I drive. James stretches out his bad leg in the passenger seat. “Well, that was weird,” I comment.

James grunts.

In the rear mirror, Charlotte stares out of the window. “You okay?”

She keeps staring. Tonelessly, “The same thing happened to him as to me. He was scared. He stabbed someone. He ran.”

James swivels in his seat, stabbing a finger towards her. “It is not the same, Charlotte. All aside from the detail that he was responsible for you being in that position, however bad a start to life you both had, you both had choices afterwards. You made choices that turned you into a strong admirable woman. He made choices that took him down the path of slaver and multiple murderer. He could have turned from it at any point and he chose not to do so.”

*****

Michael

I tap on her office door. “Hi, it’s only me.”

Charlotte looks up from her desk. “Is it that time already?”

“Yup. Ready for home?”

“Sure. Let me just…”

My mobile buzzes. It’s Beth.

Not like her to call me out of the blue…

“Hi, Beth. What can I do for you?”

“Hi Michael. Um, could you spare me some time?”

Oh, God…

Not more bloody papers…

When did you have in mind? I'm free tomorrow afternoon if

now, Michael. Right now. Can you come? I’m upstairs with James.” She pauses and her voice lowers. “Are

glance, but Charlotte’s occupied with something

to her. Just come

got something she wants me to look at. I think

eyes dancing. “What, more of them? Course I can. Give

kiss her forehead, squeeze her arm, then head

*****

and Richard are both there, wearing identical expressions. Arms folded,

by Beth, is David, the

Charlotte’s uncle…

they wouldn’t

registered

Because of her mother…

that time, I could have cheerfully punched the pair of

Summerford… Michael… May I call

depends on why you’re

tell anyone else

reason to welcome this man who rejected my wife for events that had nothing to do with her. So, still standing, “As you wish. Why are you here? Is there something you would like to tell

“Yes, I couldn’t speak

could have phoned me any time

age… He wants to control everything. The first thing

have you

“Shelley called me.”

room. Beth and Richard sit in rigid silence. James’

returning. But she still rang from time to

“And the last time?”

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