Richard joins me in the kitchen, peering over my work surface and hob, where onions and mince sizzle with the spices. “What are we having?”
“Chilli con Carne.”
“Sounds good. Want some help?”
“No, I’m fine. I enjoy cooking.”
“I’ll rephrase that. Do you mind if I join you? It’s getting a little heated in there.”
“Join me by all means.” I nod across to the bottle. “Help yourself to a drink. Problem?”
Richard examines the label, Hmmms, then pours himself a glass of wine. “Um, not a problem exactly. But I think when Michael accepted my investment in his spa hotel, he thought I’d be a sleeping partner.”
“And…?”
“If you recall, I had the investment made in Elizabeth’s name, and she definitely wants to have an input.”
I pause from chopping chillies as the humour creeps over me.
Of course, he’s used to running everything himself….
Michael’s business,
Beth wants to be
side of
Ahhh… Shit!
Chillies….
little oil on a paper towel. Eyes watering, I dab at my face, trying to rub away the chilli oil as Richard
don’t want
sure. I’m
and chillies into the pan with the meat and onions, I glug in tomato puree and the rest of the wine, then clap the lid on tight.
Michael’s bearing up
*****
are glazing. Doubt in his voice, sitting over a table-top of rosters and timetables, “We’ve never done
not doing it now?” The normally placid Beth sounds
she’s a sub, is
“What do
I used to do gives you
hair. “It doesn’t sound like
shrugs, unimpressed. “You might be surprised. Most women would like to be able to at least have a shot at protecting themselves.
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