Disclaimer: Harry Potter and his world belong to J. K. Rowling. In this story, Harry Potter is very old, and is known as 'The Great Wizard.' His name is Bellamy.

Chapter 35:

Loch Lomand had become accustomed to welcoming returning travellers. Tasha and Valencio had a welcome, and were happy to be home.

Carol asked Valencio, "Planning on helping entertain guests this time, Vince?"

"In a few days. I need time to unwind."

Instead of 'unwinding,' Valencio became increasingly depressed. He inspected the tracks, looking for maintenance that needed doing. Inspected the horse paddocks, and spoke to the young horses growing up. Revenge's second foal was being broken in by Thierry, who had a real knack with the horses, and was light enough to ride the small pony.

It would have helped if there had been more work to do, but Carol routinely employed backpackers now, who did a lot of the things that Valencio had done. He didn't put on the yellow vest. He thought he was too tired to talk to guests. But it was not fatigue, just the continuing irrational shame of a rape victim. He tried to conceal his low mood from Tasha, but failed. She knew him too well.

Just a few days after their return, Carol said, "Marriage Mart's opening in Duich this week. We could make it a day out for our guests. Will you come, Vince? They'd love that."

Valencio said, "I'd rather you didn't."

"They all know about it anyway."

Emma said, "Evita says it was wonderful. That she hadn't quite realized how much she'd become involved, just watching it."

Valencio shook his head, and Tasha said calmly, "Maybe after we're gone."

Carol was looking at Valencio narrow-eyed, "You're looking tired."

Valencio said, "Just a bit," and got up and started help tidy away.

Carol looked questioningly at Tasha, but Tasha only said, "It's a very demanding role that he's involved in. That's why the break. Schuster said he had to recover his energies."

There was something else that depressed Valencio. Clarence was dying of lung cancer. To them all, it seemed so unfair. A prisoner since he was eleven, just five years of freedom, and now he was to die. And why lung cancer? He'd never smoked in his life, had not been exposed to pollution of the atmosphere. Lung cancer! The medj doctor in Bogridge spoke of chemotherapy, which might give him a few more months. The healer spoke only of ensuring freedom from pain and an easy death. Clarence decided to accept the help of the wizard healer.

He asked Valencio to help him go to the apple orchard, using one of the ponies. He wanted to see the chapel and the new portion of cemetery.

Valencio asked, "You're strong enough?"

Clarence nodded, and said, "Now?"

"I'll saddle a pony."

Only a few minutes later, Valencio led Ruby to the front door, and Bernice opened the door for him. Valencio almost lifted Clarence onto the back of the gentle mare, shocked at how thin and weak he was already. He said doubtfully, "Alright?"

Clarence said, "Fine," and when Bernice asked if he wanted her as well, he declined. He wanted just Valencio this time. For so long, it had been just himself and the boy, the only male prisoners.

Valencio went to Ruby's head and started walking. Three dogs walked behind, Shona, and two dogs that belonged to Inge and Evita, now looked after by Bernice and Clarence.

It was an easy route to the apple orchard, though thorny bushes grew on each side, some of them with edible berries in season. The apple trees were in full leaf, and the day was sunny. They stopped at the half walls that marked the old chapel.

Clarence said, "Bernice told me that Dot waved her wand at the rose bush the other day, in order to make more flowers."

Valencio said, "I love the colour, a cross between yellow and apricot."

"It's called Climbing Peace. They thought it appropriate."

"I'm surprised they let us make a cemetery here."

"It was not really still consecrated ground. Dot organized it." He glanced down at Valencio, and pointed to a garden seat. "Help me down? I want to sit for a while."

The seat had a high back, and for a moment, Clarence lay back his head, tired. Valencio waited, beginning himself to feel the peace of this place.

Clarence said, "We've been so happy here, the last few years. Bernice was always terrified of going to hell." He smiled wryly. "Our childhood conditioning is so powerful. It was because she had sex outside of marriage, because after too many times of being punished, she gave in and was obedient. She's an atheist now. As far as I know, we all are."

"We have the privilege of a burial now. I doubt if they bothered burying any slaves."

"They usually pretended they did. But I think you're right."

For a while, they were quiet. Clarence lay back his head again, and remarked, "I can smell the roses."

Valencio said, "I love the summer here. Such a gentle warmth, not searing hot."

"And it rains, summer or not. A gentle rain."

