Olympic Dreaming

Author's Note - Warning: there is a reference to someone getting cancer in this chapter, so if this causes you distress, please be warned. The outcome is good in this case - if that helps.

Chapter 14

After spending a wonderful summer in France, we returned to Manchester to prepare for our work placements. The weather was dreary and much colder than in Southern France, making us feel down. To lift our spirits, we decided to shop for clothes on the first day back. The girls needed various business attire for their jobs, so it was a productive trip. Luckily, the IT industry was more flexible, and I could wear smart-casual clothes, but I still allowed them to pick out some items for me. Since I had earned significant money over the previous six months with the film, I paid for all their clothes. This meant they could all buy high-end brands and looked incredibly professional (and stunning!) as they posed for me. Afterwards, they took me to Victoria's Secret, modelled, and bought some underwear as a treat for me.

During our stay in France, I hired a gardener to mow our lawn weekly and keep it tidy. However, once we returned, the grass had grown quite long again as he had suffered a bad back. So, I decided to take care of it myself now we had a few dry days. The house had a good-sized garden at the rear with borders filled with shrubs and flowers. We didn't know what most of them were, but they looked pretty. It was a typical late English summer - we were experiencing a hot and dry spell following the cold and wet weather. I started in shorts and a T-shirt, but the heat made me remove the shirt quickly. The girls wore light clothing like shorts, leggings, and crop or skimpy tops. While I was cutting the grass, the girls tried their hand at gardening. Although we were unsure about the names of different plants, we could recognise most of the weeds, or at least we hoped we could.

As I finished, I saw our elderly neighbour, Mrs Slocombe, out in her garden, so we chatted over the fence. We'd had brief conversations while living there, but never for long. She used the same gardener, and her lawn was also getting long, so I offered to cut hers for her. She readily agreed, so I put our lawnmower away and went to her shed to get hers out. She lived alone and was quite a chatterbox, but I quickly surmised she knew her plants. Knowing the girls were clueless next door and they also liked a good gossip, I suggested she went around to our garden, and she could make sure they were only pulling out weeds. Mrs Slocombe was delighted with the suggestion, so I escorted her next door and introduced her to all the girls.

Going back into Mrs Slocombe's garden, I took out her lawnmower and got to work. She had a very old, heavy model you had to push along manually. With the heat, I soon started sweating buckets. It took me the best part of an hour to cut her grass. As I was clattering about in her shed, putting the lawnmower back, a woman suddenly appeared at the door. She was probably in her early thirties, petite and quite pretty, with short, brown hair and thin-rimmed glasses. She looked surprised to see me as I was to see her.

"Oh," she exclaimed. "I thought you must be my granny. Have you seen her?"

"Yes," I replied. "She's at my house next door, ensuring the girls know a weed from a flower. I offered to cut her grass, as our shared gardener has back trouble. Let me finish putting this away, and I'll take you around."

I could see out of the corner of my eye that she was looking at me warily. As her eyes scanned my torso, she lingered over the scars where I'd been shot. I finished and closed the shed door.

"I'm David," I said. "I'd offer to shake your hand, but I'm all sweaty and grubby!"

"Hi David, I'm Wendy, Mollie's granddaughter. Thanks for cutting the grass for her. That was very kind of you."

"No problem, glad to help. Follow me, and I'll introduce you to everyone."

Wendy followed behind me, and we went back to the street and then through our side gate into the garden. Mrs Slocombe and the girls sat around the table on the patio, drinking tea and coffee and happily chatting.

"Hello, Granny," Wendy said, giving her gran a hug and kiss. "I was a bit worried when no one answered the door."

"Hello, dear," her grandmother replied. "David kindly offered to cut my lawn, and I've just been showing his housemates the weeds so they don't pull the wrong ones out."

"Do you all live here then?" Wendy asked.

"Yes," I replied. "We are all students at Manchester University, so we are house-sharing while we study."

"Can we get you a tea or coffee?" Asked Mai. "Do you want to join us, or do you both need to get back?"

"I'd love to join you," Wendy responded. "Tea, white, no sugar, please."

"I'll just go and wash my hands and get us a drink," I said. "I won't be long."

