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.

it’s only sticking-plaster

a chasm inside

the panes, I give up on sleep and moving as quietly as I can, pull on some clothes and

is this life if, full of care, We have no

this view, normally calms me. The long slide of grassy

Soul food…

I am unquiet.

early enough that the sun has not risen, the world bathed in the grey light of the predawn, but Venus,

mug, I wait and I watch as the rim of

Pull yourself together man…

sun rises, casting blood-red across the low mist writhing

not seen her

never

seeps into the clouds,

You have everything…

Everything else…

“Master?”

my lips to

wearing slippers and a robe. “Are

I’m just watching the

“Would you like company?”

would. Come and join me. But put

*****

course, I know what she wants to

Anyone else around?

the lobby is quiet. We have a few moments of what passes for

“Yes, Kirstie?”

“James, about….”

office with a file. “Am I

I was just

list for today, Kirstie. There’s a couple more confirmations to come

them in the daybook right

Gillis nods to me. “Mr Alexanders.” Then she waddles off back to

‘til the door closes behind her then, “She’s um… she’s got a bit

God save me…

please. Tell me

“Not a joke. She’s awfully sweet don’t

lean down, lowering my voice. “I hate to break this

serious

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