The Tied Man

I cleared my throat, suggesting my trepidation.  ‘I have two requests.’

‘I’m listening.’

‘Firstly, I’d like you to allow me to spend some time with Finn again, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the completion of your portrait.  He’s hardly in a condition to work at the moment, and I think you’ll agree that he’s sufficiently broken; much more and any damage might be irreparable.’  I forced the next words out.  ‘I’m sure that wouldn’t be good for business.’

‘Well, that certainly is an acknowledgement, coming from you.’

‘I’ve had quite some time to think, recently.’

Blaine appraised me for any sign of guile, but she would find none.  This was my game now.  ‘And the second request?’

I leant forward slightly, inviting her confidence, and she mirrored my move.  ‘I wondered if we could discuss a… long-term arrangement regarding Finn.’

‘Oh, at last,’ Blaine smiled, as though this whole ordeal had been part of her matchmaking.  ‘And what might that be?’

‘To be truthful, I don’t know yet – I didn’t even dare think about it until I’d discussed it with you.  But I’m prepared to make certain compromises if I can be assured of regular, exclusive contact.  I’m sure we can negotiate.’

‘That’s quite a request.’

‘I know.’

‘Certainly more than any other guest has ever asked for.’

‘I imagined it might be,’ I concurred.

‘And what are you prepared to bring to the table if I agree?’

This was it.  I looked her straight in the eye and said, ‘I’m afraid I have absolutely no idea whatsoever.’

‘Are you trying to be funny, Lilith?  Because if you are, I’m afraid you’re failing miserably.’

‘No, not at all.  But I needed to check that my requests were within the realms of possibility.  Judging by your reaction, they might be, so now I’m going to have to go away and see what I can offer in return.’

‘If I discover that this is bluff…’

‘I’m not stupid enough to think that I have that luxury.  Believe me.’  I needed a timescale that suggested I was serious, but unused to surrendering to anyone’s will.  ‘If you give me… say, five days?  I promise you, you’ll have a deal that proves my loyalty.  And if my offer turns out to be inadequate, we’re at your mercy.’

We stared at each other across the desk.  Silence filled the room and I welcomed it; wrapped it around me and relaxed in the knowledge that I was still in control.

Finally, Blaine responded.  ‘Very well.’  She spoke with the good grace of the victorious.   ‘I have to go away for the weekend – a meeting in Paris – so that gives you your five days.  Naturally you and Finn will be confined to the island, and  Coyle will be looking after the Hall in my absence, but I’ll make sure he understands that there are certain boundaries in place as long as you maintain this behaviour.’

‘Thank you.’  I stood and bowed my head in subtle deference.

She smiled her dismissal. ‘And Lilith?  I expect your offer to be spectacular.’

*****

Finn was still asleep.  He lay curled on his side with his back to Henry, who hadn’t moved an inch in his bedside vigil.

‘Was everything all right?’ he asked.  ‘I mean, nothing’s all right, but…’

‘Everything was fine, Henry.  Pretty much word-for-word how I’d expected it to be,’ I assured him.  ‘What about here?’

‘He’s just slept, for the most part.  He stirred about ten minutes ago – just long enough to tell me to eff off – then he went straight back over.’  He looked at Finn’s battered, sleeping form.  ‘This was me, wasn’t it?  The poor boy, ending up in this mess, and that dreadful business for you.  If I’d have kept my mouth shut…’

I shook my head.  ‘It would have happened anyway.  Maybe not last night, but one night, and then another, until there was nothing of us left.’

‘Fuckin’ optimist,’ Finn mumbled from beneath the duvet.  He emerged from its folds to speak to me, steadfastly ignoring Henry.  ‘So.  What the hell happens now?’

‘I don’t know about you, but I’m going to grab a blanket from under my bed, and sleep until I wake up.  Probably in about three days’ time, judging by how I feel right now.’