2013

Joe knocked on the door of the groundkeeper's hut. His results envelope was enclosed in his hand. Graham opened the door and looked inscrutably at him before standing back to let him in.

Joe shuffled inside and sat down at the table where they usually played chess.

"Well?" said Graham, pulling out a chair to sit beside him.

Joe silently handed him the torn envelope. Graham opened it and scanned the page within.

"An A in art, a B in history and an A in economics." A smile spread across Graham's face. "These are great results, Joe."

"I was hoping for three As." Joe sounded sulky.

"You're not seriously disappointed?" Graham looked at him. "I thought you weren't planning to go to university anyway?"

"I'm not." Joe thought of his inheritance from his father, which Zoe, or her lawyers, had transferred into his bank account on his eighteenth birthday.

"Well, then."

"It just would have been nice to have a hat trick, that's all." Joe reached for the envelope, crumpling it and putting it in his jacket pocket.

"You can always retake that exam if you're not happy."

"Nah." He shrugged. "Why do I need to know about Roman history anyway? It's, well, ancient history."

"You should be proud of your results," Graham told him. "Your Aunt Zoe will be delighted." He thought of all the times Joe had come close to being expelled.

"Yeah." Joe finally smiled. "I'm going back to New Zealand in a week. Just for a break."

"Have you told Zoe yet? About your results?"

"No. You're the first person I've told."

Graham looked like he was suppressing a look of pride.

"So what will you do now?" he asked.

"That's the other thing I wanted to show you." Joe drew another piece of paper out of his pocket, unfolded it and handed it to Graham.

"Waterhouse International," Graham read off the letterhead at the top of the page. "What's that?"

"It's my new company." Joe sounded jubilant. "I just registered it."

"A company for what?"

"Ahh." Joe hesitated. "I haven't worked out all the details yet. I was hoping you could help me."

"Me?" Graham looked up.

"I was hoping you'd be my... associate. Business advisor. We'll think of a cool job title."

"If this is a pity offer..." Graham put the piece of paper down.

"It's not." Joe sounded genuinely shocked. "I need you. I wouldn't have got through the last few years without you."

Graham could hear the sincerity in his voice. "So what, you want me to quit my job here? Come and work for you?"

"Why not? You're clearly wasted here."

Graham hesitated. "I'm... unreliable, Joe."

"You haven't touched alcohol for months," Joe pointed out bluntly.

"That doesn't mean I don't want to."

"I know." Joe nodded. "But if Auntie Zoe can run a business with all her problems..."

Graham acknowledged this with a nod.

"Just think about it, okay? The offer's there if you want it."

"OK." Graham nodded as he went to put the kettle on. Joe automatically pulled out the chess board from under the table.

"Where is this business going to be based, anyway?" Graham asked as he put the teapot on the table.

Joe smiled in a cryptic manner. "I was thinking Yorkshire."