Three-part story about the budding relationship between Prince James and Prince Hugo. Beginning with them winning the Flying Crown together, where they first experience feelings for each other. One year on, and Hugo agrees to teach James ice dancing, where they give in to their feelings and become boyfriends. Fast forward seven years, and it's the eve of James' wedding to Princess Vivian of Zumaria, leaving him and Hugo broken-hearted that they can't be with each other. But will that be fixed?

PART ONE- THE FLYING CROWN

The Royal Preparatory Academy was where all kings and queens started out, where they learned everything they needed to be good and just rulers. Under the watchful eyes of the three good fairies, Flora, Fauna and Merryweather, they learned lessons on etiquette, poetry, fencing, dancing, speech-making and all manner of other things. But one of its most popular attributes was Flying Derby, which is what was taking place today. Royal Prep's two best against the two best from Westlock School, racing neck and neck on their flying horses. Princess Sofia and Prince James of Enchancia, their faces taught with concentration. An announcer provided riveting commentary.

"And as the horses approach the final stretch, they are neck and neck and neck! Uh-oh, Weslock pulls ahead by a nose!"

"James! Give me a Wing Blast!"

"Yeah! Good plan!"

James, ten years old with honey-blond hair and matching eyes, pulled back the reins of his horse and fell back to allow Sofia and her mount, a purple pony called Minimus, to pull ahead.

"Hold on! Prince James is pulling back! What is Royal Prep up to?"

James flicked the reins and his horse reared up and beat his wings furiously, the increased air rush propelling Sofia forwards and past the Westlock riders, causing a great stir in the crowd.

"And now it's Royal Prep in the lead with a beautiful Wing Blast! That's gorgeous team playing right there! And now Princess Sofia is in the lead with the finish line in sight!"

Indeed she was, James next to her and the Westlock riders on their heels.

"Remember, folks, only one rider needs to cross the finish line for the team to win! And whichever team wins today goes on to the Flying Derby Championships, where they will compete for the greatest prize in royal sport: The Flying Crown!"

The crowd was especially tense, because this was the first time Royal Prep had reached this far for the Flying Crown in a long time. There was a great amount of cheering for their prospective heroes, especially from the royal box. Sofia and James' parents, King Roland and Queen Miranda, along with their sister Amber and her friends Hildegard and Clio. Amber waved her fan

"This is so exciting! Go, Sofia!"

They all stared at her expectantly.

"And James."

But Westlock were getting close to overtaking them.

"Sofia! They're catching up!"

"Let's do the Double Swerve! I'll block, you go!"

"Great idea, Sof!"

Minimus swerved from side to side, preventing either Westlock rider from getting past her whilst James sped right for the finish line. The announcer was going wild.

"Boom! Boom! Royal Prep pulls off a beautiful Double Derby Swerve! Goes to show that being fast is no match for a good team play! Prince James is all alone, in the lead, and BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Heading for the finish line!"

Whooping like a madman, James sped across the line and his cheers were drowned out by those from the crowd, though even their noise was no match for the announcer.

"YES! They've done it! BOOM, BOOM, BOOM! Royal Prep wins! Royal Prep wins! Royal Prep wins!"

A band struck up the school's victory tune, and the crowd took it up with great enthusiasm.

"Huzzah! Huzzah!

RPA!

Huzzah! Huzzah!
For Royal Prep, for the red, and green, and blue
We're all for one, and one for all
At RPA, you'll hear our royal call

Huzzah! Huzzah!
For Royal Prep, yes, we're loyal through and through
We rule on the field
And off it too
That's for Royal Prep to a T we're true

Sofia and James royal through and through
Huzzah! Huzzah!
FHor red, green and blue
That's Royal Prep to a T we're true

Huzzah

All save one, however. A boy of about eleven, handsome and dark-haired, sat with his arms folded and a sulky expression on his face as everyone around him cheered for the victorious duo. Prince Hugo had lost his chance to make the team when he refused to take Sofia seriously, since she was the first princess to try the sport, and he was quite bitter about it. His rather boastful older brother Axel didn't exactly help.

"I just love this cheer, baby bro! I remember how the whole school used to sing it for me when I crossed the finish line. Best feeling in the world."

"Now, Axel, don't make Hugo feel any worse than he does."

