Masters & Lovers Box Set Three

Richard

Michael’s bar of choice turns out to be more of a club, humming with activity. A singer croons from the stage; soft jazz which can barely be heard over the vibe of the crowd. A glitter ball spills multi-coloured light across a dance floor and here and there, a strobe splatters occasional black-light.

The two women take stools at the bar, whilst Michael, James and I find a table in a quieter corner.

Girl time…

Charlotte, so far as I usually see, normally drinks wine, but Michael has bought cocktails for both her and Elizabeth. The technicolour extravaganzas arrive draped with umbrellas, fruit, butterflies on sticks and a sparkler fizzing out of the top. The women watch them arrive and both burst into helpless laughter. Then, heads close, they start talking.

“How is she now?” I nod towards James’ and Michael’s communal wife.

“Getting over it, I think,” says James. “Without a doubt, it shocked her, learning that Klempner is her father.”

Michael grunts agreement.

“Of course…” I say, “… it was always known to be a possibility, surely? Had she simply closed herself off to the idea?”

James palms the back of his neck. “My guess is it was Klempner’s own certainty that Conners was her father that convinced her. But equally, I’d say that she wanted to be convinced.” He glances at Michael, the question in his eye, but the blond man isn’t paying attention.

Instead, he’s looking across the floor to where the women are involved in animated conversation. He sucks at his cheeks; gives me a nudge. “What do you think they're talking about?”

“How should I know?”

“Look at them,” he says. “Look.”

As one, James and I spin.

Charlotte is holding her palms open, perhaps two handspans apart. Elizabeth responds by opening her thumb and forefinger a couple of inches. They both dissolve into laughter.

Michael pulls a face. “You think we should be worried?” But a smile quirks at the corners of his mouth.

palm, moving it up and down as though weighing something. Charlotte responds by making a fist of her hand then sliding it up and down some invisible object with a pumping action.

and relaxation you had in mind? Something about that conversation sends a

an expression of mock austerity. “My ego can cope. They’re fine. If they’re laughing, it can only be

a top-up in a minute.” He strolls

wife, laughter lighting her face as she talks with her

drink. “A lot in common; family, intelligence, inclinations; but such contrasting

get past this latest

arch. “She’s faced the world down to get what she wants. I’ve never known anyone with such a terrifying version of courage. She

look across. Elizabeth, looking nervous, catches my eye. Sitting by the bar,

the worse for drink and he’s trying to talk to her. She’s turning away, not meeting his eye. Arms pulled in, legs crossed at the knee, she

But she looks upset…

She's vulnerable.

Where’s Charlotte vanished to?

I see her heading

excuse me for a moment, James.” He tilts his glass toward

mass of bodies… as I am

he stands beside Elizabeth, who leans towards him, saying something to the man, shaking

Although he’s tall, he’s not overly so, standing eye-to-eye with the stranger. And his expression is

seen Michael punch

and James. He waves a forefinger at the barman, a circular motion, then pointing to our table. Elizabeth is smiling as the pair make their way back

chuckle. “Saw that one off rather easily,

you

don’t think I

and Elizabeth moving to join us then pulls up a seat

mouth quirking. “… in the absence of her

but doesn’t seem unhappy. Then as the two arrive, “That was rather well done,” I say. “Thank you, Michael. I was

“My pleasure. Anytime.”

drops her eyes, sucking at her lower lip. Michael rubs a knuckle over her cheekbone, then lifts her hand and kisses

Will that upset Charlotte?