Naked Hero - The Journey Away

people in Australia, but that would be politely avoided.
    “Fine thanks,” replied Lewis. “How’s the circus show performing this year?”
    The young man smiled, just enough to convey understanding without appearing indiscreet. “ It’s always a pleasure to welcome the tour to town, sir. Things are nice and quiet at the moment, which is usually the case the week before the tournament. It’s once they start to get knocked out that the fun and games begin... You’re not with us this time around, sir. Was there a problem last year?”
    “No, not at all,” Lewis assured. “I enjoyed my stay, despite Tommy Jackson cutting it short. We just decided to take a house this year instead.”
    The young man nodded, looking impressed. “You were lucky to find one. Very few are made available to the players nowadays.”
    “Where there’s a will, there’s a way. My coach had the will, and his wife has a winning way about her... Is Ms. Duboir in her room?”
    “I don’t think so, sir. Just a moment and I’ll check.” He made a call to the suite, but it was apparent that there would be no answer.
    “Thanks,” said Lewis, beckoning him to stop. “I’ll just pop into the bar and see if she’s there.”
    “I think she has gone out, sir. But please feel free. Shall I leave a message just in case you don’t find her?”
    “ No. No message.”
    Lewis scanned the hotel bar with its opulent grandeur. It was obvious that Chantal wasn’t around. There were only a few people to be seen, so he couldn’t have missed her. He didn’t expect to see her anyway - sitting in hotel bars wasn’t something that Chantal did. Of the people that were around, he recognised a few faces from the tour, but he had no desire to speak to any of them, and was sure that it was reciprocal. But he didn’t want to go back to the house, not yet anyway. He wanted to block out the anger, and it sat too fresh back there. One drink could do no harm, and then he would return.
    “Yes, Mr. Macleod, what can I get you?” asked the barman.
    “A vodka and tonic please… No! Forget the vodka. I’ll just have the tonic water, and you’d best make it a diet one.”
    Lewis pondered as the drink was prepared – here was another member of staff who knew him by sight. Was he a tennis fan? Or perhaps the front-line staff had been given some training in advance so the players’ egos would be bolstered by immediate recognition. That sounded good – a lot better than the far more likely scenario of the guy having seen his photograph on the front page of the Herald alongside a juicy piece of scandal.
    Once poured, he took the drink to the quietest area he could find and sat there alone with his thoughts for company - the call from his mother still stabbing at his guts and playing havoc with his busy mind. A sip of the tonic water was taken. To be honest it didn’t taste all that different from his usual drink of late, laced with ice and a slice of lemon but minus the vodka. Lewis winced nonetheless, not really enjoying it. The glass was placed back down then pushed away as someone new entered the bar. Out of hope rather than expectation Lewis looked over to the entrance, but of course he was disappointed as it wasn’t Chantal.
    Shame! It was a real bummer that she wasn’t around. He seriously needed to talk things over and get this mother business out of his system. Then a thought occurred. Perhaps there was someone else he could turn to, because an offer had been made... “Here, take this. Call me if you ever need to talk again – nothing more – just a chat... with someone who understands.”
    Lewis gulped. His mouth was suddenly dry but he ignored the drink. Instead he took out his mobile and found the number that had been recently keyed in against the name of Lee Porter. It was still relatively early, so Lee was probably contactable. But a call wasn’t made. Lewis simply placed the mobile on the table, still displaying the number that had been provided with Lee’s business card. The genie was out though, and seeing this as a better alternative to dwelling on his mother, Lewis allowed himself to think about the night they had met... allowed the thoughts that he had battled against to properly surface for the first time.
    He recalled that first look when Lee asked him the question after his speech, and the invitation that seemed to be held within it. That could have been picked up wrong, but he didn’t think so. “Experience the best that