Dory's Avengers

by Alison Jack

‘Does anyone mind Matty having one of the luxury seats? No? Thank you, everyone.’ Dropping a quick kiss onto his girlfriend's head, Theo draped an arm round her shoulders as he continued.

  ‘One more ticket with His Lordshit then. Alan?’

  ‘Yes, please…’

  ‘What about me?’ asked a rather put-out Dex.

  ‘We're cheering on a Brit, sweetie, not one of your mob. Americans can go in the cheap seats.’

  ‘But,’ said Dex, turning big eyes in Alan's direction, ‘if we're in different areas we won't be able to hold hands…’

  ‘OK, OK! I'll sit in the cheap seats with Dexter, being as he's too shy to sit on his own.’

  In the end it was decided that Chris and Georgie should take the other two seats secured by Louis, while Adam, Chloe and Cameron drew lots for the last of Lord William's seats. Adam won the draw, which Gideon reckoned was only fair as he and his parents had done so much to ensure Louis could compete in the first place. Cameron was a little put out at being the only one of the Applethwaite Unsponsored not to get a ticket, until Mary pacified him with the promise of lots of champagne.

  ‘This is where the party will be, Cameron,’ she announced. ‘Even His Lordshit won't be able to accuse us of hiding away tomorrow!’

  The next day, Cameron Farrell joined Chloe and a crowd of London Unsponsored in Mary's pub, while the rest of Dory's Avengers travelled to the North Greenwich Arena. Louis was rather more nervous than he had been for his other two medal events. Knowing his friends had realised that the parallel bars event was his forte, he felt under tremendous pressure to deliver gold, and even Gideon's constant reassurances couldn't stop him shaking and jittering with nerves. It didn't help that Louis was to be the last competitor of the day, so he had a long wait before his time to perform. David and Julia Foster popped over to see Louis at regular intervals, adding their sincere words of encouragement to those of Gideon, and Philip Lorimer had a chance to speak to Louis once or twice too. As Europe Logistics UK had served the Games so well, Philip had no trouble securing tickets for himself and his family for Louis's events.

  While Louis was nervously watching the other competitors perform, Lord William was welcoming his guests effusively to his block of seats. Unsure how to greet his wife after so many years apart, Lord William bent his head to kiss Isabelle and was dismayed when she pulled away.

  ‘William,’ she said coolly, ‘you're looking well.’

  ‘And you're looking beautiful, Isabelle,’ said His Lordship, as the press photographers captured every moment of their reunion.

  ‘Thank you. Amazing really; you'd think the stress of being exiled from my children would have taken its toll on my complexion, wouldn't you? You would have thought that the pain of finding that my estranged husband had imprisoned and tortured our son would have shown in my eyes. No, William; I won't sit next to you. I think it would be prudent for me to sit as far away from you as possible, actually.’

  Smiling warmly at her old friends Fiona and Steph, Isabelle then walked off to take her seat. An unusually chastened Lord William watched his wife sit down between Marina and Theodore, feeling a little envious of the obvious love the three of them had for each other. Faye sat beside His Lordship as Matilda walked by to join her boyfriend, her skirt barely covering the essentials.

  ‘Matilda,’ said Faye, ‘I would have expected your father to let you know that you'd forgotten to put a skirt on…’

  ‘He did, Faye,’ said Matilda with a grin, ‘but, as usual, I ignored him.’

  ‘Where is your father anyway?’

  ‘He's over there,’ replied Matilda, pointing to where Alan and Dex were people-watching and laughing together. ‘Why, Faye? Do you want to swap places with Dex? Because you can't…’

  ‘Thank you, Matilda; I know where I stand in your father's affections…’

  ‘Dexter looks well,’ boomed Lord William unexpectedly.

  ‘Yes,’ said Matilda, ‘it's amazing what a couple of weeks without being beaten up have done for his appearance; isn't it, Your Lordshit? Now, if you'll both excuse me, I'm off to join people I actually like.’

  ‘Your daughter's very outspoken,’ said Lord William, watching Matilda greeting Theo very warmly indeed.

  ‘Can't think where she gets that from,’ replied Faye with a grin.

  By the time the parallel bars event came around, Gideon was thoroughly fed up with Louis's nerves.

  ‘What the hell is wrong with you, Louis? This is your strongest discipline by far, what makes you think you're going to screw it up today?’

