Dory's Avengers

by Alison Jack

  In Unsponsored HQ talk increasingly centred around the Games, and Louis became more and more nervous as the opening ceremony approached. Repeatedly, he sought the reassurance of his mentor.

  ‘Am I really good enough, Gideon?’ he asked time after time. ‘Am I going to make a laughing stock of the Unsponsored?’

  ‘You know the answer to that, Louis,’ Gideon would reply each time with uncharacteristic patience. ‘You're better by far than those poor, stifled, Sponsored gymnasts.’

  Since the exodus from The White Lion Inn, Lord William had withdrawn all his people from Applethwaite and ordered them to return to London. Therefore, Philip had no problem liberating Louis's essential equipment from Gideon's studio and having it transported to London. Delighted to have a chance to train once more, Louis and Gideon spent their days going through routine after routine in their pursuit of the perfect ten. Since the other Unsponsored were out on the streets of the city a lot of the time, Gideon usually coached Louis in a deserted HQ, but occasionally Abi or Theo would stop by to watch.

  ‘Louis, that was amazing,’ said Theo a couple of days before the opening ceremony of the Games, watching wide-eyed as his friend completed a seemingly impossible routine on the parallel bars and landed with perfect balance.

  ‘That's the one,’ agreed Gideon. ‘Perform like that, Louis, and no one will be able to deny you a place in the finals.’

  ‘That's all very well,’ said Louis dubiously, ‘but is anyone really going to watch?’ Gideon was silent, not wanting to give voice to the thought but believing deep down that Louis was right. It made Gideon so sad, but the likelihood was that Louis's talent would never be displayed to the Olympic judges and the world. Who was going to persuade the Olympic officials that an Unsponsored, unqualified gymnast should be allowed to compete? It turned out, though, that Gideon and Louis were wrong. Help came, just in time, from a most unexpected source.

  Louis loved the evenings, when his friends returned to the HQ and swapped news of their day out on the streets of the capital city. Confined to the redundant industrial buildings all day, Louis enjoyed hearing tales of his friends’ encounters with the media, the Unsponsored from other areas and also the Sponsored. More and more Sponsored were becoming disillusioned with their stifled lives as they finally recognised that there was a viable alternative. Snuggling up with Abi on a huge cushion, Matilda and Theo always by their side, Louis found himself relaxing after his intense training as his friends told their news. Max wrote like a demon while everyone talked, determined to keep a detailed chronicle of events running up to the Games.

  ‘The Sponsors are on their knees,’ he would say from time to time, beaming at the assembled company. ‘I'd love to be a fly on the wall of His Lordshit's office these days.’

  Theo shuddered, remembering his own horrific experiences as a human on the wall of His Lordship's office. Feeling Theo tense, Matilda let her hands wander over his body and it wasn't long before he relaxed again.

  ‘Do you reckon we should go out on the streets tomorrow,’ she asked, ‘being as it's the opening ceremony of the Games?’

  ‘I don't see why not,’ replied Max. ‘After all, we're only exercising our right to free speech. It's the Sponsors who cause all the trouble.’

  ‘I'm just worried that the Sponsored media will twist it round to make us look like the bad guys, though,’ Matilda persisted. ‘You know how economical they are with the truth.’

  ‘We are getting more and more coverage from the foreign media over for the Games,’ said Max. ‘Obviously they're not restricted by Sponsorship…’

  ‘But the point is, Moronis Maximus, essentially they're over for the Games, not to give us publicity. I'm worried that, while the unrestricted crews are covering the opening ceremony, the Sponsors will take advantage of the opportunity to make it look as though we're trying to sabotage the Games.’

  ‘Point taken, Matty. I think we should go out, but maybe only a few of us and just to distribute newsletters. Any sign of Sponsored grief, we leg it back here.’

  ‘Agreed,’ said Matilda. ‘The last thing we want is to get on the wrong side of the Olympic authorities, and jeopardise any chance Louis and Gideon have…’

  ‘Where is Gideon, by the way?’ asked Louis, suddenly realising he hadn't seen his mentor all evening.

  ‘He went out with Adam and Philip,’ replied Jenny absently, distracted by the task of plaiting ribbons into Alan's hair.

  ‘Why didn't you tell me earlier, Jen?’

  ‘I've been busy, silly Louis,’ replied the child, ‘making Alan look pretty.’

