Fortune's Fool

Chapter 1

"Hello Miss Treves, it's so wonderful to see you again." John said.

"It's good to see you too Mr Merrick." Evelyn smiled at him.

It had been two months since their first meeting and Evelyn spent every free afternoon she could spare visiting John.

"Would you like to sit?" John gestured to a chair.

"Yes." she walked over and sat down.

John sat opposite her, slowly positioning his deformed skeleton into the chair. An awkward silence clouded the air.

"Have you been up to much lately?" he asked.

"Quite a lot yes. I've been rehearsing for a few upcoming operas."

"That sounds like exciting work."

"It is, but it's also very tiring."

"I would imagine so."

He tried to hold eye contact with her though every time he met her gaze his heart fluttered and his chest grew tight.

"Have you been up to anything Mr Merrick?"

"Nothing much I'm afraid. The same as always really." he said with slight wist.

"Are you doing anything else later today?" John asked.

"Well since you mentioned it, my parents are meeting the man I've been courting this evening." she said bashfully.

"Oh. You're courting." he tried to hide his despondency, "He's certainly a lucky fellow to be with a woman like you."

"Thank you Mr Merrick." she smiled.

"What's he like?" John asked.

"Well...he's charming, confident, handsome," she began, "and very rich I must say."

"Everything I'm not." John thought to himself with a discontented sigh.

"I must introduce you to him sometime. Perhaps he will become as good a friend to you as you are to me." she said.

"He sounds like a good man, it will be a pleasure to meet him." John tried to sound pleased.

"Wonderful. I'll bring him next time we meet."

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in." John said.

"Oh hello Miss Treves, it's good to see you here again. Would you two like some tea?" Nora peered round the door.

"Yes, that would be lovely. Thank you Nora." John said.

Forty five minutes or so had passed and it was time for Evelyn to leave.

"Goodbye Miss Treves. I look forward to our next meeting."

"Goodbye Mr Merrick. I think we're good enough friends now to call each other by our first names."

"Well then, goodbye Evelyn."

"Goodbye John." she gave a warm smile before she closed the door.

****

Later that evening, as John prepared himself for bed, he wrote in his journal his account for the day.

'Perhaps he will be as good a friend to you as you are to me' she said. I don't think I could ever be friends with any man who courts her. Every time she calls me her friend I feel so hopeless. Friends, that's all we'll every be. I find myself falling for her more and more every time I see her. I wish I could disregard my feelings as I know if I try to peruse her I will only bring unhappiness upon myself. My head is telling me to forget such foolish notions but my heart yearns for her love. I certainly do not look forward to meeting the man she is courting. Seeing him in all his perfection will only highlight what an ill match I am for Evelyn. I wonder if she loves him. She probably does. From what I heard, women probably kiss the very ground he walks on. I could never live up to that. Evelyn could have any man she wanted, why on earth would she pick me? I'll just have to wait till next week to see what I'm up against.

****

It was a Thursday afternoon when Evelyn returned again. John was reading one of his books, his heart racing as he anticipated what was to come.

"Come in." John put his book aside as she knocked on the door.

"Hello John." Evelyn walked in.

John was fixed to the spot as the most attractive man he'd ever seen walked through the door. His heart was ready to explode out of his chest as the man looked him up and down with his perfect, flat lips pursed in distaste. He had thick chestnut hair immaculately groomed atop his small head. His face seemed as though it were carved by angels, his jaw square and tight and his nose thin and defined.

"How am I supposed to compete with this?" John thought to himself.

He came striding towards him, "Hello Mr Merrick, I've heard so much about you. My name is William Hartford." he outstretched his hand which John gingery shook. John quivered as his striking blue eyes burned into his soul, a knowing smirk across his face.

"Hello Mr Hartford." John could barely string together a sentence.

"Oh please do call me William." he flashed a dazzling white grin.

"Evelyn has told me about your previous work in the freak show. That must have been very hard for you. I'm sure you're glad to be living so comfortably now." he said.

"It was hard, yes. Were it not for the kindness of Evelyn's father I wouldn't be where I am today."

"Yes, Evelyn does have a wonderful family. These past few weeks I've been teaching her brother to play cricket. What a dear boy David is."

"I've not had the pleasure of meeting her brother."

"Well we'll have to invite you around again sometime." Evelyn said.

"Might I ask what you do for a living?" John asked.

"My father owns a jewellery company and I am due to inherit it soon when he retires."

"I see. That must bring a lot of money."

"It certainly does. All the more to spend on my dear Evelyn." he pulled her close, grinning smugly at John.

John felt completely helpless. What was he supposed to say now? There was nothing he could say to prove himself now. William had shown he was superior in every way to him.

After an awkward half hour John was relieved that William was leaving.

"Is that the time? We really must be leaving. Come on dear." he linked arms with Evelyn.

"Goodbye William."

"Goodbye John." he cast one last superior grin before they left.