I Deduce Romance | Benedict Cumberbatch

34 - Back to London

For the people who're still here, I updated! 

I thought I wasn't going to, but after getting an update request, I decided to take time to work on this again. So thank you for that!

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For the seven hours that Clary could've slept, she probably got like only one. She tried to call Ben several times but he never answered. Early in the morning, she takes a shower and when she can't stand being in the room any longer, she calls Tom and meets him downstairs.

"Anything?" she asks but he simply shakes his head. "God, this is so messed up."

"Everything will be fine."

Suddenly, a thought comes into her mind. "No..."

"What?"

"He must be at the airport. He's got his performance tonight, there's no way he would miss out on that."

"Yeah, but this early? Clearly, he didn't come all the way here just to spend the night. His flight must be later in the day. Come on, let us get some food. No point to hunt him down on empty stomachs." Tom practically has to drag her along to get the breakfast. They eat in silence because Clary extinguishes the food and Tom has to do the same to keep up. Once they're done, they go outside the hotel.

"Where do we start?" she asks.

"As long as he doesn't give us anything to go on... I don't know."

New tears escape her eyes and Tom feels like he can't do anything to help. He never believed Ben to just jump to such a conclusion. Something isn't right.

"You know what I think?" he asks and she looks at him. "He has done a lot of performances, and flying here after one, being away from you... he's probably exhausted. And seeing me in your room in... Not the best way, I admit..."

As she understands what he means, she sighs and sits down on a bench. Just as Tom sits down beside her, Clary's phone makes a beep and she instantly gets a spark of hope. However, reading the text, that little hope sinks back down.

"Is it him?" Tom asks.

Letting out a shaky breath, she leans her head back and covers her mouth. Carefully, Tom takes her phone and reads the message.

"On my way back to London. Have fun with the rest of the shootings." His voice tones out as he reads it out loud. "Clary, I-"

"I have to go after him. I'm sorry, but I can't stay here and pretend everything is okay. We're supposed to be here for at least four more days, and this is not gonna sort itself out until I talk to him."

He gives the phone back to her. "I understand."

The next flight to London don't leave until the afternoon so Clary has to walk around doing nothing for several hours. She responded to Ben's text but he hasn't replied back. She and Tom talked to the producer's and they accepted that Clary can go.

* * *

At the National Theatre...

Everyone who's part of the Hamlet crew is gathered backstage, getting ready for tonight's performance. Some are getting the final touch on makeup or costumes while others rehearse some lines. Benedict has shut himself alone, sitting down on the floor, going over one of his scenes. His eyes look over the words but his mind is focusing on something completely different. Ever since he got back on the plane, he's regretted leaving without hearing Clary out. There must be a good explanation for why Tom was in her room so late. However, he's too drained of energy to manage to come up with one.