  ‘Well, you've succeeded,’ said Matilda, grinning at her dad. ‘It's not like Gideon to sneak off without telling anyone. Do you know what it's all about, Sarah?’

  ‘No, Matty love,’ said Sarah, trying not to feel put out that Gideon hadn't even told her that he was going out for the evening. ‘I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, though. Adam and Philip are hardly likely to lead him into danger…’

  ‘…And they didn't,’ said Gideon, wheeling himself over to the group, an extremely self-satisfied look on his face.

  ‘Where have you been?’ grumbled Louis. ‘It's the night before the Games begin and you're gallivanting off God knows where…’

  ‘I don't think you need me to hold your hand, Louis,’ said Gideon, still smiling smugly as he kissed Sarah. ‘Not when you've got Abi to do the job.’

  ‘Don't change the subject, Gideon! Where have you been?’

  ‘I've been to see a man; well, a few men actually, about an Unsponsored gymnast,’ replied Gideon, now positively smirking at Louis. ‘Cinderella, you shall go to the ball.’

  ‘Will you stop talking in riddles and tell me where you've been?’ snapped Louis, his irritation growing relative to Gideon's smugness.

  ‘No.’

  ‘He's been talking to my parents,’ said Adam, joining the group with Philip, ‘and some people from the Olympics…’

  ‘Adam! I wanted it to be a surprise.’

  ‘Shut up, GID!’ said Louis, finally succeeding in wiping the smug grin off Gideon's face. ‘Go on, Ads.’

  ‘Well,’ began Adam as everyone turned to look at him, ‘you know Rose is staying with my mum and dad at the moment?’ Everyone nodded. It had been decided that it would be better for Rosanna not to live in the Unsponsored HQ; it was upsetting far too many of the Unsponsored who just couldn't forget the Lady Bitch of the past, not to mention the fact that Rosanna and Theo couldn't spend more than a few minutes in each other's company without fighting. When Rosanna, being Rosanna, had a few choice words to say about the lack of luxuries in the HQ, Adam hastily arranged for her to stay with his parents, much to the relief of the Unsponsored.

  ‘When I took Rose back to Mum and Dad's,’ continued Adam, ‘I was hardly going to turn round and leave straight away. I know they're both Sponsors, but they're still my parents and I've missed them. Don't worry,’ he added, ‘I didn't give anything away about HQ or our plans. It was Dad who was giving stuff away to me, actually; stuff about Louis.’

  Louis looked startled, and Gideon began smirking again.

  ‘Dad told his side of the story, from the moment that His Lordshit decided all those months ago to include Louis in the Games. Mum and Dad are far more in touch with the real world than His Lordshit…’

  ‘Who lives in his own exclusive cloud-cuckoo-land,’ interrupted Theo.

  ‘Well, quite,’ said Adam, grinning at Theo. ‘As soon as Dad got back from Applethwaite last December, His Lordshit was on to him to get Louis included in the British team.’

  ‘Didn't your dad explain to His Lordshit that Louis would have to qualify?’ Georgie asked, a little disconcerted when a number of her companions, including her brother, howled with laughter.

  ‘Georgie,’ said Lysander, wiping his eyes, ‘you don't explain things to His Lordshit; you just do as you're told.’

  ‘His Lordshit only hears what he wants to hear, Georgie,’ Adam continued. ‘Dad knew th
ere'd be no point even trying to explain the rules of Olympic qualification; instead, he had to find a way of getting Louis into the Games. As a result, he's been liaising with the Gymnastic Federation and Olympic officials since December. He was on the verge of a breakthrough when, lo and behold; His Lordshit has a hissy fit and decides he doesn't want Louis in the Games after all.’

  ‘Oh yes, the day I was sacked,’ said Lysander, grinning. ‘No wonder David looked so pissed off…’

  ‘Oh, he was. So was Mum. They've talked about nothing else since.’ Suddenly Adam's face broke into a huge grin. ‘I'm delighted to say, my parents have rebelled. They decided that they'd continue with the negotiations behind His Lordshit's back, and that's what led to tonight. Obviously, the Gymnastic Federation representatives had all heard of Gideon…’

  Gideon inclined his head, looking immensely pleased with himself.

