Page 88 of Darling

Gael is swimming quickly and smoothly through the neon blue, powerful strokes propelling him towards the far end of the medium-sized pool away from me. I’m not sure he’ll see me stood here since his stroke means his head barely rises from the water as he sucks in air. But he stops by my feet and peers up at me, pulling off the mirrored goggles.

“Ambassador, sir,” he says, breathing hard.

“Sorry to disturb you, Gael. I just wondered if you had ten minutes for a quick chat?”

Some flicker of concern moves over his face quickly before it’s gone. “Of course, sir. Let me just get out and change.”

“Well, just finish up and come see me in the study.”

He nods. “Of course. Yes, sir.”

Back in my study, there’s a pot of hot tea waiting for me. As is a text from Asher. It’s a photo of him dressed in something very shiny—latex, by the looks of it—and very revealing, panels cut out on the shoulders, abdomen, and thighs to show strips of smooth skin.

Zachary:

Been thinking this for your party. What do u think?

Me:

A bit understated don’t you think?

Zachary:

You’re right. I’ll keep looking.

Smiling, I pour myself some tea and scan tomorrow’s schedule. It’s another busy one. I know because of my absence there’s a need to get everything back to where it was, but it feels relentless. And if I say yes to Bridget, this only gets more intense. Yes, the work will be more important, as will I, whichiswhat I want. Isn’t it?

A knock on the door brings me out of my thoughts and back into the room.

“Come in.”

Gael enters with his head up and shoulders back, a sort of determined look on his face, like a man about to ask for my daughter’s hand in marriage. He takes the seat across from my desk, sitting straight-backed and upright, and meets my eye. We both talk at once.

“Sir, I want to—”

“I wanted to—”

“Apologies, sir,” Gael says, looking down a moment. He looks a little angry with himself.

“It’s quite alright. Go ahead.”

“After you, sir.”

“Right, well. I wanted to ask you about Leo. I know you’ve both become quite friendly the last few weeks.”

“He… we… it’s been great getting to know him,” says Gael before pressing his mouth into a flat line.

“Then perhaps you’ll know whether he’s… alright.”

Gael blinks. “Alright?”

“Have you seen his hair?”

I see something crack then in Gael’s sober expression, and he smiles, eyes crinkling at the corners. “Ah, yes, sir. I saw it.”

“I don’t know if all of this is something I should be worried about? Most kids rebel at sixteen. Not twenty-four. Though Leo was too busy going to rehab when he was sixteen.”

“Rehab, sir?”