King Garrick was a vigorous man in a magnificent fur-lined outfit and was a genuinely loving father, just a bit pushy. Axel shrugged.

"Sorry, baby bro. I know how much you wanted to be on that team."

Hugo shot his older brother a withering glare.

"It's just not fair. I'm the best rider in the whole school."

"Third best, remember? Sofia and James beat you in the try-out race."

"They got lucky."

"Well, I'm sure one day you'll be as big a star as I was."

Meanwhile, Sofia and James were surrounded by a crowd of admirers, Amber in the lead.

"Oh, Sofia! You did it!"

"Hey, I won too."

"I know."

James glared at his sister, but she was too busy lavishing praise on Sofia to notice.

"This is such a big deal for our school. Royal Prep hasn't made the Championships in over a hundred years. And it's all because of my sister!"

"And brother."

"Uh-huh. Now, you two just have to win that Flying Crown. We're all counting on you, Sofia."

James, now looking quite annoyed, cleared his throat.

"Don't mess this up, James."

James looked like he was about to breathe fire.

"Well, I-I hope we can win. But we're going to be racing against the Junior Knights Academy."

"Are they good?"

Hildegard and Clio chipped in.

"They're the best."

"They win every year."

"But Sofia and I can beat them. We're gonna do all our best team plays. Double Swerves, Wing Blasts, all of them. Then it's across the finish line to victory!"

James had been dancing around in excitement as he said this, but suddenly his foot caught on a rock and he stumbled. Sofia ran forwards to catch him and they both fell heavily to the ground, Sofia cushioning her brother with her own body. Amber and the others quickly rushed to see if they were all right. James pushed himself to his feet, looking frantic.

"Sof! Are you OK?"

"Ow! I think I hurt my wrist."

These words seemed to make the sun go down. Sofia was taken to the heads of the school, the three good fairies who helped protect Princess Aurora from the wicked fairy Maleficent. Flora, the oldest and the leader, who wore red; Fauna, the quietest and kindest, in green; and Merryweather, the youngest and feistiest, in blue. Flora looked grave as her fellow fairies placed Sofia's arm in a sling.

"Well, I'm afraid I must be the bearer of bad news. You've sprained your wrist."

"Can I still ride, MIss Flora?"

"Not for another two weeks, dear."

James was horrified.

"But the championship race is in three days! Who will be my teammate?"

Fauna smiled.

"Sir Gilliam!"

Sir Gilliam was the school's stablemaster, responsible for teaching them all to ride the flying horses. They all liked him immensely, especially James. When James saw who entered the room with him, however, his smile vanished instantly.

"Hugo?!"

Prince Hugo, who hadn't yet been told what was happening, looked at James in confusion. Sir Gilliam, aware of the tension between the two princes, was hesitant but Merryweather beat him to the punch.

"Prince Hugo. I'm afraid Princess Sofia has hurt her wrist, and won't be able to ride in the championship race."

Hugo's whole demeanour changed.

"I'm on the team?!"

Sir Gilliam took over.

"You're the third-best rider in the school, so yes. You and James will ride for Royal Prep in the Championships."

Both boys glared at each other; it was harder to tell who was unhappier with this arrangement.

"All right, see you both at practice. First thing tomorrow."

James and Hugo didn't answer. Sofia, knowing that they would have to work together to ensure victory, stepped in.

"So, Hugo, I know me and James beat you in the tryouts, but hopefully we can put that behind us now that you and James are teammates."

James saw the wisdom in those words.

"So, no hard feelings, Hugo?"

He held out his hand, but Hugo didn't take it.

"You just got lucky."

James looked offended.

"OK, well, Sofia and I have been working on some new team plays. I think we should go through them at practice tomorrow."

Hugo sneered.

"James, I'm so fast we don't need any of your cute little team plays. All we need is me crossing that finishing line."

With that, Hugo left the room. Sofia and the others flinched as they waited for James to explode and throw himself on the other prince. Instead, he was standing there with a very peculiar expression, caught between indignation, curiosity and something else.

"Did he just call me cute?"

It didn't annoy or disgust him as much as it probably should have; on the contrary, it made him feel strange and warm inside. He shook his head; probably nothing. But what he didn't know was that Hugo, who had left with a swagger and an air of confidence, was secretly cursing himself as he walked away. Cute? It was true, he found James cute, but he couldn't let that be known. His hostility towards Sofia was because she prevented him from being on a team with James, while he knew James would hate him for that attitude, protective as he was of his sister. Now he would be on a team with a boy who hated him and who he really wanted to be friends with. God, this was going to be difficult.

