Charles nestles against him with a laugh that echoes in his chest for a while.
He’s not just amused, he’s at complete ease and also very aware that he’s spoilt. He’s so lucky to be with Loris, shielded from the impacts of his vexations of the day, marching towards an experience that no amount of money would get him. So he beams, blissful, because it would be ungrateful to hide it from Loris.
Hiding it from the world is way worse, but when they turn onto his street, where lights at windows feel like threatening shadows, Charles tenses up and steps aside.
‘Sorry… We’re nearly there.’
‘Why are you sorry?’
‘I can’t be seen too close to you here. Well, I could, but I’m not… ready yet.’
‘I know. Don’t worry about that, Charles.’
‘I don’t want to be hurtful.’
‘You’re not. You’ve embarked on a very complicated psychological journey. Don’t rush any of it for me. Or anyone. If anything, I think it’s brave to take me to your place, based on everything you’ve said about it.’
‘My parents aren’t home.’
‘Still brave.’
Charles is definitely the luckiest. This is why people around the world should curse his name tonight. Having Loris all to himself.
‘Thank you. And you can start freaking out. Here’s my house.’
‘No. This is not a house. This is a flat complex.’
‘Yes, it’s ridiculously huge.’
‘Pardon my French, but…Putain…’
Charles smiles and presses his fob against the reader of the iron gate.
Once inside the walls, able to contemplate the entire house, Loris whispers another awestruck ‘Putain’ and cranes his neck backwards as they walk down the driveway.
His amazement is a great foretaste of what will happen upstairs, but it’s bittersweet to Charles, who’s grown incapable of appreciating the magnificence of his cage.
‘This building is a masterpiece in itself. I can’t even freak out overSofia.’
‘I might strip down to my underwear in the painting room.’
Loris exaggerates a jump and hastens to join him. ‘Four walls and a roof, what’s the big deal?’
Charles laughs again, unlocks the door and checks that the alarm isn’t activated before preceding Loris inside.
Clare is crossing the entrance hall, her apron folded over her arm, but she freezes when she sees him.‘Good evening, Charles. You’re here… Did you need me tonight?’
‘Not at all. We’re going up to the art room. We’ll help ourselves if we get hungry. Enjoy your night off.’
‘Good. I mean, thank you. The food in the left fridge is for your mother’s luncheon tomorrow, if you could not help yourself to any of that. Please. If you don’t mind.’
‘Duly noted.’
Charles gives her a warm smile, hoping to appease her constant edginess, but conscious he’s bound to fail. Alice’s requests tend to suck the will to live out of the most zealous employees, one last-minute social event at a time.
‘Loris, this is Clare.’
‘Your pie was out of this world!’
