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…

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

I’m upstairs with James.” She pauses and her

slip a glance, but Charlotte’s occupied with something on her laptop, not listening.

anything to her. Just come up

at. I think it might

“What, more of them? Course I can. Give me a buzz when you’re done, and I’ll come

squeeze her

*****

are both there, wearing identical expressions. Arms folded, eyes narrowed,

there, sitting by Beth, is David, the younger of Mitch’s

Charlotte’s uncle…

they wouldn’t acknowledge

even registered

Because of her mother…

house that time, I could have cheerfully punched the pair of them, and it must show on

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

depends on why

don't tell anyone else in

do with her. So, still standing, “As you wish. Why are you here? Is there

eye. “Yes, I couldn’t speak with Stephen there that

any time since then. I left my contact

And he’s gotten more so with age… He wants to

what have you come to

“Shelley called me.”

sit in rigid silence. James’ eyes, all but black, bore

Stephen wouldn’t even consider her returning. But she still rang

“And the last time?”

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