  ‘It's the Olympics, that's what,’ snapped Louis. ‘Slightly different to your studio in Applethwaite.’

  ‘Well, pretend you're there…’

  ‘Bit difficult with these bright lights turned on to full beam, and I've got to wear these stupid, tinted goggles to spare my poor eyes…’

  ‘Oh, stop moaning! You're up next. You can do it, Louis. For your mother, for Abi, for everyone who loves you. I love you, Louis…’

  ‘For God's sake, don't get all sentimental on me now, Gid!’ said Louis, managing a watery grin.

  ‘GET OUT THERE, TREVELYAN, AND SHOW ME THE BEST PERFORMANCE OF YOUR LIFE!’

  Louis did exactly as he was told. Not only did he break all records, he smashed them to smithereens. This time it was the turn of Louis's rivals for the medals to watch in awe as the pale young man flew effortlessly through a tremendously complex routine. When Louis sprang from the bars, landing without so much as a wobble, the noise in the arena was phenomenal. Punching the air in delight as he turned in the direction of Lord William's box, where his nearest and dearest were virtually falling over the seats in their desire to show their appreciation, Louis knew exactly what he had just achieved. The ridiculously high score, when it was announced, was almost superfluous as Gideon had already given his verdict.

  ‘That was a perfect ten,’ he screamed in delight, wheeling himself over to celebrate with the ecstatic Louis, his chair already bedecked with a huge British flag. ‘Never mind these new-fangled scores – that was a perfect ten if ever there was one.’ Louis raised the Union Flag above his head, as Lysander and Abi finally managed to push their way through the crowd to engulf him and Gideon in hugs.

  ‘I did it for Mum,’ said an emotional Louis to his equally emotional father. ‘I wish she were here to see this.’

  Before Lysander could reply, Abi said, ‘She'll know, Louis my love. Somehow, she'll know.’

  ‘And your father will know too, Abi,’ added Gideon. ‘He'll have suspected, all those years ago, when he introduced a gifted little boy to a bitter and crippled gymnast, that one day it would lead to this. Sport ALWAYS won with Elliot.’

  Lord William, too, felt proud as he watched the triumphant Louis celebrating, although he was totally wrong to imagine his pride came anywhere close to that of Lysander. Looking at the former head of Leisure and Fitness with his son, arms round each other as they pumped their fists in the air, Lord William couldn't help but feel a little envious again. Theo hadn't even acknowledged his father as he had taken his seat earlier in the day, and Lord William found himself wishing that his relationship with Theo could be as close as Lysander's was with Louis.

  Returning to Lord William's block of seats to watch the medal ceremony, Lysander was a little dismayed to find the only spare seat was next to His Lordship, Faye having decided to join her daughter to celebrate Louis's triumph. Lord William regarded Lysander with interest as Louis received his gold medal. Once so cool and composed, Lysander was struggling to contain his myriad emotions as he looked adoringly at his son.

  ‘You must be a very happy man,’ observed His Lordship once the medal ceremony had finished, and Louis had enjoyed the applause of the home crowd one more time. ‘I have to hand it to your Unsponsored son, Lysander; he's a genius on those parallel bars.’

  ‘He is indeed, WSB.’

  ‘His mother was quite a talented gymnast in her day, I believe,’ continued His Lordship. ‘What
a shame Nicola couldn't be here to share this moment…’

  ‘You, WSB, are the last person I'd want to talk to about Nikki,’ snapped Lysander, a frown briefly clouding his ecstatic face. ‘Actually, you're the last person I'd want to talk to about anything; so if you'll excuse me…’

  Lysander stood up to make his way from Lord William's seats, pausing directly in front of his former boss and looking him straight in the eye.

  ‘It's over, WSB. It's finished, this Sponsorship regime of yours; and I for one am glad. Leaving your employ was the best move I ever made. Earlier on, that magnificent gymnast who is also my son said that he's proud to have me as a father. A year ago, when I was a Sponsor, he didn't want to know me. When was the last time your son said that he's proud of you?’

  Watching Lysander walk away, Lord William found himself dwelling on the words he had just heard, especially the parting shot about Theo. When was the last time Theo had declared himself proud of his father? Had Theo ever declared himself proud of his father?

  ‘Theodore,’ called His Lordship, suddenly anxious to have a word with his son. Seeing Theo and Matilda making for the exit with their friends, Lord William hurried after them.

  ‘Theodore! Theodore, wait!’

