B (2:35)

So we sat down and he was like, he doesn't believe in NDA so he's not going to ask for one of them. And I was just like, what the hell is going on here? Like what is happening? And it was like, oh, do you know what? I think I need to tell you a little bit about my family history.

A (3:06)

I'm Andrea Gunning and this is Betrayal, A show about the people we trust the most and the deceptions that change everything. Today I want to introduce you to Bernie Brown.

B (3:20)

My entire life's been paycheck to paycheck. I'm just very clever with it. I've cut my own hair for the past 20 years and colored it because I'm like, well, if somebody else can do that, why can't I do that?

A (3:33)

While growing up in London, Bernie experienced a difficult upbringing.

B (3:37)

My childhood was very rough. My mum was extremely strong, but she was going through massive domestic violence with my dad at one point, very, very seriously. And we're talking like hospitalization.

A (3:55)

Bernie witnessed his dad's violence at a young age.

B (3:59)

I do remember one time walking into the kitchen and he had her up by a knife. I actually still remember to this day the layout of the room. I remember it very, very vividly. She would be the punching bag to make sure that we were never Harry.

A (4:19)

His mom was a pillar of strength.

B (4:22)

My mother, everything I do and the person that I am now is because of who she was and what she showed me.

A (4:29)

What Bernie remembers most about his mom was how she always made everyone feel at home.

B (4:36)

She was always very house proud, always cleaning. When I hit school, my friends would come over to see her. She was very much an open door. The door was never locked, which was probably unsafe. But anyone knocked on the door, anyone who needed help, regardless of whether she had it or not, it would always be a yes. And she was very, very well known for that.

A (5:03)

When Bernie came out as gay, my.

B (5:05)

Family were lovely with it. I was very, very, very lucky. That enabled me to actually be proud and celebrate it.

A (5:14)

He began to explore the queer scene in London.

B (5:18)

When you first come out as being gay, you've got the big clubs, you know the G A Y Astoria, which has closed down now. I spent many a happy evening there, shall we say?

A (5:29)

Bernie was living his best life. It was a fun and exciting time, but deep down he was looking for real partnership.

B (5:39)

I really wanted to find somebody to settle down with. I just wanted that one on one connection. I don't remember actually witnessing a stable relationship and I think that's why I so desperately needed one.

A (5:58)

At age 18. Bernie found what he was looking for.

B (6:02)

I met my first real boyfriend at the time in London. We moved to Newcastle. We bought a house. We had two dogs and two cars, and we had that life. I must have been 22, 23, and it wasn't legal in the UK to get married at that point. So what we did, we threw a party and we legally changed our names. So we kind of had our little version of a wedding, and it was just going amazingly.

A (6:33)

He had everything he wanted, and it was great for about eight years, but.

B (6:38)

Then it just didn't work. When that failed, we were actually very close friends for about 10 years after. I was the best man at his wedding.

A (6:50)

After their relationship ended, Bernie's mother's health started to decline. At the age of 46, she died of heart failure.

B (6:59)

We had that time to say goodbye, which rarely do people get. I could actually process it there and then, and we both said what we felt and, you know, what she wanted from us in life.

A (7:12)

Now Bernie felt truly out on his own. He was newly single and starting over in the city.

B (7:19)

I was in London. Of course, I had flings and, you know, all of them that come with it. But every single time, I would never see somebody or sleep with somebody and instantly just disregard. There would always be an element of, hmm, could this go further?

A (7:40)

He was a romantic, but Bernie knew he had to prioritize himself and his career. After years of working in retail, Bernie wanted to start a brand of his own. So he started saving everything he could to start his own clothing brand.

B (7:55)

I've never, never had money at all, but I've always worked very, very hard for the money that I do have. I've always wanted to work for myself. No answer to anyone. So I started a clothing T shirt business like my own prints and selling them online. And I was like, it's my time. Let me build something that's my own.

A (8:20)

Even though Bernie was working a lot, he still wanted to have a good time.

B (8:24)

I don't need the relationship at the minute, but, you know, you need the physical side of it.

A (8:29)

So he went on Grindr, the dating app for gay men.

