The Man Who Won by Guy Bellamy

Author:Guy Bellamy [Bellamy, Guy]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Lume Books
Published: 2020-11-04T00:00:00+00:00

‘Had he been drinking?’ was Andy’s first question when he returned, confused by talk of Hollywood, from London. Clare was serving up a salad, which was all he wanted after his metropolitan feast.

‘I don’t think so,’ she said, ‘but he had a strange expression as if I should understand what he was up to.’

The news was as unwelcome to Andy as it was mystifying. Brad, for all his flaws, had never shown much interest in women. Nobody knew what he did at home, but the rest of the time since Andy had known him had been split between building up his public relations concern and drinking with friends. The temptations of the flesh which had lured others to cheap hotels or bizarre assignations in the back of cars, en route to the divorce court, had been of no interest to him.

Still, a few weeks ago he would have said the same about Clive.

‘He just walked in!’ Clare said. ‘Does he think he owns us?’

This, to Andy, was the most worrying aspect of all. Did Brad believe that handing over the house and money had given him privileges he didn’t previously have? Did he feel in some way that he was part-owner of this house, and access should always be available?

‘Do you think I should have a word with him?’ he asked.

‘It’s up to you. He’s your friend.’

Andy saw that the ball had been lobbed back into his court, but didn’t know what to do with it. Any comments from him, so soon after moving in, would tarnish a wonderfully generous gesture and affect their friendship in a way he didn’t want.

‘I think what I’m going to have to do is ignore it,’ he decided. ‘But we’ll keep a close eye on what happens next. For a start, you could keep the back door locked.’

‘Fortress Devlin,’ said Clare. ‘It’s a funny way to start in our new home.’

‘Needs must,’ said Andy. ‘Where’s Greg?’

‘He ate earlier, and is actually reading a book he found among his Christmas presents.’

‘Harry Potter. Well, it’s a start.’

Clare had now joined him for a salad in the kitchen. The dining room wasn’t furnished yet.

‘Tell me about Warren,’ she said.

Andy waved an arm vaguely. ‘Oh, he’s got some fanciful notion about the movies. He sees Raleigh as a film.’

Clare raised her eyebrows. ‘That’s wonderful! Why didn’t you tell me when you came in?’

‘The fact that Warren sees it as a film doesn’t mean that anyone else will. Don’t build your hopes up.’

‘Well, I can see it as a film. There’s too much going on for a stage. Andy, you could be a dollar-earner!’

But for him the excitement had waned. The hopes raised by Warren’s positive reaction to his play had subsided with the cheering effects of the wine. There had been too many setbacks, too many disappointments.

‘It’s only your optimism that keeps me going,’ he said.

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