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.

only sticking-plaster over

a chasm

panes, I give up on sleep and moving as quietly as I can, pull on some clothes and head for the kitchen. Then, coffee in hand, I go outside

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

slide

Soul food…

am unquiet. I

sun has not risen, the world bathed in the grey light of the predawn, but

my fingers on the mug, I wait and I watch as the rim of the world

Pull yourself together man…

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

not seen her for

you’d never

the clouds, a gash in the

You have everything…

Everything else…

“Master?”

my lips

a robe. “Are

sleep. So I’m

“Would you like company?”

join me. But put some proper clothes

*****

of course,

Anyone else around?

We have a few moments of what

“Yes, Kirstie?”

“James, about….”

the back office with a file.

was just chatting

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

you. I’ll put them in

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

behind her then, “She’s um… she’s

God save me…

please. Tell

around her mouth and eyes. “Not a joke. She’s awfully sweet

voice. “I hate to break this to

turns serious again. “James,

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