Masters & Lovers Box Set Three

Chapter 50

 

Michael

It’s an ordinary house, as average as they come; one small property in a block of near-identical brick-built terraces. The paint is fresh, but not too fresh. And the door, fronting directly to the road, looks well-used. But the windows are clean; no litter fouls the frontage…

And there is a light on inside…

Charlotte sits in the car, inert. Her face is a pale sheen and, as I take her fingers in mine, her hand is cold.

I lift the fingers, press them to my lips. “This is it, then.”

She nods but doesn’t move. “Suppose she doesn’t want to see me?” She’s gasping for air…

Panic attack?

“… She abandoned me all those years ago. Suppose she just didn’t want me?”

“Why would she not want you?”

“Because I’m his.”

James speaks. “There are plenty of mothers whose children have unworthy fathers, but they still love them.”

“You don’t have to do this, Charlotte,” I say, “but if you don’t, you’ll never be happy. Whatever happens, good or bad, at least you’ll know. Your life can move on.”

A figure moves past the window. Partially silhouetted against the light inside, nonetheless, there is the impression of a pale face, a red tint to the hair.

Charlotte straightens up, muttering. “Right… I’m okay. Let’s do this.” Without looking back, she steps out of the car and crosses the road.

I wind the window down. “Got any tissues in the car?” murmurs James.

“Course I have.”

*****

 

Charlotte

I stand in front of the door, suddenly timid again. My heart pounds so hard there’re touches of black at the edge of my vision.

Chill out…

Calm down…

*Deep breath*

*Roll neck and shoulders*

My chest loosens and my breath flows a little more easily.

Good to go…

My finger hovers over the brass-button bell, then presses. A Bing-Bong echoes from somewhere beyond.

a hollow rumble of movement, the bang of a

The door opens.

She’s there.

pale and tired. Lines radiate from the corners of her eyes. Her mouth is down-turned at the corners. Silver threads

Sucking for saliva, I try again. “Hello. I’m…

down me. Reaching out, she touches my face, her eyes widening, her mouth opening. She’s trying to speak, her lips making words that

at me, throwing

she’s laughing and crying and so am I. And she holds me tight, then

*****

 

James

dash and pulls out a box of tissues, then a rucksack, slinging it over his shoulder. “Why d’you reckon

“Beats me.”

Eyes creasing, Michael is holding in a smile, the

to want ‘em

are flooding tears, babbling incoherently at each other. Up and down the street, curious faces

Jade…

My Jade…

Finally finding your dreams…

under her nose and Michael waves

Green…

So familiar…

follow him, then

whispers the final

in,” she says. “You’d better come inside.” She motions across

family friend. And I am delighted to meet

*****

the tiny lounge. Shabby with age, but immaculate; dingy but dust-free, it looks like cheap rentals everywhere. The same tired furniture. The same dismal

instant, tasting mainly of chicory and it rattles down my throat kicking and punching as it goes. But I drink

Get it over with…

says, “Would

holding up his rucksack. “I have something better.

shining eyes on him, albeit eyes shining red and still

leans, kisses her cheek. “Congratulations. I’m so happy for you,

Mitch’s eyes follow him…

just a daughter

But a son-in-law…

I was

Meeting my new son…

And it was Michael…

around, then sits back, an

Tall…

Handsome…

Devastatingly charming…

be pretty

raise my

follow

nods, blinking. “Mitch, Michael and I both know how much this means to Char… to Jenny. She’s

a hint as

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