Masters & Lovers Box Set Three

Chapter 18

*****

Ten minutes later, up to our chests in warm water and foam, I fill the flutes, passing them across.

“’Scuse me a mo,” says Charlotte, then slides under the surface. She rises again a few seconds later, snorting bubbles.

“How do you feel now?” I ask.

James tips his glass to me, smiling, but he doesn’t speak. Then, his lids drooping, he looks away.

*****

 

Klempner - Twenty-Six Years Ago

I step out, feeling bright. Everything is going perfectly.

Bech’s done well…

Nothing like a little competition to get the prices up

Another shipment like that and I can open the east wing at Blessingmoors…

So Yakovlevski wants a mix...

A couple of leggy Russian types ought to fit in well…

Back to Helsinki…

But first I want to see the apartment. Keys jingling in my pocket, I head out.

Will she like it?

But as the lock turns smoothly and the door clicks open, my doubts settle.

What's not to like?

The space is bright and airy, morning sunshine spilling through panes and onto, as I requested, new flooring and walls painted in cool neutral colours.

Much better than what she has…

And she can soon put her own stamp on it…

The carpets are deep and thick. Nonetheless, my footsteps echo in the empty rooms.

To furnish or not to furnish…?

Let her choose from the start?

Or furnish first then she can change it to suit herself?

in the

Not easy…

No.

the larger of the bedrooms. The window overlooks the harbour, the better part with the marina, small shops selling souvenirs and knick-knacks and bars that play host to students

She’ll like that…

if she’d like

her own

She’s artistic…

talented… Easily good

Don’t get distracted.

rest of the apartment,

How to play this…?

Bookshelves…

Definitely.

Double bed...?

that I

doesn’t take her

she has a

and head out for

*****

Her phone rings.

“Hello?”

Larry. I was wondering, are you free

you at the

not today. I want to show you something. I’ll

“That’s great. What time?”

“About two?”

“I’ll see you then.”

*****

and I cease from where my pacing is wearing a track in the carpet. I turn down the music a trifle, then

she’s there, smiling and lovely, in the fur-lined boots and gloves I bought her in Finland, enfolded in a huge woollen shawl and with a scarf covering half her face. Poking

freezing. Come into the warm. Here, let

as she slips off the boots and fishes low-heeled court shoes from her bag. In a shade of teal-green which matches the dress she wears and

I take her wrap, she offers the bag. “Housewarming

What would you like to

“Lovely.”

a stool by the flames, she looks around.

to have the owner’s stamp on it. On which subject, let's

enveloped in a towel and even before I unwrap

cloth falls away, I see

… extraordinary…

I recognise your

it.” She moves around to look at

yes.

at sunset. I painted it

hell does she

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