ROLE CHANGE CHAPTER ELEVEN
Maybe it was the intimacy of the previous night that made Ben careless in the morning. He couldn't resist turning to Sara and kissing her hand as he entered the room to join her for their next function; a visit to the Corvaine Academy. Karl's glare was not just irritated but positively malevolent. Karl and David took the opportunity to draw Ben aside as he and Sara waited for the Royal car to collect them.
"Prince Stefan would never have shown such a public display of sentimentality" he snapped, adding:
"The Princess must have been surprised. Kindly do not forget yourself again, Benjamin. I suggest you find some way of explaining your stupid lapse to her."
Ben's temper, usually placid, flared.
"And I suggest that you should have chosen somebody for this – this assignment who had no heart!"
He bowed exaggeratedly, turned on his heel and went to stand beside Sara. He wondered if there would be repercussions because of his words, but Karl did not mention the incident again.
David, however, had a quiet word with him.
"You need to be more careful, my friend. I know you've begun to care for her, but it will hurt less when you finally have to part unless you can-"
"-Can what? Control feelings? Just switch them off?"
David didn't reprimand Ben, but said evenly:
"At least try to keep within character in public, Ben. You're doing so well, Karl may not say so, but I am proud of you."
"Thank you. And I will keep my wits about me a little more."
David patted Ben's shoulder. He knew how painful it would be for Ben when he took his last and final trip home.
Ethan confronted Cal, hands on hips which put Cal in mind of Dylan Keogh.
"You've done it again haven't you?"
"What, Nibbles?"
"Hidden stuff from me."
He waved the travel brochure in Cal's face.
It stated "Romantic Valentine Getaways, weekends or longer. Page 24."
"Unless you're a very warped guy, Cal, I don't think it's me you were planning to take away for the weekend. So is this another scheme you were going to abandon?"
"Ethan, I can't abandon you for a weekend. You're doing great but I still don't feel I can leave you alone for so long."
"I won't be alone all the time. You can ring Sue. It's work for her."
Cal turned his back on him and began to read the new crime thriller he'd treated himself to. Ethan, however, was not to be swayed and sang "Runaround Sue" in a squeaky voice until Cal reluctantly made the call, which he made from the privacy of the kitchen.
He came out looking unhappy.
"No luck? Sorry, Cal."
"Oh she's happy to come. I'm just still not sure…" Cal sighed, adding:
"Maybe Sophia won't be free for that weekend anyway."
"You phone her and ask her now. I have a whole catalogue of early sixties songs that I can sing to you till you change your mind."
Cal practically ran into the kitchen with his phone.
"Paris!"
Cal was left in no doubt how Sophia felt about the break. Her eyes were shining. Then she said:
"And Ethan's really up for it?"
"He's been torturing me with sixties songs until I gave in and phoned you. Believe me, once you've heard my little brother singing "Johnny Remember Me" you've not known what fear is."
"Cal?"
"Yes?" he was anxious that she was about to change her mind.
"I'll gladly pay my own way for this bit because it's expensive, but please could we go to the Moulin Rouge?"
"On the agenda, and you, Madam, are to keep your money for shopping."
He could always bite a little bit more into the overdraft. Sophia, however, was no Taylor.
"Cal, I think you're brilliant, you know that. But I'd not enjoy this break if I didn't contribute. Cal, I don't need fancy holidays to make me happy, although I'll draw the line at this one, because it sounds wonderful. But… if you ever feel like just spending an evening in front of the TV or taking a walk, I'd consider that having a good time, too."
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. She was something else, this lady.
Sue arrived well before the taxi to take Cal and Sophia to the station for their Eurostar connection was due to come, which made them both feel easier about leaving Ethan.
"That guy who's taking over from me for a week knows what he's doing" Sophia reassured Ethan, "He knows not to force you into doing anything you can't manage."
"Stop fretting and enjoy your holiday. Bring me back something nice to eat."
Ethan sounded more confident than he felt, if truth be known. He wanted Cal and Sophia to have this break, they both deserved it. Inside, however, he felt a little scared. Sue he felt safe with, but wondered about the new gym instructor.
Pete, the temporary mini bus driver, increased Ethan's confidence; he helped him up the steps carefully and made sure he was seated comfortably before driving away. Sue had promised she'd be there when the bus got back again, and all seemed well, apart from two rather inappropriate comments from Denise about what she expected Cal and Sophia to be getting up to in Paris. Ethan dismissed these with a small grin rather than becoming rattled, but he wasn't impressed.
On the other hand, he was more than impressed with Denise when they walked into the reception area, and Glen, the temporary instructor, introduced himself.
"Ethan hasn't got to do anything that might hurt his back" she announced somewhat pompously.
"Don't worry, sweet pea, I know what I'm doing" Glen told her.
"You don't use this machine, then?" Glen said, sounding surprised.
"Sophia thought it was better to be careful, but she says I can try it for a short time when my back's healed altogether."
"Hmm, I think she's wrong there. I reckon this could do you good, Ethan."
Ethan smiled but the smile was a little steely.
"I'd rather wait till she tells me it's okay."
"Come on Ethan, I hope you're not the sort of member who gets babyish and kicks off if they can't have their favourite instructor!"
Glen was becoming annoyed; he'd been told that if he did well in his temporary week there was a chance of promotion. Now this little weakling was sabotaging his efforts.
"Not at all" Ethan replied, still staying polite, "Just being cautious."
"Look, I'll seat you properly, and then you can do just two repetitions for me to see if you like it, I can't say fairer than that, can I? Come on, people are queueing here."
Glen didn't say 'it's not all about you' but his tone implied it.
Sighing, Ethan let Glen seat him.
"He's not supposed to-"
Glen turned round sharply.
"Stop pushing for attention, please, Denise. Don't you have your own programme to work through?"
Denise, feeling crushed, got on with her regime.
"Now, how does this weight feel?"
"Okay."
"Hmm… maybe just increase it a little, then. There we go."
Ethan tried the exercise and gave a sharp gasp.
"I'd like to leave this one out, please."
"Oh, for… all right, then. We'll stick to what you know. Get yourself out of there."
As Ethan moved from the machine, he felt a twinge in his back which made him bend double.
He tried to straighten himself but just gave a cry of pain, then the colour drained from his face and he clenched his teeth.
"I told you!" Denise said ominously.
While Cal and Sophia were dining on their luxury barge as it travelled down the Seine, Ethan was being rushed to Holby General's Accident and Emergency department.