Masters & Lovers Box Set Three

Chapter 15

Richard

I click off the video connection and almost immediately, there’s a tap at my door.

James?

Waiting for me to finish?

“May I come in?”

Yes… James…

He looks terrible…

“I wanted to apologise.”

I gather the sheaf of papers I was working with, injecting a business-like tone into my voice. “There’s nothing to apologise for my friend.”

Sounding unconvinced, “No?”

“No. We all have low points in our lives and I’d say you had one of those yesterday.” I regard the man standing in my doorway…

Face sallow…

Pupils like pin-holes…

Eyes like piss-holes in snow…

“How’s the hangover?”

“About what I deserve… Thank you for looking after Charlotte last night.”

“I wouldn’t have had it any other way, James.”

He stands, head lowered, seeming lost for words. This isn’t the James I know.

You’re not right yet, are you… Not by a long way…

I stand, walk across to him and am about to slap him on the shoulder….

Hangover…

Splitting headache…

Nausea…

… and settle for laying my hand on his shoulder. “James, I mean it. We all have times in our lives when our friends and family are what keep us going. If the positions were reversed, I’d like to think you and Michael would have done the same for Elizabeth. And she’s a lot more vulnerable than Charlotte ever will be.”

“Of course we would.”

see then... Shall we join

*****

 

Twenty-Six Years

and that garish medallion he seems convinced looks good. “Larry, great to see you.” He flashes his usual

you bring

the door. “First

with hair that drapes her shoulders in glossy black ringlets, and amber-gold eyes that dart one way, then another

Finchby. “Quite exotic. Where’s she

last

“Does she speak English?”

the toe

out to him, then to me, babbling something or other. The words are nonsense, but the pleading in the tone

no,” says Bech. He turns to a boy, maybe ten years old, standing to one side. “You. Translate. Tell her to get

quick, short gulps as he gabbles the words. She whimpers, clutching at the front

tell

“Yes, Boss.”

if you don’t want to

skin is glossy, fair

European?

Dutch maybe…?

been granted special privileges…” comments Bech… “… because he has a knack for languages. However, he’s not going to keep

you can easily be

lights up.

speaks to the girl. She protests something-or-other, but he gestures to Bech and Finchby. Her

She hesitates over what passes for her underwear, but Bech says, “Tell her that means all of

her and weeping silently, she removes the last, then stands head lowered, trembling, her arms crossed over her

“Might have a try

says Finchby, “you’ll keep your fucking paws off her, Bech. I’ve

as though I’ve not seen it before. Bech enjoys his little games and, for

does

about this

Is it her?

Or is it…?

no different. Plenty that

“In fact, there’s someone else interested in this one.” He glances at his watch. “I thought he’d

addressing me, “Sir, Mr Yakovlevski here has spotted a niche and is moving into the film

speaking to the girl, talking quickly and quietly. She looks up,

looks to Finchby…

“What’s this, Bech? Nothing was said to me about an auction. What’s in it for

is to get the best

I don’t know he gives you a cut

on the shoulder. “C’mon, give us a smile. I know how it works. A man’s gotta earn a living. Those swimming pools in the Bahamas don’t pay for themselves, do they?. And we’ve all got to

her to kneel,” says Yakovlevski.

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