Masters & Lovers Box Set Three

As we return carrying trays and pots and mugs, the two barely notice us. They’re sitting across the table from each other, arms outstretched, their fingertips touching. Michael glowers.

Oh, c’mon…

They’re old friends…

“When you said, I'm here and safe,” Charlotte is saying, “what did you mean?”

His mouth works….

Choosing his words?

“After you left the farm, a man came looking for you, a police officer, or he claimed to be...”

“Yes, Tom told me that.”

“Tom? You've seen Tom?”

“Yes, it turns out he was spying for the people who sent me there.”

Chad’s head jerks back. “Was he indeed? The Blessingmoors people?” She nods, her face falling. “Jenny…” He slides his hand over hers. “It's alright. When the news broke about that place, all the pieces suddenly fit together…” He stops speaking suddenly, looking at me and Michael, then back to Charlotte.

“It’s alright,” she says. “They know it all. Both of them.”

Chad gazes at us, nodding slowly, thoughtfully, then continues. "I always knew there was something you were frightened of. When it came out about Blessingmoors, it suddenly made sense but.... Tom was spying on you for them? I can hardly believe..."

“He confessed to it. He did it because they were blackmailing him. They had his little sister…”

I nudge Michael with an elbow. “I think we should give them some privacy,” I murmur. He grunts, as sour-faced as I’ve ever seen him, but follows me out of the room. “Are you going to grow up?” I hiss, once we are out in the hall.

“And you’re happy about it, I suppose?”

“Yes. I’m happy. In fact, I’m delighted for her. Don’t you think she’s entitled to have friends other than just you and me?”

“I suppose…”

*****

When we return half an hour later, Charlotte and Chad are laughing and joking. As we enter, he grins, waving casually in Michel’s direction. “I didn't make the connection. Michael here mentioned he was married, but he called you Charlotte.” He slips a sly look her way. “Charlotte, eh?”

She blushes. “Alright, alright. So I named myself after a horse. I've been through that one with Tom. Don’t you start bending my ear about it…”

He turns away to hide his grin. "Still get to ride at all?"

“No, it's not something I've had a chance to do since I left the farm.”

“Really? That's a shame. That's how I fell in love with you, you know.” He glances Michael’s way, then back to Charlotte. “Until then, I thought we were just friends, but that day I saw you, riding Charlie, I thought I’d never seen anything so beautiful in my life.”

She sniffs and rubs her nose. “Given what followed,” she says, her voice tight, “what am I supposed to do with that information?”

He leans back in his seat. “I don't blame you. And you'll always be Jenny to me.” His gaze shifts to Michael. “Don't read anything into this. Marrying Jenny was both the best and the worst thing I ever did. And she was not responsible for anything that followed from it. I was.” He sucks in his cheeks. “I’m assuming you do know what happened between us?”

“That your marriage didn’t work out? Yes, I know.”

“Then hopefully you understand that I am so happy to find that she is safe and well. And that she has a home and a husband. We’re old friends and I’m hoping that can continue.”

Michael, arms across his chest, nods, but the gesture is short and grudging.

Chad considers him for a long moment. “So, what about this trainer’s position? Am I out of a job?”

“I think that would be most unfair,” I say. Michael jerks a look at me, but I continue. “It can only be a good thing for Charlotte to be reunited with her old friends.”

“I’m pleased to hear it.” Chad watches Michael speculatively, then turns back to Charlotte. “So you've kept it up? The boxing? Or have you let comfort and safety move to that spreading ass of yours?”

narrow. “Want to

“I think I do.”

Michael stirs…

Trouble brewing?

the gym,” I suggest. “The whole point of the meeting today was for old and new

head back to the hotel, Charlotte twists, trying to look over her own

a

*****

and vests, the

inches, muscular, broad-shouldered

long since she last

Six or seven years?

been almost a boy

he’s light on his

see what she saw

then swings with a foot to hook around his ankle. He spins, throwing her, but she rolls and in a single smooth movement

her own style,” I comment, watching Michael side-long. He rumbles. I can’t pick out the words, but a blue

locks her arms up against his chest then, twisting, gets first one foot, then the other under him, kicking hard. He jerks away and back, and

punching. He’s blocking, parrying

of them pulling their

Not sure…

my back pocket, my phone

arrived. Where

Move ur ass. U gotta c

the mats, he has her down again. This time, she tries to lock, but

He’s got her…

If it were real…

onto Chad’s shoulder. Michael pulls him upright, his voice mild. “Shall we see how you handle yourself

is lazy.

scrambles upright, about to protest, but I jab a finger at her… “Charlotte!”… and point to the spot next to me. She demurs but I stab at the spot and this time she obeys,

got to stop

those two, you are much mistaken. Let them get it

“But it’s stupid…”

“Yes, it is. Nonetheless…”

peer in and then the doors swing open. Richard enters, Beth right behind him. He flashes brows

“What's going on?”

for a

a lip, wide-eyed, visibly gauging Chad.

her an amused glance. “Who is

is Chad, Charlotte's first

Chad as

employed him as the self-defence

like a rising sun washes over

It’s all come out in the last hour or so

“And Michael…?”

like it one

fists raised, circle each other. Michael tries an experimental jab. Chad jerks back then retaliates,

the pieces. “So, that’s the man who

“That’s right.”

hope Michael knows

sure about

then jolts

they be wearing

hurt themselves and each other like that.” She moves closer, her body reacting as fists swing

Around the same height, both heavily built, Michael perhaps more so, but then Chad

his lips barely moving as he speaks. “Do you think they see it, either