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.

immediately, there is a hollow rumble of movement, the

The door opens.

She’s there.

corners of her eyes. Her mouth is down-turned at the corners. Silver

Sucking for

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

And she flings herself at me, throwing her

crying and so am I. And she holds me tight, then stands back to look at me, then pulls me

*****

 

James

pulls out a box of tissues, then a rucksack, slinging it over his

“Beats me.”

to lean against it. Eyes creasing, Michael is holding in

want ‘em

and her mother are flooding tears, babbling incoherently at each other. Up

Jade…

My Jade…

Finally finding your dreams…

swiping the back of her hand under her

Green…

So familiar…

then return

is Michael… my husband… Mom…” Charlotte whispers the final word and Mitch

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

a family

*****

dismal wallpaper. I’ve stayed in a few like it myself in my time; after my divorce, when money was tight, and home was wherever

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

Get it over with…

“Would

have something better. “Champagne. Thought I’d keep

him, albeit eyes shining red and still streaming.

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

Mitch’s eyes follow him…

a

But a son-in-law…

I was a

Meeting my new son…

And it was Michael…

back, an ankle resting up on one knee. Mitch accepts the flute with a

Tall…

Handsome…

Devastatingly charming…

pretty pleased

raise my glass.

follow suit.

to Char… to Jenny. She’s been

a hint

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