Where am I?Sleep-addled, I see low embers, their glow a mere crack amid white ashes behind a fireguard. A side-light casts a sort of light over where I'm sitting in an armchair.A blanket covers my lap....Beth........ And Richard....This is when you find out who your friends are....My neck is stiff, but I'm warm and otherwise comfortable.And I think of the empty bed in my room....I'll stay here for the night....*****.... And I blink open to a maid swishing open curtains. Brilliant sunlight casts across me and for a moment I hold a hand over my eyes while I adjust."Morning, Mr Alexanders. I wasn't sure if you would prefer tea or coffee, so I brought both." She nods down to a tray by my side with both tea and coffee pots, milk, cream and lemon. A glass of water sits by a packet of soluble aspirin.And the evening before floods back....Oh, God....The staff think I was drunk....I was drunk...."It was a good day, wasn't it, Mr Alexanders?" she s
And I really feel like celebrating. I can't keep the grin from my face. Reaching into the ice bucket, I fish out the bottle. "It's a bit early for champagne, but I thought buck's fizz would go down nicely." And it does, citrus and bubbles complementing cereals, devilled kidneys and laughter.Everything I ever wanted....When even Charlotte's furnaces have been stocked with enough fruit, eggs and extra toast to halt an army....How does she eat like that and never put on an ounce?Plenty of 'exercise'......... we settle down a bit.I've been looking forward to this moment. I take an envelope from my pocket, passing it to Michael. "This, by the way, is my wedding present to the pair of you."He looks a little surprised but gulps back the last of his fizz. He cuts it open the envelope with a knife, wiping butter and marmalade in equal amounts on the paper, extracts the contents........ and reads....For a long moment his face is a blank, then he scratches an eyeb
"Everything in place?" Michael leans back against the wall, arms folded, watching as I fill the racks, shelves, cupboards and drawers he so carefully built."Almost.""Where is she?""Upstairs, lost in a good book.""Engineering?""Tolkien, I think."He nods. "I suppose we can rely on that when it's raining."I stand back, admiring the display. "You're sure she doesn't know?"His face splits. "I've certainly not told her. I'm looking forward to seeing...."".... her face?"He winks. "Oh, yes.""I see you made up the bed too."His mouth quirks. "Yup. Did it myself.... I'm not about to ask any of the hotel staff to make this bed." "Perhaps not," I agree. Then, I eye-point toward the concealed exit. "The bolt-hole?" He sobers. "I think that's a discussion for another day, don't you?""Sure. Who exactly knows about it?""Right now, only you and me. Perhaps Charlotte has an inkling, but I've not discussed it with her. It didn't need to be pretty, just secur
"Oh, this is your call, James," replies Michael. "Whatever appeals to you the most."I stand over and slightly behind her, where she should be able to see me in her peripheral vision. The falls smell of bees and honey, whispering as I trail the tips along her spine. Her breath hitches, she shivers and her arms goose-pimple."Charlotte?""Whatever you want, Master. It's for you to say."Good girl....I caress her skin with the soft tresses. "What are your safe words?" "Yellow, Master. And red.""Stand up."Her face still lowered, Charlotte rises. I swing the flogger, just a little, letting her see the sweep and shimmer of the tails as they sway by my leg. "Stand over there."She follows my finger to the ceiling hoop and the rope, casually looped through. Michael acts as aide as she positions herself below, lifting wide mermaid-eyes as he murmurs something soft and she offers up her hands.Binding her wrists, not tightly, but effectively, he tensions the rope, dra
RICHARDI sit in the conference room, wading through brochures, catalogues and websites, trying to find something........ suitable........ and just the tiniest bit original....And something she doesn't already have....*sigh*There's movement in my office beyond.Elizabeth?She's early....Quickly, I whisk a plan of the City Project site over my work area, but when I look up, it's not Elizabeth but Michael standing in the doorway."Hi, Richard... Hope you don't mind. Francis let me in. Thought I'd spend half an hour on some more of that lot while I was twiddling my thumbs." He gestures towards the stack of tattered and dusty boxes housing forty years of junk paperwork from Elizabeth's recently deceased Uncle Albert."Not at all. It's very good of you to keep at this on Elizabeth's behalf.""It's no problem at all. I'm waiting for James and Charlotte so it's not as if I have anything better to do 'til they turn up. And as I mentioned, I'm actually finding it q
James suppresses a smile. "I've had Charlotte at the proofing yards down by the docks. Some useful add-on training in failure testing on metals and other materials."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 laught
