All Chapters of Mastering Charlotte: Chapter 181 - Chapter 190

RichardThe Threesome arrives, Michael holding Charlotte's hand, James following, storm clouds behind his eyes.Elizabeth, ever the good hostess, rises to greet them as Ross shows them in. "Hello, Michael," she smiles at him. "Hello Charlotte, James.""Hi, Beth, lovely to see you." Michael releases his hold on Charlotte for a brief moment then takes Elizabeth by the shoulders, gives her a quick peck on the cheek and backs away, returning to his contact with Charlotte.James, unusually for him, though understandably enough, is quiet. He knows he could be in deep shit…What would the actual charge be? Procurement?I am beginning to realise that Michael is seldom a talker, so his silence is less noticeable. And while I notice that her glance drifts occasionally towards him, Elizabeth is an absolute star, keeping Charlotte talking with chit-chat and inconsequential gossip.I watch him, how careful he is of Charlotte, always watching her, hovering protectively. As does Jame

RichardWill sucks the top of his pen, nodding. I continue, "She came up fighting and took some very hard choices to build herself a future. Think about Blessingmoors and what we know about what went on there. Can you imagine what was going through her head when she auctioned herself? She knew what she could be letting herself in for. But that didn't stop her. She saw what she needed to do, and she carried it through. And you're right. I do admire her. She's got guts. So, I'm not going to apologise if I tried to smooth her way a little."There is a squeeze at my fingers and I realise Elizabeth has my hand. As I turn, her eyes are smiling.Will looks a little taken aback at my speech. His voice mild, "Alright, Richard. I've got the message. Let's try and take this a bit further, eh..."He returns to Charlotte, who is no longer flicking through papers. Instead, the file lying forgotten on the tabletop, she is holding a photograph. It's very small, perhaps a passport photo origina

JamesOnce they are out of sight, I join Richard, where he is standing by, watching Stanton directing operations.Already two men are marking out an area some twenty yards square, roping it off as they go. The geophys team are setting up their equipment...."Magnetic survey?" I ask Richard. "Ah-ha. The ground was thoroughly disturbed during the original demolition and flattening of the area. Hopefully, this way we can find the cellar before we bring in the Cats and the diggers.""Is that why you're hanging around?""They're my diggers," he huffs, but then, "No, not really. It just feels like something that.... I don't know....""Something that should be witnessed?"He nods. "That's about it, yes."Two ops with their magnetic contraptions start at opposite ends of the marked-off area, pacing in a steady, practised way. "I don't think there's much you can offer here right now," says Richard. "Perhaps you'd be better going to see if Charlotte's alright?"*****At Mi

JamesAs we step into the room, Charlotte falters and instantly, Michael is there, her hand in his again........ and I follow, staying quiet."It's mirrored glass," says Will. "They can't see you." He nods across to the uniformed officer standing by. "And there are plenty of us around for you."She nods acknowledgement then stands and looks.On the other side of the glass stand nine men, broadly similar in looks and dress, all blank-faced, staring straight ahead.She surveys them, her gaze flicking from face to face, then points "That's him.""You sure of that?" says Will. "You don't want to think about it?""No, I'm sure. That's him."Will head-points Michael to take her out. He's looking tired, strained, with dark shadows under his eyes. But he tugs gently at her hand. "Let's get something to eat, eh?""She's going to make an excellent witness," comments Will after they leave."Yes?""Yes. Very sure of herself. She pulled Lauriz straight out of that line-up.

JamesThe following morning Richard and Beth join us for breakfast, accompanied by Ross who from God-knows-where produces enormous quantities of oatmeal, eggs and ham, orange juice and coffee. Will joins us but only knocks back cup after cup of black coffee.After half an hour's steady work which leaves the table looking rather empty, both Michael and Charlotte look much revived."I want to go home," says Charlotte."It's pretty rough and ready," says Richard. "You're welcome to stay here. You'll be a lot more comfortable.""But it's not home," she says.Michael beams.That just made his day."There's no reason you can't," says Will. "We know now what we're looking for. So long as you have an internet connection you can do it all remotely.*****Over the next day or so, I try to stay cheerful at home, not to let my grim mood show. And all the while I wonder how to give the news to Charlotte that she can't return to her university.I can expect stiff resistance the