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.

as though weighing something. Charlotte responds by making a fist of her hand then sliding it up

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

can cope. They’re fine.

cocktails are nearly done. I’ll order them a top-up in a minute.” He strolls off in the

laughter lighting her face as she

into his drink. “A lot in common; family, intelligence, inclinations;

will get past this latest

terrifying version of courage. She can handle it.” Then, he nudges me with an elbow. “Who's the

nervous, catches my eye. Sitting

trying to talk to her. She’s turning away, not meeting his eye. Arms pulled in, legs crossed

But she looks upset…

She's vulnerable.

Where’s Charlotte vanished to?

see her heading for the

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

shoving, hampering my progress. Just as I find a break in the mass of bodies… as I am about to make my way across the floor, from off-side, Michael

beside Elizabeth, who leans towards him,

jutting at Michael. The blond man steps forward, oh-so-slightly. Although he’s tall, he’s not overly so, standing eye-to-eye with

Michael punch

then away. Michael stares after the stranger as he vanishes into the crowd then turns back to Elizabeth, offering his arm and nodding across to me 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 across the floor, he with a hand on

I chuckle. “Saw that one off rather easily,

bland. “Would you

don’t think I would,

pulls up a seat at the table.

Beth’s honour…” says James, mouth quirking.

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

“My pleasure. Anytime.”

thank you.” Elizabeth drops her eyes, sucking at her lower lip. Michael rubs a knuckle over her cheekbone, then lifts her hand and

Will that upset Charlotte?