Choosing Her Lover

For the smallest of moments, I think Charlotte is going to launch herself at Marcie, but then Michael’s hand is on her arm, his knuckles white.

Michael’s voice is cool. “You have a big mouth, Marcie. I’m not going to tell James you said that. If you don’t care for him, then fair enough; I know he can be abrasive sometimes. But don’t talk about what you don’t know. Before you go opening your mouth at random again, you might try finding out a few facts; such as how did James come by his limp?”

Marcie’s face is sour and pale. She stares back at him but doesn’t speak.

Time to show my colours. Let’s wave the flag for them….

“Michael, how did James get his limp?” I ask.

In fact, I’m genuinely interested. James Alexanders does not seem like the kind of man to get involved in a street brawl.

Michael’s eyes meet mine for a moment. So do Charlotte’s. They both know what I just did.

“He was shot,” says Michael. “A man was trying to murder Charlotte, but James shielded her with his body and took the bullet for her.”

Marcie’s eyes widen. I think mine do as well.

“Wow!” I say. “A real hero.”

“Yes,” says Michael, “a hero.”

“Yeah….” slurs Steve, his tone sarcastic. “A real hero….”

Charlotte breaks in, her tone acid. “Have you done anything heroic recently, Steve?”

“Apart from getting punched unconscious by Charlotte here…” finishes Michael. Steve blanches and finally….

…. finally….

…. staggers away into the crowd.

“Tell me, Marcie. Do you think you’re ever going to have someone

down. “You don’t like

“Not much, no.”

“Why not?”

just insulted my best friend. How’s that for starters? Now, go away and don’t bother us again,

leaves, following

and Marcie the Mouth,

didn’t seem the

any

is tight-lipped. “She just insulted both my wife and my best friend. I saw no reason to

to have any more trouble with Steve this evening, Kirstie,” says Michael. He pushes my chin up with a finger. “You look better without your

too was agape at Michael’s performance. Steve is sitting at the far side of the room,

looks like a sulky kid,”

“You mean the kind of kid who’s discovered

“Yeah, that’s the

“Every word.”

Charlotte is nodding enthusiastically.

after Charlotte?

fast enough to get the gun from him. I only managed to knock off his aim. James didn’t even hesitate. He simply put himself between Charlotte and the gun. He nearly died, and I think he’s always going to have

Charlotte punched

professional; all but knocked him out cold. She certainly made a mess of his nose. In fact, you saw an example of

to me. Who taught you to box?”

Charlotte, smiling into her

Ex-husband….?

swivels. “You never

never said I didn’t like Chad. It just didn’t work

unsettled. His gaze alights on my choker

have met

you’ll introduce us then? I assume that’s