James, meanwhile, was talking to Sofia.

"I'm so sorry, Sofia. I was such an idiot; I hurt your wrist and now I'm stuck with Hugo."

Sofia, bless her, was always forgiving.

"It's OK, James. I'm not mad. And, who knows, maybe you and Hugo will make great teammates. Maybe even friends."

"Friends? Yeah, right, and I might suddenly turn into a pink and purple zebra."

Merryweather raised her wand; next second, where James was standing there was a purple zebra with pink stripes. It let out a startled whinny; Sofia giggled.

"Be careful what you wish for, Prince James."

The zebra stomped one silver hoof, looking very grumpy. One wand wave later and James was back to normal. He glared at the smiling faces of his sister and teachers.

"Was that really necessary?"

"You did say you'd turn into a pink and purple zebra."

"I was being sarcastic."

Sofia decided to soothe her steaming brother.

"James, you and Hugo will have to work together if you want to win. So, whatever you do, don't let him forget that."

"I'll try, Sof. I just wish you were my partner."

"Why don't you take Minimus? Fly him for me?"

James had never flown on the purple pony before, but he knew how much he meant to Sofia.

"You sure, Sof?"

"I'm sure. And I'll have a little word with him so he knows."

James gave her a curious look; she was always acting like she could talk to animals. Oh well.

"OK, Sof. I'll see you tomorrow."

THE NEXT DAY

James was ready and waiting in his derby clothes as Sofia coaxed a very nervous Minimus out of his stall.

"Come on, Minimus. For me?"

The purple horse shook his head.

"You don't understand. It's not James I'm worried about, it's-"

But he stopped as Hugo rode into the stables on his own flying horse, a magnificent purebred mare named Electra. Minimus was quite nervous in her presence. Hugo, for his part, stared down at James imperiously.

"What's the hold-up, James? Don't tell me you're riding that?"

"I am. For Sofia."

"Great."

Minimus was looking nervously at Electra, who regarded him with an imperious air.

"So, Electra, who'd have thought we'd be partners? You come from a long line of derby horses and I'm, well, I'm an assortment of carthorses and according to some family rumours, a flying donkey."

She snorted.

"Well, I can definitely see the donkey."

James got on Minimus' back, glaring at Hugo who glared back with equal dislike. Sofia could feel the tension in the air, but the thick Irish tones of Sir Gilliam suddenly spoke.

"Good morning, riders! As you know, the Junior Knights are the toughest opponents we've ever faced. They are the fastest riders in the league, so if you want to win the Flying Crown, you two had better practice your team plays."

James looked at Hugo, who wasn't looking convinced. Sofia piped up.

"Sir Gilliam, I think there's a new move James and Hugo could try."

"And what's that, Princess Sofia?"

"The Flying Slingshot."

Sir Gilliam looked at her with evident admiration.

"The Flying Slingshot? Now where did you learn about that?"

"I read all the old play books."

"What's the Flying Slingshot?"

James and Hugo asked this at the same time, causing them to look away awkwardly.

"Why, it's only the most difficult move in all of Flying Derby! In midair, the riders have to line up side by side. Then they have to reach across their horses and grab hands, spin in a perfect circle, then the bigger rider slings the smaller one forward at just the right moment. If you do everything exactly right, you will send your partner across the finish line. If you do it wrong, you end up flying sideways or backwards."

James looked at Hugo.

"Sounds like it could be the key to us winning. You wanna try it?"

"I told you, James, I don't care about team plays."

"My 'cute' team plays, wasn't it?"

Hugo turned red and looked away furiously.

"Shut up! Anyway, only one of us has to cross the finish line and that's gonna be me."

He rode off, head held high, ignoring James' eyes burning into his back.

"Oooh, I hate him."

Minimus snorted.

"You too, huh? Sofia's right; you are a smart horse."

Minimus looked startled.

"Did you hear that, Sofia? James called me smart!"

"Well, you are smart."

"I wish Electra thought so."