  ‘…And they wanted to meet with him, hear his opinion and learn more about his mysterious protégé…’

  ‘I was the last piece of the jigsaw as far as the officials were concerned,’ said Gideon. ‘David and Julia had done all the groundwork. I haven't always seen eye to eye with your father, Adam…’

  ‘No,’ said Jess. ‘Nor did Elliot.’

  ‘…But he's redeemed himself just when we needed him most. I know your views, Jess,’ Gideon added as Jess continued to look sceptical, ‘but I think even Elliot would agree that David Foster's finally come good. All I had to do was confirm that Louis is by far the best gymnast this country has ever produced…’

  ‘Since you, Gideon…’

  ‘No, Louis; the best EVER. Thanks to David, the Olympic officials were already aware that you weren't able to compete in any qualifiers due to your lack of Sponsorship. The recent media attention the Unsponsored have been getting has helped to underline the oppression going on in this country; and, coupled with my guarantee that Louis's talent is well worth displaying to the world, it swung things totally in our favour.’

  ‘So; no pressure on me, then,’ said Louis nervously.

  ‘None at all, Louis,’ said Gideon, wheeling his chair over to the young man in his agitation to make himself understood. ‘None whatsoever, because you are THE BEST!’

  ‘If you say so,’ said Louis, still not fully convinced. ‘What next?’

  ‘The qualifiers are on Saturday. You turn up. You show the judges what you can do. You qualify for the medal events. Simple enough for you, Trevelyan?’

  ‘Which events?’

  ‘THE ONES YOU BLOODY QUALIFY FOR, YOU MORON!’ yelled Gideon, earning himself a furious admonishment from Sarah.

  ‘Gideon, don't talk to Louis like that! He's not stupid.’

  ‘He's not the brightest, Sarah love…’

  ‘…HE'S NOT STUPID! Just nervous, aren't you, darling?’

  ‘It's OK, Sarah; I like Gideon yelling at me. It's comforting. Right, Gideon,’ continued Louis, turning to his mentor, ‘I do actually know how this qualifying thing works…’

  ‘I don't,’ said Theo with a chuckle. ‘Could you explain a bit more please, Gideon? Loudly. Calling Louis lots of nasty names as you go…’

  ‘Dickhead,’ said Louis, aiming a playful kick at Theo only to find his foot grabbed by Matilda. Laughing as he was upended onto the cushion, Louis added, ‘Careful, Matty, I think Gideon may just skin you alive if you injure me now…’

  ‘He wouldn't dare,’ said Matilda with a grin.

  ‘I wouldn't dare,’ agreed Gideon.

  ‘I wouldn't recommend you dare,’ added Alan, looking a little put out when everyone burst out laughing at his appearance.

  ‘If I ever take advice from a man with a headful of pink ribbons,’ said Gideon, wiping his eyes, ‘my credibility wouldn't survive the shame.’

  ‘I think Alan looks very pretty,’ said Jenny, looking as put out as her model.

  ‘Glad someone's got taste,’ grumbled Alan, narrowing his eyes at Dex who was completely helpless with laughter. ‘If you'd all like to stop giggling like schoolgirls, I for one am interested in learning more about how our fab Unsponsored gymnast is going to qualify for the Olympic finals.’

  ‘Quite simple,’ said Gideon, trying hard to control his laughter. ‘Louis does his stuff. The judges award him points for each event. If he scores enough points in total, he'll go through to the all-round medal event, and he'll also qualify for the individual events in which he achieves high scores. I'd expect to see Louis qualify for the parallel bars and floor work, as well as the all-round…’

  ‘So no pressure, then,’ interrupted Louis again, nerves chewing him up inside as his friends all turned expectant gazes in his direction.

  ‘None at all, Lou,’ said Abi, squeezing his hand. ‘If Gideon believes in you, then you're good enough.’

  ‘We're all behind you, son,’ added Lysander.

  ‘Yeah; knock the Sponsored for six, Bleachy,’ said Max, not even looking up from his notebook as he recorded the conversation for posterity.

  ‘Man up, Lou,’ said Theo, starting to laugh again, ‘or I'm sure Jenny can find a nice stash of pink ribbons for your hair…’

  ‘OK, OK,’ said Louis, relaxing in the good humoured company of his friends, ‘I believe!’