B (8:33)

So I was using it happily. I'd actually met some quite good friends. Now, I actually do still remember the message come through because I'd had a glass of wine and I was sat with a glass of wine, and I got the famous. I remember there was something intriguing. It was very well written and not the usual first opening message that you get on that kind of app. And I thought, it's a Nice breath of fresh air. There's nothing on her. I'll just entertain it.

A (9:05)

His name was Leo, and Bernie had never seen him on the app before.

B (9:10)

I was like, I've not seen you around here before. And he was like, no, I live in central London by Hyde park, just around the corner from Harrods, this, that and the other. Instantly, I was like, well, hold on. They're like £20 million.

A (9:21)

Bernie didn't know anyone with a house in Hyde Park. That was a completely different world.

B (9:27)

Bearing in mind it's Grindr. You instantly just think, okay, all right, this fictional whatever, so you entertain. And I was like, oh, lovely, fine.

A (9:39)

Leo was quick to ask him on a date.

B (9:45)

He was like, I'm not big talking on these apps. I'm around the corner, why don't you come over? Nothing untoward. He was like, just, you know, let me cook you some dinner and we'll just have a glass of wine. And I then was like, oh, this is very sweet. He's very well spoken.

A (10:02)

In addition to his apartment in London, Leo also had a luxury trailer, an Airstream that he kept at a high end campground.

B (10:11)

They've got their own unique gardens and plots and all of these. It's beautiful. So I was like, okay, this is nice. There's this big, beautiful white Range Rover that was sat next to it. He was very articulate and he did speak Queen's English. It's very smooth, but pronounces every word as intended by her Majesty the Queen. I was like, oh, my God. I need to, like, you know, I need to up it. Up it a notch.

A (10:44)

Leo made a delicious dinner.

B (10:46)

Instantly, I was taken in just his charm. I've never met anybody with that smooth charm that isn't patronizing. It just was focused on me. And we had an amazing meal.

A (11:04)

Bernie was really enjoying himself. He liked talking to Leo and they bonded over cars.

B (11:10)

He went through his picture gallery and he had all of these cars. We had the Bentleys, we had Aston Martins, we had quite a few Range Rovers, some old classics. And he was just flicking through and it was like, this is my pride and joy. I love cars. And this, that, and the other.

A (11:28)

The pictures also showed that Leo had serious money, a lot of it.

B (11:34)

You can kind of tell if somebody's got old money or new money. New money is very much the designer head to toe. And all of this old money is. You can't really tell if they've got money. They're the chinos, the nice shirt, the necktie, that kind, and that's how he was.

A (11:53)

But Bernie didn't understand why he asked him to come to his trailer instead of his London apartment.

B (11:59)

At that point he just said he was from a very influential family within the UK and because of his family he can't be out, he can't be gay. So to escape all of the craziness, he needs somewhere to get away. And he said, nobody knows about this caravan. Like his family don't know, security doesn't know. So for him it's just his little getaway to just be himself. So I was like, okay, fine. But at that point, I didn't know who his family was.

A (12:33)

Bernie ended up staying and hanging out with Leo for hours.

B (12:38)

It got dark. It must have been around about 11, 12 o' clock at night. He was like, oh, let's go inside, let's go in the caravan. And we sat in the sofa area and just had a conversation. Were there something very weird that happened? It was like, do you mind if I asked you to do something? Can you just undress in front of me? I won't touch. I won't do anything like that. Bearing in mind I probably had a bottle of wine, so I did and I got naked and he didn't. And he was like, just turn around for me. And that was it. And I was like, okay, you can get dressed now. I was like, what was all that about? He was just like, I've not been with many men, so I'm a little bit nervous instantly. I was like, oh, that's so sweet.

A (13:31)

They kissed goodnight and Bernie got a taxi home.

B (13:35)

Next morning I woke up and of course there was the most beautiful message that was on my phone. And he was like, look, I really want to see you again. I can't get you out my mind. This, that and the other. And we just had normal conversation through the day. I just started feeling a bit warm. I was just like, is this really happening?

A (13:54)

They decided on a second date.