"I used to dream sometimes, when it was too hard. A place of mountains and forests, and continuous rain and mist."

Clarence said, "You helped us, you know. Whenever you were rude to them, it made it easier for the rest of us. When you hurt one, we loved you for it, though no-one was brave enough to attack them but you."

Valencio said, "Not brave. Very silly."

"Maybe, but I wish I'd fought so hard. But I wasn't special to them like you were. I would just have been killed." He sighed, "They beat me, you see, Valencio. I did my best for years, but they finally broke me. It was after the fever cull, and every one of the survivors in Enclosure 2 was being punished with the Spell of Pain, every day. I was never the same after that. Always frightened. A coward. If one appeared even now, I wouldn't try and fight - just run and cry, maybe."

Valencio said, very soberly, "We all bear scars. Some don't show it much. The ones who're still shy, or frightened, the ones who will never enjoy sex." And Tasha, who needed to be important.

Clarence waited, and Valencio finally spoke, in a very low voice. "And me, whom they made enjoy it, when I would rather have been dead."

Clarence said calmly, "I thought it had to be that. If that hadn't happened, probably Narzu-Han would have quickly lost interest, and you would have been put back into general use until you were destroyed."

"I suppose. It saved my life, I guess. For a while, anyway. But now, I'm so frightened..."

"Was there something happen?"

"He had to drug me, so he could get close enough. But then I wanted it, and afterwards, I hurt him very badly. I'm frightened to go back, but I'm a professional actor, and a professional actor does not break a contract."

After a long silence, Clarence repeated, "We all bear scars," and Valencio helped him back onto Ruby, and they walked slowly back to the castle that was home. There may not have been any profound words of wisdom or consolation, but they both felt more peaceful for the visit to the ruined chapel.

xdividerx

Kane pointed out Vince to his friend, Adam, the next day, and said, disappointed, "He's still not wearing the yellow vest. That means we're not supposed to talk to him."

Valencio was walking, hands in his pockets, Shona at his heels, though Shona was beginning to think she must be really Mary's dog these days, as her own humans were so often away.

Valencio disappeared into the trees, and found himself on the Pamela Track. So many names of victims. And they were victims too. How many years had they deprived Clarence of?

Kane and Adam gave way to temptation the following morning, and went and spoke to him anyway, as he leaned against the fence of Bluey's Paddock. Kane said, "The white horse is called Pirate Captain, after your movie."

Adam added, "And the young bay colt is called Oscar, because you won one."

Valencio turned to them, "I didn't notice you were here."

"For a whole month."

Adam said, "My Mum's here as well. She's married again, so I've got almost a father."

"Do you like him?"

"A lot better than one of Mum's previous boyfriends."

Kane said, "You remember Chris, who's a school teacher? He's here again, and I think my Mum might be going to marry him."

"I remember Chris. He was there the day we explored the apple orchard."

Kane said, "Clarence told me that there might be a cave on the slope across from the Adam Track. That he remembered Inge telling him once."

"The young ones explored every inch of the place when we first arrived. They know it better than anyone."

"Is Inge a film star as well?"

"She's in Hollywood, but wants to direct. She says she's not very good at acting, but loves the whole thing of making movies."

"Do you love it?"

Valencio answered, "Making a story come to life, it's what I love to do." He nodded, almost to himself, and said, "I love it. Nothing else gives such pure satisfaction."

"Why were you looking sad, then?"

"Was I looking sad?"

Kane nodded. He thought Vince had been looking very sad.

Valencio asked, "Do you want to go exploring again? See if we can find Inge's cave?"

Kane beamed.

Valencio checked his watch, and said, "Today? Now? Ask your parents, ask Chris if he wants to come as well if you like, and I'll organize a picnic lunch."

Kane said briefly, "Stay here. I know where they are," and they both ran.

Valencio turned back to the horses. None of the young ones looked very special - though a handy size for children. Emanuelle's two year old looked identical to her Mum. He ducked under the railings of the paddock and was leading Emanuelle through the gate even before the boys raced back, Chris following, a little slower, another man with him.

Adam said, "Can David come as well?"

"If he wants," and was introduced. He said, "We'll take the Fell ponies, as they're sure-footed and placid, but we might have to mostly walk, maybe even crawl." He smiled at the men, suddenly feeling very cheerful, "Still want to come?"

