Chapter 8
EIGHT
UDO
The Nickleby Hotel stood in the centre of Kensington and Chelsea. London’s most affluent borough. Udo had been there a few times over the years. Mostly for industry dinners. He hadn’t expected to find himself back so soon.
Being upbeat and sociable on a Wednesday evening was a tough call. Still, a night in a posh hotel should make it worthwhile. The bath was huge.
His room was perfectly nice with a view of the Victoria and Albert Museum in the distance. He stared at the London skyline.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Instantly, he hoped it was Steven. They’d all been together on the train so he hadn’t had much chance to speak to him since their tactics session that morning.
When he opened it, he found Adam, Ingvar and Goran staring back at him.
Ingvar was a man-mountain. He played as a central defender and more fool the opposition if they tried to get through him. Remarkably fast and totally immovable. Udo had tried in training and failed.
Goran, on the other hand, was tall and slender with ridiculously wide arms. Three attributes that made a top-class goalie.
They all brushed up well in their tuxedos.
“Give me one minute,” Udo said. “I can’t do the tie.”
“Come here,” Goran said.
They strode into the room. Goran grabbed the offending item from the bed where Udo had thrown it in frustration.
“Bloody bow ties,” Ingvar said, fiddling with his collar. “I feel like I’m being strangled by this fucking thing.”
Udo suspected there wasn’t a bow tie in London that would comfortably wrap about Ingvar’s thick neck. Poor sod.
“It’s only a few hours,” Adam replied. “We have some food, couple of drinks and smile sweetly.”
Ingvar pulled a hip flask out of his pocket and screwed the lid off.
“Anyone?”
“Hey,” Adam said. “It’s a two-drink limit.”
“Two drinks at the bar,” Ingvar corrected him.
Adam shook his head. “Don’t get carried away. We’re playing this weekend.”
“Yes, Skipper,” Ingvar said as he took a swig.
Goran put the finishing touches to Udo’s tie.
“There you go,” he said, folding his arms. “Fucking gorgeous.”
They all laughed. A little too hard for Udo’s liking.
“Let’s get this over with,” he said.
They wandered down the corridor. Most of the squad had been put on the same floor. With Javier at one end and Steven at the other to ensure that nothing got out of control.
Once in the lift, Udo caught sight of himself in the mirror. He didn’t scrub up too badly.
“You fallen in love, pretty boy?” Ingvar asked.
“It’s hard not to,” Udo replied with a wink.
They all groaned.
In no time, the elevator doors opened to reveal a packed lobby. The great and the good from the sports industry were out in force. All smiling sweetly for the potential investors. They were easy to spot.
Just look for the most expensive suits.
Over by the entrance was a row of photographers shooting people against a huge South Tel backdrop. As far as advertising opportunities went, this was big.
“There’s Charles Worthington,” Adam said.
True enough, the openly gay Formula One star was posing up a storm. A whoop went up when his partner and teammate, Luis Salvatore, joined him. They’d been the talk of the circuit a few years ago when they’d declared their love for each other.
“Shall we have our first drink?” Ingvar asked.
“Yeah, I need a beer,” Adam replied.
They made their way through to the bar. Jamie was holding court with an attractive woman who wasn’t his wife as well as a few hangers-on.
“Lads,” he said.
“Here we go,” Goran whispered.
Udo would’ve preferred the buzz from a drink before having to engage but duty called.
“Jamie,” Adam said, shaking his hand.
“Guys, you remember South Tel’s CEO, Meera Jakhar?”
They all greeted her.
“Well, we may not be as high up the table as I’d like but we certainly have the best-looking team in the league,” she said.
“It must be the skincare that Goran flogs,” Ingvar said. “We get a lot of free samples.”
Meera chuckled. Then she stared at Udo.
“I don’t know you though.”
“Udo Holtmann,” he said.
“Our new goal scorer,” Adam added, clapping him on the shoulder.
Meera narrowed her eyes. “I think we could do with a few more, Udo.”
“Duly noted.”
Udo glanced away. Her steely gaze was unnerving. The elevator doors opened again, catching his eye. There stood Steven and Javier. Udo gasped a little. Steven looked an absolute knockout in his suit. He seemed to glow as he traversed the room chatting to various people.
Udo couldn’t take his eyes off him.
“Fancy a drink, Holtmann?” Adam asked.
“Yeah, why not?”
He said his goodbyes and followed his new friends to the bar. Ingvar made the order. A pint of lager was a rare treat during the season. Udo was looking forward to this.
He’d never been a fan of getting totally drunk. Being out of control never appealed to him. Having to keep so many secrets meant he wasn’t prepared to take the risk.
