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Chapter 45: Her Lovers' Touch, Part 27, Blessingmoors
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Charlotte's Search Chapter 46: The Sin Of The Parent, Part 1, Edward Haswell
RICHARDMichael appears at the door of the conference room, wandering into my office, musing over some document he holds. "Who was Edward Haswell?"James and I exchange startled glances. "Edward Haswell?" I say. "He was my father. Why would you ask?""Because according to this...." He holds up the document.... ".... forty years or so back, Beth's Uncle Albert was in business with one Edward Haswell." I stand without the intervention of my brain, all but snatching the yellowed paper from his hand. "Let me see that." A smile plays around his mouth. "It's news to you I take it?""Good God, yes. I'd no idea there was any link between Elizabeth's family and mine." I flip through the pages, speed-reading as I go. Francis and James are also both standing. Francis, in deference perhaps to her position as my PA, is trying not to seem too intrigued. James, with no such qualms, is simply leaning in, trying to look over my shoulder."It is the same Edward Haswell, I suppose?" he as
Charlotte's Search Chapter 47: The Sin Of The Parent, Part 2, Forty-Three Years Ago
"Thank you for agreeing to see me, Mr Haswell.""No problem, Mr Kimberley. I'm always happy to talk with someone who's had a new idea. Please...." The tall man gestures to a chair. "Do sit down. And it's Edward. May I call you Albert? Or is it Al?""It's Al. And yes, of course." He takes the seat offered, placing a file and a document tube on the desk.Edward clears his throat. "Would you mind if I bring in someone else to the meeting?"Al hesitates, looking nervous. "Er.... Who...?""No-one to worry about. Just my son. He's following me into the business and it will be good training for him to see how these things are done.""Of course. I'd like to meet him."Edward shouts through the door again. "Linda, can you ask Richie to join us."A minute or so later a boy appears at the door; maybe fifteen or sixteen, tall like his father, although with the usual teenage lankiness. He is dark-haired, is going to be handsome and has eyes unusually sharp in so young a face."Dad
Charlotte's Search Chapter 48: The Sin Of The Parent, Part 3, Albert Kimberley
JAMESRichard sits, the Heads of Terms document open on the table in front of him. Beth arrives and sits next to Charlotte, the two of them chattering excitedly."Yes, I remember him now," says Richard. "My father introduced me when they were setting up the deal. It was for the development of what later became the Imperial Hotel and the area all around there.""The Imperial?" Michael raises brows. "Where James had his apartment originally? And, isn't that where you first met Beth?""That's right." Elizabeth and I exchange grins at the memory of that first meeting and she grins wickedly. My cock stirs....Christ.... Not now...."Bit of a coincidence that, isn't it?"Elizabeth chimes in. "No, actually, it isn't a coincidence at all. I was working at the Imperial because Uncle Albert suggested I go there for a job. He almost insisted actually."Everyone's attention turns to her. "Go on," says Michael. "What did he say?""And when was this?" I add.Beth frowns. "It's so
Charlotte's Search Chapter 49: The Sin Of The Parent, Part 4, The Past Emerges
MICHAELCharlotte is white and starting to tremble. Eyes streaming, shaking violently, she drops her face into her hands.Christ........ She's going to collapse....James, his expression alarmed, is already rising, but I'm there before him, catching her before she falls.Supporting her as I guide her back down, I pull her back to cradle her on my lap. She's not usually a 'sitting on the knee' kind of girl, but by any measure, this is a special occasion."Shhh...." I kiss her hair, murmuring something to her. She's sobbing and crying into my chest.... "It's alright. It's alright."Richard, his face stricken, stands. "Charlotte, I....""Just emotional," I say. "Don't worry. She'll be fine in a minute."Richard nods, then walks to a cupboard, taking out a bottle of brandy. He splashes a measure into a glass passing it to me, then holds up the bottle, looking around the room."Good idea," says James. "One of those all round I think.""But, this can't be right," prote
