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?

Can you come? I’m upstairs with James.” She pauses and her voice lowers.

Beth’s tone penetrates. I slip a glance, but Charlotte’s occupied with something on

say anything to her. Just come

then, “Um, Beth’s got something she wants me to look at. I think it might be more of those damn papers

of them? Course I

forehead, squeeze her arm, then head for the

*****

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

is David, the younger of Mitch’s

Charlotte’s uncle…

they wouldn’t acknowledge

even registered her

Because of her mother…

cheerfully punched

stands awkwardly. “Mr Summerford… Michael… May I call

on why you’re

“First,” he says, “please don't tell anyone else in the family I'm

to do with her. So, still

couldn’t speak with Stephen there that

have phoned me any time since

inflexible. Always has been. And he’s gotten more so with age…

Kimberley, what have you

“Shelley called me.”

the room. Beth and Richard sit in rigid silence. James’ eyes,

she was frightened by something. Stephen wouldn’t even consider her returning. But she still rang from time to time. Stephen always hung up on her and she called less

“And the last time?”

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