Ingvar handed him a drink. His face lit like a Christmas tree.
“Get that in you,” he said.
Once they all had glasses, they raised them.
“To staying out of the Championship and showing these wankers who’s boss next season,” Adam said.
“Cheers,” they all said in unison.
Udo took in the faces of people who, until recently, had been opponents and strangers. Now he found himself really liking them.
“To Brockton FC,” he added.
Once again they all cheered.
He took a sip. The cold golden liquid slipped down his throat so easily.
“Fuck, that’s good,” he said, wiping his mouth.
“It’s German too,” Ingvar added.
“No wonder then,” Udo replied.
They all laughed.
“I hope that’s the first one,”
They turned to see Javier and Steven standing behind them. Udo instantly locked eyes with Steven before turning away. He needed to get himself together. Every time they were in each other’s company he turned into a blushing mess.
“Doing the club proud,” Steven said. “Go and get your photos taken. We’ll do a full squad one later.””
“Give us a chance,” Goran said.
“Sorry, Big G,” Javier replied. “It’s work tonight.”
Goran shook his head. “I hate it when you call me that, Little J.”
Javier cackled.
“Fucking hell,” Adam said, staring across the top of their heads. “Who ordered two nerds, straight-up?”
Udo followed his gaze. Edi and Colin were in the midst of the crowd. To say their suits were ill-fitting was being kind. Edi’s was far too big for him whilst Colin’s was too short in the arms and tight across the chest.
Javier beckoned them over.
“What in God’s name are you two wearing?”
“Don’t blame us,” Colin said, crimson. “The stupid fucking suit hire place in Brockton screwed up the measurements.”
“Are you sure you haven’t got each other’s suits on?” Adam asked.
Colin’s jaw dropped. “Should we get changed, boss?”
“We’re going to eat any minute. You’ll have to do as you are.”
Udo caught Steven’s eye. He was clearly fighting the urge to laugh.
Professional to the end.
“Don’t let anyone take your picture,” Javier said. “Howard will lose his shit.”
“What about the squad photo, boss?” Adam said, with a glint in his eye.
“Stay at the back. That’s an order.”
Goran and Ingvar sniggered.
“Don’t worry, lads,” Udo said. “Once we’re in the main room, it’ll be dark.”
This set everyone off. Even Javier.
“Can we really have a drink, boss?” Edi asked.
The look on Javier’s face told them everything they needed to know about his opinion on that.
“I feel like I should have your drinks for the shock,” Javier replied. “But go on. Take it steady. If you spill on those monstrosities, you’ll have to buy them.”
He turned to the others.
“Jesus Christ,” he said, with a smile. “Where do we get them from?”
Udo grinned at Steven who returned it.
Tonight could be a decent night.
For the dinner, the squad were split up.
Each one hosting a table. Udo had seven tech experts on his.
Once they’d had the obligatory soccer conversation, his guests began talking about the latest news in the telecoms world.
Not something Udo could participate in. As a supposedly tech-savvy German, he absolutely let the side down.
He could barely work his mobile, never mind chat about it.
Steven was across the room. He had women flocking to him for photo opportunities. A flash of jealousy erupted inside Udo. Not that he had any right to feel like that. Yet, he did.
“Excuse me, nature calls,” he said.
He got up and walked across the room. Adam had his table in uproar.
Udo shuddered to think what about. Ewen was also holding court at his table.
Judging by his hand gestures, he was relaying his latest goal to them.
In minute detail. As for poor Colin’s table, it appeared to be a tumbleweed moment.
Most of his guests were fiddling with their mobiles or chatting to one another.
Udo crossed the foyer and went into the bathroom.
The sound of someone being sick greeted him as soon as he entered. Frowning, Udo checked the cubicles until he found Ingvar kneeling over the sink. He threw up again, making Udo wince.
“Ingvar?”
“Ugh,” his teammate said. “Think I’ve overdone it.”
For fuck’s sake.
If Javier saw the state of him, he’d fine him a month’s wages. If he was lucky. There was no chance that Udo could support Ingvar on his own.
“Wait here,” he said.
Invgar groaned.
Udo ran out of the men’s toilets and straight into Shaun.
Oh, great.
“All right, hero?” Shaun said. “Hanging around the gents? People will talk.”
“Shut up and come with me.”
He led Shaun into the bathroom.
“Sorry, love. You’re not my type,” Shaun said.
Udo pointed to the cubicle, which Ingvar hadn’t moved from.
“Oh fuck,” Shaun said.
“We have to get him to his room before anyone notices,” Udo urged. “I can’t do it on my own.”