James rode after Hugo, determined not to let the other boy's ego cost Royal Prep its chance for the Flying Crown. But before he could call after Hugo, there came a loud cavalry charge and two magnificent flying steeds descended from the clouds. James felt his stomach drop as he heard Princess Clio and Princess Hildegard's voices.

"Oh no! They're here!"

"Squire Vaughn and Squire Vance, the Junior Knights."

The squires in question rode identical charcoal-grey horses, strong and fast stallion. Both were well-built, though Vance was a bit more squat than his associate. They rode like champion racers, and certainly dressed like them as well. Black riding uniforms with a lot of fancy gold trim, though Vaughn wore a red ribbon belt and Vance had a golden sash. Both also wore identical golden riding helmets, emblazoned with the Junior Knights Academy symbol. Hugo was watching them.

"Huh! They don't look so tough!"

James and Sofia glanced nervously at each other; they looked pretty tough to them. The two squires came striding over, noses in the air and observing them with imperious disdain.

"You two are the Royal Prep derby team?"

Vaughn had one of those irritating snobbish nasal voices that made you want to punch him in the face. Except he outweighed James by a significant margin, so probably not a good idea. Vaughn snorted and looked at his companion.

"We're going to win for sure, just like we always do."

James bristled at that remark, but not as much as Hugo.

"Huh! I bet I'm twice as fast as you."

Vaughn looked at him mockingly.

"I bet I'm ten times faster than you."

James saw where this was going; so did Sofia

"Uhh, maybe you guys could just practice?"

But Hugo wasn't listening; he was staring Vaughn down unflinchingly.

"I bet I'm a number you can't even count to faster."

"I can count all the way to one hundred."

"Prove it."

"One, two, three-"

"No! Prove you're a hundred times faster than me."

"Very well. To the fountain and back?"

"You're on!"

Both riders turned and rode for the line, with James and Sofia exchanging looks that plainly said "This isn't going to end well."

"On your marks. Get set. Go!"

Vaughn immediately pulled ahead of Hugo, who grunted angrily and spurred Electra on. But to no avail; he was barely hanging onto Vaughn's heels as the squire reached the fountain and rounded it, nearly flattening poor Princess Maya as she sat with a book. Her friend, Princess Jun, was whacked in the face by Vaughn's horse's wing and toppled backwards into the fountain with a shriek, but he didn't even notice her nor her brother shouting furiously after him with words that would have earned him two months detention had the fairies heard him. By the time Hugo had circled around the fountain, Vaughn was already headed back to the starting point and, too late, had won. He tossed his head back as Hugo landed, fuming.

"That was too easy."

Hugo glared at him with such intensity James half-expected the other boy to burst into flames.

"You just got lucky."

"That wasn't luck. Good luck in the race; I'll be waving from the finish line."

As he and Vance prepared to ride away, they were accosted by several angry young royals. Prince Jin was breathing like an enraged bull about to charge; Princess Jun, dripping head to foot with her hair all over the place; Princess Maya, grass stains all over her beautiful white gown from where she'd been forced to dive to the ground; her little brother Khalid, who was flexing his fingers like he was itching to strangle someone.

"Hey! You big bullies! You knocked my sister into the fountain!"

"My mother made me this dress!"

"And mine! Can't you look where you're going?"

The squires looked at the bedraggled and angry princesses. Vance snickered

"An improvement, if you ask me."

Next second, he had fallen back with a shriek as Princess Jun, normally so calm, sweet and composed, lunged at him with a feral snarl; she loved her mother, Empress Lin-Lin, very much and had valued the gown considerably. Both riders took to the sky as Jun yelled after them, held back by her brother and Maya.

"Come back here and fight like men, you cowards!"

She rounded on James, Hugo and Sofia, who cowered seeing the placid Chinese girl so angry.

"James, Hugo, you'd better beat those two!"

Taking a deep breath, she stalked off towards the school to clean herself up. James, Hugo and Sofia all exchanged looks.

"Wow. She's scary when she's mad."

"Now are you ready to try some team plays, Hugo?"

"No."

"Oh, come on! Everyone is counting on us!"

"Yeah, where's your school spirit? Huzzah, huzzah, for Royal Prep-"

But Hugo swung round on his heel and stormed past them, looking thunderous. James looked at his sister.

"Wow."

"Was it something I said?"

"No, Princess, it's what your brother sang."

Sofia jumped; she'd never heard Electra speak before.

"What he sang?"

