Masters & Lovers Box Set Three

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 the

*****

- Twenty-Six Years

waiting when I arrive, with his slicked-back hair and that garish medallion he seems convinced looks good. “Larry, great to see you.” He flashes his usual fake smile, the single gold tooth winking.

you bring

the

her shoulders in glossy black ringlets, and amber-gold eyes that dart one way, then another between Finchby, myself and Bech. The cuffs around her ankles

looks,” comments Finchby. “Quite exotic. Where’s she

the last shipment from Ghana,”

“Does she speak English?”

the toe of a boot. “Do

me, babbling something or other. The words are nonsense,

ten years old, standing to one side. “You. Translate. Tell her to get her clothes off. Mr Finchby wants

to the girl, his breath coming in quick, short gulps as he gabbles the words. She whimpers, clutching at the front of her shirt. It’s sweat-stained, stinking and

tell her?” asks

“Yes, Boss.”

why’s she still dressed? Tell her again, and if you don’t want to go

Boss.” His skin is glossy,

European?

Dutch maybe…?

knack for languages. However,

he has a couple of customers who would enjoy some time with you. So, if you don’t earn your keep here, you can easily be moved along. Now, tell this little slut to get her clothes

match on the wall, then lights up. “My pleasure.

is sweating, his voice a whimper as he speaks to the girl. She protests something-or-other, but he gestures to Bech

She hesitates over what passes for her

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

Bech. “Might have a try on that one myself before

Finchby, “you’ll keep your fucking paws off her, Bech. I’ve them that’ll pay extra

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

difference does

about this

Is it her?

Or is it…?

different. Plenty that come

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

entering is a stranger to me. Bech turns, addressing me, “Sir, Mr Yakovlevski here has spotted a niche and is moving into the film industry. He’s

talking quickly and quietly. She looks up, her

looks to Finchby… “… she goes

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

is to get the best price possible. Mr

know he gives you a cut for selling them

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 settle the bills for the villa

Yakovlevski. “And