Danny, what the hell, it's two am, Amber said after she'd looked through the spy hole in her apartment door.
Sorry. I know. But I need to speak to you.
You scared me, coming here at this time.
I know. Just let me in for a minute, I promise I'll go away again.
Amber looked at him and stood aside. He entered the hallway and waited for her to close the door.
What? she said.
I can't read and write, he said.
What?.
I need your help. I can't read, and I can't write. He began to cry.
Amber felt desperately sorry for him, as well as deep shock at what he'd just revealed. She hugged him. Come on, sit down. He sat on the sofa and looked at her.
You can't read and write?
No not a damn word. Not even my name. Why else do you think I party all the time? I'm shit scared it'll get out. If it does, just imagine how stupid I'll look. I do stupid stuff just to keep the tabloids off the scent. If they're reporting me getting drunk and screwing women, they're not digging into my school history.
My God, I never realized. You know it's really not that difficult to read and write. It won't take you long to learn.
Eleven years of school didn't teach me.
Because you weren't interested. You probably spent all your time with a ball on your foot.
Yes. I did.
Okay, I'll teach you.
He smiled. But don't tell anyone okay? It's more than my life's worth.
Of course, I won't.
You don't think I'm stupid to do you? he asked.
No, of course, I don't. Danny, I'm sorry for doing what I did to you. I really like you, but Josephine got to me and told me I shouldn't be dating you. She squeezed his hand and looked at his fraught face. She told me all sorts about me being dragged into your court battles and made me worried it would affect my parents’ reputation. I was a bitch to you; I can see that now. She smiled at him and wiped a tear from his cheek. Stay with me tonight. I will make you feel better, she put his hand inside her robe. Let's forget what happened. Let's look to the future. And the future means you and me, and reading and writing.
Amber? What are yo doing with a book called, Elementary Reading and Writing for Adults? Josephine asked.
Amber looked down at her bag which was on the floor next to her desk. The top was open, and the title of the book she'd bought for Danny was there for all to see. Er.....I'm just.....
He can't read can he?
Who?
Danny. Danny can't read and you're helping him.
Please don't tell anybody. He's so hurt by it. It's not his fault; he had a terrible childhood; nobody supervised him.
So out best footballer is a dunce. What a surprise, Josephine said sarcastically.
He's not a dunce, he's a great guy. He just needs help that's all.
Josephine took a rubber band from her desk and played with it. Are you still seeing him?
Yes. I apologized for what I said to him. We are an item, and we will remain one.
Can't you find someone who is literate?
Fuck you, Josephine.'
Ladies, ladies, what's going on? Joe asked.
Amber is seeing Danny Constance. I don't think it's professional. And he can't read or write. Amber looked daggers at Josephine.
Really? Joe said looking at Amber.
Yes, I'm seeing him, and yes he can't read or write. But if it gets out the press will crucify him.
Well, Josephine, I don't see any law against dating someone, especially if it makes both parties happy. On the subject of his literacy capabilities, that's none of our business and a private matter between Danny and Amber.
Joe scowled at Josephine, who pulled a spoiled brat face. And now Josephine, I want to see you. Apparently you called Rod Stevens a black bastard. The owner of the club heard you. I had to plead with him to let us keep the contract. Apparently you were miffed Rod wouldn't sleep with you at the celebration the other evening. Joe came back into the office with Josephine ten minutes later and watched as she cleared her desk.
You bitch, you lying cheating bitch,' Danny cried down the phone. Look at the sodding newspapers. Rod called me. The ass holes are calling me Consonant Constance. I don't even know what a consonant is. How could you do this to me?
But Danny I swear, I didn't tell anybody.
Liar. How come, a day after I told you about my problem the whole world knows?
Because I bought a book for you to learn from, Josephine saw it and put two and two together.
You mean the same bitch that called Rod a black.....?
Yes. Danny, I'm.....
No Amber. You were careless now I'm a laughing stock. Do you know I'll never live it down.
Stand by: five, four, three, two, one, on air:
Good evening and welcome to the John Rushforth show, an hour of discussion about current topics. This evening we will discuss the widening crisis in Syria with the Deputy Prime Minister, the future of Britain in the European union with the leader of the Chamber of Commerce Mandy Jones, and adult literacy with our guest Amber Sullivan a close friend of the footballer Danny Constance, and Margo Cummings from the Adult Literacy Foundation.