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 style

Not easy…

No.

harbour, the better part with the marina, small shops selling souvenirs and knick-knacks and bars

She’ll like that…

if she’d like to run a

her own

She’s artistic…

talented… Easily

Don’t get distracted.

apartment, the room is

How to play this…?

Bookshelves…

Definitely.

Double bed...?

that I

take her clients

has a

a decision and head out for one of

*****

Her phone rings.

“Hello?”

it’s Larry. I was wondering, are

you at

you something. I’ll send a cab for

“That’s great. What time?”

“About two?”

“I’ll see you then.”

*****

pacing is wearing a track in the carpet.

and with

Come into the warm. Here, let

she says. “It’s nothing like so cold as Helsinki if you read the thermometer, but that damp breeze…” She shivers. “Hope you don’t mind…” She looks sheepish as she slips off the boots and fishes low-heeled court shoes from her

wrap, she offers the

would you like to drink? Something hot first?

“Lovely.”

hands as she perches on a stool by the flames, she

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

bulky, enveloped in a towel and even before I unwrap

the cloth falls

… extraordinary…

this is one of yours, isn’t it? I recognise

I painted it.” She moves around to

yes.

at sunset. I

hell does

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