All Chapters of Mastering Charlotte: Chapter 251 - Chapter 260

JamesWhen the party dies down a little, while we are still gathered together, I decide to tackle the elephant in the room. "Of course, this all begs the question of why Klempner said what he did to Charlotte...."The champagne bubbles burst, and Charlotte's face turns serious. "I felt as soon as he spoke, that he had some kind of grudge against me. He said it was because of Jenkins getting killed, that he held me to blame for that. But it didn't feel right. I'm sure he was lying about that. If his grudge was actually with my mother, or my mother and father…"Beth sits, hands neatly folded as she listens. And Richard is intent as Michael interrupts her. "I should mention, Charlotte, that this isn't the only information that Will is trying to find. When these came to light, I also asked him, and he agreed, to try to have any other family connections checked. None came to light...."Richard raises a forefinger. "However," he says, "now that we know there is a family connection, a

There is a knock at the door and Jenny turns from stirring the soup she is making. But without waiting for a reply, the door bursts open and Mrs Bennett strides into the kitchen, her face red."Why is my son sleeping on the couch?" she demands.Jenny colours up."And how long has this being going on?" continues the furious woman. "It's been months since the wedding. I was worried about you. There I was wondering if perhaps we should have the doctor look at you, and I come in early to find Chad sleeping downstairs.""I...." Jenny's eyes are swimming.But Mrs Bennett keeps talking. "And when I took a look around...." She slams open a side drawer which contains underclothes, a washbag and a towel. ".... All his things are down here. He is quite clearly not sleeping upstairs. What is it with you, Jennifer?" The woman stalks forward. "Still got all those ideas about university and books? Can't you bring yourself to be a proper wife to my son? I'm not having it!"She raises her h

Mr KalkowskiHe aims the pipe at her, punctuating his words with the movement. "Jenny, your life is ahead of you. You say you believe you should leave. I believe you are correct."She holds up her hands, palms to heaven. "What should I do? I don't know...."The old man puffs a curling ring of smoke. It spins, a writhing vortex in the air, then disperses. "The Greek philosopher Plutarch said that the mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled. Here, Jenny, you have learned. You have been taught. But when you are truly educated, you learn to think.""You still think I should go to university?""It is what I have always believed Jenny. It was not my place to interfere when you decided to marry Chad, but now...."Thoughtful, she pours another cup of tea, tilts the pot to her mentor. He nods, and she pours a second cup."How would I do it?""I retained all the forms and other information from when you were first going to apply. You have only to use them.""

"Chad, can I talk to you."His eyes lift to hers. "Hello, Jenny. What is it?""I wanted to tell you, I'm leaving.""I ... kind of expected it." His words come out all in a rush. "Jenny, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault....""When I first came here I thought I was in heaven. It's different now." "You'll want the divorce of course.""Yes, I do. I want to be free. I want my life back.""Just send the papers. I'll sign whatever you need.... You can tell the lawyer to send the bill to me as well. I'll pay it." He bites down on guilt and shame, tries to focus. "What will you do?""I'm not sure. I'll probably go to the City. Find work. Take it from there.""When are you going?""Tomorrow. I just want to leave quietly. You won't tell anyone will you? Not yet anyway.""No, not if you don't want me to. I won't tell anyone."*****The following morning, she rises early, everything already packed. She thinks to leave alone but as she slings the rucksack over her shoulder

Richard"Under the circumstances," continues Will, "I'm not going to dwell on this too much. All I am going to say is that there is all the motive in the world, for the culprits to try to remove Charlotte, as a witness to much of this, from the picture, and to prevent her giving testimony at court. All aside from the considerable monies made from the trafficking, she is effectively witness to institutionalised murder."And now Michael breaks in. "So why have they not simply murdered her?"He's right........ That would be the usual route with people like this....Why are we not burying Charlotte right now?Will fends him off, raising his hand. "I'm coming to that." He sucks at his cheeks.He looks guilty........ Why?"I have to say," he continues, looking around the table, "that we are missing certain records...."Michael looks enraged, James merely thoughtful.".... Corby may be responsible for that, or it may be that over twenty years or so, they have been misp