Page 23

Chapter Eighteen

OCTOBER 2087

Alex

George Tyler lived on an impressive private island near Lewes in East Sussex. Alex drove his duck nervously across a narrow lost zone to reach it, wondering what to expect from his appointment with his father’s old enemy.

He exited the water onto a wide, tree-lined drive that led to the huge house where Tyler lived. Suddenly, he was aware that George Tyler was a richer man, by far, than his father.

The Lighthouse was a modern, tasteful blend of vast windows and white walls, expensive and majestic, so unlike the faded Pre-R charms of The Orchard.

When he drew up, an IS appeared immediately to open the door of his duck. It was raining, and another IS materialised, as if by magic, to hold an umbrella over his head and escort him inside.

Both servants were wearing the Tyler livery of tailored black trousers and black shirts with silver ID tags pinned to their chests. They looked smart and well groomed, and they were effortlessly efficient, in sharp contrast to the shambolic jostling that took place amongst Noah’s ISs whenever there were visitors.

He was shown into a large room with floor-to-ceiling windows that showcased beautiful views over the green island .

George Tyler was sitting on a huge white leather sofa, reading, but he stood up immediately when Alex entered. He was wearing an expensively cut red shirt over a pair of plain black chinos, and Alex noticed how lean and toned he was.

Although he was the same age as his father, Tyler’s energy and dynamism made him look ten years younger; he hadn’t sunk into stuffy middle age like Noah, with his old-fashioned views, dull business suits, and comfortable paunch. Tyler knew how to create the image he wanted to present, and that was a talent Alex appreciated.

He was struck again by how sexy Tyler was. Maybe it was the aura of power and authority he exuded, or the expression of wry good humour in his brown eyes, but there was something dazzling about him.

He shot him a seductive look from under his eyelashes, the way he always did when he found someone attractive – he couldn’t help himself.

Tyler shook his hand warmly, with an amused smile; he knew precisely the effect he was having.

“You’re welcome here, Alexander,” he said. “Although it’s a bit bloody weird – I never thought a Lytton would ever set foot on Tyler land.”

“To be honest, sir, I’m not entirely sure what went on between your family and mine,” Alex said. “I mean, I know something happened, but my father doesn’t really talk about it.”

“Well, why should he? It’s all in the past, long forgotten.”

“I’m not sure he’s forgotten.” Alex knew Noah would hit the roof if he found out his son was in his enemy’s house with the intention of asking for investment in his designs. “He says my grandfather put you through Oxford, and you repaid his generosity by setting up your own rival company,” he blurted, feeling gauche beside this sophisticated man. “He also says you bad-mouth Lytton AV all the time.”

Tyler shot him a shrewd smile. “Is that so? Well, you’re a clever boy; I’m sure you know there are two sides to every story.”

“Yes, sir – and I’m interested in hearing yours.”

“Good, because I’ll be happy to tell it – over a round of golf.”

Alex blinked. “Golf? ”

“Most of this island used to be a golf course, Pre-Rising. That’s partly why I bought it – I like the game, and the idea of having my own personal links appealed to me.”

He grabbed a black cashmere sweater from the back of the couch. “It’s finally stopped raining – why don’t we go outside and play a round? I do my best work on the greens.”

Two IS caddies appeared, apparently from nowhere, each of them carrying a large bag of clubs.

Alex had only played the game on a handful of occasions, but that didn’t matter as Tyler showed him how to stand and which club to choose.

“Solange has told me many good things about you. How did you two come to meet?” Tyler asked as they walked around the course.

“Well, I was doing a business degree, but I liked hanging out with the art students better, and one day she just walked into the bar where we were drinking.” Alex grinned. “I had no idea she was your goddaughter.”

“She’s very special to me.” Tyler gave a fond smile. “Her parents were good friends of mine. I stepped in to look after her when they died and made sure she received the education they’d wanted for her.”

“She told me that. She’s very grateful to you, sir.” Alex was sure his father was wrong about this man; George Tyler had been a loyal friend to both Solange and her parents.

“Now, in answer to your question…” Tyler placed his golf ball on the tee and gazed down the green thoughtfully. “Your family and mine obviously have a long and complicated history. As I mentioned last time we met, I grew up at The Orchard and have some great memories of it. Did you know your father and I were best friends throughout our childhood?”

Alex frowned. “No, sir – I didn’t know that.”