I walked into the kitchen to wash my hands, then thinking better of it, went upstairs to run a cold flannel over me to wipe away the sweat. I then made Wendy and myself a cup of tea and took them outside.

"Here you go," I said, handing Wendy her tea before sitting down.

Wendy asked us all what we were studying, and after telling her, we told them about the jobs we had found for our third year. As Alicia explained she would be working for a television production company in Salford Quays, Wendy's eyes lit up.

"That's where I work!" she exclaimed. "You must look me up, and we can have lunch sometime."

"Mrs Slocombe was telling us she has lived here since the houses were built," Alicia told me.

"I've bet you've seen many changes," I said.

"Oh yes," Mrs Slocombe said. "But please call me Mollie. The house you are living in had been empty for a while before you moved in. It had been on the market for over £1m, but they couldn't sell it. They must have decided to rent it out until the market picks up."

"I'm glad they did," I replied. "We love it here. It's a great neighbourhood, and it's easy to get into the centre of Manchester."

"The rent must be much more than normal student accommodation," Mollie suggested.

"Well, yes, it is," I said. "But I've been lucky recently, and we want to live together, so it is ideal for us."

"David has been working in France over the summer," Naomi said. "The previous year, he received some excellent endorsements and sponsorships."

Mollie started talking about the neighbourhood, the people who had lived there over the years and how the area had changed. As Mollie talked, Wendy kept looking towards me and seemed transfixed with my scars. At one point, I caught her staring, and she looked at me guiltily.

"I'm sorry for staring," she said. "Those scars look like gunshot wounds our makeup uses on set."

"That's because they are," Sabrina said, tears forming.

I stood up and went to cuddle her.

"David was the one who stopped those gunmen last year." Sabrina continued. "He nearly died."

Wendy and Molly both looked surprised and then looked at me more closely.

"Of course!" Wendy said. "I should have recognised you! I'm so sorry for bringing it up. You must have been the girl David saved?"

"Yes," replied Sabrina. "Naomi was there as well and helped us afterwards. It still makes me emotional when I recall it, but it's improving with time."

"It must be strange living with four girls," Wendy said to me. "You all look to get on well together. Did you go to the same school?"

We looked at each other, and then the girls explained how we'd all met and hinted, in a roundabout way, what our relationship was now.

As the penny dropped for Wendy, she looked at her Gran with a concerned expression, thinking she would be shocked or offended. Mollie saw the look and laughed.

"Wendy dear," Mollie said. "I was around in the sixties, so you'd be surprised what I got up to in my younger days! Ah, the memories of those festivals when flower power was at its height. Good on the five of you, is what I say. Love is what is most important, not what other people think."

We moved on to less controversial topics, and once they had finished their drinks, they returned to Mollie's house after Wendy and Alicia exchanged phone numbers.

On Monday, the five of us took the tram to work, Alicia alighting the stop before the rest of us. We were all working in and around Salford Quays, which was very convenient for us. I entered my employer's building, Paisley Shanks Business Solutions (PSBS), and signed in at reception. Paisley Shanks was a medium-sized company based in Glasgow with offices in Manchester and London. They ran the payroll systems for dozens of businesses across Britain using their own software.

My new team leader arrived to collect me and showed me where I would be based for the first few months. My first few days were spent having my photo taken and collecting my pass, being issued with a laptop and several online orienteering courses. In between completing these, I gradually got to know my new team. There were five on the team, and they seemed to be a friendly enough bunch, aged from late twenties to nearing retirement. The team handled running the payroll for all the clients, so it was the customer-facing part of the business.

Each night, while we prepared and ate dinner, we would discuss how our days had gone. Sabrina and Naomi were working at KTP, Keegan Toshack & Partners, where Sabrina's mum was one of the partners. Sabrina had started in the criminal law department while Naomi was doing civil law. Once a fortnight, they would spend half a day in court watching proceedings. After January, they would swap to get experience in both areas. So far, they were enjoying the work, although there was a lot to learn, and it was a very high-pressure environment.