Bernice was pleased when a panting boy knocked at the kitchen door, and asked if they could have a picnic lunch for five, because Vince was taking them exploring. She was a lady shortly to be widowed, and still had the compassion to see Valencio's depression, hopeful at the sign that it might be lifting. Clarence had been very tired after the ride to the apple orchard, but it had done him good.

Bernice didn't delegate, just started making sandwiches, and packing picnic hampers. With a sudden thought, she packed several freshly made date scones. Valencio was a sucker for date scones.

Meantime, Valencio was saddling ponies, helped by Chris, though David had little idea, and admitted that he couldn't ride. Valencio said, "We'll only be walking, probably not even going far. We're looking for a cave that's supposed to be somewhere above the old apple orchard."

"The boys are thrilled."

Valencio grinned, and said, "So am I. I needed something different to do."

Chris said, "The women thought Marriage Mart a great movie."

David said critically, "Not enough real action. A girl movie. Sandra sniffled through most of it, and kept talking about the poor bride, and the wicked viscount."

"Well, she must have been pleased when the wicked viscount wound up in a wheelchair."

David laughed, "She cried even harder then."

"Is your current one an action movie?"

"Not really. You won't like this one, either."

"I didn't say I didn't like it. Just not my usual cup of tea."

"How's it going?"

Valencio stopped a moment, from his job organizing Clara to carry packs, and looked into the distance. It was a great movie, he thought. But how would the audience react? He laughed, and turned to David. "Watch it only at home, and provide Sandra with a full box of tissues, and maybe some chocolates for comfort. This one's a tragedy."

"Will it be your third Oscar, this one?"

Valencio looked at him in apparent surprise, and said, "I've only done three movies. One Oscar, that's all."

"Why don't you do an action movie?"

"The wrong looks. Men who look like Nick Kingsley get those roles."

David nodded, "I suppose that'd be right. You don't exactly look dangerous."

Valencio laughed, but didn't tell him that only a fortnight before, he'd put a man in hospital. He said, "We'll go to a place I know where we can leave the ponies, and then explore on foot. I reckon I know where the cave is likely to be."

He led out, turned in his saddle, and said, "This is just the perimeter track. Quite well marked, and a good gallop, but only in some places."

"The fence is falling down."

"As long as it marks the boundary. There's no stock to worry about here, and next door is crown land. Nothing but deer, foxes and rabbits."

The track was climbing, and the men dismounted and walked.

After another quarter of an hour, Valencio turned off, and called, "Adam, Kane, lead your ponies here, and mind your step."

He led them onto a spur, "We'll leave the ponies here. Just run up the stirrups, knot the reins so they don't drag, and cross your fingers they don't decide to go home."

Adam said, "What if Clara goes home with our lunches?"

"I'll take her pack baskets off, but I really don't think they'll wander off." Clara started to graze.

Valencio found some binoculars, then went to the edge of the spur, and just looked.

Kane said eagerly, "Do you think we might find a god or a skeleton, or something else exciting?"

"Probably just a bit of a hole in the cliff, but you never know."

Chris said, "It's a steep slope to be scrambling around on."

Kane pointed, "There's a deer track."

Valencio nodded. "We'll start by following that, see where it leads us."

The boys were eleven, active and energetic. The men were more cautious, but both followed. At last, they came to a small and shallow hole in the cliff.

"Is this all?" asked Kane, disappointed.

Chris remarked, "Looks like it's a favourite shelter for deer, from the droppings."

David smiled, and said, "Not deer. Badgers. I'm sure of it. It's a badger sett."

Valencio said, surprised, "I didn't know we had badgers!"

"People seldom do. They're nocturnal. If it wasn't so difficult to get to, you could make badger watching another of your entertainments."

There was a call from Adam, "Here's a better cave."

They followed him, David suddenly skidding, but grabbed by Chris. "I wouldn't have fallen far," he remarked, "Probably just brained myself on one of the trees."

Valencio said, "Please don't! Carol would be furious with me."

The boys explored the shallow cave, and Chris asked, "Are you going to make another ride to the caves?"

Valencio shook his head. "They're not exactly spectacular, and there's not even an open area to sit around and have a cup of tea."

Kane said philosophically, "I guess a lot of explorations don't actually find anything interesting."

"What now?"

Valencio consulted his watch. "What do you think?"

"Could we make our way down to the apple orchard? Have lunch there?"

"Too steep for the ponies, I think."

