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.

looking close. “Are those what

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

Michael shifts by me…

Trouble brewing?

flowers around

could have given them to her

sits beside her. “Jenny, sit down

bringing these. For keeping them so long.” She’s smiling, radiating almost, as she combs through the

close by. Something in his tone penetrates. Her

What’s coming…?

have.” He reaches for an

stares at the letter, eyes

going

she drops

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

give you his love when I

you going to take it?”

back to all of us. The envelope rips, and she stands head

with Michael, then

still low, there's a sob. Then another,

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

one would talk to me. They just said you'd left and Mr Kalkowski

one who said he was a policeman, he came looking for you. He told everyone you were wanted for

did

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,

“I did, yes.”

“Geology? Astronomy?”

I changed

What brought that

interrupt. “Charlotte… Is the letter… From your old friend… Does it say the things

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

My Dearest Jenny,

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