Shaun sighed. “Fine. You take one arm and I’ll take the other.”
They went to grab hold of Ingvar.
“Come on, you big lump,” Shaun grunted.
Between the two of them, they managed to get Ingvar on his feet.
“I’m sorry,” he wailed.
“Be quiet,” Udo said. “Can you walk?”
Ingvar nodded. He staggered forward before lurching toward the sinks. Shaun and Udo caught him.
“How are we going to get him to the lift?” Shaun asked.
Suddenly it had got very warm in the bathroom. Udo pulled at his tie to give himself some air.
“Go to the door and wait until we’re clear,” Udo said. “Then, Ingvar, you’ve got to really try. It’s not so far.”
Shaun nodded and dashed away. He peered out into the lobby.
“Wait,” he said. “There’s some people at reception. Looks like they’re nearly done.”
Udo ran the cold tap and splashed water on Ingvar’s face. He wasn’t sure if it worked but he would try anything.
“Are you trying to drown me?” Ingvar wailed.
“I think you’ve done a good job of that yourself,” Udo replied.
“They’re gone,” Shaun said, coming back.
With a nod, they both took hold of Ingvar and spirited him out of the bathroom as quickly as possible. Considering the weight of the Icelandic defender, that wasn’t as fast as Udo would’ve liked.
Mercifully, the elevators were close to the gents’ bathroom door. They got Ingvar and pressed him up against the wall. Gravity was certainly not their friend at that moment.
Shaun hit the button.
“Come on, you bastard,” he muttered.
Udo scanned the lobby. There was no one around except for the receptionist who was too intent on staring at her screen.
Then movement caught his eye. Steven was coming out of the function room.
“Fuck,” he said.
The lift came and they practically threw Ingvar inside. Once the doors had closed, he and Shaun breathed a sigh of relief.
“That was close,” Shaun said. “Cox would’ve ratted on us in a second.”
Udo’s initial reaction was to defend Steven’s professionalism but now wasn’t the time. Instead he just nodded.
“I’m going to be sick,” Ingvar moaned.
“Not until you get into your room, you’re not,” Shaun replied.
The doors opened.
“Number?” Udo asked.
“What do you mean?” Ingvar replied.
“Your room number.”
“Oh…fuck knows.”
Udo searched Ingvar’s pockets. As luck would have it, he’d kept his keycard in the wallet the hotel had provided him.
“Room fourteen.”
They staggered down the corridor until they found the right room. Udo opened the door and they guided Ingvar to the bed where he fell down.
“Do we just leave him like that?” Shaun asked.
Udo sighed. “I’ll do the shoes. You do the tie.”
They set about securing Ingvar who was already snoring.
Udo grabbed the wastepaper basket and put it on the nightstand.
“Be sick in that,” he said. “I’ll check on you later.”
“How are you going to do that?”
Udo held up the wallet. “Two key cards.”
“Good thinking.”
They left Ingvar and returned slowly to the lift. Udo didn’t know if Steven had seen him but he had no appetite for an inquisition.
Now he found himself alone with Shaun, awkwardness seized him.
“You’re all right, you know,” Shaun said. “Helping Ingvar like that.”
This is turning out to be quite the evening.
“Thanks,” he replied. “Same for you.”
They stepped into the lift.
“You didn’t give me much choice,” Shaun said. “You’re stronger than you look, pretty boy.”
Udo grinned.
Once back into the foyer, Steven was waiting in a seated area. He stood when he saw Udo and Shaun coming out of the lift.
“I’ll let you handle this one,” Shaun said.
He walked back into the function room.
“What’s going on?” Steven asked as he approached Udo.
Udo would really like his second drink after all that. Instead he forced a smile onto his face.
“Nothing,” he replied. “Shaun needed some cufflinks. He’s lost one of his.”
Steven frowned. “And he asked you?”
“Who else do you think had spares?”
It was a pathetic story. Udo had never been good at lying.
“Shall we?” Udo asked.
As they were about to rejoin the party, the hotel lobby doors opened and Udo’s blood ran cold.
There was Max Bryant.
Udo sprang back, using the wall for cover.
“Have I missed the meal?” Max asked the receptionist.
“I’m afraid so.”
“Good,” he said. “The food is shit here.”
Not lowering himself to wait for a reply, he swept through to the function room without noticing his old client staring at him from the shadows.
“Are you okay?” Steven asked.
Udo couldn’t answer him. He needed to get out of there.
He dashed out of the hotel and into the cool London night. His heart was racing. As he stormed down the street, he pulled his bow tie off. He couldn’t breathe.
All he knew was he had to get as much space between them as possible. And fuck what anyone else thought of it.