Gerald! No!

Part 12 - here we go again

The inspector stood there waiting for someone to invite him in, when the two boys showed up the inspector saw a bloodied Gerald and a worried looking Eric.

They were alone and the inspector thought they must have been fighting due to the blood stains on Eric's hands and the blood covering Gerald's face.

He was mildly surprised that Eric could beat up Gerald without a scratch seeing as he was quite a dandy fellow compared to his brother Gerald.

They both stared at the police inspector before letting him in without a word.

"Good morning gentlemen, I have some urgent business to talk with you both about but I don't have much time. Mr Hegarty was seen dead in the palace bar and you two were there that night, right?" He spoke quickly and formally, much like the last inspector.

"Uh– yes, yes we were." Eric said, nodding slightly.

He didn't want to lie, he knew the last inspector was omniscient and it's likely this one is too.

"Well then you won't mind me asking a few questions?" The inspector asks.

"No. Not at all." Gerald spoke because of how quiet he had been so far.

"Okay so, did you see Mr Hegarty the night of the incident, eighth of April, seven twenty three pm?"

"I believe so, I'm not sure of an exact time but sometime around then we did see him with a few young girls." Gerald spoke, taking charge of answering the questions.

"I see, and did you see him leave or go to the bathroom with anyone?"

They looked at each other, confusion on both their faces. It was an act of course.

"No I don't believe I did." Eric spoke, "I was a little drunk though." Lightheartedly joking.

"I see. Right thank you both for the quick questioning I'll let you know if I need any further information. Thank you."

"No problem, I'll have Edna see you out."

Edna walked through when her name was called and showed the inspector out.

Gerald and Eric looked at each other, fright on Eric's face and a blank look on Gerald's.

"We're leaving. Paris, tomorrow. I'll have everything sorted we can take the titanic!" Gerald said to keep Eric from breaking down.

"I believe it's our only option."

Gerald nodded in agreement and told Eric to go to their room and pack enough clothes for the both of them.

Gerald went and called an old friend, one who owed him a great deal.

"Roger! I need two tickets for the titanic tomorrow, it's going to France isn't it?" He stated impatiently.

"Oh uh I'm not sure I'll be able to it's going to be packed!" He rushed out, scared of the tone and authority Gerald holds.

"I said. I need two tickets for the titanic tomorrow. Now get them, call me back when you aren't being incompetent and are doing as you're told. Got it?" His voice deepened slightly as he scared the young boy.

If Eric was here he would have fainted from that tone, that's what Gerald thought at least.

"Yes. I'll get them." He squeaked out.

Gerald hung up and was going to go help Eric when Arthur walked in.

His oversized body was walking slower and slower these days, it wouldn't be long before Sybil became a widow.

"Come here son, we need to have a word about you and Sheila."

Gerald walked over and Arthur put a hand on his shoulder, "I need you to re-propose. I'm not having her marry that party animal with that horrid reputation! I don't care how Rich he is! Imagine the bad press we'd get? Tomorrow, get the ring and do it by the titanic or something. Just get her to say yes." His adenoidal voice sounding horrible to Gerald's ears.

"I'll try but she seems smitten with Harry, I believe he wants to propose."

Arthur's face turned into one of a purple faced old man's, "I don't care if he wants to fly to the moon, he is not marrying my daughter."

Gerald nodded and walked upstairs to his shared room, he'd be gone tomorrow anyway so he wouldn't have to deal with anyone trying to tell him what to do ever again.

Eric looked up from the duffel bags he was packing, clothes thrown in without much care.

Draws were pulled open revealing the wallpapered interior and everything was taken out and shoved into the smallish brown leather bags, Gerald stared helping by grabbing any miscellaneous items they may need on their travels as well as the stash of money he kept under his mattress, Eric stared at the money, shocked by not being told it was there.

"Come on keep packing the boat leaves at noon tomorrow and I need to meet Roger to get the tickets before and we both know you take too long to get ready in the mornings."

Eric snapped out of it and finished buttoning up the bags, then stacking them by the door ready for when they left.

Gerald also packed a small black box into one of the many bags, a barely noticeable smile on his face.

They were going to be happy.

Weren't they?

Night fell quickly due to all the talking they did on what they would do in Paris. They wanted to travel and eat all the pastries the could without ending up looking like Arthur Birling. They constantly spoke over each other and didn't even listen to what they were saying, they were just happy. Simply happy.

Gerald was the first to start yawning— Eric followed soon after so they locked the bedroom door to make sure no one would enter, set an alarm for nine thirty in the morning— after a short argument over how late that was to wake up, and then fell asleep in each other's arms.

Not realising the pain and suffering they'd be facing soon.