  As Theo turned in response to his name being called, Lord William was dismayed to find his path suddenly blocked by a number of official-looking people, one of whom he recognised as Charlie Rollins.

  ‘Get out of my way, will you!’ snapped His Lordship. ‘I'm trying to speak to my son…’

  ‘William St Benedict?’

  ‘You know who I am, and it's LORD William.’

  ‘William St Benedict; you are under arrest for serious violations of human rights, for kidnapping, for false imprisonment, for torture…’

  The government man continued to list the charges against Lord William, advising His Lordship of his rights as other officials snapped handcuffs onto his wrists and led him to a waiting car. All this happened in front of a legion of reporters, television cameras, the crowds exiting the North Greenwich Arena and the incredulous gaze of Lord William's son. Theo stood staring at the car containing his shackled father for a few minutes, his mouth open in shock. Eventually, his companions’ words started to penetrate his numb brain.

  ‘Close your mouth, Theo,’ said Matilda, squeezing his hand to show her support. ‘You look like you're trying to catch flies.’

  ‘It's all right, darling,’ added Izzy, squeezing her son's other hand. ‘It's over.’

  ‘In quite spectacular fashion,’ said Abi, pointing towards the huge crowd of reporters, Max very much in evidence, surging around the government vehicles attempting to carry Lord William away. ‘Shall we get to our transport, before that lot turn their attention to Theo, Izzy and Mari?’

  ‘Good idea, young lady,’ said Faye, still tagging along with her daughter and the Applethwaite Unsponsored.

  ‘You're coming with us, are you, Faye?’ asked Dex, laughing his easy laugh while holding Alan's hand a little more possessively than he would normally. ‘I guess your job's a goner now.’

  ‘I guess it is, Dex,’ said Faye, laughing too. ‘Matilda tells me the band's doing a gig in Louis's honour tonight,’ Faye continued, addressing everyone. ‘Would anyone object to me coming along?’

  ‘Fine with us,’ replied Lysander. ‘It's the Unsponsored way to give everyone a fair chance to redeem themselves. The gig's in an Unsponsored pub though, Faye.’

  ‘Not a problem,’ said Faye. ‘As Dex so rightly pointed out, I'm probably an Unsponsored Sponsor now! Are you sure you're all right, Theo?’

  ‘Er, yes,’ replied Theo vaguely. ‘Did that really just happen?’

  ‘What, did Father really just get arrested and bundled into a car in handcuffs?’ said Marina. ‘Yes, that happened Theo. Poor Father…’

  ‘I don't believe you just said that, Mari,’ said Theo, not vague any longer. ‘At least he's going to get a fair trial before he's locked away. Personally, I hope he rots…’

  ‘I thought it was the Unsponsored way to give everyone a fair chance to redeem themselves,’ Faye pointed out, smiling at Theo.

  ‘He's the exception to the rule,’ snapped Theo. ‘There aren't enough days left between now and the end of time for him to redeem himself. Come on, let's get to Philip's minibus. I don't fancy talking to the press just now.’

  ‘Whatever do you want?’ Lysander asked incredulously, seeing Mortimer O'Reilly lurking nearby as everyone climbed into the transport; so kindly provided, once again, by the ever-supportive Philip Lorimer.

  ‘May I…?’ began Mortimer nervously, gesturing towards the minibus.

  ‘You want to come with us? You have got to be joking, Morti old bean…’

  ‘Lysander,’ Theo said, his characteristic good humour restored, ‘it's the Unsponsored way to give everyone a fair chance, remember?’

  ‘Oh; very well then, O'Reilly,’ grumbled Lysander, leaning on the door of the minibus and shaking his head. ‘Get in, but I warn you now; if I hear the hint of a prediction I will throw you straight out again.’

  ‘What's a prediction, Daddy?’ asked Jenny.

  ‘A long time ago, this silly man here said that when Louis grew up he would do something amazing that would bring an end to the Sponsorship scheme…’

  ‘Well,’ said Jenny, grinning at Mortimer as her father's voice trailed off, ‘the silly man was right, wasn't he?’

  ‘The press,’ said Mortimer, seeing Max Barrington approaching the minibus at a run, hand in hand with Cathie Lorimer. ‘Hadn't we better move…?’

  ‘Max is our drummer, Mr O'Reilly,’ replied Alan with a laugh, offering his hand to Cathie as she and Max climbed aboard. ‘He's done his journalism for the day.’

