Masters & Lovers Box Set Three

Chapter 16

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 over

and there’s a chasm

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

if, full of care, We have no

me. The long slide of

Soul food…

inside, I am unquiet. I

the grey light of the predawn, but Venus, hanging low, heralds the dawn and is already fading

and I watch as the rim of the world begins to

Pull yourself together man…

the low mist writhing

seen her for

never

blood seeps into the clouds, a gash

You have everything…

Everything else…

“Master?”

I turn, twisting my

slippers and a

So I’m just watching

“Would you like company?”

Come and join me.

*****

my eye. And of course, I

Anyone else around?

We have a few moments of what passes for

“Yes, Kirstie?”

“James, about….”

back office with a file. “Am

all. I was just chatting with

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

them in the daybook right

“Mr Alexanders.” Then she

the door closes behind her then, “She’s um… she’s

God save me…

please. Tell me

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

down, lowering my voice. “I hate to

turns serious again.

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