Page 58 of Audacity

‘I think the issue is that the people in these areas have problems we can’t even imagine,’ Mum says, covering Dad’s hand with hers. ‘You know, drugs. Gangs. Knives. We’re so out of our depth, so the safe thing to do has always been to throw money at the problem and stay well away.’

There’s a silence that’s uncomfortable and thoughtful in equal measure, because she’s right, and her explanation is as good as any as to why we haven’t delved deeper before.

‘Athena had some thoughts on that side of things,’ I say with a glance to my left. ‘Do you have anything to contribute?’

When she speaks, her voice is quietly assured. ‘As someone who is very much removed from this and is viewing it mainly through a management consultant lens, I’d agree, Maeve, that it would be very ill-advised to think we can wade in and throw around a bit of white saviourism and magically solve people’s problems.

‘But at the same time, if you look at the root causes and the appeal of gangs, which I’m sure is something Gabe knows more about than me given his pastoral work, there are elements you can weave into your infrastructure that might help. They may be as basic as donating funds to the local schools to allow them to do more work, but it could also be twenty-four-seven safe spaces, late night sports programmes, mentorship from reformed gang members… there’s a lot you can do. The key, I think, is ensuring that these are led by people in the community itself.’

‘You mentioned that a lot of these endeavours could be covered by grants?’ I prompt.

‘Yes, absolutely, making your investment stretch further and work harder. I realise that a lot of the problems you’ll be facing are very modern problems,’ she says, addressing my parents, ‘but you have deep pockets and a whole world of expertise at your fingertips, should you want it.

‘I promise you, there will be solutions that are just as radical, just as extreme as the problems themselves, and there are many, many experts who’d kill for a chance to work with you at the cutting edge of impact investing, because that’s what you’re proposing here. Some of the examples I’ve included have revolutionised entire communities, and there’s no reason you can’t shoot for the stars here, too.’

I wish I could squeeze her hand and tell her how much I’m in her thrall every time she opens her mouth, but I can’t. Instead, I double down on her message.

‘Athena’s right. This is a huge, ambitious vision, and it’ll take more than a village. Honestly, I’m feeling pretty daunted. I’m not sure parish bake sales have prepared me for this kind of scale.’ My brother snorts. ‘But no one’s suggesting we effect change overnight. The Sullivans are excellent at building juggernauts. That’s what we do. We use the best people and thebest materials and the most revolutionary processes—and that goes from building insulation to horses’ balls. If we take the values at the core of our businesses and we apply them to this with the help of experts in these fields, who knows what we can achieve.’

‘Hear hear,’ Dad says, slapping the table for good measure. ‘Fuck knows, you’re right. We didn’t get where we are by being copycats. If we do this, we do it right and we do it our way. Now, I have a beautiful woman to wine and dine, so Maeve and I will leave you to thrash out the details.’ He pushes his chair back and nods at Mum. ‘You ready, darlin’?’

‘You’re a good boy,’ Mum tells me as she stands. I see in her face the first inkling of approval since I left the priesthood.

CHAPTER 27

Athena

What do you get when you cross a group of thirsty Seraphim with a platinum Amex?

Averylarge cocktail bill.

At least that’s the way it’s looking.

It’s my turn to fund the Seraph drinks this evening. As the latest of this highest order of angels to start a new job, I’m putting my generous sign-on bonus to good use behind the bar of the new and sinfully decadent Bar Noir at the Montague Hotel in Knightsbridge.

‘When the Clase Azul is flowing on someone else’s dime, the Seraphim flock,’ I observe. ‘It’s busier than the gates of heaven tonight.’

In reality, I couldn’t give a shit about the bar tab. It’s Friday night, and I’m with some of my favourite women in the world. My friend Sophia has even flown in from Monaco for the occasion. She calls our monthly drinksessential self-care.

‘St Peter must be lonely tonight,’ she muses. ‘I wonder if he ever resorts to his own hand.’

I shake my head. ‘You’re dreadful. How did you get out of work early, anyway?’

‘Thad fucked me over lunch for good measure and then helicoptered me to Nice so I could catch his PJ over. You know me, I’m all about efficiency.Yamas.’

‘Yamas,’I say, holding up my shot of Clase Azul in response. We clink carefully and then down our drinks. Tequila this excellent requires no accoutrements.

Soph is Greek-born but was educated primarily in the UK and US. The daughter of a prominent shipping family, she works for another Greek shipping magnate, Thaddeus Karavitis, and spends most of her time with him between Athens, Montenegro and Monaco. Karavitis may be in his early sixties, but he’s arguably the kinkiest bastard of any Seraph client. God knows, he works Soph hard, and God knows, she bloody loves it. He may have a wife and four kids, but she’s more like a paid mistress than an EA, from what I can tell.

The lifestyle seems to suit her. She’s a lush beauty, all huge black doe eyes and pouty lips and incredible tits.

‘Nice.’ I tell her. I lean in and sniff her neck. ‘You still reek of sex, you dirty bitch.’

She throws her head back and cackles delightedly, earning amused glances from the rest of our little group. They all know what she’s like.

‘You know it. I just had time to spritz some perfume on before I got on the chopper. He’s fucking insatiable. That man pops little blue pills like they’re Skittles.’

‘I bet he can’t keep his hands off you. And you’re indecently tanned for January,’ I say, looking her over. She could never in a million years be accused of looking slutty, but her wardrobe is definitely more flamboyant than mine. It makes sense, given her jet setting lifestyle, that she’s less about demure Max Mara and more about the fun brands: Dolce. Cavalli. Versace.

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