The Master's Child

ThailandAt 'Arrivals', I wait, card clutched in hand: Strohmayer Party.The crowds throng by, sweeping past; wives and husbands, lovers, and teenage sweethearts meet and embrace. Men smile, shake hands and slap backs, women hug and kiss cheeks. Children, olive-skinned, dark-haired and almond-eyed run to meet smiling oldsters, arms outstretched, shrieking as they run.Nothing of this feels familiar.But then, when did anyone come running to me?My mother, a smile on her lips, laughter in her eyes, hunkering down, arms outstretched as I toddle to her, as fast as short legs will carry me... "Larry, Sweetheart..."And Him in the background; red-faced, scowling, bleary-eyed.Enough.........Ah... there they are...Six in the group, middle-aged, prosperous and coming to 'party'...... for a given definition of 'party'.That's got to be them.I adjust my cap to just the right angle, brush down the jacket and straighten up, making sure the card is prominent.Th

Michael - Twelve WeeksI try the switch and the bulb flicks on, then off again.Great. The last one.I spot Mitch, waiting at the door for me to notice her. "I was coming across to see how you're getting on. Sally asked me to give you this."She offers me a tray bearing a pint mug of tea and one of my hotel chef's monumental 'sandwiches'. Lifting the lid, I inspect the contents; sausage, egg and bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms and brown sauce; enough protein to feed a small family for a day. And a larger family wouldn't be going hungry. Mitch eyes the creation. "Will you eat all that?""Sally lives in eternal torment that I might waste away while her back is turned. I wouldn't dream of rejecting her contribution to my continued well-being."Double-handed, I lift the thing to my mouth and bite in; a deep, delicious mouthful. "I've just gotten in the last of the wiring." Wiping a dribble of yolk from the corner of my mouth, I gesture around the room. "It's ready for you anytim

James – Fourteen Weeks"You and Beth should leave some of your things here; a change of clothes, toiletries. Pick one of the guest bedrooms and it's yours."A good idea, James." Richard strokes Beth's hair. "Are you happy with that? And it means that you and Charlotte can spend more time together while you're both expecting. Mitch too."Charlotte's mother nods a smiling acknowledgement, but Beth positively glows...Pregnancy suits her..."I'd love that. Home from home. And if you're both working, we're not by ourselves.""Perfect," I say. "That's agreed then."Michael's face appears from around the door. "Ah, there you are."Clothes dusty, his hair stands in plastered points and a white smear runs from nose to chin. He aims a finger at the coffeemaker. "I'll have one of those, please." Then he tosses a small brown envelope onto the tabletop by Mitch.She picks it up, turning it over in her hand. "What's this?"Sitting as I offer him a mug of coffee, he swings his fe

Richard – Nineteen WeeksJames stretches out on a lounger close by, a tall glass and a taller jug of something colourful, floating with ice and fruit, on a side table. The beating sun might fry some of us, but his semi-Mediterranean skin seems able to handle it as he bakes to golden rather than red.The hat over his face suggests he is dozing in the heat, but a swaying hand shifts with soft music rippling over the terrace, tapping fingers saying he is awake.Charlotte sits on the pool edge, a light robe protecting her from the sun, dangling her feet in the water. The filmy fabric, a shade of green that complements her eyes and her pale skin, flutters in the lightest of breezes. She watches from under a floppy, broad-brimmed hat as Michael and Elizabeth frolic in the pool.I sit down beside her, dabbling my feet too. It's pleasant under the hot sun; heated skin in the coolth of the water."How are you now, Charlotte? Enjoying yourself? Looking forward to the great event?" I no

Michael – Twenty WeeksI'm enjoying the view. Looking over the sea, the sand and the dunes is pretty good. Watching Beth and Charlotte sitting together exchanging pregnancy notes and gossip is even better.Then the peace is broken...Raised voices...No... not exactly raised... but determined... Angry even...And without a hint that either party intends to back down.Who is it?I cock an ear...James and... Ross??What on earth would they be arguing about?The girls both turn, Charlotte's eyes wary, Beth's worried.Putting my drink down, "I'll see what's happening. You two stay here." I follow the palaver back inside, meeting Richard en-route, who looks as baffled as I feel. "What the hell would those two argue about?""Not a clue. We'd better see what's going on."And together we track the racket to the kitchen where James and Ross are manoeuvring for position around the table like a pair of bull elephants with toothache.Ross slams an onion down onto a