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 she

Not easy…

No.

The window overlooks the harbour, the better part

She’ll like that…

like to run

her

She’s artistic…

talented… Easily good

Don’t get distracted.

of the apartment, the room

How to play this…?

Bookshelves…

Definitely.

Double bed...?

I

doesn’t take her clients

has a

a decision and head out for one

*****

Her phone rings.

“Hello?”

Larry. I was wondering, are you free

Meet you at

want to show you something. I’ll send a

“That’s great. What time?”

“About two?”

“I’ll see you then.”

*****

cease from where my pacing is wearing a track in the carpet. I turn down

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 out from under the shawl

be freezing. Come into the warm. Here, let

shivers. “Hope you don’t mind…” She looks sheepish as she slips off the boots and fishes low-heeled court shoes from her bag. In a shade of teal-green which matches the

she

the fire. What would you like to drink? Something hot first?

“Lovely.”

mug cradled in both hands as she perches on a stool by the

Waiting to have the owner’s stamp on it. On which

enveloped in a towel and even before I unwrap it,

falls away, I see

… extraordinary…

isn’t it? I recognise your

around to

do, yes. Very

me Helsinki Harbour at sunset. I painted it

does she

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