B (13:57)

So again, I went over, we had something to eat. The conversation was effortless. The subjects, it was just. It was so smooth. It was as if I'd known him for years. It was so easy. And then we started kissing and this, that and the other. And then he. I remember he started coughing and I was like, oh, is everything okay? And it was like, yeah, it's fine. I'm just. I'm very, very nervous. So I was like, look, listen, let's just sit, take it slow and, you know, see where we go. Nothing has to happen. And then we went back to it and things were happening. And then he kind of had a coughing fit, and it actually got really serious that I was like, I'll get you a glass of water. So I got him a glass of water, and he would not stop coughing. So I was like, I'm just gonna step outside. Because by this point, he was bringing things up. It was not romantic at all. And I was outside for about, like, 10 minutes, and all you could hear was this hacking up. And at that point, I was stood there, and I was like, what do I do? Do I go? Do I just, like, leave? But then my car keys are in there. This is really awkward. So then he called me back in, and we had this conversation, and it was. He just apologized. And that's when he said that he's got a few health issues, and it's like he's getting them checked up, and it's nothing too serious to. To worry about at the minute. And it was, like, so apologetic. I was like, honestly, it's fine. Let's just watch something. Calm down. It's. I was like, it's generally not a big deal.

A (15:42)

After Leo recovered from his coughing fit, Bernie stayed, and they ended up having a really lovely evening.

B (15:49)

We had a few dates. At that point. It was like, can I come to yours? So I was like, you know what? Yes, come to mine. I will cook us a nice meal. And then that's the first time that he came round and he brought the Bentley. This Bentley Continental white thing pulled up, and I was like, what the hell is this?

A (16:13)

Bernie had seen the pictures of Leo's cars, but he was skeptical that Leo really owned all of them, all the.

B (16:20)

Way up until that point. And that was a few weeks in, I took everything with a pinch of salt. And then I think that was the first time when the Bentley pulled up. I'm like, hold on.

A (16:29)

If this is true, the Bentley was impressive.

B (16:33)

I'd never even been close to a Bentley. It's, like, during a ride. So I was like, yes. I was like, come on. So I got in, and we went for a drive, and, oh, my God, it goes fast. Beautiful car.

A (16:45)

Later that night, when they were deep in conversation.

B (16:50)

It slipped in. It was like, oh, I've got to go down to the castle today for whatever event I have to. I'm being dragged down. And I was like, castle, what's this? And he was like, oh, do you know what? I think I need to tell you a little bit about my family history.

A (17:26)

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B (19:22)

Lenovo.

A (19:26)

Now I'd like to introduce you to Meaningful Beauty, the famed skincare brand created by iconic supermodel Cindy Crawford. It's her secret to absolutely gorgeous skin. Meaningful Beauty makes powerful and effective skincare simple and it's loved by millions of women. It's formulated for all ages in all skin tones and types and it's designed to work as a complete skin care system, leaving your skin feeling soft, smooth and nourished. I recommend starting with Cindy's Full regimen which contains contains all five of her best selling products including the amazing Youth Activating Melon Serum. This next generation serum has the power of Melon Leaf Stem cell technology. It's melon leaf stem cells encapsulated for freshness and released onto the skin to support a visible reduction in the appearance of wrinkles. With thousands of glowing five star reviews, why not give it a try? Subscribe today and you can get the amazing Meaningful Beauty system for just $49.95. That includes our interest introductory five piece system, free gifts, free shipping and a 60 day money back guarantee. All that available@meaningfulbeauty.com Bernie was really enjoying getting to know Leo, a guy he met on Grindr. He knew Leo came from money and after a few dates he confided in Bernie about his family's backstory.

B (20:40)

So we sat down and he was like, right, he doesn't believe in NDA so he's not gonna ask for one of them. And I was just like, and what the hell is going on here? Like what is happening?

A (20:51)

A non disclosure agreement. Bernie wasn't following, but then he opened.

B (20:58)

Up with, do you know who the Norfolks are? And I said, no, I have no idea who that is. So then he went through the family history. So he was like, my dad's brother is the Duke of Norfolk. I didn't know who that was. He was like, the Duke of Norfolk is the highest peerage in the UK outside of the Royal family. So it's literally the Royal family then the estate of the Duke of Norfolk, they're bloodline royals, they're just not direct in line to the throne, obviously. I had a little look on Google and you can see on his profile who the Duke of Norfolk and the immense responsibility that he has within Britain. So I was like, okay, fine, so that's your dad's brother. He was like, yeah. And Leo's title, he was Viscount Norfolk ii.

