CHAPTER 10 : HALFWAY AROUND THE WORLD
Arthur spent the next two hours with his Father as he was brought up to date on the problems and possible solutions for their Kenyan consortium. He finished by saying, "Don't exhaust yourself, they only need to see that we acknowledge that they have a problem and that unless they pick up their end...we'll pull out. Not what I want to do, however I will…no question about that!"
His father stood up and said, "I've decided to eat in my rooms. I'll see you when you return. Have a safe trip, Goodnight!"
Arthur looked at his watch, it was almost seven and he felt hungry. He decided to go down to the kitchens to let them know that he would be quite happy to eat upstairs in his own rooms. "Just send my meal up on a tray. I can manage nicely," he told Kitty.
He had the east wing, second floor. It was larger than his London place and had a small private dining room where he could entertain as well as three en-suite guest rooms. He had to acknowledge that the architect employed to renovate the old rooms had done wonders. His room looked over the fields and in the distance was Manor Farm and the manor stables.
He went via the back staircase which was full of memories, from hide 'n' seek games with his school mates to fumbling as a teenager with the fairer sex during house parties.
He grabbed his phone, which out of respect for his father, he had slipped into his bag before Dromo took it upstairs. Any notes, he'd taken had been on his iPad.
There was one text from Merlin about an hour ago to say that he'd arrived home and had picked up a pizza and had already started to check his photos.
Arthur grinned, and phoned him, "Just finished with my Father and waiting for supper. How was your trip?"
"Uneventful actually, sat next to a family returning from London, the boys were quite amusing having decided that they would both move there once they had finished school. Their mother just shook her head as one was nine and the other eleven. The nine year old kept assuring her that he would still visit her and his dad but he was convinced that he would be able to get a job working on the London Eye. They helped make the trip go faster. How about you?"
"Like yours, uneventful! No kids to entertain me, just kept seeing your face blowing me a kiss. If I had been a girl, I'm sure that I would have been twirling on the platform."
"Sure, but were you able to catch the kiss? It was magic so it can go through glass."
Arthur joined the game by saying, "I did, I put it in my pocket and will let it lose in my room, before I get into bed tonight."
"Which direction do you face when you sleep? I face the East, the sunrise and start of a new day."
"Me too...I'll think of you when I open my eyes tomorrow morning. Hold on a second!"
Merlin could hear Arthur talking to someone and then saying, 'Thank you, no breakfast maybe just a cup of coffee.' Silence and then, 'Goodnight!'
Arthur came back to his phone. "Supper is here. Talk to me while I eat. Have you finished yours?"
"Yes, just got a some pepsi left." There was a pause and then Merlin continued, "We had fun didn't we? The photos are really great. I'll keep sending you the ones that I think you'll like. When you come here you'll be able to see them all on the computer or TV if you prefer."
Arthur smiled, once again Merlin was referring to his going to Cambridge. "I won't be back in the country before at the earliest next weekend, maybe even longer if we can't fix the problem." Feeling confident, he added with a slight laugh, "Can you wait that long?"
There was a pause before Merlin said, "What, I won't hear from you for seven days?"
"No, I meant I won't be able to see you in person. I'll phone and possible Skype but that depends on the time difference." He put on a more serious voice saying, "Yes, Mr. Department Head, I understand you and your staff want to meet now; however you will just have to wait until I Skype my friend." He heard Merlin laugh and he also laughed as he added, "You don't know me, when I make up my mind that I want something, neither hell nor high-water can stop me. So the poor man, wouldn't have stood a chance!"
Merlin was laughing, "Can't see that happening! Anyway it's only a two hour difference."
"Been checking up on it, have you?"
"No, I remembered seeing the meridian lines at Greenwich and things like that stick in my mind."
"We had a fun time didn't we? Best trip I've ever had there and I must have been there at least a dozen times." He heard Merlin laugh so added, "Well at least four times including our visit."
"How long is your flight?"
"Ten hours!"
"God, that's an eternity! What will you do for that long?"
"Sleep, eat and make merry. Well, maybe not the make merry part but I'll watch a couple of movies if there is anything worth watching. I can also go over with Reynolds and Laurence what my father told me this evening. Don't worry, the time will pass eventually."
Merlin said softly, "Will you think of me?"
Arthur could feel himself getting hot around the collar, he wished he was with Merlin instead of eighty miles away. It was so easy when they were face to face but over the phone words could sound stilted. "Yes, if you would like me to. To tell the truth, Merlin, I have done nothing else since Friday after work. Well, if I told the truth it would be closer to when you came for supper."
"Arthur, it was only a coincidence that I was called in when the mare was foaling. If Gauis hadn't been away, we would never have met."
"Don't say that, maybe at some point we would have bumped into each other in our wanderings."
"Well, if I was ever going to bump into someone as you say, I would have loved it to have been you!"
"You don't know how hard it was to let your train leave the station, there I was with a kiss in one hand," he heard Merlin snigger, "...and all I wanted to do was to grab the door and make the train come to a halt."