“My mother was the housekeeper at The Orchard, and, as you know, my father was the head designer at Lytton AV. This was back before Lytton Village had been constructed. My parents lived in a couple of rooms in the attic at The Orchard.”

Alex knew the rooms, although Mrs Tyler had lived in them alone when he was a child .

“Noah and I were the same age, and that house was a fantastic place for kids to play, with all those long hallways and musty old rooms – as you must know,” Tyler continued.

“My father died when I was eighteen, and your grandfather was kind enough to put me through Oxford. I received a wonderful education, but there was an expectation that I’d join Lytton AV as an indentured servant when I left; that’s when your father and I fell out.”

“You didn’t want to join the company?”

“I didn’t want to be his servant. I didn’t want to be anyone’s servant.”

Tyler raised his club and took a swing at the ball. It curved elegantly into the distance, landing on the green a few yards from the hole.

“Good shot,” Alex said admiringly.

“It’s my own personal course, so I get a lot of practice,” Tyler replied dismissively.

“Your dad and I shared rooms and went out drinking together at Oxford. We were inseparable, so when he offered me an IS contract, well, I admit I was insulted. I thought we were friends, but he wanted me to serve him? I found that offensive.” His dark eyes flared with distaste.

“Some would have viewed it as an opportunity – a kindness. If you had no money, no job, and no place to live.” Alex placed his ball on the tee. “Lots of people are desperate to escape the Quarterlands and the government camps. For them, being an IS offers hope and opportunity.” He felt like he was parroting his father; he’d never given it much thought.

Tyler shrugged. “Well, I didn’t view it that way.”

“Why didn’t my father offer to take you on as an employee if you refused to become his IS?” Alex asked, eyeing up his shot.

“He did, eventually. You see, Noah believed it was our destiny to form the next great Lytton–Tyler collaboration and take the Lytton family firm to even greater heights. There was just one problem.”

Tyler stood behind Alex and placed his hands over his, showing him how to swing at the ball. Alex felt the firm contours of Tyler’s hard chest pressing against his back and the welcome warmth of his body on a cool day .

Tyler stepped back, and he took the shot, sending the ball choppily into the air. It landed in the rough, a short distance from the green.

“Not bad for a beginner.” Tyler patted his shoulder reassuringly.

“You said there was a problem?” Alex asked as they walked towards the green.

“Yes, there was – and it’s called ambition.” Tyler gave a rueful smile. “Your father and I both dreamed of achieving great things. The problem was, I wanted my own company, and Noah wanted me to work for his. Now, he’s your father, so I don’t want to put him down…”

Alex shrugged, feeling more than happy to hear negative stories about his father.

“He’s not a bad man, but I felt he was one of limited vision. In short, Alexander, I thought he’d hold me back. As you can see…” Tyler gestured at the luxurious expanse of his private island. “I was right. I wanted to make it on my own, and I have. Your father is bitter, but I paid back every penny your grandfather spent on my education, plus interest.”

“You own a rival AV company, though. I think that’s what stings,” Alex pointed out.

Tyler shook his head. “AVs are in my blood, but actually, Aquacruise is a small part of a much bigger operation. Tyler Tech is a global organisation, and I’m interested in many different technologies, not just ducks.”

“I know. You started out designing a range of mechanical moving parts that earned you enough cash to go on to bigger and better things, and you’re one of the leading investors in the new floating city technology,” Alex said as they reached his ball.

Tyler gave an appreciative grunt. “You’ve done your homework.”

“I wanted to know who I might be doing business with.”

The other man nodded approvingly. “Well, unlike your father, I don’t have all my eggs in one basket. My business is much bigger and more diversified. That’s why I have my own island and all the many good things I’ve earned, whereas he…” Tyler trailed off with a wince. “My apologies – but I hear Lytton AV isn’t doing so well these days.”

Alex shrugged. “Not as well as it could be doing if…” He bit back the rest of that sentence, feeling disloyal .

“If your father was a man of vision – as I am, and as, I suspect, you are, too.” Tyler shot Alex a shrewd look. “Solange tells me you’re a talented designer.”

“I am, but my father doesn’t see it.” Alex couldn’t keep the bitterness out of his voice. “I have all these ideas, but he’s holding me back. I’ve been prepared to work my way up, to start at the bottom, but he’s wasting me. He treats me like a child – he can’t see that I’ve grown up, and I’m ready to contribute. He doesn’t care how good my ideas are. He’s stuck in the past.”

