Treasure

Treasure - Part Four

2001

As the months passed, Richard grew in confidence. He and Matthew had finally finished writing their version for TV and it would just be one meeting to secure the funding before it would go ahead.

As Richard was about to leave the bedsit, he grabbed his bag and unlocked the door and his mobile rang. He answered, half expecting it to be Noel. He was going with Richard to the meeting to help with Richard's anxiety. He wouldn't go in with him, that would be up to Richard and Matthew, but Noel promised he would go there with him for moral support.

Richard sat on the bed, sinking down onto the mattress as the words sounded out in his ears. They wouldn't be getting the funding, he was told. He ended the call, suddenly in an unusual surge of anger, Richard threw the phone and his bag and the flap flew open half scattering papers across the floor.

He didn't know what to do with himself. He moved across the room to the tiny kitchenette, where he'd been keeping some wine under the sink to celebrate. He didn't drink very often, or when he did it was rarely more than two, but he opened the bottle and started downing the wine. It tasted awful but he forced himself to swallow it. He felt so angry. How could they just turn them down without so much as a meeting? They had been working hard for months, and during those months, Richard had actually felt happy and positive.

"This is why you shouldn't trust anything," He said to himself, downing some more wine. "It always goes wrong in the end, always!"

Richard moved back slightly, resting against the wall before moving down and sighing loudly as another wave of emotion swept over him and he downed more wine before throwing the rest of it on the floor. He watched it bubble and spill out onto the wooden floorboards, not caring for the stain it would leave and he cried angry, hot tears as he felt so frustrated.

Noel was not usually one for being up early or on time, but today he ensured he did both. He didn't want to let Richard down or be late for the meeting with him. He checked his watch as he approached the house Richard's flat was in, only ever having gone in the hallway, he assumed the house had been converted into two or three flats. Richard usually met him in the hall or outside, so when Noel didn't see him there, he was slightly concerned but smiled to himself, as he pictured Richard pacing back and forth practicing his speech.

Noel took to the stairs, knowing the number of Richard's flat from letters they received at the offices, and he stopped outside the door, seeing it was slightly ajar.

"Richard, it's me, we need to go or you'll be late for -" as Noel pushed open the door he was stunned at the sight of the tiny bedsit and Richard in the furthest corner between the bed and the kitchenette.

He had his knees up to his chest and his arms wrapped around them, his head resting on his knees.

"Haven't you heard of knocking?" he mumbled bitterly.

Noel frowned slightly stepping into the room and he saw the mess of papers and wine.

"What's going on? What happened in here?" he asked softly.

"Does it matter?" Richard asked sharply as Noel knelt in front of him.

Noel nodded, Richard could see how concerned he was but he couldn't control himself.

"And now you know I live in a shit hole," he spat, ashamed of what he was living in.

Noel was surprised when Richard swore. He rarely swore at all. Noel glanced around and shook his head.

"Mate, I couldn't give a shit if you lived in a cardboard box, as long as you were safe," he told him gently.

Richard didn't say anything for a moment but angrily wiped his eyes.