A (21:49)

And the castle he'd mentioned offhand was Arundel Castle, a thousand year old architectural masterpiece in the south of England.

B (21:58)

And he was like, let me show you something. Because at that point he'd brung an overnight bag and he had this Cartier box, quite slim and opened was a crest with flower spikes all around. It was a circular shape with the St George's Cross in the middle, then had some inscriptions on it and it had the House of Norfolk and Fitzalan. And he said, we have to carry this everywhere we go. Badges and emblems and crests, because if somebody passes, they need it instantly for a sign of respect. And all of this I held was so heavy and I was just like, what is going on in my life right at this minute in time? You know, I, I've got somebody here that is amazing. And like so into me. But at the same time also with A Bentley out front, and I'm sitting here holding this big royal crest.

A (23:02)

Bernie couldn't wrap his mind around it.

B (23:05)

And I was like, I don't know what to say. And it was like, it's fine. It was like, just ask any questions that you have. And I was like, I literally don't have questions. Like, my mind is blank.

A (23:15)

This was really big. Leo came from a very important and complicated world. Bernie didn't know what it would mean for his relationship with Leo.

B (23:27)

He was like, I want to keep us separate. You know that I have to do this with you. I want to do. And he was like, until we figure out how or if we can mix this, let's just try. So I was like, look, I'm fine with that. I'm not here. And I never have been impressed by money. Obviously, I'm impressed by the Bentley, but I'm not here for anything other than you.

A (23:51)

This was a pivotal moment. The conversation deepened their connection.

B (23:56)

That was then the first day that he had opened up and he trusted me. He trusted me with his secret and his family and his line. I think that was the first time that I was like, yeah, he really likes me.

A (24:11)

Leo let Bernie into his inner circle, but he made it clear privacy and discretion was critical.

B (24:21)

The first few months after that, it was amazing. He really, genuinely wanted to see me happy and to take care of me.

A (24:34)

Bernie and Leo were spending more and more time with each other.

B (24:37)

He pretty much moved in. I think that was about a month and a half in. I gave him a key and I literally just said, you know, use it whenever you want.

A (24:47)

Leo never missed a moment to make Bernie feel loved.

B (24:50)

If I was on a late shift, I would finish 10, 11 o' clock at night and then he would be there with dinner, with flowers. At that minute in time, I had felt the happiest, settled and loved. Then I would probably say, bar my mum than I had ever felt in my life.

A (25:13)

Even though Leo came from a wealthy background, he worked hard and had a career he was passionate about.

B (25:21)

He knew about watches. He was a horologist. He had been to Switzerland, studied at the best places. He absolutely knew everything. He had space to do a little studio. He was taking all of these Rolexes apart and in front of me, putting them back together. And then he was like, I'm licensed by Rolex to do that.

A (25:41)

It was a very competitive certification. But luxury watches were Leo's life.

B (25:47)

He always had Rolex Patek Philippe on his arm.

A (25:51)

Within a few months, they were spending almost every night together. They were exclusive. Bernie was starting to think that Leo could be the one. There was only one big concern, and that was Leo's health. It was there from the beginning, but Bernie was seeing his symptoms worsen. Leo wasn't just coughing. He was now throwing up.

B (26:17)

He went silent for, I want to say, two days. Now, by that point, please realize that two days, when I am now fully into this, fully into the emotion, is like two weeks.

A (26:34)

During those two days, Bernie was desperate to hear from Leo. While he waited, his mind began to spin.

B (26:41)

What have I done? Have I said something? I went back through whatsapps, and this is only two days of no conversation. I went through whatsapps to find out what I've said that he could possibly take offense with. Anyway, he eventually came back and basically apologized for not been in contact with me over the two days.

A (27:00)

Leo had a good reason for being out of touch. He'd been in the hospital.

B (27:06)

He was like, I can't say anything over the phone, but I just need to get out of London. My family are going into a panic and trying to keep this maintained, you know, make sure that it doesn't go to any press. He was like, can I just come to yours? I was like, absolutely. At that point, he told me that he was suffering from brain cancer and they've given him a year to live. And obviously he had a lot of processing that he needed to do.

A (27:37)

Bernie was devastated. He wanted to be there for Leo any way he could.

