Chapter 175: Her Mother's Love, Part 17, The Party

MICHAEL

James swivels from the cut of meat he's de-boning, the knife in one hand. His voice harsh, "Ben? You invited Ben to the party?"

"He promised he'll behave himself."

"He'd better." He scowls and returns to the slab of beef on the counter. "If he upsets Charlotte..." He twists back, the knife raised. "... or Mitch..."

"He won't."

*****

I put the handset down in its cradle.

Oh, my God...

What am I going to tell him?

Best get it over with...

I pour two stiff whiskeys then go in search of James and find him on the terrace in a sheltered sunny spot, reading.

He glances up at my approach, reaching to accept the offered glass. "Thanks. A bit early isn't it? Softening me up for something?"

Shuffling my feet, I take a sip from my own glass.

"You are softening me up for something." His eyes narrow. "What is it?"

"Um... about that party..."

His eyes thin to slits. "Aha? What about it?"

"Well, I told Ben he could come so long as he was on best behaviour, whi