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Chapter 124: Fatale, Part 4
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
The Master's Child Chapter 125: Fatale, Part 5
CharlotteI love being a Mom.From her bundle of fleece and wool, Cara looks up into my face, her eyes fixing on me in a way that they didn't when she was first born. Her features have lost that squashed-up look she had at first, filling out to more of the true 'Winston Churchill' look of young babies.My baby...So beautiful...There's never been anything so beautiful in the whole world...... But when she was new-born, she was a beautiful, little squashed-up red prune.Cara held close to my breast, she suckles contentedly...Wonder how long it'll be before she does more than eat and sleep?However wonderful My Baby might be, the novelty of breast-feeding is wearing off fast. Bored, Cara supported in one arm, I browse my tablet, scrolling the feed with a thumb.Somehow, they have gotten hold of my email address and my In-Box is bombarded with ads for milk substitutes, nappies, early learning for babies... Jabbing my thumb at the offending posts, I delete one after
The Master's Child Chapter 126: Fatale, Part 6
JamesIn the kitchen, pushing bacon around a pan, I ponder how to square the circle and re-introduce Georgie and Charlotte. The fact is that Georgie created the whole hornets' nest herself by being so appallingly rude, not just to me, but Charlotte too, the first time they met.But if I truly want any kind of future relationship with my daughter... my elder daughter... I need to get the pair of them, if not friendly, at least polite with each other.Richard and Beth descend the stairs, she leaning heavily on him for support. She sits clumsily, trying to find a comfortable position so she can eat.Fanning her face, "I can barely reach the table over my stomach." She's laughing but the laugh sounds strained and she runs hands over her enormous belly. "I'll be glad when Adam arrives and I can get back to being able to move again.Charlotte looks up from where she is giving Cara her breakfast. "Know what you mean. I tell you, it's a real relief afterwards, getting back to feeling
The Master's Child Chapter 127: Fatale, Part 7
Charlotte"Charlotte, it's a beautiful day..." My Master stands by the nursery door, wearing the jeans and boots he uses for riding, and a thick cable-knit sweater... "...I'm going to take Oliver out. Want to come?"It is indeed a lovely day, with a crisp snap to the air. And the sunshine is that brilliant clear white you only get in cold winter weather."I'd love to. And Charlie could use the exercise. Um..." I look down to my tiny daughter, blinking at the mobile rotating above her in the cot, trying, with unformed muscles, to reach for a glitter-pink unicorn."I'll keep an eye on Cara." My Mom smiles from her rocking chair next to mine. "She'll probably sleep anyway.""Can you give me five minutes, just while Cara drops off?""Of course I can." My Master takes the few steps to bring him close to me, then reaches down with a long finger, stroking Cara's cheek. His face might seem impassive to any that didn't know him, but I see the hidden smile behind his eyes. Our daught
The Master's Child Chapter 128: Fatale, Part 8
MichaelThe pair blow in through the door, in theory, together.James stalks in, face reddened. Charlotte follows and, without a word or a smile, disappears into the kitchen.I watch her scuttle away, then catch James by the arm. "What's going on?"James swipes a hand through his hair, blows air through puffed cheeks. "Georgie." Then spinning, face set, he strides out again. The door slams closed behind him.This has gone on long enough...I hover by the window, listening for the crunch of footsteps on gravel to fade, then head for the kitchen where Charlotte is taking one of Cara's feed bottles from the fridge.Her eyes flick to mine and then back to the bottle. "Hi.""Don't Hi me. What d'you think you're up to, Charlotte?""Up to?" The innocence in her voice sounds fake and as she puts the bottle into the microwave, she keeps her face turned away. Even side-on, the flush on her cheeks is visible."And don't play the innocent either. You know perfectly well what I'
The Master's Child Chapter 129: Fatale, Part 9
CharlotteWhere is he?My Master is not in the lounge or the dining room. I don't find him in his office or any of the usual places.Outside?In this weather?I finally find him in the stables, currying mud from Oliver. He doesn't see me as I come in behind him and I halt at the doorway...Does he want to talk to me?Oliver blows through his nostrils as the comb circles over neck and flank. Charlie leans across, nuzzling at my Master, then nickers softly, ears flicking forward as I enter.My Master turns, but as he sees me, displays no pleasure. "Charlotte." And he returns to grooming Oliver, this time using a brush on the heavy winter coat, clearing dirt and dust from the thick hair."Master, I'm sorry. I came to apologise..."He pauses his movement, then restarts. "Thank you for that, at least...""... and to ask if you might like to invite Georgie to dinner this evening?"He ceases his brushing, sets the brush to one side then turns to face me. Legs astride,
