After Finchby and Yakovlevski leave, Bech still wears that ‘just sucked a lemon’ expression.

“Something to say, Bech?”

He scowls and looks down. “No, sir.”

“Good. Remember who's in charge here. And who's already made you a rich man.”

“Yes, sir.”

I turn to the girl where she cowers at my feet. “Tell her she can write a letter. Make sure her family know it’s her.” Luuk translates.

“Thank you, sir.” She launches herself at me, wrapping her arms around my ankles, weeping incessantly. “Thank you.”

Bech lashes out with a foot. “Get back, you little bitch!”

Disentangling myself from her grasp, I stoop, looking her in the face. “Remember, they have to pay for you. And they have to outbid the others. I’m a businessman, not a charity.”

“They will, sir. They will,” says Luuk.

*****

James

Sleep escapes me. My green-eyed Love lying next to me, my friend beyond her, I toss and turn in the dark, my mind churning.

Georgie…

Family matters…

Michael was right to pull me away that day. He enjoys a drink as much as anyone but doesn’t normally overdo it.

When did I last see him drunk?

?

When he believed he was losing Charlotte…

… to me…

He’s right, partially at least. It helps blot out the worst for a few hours. And he went there with me. Stayed with me.

sticking-plaster

and there’s a

I can, pull on some clothes and head for the kitchen. Then, coffee in hand, I

life if, full of care, We have no time to stand

long slide of

Soul food…

inside, I am unquiet. I cannot

not risen, the world bathed in the grey light of the predawn, but Venus, hanging low, heralds the dawn and is already fading

the mug, I wait and I watch as

Pull yourself together man…

blood-red across the low mist writhing over the

not seen her for

never see

into the clouds, a gash in the

You have everything…

Everything else…

“Master?”

my lips to

wearing slippers and a robe. “Are

I’m just

“Would you like company?”

me. But put some proper clothes

*****

catches my eye. And of course,

Anyone else around?

no, the lobby is quiet. We have a few moments of what passes for privacy in a

“Yes, Kirstie?”

“James, about….”

Gillis appears from the back office with a file. “Am

all. I was just

“Here’s the visitor list for today, Kirstie. There’s a couple more confirmations to come

put them in the daybook

“Mr Alexanders.” Then she

behind her then, “She’s um…

God save me…

please. Tell me

smile twitches around her mouth and eyes. “Not a joke.

lowering my voice. “I hate to break

turns serious again. “James,

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