James – Fourteen Weeks"You and Beth should leave some of your things here; a change of clothes, toiletries. Pick one of the guest bedrooms and it's yours."A good idea, James." Richard strokes Beth's hair. "Are you happy with that? And it means that you and Charlotte can spend more time together while you're both expecting. Mitch too."Charlotte's mother nods a smiling acknowledgement, but Beth positively glows...Pregnancy suits her..."I'd love that. Home from home. And if you're both working, we're not by ourselves.""Perfect," I say. "That's agreed then."Michael's face appears from around the door. "Ah, there you are."Clothes dusty, his hair stands in plastered points and a white smear runs from nose to chin. He aims a finger at the coffeemaker. "I'll have one of those, please." Then he tosses a small brown envelope onto the tabletop by Mitch.She picks it up, turning it over in her hand. "What's this?"Sitting as I offer him a mug of coffee, he swings his fe
Charlotte – Fourteen Weeks"They're so small." I stare at the tiny woollen mitts my mother is showing me. She sucks in her cheeks, but she's smiling. "Well, how big did you think Peanut will be when he's newly born?""She.""You don't know that.""I'm hoping that.""Alright, for now, she. But until it's confirmed..."None of this feels real. Around me, rack upon rack of displayed baby clothes: onesies, jumpsuits, hats and caps, rompers, socks and booties..."What is all of this stuff? I thought..."My mother looks amused. "You thought what?""I thought, well, I'd just... dress her.""In what? Irish mist? She'll need clothes, Jenny."She rummages through a shelf stacked with packs of bibs, reading the labels. "Three in a pack," she mutters, then pops four packs in the cart."We don't need that many, surely?""You'll think differently when the whole lot's in the wash and she's just sicked down the last clean one." She revolves, scanning the store. "We need
Richard – Nineteen WeeksJames stretches out on a lounger close by, a tall glass and a taller jug of something colourful, floating with ice and fruit, on a side table. The beating sun might fry some of us, but his semi-Mediterranean skin seems able to handle it as he bakes to golden rather than red.The hat over his face suggests he is dozing in the heat, but a swaying hand shifts with soft music rippling over the terrace, tapping fingers saying he is awake.Charlotte sits on the pool edge, a light robe protecting her from the sun, dangling her feet in the water. The filmy fabric, a shade of green that complements her eyes and her pale skin, flutters in the lightest of breezes. She watches from under a floppy, broad-brimmed hat as Michael and Elizabeth frolic in the pool.I sit down beside her, dabbling my feet too. It's pleasant under the hot sun; heated skin in the coolth of the water."How are you now, Charlotte? Enjoying yourself? Looking forward to the great event?" I no
Charlotte – Nineteen WeeksMichael pulls himself, naked, up from the pool, shivering off water. Then turning, he offers Beth a hand, pulling her up and out. He's already hard, his erection flagging a little from the coolness of the water but firming up again in the warm air. Pulling out a seat from the table, he arranges it under the shade of the umbrella, then turns to Beth, offering her a light robe. "Make yourself comfortable. Don't catch the sun."Richard, looks to her, speaking with mock severity. "You've come on a long way since the day Michael first agreed to be your 'Birthday Present'. You ask him for something like that, but not me?" Beth blinks. "It's different with you, Master."I'm not sure Richard is pleased by her answer. "How? How is it different?"My Master rises from his seat with a smooth grace, standing over me, looking down. Straight-faced, nonetheless, his dark eyes crinkle at the corners. "Richard, you're Beth's Dom. Michael is her Lover. Just as it
Michael – Twenty WeeksI'm enjoying the view. Looking over the sea, the sand and the dunes is pretty good. Watching Beth and Charlotte sitting together exchanging pregnancy notes and gossip is even better.Then the peace is broken...Raised voices...No... not exactly raised... but determined... Angry even...And without a hint that either party intends to back down.Who is it?I cock an ear...James and... Ross??What on earth would they be arguing about?The girls both turn, Charlotte's eyes wary, Beth's worried.Putting my drink down, "I'll see what's happening. You two stay here." I follow the palaver back inside, meeting Richard en-route, who looks as baffled as I feel. "What the hell would those two argue about?""Not a clue. We'd better see what's going on."And together we track the racket to the kitchen where James and Ross are manoeuvring for position around the table like a pair of bull elephants with toothache.Ross slams an onion down onto a
Klempner - ThailandIs that him?Pushing the spectacles up my nose, across the dining room, I survey the entrance lobby and the group just entering. Three men, all Hispanic types plus a blowsy-looking female cramming a size-sixteen body into a size-twelve dress. No. He'd never be with a woman looking like that.The hotel is classy-looking, expensive. It should be considering what I paid.Air-con whispers over the assembled diners. They murmur, telling themselves they're enjoying the high life as they eat over-priced meals. The food's good but considering some of the slums not so far away, and the money some of the locals get by on, the prices are offensive.Odd... There was a time that wouldn't have occurred to me...I sit reading my tablet, propped up by a jug of oil and another of chilli sauce. Occasionally, I fork up prawns and rice in a vivid green sauce. Fragrant with garlic, limes and cilantro, it should be stirring my appetite, but my attention is elsewhere.Thi
James - Twenty WeeksStretched out on a lounger: I enjoy hot sunshine, the whisper of a quiet sea, a good book and on a tray by me, a jug and glasses, chilly enough to drip dew.Perfect.Close by, Richard doing much the same. Change my book for his newspaper and there's not much to choose between us.He scans the financial news. A quick look sidelong at his headlines...Markets rise...Boom in housebuilding...Richard Hmmms in satisfaction, then refolds the paper to read the international section.Drugs trafficking, Afghanistan...Organised crime, Thailand...Gang violence, Columbia...Can't they ever tell a good news story?Charlotte's taken up her accustomed post by the edge of the pool, dabbling her toes, watching Michael and Beth...Is she going to join them?But she seems quite happy simply to watch.She's so beautiful.My Jade...And my daughter... so far, only a smooth curve to her mother's belly. Beth's pregnancy is even less visible.Beside
James - Twenty-Nine WeeksWhat's she looking for?Standing in the kitchen doorway, I watch as Charlotte, her back to me, rummages through the shelves of the store cupboard.The latest tee-shirt is already tight, rolling up a little over her expanded waistline as she stretches upwards. Muttering to herself, she works through tins and jars then, with an audible Mmmm... takes a plastic container from the top shelf. Unclipping the lid, she extracts a slab of chocolate brownie.Caught in the act."That will be your third this morning, Charlotte."She jolts, looking over her shoulder at me, pressing fingers to her mouth as she chews then gulps. "Michael brought them over from the hotel for me when I said I fancied something sweet."Stepping across to her, I take the cake from her hand and replace it in the box, minus one bite. "He brought enough for everyone. I don't think he intended you to eat the lot yourself."She drops her eyes. "If you don't want me to eat them," she mu