The Master's Child Chapter 130: Fatale, Part 10
MichaelIn the kitchen, there's no sign of James, but Scruffy and Bear sit in one corner, snouts lifted, noses twitching in the direction of the hob.A pan clatters its lid against the steam, and I lift the lid to some dark red sauce simmering at the bottom, large bubbles glopping and redissolving into the surface. Chunks of sausage and something-or-other-else surface then vanish, nudging aside some kind of beans. The smell of fresh bread competes with garlic. It smells divine.James comes in, carrying a bottle. "Ah, Michael. Good timing. You want to open the wine? Set it to warm... I'll serve the meal in the dining room, but we can sit in here while the food's cooking." He offers me the bottle, then hovers, sucking at his teeth. "That's Rioja, to go with the casserole. But perhaps a bottle of cava too? What do you think?""Good idea. This is a celebration after all, isn't it."He beams. "Course it is. Back in a mo." And he vanishes out again.Scruffy stares fixedly at me,
The Master's Child Chapter 131: Fatale, Part 11
KlempnerTwo weeks and... nothing...Not a whisper. Nothing I can find.Sitting in the corner of Antonio's, I've spent a pleasant afternoon, but frustration gnaws at me. Hickman reports that all is well, but...Has Juliana given up??Not fucking likely...Antonio's cafe has become somewhat of a routine. Misgivings nudge me, reminding me that I shouldn't develop such habits...... Making myself vulnerable...But, with nothing to go on, what the hell else can I do?On the other hand, there has to be some reason for the address to have been used in Finchby's invoices.Perhaps I just need to wait.But what am I waiting for?How long can I keep doing this?Still, in the meantime, while I wait for my mystery to unravel, the old man is genuinely good company. And also, a mine of local information. Finishing a cup of the excellent coffee, I consult a local guide, comparing my list of addresses to a local map, looking for some pattern, seeking inspiration...Ac
The Master's Child Chapter 132: Fatale, Part 12
JamesI watch from the doorway: my Jade-Eyes, in the nursery with the daughter she gave me, rocking her, cooing over her, talking to her.She doesn't see me, engrossed with Cara. Our baby goos and gurgles at her mother, a tiny hand reaching for a long copper lock of Charlotte's hair, swinging loose draping over Cara's creamy wrap.So beautiful...Both so beautiful...I think Charlotte must have just given Cara her feed. She still has the towel over her shoulder she uses when she's burping her. Even from here, the towelling looks damp. The top she's wearing, not quite buttoned up, is stained too.As I watch, Charlotte rises from the rocking chair her mother painted so beautifully for her, lays Cara in her cot and brushes herself down. As she turns to drop the shoulder towel into a laundry basket, she sees me."Oh!" And then she laughs. "Sorry, Master. I didn't see you there.""I was enjoying watching you."She looks towards the cot, eyes alight. "I know I'm her mother,
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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 192: Natale, Part 30
JamesFamily...All gathered together around the breakfast table: Michael to the left of Charlotte, I'm to her right, bouncing Cara on my knee while Charlotte takes a break to get some food down her throat. Beyond Michael, Beth feeds Adam, Richard flanking them.Klempner and Mitch sit side by side. She's turned discreetly away, feeding Vicky. Larry watches, still wearing that slightly spaced-out expression...Man-in-shock?For all the right reasons...Charlotte is very quiet. She eats, but her gaze sweeps the table and back again.Once she had nothing...Briefly, her eyes lock with her father's. He cocks his head, eyes full of question, but then her gaze moves on.What's he thinking?It's not hard to figure. Right from the time Klempner arrived back with us, although he's clearly content to be here, he's had an air of... waiting...The Rat-Tat! of the front door rattles down the hall.Michael pushes his chair back. "I'll go." A half-eaten slice of toast in one h
The Master's Child Chapter 191: Natale, Part 29
RichardMy intercom buzzes. "Yes, Francis?""I have the police commissioner on for you, Mr Haswell. He... doesn't sound very happy."I can guess what this is going to be about. I've been waiting for it. "Thanks for the warning, Francis. Put him through please..." The line clicks and reconnects. "Richard?""Good morning, Will. What can I do for you?""I think you can guess why I'm calling you. I'm hearing rumours I don't like. Disturbing rumours.""I believe, Will, that I know which rumours you mean. I've been wanting to discuss them with you. Perhaps you would like to meet for lunch to discuss the matter? Somewhere quiet? ""And away from the office? Yes, I think so."*****The waiter sets a plate in front of each of us, steak in pepper sauce for Will, a prawn souffle for me. He tops up the glasses of Cabernet. "Is there anything else, sir?""No, thank you. That's perfect." I wait until he is out of earshot before I speak. "So, Will...These disturbing rumours?