Mai was working at the accountancy firm DRA, Dalglish Rush and Associates. Again, she was enjoying her work. She loved numbers and was in her element. Sabrina, Naomi, Mai, and I worked within a short walk of each other, so occasionally, we would meet for lunch. We would either get a sandwich and eat outdoors or, if the weather was cold or wet, meet at a café. Once a week, I would catch the tram for one stop and meet Alica, or she would sometimes meet us.

We all went to a gym near work on Tuesdays after work. We had continued our jogging and park runs, and Alicia and I were close to trying for our brown belts in jujitsu. We both achieved purple in early 2012 and enjoyed the training sessions together. The jujitsu school we attended was very friendly, and the numbers had grown slightly since we joined. Alicia was very serious in her dedication to the art and was quite strong and toned while still having a gorgeous figure.

On weekends, we tried to get out on one of the days to hike in the nearby Peak District National Park. This was an area of moorland with some great views and open spaces. Naomi and Sabrina, being city girls, weren't used to the great outdoors as much as the rest of us, but our enthusiasm rubbed off on them, and they soon became converts. I loved the calmness away from the city. Manchester was great for nightlife, culture, and convenience, but I was happiest when it wasn't so crowded.

As we were having lunch in a pub after one hike, Naomi asked if anyone was interested in learning ballroom dancing. We all enjoyed dancing when we went out clubbing, but none had ever learnt 'proper' dancing. After a bit of discussion, it became clear that we all would like to learn.

"So, how would this work?" I asked. "There are four of you, but only one of me."

"I could ask if they do private tuition," Naomi said. "It might take longer to learn, but I'm sure there is a way it could work out."

"One of us could take turns being the lead as well," Sabrina replied. "That way, we wouldn't have three of us just watching?"

"It's worth trying," I said. "It could be fun, and it's always a good skill to have in your back pocket."

Naomi promised to contact the dance studio to see what was possible. Then they all started discussing if they would need new dresses and shoes. I chuckled to myself. They had wardrobes full of dresses and shoes but would use any excuse to expand them.

The following week, Naomi contacted them and arranged for us to have a lesson every Monday evening for an hour. I also asked Craig and Dafydd if they wanted to join with their girlfriends, which they thought was an excellent idea. After we'd had our lessons, we'd all return to our house, get a takeaway and chill out together.

The five of us had all settled into our work and were largely enjoying it. Although going from university life, where you had lots of free time, to working 9-5 every day was a bit of a shock. I think I coped with the transition the easiest as I'd been employed on the film for many months, but we all soon adjusted as the girls were naturally hard workers.

My role often meant attending meetings with other departments, and I soon started putting names to faces around the building. I don't think I found anyone I didn't like, although some people were naturally more friendly than others. Being so tall, I was quickly noticed wherever I went. Once it became known I was the current Olympic and World Champion in taekwondo and judo, people stopped me with the slightest excuse to chat with me. As this included the senior management, it seemed no one minded a degree of social interaction during work time. In fact, it was a very relaxed and pleasant atmosphere at work, and I could see myself here after graduating. They were a relatively small firm, meaning people knew most of the other employees.

One night a fortnight after work, a group met at a local bar for a drink, and I soon joined them. No one drank excessively, as we would have to work the next day. It was mainly to unwind and socialise. I started learning about the company's history, how long various people had worked there, and more about their families. Who was in relationships, who had kids and how many, etc. Invariably, I was often asked about my status, and I tried to be vague. I told them I was living with my girlfriend, and we'd been together since I moved to Manchester. Usually, I steered any questions away from me as I didn't know what people's reactions to me having four girlfriends would be. Luckily, no one persisted with in-depth questions, as I wouldn't lie. I just tried to steer the conversation to other topics, and the original question would be lost by the time I finished. After a few nights out, my boss's boss, who often came out with us, caught me as I was at the bar.

"David," she said. "I've noticed you often deflect any questions about your girlfriend. Is there more to it than you want to say, or is it something else?"

"Um," I answered, thinking how best to get out of this.

"I don't know if you know," she continued. "Two of the senior executives are gay, so you don't have to worry about that. I understand if you want to keep things private, but if it gets out and anyone makes an issue of it, talk to me or HR. It will be dealt with quickly and discreetly. We won't tolerate any abuse of people's sexuality."