B (27:42)

I'm just gonna sit here and be quiet. You talk to me. You vent to me. You get your frustrations out. Anything that is in your mind. I was like, you literally throw them at me. This is what I'm here to do. And he did, and he got upset, he got angry. He was crying. And then he got to the us conversation and he said, I can't really see you anymore.

A (28:05)

Leo didn't want to be a burden.

B (28:08)

He was like, look, I can't promise you anything. If this is how my life is going to end. There's bits that may not be pretty. And I was like, look, I really don't care. I was like, if I have to be a complete secret, even if we have to break up, just, I want to be your friend. It wasn't about any of the sex or the relationship for me. It was this person that was in front of me.

A (28:30)

To Bernie's surprise, Leo even brought up his will.

B (28:34)

He was like, obviously, he can't change that because if he put my name in there, they all questions will come up. Of Who? And I was like, I really do not care. I was like, I literally do not care about him. I was like, if you get to that point, I will be here as much as you need me to.

A (28:54)

Leo couldn't come out to his family, so in order for Bernie to stay in his life, he suggested Bernie pretend to be his assistant or driver. It was the kind of arrangement Bernie wouldn't have agreed to under normal circumstances, but he was willing to do anything to make sure he could care for Leo. So he agreed.

B (29:12)

And I meant it 100%, not a second guess in my mind.

A (29:18)

So Bernie immediately focused on helping Leo make sense of his diagnosis.

B (29:23)

I went online, I researched the hell out of it, down to all different methods. And I mean, I did go crazy with it, to be honest. I was there for at least an entire 24 hours Googling, researching what this meant experimental drugs. And, like, I just went to town with everything that I could find out.

A (29:45)

But Leo had already accepted that he didn't have much time left.

B (29:50)

He was talking about that he might not actually go for chemo because he just wants to just end it on his terms in Switzerland. That was a conversation that we had. And then that's when we went on to a conversation about, I think I need to start living my life while I've got it. And I was like, right, okay, so let's do that.

A (30:08)

For Leo, living his life to the fullest meant finally launching his own watch restoration business that would be his legacy. He had a collection of incredible luxury watches, and he couldn't take them with him.

B (30:22)

One day he said to me, I've got all of these watches. I might just start selling them because I kind of like swap and a buy and trade on this site. And he was like, I kind of want to build something. So instantly I kicked in. I was like, I can build you a website. Let's register this company. And I did. We had quite a few business meetings on how the logo's going to look, what it's called, setting up all of the social media for it. And I sat on my little Photoshop and I done the logo. And the company was called the Vintage Crown.

A (30:54)

Leo wanted Bernie to list all of his watches and post them online. So he brought his entire collection to Bernie's house.

B (31:02)

We came up and he literally had about two, three trunks of watches. I mean, I've got all the pictures on my phone still. There was countless Rolexes. There was Patek Philliques, there was Van Cleef and Arpels. They were stunning. There must have been, I'd say, close to 100 watches in my lounge on this table. And there was this very, very old Rolex. The glass, the watch face was quite rounded.

A (31:34)

Bernie picked up the watch. It was heavy and ornate.

B (31:38)

He was like, this is probably the most expensive watch that I own. And I was like, well, how much is it worth? And he was like, you check it out. So he's like, go on the Rolex website, turn the watch over. I typed in the serial number and it came in at 1.2 million. At that point I probably had about £100 in my bank account. So I'm like 1.2 million. It was just insane to think of the money that was sat right in front of me.

A (32:23)

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B (35:42)

And whenever we walked into Harrods, they knew of him. They addressed him by his name, talking about previous purchases that he had made and full conversations.

A (35:52)

He even asked Bernie to go to Selfridges, another luxury department store in London, for an exclusive event.

B (35:59)

It's a private party, a vip, but it would be quite nice if you can come with me just to experience a bit of that lifestyle. And I was like, like absolutely, yeah, I'll come out. So we got dressed, made our way into Central London, walk into Selfridges, and it was red carpet, all of that.

A (36:19)

This event was a big deal and Leo was a big deal there. Everyone greeted him by name and immediately people were vying for his attention.

B (36:30)

So he went into this private VIP area through the door.

A (36:34)

Leo was there to look at a.

