Page 80 of He's the One

“It’s crap, isn’t it?” Theo blurted. “Too childish. I—”

Col reached out and put his hand over his mouth. “Shush. I think this would be fantastic. I can see the work you’ve put into it. I’ve never even thought about going to a ball—but I’d want to go to this. I love that outfit you’ve drawn of the fairy in tight black trousers, loose white shirt and blue wings. Like an anime version of you. Those vine tattoos down the side of the face are so cool. You’re talented, Theo. You could do this for a living. Run special events all over the country.”

Theo felt as if he was standing in front of a warm fire, or maybe too close to molten rock and he was going to combust at any moment.

“Your father is an idiot not to listen to you.”

Theo licked Col’s palm and he laughed and took his hand away. “Before we get distracted—more distracted, let’s have a look at the photos.”

They went through everything together, while Theo made notes.

Googling the four suppliers Theo hadn’t recognised brought inconclusive results. They existed, but Theo couldn’t link the purchase of flowers from one with any event at that time, nor did he remember the hall’s rugs and carpets being cleaned outside of their usual schedule. There was a huge invoice from a window cleaning company that he didn’t recognise, midway between the visits they got from Baxters, their usual firm. It didn’t make sense. Though it was possible some Godzilla bride had requested the windows shine for her wedding.

“Can you see the difference between this invoice from Nyman and that one?” Col clicked between one on his phone and one on Theo’s.

Theo looked at them carefully. “Different font for the number of the invoice? And a much lower number. You’d think they’d be closer.”

“Yes.”

“What does that mean?”

“I don’t know exactly, but maybe Nyman didn’t pay the money for that into his usual business account. It might be a way he could then give a kickback to Dastardly. Maybe Asquith’s accounts need auditing. I don’t know enough about accounting to be sure what we’re looking at.”

“If I suggest that, he’ll say no and persuade my father to say no.”

“Maybe you have to convince your father that something is wrong. Bez was in charge on the roof. He’d have known if any issues came up. But I don’t want to get Bez into trouble with Nyman, so please keep his name out of it.”

“Look at this.” Theo scrolled through his pictures until he found the one detailing the extra work needed on the roof. “Does that architect-speak make sense?”

Col read it. “Part of it does but some sounds as if it’s describing a different roof. Maybe we could get an architect to look at it. I know one I could ask.”

“That’s a good idea.”

“Send me your photos and I’ll send mine to you. A couple at a time.”

When they were done, and it took quite a while, Theo set his phone aside and leaned back on the couch. “I feel as if we’ve done another day’s work.”

“We have. It’s almost midnight.”

Theo jerked to a sitting position. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry. Do you turn into a pumpkin or something worse?”

“Depends what you mean by worse.”

Theo gulped. “Should I answer that?”

Col pushed to his feet. “I do need to get home. My mother would deny it to her dying day, but while I’m living there, she stays awake until I’m back. I don’t get it because when I wasn’t living there, she didn’t ring me every night to check I was safe in bed.”

“I think that’s sweet.” Theo pushed to his feet. “Will you call me when you get home?”

Col laughed. “So I’ll say you’re sweet? You are. I like spending time with you. Sorry that you’re going through this crap.”

“I wish…”Say it!“I wish you didn’t have to go. You could call your mum and tell her… Oh God, what could you tell her that wouldn’t alarm her? My mind’s gone blank. Well, except for stuff you probably shouldn’t say.”

“Such as?”

“You have to help me because I’ve got my cock stuck?”

Col smiled. “In what?”

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