Page 102 of Mercury Rising

“I suppose I could consider it.”

Mercury was convinced that they could both hear his heart hammering away in his chest.

Madeline got to her feet.

“I’d better leave you two to talk,” she said. “I think Hassan wanted to show me a dance routine or something.”

Nick groaned. “You don’t have to.”

“I want to,” she said. “I’ve come here to understand why Mercury has been so upset. I’m already beginning to get it.”

She moved toward the door.

“Madeline?” Nick said.

“Yes?”

“Thank you.”

She smiled and let herself out of the room. The door swung shut with a click.

“So what’s your news?” Mercury asked.

“Can’t you guess?”

“You’re saved?”

Nick took his seat and nodded. “Thanks to your bright idea, the charity is going to buy the house. In fact, the donations are still rolling in, so there’s talk of a second one. Not sure where yet but Fenella is very excited.”

“That’s amazing news. Congratulations.”

He really meant it. The fact that Bodhi House would remain for more generations of kids made pride swell in his chest.

“I think we’ll decorate,” Nick continued. “I’m going to rope all the little darlings in. They can choose everything. I want this to be as much theirs as anyone’s.”

“That’s a wonderful idea. Be careful of Hassan. I can imagine he will go with some crazy colour combinations.”

Nick laughed. “Noted.”

Their words appeared to have dried up. Mercury studied the face in front of him. Nick looked tired and hesitant. Mercury could well identify with that.

“What have you been doing?” Nick asked. “I saw you did a video from the community garden thing you were working on.”

Mercury shrugged. “I don’t seem to have the appetite for premieres and gallery openings now. Me and Lotty have redesigned the channel. There’ll still be a lot of that. It keeps the money rolling in. But…”

“But?”

“I’m going to do other things too. Causes. Fund-raising. Cast my net wider than London.”

Mercury looked away. Suddenly, he was shy. Where had that come from?

“Want to know something?” Nick asked.

Mercury nodded. “Of course.”

“When I saw you at that bloody garden, I was so jealous.”

The tiniest glimmer of hope ignited inside Mercury.