Masters & Lovers Box Set Three

Chapter 10

James

Books.

What’s new?

She’s consistent…

‘Principles of Geology’ by Charles Lyell - well-thumbed, ‘The Merchant of Venice’, ‘Marvels of Pond Life’ by Henry Slack - very dog-eared… The list goes on and the only thing any of the texts have in common is that they all look well-used. A second-hand bookstore would describe them as slightly foxed, but it looks as though the bears, the boars and the badgers have been at them too.

She stacks them in a neat pile, then rummages…

Some odds and ends of jewellery; cheap stuff, yellowed with age but seeming little-handled…

A rock. “Oh!” She smiles as it weighs in her hands.

Michael gives me a ‘wtf?’ look and I shrug.

Chad sees our expressions and smiles, then moves to stand close by Michael. He murmurs, “You’d better be ready. She’ll probably get pretty emotional soon.”

Michael shoots him a glance, then nods.

The rock seems to be just that; a rock, prettily striped in green and red, polished to a smooth round..

Curiosity gets the better of me. “Charlotte?”

She almost caresses the pebble and when she looks up, her eyes are full…

“Tell me later,” I say.

She separates out a book, a heavy volume, leather-bound, old looking. Her eyes lift to Michael, then me, and she chews at her lips. Sliding a finger to the pages, she lifts, and the book falls open on…

Flowers?

Yes, pressed flowers; dainty, delicate their colours faded, but recognisable as violets.

leans forward, looking close. “Are those what I

from the page, sliding a fingernail under to ease them from the paper. “Chad and I were still at school. He picked them for

Michael shifts by me…

Trouble brewing?

flowers around here

have given them to her

chair and sits beside

fine. Thank you, Chad, so much, for bringing these. For keeping them so long.” She’s smiling, radiating almost, as she

Chad tilts his chin to Michael, then to me, eye-pointing chairs close

What’s coming…?

is gentle. “These aren’t the only things of yours I have.” He reaches for an inside pocket, plucking out an

stares at the letter, eyes

she going

drops into

trying to find you. I picked

was with him at the end, in the hospital. Almost his last words were for me to give you his love when I found you

to take it?”

takes it, then stands, retreating to a corner, turning her back to all

Michael,

a sob. Then another, echoing around the

three of us stride forward, then Chad, flushing, backs away again, gesturing Michael

Christmas. But no one would talk

the one who said he was a policeman, he came looking

never did that.

poisoned everyone against you. Except for Mrs Collier. And Mr Kalkowski of

“I did, yes.”

“Geology? Astronomy?”

but I changed

What brought

the letter… From your old friend… Does it say the things you would have hoped it would

me a startled glance, then smiles, nods and offers it to me. I read it

My Dearest Jenny,

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255