Masters & Lovers Box Set Three

Twenty-Six Years Ago

The phone rings and he picks it up… “Hello?” … then jolts as he hears the voice.

“Davey? Is that you?”

“Shelley? Yes, it’s me.” He pauses, looks over his shoulder then around the doorway into the lounge. “Shelley, Stephen’s not here right now, but I’ll have to talk quietly. How are you? Why are you calling? After all this time, why are you calling now?”

“Davey…” Her voice trembles. “I was wondering if… Would it be possible for me to come home?”

“Home?” He holds the receiver as though accusing it of lying. “You want to come home? Shelley, has something happened? Are you alright?”

“Yes, something’s happened, and… no, I’m not alright. Do you think I could come? Would that be... possible?”

“Permanently you mean? To leave the City?”

Clumping sounds in the background; Stephen coming down the stairs. “Who is it?”

“Ah… no-one.”

Stephen looks at him askance. “No-one? What’s that supposed to mean?”

David takes a breath. “It’s Shelley.”

“Shelley?” Stephen looks upstairs. “And what does she want?”

receiver with a hand. “She wants to come home. I think

the way she did. I thought it

“Steph…”

hand. “Shelley. You’re not coming back here. Don’t ring again. You’re not welcome.” He starts to slam the receiver down, but David

mind, I’d like to talk to

of mine. And she’s

out of the ear-piece. “Davey, I’m scared. Something has happened

what I can do Shelley, but I can’t make any promises. Can you tell me what’s

in trouble. You know how she was earning a living. Probably just

Steve, show a

home and she’s

*****

The Present - James

on the door: Foreman’s

A grunt; “Door’s open.”

both palms as he stoops over site schematics spread

have, James.” He jerks his chin to a stack of mugs.

“Thanks, yes.”

instant coffee into mugs. “What can I do for you?” His voice is a growl brought on by years of shouting outdoor instructions up gantries and scaffolding, and across acres. He pours from the kettle

for