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?

it in the

Not easy…

No.

that idea, then hover in 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 and ‘artisty’

She’ll like that…

if she’d like to run a

her own

She’s artistic…

and talented… Easily

Don’t get distracted.

apartment, the room is

How to play this…?

Bookshelves…

Definitely.

Double bed...?

me that I have never

take her clients

has

reach a decision and head out for one of the large local furniture

*****

Her phone rings.

“Hello?”

was wondering, are you free this

you at the

today. I want to show you something. I’ll

“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

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.

must be freezing. Come into the warm.

as she slips off the boots and fishes

she offers

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

“Lovely.”

in both hands as she perches on a stool by the

owner’s stamp on

large and bulky, enveloped in a towel and even before

cloth falls away, I see it

… extraordinary…

isn’t it? I recognise your style from that

painted it.” She moves around to look at

do, yes.

Helsinki Harbour at sunset. I painted it

does she do

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