Hot Revenge Box Set 2

After clearing up the breakfast dishes, I go looking for Klempner. I find him outside, on the terrace. The fog is clearing and leaning with both hands on the wall, he stares out over the valley, watching wreaths of silver mist twine over the lake.

I take a place beside him. “You okay?”

He turns. “Yes,” he smiles, “I'm extraordinarily okay.”

He looks away, then looks back, meeting my eye. “But we both know I fit in there like a giraffe in a wet suit. However, my thanks for the invitation. I appreciate it. I really do...” He picks at a bit of lichen growing on the stonework.

“But you're not ready to settle down with the carpet slippers and the chocolate Labrador by the hearth?”

“No. And as you said, there are things I need to do, dealing with Baxter being the priority.” He blows air. “Do you think Mitch will handle that? For some fairly obvious reasons, I can't stay here long. But even if I could stay, it wouldn’t work. Not long term.”

“I think you should ask her yourself…”

“But…”

“… But… I suspect that for both of you, simply knowing that the other is there will count for a lot. And besides, if you're careful, you can visit from time to time. See your daughter, your grand-daughter.”

He looks at his feet, scuffing at the ground. “I suppose.”

“Does it occur to you that for Mitch, a… um… part-time relationship, might appeal?”

His forehead furrows. “Run that by me again.”

“Mitch has had men controlling her all her life. Or trying to. She’s enjoying her freedom, especially now she’s earning money… Real money… in her own right. Living a life of her own but having a partner… you… there occasionally might just work, for both of you. The two of you would simply spend quality time together.”

He rubs the back of his neck. “Would that work?”

“It might. It wouldn’t be for everyone. But for Mitch… And for you… Who knows? Wouldn’t it be worth a try?”

His head sways, slowly, up and down. “Do you think Jenny will want to see me?”

“I think so, yes. It might be a bit of a rocky road for a while, but it will be good for her.”

“And you? Will I be welcome here?”

“For me, yes, you’ll be welcome. But for now, will you stay for Christmas? I’m sure Mitch would like that.”

“Yes…” He scuffs at the ground. “I think I will. In any case, there are things I need to do here too.”

“And after that? Back to Thailand?”

He flashes me a startled glance, then his smile twists into humour. “Um... Nooo… Not Thailand. It's not a very healthy environment for me just now. No, it’s South America for me next.”

“Will you keep me informed on that? Anything you learn.”

“Of course. I’ll set something up so we can stay in contact this time… without you having to rig up my old wiretap again.”

*****

Klempner

At the door, standing ajar, I hesitate, my stomach suddenly dropping away.

Have I done enough?

With muscles oddly reluctant to move, I tap on the door, very quietly.

“It’s open.”

I push, and too slowly, the door swings wider.

Jenny’s sitting in a rocking chair by the window. Her hair, so like her mother’s spills over a thick shawl pulled around her shoulders. A warm blanket covers her lap. And her face, while pale, has lost that sheen she had when Michael and I found her.

And held in her arms, wrapped in layers of knitted woollens…

Cara…

Your daughter.

My granddaughter.

I want to say something. Something appropriate, but I’m not sure what it should be.

I abused you…

Mistreated you…

Took my revenge on you…

something you had no involvement

gaze rises to me, you

did I ever think to

“May I come in?”

“Of course you can.”

layers of blankets and

Oh, God…

She’s feeding her…

to look. “My apologies. I didn’t intend to interrupt my granddaughter's

me. Even seeing Jenny giving birth to the baby in

Breast-feeding?

Too personal…

around the neck, I spin, trying

Anywhere else…

for my

in a multicoloured herd accompanied by a kind of rainbowed Pegasus above

one way then the other, trying to get perspective

It moves…

your mother loose with a paintbrush

it? Her

still using that trick

smiles. It’s almost the loveliest smile I’ve ever seen. “You've

the thing nod in agreement with the mermaid. “It was a butterfly the first time I

how she does

how they were intended to be seen

little. “Will

“Like what?”

you and Mom. How you met. How you got to

at me. “You’re

“I think so, yes.”

Small talk has never been my strong

She

could change what’s

past. What’s happened, has happened. But you can change the future…” She

I’m tight, cold, but

Long seconds pass.

that the chair also has received

or two towards me, the baby

inside me jolts.

She’s your granddaughter.

heat in

me the cooing, gurgling blanket-wrapped

slide past me and I turn to see

James. He raises brows, lips twitching. “She’s

moves, but Michael steps forward, a hand under her arm.

closer, offering her baby

My granddaughter…

features are soft and

what do I

What’s expected?

I extend a finger into the

another hand, smaller than the end of my thumb, takes hold of my

Such tiny fingernails.

want to. I can

never done this before, but

sake don’t drop

I cradle her

it under the head. “Her neck muscles aren’t developed yet. She

Then she steps away.

quite

Dark-haired like her father?

touch of red in

…

What to say?

“Hello, Cara.”

says, “It’s

Crap…

times can I fucking fuck

get

“It’s not? I thought…”

I thought…” There’s hurt in his voice. And confusion. “I thought it was decided? She was going

Even James is frowning.