Naked Hero - The Journey Away

a new deal was struck. Eventually he picked out some shorts and a selection of tops which he was happy with.
    “These will do fine. Thanks, Fiona.”
    “You should cover the logo, though,” said Lee as he emerged from Lewis’s bedroom, fully dressed once again. “No point in giving them free advertising - let them pay you to market their brand. It would weaken your position as well when you come to negotiate a new deal.”
    “Aye, that’s true enough,” said Jim, appreciating his wisdom and the fact Lee was now clothed. “You need to start thinking about things like that, Lewis.”
    Lewis looked at them both incredulously. “It seems a lot of fuss over a bit of kit. Surely it won’t make much odds having a wee logo on display.”
    “It will,” replied Lee. “Cover the logo, then you’re making a point. The marketing men will notice, work out what’s happened, and then start bidding, probably very quickly. If you’re going to have a new sponsor, then they’ll want their logo on display in the final. They’ll want to capitalise on it. Win tomorrow, and then start a bidding war. You did say that none of the other manufacturers have a top player, so they’ll all want to sign you, as it sounds to me that they can’t afford to be choosy like your old sponsor. Who’s controlling this anyway?”
    What Lee said was making sense. Lewis screwed up his face. “A bunch of amateurs by the sound of things!” he answered. “Why didn’t the management agency suggest this, Jim?”
    “You’ve never given them any encouragement to be creative, Lewis. I could speak to them again if you want,” replied the coach.
    Lewis considered this for a moment then shook his head. “No, leave it. I don’t want the distraction, and I don’t want you distracted either, Jim. There’s too much at stake to be fraffing around with a sponsorship deal at present.”
    “I’ll handle it for you, Lewis,” said Lee brightly. “I know how to broker a deal... We still need to involve the management agency, but I can do that instead of Jim. Let me do this as a friend. I lost you one deal - let me replace it with a better one.”
    Lewis took a quick poll from the faces around him : Jim was scowling but not adamantly refusing, which was probably as good as could be expected; Fiona was thoughtfully nodding her head, and that was approval enough. “Okay! Why not? It sounds like you know what you’re doing. And I trust you a lot more than those wankers back in London.”
    “Lewis!”
    “Sorry, Fiona.”
    “Right, let’s get started,” said Lee. “Have you got a sewing kit, Fiona, and a marker pen for the shoes?”
    “I’ll go and get them.”
    “And I’ll leave you to it. Sewing indeed!” laughed Lewis.
    Lee smiled back at him feeling strangely at peace. He had come full circle, planning to help Lewis with no obvious reward in mind for himself. And it felt right. It felt good. It felt decent for a change. That’s what friends do after all, help each other. But the warm glow of altruism was soon tarnished with the realisation that there was plenty of scope to help Lewis further in marketing himself, and plenty of rewards to be reaped for doing so. A billion in sponsorship was the value once touted – a fraction in commission would set Lee up for life! If only circumstances were different. If only he could somehow carve out a role that would benefit them all – assuming Lewis was prepared to play ball, and Scott Taylor was no longer in the frame. Lee wondered if it might be best to wait a few days before speaking to Marie Clement. He needed to think it all through. This current task however was straight forward enough, and would give him the opportunity to prove his worth, in whatever capacity he chose to go forward with. He would give it his full attention for the time being.
    “Jim, I’ll need some contact numbers, and I might have to draft something for you to sign, giving me authority to deal with the agents. There would be nothing binding. And don’t worry - I’ll make sure I don’t interfere with the tennis.”
    “I’ll be with you in a minute, I just need a word with Lewis first,” replied Jim, suspicious yet again of Lee’s motives, but seeing no alternative but to humour the situation.
    “Sure. Shall I leave you for a bit?” asked Lee.
    “No, it’s nothing like that,” replied Jim. Then turning to Lewis he continued, “I made a few calls when Fiona was busy buying up the sports shop. You’re