Masters & Lovers Box Set Three
Chapter 22
Mitch - Twenty-Six Years Ago
Has she been hasty?
Over-reacted?
Mitch wanders the lovely apartment. Light and airy. Just what she would have chosen for herself once she’d earned the money.
He's taken notice of her tastes.
In the one bedroom, the double, clean white linen. In the other, the same but on the twin beds.
He volunteered to sleep alone…
He gave her choices…
She makes herself tea, sits on the window seat looking out over the marina…
That wonderful Christmas…
That beautiful ship…
Another harbour…
His love-making…
She sets down the teacup, placing it carefully on the saucer. A finger stroking the line of her jaw, she watches as a rowing eight makes its way between pleasure-boats, the hull slicing through the water with surprising speed. Sailing yachts and motor cruisers line this side of the harbour wall, some with proud owners waxing decks or touching up paintwork.
To the far side, fishing boats bob in their moorings beside stacks of nets, coiled ropes, hydrants and hoses.
Tall masts reach for the sky, mirrored down into shimmering water, their pennants and flags rippling. Gulls screech and as one of the small day-ferries pulls between the harbour walls, its horn blasts.
She's been foolish…
… Panicked.
This man isn’t her brother. He isn’t Stephen. He doesn’t want to cage her. He wants to set her free.
He loves her?
Really?
Really.
Can she catch him before he leaves? Talk with him?
Maybe…
Spinning, Mitch snatches up her bag, slinging it over her shoulder, and heads out.
*****
The frontage is bright with new paint and freshly cleaned brick and stonework. A small lawn area is neatly clipped, scented of fresh hay. A tall billboard stands by the entrance, painted in cheerful colours; cartoon cows and sheep frolicking in a bright green meadow under a daffodil sun. “Blessingmoors…”
Mitch stands on the doorstep, raps the well-polished brass knocker, smart against its dark green background. There is no reply. After a few moments, she knocks again.
Still no answer.
where clean white paint frames polished glass. The sashes on the inside are new, replacements probably for older cords. The latch and sneck are again of
waiting area perhaps, with low settees, a
But no people.
door and knocks again. Still with no reply, she tries the handle, but the door
to the window on the other side. This time, she can't
eyes of the world. Crossing tidily
political comment of the unthinking and the unknowing,
the building is
tries the latch, something resists from the other side. But as she tries again, pushing harder, screws suck out from sockets in
passes through then
and crumbling, covers a yard strewn with litter: Fast-food cartons and drinks bottles compete with cigarette butts, used condoms and broken glass. An old mattress lies soaked
the inside. The only clean thing to be seen is a car,
are black at the base, glistening green above, and dark-glazed windows are barred on the outside. There is only one door, solidly constructed in steel although rusted in places.
Mitch hovers. This isn’t what
What did she expect?
the smallest of whines, the door swings slightly ajar. A
tentatively, she reaches, pulls
the door: Emergency Exit: Lift Bar. Stone steps lead up and forward to
and winding, leading both up and down; a landing on some
… upwards…
of mildew and abandonment, rats and hopelessness. Ragged holes gape through the
What's that sound?
Sobbing?
the stairs. A
sound of
violent. “Shut the fuck up or you'll know about it.” Another scream. A
the metallic
Boots stamping away
… and silence.
Mitch takes a step up, then another.
with the silhouette of bars cast over the paint. A single bulb dangles on a cord, casting a sparse light. Ancient radiators set against one wall give
set in heavy metal frames and
that cheapens speaker and listener. But it comes no closer. Mitch tries to
but the rat
passage and she freezes, but the noise is no closer than it was. Slowly, carefully, she slides the peephole. Well-greased, it opens with barely a sound, but nonetheless, faces
not so
barred. Lined along either side are metal-framed beds. Even from here, Mitch can see
ankle. Some lie on the thin mattresses, others sit on
the girls opens her mouth as though to
It’s alright. I’m a
barely women, some
bear bruises to limbs or face. Many stand, reaching out hands; imploring, weeping, a rising babble of
Don’t let them
others, waving down with her palms and
I’ll help. But you have to
beyond the door, Mitch eases the top bolt which slides smoothly and silently open. The bottom bolt too. But she struggles
Nothing…
but a taut
The door opens.
Update Chapter 22 of Masters & Lovers Box Set Three by Simone Leigh
With the author's famous Masters & Lovers Box Set Three series authorName that makes readers fall in love with every word, go to chapter Chapter 22 readers Immerse yourself in love anecdotes, mixed with plot demons. Will the next chapters of the Masters & Lovers Box Set Three series are available today.
Key: Masters & Lovers Box Set Three Chapter 22