‘I’d argue you were an acquired taste,’ Chase chipped in.
‘Just open the bloody wine. Now, do I have to find myself a glass in this godforsaken house?’
As the evening progressed Alex was able to tell them about his plans and the work he was doing whilst on his sabbatical.
‘The thing is, they’re in peace talks again at the moment but every single time they break down. Meanwhile there are well over one and a half million displaced people, and tens of thousands of those are children who have lost their families. I was able to save Elechi because Isawher entire family killed and village razed, but there are so many families that need to be reunited…’
‘You can’t save every child, Alex. That’s not how the world works.’
‘No, Hector, but any positive impact I can have, surely that’s worth something. And we sit here in this cute Cornish cottage with resources at our fingertips that can help these children, can help reunite them and give them the best start they can have. So shouldn’t we? A good education and excellent pastoral care doesn’t cost that much, not comparatively, not when you look at what wealthy families may pay for one child to attend private school here. I’m not trying to save the world, I’m not super-bloody-human, but if I can make a bit of a difference, help these kids a bit, maybe try and do something that stops the constant repeated circle of vengeance that you get in the aftermath of civil war, if it ever bloody ends, then yes, I’m going to do that. I have a voice, I have skills, I have contacts and I’m going to use them all. And you, Hector, are one of those people that I’m going to use shamelessly to try and make some headway in…’
‘Oh, use me, boy, use me.’ Hector aimed for a super-sultry tone.
‘Ha, I will. We can talk about how later.’ Alex winked at his friend. ‘Actually, things are going really well so far. I’ve already got quite a lot in place in a short amount of time. I’ve set up the Elechi Foundation, sorted out the tax stuff and charity status. Just having Ells in school has freed up so much time, so I’ve started to organize a big fundraising gala thing. Yeah, I know, don’t roll your eyes, you can do it for me and for Ellie, it’s only one evening, All of you. Apart from you, Matt, you’re off the hook seeing as I’ve only known you a couple of months.’
‘Whoa, I’m more than happy to help – sign me up for anything within reason. Rosy will too, maybe we can build some links between the school and the orphanages. Do some local fundraising – even if it’s just small-scale, it’s better than none. I’ll chat to her when I get home.’
‘Thank you. The foundation is in place to raise awareness and educate as much as fundraise, although obviously the two go hand in hand, and I’ve been wondering about trying to involve schools in the UK, maybe get them to mentor new-build schools over there, fundraise or donate as part of some kind of global citizenship programme. Rosy would be a great place to start.’
‘No worries, it sounds like exactly the sort of thing she’d be interested in. I’ll get on it.’
‘Now, Chase, your turn. With those Hollywood clients of yours, you could really help. They’ve already demonstrated they like to give their money away.’ Alex winked at his friend.
‘Hey, they get real value from… oh, hang on a minute…’ Chase’s phone started to bing. ‘Hey, babe, yes, of course.’ He spoke into it and then held it up and moved it around the living room. ‘See, no strippers, just me and Alex, Hector and your brother drinking wine and working out how to save the world. And then I’m going to cook kebabs… Of course I’m missing you, but I expect I’ll live with the trauma… Ha, yes, I may develop separation anxiety but I doubt it. Hang on, let me ask Matt. Hey,Matt, do you suffer any form of separation anxiety when you’re not with your sister?’
‘Dear God, no. Just an overwhelming sense of relief. Tell her to stop being so needy and leave you alone to have a drink with your mates or I’ll ring the tabloids and tell them she’s developed acne and a beard.’
‘I think she can hear you, no need for me to relay that message.’ The whole room could hear Angelina’s furious squawking.
Matt laughed. ‘Pass me the phone. Ange, leave him alone, for goodness’ sake, the man’s hardly likely to be anywhere else, and if he was I’d hardly be vouching for him. Now get off the phone and leave us in peace. No, you’re not going to ring him one more time just to check. I mean it. Now sod off.’ And Matt very decisively hit the end button.
Muffling his laughter, Alex jumped up and headed towards the kitchen. ‘Chase, let’s get on with the cooking or I’ll be talking about my stuff all night. And I need you all awake and able to reach for your chequebooks!’
A couple of bottles, and despite Chase and Alex’s kebabs, they were all more than a little sideways. Alex hopped up the stairs to check Ellie was still asleep –miraculously she was – and returned, reminding them to keep the noise down. It was worth a try and there was nothing wrong with optimism. Truth was ten years ago and his words would have fallen on deaf ears but the combination of his guests’ maturity (bar Hector) and their respect for his new role meant they did try their best. It involved lots of shushing.
As he poured them all some more wine, having got everyone on board with his project, Alex found himself telling them about Sylvie and her quest to find a house in Penmenna.
‘And the thing is she just deserves it, you know. She’s been bringing up Sam entirely by herself – the father doesn’t want tobe involved at all from what she says and I’ve never heard her bitch about it, not once. Then she gave up her career and came home and nursed her mother for years, and now she feels the need to move out because it’s very much her uncle’s farm. She wants a fresh start for her and Sam, the life she had planned for them, and yet there’s nowhere in Penmenna available in her budget.’
‘Well, perhaps she should get a bloody job then? Can’t her parents help?’
‘I’ve just told you, they’re dead, for God’s sake. The mother did leave her half the farm, but she refuses to capitalize on it. She’s adamant that she would never disrupt her uncle’s life like that and besides which it’s security for Sam. She has just got a job, thanks to Rosy…’ Alex nodded in recognition to Matt, ‘…and hopefully will get her ballet school up and running, but that doesn’t help out with the whole deposit and rent-in-advance thing. Do you know how hard it is to rent privately these days, Hector? No, of course you don’t!’
‘I do know how hard it is to get bloody staff – you should see the problems I’m having with my house in Morocco.’
‘Yeah, it must be really tough. Don’t be a twat. This is serious.’
‘Sylvie needs a place to rent in Penmenna?’ Matt leant forward as he addressed Alex.
‘Yeah, she really wants out of the farmhouse and to be in the village. And it would be great to have her and Sam even closer. Ellie would love it.’
‘Elliewould love it,’ Chase said, with a completely straight face. Alex flicked a look at him, but he appeared to be genuine.
‘From what I’ve heard, Ellie really likes the way her curly red hair peeps out from the blanket,’ Hector added.
‘I didn’t say that. At no point did I say that, did I?’ Alex looked at Matt and Chase for support.
‘Not those exact words, no,’ Chase helped. ‘But she has been your main subject of conversation all night. I think we could probably tell you her shoe size and star sign if pushed.’