B (36:36)

Specific watch and then he sent me a message and was like, okay, we're kind of done with the finance side, do you want to come in? So I was like, absolutely. So I went in and it was a private room with the head of European sales. The room was gorgeous. We had hors d' oeuvres that were laid out and the watches were laid out in Front of me, these ridiculous. I mean, the price of a house, these watches in front of us. And it was just this woman, Leo and me.

A (37:05)

Leo bought two watches that day as gifts for family members. With Bernie's help, Leo's watch business got off the ground and as a thank you, he would let Bernie borrow some of the pieces.

B (37:17)

If we'd go for dinner, he'd give me a Rolex or a Patek Philippe bin. He then called one day and he said, this Rolex has come my way for me to recondition and to sell. It's just a Submariner. I've got quite a few of them anyway. But he was like, I thought of you.

A (37:35)

Leo was making him an offer.

B (37:38)

He was like, look, you buy off of me for 20,000, I will recondition it, I'll make it look as good as new, I will polish it, I will have it back up. And it's usually worth about 30 to.

A (37:51)

40,000, 20 grand up front. It would be a huge investment for Bernie and then Leo would resell it at a profit of at least £10,000.

B (38:03)

Of course, it would be amazing. That extra ten grand for me at this minute in time would open up doors. I've never had just a £10,000 sum.

A (38:11)

In my account, but Bernie didn't have £20,000 just lying around.

B (38:17)

And I was like, right. I was like, at the first, I just don't have anywhere near that money whatsoever, literally. I think for my entire life, it's been paycheck to paycheck. I'm just very clever with it. Nowhere do I have that kind of money.

A (38:31)

Leo had an idea. What about Bernie's clothing business? It wasn't as successful as the watch sales.

B (38:38)

So he said, well, the clothes is like, you know, it's taking too much of your time. Is it really doing anything? And I was like, it's getting a bit tiring. So he said, look, why don't you just sell. Sell all of the. The clothes just in bulk. Somebody will buy it, sell it, sell the website off, like, sell the business, get this watch and then use that lump sum for how, whatever you want to do your next project.

A (39:03)

Bernie had a few ideas for new businesses he wanted to start. The investment in the watch represented a new chapter, so he started crunching the numbers.

B (39:12)

I was like, look, I can take this money out of all of my credit cards, but if I do that with my bills, my wage in retail will. It won't even cover half of all them repayments in one go by maxing out them cars. So he said, look, once I've got the money, it will take about a week for the watch to get here. So I will recondition it. I will get it sent to you. You'll sell it before you next get paid. I get it, but I'd never do anything to hurt you. This is for your benefit. Look, if it's too much, then, you know what, let's just not do it. Let's just, just forget about it completely. And by that point I was like, I'd already kind of imagined if I sell all of this stuff and I take from these credit cards, by the end of it, I could have 10 to 20,000 pounds, which is just mine to do with. So I was like, right, okay, I trust him 100%. Let's just do this.

A (40:07)

Bernie was in.

B (40:08)

So I sold the website off, and then I think that only got about half of it, maybe a little bit more. And then I did have a few credit cards. So I got rid of the final bits of the clothes took out from every credit card that I had, maxed it out and gave it to him.

A (40:30)

Bernie got £15,000 from maxed out credit cards. For the rest of the money, he took out an incredibly high interest loan.

B (40:39)

These payday loans, the interest rate is 79% per month, and that's more than what you've borrowed.

A (40:46)

Bernie was putting everything on the line. He sent Leo the 20,000 and Leo ordered the watch.

B (40:53)

It had been delivered to his Hyde.

A (40:57)

Park address, but it was the week of Christmas and Leo wasn't home. He was at the castle.

B (41:03)

He has responsibilities around the uk, so he was up there doing official business.

A (41:08)

And he'll get to it with the holidays. It could be a week before Leo got to the watch. That meant weeks before they could resell it.

B (41:17)

That's when I started panicking because at that point, there is absolutely no way that I am going to be able to cover that next payment. And I told him that I am getting nervous because I know the tsunami that's coming if this isn't paid.

A (41:34)

But Leo was calm. He handled deals like this all the time.

