ROLE CHANGE CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Ben was determined to have time alone with Sara and the baby, and to hell with the consequences later.
"Leave us!" he snapped at the servants.
They bowed and left the room, though he knew they were stationed outside, which is why he did his best to keep his voice down.
"He's gorgeous" he whispered, and sat on the bed, while Sara held the baby out towards him. He put out his finger and the baby gripped with surprising tenacity. It was from the moment that Ben was caught by the heart.
"What do we have to call him?" he whispered with a little ironic grin.
Sara smiled back, understanding.
"He is to be called Alexander Stefan Marcus."
"Alex" Ben whispered, "When we're alone, he's Alex. Is that okay?"
"That is fine, Ben."
He kissed the soft little forehead.
"Love you, Alex."
Then he sighed.
"Shall we let the circus in?"
Sara grinned and nodded.
"You are needed!" snapped Ben, through the door.
He turned as quickly as he could to wink at Sara.
It was only afterwards that the full impact of what Alex's birth meant. His return from his next trip abroad would be the last time he ever saw Sara. But how could he hate his son?
"Bad news, Cal. I know we wanted more time together but I've volunteered for the panto again this year."
"What's this year's?" Cal asked, trying not to feel unhappy at the thought of even less hours with Sophia, "The cut price version of Puss in Boots – 'Puss in Superdrug? Or the one about bent politicians – 'Bribes in the Wood'? Or the oriental version of Peter Pan – 'Peter Wok'?
"Stop that, or I'll tickle you where I know it drives you crazy. We're doing Sleeping Beauty this year. The producer wants me to try for Princess Aurora. If I pass the audition that means we'd need a Principal Boy. One who's taller than I am. Do you sing at all, Cal?"
He grinned at her, then realised she wasn't joking.
"My singing voice is average but, without being a smug bugger, I don't dance too badly."
"Great! Panto can work round things like that. As long as you can keep up a duet with me twice in the show, and can act a little, you're in."
"Well because I'm retraining my hours are regular, but that would only be a problem if rehearsals were in the day. And I would get leave."
"I'll ring Mark and tell him we've got a Prince Edward."
"Not Philip?"
"No, Aurora's the only concession our show's making to Disney."
"Hey" Cal replied pleasantly but seriously, "There's somebody else to consider."
It was a shame, he thought, that Ben wasn't going to be home in time to be considered for the role; it was right up Ben's street. Goodness knew where Ben was at the moment or what he was even up to.
"Know that panto the gym put on last year?"
"Yeah, it was good. THIS is good!"
Ethan was enjoying his cheese soufflé. Cal had deliberately cooked his brother's favourite meal to ease him into a better mood, although Ethan seemed quite cheerful. Maybe because Liza had an update for him and a meeting had been arranged for the next week.
"I've been roped in to play a part."
"You? What is it, back end of the panto horse? You'd be good at that."
"Cheeky sod. As a matter of fact it's Prince Edward himself."
"Snow White" said Ethan in triumph, "The last version of Snow White I saw, the Prince was called Edward."
"Well, as it happens you're wrong, because it's Sleeping Beauty."
"They'll not need to put any ageing make-up on you for the scene that's set a hundred years later" Ethan sniggered, adding: "If there's any more of this left…"
"There is, but it's my half! You've not kicked off; you do know I'll be out a lot at night?"
"More TV choice for me."
"And we'll have to hire Sue to take you to any appointments."
"I like Sue, and she knows that all our trips have to end in the coffee shop."
"Where's my brother and what have you done with him?"
Although Cal knew the answer. Ethan was a positive ray of sunshine lately thanks to Liza.
The unpleasant thought suddenly struck him – what if Liza didn't fancy Ethan? She could even be gay for all they both knew.
Ethan was a demanding little bugger but Cal didn't want to see him with a broken heart.
Liza smiled at Ethan.
"So it's not as slow a process as you expected. Happy?"
Ethan grinned.
"Very, thank you. Seriously, it was all a bit of a nightmare. I never thought I'd leave the house again at one point."
Liza's eyes were sympathetic.
"You've made great progress but we'll not highlight that bit too much, we're wanting compensation here. But you're getting out and about more?"
Her question sounded more curious than businesslike.
"Oh, quite a bit, thanks. In fact, my brother's volunteered himself to be in the panto that our local Health Group puts on every year."
"Brilliant. Will you be going?"
Ethan seized his chance.
"I will, and I'm also trying to sell tickets for the show. It's on the week commencing the 14th of December. I… I don't suppose you'd be interested in coming along with me on the opening night?"
The smile left Liza's face.
She doesn't fancy me. I should have kept my big mouth shut. Why do I have to be such a gobby, thought Ethan.
"Ethan, the job won't allow me to date somebody whose case I'm involved with. 'Conflict of Interests' and all that tripe."
"Sorry, forget I brought it up" he said, hoping he didn't sound as huffy as he thought he might.
"There's only one way round it" Liza continued.
He looked at her.
"You've met Jon, my colleague, the one I'm mentoring. Now if I were to let him take over your case, how would you feel?"
A year ago, Ethan would have accused Liza of abandoning him for something less efficient, and would have been none too polite about it. He said gently:
"But wouldn't that mean you'd lose out on the fee?"
"I've another assignment I've been considering. I could start work on that straight away… and some things are worth more than a fee."
Ethan was stunned.
Finally, fate was working with him. The interim fee he'd received. Now this lovely girl more interested in dating him than making money from his case.
"In that case, it's panto time for us soon."
He just wished that it had been Cal who'd be picking him up after this interview. He wanted to show off a bit about his hot date. Never mind, Sue was a good listener.
"So dear Mr Chiltern can be shipped back home again on December 12th, then he can return in late January for the final time."
Karl's tight smile conveyed the pleasure he found in talking about Ben's imminent departure.
"Not much longer to keep him from hearing anything that's going to cause him stress."
"True."
"It's nothing serious yet, David. A couple of riots, the threat of a general strike in the New Year. It won't touch the Royal Family. Which is as well because Chiltern's stupid enough to start taking the people's side and opening his mouth in an interview."
"Give him a chance, Karl. He's done everything we've asked of him. Just let him enjoy being the adoring husband and father before it's snatched from him for good."