  ‘Mummy's bringing Louis and Gideon,’ said Cathie breathlessly, as Simone drew up alongside the minibus, the roof of her Range Rover down and Gideon by her side.

  ‘We would have left earlier,’ said Gideon, laughing as Sarah squeezed in beside him, ‘but Louis took forever to cream up.’

  ‘Sun block,’ said Louis, waving a tube of the precious ointment from beneath his huge sunhat, ‘is my friend.’ Following Sarah's lead, Abi left the minibus and leapt into the back of Simone's Range Rover beside Louis.

  ‘Anyone else?’ Simone asked, chuckling at Louis and Abi's passionate reunion. ‘Anyone would think you two had been parted for years.’

  ‘Wait for us!’ yelled Theo, grabbing Matilda's hand and leaping in the back. ‘Better go now, Simone; world's media approaching fast…’

  Philip drove the minibus away slowly and Simone followed, the press photographers snapping away frantically as the Range Rover started to move through the crowds. Louis and Theo climbed onto the backs of their seats and turned to face the media, despite Simone's protestations that it wasn't exactly legal for them to be there.

  ‘Theodore! Louis!’ yelled the reporters, running after the Range Rover. ‘Theodore, how do you feel about your father's arrest? What do you think is the future of the Scheme? What's next for you? What's next for you, Louis?’

  ‘Next for me is to get very drunk,’ called Theo, laughing as Matilda sang, ‘No Future’ Sex Pistols-style in response to the reporter's question about the Scheme.

  ‘I'm with Theo,’ Louis said with a grin, adding more quietly, ‘If you'll allow me that luxury, Gideon?’

  ‘I'd allow you to call me Gid tonight, Louis,’ replied Gideon, his face wreathed in smiles. ‘I'm that proud of you.’

  ‘Rest assured, I'll be milking that, GID,’ said Louis. ‘I still keep on thinking I'll wake up in a minute back in your studio…’

  ‘With Gideon yelling at you for sleeping when you should be training,’ added Theo, laughing. ‘I keep thinking I'm going to wake up in a minute still locked in His Lordshit's house.’

  ‘Well, you won't!’ said Matilda, smiling up at Theo. ‘Ever again! Things really couldn't get any better, Dory babes. His Lordshit's regime is over, the sun's shining…’


  ‘That's a good thing?’ asked Louis, pulling his huge sunhat over his eyes.

  ‘…We're off to see an amazing band…’

  ‘With a hot lead singer,’ added Theo, winking at Matilda who agreed that the lead singer was the very hottest.

  ‘We're going to get drunk,’ said Louis. ‘If you lot have left me any champagne, that is!’

  ‘And celebrate this,’ added Gideon, turning round to dangle Louis's gold medal at the youngsters.

  ‘Do you reckon pole-dancing will ever be an Olympic sport?’ asked Matilda with a grin at Louis. ‘I quite fancy winning one of those medals…’

  ‘And I would seriously love to see Gideon training you,’ replied Louis, everyone in the car laughing helplessly at the idea.

  ‘So, shall we call this the best day ever?’ Theo asked eventually, still chuckling.

  ‘Yes,’ replied Matilda, ‘I think it is definitely that.’

  In stark contrast to the tense atmosphere in the car taking Lord William to answer some very awkward questions, the mood around the country became increasingly jubilant as the weight of Sponsorship oppression started to lift. The jubilation was compounded by news bulletins showing footage of Lord William's thugs being rounded up and arrested, the loathsome Stephen Dyer sobbing like a baby as he was led away in handcuffs. Even the weather joined in with the celebrations; the sun continuing to shine on the joyful, liberated country and the car carrying the fair-haired boy who had grown up to plot the downfall of the Scheme.

  ‘Well, it wasn't just me, was it?’ said Louis suddenly, remembering Mortimer O'Reilly’s prediction.

  ‘Wasn't just you what?’ asked Abi, who was used to her boyfriend coming out with random comments.

  ‘It wasn't just me who brought about the downfall of the Scheme. It was Dory's Avengers and all the Unsponsored…’

  ‘True,’ said Abi. ‘But you're the only one who won an Olympic gold medal on this momentous day.’

  ‘Oh yeah,’ said Louis, grinning. Turning to Theo, who was looking around with a huge smile as people on the streets spontaneously hugged each other, strangers putting their inhibitions aside to celebrate together, Louis grabbed hold of his friend's hand.