  Finally, the long-awaited Games began in London. The opening ceremony, worked on assiduously by a whole host of Sponsored experts, was hailed across the length and breadth of the Sponsored country as a tremendous success. Lord William was relieved to see there was no opposition from the Unsponsored; in fact, in stark contrast to them being so conspicuous in the weeks leading up to the tournament, there had been virtually no sign of them on the opening day of the Games. His Lordship, complacent from decades of being surrounded by sycophants, allowed himself to believe that the recent protests on the streets had been the Unsponsored swansong. Nothing had changed as far as Lord William was concerned, so he decided that the Unsponsored must have come to the same conclusion as he had himself; that the Scheme would continue to reign supreme, no matter how much the Unsponsored rebelled.

  ‘The Games have begun, ladies and gentlemen,’ he said to his inner circle of Sponsors, ‘and what a success the opening ceremony turned out to be. How could it be anything but a success, though, with the best Sponsored minds planning it so meticulously?’

  Faye thought to herself that the opening ceremony had been rather boring, lacking any spontaneity or originality. Unbeknown to her, Mortimer and one or two of the other Sponsors were thinking along similar lines, but not even the outspoken Faye dared give voice to the thought.

  ‘Do you think there'll be any more trouble from the Unsponsored, Your Lordship?’ she asked instead.

  ‘I don't think so, Faye,’ His Lordship replied amiably. ‘Do you think there will then?’

  ‘I don't think we can discount it, Your Lordship,’ replied Steph, conscious that Faye always seemed to be the one to bring up difficult topics with Lord William and deciding to offer her support. ‘They've been pretty persistent recently…’

  ‘Until yesterday,’ said His Lordship, smiling benignly. ‘My belief is that even the Unsponsored aren't stupid enough to ruin the Games for the Sponsored. I almost wish they'd try – see how popular they'd be in the public opinion then.’

  ‘I can't help feeling they're planning something,’ Faye persisted.

  ‘Well, I don't think they are,’ countered Lord William, looking at Faye with an expression of mild amusement, ‘but as you're so adamant that they are, Faye, perhaps you'd be so good as to share what you know with the rest of the group.’

  ‘I don't know anything, Your Lordship…’

  ‘Oh come now, Faye. Your daughter is an active member of the Unsponsored SCUM, not to mention the fact that Theodore's screwing her. Don't tell me she knows nothing…’

  ‘I'm sure Matilda knows plenty, but she would never tell me, Your Lordship,’ replied Faye.

  ‘So how come you know that they're planning something?’

  ‘I don't know anything, Your Lordship
. My comments were purely speculative.’

  ‘Why don't you phone Matilda and see what you can find out?’

  ‘With respect, Your Lordship, that would be about as effective as you phoning Theodore for the same reason. My daughter and I don't get on.’

  The Sponsors held their breath as Lord William steepled his fingers under his chin and gazed expressionlessly at Faye. Expecting His Lordship to lose his temper at Faye's blunt assessment of his relationship with his son, the Sponsors were surprised when he spoke in a calm and steady voice.

  ‘I think no more needs to be said on the subject. Julia; please share with your colleagues the positive feedback the Sports Sponsorship Group has received concerning the opening ceremony…’

  Lord William remained happy in his ivory tower until the evening. While Julia was massaging His Lordship's ego with her report, dwelling on comments such as ‘well organised’ and ‘cleverly planned’ in relation to the unimaginative Sponsored opening ceremony, her husband was watching an extremely talented Unsponsored British gymnast wow the Olympic judges. The other British gymnasts were at first suspicious and resentful about Louis's last-minute inclusion in the qualifying events, glowering at the nervous, pale-haired young man in the dark glasses as they whispered among themselves. However, they could only watch in awe as Louis performed his routines for the judges, his confidence growing with every fluid move and every familiar flex of his muscles. Word soon went round the Arena that Gideon Wallis was back on the scene for the first time since his horrific accident; and that his protégé was, if anything, even more gifted than the great man himself. Gideon never doubted for a second that Louis would qualify with ease. Louis's scores for floor work and the parallel bars were so outstandingly high that, not only did he qualify for those medal events, he also sailed through to the all-round final with a very healthy total score once he'd completed all six disciplines. Glowing with pride, Gideon wheeled himself over to Louis when the qualifying scores were announced, and for once found himself at a loss for words.

  ‘Come on, Gid,’ said Louis, struggling himself to take in the amazing thing he had just achieved. ‘It's not like you to have nothing to say.’