Small print:
This story was made for fun and nothing else.Thanks to Renate from Australia and to Gitti (with her Joys of Fatherhood) for their help and patience!
GEORGIE-BOY
A few weeks after narrowly escaping being shot by Cowley for nearly killing King Billy, Bodie had more problems.
It was the first time since that incident that he and Doyle were at the pub together
“I never wondered why you shot me with that water-pistol, you know, but I have wondered where you got it from?”
“My son left it in my flat, so…”
Doyle’s eyes widened in astonishment and he coughed and spluttered as he choked on his beer:
“Repeat that!“, he said, not believing what he’s just heard.
Bodie took another drink, then stopped to consider how he would reveal one of his many secrets to Doyle.
“I’ve got a son . He is three years old and his name is >Georgie<.“
Doyle was shocked, but the kid’s name made him grin.
“You never told me about that!“ said Doyle reproachfully.
“Didn’t matter anyway – Helen never wanted me involved, she even refused money… But last month we met by accident, so I invited her and Georgie…”
“Helen, eh? Isn’t she the one who’s about 10 years older than you?“, Doyle chuckled and continued: “I told you, she doesn’t want you, she just wants your sperm!“
Bodie took a deep look into his empty glass.
“I’ll be off duty for the next two weeks, Ray. Helen asked me to look after Georgie while she’s in hospital.“
“The Cow won’t let you go, there’s that meeting next week…”
“Could take little Georgie to a child minding centre, then.” , said Bodie casually.
“Don’t do that! The poor kid! Isn’t it enough that he has you for a father?“
Instead of answering, Bodie lifted his glass in Doyle’s direction, with a slight smile around his mouth.
Cowley wouldn’t let Bodie have the full two weeks. But, knowing about Bodie’s problems, he gave him three days to solve them ...
***
Cowley was taken aback when Bodie came into his office, hand-in hand with the little dark-haired boy.
“Bodie!!! What do you mean by bringing that child in here?”
Cowley looked at the boy as if he were an alien.
“C’mon, Georgie. Say >good morning< to Mr. Cowley.” ,Bodie urged the little one, trying to calm the situation.
“Hello.” , Georgie’s voice was bright and friendly.
“This is my son. Georgie. Sorry, Sir, didn’t know how difficult it is to find a babysitter. Was hoping you’d look after him ‘til I get back this afternoon?”
Bodie gave Cowley a suppliant look and Cowley couldn’t resist. He had no choice, either, if he wanted Bodie to be on duty immediately. So he decided he could manage this little job.
While Doyle and Bodie where on duty, escorting some important foreign politician to his meeting, Cowley gave Bodie’s son some paper, pencils and chocolate to keep the child occupied.
But the little boy was touching everything in Cowley’s office with chocolate-fingers and asking questions again and again. He climbed onto a chair to jump off, fell and cried. Too often he needed to go to the loo or wash his hands and worst of all he had drawn on some files and spilt lemonade on the floor.
Betty helped out by comforting the crying boy when he was not allowed to leave the room on his own.
In the late afternoon Cowley got an urgent message from Doyle:
“4.5 to Alpha!“
“Alpha. What’s up, 4.5?“
“This meeting seems to be going on, Sir. Bodie wants to know if you could take Georgie home to his flat and put him to bed?“
Cowley sighed. That was the last thing he needed.
“Alright, 4.5, Alpha out.”
Cowley was tired, too. He hoped that he would get a chance to go through some files while the little rebel slept.
***
Georgie refused to eat anything and fought Cowley when he tried to help him into his pyjamas. Cowley finally won and Georgie slept in Bodie’s bed.
Cowley looked around his agent’s flat and found a bottle of Scotch on a high-board. He poured some in a glass and sat down on Bodie’s sofa. After having drunk most of it, he tried to read the files, which he had brought with him, but he was too tired . He closed his eyes…and slept as well.
But little Georgie-boy only slept for two hours. He was thirsty and began to explore the kitchen. There he found a bottle of something in the fridge- but wasn’t able to open it. There was a cup half full of cold tea which his father hadn’t finished that morning. He drank some of it but spat the rest onto the floor in disgust. Slowly he made his way into the living-room where he finished Cowley’s scotch. Georgie choked on the few drops left and coughed loudly, but Cowley didn’t wake up. Curious, the little boy rummaged through Bodies cupboards and bookcases – pulling everything out.