"It's what the school sings when you win. And everyone in Hugo's family has heard it, except for him."

"Oh."

James looked round.

"Hrm? Sofia, did you say something?"

"No. But hold on, I'll be right back."

She ran after Hugo.

"Hugo, wait! I know your father was on the Flying Derby team when he was at Royal Prep."

"And my brother, and uncle and grandfather. But so what?"

"None of them won the Championship. Now you and James have a chance, but only if you use the Flying Slingshot with James. Then the whole school will cheer louder than they ever have….. for you."

Hugo looked at his feet; this pesky purple princess was right, much as he hated to admit it.

"OK, I'll try it."

"Great. James!"

James rode up on Minimus, Electra following him.

"Yeah?"

"Hugo's agreed to do the Flying Slingshot."

"Great! When should we try it?"

"It's getting late. First thing in the morning?"

"OK, sounds good."

THE NEXT MORNING

James was already at the track and saddled up when Hugo arrived. Sofia, as peppy as ever, was also there.

"So, Hugo, James and I think that since you're riding the bigger horse, you should sling James."

"Wait, that means James will cross the finish line first."

"So what? Only one of us has to cross it for both of us to win."

"Then it shouldn't matter to you who crosses it first."

James would have argued more but time was wasting. He whispered to Sofia.

"I don't think this is going to go well."

"Oh, James, what's the worst thing that could happen?"

FIVE FAILED ATTEMPTS LATER

"OK, OK, this is not going to work!"

Hugo extricated himself from the school fountain where he had just landed, a change from the last four times when he had landed in a pile of haybales. He was dripping wet and smarting with humiliation. James landed next to him; he'd laughed the first two times, felt sorry the next two and now was really frustrated.

"I told you to throw me over the finish line, not into the fountain!"

James was going red in the face, but before he could yell at Hugo another voice interrupted.

"What are you doing, baby bro? Why are you in this fountain and not on your horse?"

Prince Axel, Hugo's older brother, was leaning over the fence watching them.

"You've gotta get ready for the big race. The whole family's gonna be here, so you'd better win or don't come home."

That seemed a bit harsh, but Axel's stern expression almost immediately melted.

"Just kidding, baby bro!"

He gave Hugo a friendly noogie before striding off to take his place in the stands, but Hugo was looking thunderous.

"That's it! I'm done!"

"Maybe if we try it like Sofia suggested, with you throwing me-"

"We're never gonna get it right!"

"If we can't get it right, we won't win!"

"Then I quit!"

Hugo pulled off his soggy team jersey and threw it on the ground at Sofia's feet.

"Hugo! Hugo, wait! You can't quit!"

But he was gone, not even looking back. James looked angrily at Sofia.

"Great! Now we'll have to forfeit the race and Royal Prep will have lost its first chance in a hundred years at the Flying Crown! All because of Hugo!"

Minimus snorted angrily.

"Oooh, I cannot believe he just quit like that! If I could speak human, I would give him such a talking to!"

"Me too."

Electra was looking just as unhappy as the rest of them.

"Wait, you're on our side?"

"Of course. A true derby champion never quits on the team! That's always been Hugo's problem. He's a good rider, but he doesn't know the first thing about being a good teammate."

"Well, someone better show him and fast. Or there goes our win."

Sofia, who had been thinking hard, suddenly got an idea.

"James, can you go after Hugo and bring him back here?"

"Why?"

"Just do it. I have an idea."

Sighing heavily, James slid off Minimus' back and ran off after Hugo. The stands were filling up and the announcer was already going strong.

"Princes and Princesses, Kings and Queens, Lords and Ladies, it's the moment you've all been waiting for! The Flying Derby Championship Race! Today, one team will take home the majestic, the glorious, the beautiful Flying Crown!"

The trophy in question sat under a glass dome on a podium, a huge gold and scarlet crown gleaming in the sun.

"And here come the Junior Knight riders, defending champions Vaughn and Vance! Beating these two will be difficult, cause if speed had a name I assure you it would be these two!"

Vaughn and Vance rode out onto the track, sneering at the Royal Prep crowd. Princess Jun glared at them from her seat as they passed and they quickly moved away.

"And now let's meet the challengers, Royal Prep's stellar riders Prince James and Prince Hugo!"

Clapping and cheering ensued, but neither rider appeared.

