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.

close. “Are those

under to ease them from the paper. “Chad and I were still at school. He picked them for me, from the hedgerow. Mrs Collier showed

Michael shifts by me…

Trouble brewing?

of flowers around here to

given them to her any

and sits beside her. “Jenny, sit down would

for bringing these. For keeping them so long.” She’s smiling, radiating

chairs close by. Something in his tone penetrates. Her smile fades. Michael and I sit, he next to

What’s coming…?

of yours I have.” He reaches for an inside pocket, plucking out an envelope,

the letter,

she going

she drops

you. I was trying to find you. I picked it

give you his love when I found you again. I didn't tell

to take it?” I say. “Read

takes it, then stands, retreating to a corner, turning her back to all of us. The envelope rips, and

Michael,

a sob. Then

forward, then Chad, flushing, backs away again, gesturing Michael to her. He tries to take her in his arms but she brushes him

face, “I went back to the farm once, that first Christmas. But no one would talk to

policeman, he came looking for you.

never did

his palms. “I believe you. But my mother believed him, or wanted to. And she poisoned everyone against you. Except for Mrs Collier. And Mr Kalkowski of course.” He smiles, places

“I did, yes.”

“Geology? Astronomy?”

I changed to

brought that

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

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

My Dearest Jenny,

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