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.

forward, looking close. “Are those what I think

Michael. “Yes, they’re the ones you gave me, that first day.” She lifts them free from the page, sliding a fingernail under to

Michael shifts by me…

Trouble brewing?

flowers around

given them to her any

sits beside

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

Chad tilts his chin to Michael, then to me, eye-pointing chairs close by. Something in his tone penetrates. Her smile fades. Michael and I

What’s coming…?

have.” He reaches for an inside pocket, plucking

the

she going to

she drops

was trying to find you. I picked it up from your old

hospital. Almost his last words were for me to give you his love when I found you again. I didn't tell him you'd not received his letter, but I kept it so I could give it to you if I

you going to take it?” I say. “Read

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

meet eyes with Michael, then

still low, there's a sob. Then another, echoing around the otherwise silent

flushing, backs away again, gesturing Michael to her. He tries to take her in his arms but she

once, that first Christmas. But no one would talk to me. They just said you'd left and Mr Kalkowski had died.

he was a policeman, he came looking for you. He told

did

up 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 his hand over hers. “He was so proud of you, you know. Tell me, did you

“I did, yes.”

“Geology? Astronomy?”

I changed to

What brought

letter… From your old friend… Does

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

My Dearest Jenny,

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