit to the campaign that it had reached the likes of Oluf.

Mercury wandered into the house. Hassan and Brooke were engaged in a fight to the death. Eddie and a couple of the other kids were cheering them on. Mercury joined them.

Shit, they were both good.

"Blimey," he said, shaking his head.

Eventually, Hassan won. They all clapped him on the back.

"Shall we go and chill in the garden?" Eddie said.

"I'd better get some other work done," Mercury replied.

He walked into the office. Nick sat hunched over his laptop.

"We have some budding Olympic stars out there," Mercury said. "Phew, it's hot."

Nick remained silent.

"You haven't frozen, have you?" Mercury asked. "Do I have to reboot you?"

He poked Nick playfully in the ribs. Nick leapt to his feet, knocking his mug to the floor. It shattered into pieces.

"Oh fuck," Mercury said. "Nick, what's going on?"

He took a step closer as Nick held his hands up.

"Are you going to use one of your ways of persuasion on me?" Nick asked. "To get me to agree to letting one of your acquaintances exploit those kids you claim you care so much about? You are so far out of line."

Each word hit Mercury like a missile.

"Wow," he said, taking a step back. "No prizes for guessing where you got your information from. I didn't see Gavin slithering around. It appears he was there nonetheless."

"Gavin reported a potential issue to his superior. That is in line with our processes."

"Fuck your fucking processes. He did that out of spite."

Nick ran his hands through his hair. "You're deflecting from the issue. I'm not having the kids used for rich people to make even more money."

"Okay for your information, I said to Jeannie it wouldn't fly. Then she said to use my ways of persuasion so I laughed and agreed. It's the rules of the game," Mercury said, putting his hands on his hips. "You say you're working on it so the designer or whoever doesn't think it's a straight rejection. If they ask again, we say it's a no-go. Is that clear enough for you?"

Now he'd run out of words, the sob that was bubbling in his chest threatened to take hold. Mercury sat in his chair and set about his work. To his credit, Nick looked full of remorse.

"Hey," Nick said, gently turning Mercury's seat around.

"I'm swapping this thing for a kitchen chair," Mercury replied.

Nick rested his hands on Mercury's thighs.

"This is technically assault or sexual harassment or something," Mercury mumbled.

"Mercury, I am really, really fucking sorry."

The fight over, a stray tear rolled down Mercury's cheek.

"Hey," Nick exclaimed. He wiped it away with his thumb. "Please, none of that. Jesus, Mercury, I'm so sorry. I don't know what else to say."

"I'm okay," Mercury replied. "You were pretty rough. Why didn't you talk to me instead of instantly thinking the worse and attacking? Do you find it so easy to believe I would do that?"

Nick sat back on his haunches. "Not now, I don't. Fuck."

The spin Gavin would have put on that story probably made Mercury look like a serial killer. He could hardly blame Nick for jumping to conclusions.

"Your mug," Mercury said.

He crouched down. The Spice Girls were beyond repair.

They were both kneeling in front of each other.

"Mercury, I think I'm falling in love with you and that I've hurt you makes me feel like shit. I don't know what else I can do."

"Whoa," Mercury said. "Reverse. What did you say?"

"That I'm falling in love with you?"

No one had ever said that to Mercury before. He'd had dozens of flings. Nothing where someone said those words to him.

He took Nick's hands in his. "I think I'm falling in love with you too. Let's forget it."

The words sounded convincing and Nick visibly relaxed. Mercury would find it more difficult to achieve. Yet, he had the most decent man he'd ever met in his life professing his love. Mercury was not a fool.

"We should probably get up," Nick said.

They got to their feet. Nick kissed him. "I'll make it up to you tonight. Want to stay over again?"

Mercury shook his head. "Can't. Mum is having that surprise soiree for two of our neighbours. You promised."

Nick groaned. "I forgot. What am I going to wear?"

"I'll help you choose."

Nick kissed him again. "Thanks."

They sat to get on with some work. Mercury should be elated.

He said he loved me.

However, he had a nagging pain deep in his stomach that wouldn't go.

But he doesn't trust me.

It was a beautiful evening so Madeline had decided they would eat in the garden. The caterers had laid the table for seven people.

Nick had on a white linen shirt and olive chinos that Mercury had personally chosen from his wardrobe. If he had been nervous earlier, he wasn't showing any sign now.

Mercury had opted for pale pink shorts and a black T-shirt.

"You okay?" he asked Nick as they walked into the garden.

"Fine," Nick replied. "Thank you."

Mercury squeezed his hand. If their worlds were going to collide, Nick would have to be more comfortable around Mercury's people.

Madeline breezed through the conservatory doors in a kaftan with peacock motif.

"Good evening, Mother," Mercury said, kissing her cheek. "Looking fabulous."

