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Chapter 192: Natale, Part 30
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The Master's Child Chapter 193: Natale, Part 31
It's cold outside, but Klempner sits on the low terrace wall wearing no more than a thin pullover."Want one of these?" I proffer a coffee, heavily laced with whiskey, topped with thick cream.He startles, but then, "Thank you, James." He doesn't smile. His eyes are soft with melancholy as he stares down, watching October mist curling over the lake."Will you visit the grave?""Yes." The single word isn't followed by any others."When will you go?""Sooner rather than later." He breathes steam and fragrant alcohol. "I'm making arrangements now. The Canadian winter arrives early and in force. It'll be under six feet of snow there very soon, and for the next several months.""Would you mind some company?"He twists to face me. "You want to come?""I'd like to pay my respects to the brave woman for whom my daughter is named."He blinks, nodding as he casts his gaze down. "Thank you, James. I appreciate that.""Charlotte wants to go as well."And now he smiles. I
The Master's Child Chapter 1: Target, Part 1
If you have not met Charlotte and her Triad previouslyThe Characters – Or 'What Went Before'Charlotte:Originally known as 'Jennifer Conners' (Jenny) when she was a child. Charlotte had a grim upbringing. Imprisoned in a 'Children's Home' known as 'Blessingmoors', actually an outlet for human trafficking, she never knew her mother and father, and was destined for a life as sex-slave.To escape that life, Charlotte decided to go to university to give herself the education to make it in the world. To raise the funds to do so, she chose to auction herself and her virginity to the highest bidder.James and Michael:Charlotte's 'Buyer' was James, long-term Dom, architect-engineer, divorced and stinging from his first marriage. During a madcap week of wild sexual adventure (See 'Mastering the Virgin' – Box Set One - FREE Download), James introduced Charlotte to the pleasures of BDSM and ménage with his old friend Michael, who 'loves women'. Blond, and unusually handsome, Micha
The Master's Child Chapter 2: Target, Part 2
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
The Master's Child Chapter 3: Target, Part 3
Michael - Eleven WeeksIn the kitchen, I find James extending the breakfast table. "Six for breakfast." His face is suspiciously straight. "We need more space."Mitch joins us, heading for the jar containing her peppermint tea. She's wearing an expression which hovers between a twinkle and a question. She turns her gaze on Charlotte. "Yes?""Yes, Michael accepted."Mitch nods, her expression thoughtful, then turns to help James set out the table. "I'll do that.""Thanks." He collects eggs from the fridge... "A good breakfast all round, I think." Then brandishing a bottle, "And perhaps some bucks fizz by way of celebration.""Sounds good to me." In truth, I feel a little awkward, pinned under Mitch's gaze. She's barely arrived with us, learning that her long lost daughter has two 'husbands', and now one of them has...What?... an arrangement that he has a second 'wife'.But she doesn't look annoyed. Her mouth is twitching as she smooths the tablecloth. "You lead an ad
The Master's Child Chapter 4: Target, Part 4
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
The Master's Child Chapter 5: Target, Part 5
James – Twelve WeeksWow!What a great job.Mitch's work on the creche is seriously good. No-one would think she wasn't a professional."I based it on the room I used as Jenny's nursery when... When she was a baby... Before..." Mitch's voice catches.I lay a hand on her arm. "You have her back now. And she's not going anywhere.""I know. It's just, sometimes, when I think how I lost her..."Her voice breaks again...Spiralling out of control...Change the subject..."You have an amazing talent, Mitch. You could easily make a living as an interior decorator."She shrinks in on herself... "Oh, I don't think so..."Too many years of being told she has no worth?"...Think how much time this takes. I'd have to charge the earth to make it pay.""Alright, so you have something to sell where you can charge the earth." She looks askance at me, frankly unbelieving."Mitch, remember who your family members are. Richard and Beth move in the kind of circles where they
The Master's Child Chapter 6: Target, Part 6
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
The Master's Child Chapter 7: Target, Part 7
Charlotte – Fourteen Weeks"They're so small." I stare at the tiny woollen mitts my mother is showing me. She sucks in her cheeks, but she's smiling. "Well, how big did you think Peanut will be when he's newly born?""She.""You don't know that.""I'm hoping that.""Alright, for now, she. But until it's confirmed..."None of this feels real. Around me, rack upon rack of displayed baby clothes: onesies, jumpsuits, hats and caps, rompers, socks and booties..."What is all of this stuff? I thought..."My mother looks amused. "You thought what?""I thought, well, I'd just... dress her.""In what? Irish mist? She'll need clothes, Jenny."She rummages through a shelf stacked with packs of bibs, reading the labels. "Three in a pack," she mutters, then pops four packs in the cart."We don't need that many, surely?""You'll think differently when the whole lot's in the wash and she's just sicked down the last clean one." She revolves, scanning the store. "We need
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