Charles chuckles and snuggles more comfortably. ‘If I cry, it’s not from whatSofiamakes me feel, but what She helps me feel. In a way, it’s like that quote you sent. When I’m nearSofia,I face my lies and find my truths. She makes it a tiny bit easier to ask the unpleasant questions.’
‘Such as?’
‘You don’t have the clearance to know that.’
‘Yet.’ Loris stands with a smile and shuffles towards the kitchenette. ‘Hungry? I’ve got doughnuts from the deli.’
‘No, thank you.’ Charles puts his mug down. He turns around on the sofa, to follow Loris with his eyes, and crosses his arms on the backrest. ‘I’ll try one of their quiches with a pint later. If Patty allows food to be brought in.’
‘You’re gonna come to the pub?’
‘After a spooky walk, yes. If it’s alright.’
His parents are hosting their annual Christmas tree lighting partytonight. Charles got out of the event by showing the theatre tickets he bought for him and Elsy, apologising for double-booking himself. Elsy will go to the play with her friend Divya and will send him a detailed summary of the plot, in case he’s asked about it. He told Elsy he would spend the evening with George. He hasn’t told George anything, but George can cover for him without warning.
‘I might be busy serving actual customers.’
‘I’ll come for the selection of beers, not for your company.’ Charles catches a projectile-doughnut in mid-air. ‘Rude. Are you done with yourSofiaquestions?’
‘No! I’m— Wait.’ Loris swallows a mouthful and wipes sugar off his lips. ‘Far from done. There’s something I don’t get. Your grandfather moved into that manor in Surrey withSofia. But then he sent Her back to your house in London? Why? Did he get bored of Her?’
‘No, it’s because of my psycho aunt. She’s always been vocal about turning family treasures into cash. So after my grandfather had a heart attack and understood he wasn’t immortal, he giftedSofiato my father, to pre-empt future fights at the solicitor office.’
‘So you were born when She moved in?’
‘Yes…’
‘Do you remember?’
Charles frowns, wringing the doughnut. ‘How do you know about the Surrey manor and all that?’
‘Google. I was looking for a picture ofSofiataken at your place. I’m sure I saw one in an article back in the day. In the end, I didn’t find it, but I read some other stuff. Stuff I had read before, but everything hits different now that I know you.’
‘Alright... So yes, I was born, but I… I didn’t get what the fuss was about and… You googled my family?’
‘In my case, the I in VIP stands for impatient!’
‘What did you read?’
Loris loses his smile and hesitates for a beat. ‘Some articles from art magazines that covered—’
‘What else?’ Charles drops the doughnut and pushes himself back as the flat begins shrinking around them. ‘Tell me.’
‘It doesn’t matter what I read. It’s gone until you bring it up and—’
‘Fuck that! You’re not a goldfish!’
Loris recoils with an anxious look that reduces all the concern he’s shown so far to plain indifference. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.’
‘You read about Frederick, didn’t you? You saw the links and you clicked!’
Old headlines are popping up around the room, capitalised and bold on the shrinking walls. Words are overlaying each other. Letters are merging to form other words. To spread all the lies.
‘Why did you click?!’
Charles’ vision tunnels until all he can see is a front page, glitching between them above the sofa backrest.
‘Because I like you. I care about you. I couldn’t ignore something like that. But I agree you should have controlled that narrative, I’m really sorry I mentioned your family. But it doesn’t change anything, it’s—’
