Naked Hero - The Journey Away

all,” replied Lewis, unaware of the secret Fiona possessed. “We’re off out this afternoon. He’s taking me to a gallery - some private viewing he’s arranged. I can’t wait to see what it is: a Tom of Finland retrospective probably.”
    “I don’t know of him. Is he good?”
    “Classic!”

Chapter 48
    In his room at the Langham, Scott Taylor cast aside the copy of the Herald and let out an ironic laugh. Sex with a stranger in a public toilet! Porter was totally depraved. He was doing a good job though of deflecting attention - the tabloids focusing entirely on him when it came to intrigue and sexual scandal – Scott had been forgotten about in that regard. The only speculation that centred on him was of a professional nature... Was he being groomed as Jim Murdoch’s replacement?
    It was an interesting question, and one that had been occupying much of the American’s thoughts of late. Murdoch had certainly dropped a few clues during the course of the tournament to suggest there might be an opening. But was it something that Scott actually wanted, and if so, on what basis?
    He certainly enjoyed working with Lewis. Putting everything else aside, it would be a very tempting role – the lad had a huge amount of talent and could easily go all the way here in Melbourne then make a challenge for the top spot. There would be plenty of opportunity to relive the glory days, which was something Scott hankered after. But of course those other things could never be totally put aside, just brushed under the carpet where they would fester till they stunk to high heaven.
    Scott knew he would never be able to remain close to Lewis and leave things as they currently stood. It was pleasurable at the moment – a heck of a kick in a multitude of ways – but there was no way it could continue indefinitely. Lee Porter might soon be out of the equation, if he wasn’t already following the Herald’s latest scoop, but given the nature of Lewis there would be others in his wake – a whole string of them perhaps, or even worse – a steady boyfriend. That would be too much to bear.
    It never occurred to Scott that there might be an alternative scenario, but that was about to change!
    A gentle rap on the door announced her arrival. Marie Clement had called earlier and asked for a private meeting, which Scott assumed would be concerning Chantal, so naturally he had agreed. He would happily give advice regarding the defeated champion... sports psychology was a speciality and he could bore people for hours on the subject.
    Marie didn’t allow hours – nor was she all that bored during the twenty minute discourse before she subtly changed the subject. It was after all an issue she had to deal with and was genuinely interested in what Scott had to say on the matter. It was an animated discussion they had, sitting opposite each other in easy chairs. Then deciding that enough had been said, she let out a sigh of despair.
    “Ah, those inner doubts,” she bemoaned. “I fear they will never leave her. Lewis, however, appears to be brimming with confidence. You must be very pleased with him. An incredible result yesterday – and most people are attributing it to you.”
    Scott raised his hand in polite humility. “It’s not me who’s down on the court. Lots of people could have got the same out of him,” he replied.
    “Perhaps,” said Marie, as she embarked on steering the conversation without raising alarm. “The skill was there to be brought out, but I don’t think that many people could have given him the belief that was needed to demonstrate it. You’ve done a wonderful job with him. Unlike me, who has failed miserably with Chantal.”
    Scott noted the attempted parallel but let it pass. “It’s not finished - two more matches still to go, hopefully.”
    “Is that all?” Marie asked with an innocent smile. “The press seem to think you might carry on in some form.”
    Scott dismissed this with a resolute shake of his head. “Idle speculation - nothing has been discussed.”
    “But do you not think some approach may be made? It could be time for Jim Murdoch to step aside and make way for a younger man.”
    Sensitive as he was around the subject, Scott was interested to hear what Marie had to say on the matter, so he allowed the conversation to develop further. “He has alluded to it. But do you think he might seriously want to retire? He’s not very old. Early fifties, I think.”
    “Not old, but not so