Free Snow Blind by Richard Blanchard Page A

and we went to the club to finalise table settings and sample the food. Also you have a ring ready to pick up on Monday when you get back.”
    â€œFantastic babe, you have done everything.” I marvel at the synthesis of endless tasks. The event itself is taking over now, it could happen all on its own; I am sure Sophia could get us married even if I didn’t turn up.
    I hear Bepe bash his toy hammer on something, releasing random comic sounds from its handle.
    â€œI have been thinking about Bepe a lot today. He really scared me.”
    â€œWhat about me? I almost lose my son, my partner flies off on a holiday with his ex-girlfriend and my father’s business partner is lost in L’Aquila earthquake.”
    â€œBabe, I know. It’s been hard on you darling.”
    â€œHard on me, hard on me…” She wants to explode but doesn’t have me there to hit. “I don’t want argue with you Dan, you just have to wake up…”
    â€œI will, you’ll see. I will be there for you both I promise babe.”
    â€œMmmm.” This unconvinced noise means the battle is being held for another day. A day when she can shake me, a day when she will feel vindicated.
    â€œListen, I have started to compile a playlist of my favourite tracks for Bepe.”
    â€œWhat for?”
    â€œIt will be like a time capsule for him. His dad’s favourite things frozen at the time his mum and dad were married. I started compiling it on my iPhone; it’s called the Tracks of my Years. I want him to have something to remember the wedding by as well.” The last part is sheer lies from me, unadulterated off-the-hoof brilliance though.
    â€œMaybe a nice idea.” Sophia softens. Maybe I have recovered a half brownie point after the 10,000-point loss that was today’s accident.
    â€œI have to go. I need to get him to bed.” Suddenly a more forgiving Mediterranean chocolate tone sends a pulse of warmth into my hands.
    â€œI will call tomorrow night and let you know how my skiing went.”
    â€œLook after yourself. Goodnight.” She tails off in a hushed tone. Maybe Bepe has started to drift off without the aid of his bedtime story.
    â€œBye babe,” I feel deep relief at restoring a little goodwill.
    I can put my home life on ice for a day. I feel flushed from talking to Bepe; to think we could come so close to losing him so easily. Something so precious wiped away like a table stain.
    The stags in the window look far too serious. What the hell has gone on in there? I must get back in.

C HAPTER 11
    Juliet 22.30
    â€œH OW DO BOYS GROW UP?”
    Dan rushes out of the bar, as I end my call to Scott. We exchange glances but no words. Scott and I have exchanged events but no feelings. The stags are the only people on the move; everyone else frozen in their own nook for the night, drinking and watching football.
    â€œQuick guys, while Dan is out, can we decide what we are going to do for him over the next few days!” All of his friend’s sense collusion at the liberation of his absence, but Johnny is trying to guide them. I get a flash back of gangs forged in summer holidays, arguing about whether to allow Bobby from the next street to take their initiation ceremony.
    â€œWhen is our big night out going to be?” Johnny starts innocuously.
    â€œEvery night,” sneers Steve.
    â€œI mean we should have one night out in a good restaurant somewhere, where we make it special,” Johnny argues.
    â€œI know he loves Italian food, what about going to Courmayeur in Italy, it’s only thirty minutes through the tunnel,” I propose this as a distraction before more sinister suggestions can arise.
    â€œThere is a restaurant at the casino here. Some serious gambling and a black-tie dinner would do the trick.” Max foists his own agenda on us.
    â€œWhere are you going to get dinner suits from? I haven’t packed a ball gown. It’s