B (41:38)

He just kept reassuring me, saying, look, there's a little bit of a delay. I've got a buyer, I've got somebody that's interested. As soon as I can get my hands down to this watch, it will take me one day to recondition it because it's in very good quality and I will literally have a buyer for you within 24 hours.

A (42:00)

After that, Leo seemed to change the loving calls and texts started dwindling.

B (42:06)

The communication with me and him went very sparse. The morning messages, which by this point had constantly continued. If I had even to the point if he was staying at mine, and I woke up at four in the morning to go to work. When he woke up, I would still get that morning message.

A (42:24)

And now those texts stopped coming. Their connection started to feel less like a romantic relationship and more like a business partnership.

B (42:34)

It went from loving and just amazing conversations to all about the watch.

A (42:45)

For Bernie, this cold shoulder really hurt. Obviously, he was concerned about the watch, but that wasn't what he really cared about.

B (42:57)

I am fully in depth. I am fully in love with him.

A (43:03)

In seven months, Leo had become the center point of his life.

B (43:07)

He was my world at that point. And there was nothing else that I was concentrated on. I had stopped talking to my friends, even my best friend. I stopped talking to my family. And all of a sudden, this person is completely disregarding me. I was panicking then. I was then going back to that state. What have I done? What have I said? I know it's Christmas. I don't want to contact him too much because I know that he's working and he's probably with people and with his family. But at the same time, I'm panicking because I'm not getting that response. Then comes Christmas Eve, and. And he kind of goes silent a little bit. And then I get Christmas Eve. I get a few messages, very cold. And it was like, I'm with people. I can't talk. I was like, okay, I just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas.

A (44:00)

It was important for Leo to spend time with his family because he had so little time left. Maybe the reality of his diagnosis was finally hitting him. Bernie understood why Leo might be pulling away, but it still stung.

B (44:15)

Next morning, I did actually get quite a nice message. It's just like, merry Christmas, handsome. And blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I instantly. My mood, I was uplifted. I was like, oh, it's okay. What's your plans for today? It was. I went straight into that puppy mode, like he could do no wrong. And he said, look, I'm with my family all day. I won't be able to contact you for the next two days. I was like, okay, that's absolutely fine. Look, I get it. It's Christmas. You are supposed to spend that with your family.

A (44:49)

Bernie spent that Christmas alone, waiting for a message from Leo. But that day, Bernie noticed something strange. It seemed like Leo was actually spending Christmas day with another man, someone Bernie had never seen before.

B (45:08)

There was A picture on his WhatsApp update. And it was him, but there was somebody else in the background. There was this guy just walking towards the camera, looking directly in the camera as if he was going to say something. And it was the inside of a church. And it just bugged me for a few days.

A (45:29)

Bernie stared at the photo, practically memorizing every detail.

B (45:33)

Anyway, so on the 27th, he messaged and he was like, sorry, I've not been. I've been with family this and the other. I was like, okay, how was your Christmas? Did you go up so much? And he was like, no, we just really stayed around the castle. And then we didn't really do anything. I was like, oh, what about the church? I was like, what church? And then it was just like, I was like, oh, I just saw your Update on your WhatsApp and it was a picture of a church. I was like, I don't know what you're talking about. You didn't see anything.

A (45:59)

But Bernie had looked at the photo over and over. He knew what he saw.

B (46:04)

I was like, no, it was, I didn't do an update. That was no update. And then he got into such denial. He was adamant and quite nasty with it that I completely made it up. I did not see it. There was nothing on his property profile.

A (46:22)

It was the first time Leo had acted like this. He was defensive and angry over something so small. He knew it meant Leo might be hiding something. So Bernie pulled back a bit.

B (46:35)

I kind of slowed down messaging him. I then get a call again quite late at night and he's like, I've just had a massive argument with my family.

A (46:45)

On the other end of the phone, Leo was hysterical and he was like.

B (46:50)

Bernie, I can't take this. I can't take this life anymore. The stress that I've been under. I just don't like my family. I don't want to do this anymore. Can you come and get me? So of course I've then said yes instantly. Where are you? Calm down. Stay on the phone with me.

A (47:07)

Leo sent an address. It was a five hour drive from London. So Bernie got in the car and stayed on the phone with Leo while he drove through the night to meet him. At 2am he picked up Leo and brought them to a hotel.