"Don't think the station master would have appreciated that as they do run on a tight schedule. I don't think I was even conscious of where I was until we were near Harlow. I could still see you, life can be very sad sometimes."
"Merlin, it wasn't sad, I was happy that I felt that way about someone, I don't think I've ever contemplated stopping a train before. We've only just met, we have years to learn about each other and continue our friendship, if that is what it is?"
"I hope it's going to grow into something a little more special," Merlin said with a little sigh.
"Me too, I'd like to kidnap you and keep you all to myself…" Arthur waited but there was silence from Merlin. "Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you, I'm not crazy I don't go around stalking people and I would only kidnap you if you came willingly," he laughed at his little joke but Merlin remained silent.
Finally Merlin spoke, "Sorry, my mind was miles away. I really should think of turning in, as I have the unenviable task of telling a student that we don't think she's cut out to continue her studies in Veterinary Medicine. Not the best way to start a week. When will I hear from you?"
"Well, not tomorrow as by the time I get to the hotel, I'll be dead to the world. Say we talk on Tuesday around eight in the evening London time. If for some reason I have an evening appointment, I'll leave you a text earlier in the day and we'll talk later at night, all right?"
"Arthur, will you do me a favour?"
"Anything for you…!"
"Blow me a kiss, I'll catch it and let it spend the night with me in my bedroom…"
Arthur laughed delighted, "Are you ready?"
"Yes!"
"Well, here it comes…mwah!" He made a smooching sound and then laughed.
Merlin said, "Got it! I promise that I will phone you everyday! Sleep tight, Arthur, and God Bless!"
"God Bless, Merlin!"
Then the line went dead.
-0-0-
Arthur's flight was uneventful and he spent Tuesday meeting the people of importance in the financial department. He was free by late afternoon and the three of them decided to eat early and then turn in. Reynolds and Laurence decided to have a drink in one of the hotel bars, however Arthur wanted nothing more than to get to his room and call Merlin.
Unable to get an answer at seven o'clock London time, he waited until eight and then phoned regularly until it was ten thirty in Cambridge. No answer, he had even called through the hotel switchboard in case his cell wasn't working. Nothing, he finally lay on the bed wondering if Merlin had had a change of heart and didn't want to talk to him. He decided to try again around nine-thirty in the morning his time, surely Merlin would still be home.
He hadn't slept well, he'd tossed and turned and woke up with headache. He had a shower and wrapping himself in one of the hotel bathrobes, sat looking out the window. He made himself a cup of coffee, which was disgusting and decided to get dressed. Their first appointment was for ten thirty so he had time to phone Merlin beforehand.
The first call produced nothing as did the second and the third.
Laurence noticed that he looked frazzled, "You all right, Arthur?" he asked.
"Yes, just trying to get someone at home and can't reach them. I'll try later on." Arthur deliberately put Merlin out of his mind and tried to concentrate on the task at hand. The lack of leadership in the department was obvious. The staff were foundering in their respective jobs, no cohesion and very little work was being accomplished.
Reynolds and Arthur had a meeting and came to the conclusion that they needed to find someone capable of leading the group. They set up interviews and finally found four likely candidates. One chap had the experience needed even though he had recently transferred from Chicago for a three year stint in Kenya. They decided to go to the Board and ask to have him named as Deputy Head. If he worked out fine he would be upgraded to Department Head, if not, at least the department would run smoothly for the next little while.
They left the department that afternoon a happier place as people seemed to have confidence in the new man and were working together well.
-0-0-
During the day, he had received no personal texts from Merlin. Where was he and why hadn't he at least sent a text explaining why he hadn't phoned last night?
Arthur couldn't figure it out. They had been fine on the phone on Sunday. Had he inadvertently said something to put him off? He was sure if he had it was minor as Merlin seemed still quite happy when they each hung up.
He regretted so much being in Kenya at least if he were in England he could take time to go to Cambridge and find out why Merlin was ignoring him. Maybe he was getting ahead of himself, it could be a malfunctioning phone, no cell service...a hundred innocuous reasons why a call hadn't come through.
Tonight, he would try again, however this time less often. If Merlin was seeing his continual calls he might figure he was desperate…well, maybe he was but he didn't want him to know that just yet.
He was scared that when he told Merlin of his past relationships, short though they were, that he would shrug his shoulders and walk away. He needed to gain his respect before he tried to explain how he had just fallen into having sex with girls and how he had never really loved any of them. They were not unlike props which he had on his arm when he was socialising. He preferred going out with the guys but sometimes for appearance sake he needed a woman as a date.
He was good friends with some women whom he believed saw his sexuality as uncomplicated and they trusted him. He had never forced himself on a woman or expected sex. If it happened it was usually their idea and like any full blooded man and a gentleman he would agree.
It wasn't until he met Merlin that he realised there had been something missing in his life, a spark which seemed to ignite his whole being. He'd felt alive and now, he was heart-broken as it looked as if all his hopes were dashed.