"Too steep for me, I think," added David.

Valencio said, "Sorry, boys, but we can continue along the perimeter track, and come home by the Ridge Road, if you like."

The following morning, Valencio whistled as he put on his yellow vest, and went to breakfast with the guests.

Betty said, "We've missed you, Vince."

Valencio smiled at the woman whom he'd seen a few times, "I've only been home a week, just a brief break in work."

When he'd provided himself with a tray from the breakfast bar, she patted the seat beside her, invitingly. Like Andrea, she saw not the slightest reason why she shouldn't be close to the subject of her enquiries. Besides, she liked Vince. She made the most of her opportunity, and said, "Gloria says I can ride Rosamund in the pairs at Glen Riddle gymkhana. Will you be my partner on Juanita?"

Valencio laughed, "We don't exactly look like a pair."

"Yes, but think how I could boast about it afterwards?"

Valencio grinned, and asked, "Did you want me to wear an eye-patch or something?"

Betty beamed, 'Would you?"

Valencio was definite, "No."

Betty said coaxingly, "You could ride with me, though."

"I guess."

Gloria laughed when they went together to ask, but said, "The horses are beautiful. Even totally mismatched, you might wind up with a ribbon."

Valencio said, "Aren't you forgetting I can't ride show work?"

Gloria said firmly, "Report to Helene who'll check what you're wearing, then practice every morning, ten o'clock."

Rosamund and Juanita were the two black Andalusians that Helena and Paul had presented to Loch Lomand. There were already some rosettes above each of their saddle racks. It had become the custom that guests left their rosettes pinned to the wall, though there were always some who wanted to take them home. There were a few cups as well.

Betty was a poor rider, and Valencio not exactly schooled. The horses were well trained, however, and the two presented themselves to where Tiffany was instructing. Three other pairs were competing, including Kane and Adam on a pair of greys, and Carrie on one of the spotted ponies, with Margaret as her partner. Margaret was one of those who'd just completed her Arts degree, and was quite undecided as to what she might want to do next. Meantime, she helped with the horses, the cleaning, occasionally the cooking. There was always plenty to do with fifty guests, and around thirty residents.

Betty's next report to Narzu-Han included a large coloured photograph of Vince and herself riding the two high quality mares. Each wore a bright red scarf around their neck, but there was nothing else about them that matched, except the horses. Her report. 'He's lovely. Happy and cheerful. Eager to return to work. According to Gloria, we cantered in the circle, both of us on the wrong leg, but I don't know what that means, and I don't think Vince did, either. Two eleven-year-old boys were with him constantly, and they were having a wonderful time.'

It went on, and Narzu-Han read with interest, even things like Evita Bacri being spotted, who was in the TV series, Interesting Times. He liked to think that his family had not permanently damaged their slaves. He concluded that the rumours that Vince had been raped by the actor known as the Cossack, could not have had any foundation. He was relieved. If he intervened to protect his boy, John Bellamy would be angry. Anyway, Valencio knew he could call Bellamy, and he would come. There was no talk of anyone being ill.

Ten minutes after Valencio and Tasha entered their apartment in Hollywood, early afternoon, the phone rang. Tasha answered. Storm at sea, a very rough surf. Conditions were ideal, even though it wasn't dawn. Vince was to be ready to be picked up within a half hour, while Schuster organized everything.

"Who's coming to pick him up?" Tasha asked.

"Ronny or Jorg. Or Dave, if they're not available."

Tasha said, "Just checking. You know he has to be careful."

Schuster said impatiently, "The Cossack's fine. No reason to think Vince is in any danger, from him or anyone else."

The one who'd been phoning every quarter hour all day, raised his eyebrows. So the rumours were true!

Not long later, Valencio was regarding the enormous waves pounding the beach, and said, "I have to go swimming in that?"

Schuster said, "You walk out on the pier, then jump in, get yourself near the camera, and struggle to shore."

Valencio ran a hand over hair, cut short for the movie, and observed, "It's going to be a bloody struggle!"

"There's two lifeboats ready in case you get into real difficulties. And Bill will do a fair part of the swimming."

Valencio glanced at Bill, and remarked, "I don't actually want Bill to drown, either."

The head cameraman, Norm, said to Schuster, "It does look dangerous."

Bill had his eyes narrowed, looking at the surf. He said, "What we need is some way to say that we're really in trouble, not just acting."