B (47:21)

We stayed the night. We had a long conversation about his stress levels and is sorry that he's been distant and he doesn't know how to cope with this as well as his diagnosis. And at the end of this, he'll get the watch. He's going to go down. He'll get it. And if he hasn't got it by this point, he will get give me the money and then sell it on himself. And I just felt seeing. And he was in tears. He went asleep and I was stroking his hair. It was as if this guy was broken, broken with life.

A (47:54)

There in the hotel room, Bernie finally felt close to Leo again. Leo needed him, and Bernie would do anything to make him happy. The next morning, Leo seemed renewed, back to his old self. He confessed to Bernie that he had been hiding something. Now he was finally ready to talk about it.

B (48:18)

He's like, so I've got a serious question that I need to ask you. And I've been thinking about this with everything that's been going on. And I was like, okay. And he was like, I've had enough of this entire life that I've. I have to do and I'm done with it. I want to move away. And he was like, I want to move somewhere in Scotland. Would you come with me? And I was like, sorry. I was like, what? I was like, I've seen this house. I've been thinking about this for a long time. And I was gonna go on my own. And that's why I've been distant, because I didn't know what I was going to do. But I want you to come with me.

A (48:58)

Leo was dead serious. He was ready to put in an offer on a house.

B (49:03)

I've already contacted the estate agent. This house was a full on castle in the Scottish Highlands. When you think the quintessential English castle, it was exactly that.

A (49:19)

They looked at the listing together and started imagining a new life there. They wouldn't have to hide from Leo's family or the press. Bernie could take care of Leo as his cancer progressed. And whatever came next, they could face it together.

B (49:35)

It's like, I just want it to be me and you. And I was like, yes. And it's difficult now to really kind of explain exactly how it felt because his world at certain points starts to crumble and he has to get what he can do and run to create another life for himself. But in the end, it was all a lie.

A (50:09)

On the next episode of Betrayal Weekly.

B (50:13)

I emailed Arundel Castle, which is the official residence of the Duke of Norfolk. There was absolutely no record of Leo Howard, Leo Bose Howard, or absolutely anything. So then I started doing my own research. This person, this Leo Howard, there was absolutely no trace.

A (50:40)

Before we end the episode, I have some exciting news. Betrayal will be doing our first ever live show as part of the Virgin Voyages True Crime cruise. We'll be answering listener questions and discussing them live on stage with Stacy and Tyler from Betrayal Season three as well as Caroline from Season four. So if you have a question for us, please email us@betrayalpodmail.com with the subject line Listener Question. And if you want to join us on the Caribbean cruise, there are still spots available. Search virginvoyages.com truecrime if you would like to reach out to the Betrayal Team or want to tell us your Betrayal story, email us@betrayalpodmail.com that's betrayalpodmail.com or follow us on Instagram betrayalpod. You can also connect with me on Instagram at itsandreagunning to access our newsletter, view additional content and connect with the Betrayal community. Join our substack@betrayal.substack.com we're grateful for your support. One way to show support is by subscribing to our show on Apple Podcasts. And don't forget to rate and review Betrayal. Five star reviews go a long way. A big thank you to all of our listeners. Betrayal is a production of Glass Podcasts, a division of Glass Entertainment Group in partnership with iHeart Podcasts. The show is executive produced by Nancy Glass and Jennifer Faison, hosted and produced by me, Andrea Gunning, written and produced by Olivia Hewitt and Monique Laborde. Also produced by Ben Fetterman. Associate producers are Caitlin golden and Kristin Melcuri. Casting support from Curry Richmond. Our I Heart team is Ally Perry and Jessica Crycheck. Audio editing and mixing by Matt D' Alvecchio additional audio editing by Tanner Robbins betrayal's theme composed by Oliver Baines music library provided by My Music and for more podcasts from iHeart, visit the iHeartradio app, Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts in the heat of battle, your squad relies on you. Don't let them down. Unlock elite gaming tech at Lenovo. Dominate every match with next level speed, seamless streaming and performance that won't quit so you can push your gameplay beyond performance with Intel Core Ultra processors for the next era of gaming. Upgrade to smooth high quality streaming with Intel Wi Fi 6e and maximize game performance with enhanced overclocking. Win the tech search power up@lenovo.com lenovo.

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A (54:09)

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