He swung his club forcefully at the ball and it lurched clumsily into the air, landing with a plop on a sandbank.

Tyler gave him a sympathetic pat on the arm. “I’m not surprised. I never found your father to be open-minded – or a good businessman. Take his over-dependence on IS labour – I understand why your grandfather found it useful, straight after the Rising, to employ people in his factories instead of tech. Back then, supply lines were shot to pieces, nobody had the cash for investment in robot tech, and labour was both plentiful and cheap… but now?” He gave a wry chuckle.

“He thinks it’s his civic duty to employ humans over tech,” Alex sighed. “So he can provide jobs and save people from the Quarterlands.”

“Like I said, not a good businessman.” Tyler snorted. He shot him an assessing look. “When I look at you, I see myself when I was your age. You have vision and drive, and you’re not averse to taking a risk.”

They reached Tyler’s ball, and he glanced at Alex. “I bet you ten thousand quid that I can sink this fucker with one putt. You on?”

“Ten thousand?”

Tyler grinned. “I’m a gambling man, Alex. You don’t get where I am without putting your money on the occasional risky bet along the way. But maybe the stakes are too high – want to make it five thousand?”

“No – let’s make it twenty,” Alex said boldly.

Tyler chuckled. “I knew I liked you.”

They shook hands, and he lined up the shot and tapped the ball. They watched as it trickled slowly towards the hole and then circled it – once, twice… before sitting on the edge, unmoving.

“Bloody ball!” Tyler laughed, reaching into his pocket to remove his wallet. “Ah, well – you win some, you lose some.” Sighing regretfully, he stacked a cash card with ￡20,000 and handed it over.

It was refreshing to meet a businessman so unlike his father. It didn’t hurt that Tyler was also extremely attractive. Alex wondered who shared his private life. He wasn’t married, but Alex didn’t get a gay vibe from him. Maybe he was bisexual – that would give them something else in common.

“As for your father’s complaint about me bad-mouthing Lytton AV,” Tyler said as they continued playing. “Well, it’s true that some of our ad campaigns have been a little on the nose, but I’m a competitor, and I play to win. I’ve never said anything about Lytton AV that isn’t true, but he seems to think that some kind of gentlemen’s agreement should exist between us because of our shared history. I disagree, but then I’m not exactly a gentleman.” He gave a sly grin.

Alex had never met anyone as refreshingly honest, direct, and irreverent as George Tyler, and he liked it. The older man raised an eyebrow, and Alex burst out laughing. Wrapping an arm around his shoulders, Tyler joined in.

“You know, I really do like you, Alexander,” he said, and his expression changed in an instant, becoming brisk. “So, now I’ve established you’re someone I can do business with – it’s time for you to show me what you came here for. Let’s see these designs of yours.”

Alex was startled by the sudden change of subject. “What about the golf?”

“Sod the golf – we have business to discuss.”

Tyler threw his club at his caddie and strode back towards the house. Alex ran after him, feeling even more nervous now than when he’d arrived. He believed in his designs, but he liked this man and wanted to impress him; it would break his heart if Tyler rejected them.

Tyler led him into his study, a massive room with screens covering every wall. He clicked his fingers impatiently, and Alex scrabbled to open his nanopad and ping over the designs. They appeared instantly on the screens.

“Talk me through your ideas,” Tyler ordered, striding around the room .

Alex’s nerves disappeared the instant he opened his mouth; he loved talking about his designs.

“It’s a new idea – I know it’ll be expensive to develop and produce initially, because it’s such a departure, but I’m convinced it’s what people want. As you know, the basic design of ducks hasn’t changed in years. They’re watertight and functional. The engines have improved enormously, so they don’t conk out, leaving you stranded in the water anymore, but they still sit on it like… well, ducks.”

Tyler put his head on one side thoughtfully as he examined the drawings. “Solange calls your designs ‘flying ducks’ – but they don’t fly, do they?”

“No!” Alex laughed. “They skim above the surface of the water, unlike a conventional duck which chugs through it. My design is faster and sleeker. Ducks can be beautiful as well as efficient – they don’t have to look so ugly.”

“Interesting. We investigated hovercraft tech a while ago, but we couldn’t make it work effectively on our existing roads as well as on water. What makes you think this is any better?”

“I’m good.” Alex grinned.

“And modest.” Tyler laughed.

He moved energetically between the screens, firing off questions, all of which Alex managed to answer.