Charlotte's Search Chapter 50: The Sin Of The Parent, Part 5, Forty-Two Years Ago
It's a nice house, a pretty house. Neat lawns to the front, edged by well-kept borders, lead to a pleasant avenue. To the rear is a large fenced area, the grass a little rough but short enough to kick a football around. A child's swing hanging from the branches of an old apple tree and a rug is laid out nearby with a child's tea-set arranged around the edges, each plastic cup and saucer next to a teddy bear, or a doll or a soft toy. A line stretches over the grass bearing sheets and pillow slips that billow and blow in the light breezeInside the house, it is equally pleasant. The walls are painted in a pale, fresh shade, dotted with prints and pictures, family photos, and here and there, framed displays of butterflies, dragonflies and beetles. Drapes flutter by windows opened to let in sun and air, carpets are clean, and surfaces wiped or dusted. By the front door, a collection of boots, shoes and trainers in various sizes is neatly stacked on a rack. In the utility, clothes tumble
Charlotte's Search Chapter 51: The Sin Of The Parent, Part 6, Forty-Two Years Ago
"Please, Mr Kimberley, sit down." Abe Goldman offers him a seat, his expression neutral. "I asked you to call by today to discuss your position with the bank."Al fiddles with his pen. "Yes, I know I'm a little late with the payments, but I'll have caught up by the end of next month. Everything's under control.""You're sure of that? The fact is that you are not 'just a little late'. You have missed two monthly payments and the next would be due at the end of the week. Are you saying that you will have made good the deficit by the end of next week?""Um, no, but by the end of next month, definitely."Goldman's expression remains bland. "Can you explain to me how you come to be late with the payments? When the bank forwarded the funds to you, you were quite positive that you could handle the repayments."Al shifts in his seat. "Oh, some unexpected expenses. You know how it is. We had some storm damage to the roof, and then Shelley, my daughter, she needs school uniform and....
Charlotte's Search Chapter 52: The Sin Of The Parent, Part 7, Her Master's Comfort
CHARLOTTEI pour myself a glass of wine. I don't generally drink during the day, but I'm jittery."Charlotte are you alright?" It is my Master, watching me from the doorway of the kitchen."Yes, I'm fine, just a bit nervous I suppose, wondering what Beth is going to learn." Holding up the bottle, "Would you like some?""I will yes." He moves to stand beside me as I pour another glass. "You shouldn't be nervous. Whatever Beth comes back with, will tell us something.""What if they still won't talk to her?"He lays his hand on my arm. "Then there will be another way of finding your mother." His skin is cool on mine. He casts a sharp look down to where he touches me, then his eyes rise again, soft on me. "You are nervous...." The palm of his hand slides over my arm....Testing me...?".... You shouldn't be," he repeats. "But I do understand how much this means to you." He takes one of the glasses, presses it into my hand. "Drink some of your wine." He takes the other, sipp
Charlotte's Search Chapter 53: The Sin Of The Parent, Part 8, Forty-Two Years Ago
"I don't want to go," wails the little girl. "I want to stay with Daddy." She rubs at her eyes. "Why do I have to go?""Because you're coming with Mommy, Sweetie. We're going to stay with Aunty Alice.""But why do we have to go?"*****"Here you are, Shelley, you can sleep in here."The woman turns on the lights to what was a spare room. A bed has been made up and there is some attempt to make the room into a welcoming place for a little girl, with comic books and borrowed toys on a table. Some second-hand child-sized furniture, the bright plastic worn to grey at the edges, is set out on a brightly coloured rug. "Mummy will be sleeping just next door, and....""I want my room," weeps the little girl. "I want Daddy. I want my friends.""You'll make new friends really quickly. You'll see." Aunty Alice squats down, bringing her face level with Shelley's. "We'll take you to your new school tomorrow. Abigail from next door's coming with us. She's so excited about meeting you.
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