The Master's Child Chapter 190: Natale, Part 28
KlempnerThe view is restful. Living in Mitch's small apartment, hidden away from the world, does...... I suppose...... constitute 'domestic bliss'. But that's at night. For much of the day, we spend our time in the main family home of Jenny's Triad. The women chatter and gossip. The men alternate between business and banter. One or other of the babies always needs attention...It's exhausting.But when it comes to it, that's not the root of my problem.Retreating from noise and activity and 'family-fun' to the sanctuary of the terrace, I let the view wash away the anxiety gnawing at the back of my mind.It's always the waiting...Give me action and some lunatic with a gun every time...Stay calm...Mist curls over the lake far below. On the slopes close by, every blade of grass is etched with a rime of frost that will thaw to dew when the sun crests the mountain. Further down, the individual blades meld into a smooth sheet of silver that merge into haze and wa
The Master's Child Chapter 189: Natale, Part 27
Two coffeepots later, we've run out of croissants and moved onto toasted muffins. James slices one in two, dropping the halves into the toaster. He pauses, "Another one, Beth?"She's sitting up against the headboard, next to Charlotte, the two propped up against each other, eating from a shared plate. Beth slathers butter and blackberry jam onto what she has. "Thanks, but I'm fine with this, James. I'll not eat again 'til suppertime.""Charlotte?""Mmmm..." She nods, mumbling through a mouthful, wiping a smear of melted butter from the corner of her mouth. She swallows, then holds up half a muffin - minus two bites. "What is it about muffins and bad weather? I always want more of them."James rolls a look at her, then to me, shaking his head...A wise man says nothing...Richard sucks jam from his fingers, lips smacking. "On a complete change of subject... Elizabeth and I were talking..." Beth falls still, her shoulders slumping... "... Please don't take this the wrong way,
The Master's Child Chapter 188: Natale, Part 26
MichaelIt's dark...What woke me?Somewhere down and beside me, the sound of whining. "Scruffy? You need to go out, boy?"At this hour?What the hell time is it?I'm snug and comfortable, draped with a thick duvet. Charlotte, warm and fragrant, sleeps tucked in beside me. Through the curtains, it's pitch-black.Scruffy whines again, this time scratching at the bed.Wonder if he's eaten something he shouldn't?Stretching an arm blindly out beyond the cosy comfort of the blankets, I pat across the side-table, hunting for the light switch. When I find it, as it turns out, it's not Scruffy's habit of eating every bit of rubbish he comes across that is at fault. The clock tells me it's half past seven and my rag-tag mongrel is making a perfectly reasonable request to be let out to relieve the pressures of the night.But outside, there's no sign of daylight and, joys of joys, rain lashes against the window.Goodbye to summer...Scruffy's whining ups by half an octave
The Master's Child Chapter 187: Natale, Part 25
JamesAn orderly tries to block the way, arms outstretched in front of the door. "Sir, you can't..."Klempner simply brushes by him.From beyond, Mitch's voice. "Let him in..."The orderly spins, mouth open. "What? All of them?""Yes!!!! Ah... Fuccckkkk...."The monk's feet skid uselessly over the polished floor as he tries to resist his inexorable forward journey into the delivery room. His voice rises to a wail. "But I'm not a priest. I can't do this." Klempner growls, "I don't care if you're a priest, a rabbi, an imam, or if you ran the Bring-and-Buy at the church garden party. The lady here wants our child born in wedlock. You're going to marry us."Klempner turns his attention to Mitch, lying on her back on the delivery table, yelling her way through another contraction. She flings out an arm, grabbing at his wrist. He winces, but lays his other hand on top. "We'll just let this one pass..."The midwife, checking a bleeping monitor, flashes a look at Mitch. "Yo
The Master's Child Chapter 186: Natale, Part 24
RichardMy mobile bleeps: James.Landed. at airport now. home approx 90 mins. Tell Mitch he's keenElizabeth grins at me as I tap in the reply.don't go home. come city hospital. Mitch in labourThere's a short pause...Elizabeth holds up her hand, counting down silent fingers: Five... Four... Three... Two...... and my mobile bleeps again.When M go into labour?3 hrs doc and midwife say early but all normal all goodWith you ASAP K got taxi flying on wings of fire*****The corridor is painted the required institutional off-white, scraped black in long stripes at trolley-bed height. The lighting is the compulsory harsh fluorescent white. One strip blinks on and off. Signs point off down apparently identical corridors: Intensive Care... Reception... A & E... Chapel and Prayer Room... Radiology... Cardiology... Breast Screening...How many ways is it possible to be sick?Footsteps echo along the corridor; marching footsteps, almost stampeding footsteps.A
The Master's Child Chapter 185: Natale, Part 23
KlempnerAt last, I get some privacy with her. James ushers out Jenny, protesting all the way. Michael leaves too, turning as he exits to give me a kind of approving nod.Haswell poured glasses of champagne, passing them around at their side of the screen, although I did notice that he poured for Mitch from a different bottle. The top of the flute is just in view, spitting the odd bubble over the rim."Are you alone now?"She looks sidelong, off-screen. "Yes, they've gone.""What's Kirstie doing there?""I'm fitting her for her wedding dress. They've set the date for Christmas, remember.""I didn't know that.""Oh... no... Of course you wouldn't." She takes a sip of her bubbly, looking away. "It's been so long. They said you were dead. The police said there was a body.""There was, but not mine."She peers into the screen, searching my face. "How are you? What happened?""I'll tell you sometime, but not now. What's important, is how you are and..." I nod down, bel