“Your designs are excellent,” Tyler proclaimed finally. “Much better than I expected, to be honest. When Solange first suggested meeting you, I did wonder if it’d be a waste of time. I thought that maybe you were a spoilt little rich kid, playing at all this.”

“I’m not.”

“Why did you take a business degree and not art or design?”

“Because my father made me. I used my time at Oxford to study what I was really interested in, though.”

“I like that. I like that you’re engaged and passionate, but these are a risk.” Tyler flicked his hand at the screens. “They’ll be expensive to produce, initially, and they might not sell.”

“But you like to take risks, sir,” Alex pointed out, with a wink.

Tyler laughed. “That’s true. So, your father wasn’t interested in your designs? ”

“No, he barely looked at them. He’s only interested in developing the Lytton Classic. It’s all more of the same for him.”

“Well, your vision is bold, and your father has no appetite for risk. He never did.”

“And like you said, you do…” Alex held his breath.

“Yes, but I think it’s only fair that the risk be shared, don’t you? I always think people work better when they have a little something at stake.” Tyler turned back towards him, stroking his jaw musingly.

“What did you have in mind, sir?”

“This: I’ll give you an initial investment to develop a full working prototype in one of my workshops. I’ll let you have my best people and tech, and you’ll have six months to complete it. You’ll lead the project, oversee the budget, and bring it in on time. I won’t share this project with any other investor, so if your intention was to pool a team of investors, then count me out; I want exclusive ownership – shared with you, of course.” He glanced at Alex sharply. “In six months’ time, if you can provide me with a viable AV that lives up to the promise of these designs, then I’ll pay you a handsome bonus and bring you into my company as a consultant to put it into production – we’ll take equal shares of the profits. However, if you can’t make your designs work, then we’ll call it quits – I’ll write off my investment, but retain the product and all the intellectual property.”

Alex stared at him uncertainly; this wasn’t what he’d anticipated. “I don’t know. I had thought we could go into a business partnership together, sir. That maybe if I set up a company then you could be a partner in it and invest in the designs that way,” he explained.

“You’d provide the designs while I stump up the money, and we’d build a new business together?” Tyler gave an amused grunt. “Sounds similar to what your grandfather and my father did after the Rising, only the other way around.”

“I hadn’t thought of it that way, but yes, I suppose so.”

“The difference is I already have a company – several, in fact – and I don’t want any more. This is my deal – take it or leave it.”

“Wouldn’t it be safer if you gave me a smaller investment, and I work up the concept in my spare time? Then you can decide whether to proceed from there?” Alex suggested .

“Safe? Is that how you want to play it?” Tyler snorted. “I’m disappointed in you. I thought you had more belief in your designs.”

“But I’d have to quit my job, turn my back on the family business, and if I can’t make it work then I’m left with nothing – and I’ll even lose my designs. Dad might not take me back.”

Tyler shrugged. “Like I said, it’s a risk for both of us. I stand to lose my investment, and you stand to lose your inheritance at Lytton AV. Listen…” He put his arm around Alex’s shoulder again and spoke to him in a low, rapid tone.

“I think you’re ready for this, but you’ve never known true hunger in your life. Everything has always been safe and comfortable for you. You’ve never taken risks – you’ve never had to. When your father offered me a job at Lytton AV all those years ago, I could have accepted. It was the safe option, the easy option. I had no money, no job, and no place to live, and he was offering me all those things. I turned him down, because I knew I had to be my own man. You’ll understand that because it’s how you feel, too. Tell him that. Tell him that you need to be who you are – you need to be this.” Tyler waved his hand at the designs.

Alex felt a wave of excitement. Tyler was right – this was who he was and what he wanted. He was tired of doing things his father’s way, of the grinding tedium of working at Lytton AV, and the feeling he was going nowhere.

However, he felt a pang of guilt when he thought of his father. Noah wouldn’t take his defection well, especially given it was George Tyler he was defecting to.

“You can be your own man, too, like me,” Tyler told him, squeezing his shoulder firmly. “But you have to make sacrifices, and you have to take risks, Alexander.”

“Alex.” He held out his hand, feeling reckless. “That’s what you should call me if we’re going to do business together.”

Tyler gave a delighted grin and gripped his hand, pumping it up and down.

“I’ll get the paperwork drawn up this afternoon. You know, I have a good feeling about this. A Lytton and a Tyler working together again, after all this time? It’s going to be bloody brilliant. We’ll make a great team, Alex.”