"Thank you, darling. And Nick, so lovely to see you again."

"And you, Madeline."

Before Mercury had even had the chance to pour a glass of champagne for her, the doorbell went.

"I'd better go," Madeline said.

Mercury shuddered when she barked instructions at the caterer, Byron, as she swept through the kitchen.

Viggo, the waiter from The Bluebird Café, came out. He and his partner, Byron, ran their own side business catering to many Queens Crescent parties.

"Do you need me to open that?" Viggo asked.

"No, we got it," Nick replied.

A little crestfallen, Viggo returned to the house.

"Hey," Mercury whispered. "That's his job."

"Are you saying you can't open a bottle of champagne for yourself?"

"No, I'm saying that he wants to give a top-class service."

Madeline came back with two of their neighbours in her wake.

"Arvid Nilsen, Simon Harrington. I'd like to introduce you to Nick Campbell. Mercury's…new friend."

Mercury scowled at his mother.

"I work for Nick at Bodhi House," Mercury explained.

"Community service isn't work, darling. It's a punishment," Madeline chipped in.

Nick shook both hands that were offered to him. "Mercury has transcended that really, Madeline. The bond he's made with some of the kids is amazing."

Mercury glanced at his mother. Her face was red. She wouldn't like being corrected. Especially in her own home.

Maybe bringing Nick wasn't the best move.

"What's the plan for this evening?" Simon asked, quickly.

"You know how Winston's making a film about his cancer journey?" Madeline replied. "Well, last week he got the all-clear. Of course, he'll still have to go for checks for the next five years. Things are looking good though. That's the main thing."

Josh and Winston had lived on Queens Crescent for about five years. Madeline was more friendly with Josh. Of course it was nothing to do with the fact he was a hip fashion designer just aching to give her freebies. Mercury quite liked him. He was a little quiet compared to Madeline's usual mob of hangers-on. It made a nice change.

"Winston's a filmmaker," Mercury explained to Nick. "He wanted to create art out of his worst nightmare."

Nick nodded. "Sounds like a decent way of handling it."

"So," Madeline continued, "we decided to do a surprise soiree for him. Mercury here is going to record him coming in and if he wants, he can use it in his film."

The doorbell went again.

"That will be them," Madeline shrieked. "Everyone, top your glasses up. Mercury, can you pour two more?"

She fled out of the room.

"I'll fix the drinks," Nick said. "You get your phone ready."

"You're a doll," Mercury replied. "In case no one ever told you."

Mercury was in position to get a perfect shot. He heard his mother shrilly welcoming her guests. With a huge beam on her face, she led them through.

"Surprise," they all shouted in unison.

Josh beamed while Winston looked about fit to burst.

"What on earth's going on here?" he spluttered.

"Darling," Madeline shouted, grabbing his hand. "Josh told me your wonderful news and I thought you would like to celebrate with your friends. Mercury captured it for your little film."

Winston pulled his hand away from Madeline and glared at his partner. "You didn't think I would want to know?"

"Winston. I… What's the matter?" Josh replied.

"We need to discuss this at home."

Winston turned on his heel and stormed out of the house. Josh looked apologetically at the little party.

"Guess we got that one wrong. I'm sorry. I'd better go."

Madeline pursued Josh down the hallway.

"Shit," Mercury said, putting his phone down.

"I guess not everything is for social media then," Nick commented.

"It's not social media," Madeline said, coming onto the patio. "He's a critically acclaimed filmmaker."

They all sat at the table. Mercury stared at the guests. Everyone seemed more than a little shell-shocked.

Viggo stuck his head around the door. "Erm…are we okay to start serving?"

"May as well," Madeline replied. She took a large swig from her champagne. "We're two down."

Viggo nodded.

"He must be very touchy about things," Arvid said. "I can't imagine what he's been through."

"No need to be so bloody rude," Madeline replied.

"Let's forget it for now," Mercury said. "And try to enjoy the food."

The atmosphere was thick, to say the least.

"Nick," Simon said. "What made you want to work with young people?"

Madeline let out a laugh. "Guilt, I would imagine."

"Guilt?" Nick asked.

Mercury couldn't bear to watch this play out. He'd seen his mother in this mode many times. He called it seek and destroy. It was usually reserved for her perceived competition. Maybe it still was.

"I think that's enough," Mercury said. He placed a reassuring hand on Nick's arm.

"No," Nick replied. He pulled away from Mercury. "Let her get whatever it is off her chest. What exactly am I to feel guilty about?"

"I just thought with all the drug dealing and guns. I agree you've a lot to make up for."

She arched her eyebrow in the way she'd done on countless films. Yet, this wasn't make-believe. Nick looked as if he were going to either throw up or burst into tears.

The rest of the room, including Mercury, were frozen.