I stared at her for a moment. She thought I was gay? I suppose my always avoiding those questions might look like that.

"I do have a girlfriend. Well, I have four in truth." I responded.

She looked at me with a raised eyebrow, so I continued.

"It's complicated. We all live together and have done so since soon after we started university. The arrangement was their idea and works very well. I don't know how others will respond, and I don't want to offend anyone."

She looked at me with her mouth open and then said.

"Oh, I seemed to have got that completely wrong, don't I! I wouldn't worry. What you do in your personal life has nothing to do with anyone at the firm if it doesn't affect your work, which I can't see happening. A word of advice if you'll accept it."

"Of course," I replied.

"People will always find out about your living arrangements eventually, wherever you are," she continued. "It is probably best to be in control when and how that information comes out. That way, you can control the narrative. You don't seem the sort to boast about it, which would get some people's hackles up. Just make sure anyone you tell knows you are not exploiting these girls."

"Thank you," I said. "That sounds like good advice. Perhaps I'll tell some of the people in my team and maybe bring my girlfriends one evening, although not all at once to start with!"

We rejoined the others, and the rest of the evening went by with less drama. That night, I discussed with the girls how public they felt we should be with our arrangement. They had all told their colleagues they had a boyfriend but nothing further. They agreed we had nothing to be ashamed of and should be open when asked about the five of us.

The following week, during a morning coffee break, I told my team about my girlfriends. The news was met with laughter as they didn't believe me, even when I showed them a photo of the five of us in France. I told them I was meeting Mai and Sabrina for lunch, and they were welcome to join us if they wanted.

I warned the girls beforehand, and as I walked there with the three lads and two girls from my team, they constantly teased me. As we approached the café, Mai and Sabrina were waiting, and both gave me a big French kiss, leaving my colleagues under no illusions they were my girlfriends. Lunch was fun, and my colleagues soon took to the girls. They looked desperate to ask how the arrangement worked, but none dared to ask. After that, knowledge of my domestic arrangements filtered around the office, and my girlfriends started joining me on our drink nights. I think it's fair to say the men around the office started looking at me with envy, and some of the ladies with either puzzlement, desire, or, I must admit, a degree of disapproval.

During November, Mollie started joining us for a Sunday roast. She was great company and had led a varied and exciting life. Soon after, Wendy also started joining us, and it became a weekly event. I moved into the database team in December as part of my work rotation. I'd already met the members and team leader, so the move was smooth and uneventful. As the girls and I had spent so long away from our families over the previous summer, we decided to all go home for a few days this Christmas.

In early December, I received a phone call from Anabelle, the director of the film I was in. Post-production had all been completed, and the film now had a title - 'Justine'- the name of the character Astrid played. It had been the working title, and they had chosen to keep it as the film centred around her, so it was apt. The production team were delighted with the end product and were hopeful for a very good reception from the critics. The film would be released in Paris on the 1

st

of January and have a short run in cinemas before it was shown on Netflix. I was, of course, required to attend the premiere, and there were likely to be talk shows to appear on as well, leading up to the premiere to drum up interest.

This slightly changed our Christmas plans, as the girls were excited to go to Paris to see the premiere. My parents, sister Alice, uncle Tom, and auntie Fiona also wanted to attend. I called my agent, Charlotte, and she agreed to book all the accommodation for my family and herself at my expense.

The next day, I spoke to my team leader at work, asking for a fortnight's leave to cover any interviews and the premiere. No one at work knew what my 'summer job' had entailed. I think most assumed it had been barwork. She was shocked and excited about the film and happily accepted my request. By the time I stopped for lunch, I think the whole building had heard the news, and people kept asking me all about it.

My parents, sister and I flew to Sweden for our traditional Christmas break, but I had to leave them on Boxing Day to fly to Paris. I took a taxi to the hotel the production team had booked me and was soon joined by my girlfriends. Astrid, Leah, and Anabelle were also staying there, and we had a wonderful meal in the evening. It was good to catch up with them again, even though it had only been three months since we'd last seen each other. They had all moved on to other things, and each was involved in different films already.