Valencio said, "I agree. We could be sucked under and never seen again."

Bill remarked to Valencio, "You won't have to do any acting. Anyone out in that is going to be dead scared!"

Schuster was finally beginning to listen. He turned to the professional. "Bill, how do you think we should do it then?"

Bill said, "Give me a moment. I'll just go out on the pier and have a closer look."

Schuster said, "Norm, get some footage. I suppose if we have to, we can add the actor later."

Valencio walked with Bill, out to the end of the pier. He said doubtfully, "I can see it'll be very effective..."

"Schuster gets carried away. If we lose the main actor, there's no film."

"And if we lose you, your wife'll kill Schuster, and there's no film!"

Bill laughed. Stunt men were brave men, but they were not fools, and this was just too dangerous.

Valencio said, "If I do it, if there's an ankle cuff and a rope to a boat, they'll be able to haul me back to the boat if I disappear."

Bill said, "I'm the stunt man."

"It has to be my face. There's really not much point you going in as well. I'll tell Schuster, though. One take, no more!"

It was decided, though Valencio looked a little doubtfully at the leather strap buckled around his ankle. He shrugged. There was no magical seal, and it was only a safeguard. The boat was moving violently, and he frowned, and asked, "What if the boat founders?"

The boat handler said confidently, "We've practised in worse conditions. The boat won't founder. And can I have your autograph?"

Valencio said casually, "Sorry. I never give autographs."

"If I save your life?"

"I could make an exception then."

He was shivering. California or not, it was a cold day, and he only wore swimmers.

Before leaving the boat, he felt again that the ankle cuff could be undone, if needed. What if the boat foundered?

The boat pushed off, and Schuster stood on the pier next to the cameras, and pointed, further out to sea. The boat was steered a little further out to sea. It was a long swim to shore. He was going to arrive exhausted. He looked back at Schuster, who waved the okay.

Valencio slipped into the sea, helped by one of the seamen, held the edge of the boat a moment, and took his bearings. He'd have to make sure and look at the camera. The rope dragged at his ankle. The boat would follow him closely, but not too closely. The other boat had a cameraman with another camera, but only hand held. Unlikely it would provide usable footage, though maybe brief glimpses. Sometimes that was all it took. Schuster rode in that boat.

Valencio started swimming, remembering to look back at the camera on the end of the pier. The water sodden rope sagged in the water. It had not been a good plan. A matter of endurance merely, Valencio thought, and continued ploughing slowly towards shore.

He'd thought it would be difficult. He hadn't thought it would be quite so difficult. The rope was so heavy, and he didn't want to die with a manacle on. He trod water, and tiredly unstrapped the ankle cuff. That was better, and he resumed the slow progression towards the beach where the waves pounded.

From not far away, the boats tried to stay on station, one not far behind him, one beside him.

He crawled ashore, drooping. What did he have to do next? It must have been Adil, who'd been beating him. He had to pretend he wasn't hurt. He hated the women seeing that he'd been hurt.

He rose to his feet, tried to walk with dignity, tried to pretend that nothing had happened. He went down on his knee, rose and continued walking. Another fall, and again, he pulled himself erect, looked blindly straight ahead, and continued walking.

Norm mouthed, "Keep filming."

Valencio stopped, looked uncertainly around, and collapsed. The camera held on him, and then slowly panned over the angry sea again. The boats could be edited out.

When Schuster finally gave the word, Valencio was pulled up and a blanket wrapped around him. After a while, his shivering subsided, and he said to Schuster, "If you say anything about a second take, I'm going straight home."

Schuster smiled, very slightly, "I think that might do us today."

"Don't send Bill in. It's too much."

"I made a mistake. I won't send Bill in."

Valencio nodded, and pulled the blanket tighter around himself.

For the next week, it was plain sailing. Bill had a few swims, but would only swim a short way when it was rough, and then a boat would pick him up. Schuster had learned his lesson. Vince's exhaustion and faint had not been feigned. He liked it that each time he'd fallen down, he'd risen again, persevering, not giving up. Except the last, and Norm had guessed what he wanted, and had continued filming. Very effective. Allegorical. The courage that would take the young cardinal almost to the top, but then to be destroyed. As Valencio had told David, this was a tragedy.

Most of the footage showing the dawn swims was wasted. To be consistent, the swim had to be late afternoon, now. But Bill was doing a lot of that, as the heavy seas began to subside. There still needed entry into a dead calm sea, and also what happened after his collapse. Schuster was still pondering that problem.