RICHARDElizabeth walks in, dirty and unkempt. She flops down into a chair."You look exhausted my Love. How's the house clearing going?""Oh, you have no idea. It's all bottles and jars now for recycling." She pulls a face. "Mainly whiskey bottles. Old newspapers, all tied up with string and kept. There's been rats nesting in some of them, but he kept them anyway. And yet more old paperwork cleared out from the back of the attic."A tap on the door, a pause, then Ross pops a head around the door. "Would you like a bath running, Mrs Haswell? Or something to eat?""Oh Ross. Thank you. Yes, both would be lovely. You're a life saver.""You're welcome," he smiles then retreats back out again."Whiskey bottles, eh? That doesn't sound too good. Speaking of which, would you like a drink?""I would, but not whiskey. A glass of wine would be lovely."I pour two glasses of a Rioja James recommended. Rolling it around my mouth, it is indeed, rather good. I sit beside my tired wi
JAMESMichael, raising a finger to his lips, stands to rummage in the drawer for a moment, then takes out a small vibe. Holding it close to her ear, he turns it on, upping the power a couple of times, letting her hear the rising whine. Touching the tip, just barely, to her skin, he slips it across her cheek and over her lips, then slides it back to the nape of her neck and down. Tracing the outline of her spine, he follows the curve of her back, diverting for an instant around her bound wrists, lying between the twinned dimples at the base, and south.My fingers are slick, and the air laced with the tang of her growing excitement. Michael raises a questioning eyebrow and I withdraw my thumb which he replaces with the vibe. She rocks against me, wailing, but he pushes it home, twisting the base to turn up the power as he does so.Smiling as he stands back, he surveys her. I pull away too, leaving her unsupported, rocking and swaying as she tries to remain upright.Offering me hi
A sound... Charlotte clearing her throat. "Ummm...""Yes, Charlotte." Richard swings around. "I believe that makes it your turn. James... Together or separately?""You're the guest, Richard. You choose.""In that case, I think together. Heads or tails?""Oh, tails I think, if that suits you?""Absolutely."As I withdraw from Beth, tucking away my subsiding erection, I help her upright.Richard and James both stand, side by side, towering over Charlotte. I back away from the action, giving them space, but take Beth with me, pulling her down onto my lap as I sit, nuzzling into her neck. "Thank you. You have no idea how much..."She twists back, kisses me on the mouth. "I think I did know."James and Richard are both stripping off jackets, ties and shirts, kicking off shoes. "I think Charlotte's about to get it big time," she murmurs."I'd say so, yes."James drops to his knees, settles between her thighs.Richard unzips, releases himself, then stroking his erectio
MICHAELheading south, I tug at the ties of the thong, pulling away about a square inch of satin as the flimsy thing falls away.Richard sucks in air. "So, James, where would you like me to start?""I'm sure you don't need instructions from me..." James drops eyes to Beth's smooth pubis. "... An old hand like you." His gaze shifts to Charlotte... "But I think we'll adjust the furniture a little." Rising, he takes a stand-mirror from the corner of the bedroom, moves it to the side of the bed, adjusts the angle, then stands back to gauge the results. He adjusts it a little, measures it by eye again and then nods. Charlotte has an excellent view of her own sex."Would you like her opened a little further, Richard? I imagine you'll want to reach everything easily.""Excellent idea, James. The knees wider I think, and we'll lift her hips."It's a game they play, the pair of them, torturing her with anticipation, but Charlotte's eyes tell a tale. The two Doms work as a team, J
MICHAELI sit, staring at nothing, thinking about...... Nothing...Maybe I should get something to eat?My gut's griping. I've not eaten all day. Sally brought me one of her usual offerings for lunch; a plate-sized bacon and egg sandwich and a can of beer, but the smell turned my stomach.Scruffy ate well though along with Kirstie's tribe, running wild around the gardens in hairy, waggy, excitable enthusiasm.The pint-sized rag-tag lies by my feet. Occasionally he looks up at me, whining. I scratch his ear and he settles again.There's no sign of James and Charlotte other than James' tablet on his armchair and a book, marker inserted, on Charlotte's favourite spot on the settee. With no real interest, I look at the cover. 'A Song of Ice and Fire - A Dance with Dragons.'The scent of something is drifting in, James' cooking I assume. A part of me says it smells rich and savoury, winey and herby, but my gut recoils.Just a coffee maybe...I head for the kitchen, but
MICHAELI don't much feel like breakfast, but for the sake of form, I join Mitch, James and Charlotte in the kitchen, downing a coffee, then pouring another.James is on his usual 'toast and coffee only' breakfast. Mitch works her way through yoghurt and muesli, eating tidily and sipping at a cup of peppermint tea.Charlotte's standing on tiptoe, rummaging at the top shelf of the store cupboard. James stands, walks across. "What are you looking for?""Pickled onions.""You don't like pickled onions.""I felt like one sliced up on my sandwich."I've already seen the other items laid out on the worktop for Charlotte's 'sandwich', along with the expression flitting across James' face as he saw them too.Hmmm...But he snakes up a long arm to the top shelf and takes down a jar.In some fascination we sit, watching Charlotte assemble a peanut butter, avocado and pickled onion sandwich, on crusty bread cut thick enough to use as a draught excluder. In a final flourish, sh
