ROLE CHANGE CHAPTER TEN
Ethan looked like a small boy on a night out as the curtain rose. Thanks to his brace and a small cushion, he was completely comfortable in his seat, and because Mark had chosen carefully, was able to feel comfortable without blocking anybody's view.
Cal had to discipline himself not to say, or worse, shout "wow!" aloud when Sophia strutted on as the Prince. He gave Ethan a discreet glance and saw how much he was enjoying himself; the Ethan before the accident would have turned up his nose at pantomime. Now there he was, shouting insults to the ugly sisters with the rest of the audience, joining in all the songs and almost cooing every time the small children in the show performed a number. The company, amateur though they were, had managed to acquire a pony to pull Cinderella's coach at the end of the first act. Fortunately for the pony, Sophia's friend Kirsten, who had the title role, was small and slim. Mark, whose voice was probably the best in the company, did justice to a One Direction hit as he flirted with the dancers.
"I think Ben would have loved being in something like this" Cal said in the crowded bar during the interval.
"Oh he would. I still wonder what it was that made him travel abroad for all this time."
"You might find out later this week" Ethan said casually, "I've had a text from him to say he's back over here."
"You could have said." Cal sounded just a little miffed.
"I only just got the message as the lights were going down."
"Fair enough. They all look good, don't they?"
Ethan knew he meant Sophia and he felt a pang. He hoped there'd be a chance to find a girl who would understand that he couldn't take her dancing or any other activity that was too strenuous. Whereas he was grateful for the way his back was healing with, apparently, no complications, he did wonder how on earth he'd get back into the social scene.
"That was a great night out" Cal said as he walked Sophia to her door.
"It was good to see Ethan enjoying himself like that. Cal… don't think I'm being pushy but… have you ever thought about compensation for Ethan? I'm sure he'd have a good case."
"I'll have a word with him about it" Cal said… then abruptly broke off.
"Cal?"
Cal pointed into the sky.
No, he hadn't imagined it. There it was, visible against the dark blue.
"A bat!" Sophia beamed at the unexpected sight.
Cal couldn't resist kissing her, and she happily responded.
Ethan gave them five minutes.
"Hey, Romeo and Juliet, some of us would like help with getting to the toilet. Remember it's cold out here."
They broke apart, laughing.
Cal felt an inner contentment that was suddenly ruined by the thought that Ethan needed somebody in his life, and not just a brother. But what could he do about it? Send him out speed-dating, for goodness sake?
Ben walked into the familiar pub, smiling at the corny Christmas decorations and the excruciating Karaoke. Seeing Dylan, he walked over, hoping to surprise him with a hug. Dylan had noticed him and turned round, his face cold, his words cutting.
"Oh so His Lordship is back from wherever he's been, is he?"
Ben didn't expect many words, but was shocked at the hostility in Dylan's voice.
"For a time…"
"For a time. Of course. You couldn't even be bothered to tell us where you'd been, just a poxy text to me telling me you're back."
"It's boring really…"
"Hmm. If it's so boring, Ben, why can't you tell us about it?"
"It's just something I can't discuss."
"And it's abroad?"
"Yes, but that's as much…"
"Ben, you stupid little sod, it had better not be drugs because they can execute you in some countries for that!"
Ben, torn between taking offense and being amused, settled for amusement.
"I can assure you I wouldn't touch drugs with a bargepole!"
Dylan thawed slightly.
"Look, in time I will be able to tell you what happened. Trust me, please."
Dylan gave him an awkward hug.
"I'll trust you for now, cretin."
Even Max and Robyn had to accept that Ben wasn't giving anything away. Max, like Dylan, wondered if Ben was in some kind of trouble, while Robyn, always the optimist, took a different view.
"I think he's got a big surprise for us. He's been training for something and he's going to surprise us all next year."
One part of her theory was correct.
"Cal, you need to come away from that computer, you've been on it nearly all day. You'll be bog-eyed and have a worse back than I do!"
"I just want to find you a good compensation service, Nibbles. Not one of these that promise you the earth and then have a laundry list of get-out clauses."
"Well, fine, but give yourself a rest, for goodness sake. Look, I'll go and make us a couple of drinks…"
Cal logged out as fast as if he'd been caught by the police trawling pornographic websites.
"Oh no, Ethan. I'm not having you struggling with two hot drinks and falling over and scalding yourself. I'll take a break. But I promise you, I'm going to look for the best I can find."
"How are your savings holding up, Cal?"
Cal sighed. His savings had taken a severe dip recently but he'd tried to keep this from Ethan.
"Bit less in the kitty than last year. But when you get all your lovely compensation you can give me something back."
Ethan's smile was a little twisted. Cal received carer's allowance but this just about paid for their basic needs such as flat rental. If they'd both still been working, the kitty would have been a fat one. He realized that his fun-loving, irresponsible brother had changed so much over the past few months and felt a lump coming into his throat.
"Well don't just stand around. Get into that kitchen and make us drinks and sandwiches. And I don't want one of those skinny little wraps round my cheese, I want Ciabatta."
"Greedy little sod."
Cal hurried into the kitchen, and got busy. It was the only way he could keep the anxiety in his face away from Ethan; he knew how lonely his younger brother must feel sometimes and it hurt him. And, sooner or later, Cal would need to find himself a job. How would that fit in with caring for Ethan?
Ben took the train from Paris on a freezing day in early January. Much as he loved Sara and wanted to be with her, he would miss the banter with Robyn and Max, and Dylan's snarky comments for a while. He'd even had to invent a story for the New Year's celebrations, as to why he'd stopped drinking anything alcoholic. It would have been disastrous if he'd got off his face and blurted out all the details about his 'gap' year.
It was all worth it when he parroted Stefan's arrogant stride and walked into the bedroom, telling the servants he wanted to be alone with his wife. Sara ran over to him, wrapped her arms round him and covered his face with kisses.
He was about to respond when she guided his hand to her round little belly. He understood, and tears of joy came into his eyes.
"Our baby" he whispered.
She smiled, then looked like a lost child.
"And this is the countdown, my Ben, to our being separated for ever. Once I have the baby and it is a son, they can announce Stefan's death and you will leave me."
"At least another year for us" he reassured her, kissing and stroking her to calm her, "And I'll take such care of you all the time."
She tried to smile but the thought of his leaving her for good still hurt too much.
"It's a long time till next year" Ben told her, and carried her to the bed.
"Let's pray for a little daughter", he whispered.