The acting began to be more demanding. Quite often, the trainees watched, quietly inconspicuous. No-one interrupted the actors' concentration. After a few weeks, Valencio began to look a little thinner.

Schuster observed, and was quietly pleased. It was one of the benefits of filming in chronological order as much as possible. By the end of the movie, if the cardinal looked discernibly thin, that was good. The day when the sea was very calm finally arrived, and three times, Valencio walked, relaxed, down to the water's edge, and started swimming out to sea.

Schuster spent an evening reviewing all the film of the swims, and was satisfied. He had enough to make the scene that he envisaged, even if he had had to sacrifice the rising sun. Maybe it had been a bit trite, after all.

No-one bothered Valencio any more, and the escorts he usually had began to seem unnecessary. The altered features of the Cossack were a very effective warning. Valencio became more relaxed about using the gymnasium after a day's work, as well as the swimming pool, finding a little mindless, muscle-stretching exercise to be a good way to unwind.

A month after his return to Hollywood, seven weeks after Jean-Pierre's party, he sat at a table, drink in hand, next to the swimming pool. With him were Dave, Ronny, and Romano. Valencio was relaxing, leaning back in his chair, bare feet up on another, listening to Dave's talk of one of the trainees he fancied. He'd been swimming, as had the others, and none of them were yet dressed, though Romano had a towel over his shoulders.

Romano looked around, and there was a sudden silence. Valencio looked up, slowly put his feet down, and stood.

The Cossack said quietly, "Hello, Vince."

Valencio nodded warily.

Peter asked, "Can I talk to you in private?"

Valencio hesitated, and then walked to another table, where Vojkovik joined him.

"You look different," Valencio observed.

Vojkovik said, "My agent approves. He says the battered look guarantees me as much work as I want."

"No plastic surgery then?"

"No plastic surgery."

"What did you want to say?"

The Cossack shook his head, "I'm not quite sure what I wanted to say." His eyes wandered over Valencio's body, and he shook his head, "I might have paid a price, but I can't quite regret it. It was special for me."

Valencio stood abruptly, and returned to the others, leaving Peter Vojkovik, who hesitated, and then left. Valencio looked after him, and shivered. He could feel the big man's desire for him, and it frightened him. It made him want, as well.

Romano said casually, "All you have to do is watch your drinks if you go to parties. You're in no danger."

Valencio said, "The big scene with Nick tomorrow. How are you going to play it?"

The discussion went into technicalities then, which Dave listened to with respect.

Valencio finally said, "I've got the morning off tomorrow, but I might come in and watch, I think."

Ronny said, "Come for you as usual?"

"Please. I very much appreciate it. Ten o'clock, maybe, as I don't have to get dressed or anything."

"It's an easy job."

Tasha was back late that day, after going to an opera with Stuart. For the first time, she'd been alone with him. For the first time, she understood she was being pursued. She hadn't liked the opera; thought it seemed quite silly in fact. But she very much liked the atmosphere, and the feeling of being a part of a sophisticated audience.

Afterwards, Stuart took her to a French restaurant, a little surprised that she could speak French so easily. Maybe she was not such an ignorant country woman after all. He'd never thought she was stupid, just surprisingly poorly educated. But she was beautiful, with the mature beauty of a full blown rose.

Tasha was very quiet that night, and turned away when Valencio started caressing. Somehow she didn't feel like making love with her husband.

Neil's next report to Narzu-Han, 'He's acting brilliantly. Sometimes, it seems he doesn't even do anything. And yet, it has enormous impact. This film will win awards.'

It was a little difficult to think of anything funny to put in these days. Valencio was concentrating totally, ending each day exhausted, just using the swimming pool and the gymnasium for a while, and being escorted home.

Tasha felt very guilty the first time she was lured into bed with Stuart. Stuart was triumphant. The wife of a film star, who had no idea he'd been cuckolded. She enjoyed it too. Loved it. Luckily there were excellent medications these days. He didn't have the virility of a younger man. He'd have her for a few months, he thought. Let the rumours spread. That Stuart Dorner could still seduce a woman away from her husband.

Two weeks went by. Valencio had a Sunday off, mostly as Schuster was afraid he might just collapse if he continued without a break. Keeping up the tempo was all very well, but it had to have limits.

