As the bell rings it is clear right from the start that Josh is the better fighter. His opponent is more heavily built, but bulky and slow moving with it. For every blow he lands on Josh, he receives three or four back, all well placed and scoring points. Unlike Jenny's match, it runs the full distance, four rounds being a boy's bout, but Josh wins it easily.Jenny finds herself studying the match with a kind of professional interest, scrutinising the moves between the opponents, squirrelling away manoeuvres and techniques to try herself. Chad watches with a kind of fascination, all the while his gaze on Josh.And as he is announced the winner, Josh grins down at them, pumping his fist in the air.*****As the event breaks up and the competitors, showered and changed, make their way out to cars and buses, Mrs Collier brushes imaginary lint from her jacket."Well, I still can't say Levi, that I entirely approve. I haven't changed my mind on that. But Jennifer did make a good s
James"No, it's not a joke. She'll come back. Whatever she was asking for, get it and make it ready for use. I want you to put a SIM card in there, on an unlimited usage contract. You can charge it to this card. And get the battery charged up fully. I want the phone to be ready for her when she comes back. And she will come back. ....""We don't stock batteries ready-charged, sir...."My patience is fraying. "I don't care. Use the battery from your own phone if necessary. Charge me for it. But have that mobile ready for her to use, as soon as she has it. Did she ask for anything else? Apart from the phone....?"As I tap off, Michael, breathing heavily, stands arms folded, waiting.Fighting the drumming in my chest, I gather my words. "That was Domestic Electrics in Barnbridge," I say. "Charlotte's in there trying to buy a smartphone, and an expensive data package with it. Also, LED flashlights and batteries. The assistant said she kept looking over her shoulder and then disap
RichardJames is intent, scrolling through something on his laptop.Then I realise that, in fact, it's Charlotte's laptop."What are you looking at?"A smile tugs at his mouth. "Her browsing history."Really?I cock a brow.... "You don't think that's a bit like spying on her?"He sniffs. "With everything that's happened, I think we can assume that if she didn't want me to see it, Charlotte would have deleted the information. She would have known it was one of the first things I'd look at.""And of course, you are her Dom.…"His voice is dry. "Am I? I'm glad you think so.…"Time to change the subject...."What's in the history?"He sits back, fingers steepled. "She has been teaching herself to hack."I suppress the urge to laugh.Why am I not surprised?At least she's consistent...."Hack? Hack what?""The surveillance system for this building for a start."Hmmm...."That's a lot to learn very quickly isn't it?""In case you hadn't got it yet, Cha
RichardJames rubs an ear. "I can imagine how that looks to an outsider but.... It was just supposed to be a bit of fun. She was willing, and very well paid for it. And as it happened, she was doing it because, as you said, she wanted just what your Beth wanted, a shot at taking her own life forward....""Is that how Michael saw it?"James stalls and I think he's not going to reply but then, "Michael wanted nothing to do with it to begin with. I persuaded him to get involved because...."Not just a bit of fun then...."Because?"".... because, as he pointed out, with the way my tastes run, a young girl needed someone to look out for her. Michael was Charlotte's insurance against my possible misjudgement.... Of taking things too far with her...."Jesus........ What did it cost him to admit that…? "It obviously worked. But it was still only for a week?""It didn't even take that long. We both fell for her and I.... I just tried to find a way of keeping her. At the e
James"Shhh.... It's alright. You're safe now. And so's Beth."And as he spots me there, standing in the doorway, he eye-points down her body. She's a mass of cuts, bruises and welts.Jeez....Where the muck has washed clear of her, her pale skin is marked in livid purple and blue. Older injuries fade through black, red and yellow in places. An angry gash on one thigh is seeping pink fluid into the shower stream and in a couple of places, the flesh is swollen and red.Whoever did this to you...."I'll get a medic here," I say, dashing back for my phone and leaving Michael comforting the weeping Charlotte.My call is answered almost immediately. "James!" exclaims Francis' happy voice. "Congratulations. We're all so....""Francis, can you get a doctor here and quickly, please. And can you request a woman."Her voice snaps to 'business mode'. "Of course, James. If you hold the line for one moment...." Her voice turns remote. "Surgery? Is Doctor Lisowski down there? Yes,
"What would you like to do when you grow up Jenny?"She grins. "Oh, that's easy, Mr Kalkowski. I want to be like you, a teacher."The old man smiles, perching himself against the edge of his desk. Arms folded, he looks down at his disciple. "To be a teacher is an honourable calling, none more so. But something tells me your life is going to be more interesting than that. Is there not something else that appeals to you?"She shrugs. "Like what?""Like anything. The world is your oyster and you have not, thus far, seen very much of it.""You can tell me about it. And I can read your books.""I can tell you many things Jenny, and I am happy to do so. But I cannot live your life for you. You should go out into the world, see what is to be seen. Learn more...."She stares at him. "Leave here? But you're my teacher....""I have my limitations. Already you ask questions which I cannot answer, but I know that there are others who can. And of course, some questions no-one can ye
JamesShoving a couple of coins into the slot, I pocket my goods and return to find her sitting up, hugging her knees. The bed is large and her face unusually pale even for her. She looks lost, childlike, and not for the first time I reflect on the age difference between us.Pulling the packet from my pocket, I wave it quickly by her for reassurance before placing it on the bedside table. "There are vending machines in the public bathrooms downstairs," I explain.She nods, but I see the movement of her throat as she swallows. Cupping her cheek in my hand, "You are alright?"She raises a wan smile. "Yes, Master. I'm alright, just very tired. You don't have to keep asking."I pull the sheets back. Without meaning to, my gaze slides over her body, bruised and battered. Her skin, usually so pale and perfect is blotchy with brutal hues and half-healed welts. My gorge rising, I look away."Actually, I do. You might try to brush off what's happened to you, but no-one gets into tha
RichardMy phone buzzes."Hello, James. How is she now?""Much better. A good sleep has worked wonders. Would you and Beth like to come up when it's convenient. She wants to talk to all of us together.""We'll be there in a few minutes."I sit with Elizabeth, who keeps her fingers laced with mine. James is relaxed, a smile playing around his eyes as he sits by Charlotte.Michael is otherwise. For a man who is normally warm and easy, he seems distant, almost disconnected. On the several previous occasions when I have seen him with Charlotte in similar situations, he has been, as James phrased it, her anchor. Now he barely looks at her and there's a set to his jaw that I've not seen before.Beth notices it too, eye-pointing me across to Michael. I quell her with a warning glance and a squeeze on her fingers.Charlotte sits by James, but her glance repeatedly skitters across to her blond fiancé, who doesn't return it.Better do my bit in support...."Charlotte, um, I k