‘Then you shall.’ He pulled me down onto the floor. My pulse rate kicked up even higher. This was going to be good.
He dropped off to sleep like the Great Pyramid trying to hang glide. I lay for a while, reliving some moments and then abandoned the pursuit of sleep in favour of something more practical. Slipping his shirt over my head, I picked up the poor, misused dress and hung it carefully on a hanger. Either they’d turned the music down or the party was over at last. The building seemed silent. This was my last night here. This time tomorrow, I would be back in my St Mary’s.
I went through into my office – the Director’s office rather, and sorted and tidied the paperwork there. Nothing important. Mrs Partridge would be easing the handover. I made sure nothing personal was hanging around and went back into the bedroom. I checked the wardrobe, making sure I was going back in the clothes I came in with. Everything was there except for my weapons. Ian had taken charge of those. There really was nothing left to do.
I heard Leon stir and went to sit beside him on the floor. ‘You fell asleep unflatteringly quickly. Were you bored?’
‘Yes, but good manners prevented me from leaving early.’ He sat up and kissed my hand. ‘I must go.’
‘Why?’
‘Well, I’m not doing the boots and breeches walk of shame at 8.00 a.m. tomorrow, just as everyone’s going in to breakfast.’
‘No need. Your Director has everything covered. Your going-away outfit is in the wardrobe over there.’
‘My Director always has everything covered. I live for the day she doesn’t. You made me a promise. I’m going to hold you to it.’
‘You can hold me to anything you like.’
‘All right then, how about this? Not tomorrow night – I’m certainly going to be in Sick Bay and you might be too. But the night after – shall we do something special?’
‘Not like tonight, then?’
‘Better.’
‘Oh, good. I didn’t want to complain, but I definitely felt there was some room for improvement there.’
‘Yes, you need to work on your scream. I want a full-throated roar next time, not that little girlie squeak. Or two, maybe.’
‘Says the man who can barely keep his eyes open.’
He lay back, looking absolutely wrecked. I was worried I’d done some damage. ‘Are you all right?’
He whispered something I didn’t catch. Alarmed, I said, ‘Leon?’ and leaned forwards.
I really should have known better.
‘So,’ he said, after a while. ‘It’s a date then. You, me, the day after tomorrow. I love you, Max. You don’t have to hide yourself from me.’
‘You shall see me,’ I said, softly.
He closed his eyes and I curled up alongside him, still on the floor, warm and safe. It was one of the happiest nights of my life. I believed every word he said.
Some forty-eight hours later, I would happily have torn out his heart with my bare hands and made him eat it.
The next morning, I assembled them all together for the last time. They had dignified the occasion with formal uniforms. I was a little moved. And sad. This had been my unit – albeit temporarily. True, my work here was done, but I was going to miss them. It was impossible not to compare the bright-eyed, slightly hung-over individuals before me with the damaged children they’d been all those weeks ago. It was just faintly possible I’d done a good job here. I wondered if the Boss would agree. Of course, he might feel that actually commanding St Mary’s myself would give me insight and wisdom, and make me more amenable to the day-to-day rules and regulations pertaining to the smooth running of his unit. I looked forward to correcting this unreasonable assumption.
They were all looking at me. I’d better get started.
‘Extraordinary people achieve extraordinary things. Your achievements over the past six weeks have been more than extraordinary. I am full of admiration for this unit. I have watched you face your enemies and your own fears, and give them both the kicking they deserved.
‘I count it an enormous privilege to have been able to make a contribution to what is, already, an exceptional unit and will go on, I’m sure, to truly spectacular achievements.’
I couldn’t help glancing at Pinkie, wondering again, just what it was she was up to. What was on that cube? Her face, as always, gave nothing away.
I continued. ‘There is nothing now for me to do. You are a fully functioning unit. Your new Director must now decide in which direction you are to move, and appoint the right people to achieve these goals.