Then he found a huge arsenal of chocolate-bars and various sweets! He’s a good Daddy, Georgie decided.
When he was fed up with all this he found his way back into his Daddy’s bed and minutes later he was dreaming well…
***
Bodie and Doyle finally returned from the long VIP – protection op. First they found Cowley snoring on Bodie’s sofa, then they discovered the mess in the living-room and kitchen.
“What the hell happened here?”
Bodie panicked, thinking the worst – thieves, kidnappers or something else – and ran into his bedroom.
Little Georgie was sleeping peacefully. Bodie sighed in relief and joined Doyle, whose shoes kept sticking on the kitchen floor.
“You shouldn’t put sugar in your tea, mate.” , he told Bodie , relieved to see his lightened mood.
“Both Georgies are sleeping peacefully. Why don’t we go for a drink and take advantage of the chance to meet some girls?“ Bodie whispered, grinning.
“ What about the mess here? Don’t you want to clean up?“, Doyle asked.
“No, my charlady will be here tomorrow. And who knows, maybe the Cow will clean up when he wakes?“
Both men felt like two errant schoolboys as they crept out of the flat.
***
They returned from the pub very early in the morning.
Stretching, Cowley woke up, when Bodie opened the door of his flat .
“I’m back now, Sir. Thank you for baby-sitting.“, Bodie smiled.
“What time is it?“, Cowley asked, looking for a watch.
“It’s two o’clock, you should use the remaining hours to sleep in your own bed. Could be more comfortable.“
“You’re right, Bodie. Your sofa isn’t really made for sleeping on!”
“Oh, I know that well enough”, Doyle sighed, interrupting Cowley.
“By the way – it appears that I’m paying you too well. You can afford a better scotch than I can! Good night, lads.”
Cowley put on his coat but before he left, looked around, and saw all the mess for the first time.
“ You’re off duty until Monday morning, Bodie. I really do not want to have that little rebel around me everyday! And as for you, Doyle: see you tomorrow afternoon! And don’t forget your report!“
***
Some days later Helen came to collect Georgie.
“You look pale, Bodie- had any trouble with our lovely boy? Oh, Georgie-boy! Did you enjoy the days with your Daddy?“
“He missed you a lot, Helen. Hope you’re feeling better now?“, Bodie asked seriously.
“Oh, yes, thank you, Bodie. I owe you one. I…I never expected you to help me that much.”
Helen looked to Georgie, avoiding Bodie’s eyes .
“It’s okay, Helen. I had to, being his father. I am responsible, too, you know”, Bodie said , pride in his voice and touching Georgie’s head.
“I’m not so sure, Bodie …” , Helen begun, but then she hesitated.
Bodie raised a single eyebrow, not understanding.
“Bye, then, Bodie – I’ll call you.“
Helen left Bodie’s flat in somewhat of a hurry.
Bodie didn’t like the sudden quiet that descended on the flat. The past two weeks had been so noisy, that now he just couldn’t bear the silence and the feeling of loneliness. He longed for company - for Doyle’s company… These past days, when little Georgie was around, Doyle always seemed to be busy.
***
They met at the pub as they had done many times before.
“Got rid of your little rebel, now?“, Doyle tried to hide a smile.
“Yes, Helen picked him up.“ Bodie said shortly.
“Hey, what’s up, mate? Did she want to make a real Daddy out of you?“
Doyle was highly amused with images of Bodie as a bridegroom in his mind .
“She said she was not so sure, Ray.”, Bodie sighed.
“What did she mean, not sure about you? Or at all? Or about you being the boys’ father?”
Doyle’s question hit Bodie and he suddenly looked weary and paler than before. Doyle recognized that, but decided not to back off now. He had warned him!
With his head down, Bodie asked, sighing: ”Doesn’t he even look a bit like me?“
“Maybe you’ve been kicked in the balls too many times to become a father at all!“ Doyle laughed.
Still chuckling, Doyle looked at a very pale Bodie and added :
“Oh, come on, mate! At least you got to know how it feels like to be one, and so does Cowley!“
Replaying his memory, Bodie saw Cowley, snoring on the sofa with all the mess in the flat around him…
He took a big gulp of beer to wash away the doubts, and joined Doyle in observing the pretty barmaids. Life goes on.
END
Susi February 2001
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