Valencio smiled at his wife, and said, "A whole day off. What do you want to do?"

Tasha looked away from him, and said, "I've accepted an invitation. Just girls, visiting an Art Gallery and luncheon afterwards."

Valencio looked at her, and said, questioningly, tentatively, "Tasha?"

Tasha stared at the table in front of her.

Valencio stared down as well. Slowly, he asked, "What's his name?"

"Stuart Dorner."

"You've been on his yacht, but always groups, you said."

Tasha nodded. "That's what it was for a long time."

Valencio sighed, "We're babes in the wood, here. Both of us. Prey."

Tasha said, "He loves me."

Valencio asked, "Does he really love you?" Bitterly, "Does anyone genuinely love in this foul city?"

Tasha was abruptly angry. "He loves me, and he wants me to move in with him, and I am!"

Valencio said slowly, painfully, "How about you just wait a while. Have sex with him if you want, but please, Tash, stay with me?"

"I can't. It would not be honest."

Valencio was pleading, "I don't care about honest. I don't care if you have sex with him. But Tash, I can't bear to lose you."

Tasha rose, and said distantly, "It's why I want him. He's sophisticated, and always knows what to do. And he's strong. He's never frightened, or weak. I can rely on him. Whereas you... I cannot rely on you."

She had used the one argument that stopped Valencio's protests. He was weak. He could not protect Tasha, had never been able to protect any of the women. He didn't deserve her.

Tasha decided abruptly that she had to make the break quick and clean. She didn't want to hurt Valencio. She loved Valencio. It was just that she wanted someone to be like a protective father. Like her own father should have been. Her own father who'd not protected her, and didn't even want to know her now she was free. She said with an artificial calm, "You should go out for the day. When you return, I'll have moved out."

Without a word, Valencio rose, pushed his wallet into his pocket, and walked out.

He was still walking three hours later, his face bleak. There were a few sidelong glances, but Son of Satan was a while back now, Aegean Romance had not made a splash, and while Marriage Mart was bigger than expected, it was very English. No-one approached him or tried to molest him.

Meantime, Stuart Dorner concealed his surprise, and hospitably opened his door to Tasha. Maybe it would be quite nice for a month or two. Maybe a cruise, not his own yacht, but a luxury cruise ship. Tasha would like that, and it would be a very public humiliation for McDonald if it was known that his wife was away with someone else. They would have a suite each, and that way, he could continue to enjoy other women if he wanted. It could include Thailand, where the girls were so well trained. Thank goodness for REF injections. No fear of venereal infections in this day and age. He'd make arrangements the following day, and they'd leave as soon as possible. Stuart Dorner was a very rich man, without any work to hinder his plans.

Monday, Jorg rang the doorbell as usual, as he called to pick up Vince.

Vince smiled, and thanked him. They looked after him so well.

Jorg was not surprised that he looked tired and strained. Schuster was working him far too hard. He asked, "Pick up Inge?"

"That would be great."

Hollywood had hurt him, had hurt Tasha, he hoped very much that it was not hurting Inge. No good suggesting she go home and marry Paul. Stay where she'd be safe. He supposed even Loch Lomand didn't make a person really safe from heartbreak. Poor Bernice. Clarence was still alive, not in pain, just slowly, gradually weakening. It was unlikely he could even go home for the funeral, though Inge hoped to.

Valencio listened closely, as he always did, as Schuster explained what was needed for the day's acting. He was well into the last part of the film now, the part where a unique man fought against his destruction. He became Cardinal Richelieu. It was easier than being the man who was so weak he could not hold his wife.

Valencio didn't tell anyone that Tasha had left him. He mentioned to Inge that she was spending a few weeks travelling... But Stuart Dorner boasted, and word spread quickly. Inge gave Valencio a quick hug Friday afternoon, and said, "She'll come back. I know she will."

But Valencio only looked at her, his eyes suddenly wet, and then said a hurried goodbye.

Ronny touched his arm, and said, "Home now, Vince?"

Valencio nodded. "Home." And in the little, empty apartment, he stared at the television, not knowing what he was watching. Instead, he used his escape. Thinking about the cardinal. Thinking about the developments that he needed to show from day to day.

There was a short note from Tasha at the end of the second week. A six month cruise on the French-Canadian ship, Belle Chartreusie, leaving Saturday. Valencio cried then, sobbing a long time into the night.

xchapter endsx