Choosing Her Lover

Charlotte’s fist swings, catching him square in the face, and blood spurts. Ben roars outrage, and at that moment, two security men burst into the lobby.

“Outside!” I yell, following them to where James is now with Ben and Charlotte.

Ben’s nose is streaming blood, and he is staring hard at Charlotte, his eyes wide. Never have I seen a look of such cold-blooded hatred directed at someone.

Charlotte doesn’t flinch. She’s not happy, but she knows how to handle herself, and doesn’t back down as he bears down on her again, his hand raised.

“You bitch! How the fuck did you con my brother into this? And what was it for, eh? Was it to get his money? Marry him and then divorce him; try to walk off with half?”

And now, James seizes him by the shoulder. His voice is icy. “Lay a finger on her and I’ll break you in two.” He nods at the two security men who grab Ben by either arm, immobilising him.

“Fucking well let me go,” yells Ben. “I’m going to have it out with the bitch!”

“Not like this you’re not,” says James. His manner is cold, controlled. If Ben can’t see the threat there, then he is blind….

A car skids to a halt close by and Michael jumps out.

“You okay?” he says first to Charlotte, holding her close at the waist, looking into her face.

She nods, then turns back to Ben. “No, I didn’t marry him for his money, and I don’t want it either. If Michael wants a divorce….”

Michael’s head whips round…. “Divorce?” He sounds incredulous

Charlotte hasn’t stopped speaking. “……I’ll not try to stop him, and he can keep his money. But if he does do that then I think he should give James back his money.”

“I do not want a divorce,” yells Michael. “What the fuck’s going on here, Ben? What have you said? And why are you bleeding?”

“Your wife hit me.”

doing that Charlotte felt the need to hit you? I’ve seen her punch

away. “I wasn’t going to touch her. I just wanted to get her

of cold fury, but I have never seen

took it upon yourself to try to try to chase my wife away?” He

you see what happened? Why did Charlotte hit

her. I thought he was going to attack her. I’m

look Ben gives me

of any chance to be ‘just

follows Ben’s gaze. “Kirstie answered the question I asked, Ben. It’s not for you to hold it

crowd on the street now, including the two security guards, still keeping a tight grip

guard and arrested? Understand that I’m only asking you this because you are Michael’s brother. If it were anyone else, I’d have already dealt with

in the background, then the screech of brakes as police cars pull up at the kerb. Michael looks askance at me.

did, at my behest,” says James. “When Kirstie raised

police officers standing by. “Are you going

arms folded, legs akimbo. “Answer him, Ben.

sullenly. “I was trying to get

to ‘get out’ of this,” says Michael. “You have no idea how long it took me to get into it. And it’s not your place to interfere in my life. Now, are you going to leave, and give your word not to threaten Charlotte

Ben. But he looks

won’t bother Charlotte again?” insists Michael, then he glances

“if I have it right, you still have Kirstie’s bag with her house keys and money in it. Is that right,

keen to be pulled back into

dour, “I’ll drop them off

“Now get

men, who resist, glancing at James for confirmation. He nods curtly, and they release him. Ben jerks himself clear, then turning on