MICHAELLeaning back again the wall of the gym, arms folded, I watch Charlotte's demonstration.James, hands in pockets, watches too. "That's a lot of pink lycra," he comments."They're not just here to get fit and beautiful. They're here to be seen.""Who by?""Each other.""Mmmm...." He sucks in his cheeks.Charlotte's volunteer is the husband of one of her class members. Plucked from the group of men waiting to collect their wives at the end of the class, facing her, he looks uneasy. The other husbands watch from the side-lines."This is a basic move you can use," she's saying. "It's easy to remember and it works with your instincts."She cues her 'assailant' with a 'come-get-me' gesture. A bit uncertainly, he steps forward, arms outstretched, to be met by the heel of Charlotte's hand punching forward to his face. He lurches back, and if he had not been an innocent volunteer, would I'm sure, have been disabled by the follow-up kick towards his groin.Some of the
MICHAELI push the last barrow of briars onto the bonfire just in time to see Sally appear bearing beer and a plate of rolls. "Perfect timing, Sal. Thanks." She nods and goes back indoors. I call across the garden. "Time to take a break."Ben draws an arm across his forehead. "Sounds good to me." Then he tilts his head back, sniffing. "And it smells better." Scruffy, lead contender for 'World's Ugliest Dog', yaps agreement.Placing the plate of sandwiches up out of Scruffy's reach, I pass Ben a can then crack open my own, taking a seat on an old tree-stump.He joins me, sitting on a rusted oil-can that emerged from under the brambles. Scruffy skips around my feet, first trying to communicate his interest in the sandwiches then, when I don't take the hint, settles by me wearing a disgusted expression.The rolls come from the 'Sally School of Giant Eating'; vast edifices that take two hands to hold and careful concentration to eat. Ben chews appreciatively. "Hmmm... what is it
Bech marks out an area on the top storey of the main building.... ".... And if we build internal walls here and here, we'll be able to separate the men from the women and keep the minors in their own area." He grinds to a halt, looking up to see my reaction."You've thought this through, Bech. You'll be trying to take the lead yourself next...."His laugh is desert-dry, devoid of humour. "I'm a tactician, sir. It needs a strategist at the head of an organisation. My talents are best fitted to back-room support. You provide the.... vision.... I'll move the pieces around the board. Or see that they are moved."All true...."Talking of strategy," I say, "It seems to me that the unrest around East Africa and Somalia ought to provide some opportunities. Do we have anyone over there?""Nooo... Not as such." Bech rubs his chin, his eyes unfocusing. "But the authorities over there are all corrupt as hell. It shouldn't take me long to find someone helpful.""Someone who will remain
From a cafe across the road Mitch, wearing jeans and tee-shirt, her eyes red and swollen in a face stripped of make-up, watches.The wedding party arrives, the car long and low and black, decked in ribbons, pulling up at the front steps. The bride steps out. Mitch doesn't know her. Dressed in a pale lilac two-piece suit, the woman stands very upright, directing Al to the door, her air crisp and efficient.More cars pull up behind. Her brothers step out of one. In dark suits and tall hats, they look so smart. Stephen follows the bridal couple inside. David lingers, looking right and left, then also makes his way inside.Another couple steps out, a little girl toddling with them. Her thatch of brilliant orange hair clashes violently with her lilac bridesmaid's dress.*****"You alright, Mitch?" Angelo pauses from his eternal polishing of glasses, examining her. Unusually, her makeup is heavy, almost plastered into place. "You look as though you have a cold coming on or somethin
"I think you'll be pleased, sir. Would you like to inspect the first shipment?" Bech wears that expression of wax-faced smugness he's so good at. "Or would you prefer to let me assign them?""I'll take a look, Bech. Let's see that we agree on the appropriate market for them.""This way."A group of a dozen or so men and women stands at the end of the room, guarded by a couple of Bech's heavies. As I step through the door, one of them, a woman, breaks from the line, rushing up to me. She's not bad looking, but she's spoiled her face. Her eyes are swollen and red. Scrabbling at my chest, she whimpers....Christ, you stink........ speaking with a heavy accent. "Please, sir, there is mistake." She waves a piece of paper at me, much creased. "I come here to be governess and housekeeper. I am to be teacher of language and drawing to rich man's children." Bech pushes her away from me. "Shut up."She doesn't take the hint, instead grovelling, weeping and screeching uselessly.
JAMESIt's Charlotte's birthday, her first spent with me and Michael and of course, he and I have planned to make it a memorable one. For the evening, we agreed our plans for her a few days ago and we have planned a small private party. He's bringing a cake. I've brought in the wine and the food and....And....It goes without saying that Charlotte is going to get a good birthday fucking. It's a distracting thought. In the shower, my mind wanders in that direction until I turn the water temperature down to keep my erection under control for a more appropriate moment.Dressing, I choose my clothes carefully. I know what presses her buttons. I pick out the tie she likes, my best shirt, cuff-links....And now to find my mermaid.She's where she's been all day. Michael and I both insisted that for her birthday, she should take a day off from working and just enjoy herself. Since the weather is filthy, this has translated to stretching out on the settee by the fire and reading.
CHARLOTTEI can't help myself. As Ben bursts into the room, I shriek. It's not exactly fear. Not exactly protest or surprise. I'm not sure what it is, but I shriek.My Master reacts instantly, almost launching himself upright to face Ben. There is a clatter as, in his haste, he knocks over a side-table, taking a lamp with it which lands on the floor with a crash.And in a move that, even in the emergency of the moment strikes me as sweet, he snatches at the sheet, tossing it over me and covering my nakedness."Get the fuck out of here, Ben! Who d'you think you...."Ben is not listening, screaming abuse, fists curled tight. "You whore! You've barely been married any time and you're already fucking my brother's so-called best friend...."Pulling the sheet around myself I tumble out of the bed, backing into a corner away from Ben. I'm screaming something back at him but he's not hearing the words."... And you, you fucking bastard! I knew you couldn't be trusted. You're supp
Ben's chest is heaving, his eyes wild. "You bitch. You've been playing me along, all this time. Who is he?"With an air of 'Let's get it over with,' Kirstie says, "It's not one."My Master rolls his eyes...."What do you mean?" demands Ben. "Not one? There's more than one?""Yes, there's more than one." Her voice is matter-of-fact. "I'm seeing other men than just you.""More than one...." The pitch of Ben's voice is rising. "How many men are you fucking? Is that why you're saying what you are about Mike? You play fast and loose, so you assume everyone else does? I thought you and I had something special. I thought it was you and me; that we were an item?"Her chin juts. "I never said that. I never said anything like that....""You slept with me. We made love together...."Michael and my Master are exchanging surreptitious glances now.... My Master who had paused at getting his trousers zipped and belted, slips on his shoes.Getting ready for trouble?"Ben, we've had