"What? Where are they?"

Vaughn laughed.

"Hah! They're so slow they can't even make it to the starting line!"

Princess Jun stood up and yelled at them.

"Come up here and say that! I dare you!"

Fortunately, Sofia managed to avert bloodshed at that moment. Waving her good arm, she shouted at the Royal Prep supporters.

"Hey, derby fans! Are you ready to see your team win?"

"YES!"

"Good! But first, let's give them a reason to. One, two, three, four…"

MEANWHILE

James had managed to catch up to Hugo.

"Hugo! Wait!"

"I already told you, James, I quit! I'm not going out there."

"But you're being really selfish. You're gonna throw away our chances of winning?"

"What chances? We don't stand any chance! Now leave me alone!"

"No! Now come on!"

He grabbed the other boy's arm, ignoring the tingly feeling that came with it, and began pulling him back towards the racetrack. Hugo fought him and broke his grip.

"Let go! James, I'm not going to-"

"Ssh!"

"What?"

But as he listened, Hugo heard it. The school, led by Sofia, were bellowing at the top of their voices. But it wasn't cheering. It was singing. And not just any song.

"Huzzah! Huzzah!

RPA!

Huzzah! huzzah!

For Royal Prep, for the red, and green, and blue

We're all for one, and one for all

At RPA, you'll hear our royal call

Huzzah! Huzzah!

For Royal Prep Yes, we're loyal through and through

We rule on the field

And off it too

That's for Royal Prep to a T we're true

Hugo and James, royal through and through

Huzzah! Huzzah!

For red, green and blue

That's Royal Prep to a T we're true

Huzzah!

James glanced at Hugo; the other prince was standing stock still and his eyes were shining.

"Wait, why are they singing? They only sing when you win."

"They're singing for us, Hugo. Singing for us to win."

Something nudged Hugo's shoulder and he turned to see Electra, clutching his damp team jersey in her mouth.

"So, will you race with me?"

James held out his hand. Hugo looked at it, then smiled.

"Give me that jersey."

He wrung it out and pulled it on, then got on Electra's back as James did the same with Minimus.

"Let's win this thing!"

They fist bumped, then rode out onto the track. Vaughn and Vance, assured of their victory, stared in shock and disbelief as the crowd roared.

"And there they are! We'll have a race after all!"

Hugo looked up at the royal box, where his family were, then at James. The blond boy gave him a comforting smile, sending warmth spreading through his body as he returned it. They lined up at the gate, where the three fairies waited to give them the go ahead.

"Riders, on your wings!"

"Get set!"

"Go!"

The gates opened and they all shot through it, Vaughn and Vance instantly pulling ahead as they approached the bridge. James and Hugo tried to pass them on the right but Vance blocked them with a Double Derby Swerve. Princess Jun shouted and waved.

"Go, James! Go, Hugo! Crush them! Crush them like a grape!"

James, seeing they were getting nowhere, pulled back for a Wing Blast. Electra shot forwards to tail the Junior Knights, who were grimly hanging on to their lead and pulling ahead as they reached the middle stretch, through the archway and then the bell tower. Now they were approaching the final stretch and falling behind. James looked at his teammate.

"We're never going to catch them! We have to try the slingshot!"

"OK, but only if we do it the right way. I'll sling you!"

"You will?"

"It's the only way our team will win."

Minimus rolled his eyes.

"It's about time he realised that."

"So what are we waiting for? Let's do this thing!"

James and Hugo reached across and grasped hands, both feeling that familiar surge as they did so.

"Spin!"

They spun round and round, gaining momentum, until….

"Slingshot!"

At exactly the right moment, Hugo let go and James went soaring up, up, up into the air. Then nose dive, straight through and past the two squires who stared with open mouths as the small purple pony outstripped them and snapped the yellow tape at the finish line. The subsequent cheers sent birds flying from trees a mile away. James circled and came in to land as the crowd swarmed onto the field and he was enveloped by them, Amber and Sofia in the lead screaming his name. Then he felt another hand grab him and turn him around and there was Hugo, holding the Flying Crown in one hand. Next second, his teammate was hugging him tightly and he was hugging back, oblivious to the crowds screaming their names. There would be time for worrying about not wanting to let go of Hugo later; for now, James kept hugging him because it felt all right. And that was good enough for him.