Once he got back to the hotel, he tried again to phone Merlin. The phone rang but was unanswered. The three of them went out to supper and had a good time. Laurence was easy to be with, a bit like Gawaine but not outrageously so. Reynolds, whose name was actually Paul was happily married with eight year old twins, a boy and a girl who ran both his wife and he ragged. He had the other two laughing about their escapades.
Arthur was upbeat when he returned to his room, surely now, he would be able to reach Merlin. He said, "Please, God, let him be there!" He pushed the auto dial and waited. The phone rang four times and then Merlin picked up.
Arthur said, "Thank goodness, you're there. I was worried. How are you?"
There was silence but Arthur could pick up muffled sounds. He tried again, "Merlin, it's me Arthur! Please, don't play games, you've had me worried for the last two days."
He waited getting more anxious with each second. What was going on? His mind was running wild, had Merlin met someone at the University and didn't want to be bothered with him…?
He tried again with something non-challenging, "How's the weather been? It's really hot here. Looks like I may be home by a week today." He waited nothing, he held the phone for a good five minutes as the connection was still open on Merlin's end.
Finally he said, "Merlin, if you don't want to continue our friendship, just tell me…" he let his voice lighten, "Gawaine says that I'm a big boy now, quite capable of facing disappointments." He hoped for a snicker or a laugh but nothing.
He felt his voice breaking as he said, "Please don't...He never finished the rest of his sentence as the phone was disconnected. It was not a phone running out of power, it was a distinct cut off.
He sat in shock. Why had Merlin pulled that stunt? It wasn't funny! He was cross…that was it, he wouldn't try again but deep down he knew he would. He wasn't ready to give up on Merlin yet!
-0-0-
Surprisingly, Merlin had had a good day on Monday even with having to tell a student that she was not really suited for the courses she was taking. Asked why she had enrolled for veterinary medicine, she had said that she liked animals and that both her parents were vets.
They parted amicably with his agreeing that she might continue the year so as not to lose any credits but that she should over the summer reconsider her options or maybe take a gap year.
He knew that he wouldn't be hearing from Arthur that night so went out with some friends from his department whom he'd known for years. They had supper at The Waddling Duck and sat around drinking.
"So, how was your London jaunt?" one of the chaps, Terry asked him.
"Pretty good, took lots of photos and the people I was with were amusing. Really enjoyed myself, saw another side of London in much more depth. Train ride was great, no delays. All in all it was a good break from here."
Merlin smiled and reached for his beer, however stopping dead as Terry laughed saying, "Guess you deserved the break…did you get laid?"
Merlin's closest friend Nick, gave Terry a swift kick under the table, causing him to say, "What was that for?"
They all knew about Merlin's being abused by Dr. Neil Carvers and had been protective of him ever since. Merlin stood up and without looking at anyone, said, "Think I'm ready to call it a night!"
"Me too!" said Nick standing.
Merlin said testily, "Stay here! I don't think I need a babysitter to see me home…" He left by himself, nodding at the bartender on his way out.
Nick turned on Terry, "Are you some fuckin' idiot? Why would you say that? He's had a hard enough time of it."
"Well, he should just face facts that bad things happen and get on with his pathetic life! No need to spoil everyone else's time by lording it over us that he was abused."
"He doesn't!" insisted one of the others, "He keeps things like that to himself…you were well off course, Man!"
Their voices became raised as the others jumped in wanted to add their pennyworth. Realising that things were getting out of hand at their table, the bartender came over just in time to catch Nick's arm as he aimed a punch at Terry's face. "Think you, Gentlemen, have had enough for tonight! Go home and cool down!"
Nick stood and glowered once more at Terry and left the pub. Merlin had been through a lot and Nick as his friend had seen it first hand. It had taken a lot out of him to return to his teaching position while it was in the courts and in the papers. Nick knew he'd suffered badly and had hardly recognised him when he had first seen him afterwards.
He hated Neil with a passion and was relieved that he had left Cambridge. He decided that he'd give Merlin time to get over Terry's remark and check up on him the following day.
-0-0-
Merlin arrived home, not really remembering the drive back. He parked his car and sat there. He thought to himself, 'Am I ever going to get completely away from that time in my life?' Probably, Terry hadn't meant anything more than what he considered a harmless remark but the whole Neil thing was weighing heavily on his mind as he had yet to tell Arthur about it. He needed him to hear it directly from him not just relying on any rumours which were still flying around. He wanted to be the one to tell Arthur of the mess he'd made of things.
He took his key out of the ignition, got out locking the car door. Walking across the road, he let himself into the house, taking the stairs two at a time. He needed to get to his flat and lock the door behind him. He needed familiar surroundings as his mind was all over the place.
He unlocked his door and went to step over the threshold when something caught him mid-shin causing him to fall forward, his knees hit the floor and he felt a crack across the back of his head and everything went black…