Masters & Lovers Box Set Three

The door opens and Benny shuffles in, looking around, goggle-eyed.

I’ve come to take for granted my office, with its comforts, its luxury and the vast panorama over the City. It’s a reminder to me not to forget my roots, seeing the reaction of someone who is so much a stranger to privilege and wealth.

“Come in, Benny. Sit down. Make yourself comfortable.” I turn to Charlotte. “Could you ask Francis to bring in coffee for three, please.” She nods, pops out and then back in again almost immediately. I point her to sit off to one side.

Gesturing Benny to the couches by the windows, I take the seat opposite for myself; a low table between us, a thin brown envelope lying on top. “Thank you for coming today.”

“Um, that’s fine.” He picks at a thumbnail. “Um… what am I here for exactly? Am I in some kind of trouble?” He sneaks a glance to Charlotte who grins and winks at him. I shoot her a glance and she subsides.

“No, not at all,” I say. “Quite the opposite. I’ve been talking to Sam…”

His forehead creases…

“… Sam Callaghan, the site foreman, about how you’ve been doing down there. He says you’re getting on pretty well and I wondered if you would like to make it permanent?”

His face lights up. “Mr Callaghan says I done good?”

“He does, yes. Would you like to stay on with us, Benny? The Company. We can always use talented hands.”

“Oh, yes. Absolutely. The job’s great.”

“Good.” I push the envelope towards him. “You can ask Charlotte here to read this to you, but roughly, we are offering you a permanent position with the Haswell Corporation in an apprentice training scheme with a view to you qualifying as a maintenance engineer.” Benny’s jaw drops but a delighted smile is forming.

I hold up a finger. “There are, however, conditions.” His face falls. “I don’t think you will find the conditions objectionable. In order to complete your apprentice training, it is necessary that you are literate to an adequate standard…”

Benny havers then looks to Charlotte, eyes full of appeal. “He means you need to learn how to read and write,” she says.

“Ah…” He hunches.

“To this end,” I say, “you will attend adult literacy classes, if necessary, at night school to attain the necessary standards. I suspect that Charlotte here will be happy to assist you…” Benny swings his gaze to my vigorously nodding mermaid.

“I don’t

him. “No thanks needed, Benny. Everyone deserves a fair shot at life. Yours is just coming a bit later

*****

Twenty-Six Years Ago

me my

as she scrabbles through bags, snatching whatever looks useful and stuffing into a holdall.

matter. You were scared. I get

to, Mitch? Where will you

But she doesn’t answer…

betrayed her

you are!” She swivels to see Frank propped against the bar. He gives her that big, all-American smile of his. “I was beginning to think you and Larry had run off into

eyes dart to his and then, flushing, she looks away again, shoving stuff into her

“Mitch, what's wrong?”

She mutters something incomprehensible.

on the bar next to him, but Frank ignores them. “Mitch? What is it? Have

toxic look. “Not been talking with your friend

he upset you?” It

the urgently gesturing barman to the other, he picks up

the beer down, knocks back the shot

“Look at me, Frank. Look at me. Here…” She holds up a slim white wrist, rolling back the sleeve of a blouse. “Look at my veins, my skin. Here…” She leans in close. Look at my eyes, my nose. You’ve seen the rest, plenty of times. Do I look as if I’ve been using? Do I behave like that? It’s crap. Lies. Total utter, fucking lies.” A sob breaks free and she

Angelo says the police were after you, but…. Some

don’t know.” Shaking, she hugs

brandy for Mitch.” Frank takes her at the shoulders. “Sit down. Calm down and tell me what’s the matter. I’m sure it’s something

a nearby seat, but she resists, instead heading for a far corner of the lounge. Angelo follows after a moment, puts the brandy in front of her, a large one, but she sits, lips sealed until he

one side, but Frank lifts it, tilting it

drinks; just a sip, then another. Then she takes