He doesn’t respond.
“Did. They. Take. Anything?”
“My phone.”
He’s called me, on a number I have stored and it didn’t register when I saw it. William has two phones: his official one and the one he uses for his indiscretions.
“Your work one?”
“I’ve shut it down.”
“You’ve told the police?”
He shakes his head. “I need you to handle it. I think I should get off the grid for a few days. You know, keep a low profile. Maybe see if Blair can house me at her castle, build a relationship while I’m there.”
“I’m not doing this for you.” I ignore his comment about Blair.
“What do you mean? It’s your job.”
“It’s my job to advise you. Not clear up your shit. How did they assault you?”
He shifts under the blanket and I realise why I haven’t seen his hands. He’s clutching something – probably ice – over his dick.
“He’s bruised and a bit sore, but he’ll live.” The paramedic looks over at me. There’s no sympathy in her face, just boredom. “Ice should help. Staying out of bathrooms with multiple women too.”
“Agreed.” I start to walk away again.
“Aren’t you going to get me home?” His voice is a whine.
“You’re an adult. You can do that yourself.” I ignore whatever else he says and wander into the club. It’s now empty, the patrons cleared away after Goldsmith raised whatever alarm he did.
I find the manager, who takes me down to the room where the CCTV is sent to. He’s all apologies and regrets, which I don’t respond to. Not of this is his fault: my half-brother chose to come here of his own volition, and to take two girls to the bathroom.
The video footage is clear, although there’s no sound. I watch as William walks down a dark corridor towards the bathrooms, all separate stalls. He wouldn’t have been the only one using one for sex, not here. That’s what the place sells.
One of the girls turns round and I recognise her instantly.
Majken.
It’s Ben’s sister. She’s one of the women who attacked William and took his phone, which if they broke into it, they’d have the secrets to a nation.
I don’t react. Instead, I ask for the footage to be sent to my email. From there we’ll formally identify her. The link with Ben will be questioned.
The dark hole we’ve fallen down becomes deeper.
Lovers. Liars. Traitors. Thieves.
We are all of these.
Twenty-one Years Ago
“This is William. Your brother.”
The boy in front of me is not my image. He’s smaller, fairer, with light brown hair that sticks up at the front and his teeth are becoming perfectly straight with the braces he’s wearing. He’s pale too.
“How long are you staying?”
I don’t smile or look away or act as if I think he’s better than me because he’s got a plummy accent and probably goes to a private school. I don’t think he’s better than me. I also think his dad’s a twat and needs to have some big stick removed from his arse, but saying any of that isn’t going to do me any favours and this situation could help my mum out.
