Masters & Lovers Box Set Three

Chapter 49

Klempner - Twenty-Six Years Ago

She’s gone.

What now?

I stare out of the window of the apartment I bought for her, overlooking the harbour with its yachts and pleasure boats, ice-cream kiosks and artsy-craftsy shops. Sunshine glints outside on the water, gleams on fresh paint, blue and white, and on polished timber decks, then spills into the room. But there’s no warmth in it. Tugging my jacket around me, I hiss as pain stabs through my hand. Gashed flesh swollen and heated, seeps blood.

I should dress it…

…

Later…

I thought I had it.

I thought I had her.

I really did.

…

…

It’s so cold.

Walking through to the kitchen, I limp a little where my ankle twisted as I fell…

Would he really have run me down?

… then clumsily, working with one hand, I make coffee, splashing in a hefty measure of whiskey, then more until the cup teeters on overflowing.

You had me fooled, Larry. You really had me going. When you left, I was coming to see you… and then I saw them…

Returning with the drink to stand in the scant heat of the sunshine, I watch holidaymakers and tourists going about their moronic activities. Hot alcohol and caffeine sear a trail down my throat but still, there’s no warmth inside me.

She was coming to see me…

Coming to say she’d be with me…

Shivering, I drain the dregs.

Bitter as bile, churning and toxic, regret wells up inside me…

Enfolds me in its harsh embrace…

Overwhelms me…

There’s not enough air. Pain draws a band around my chest, tighter; ever tighter.

Dropping to my knees, I cover my face.

Hide from the world…

Is this all there is?

Hide from myself…

She ran to him…

me and

Conners...

flickers; a flame fanning up to burn hot and

… Lighting the darkness.

one deep lungful after another, sucking at the air until my head clears and I'm able to stand. Using the window ledge to support myself, I

brushes against them;

?

pull out the strange object. A butterfly dangles from its

How…?

?

?

skin… snagging on something which strains and pops to

from sliced fingers and palm. Digging into a

She was wearing it.

His gift…

the pain lances through

Conners.

*****

 

James

his hand. Richard and Beth

what do we

there tomorrow and see what the area looks like. I don’t want a repeat of last time; going all the way there to find nothing but a car

planning on knocking on

I want to check at least that there’s a door to knock

“Fair enough.”

*****

 

Michael

A classic city edge…

printed capitals, it is quite clear.

but

can bring

*****

 

Charlotte

Michael get out of the car with me. Michael leans back against the vehicle, arms folded, legs crossed at the ankle. My Master paces

a downstairs window; movement inside, shapes silhouetted

will to move. My feet drag. My heart flutters

Enough already…

the knocker in one hand, I rap smartly on the door. It rat-tats, echoing through the space

What if she answers?

Will I recognise her?

she know

of a turning lock, the clunk

perhaps thirty. He’s good-looking in an unremarkable way, but

was looking for Michelle? Is she

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