Masters & Lovers Box Set One

An hour later, ploughing through whingeing arguments against the redevelopment of an old factory site I bought recently and I'm getting irritated.

There is no good reason for not redeveloping the site. It's long outlived its original usage and it's in the perfect spot for the new library I want to be included in the City Project, just on the edge of the residential areas with a sweep down to the river and what will be, one day, lovely views. The only disagreement is coming from Hatheringtons who wanted the site for themselves.

My pockets are deeper than theirs, but they can still afford lawyers good enough to make my life difficult on the redevelopment.

I'm ready for a break. I tap on my intercom. "Francis, could you please bring in coffee all round."

"Of course, Mr Haswell."

The sound of laughter carries through from the conference room, drawing me back through. My sweet Elizabeth....

Both Elizabeth and Michael are still working their way, almost mechanically through paper, glancing at then disposing of sheet after sheet. But all the while, Michael is telling her some story that has her in stitches, wiping the tears from her eyes.

"What's so funny?"

"Oh, my Love. Michael was telling me about this awful woman at that club they go to.... What's she called again, Michael?"

"Marcie." His smile is easy and relaxed.

She's comfortable with him....

"What about Marcie?"

"Oh, she made a play for me a few years ago and...."

There's a tap at the door and James steps in, Charlotte right behind him. "Ah, there you are," he says. "I thought I heard voices."

Michael stands immediately, his smile for Charlotte very bright. "Hi, Babe, how's it going?" He kisses her on the mouth, a hand on her waist and then leans in close, whispering something quiet to her. She giggles and punches him on the shoulder.

Lover's words....

Her new husband, but still her Lover....

James watches all this with a play of satisfaction around his lips. But then Michael sniffs, standing back and waving a hand in front of his face. "Charlotte, you smell like a firework. Where on Earth has James had you?" Then his eyes roll....

Realising how his words came out?

James suppresses a smile. "I've had her at the proofing yards down by the docks. Some useful add-on training in failure testing on metals and other materials."

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I scratch my chin. "How did you pull that off, James? We don't have connections with any of the firms down there do we?"

"City NDT would like to tender for the contract on the bridge, for the testing and maintenance program." He flashes brows. "I took the opportunity to take a favour."

"Does blowing something to bits in a proofing yard qualify as non-destructive testing?" I ask.

"Nooo...." he concedes, "but their director mentioned that they were running a series of tests on rocket motors for a new government contract, so I, um, eased a lever into the crack. It's all useful experience for a trainee engineer, especially as...." He nods towards Charlotte....".... It's going to be all knuckling down academically for a while now, with exams coming up."

He turns back to Michael and Elizabeth. "What was all the laughter as we came in?"

"Michael was telling me about his Nemesis from your club..."

"Marcie!" James and Charlotte both speak at once, then burst out laughing together, along with Michael.

"Seriously, Beth," says James, nodding towards his friend. "You should have seen him. It's the only time I saw him ready to head for the hills..."

I find myself tuning out, almost watching the scene from afar, like a movie with the sound turned down.... The Threesome, laughing and joking. Elizabeth, watching them, her eyes passing between the three, lingering on Michael.... His easy good humour.....

His natural good manners.....

His relaxed attitude to life....

But I know myself, that when the chips are down, he's a good man to have on your side.

Charlotte loves him....

And he loves her....

And I see my Elizabeth's shining eyes as she watches him, illustrating some anecdote of Marcie the Menacing with smiles and air gestures.

I tune in again. James is watching me, with that calculating dark-eyed gaze of his.

Wheels are turning behind those eyes.....

What's he thinking?

He's wondering what I'm thinking.

What am I thinking?