JAMESIt's a nice area. A pretty area. And it's a day for seeing it at its best.Yachts and pleasure boats float in bobbing ranks on sparkling water. Tourists walk by with ice creams, tossing coins to cross-legged artists sitting by pavement chalkings. Shops sell souvenirs, art and holiday wear.The apartment block is clean and well-maintained. The hallway as we approach the door smells of new carpet and fresh paint.Mitch stands outside the door, seeming to gather herself together, then taking a breath, she inserts the key, turns it, opens the door and we step inside.It's... lovely...Sunlight dances over walls painted in soft neutral colours. They complement the furnishings, made from some pale golden timber, perhaps beech."Can't fault his taste," comments Michael.Paintings dot the walls, abstract mainly, except for a single striking piece taking the centre of one wall; an image of ice and broken water in astonishing rainbow hues."Amazing painting," I say, looki
RICHARDJames steps out of the elevator looking...What?Harassed?Worried?"James?"He looks to me then jerks his head towards his office. I follow him in. Silently, he offers me a small, padded envelope, still sealed. "This was waiting for me down in the lobby. Special delivery.""A packet?""Look at the addressee."I look, extract spectacles from my top pocket and look again.And the hair rises on the back of my neck.Michelle Kimberley, c/o James Alexanders."Klempner?""Who else could it be? Conners wouldn't know where to find her. Michelle's brothers would probably send it to her direct. So, who else?""James, before anyone opens that envelope, could it be a letter-bomb?"He blows out air, rubs his forehead. "I wouldn't have thought that was Klempner's style... If he wanted her, he come after her himself..." He paces the room. "And why would he send it through me?""You parted... amicably... from Klempner? After the shooting?"He huffs. "I'm not
MICHAELJames interrupts my gardening. "You seen Charlotte?""She said she was going for a walk." I nod along the road. "She went that-a-way." I straighten up, pressing hands into my lower spine. "Actually, now I think about it, her tone was a bit odd.""You look as if you've done enough for a while. Want to take a break and stretch your legs?""Good idea. I'll just tell Chad we're going out."I find him inside, paint bucket in hand, slapping emulsion on a bedroom wall. "James and I are just going for a walk. I don't think we'll be long."He cocks an eye at me, his expression assessing. "You might like to know that Mr Kalkowski is buried nearby, in the churchyard.""He is? I thought...""He had no traceable family, so he stayed here. Some of the holier-than-thou churchy types tried to kick up a fuss about it, but Mrs Collier kicked up a bigger fuss and they found a space for him.""Gotcha."He moves to the window and points a long finger along the road; the same dir
MICHAELThe lawns might have been mown, but the shrubs and borders are heading for the sky. A quick exploration of a small back shed produces saw and secateurs, so I set to, getting the garden back under control."Hello."I turn to see a woman, standing by the garden gate. Wearing jeans and a shirt, her hair tied tightly back in a ponytail, she has a prim, pleasant face. "Hello, I'm Eleanor Collier. I've been keeping an eye on the house. I saw something was happening...?" I stand, wiping muck and sap off my hands and onto my pants, then stride forward to offer my hand. "Michael Summerford." My brain connects the dots. "Collier, was it? Charlo... Jennifer's foster mother?"Her face lights up. "That's right. You know Jenny? She's here?""I'm her husband. And yes, she's here." I yell towards the upstairs window. "Charlotte! Friend of yours here." I gesture to the gate. "You'd better come in."From above, a movement at the window, then a clatter down the stairs and Charlotte
JAMESMichael...He's depressed...What can I do?Change of scene maybe?*****"Charlotte, I was thinking, we're about due for your road-trip."She pauses, half a sausage impaled on a fork midway to her mouth. "Road-trip, Master? What road-trip?""Have you forgotten that you were bequeathed a house? And everything in it. Perhaps it is time to make good your claim?"The half-a-sausage drops back to her plate. "Go back to the farm you mean? The last time I was there, they... they weren't very welcoming."Michael is listening, chewing on toast and marmalade, suddenly looking more animated than he has for days.Thank God..."Things have changed since then, haven't they," he says. "You've spoken with your friend Tom. He knows the truth of what happened. And of course, there's Chad."Still she stares at the sausage and the fried egg congealing by it. "I'm not sure..."I pour myself more coffee. "Even if all you decide to do is sell the house, you'll need to visit