CHARLOTTE"Yes. You do," snaps Michael. "You took a bullet. It cut your main artery and caused a lot of muscle damage besides... For God´s sake man, I don´t think you´ve taken on board yet, just how close you came to dying. And there´s no shame in taking time to recover from that. Now, if you would cut out the stiff-necked pride, and let us help you, we might all enjoy this a bit more."My Master whips around, momentarily set to snap back at Michael, then he pauses, shrugs and laughs. "You´re right of course, both of you. I´m sorry.""Master, the doctor said that it will take you a few months to properly heal. You´ll be yourself again, but you do need to take it easy for a while."He nods, sheepishly. "What do you suggest?""Just lie down, Master. Let me do the work. If you exercise every day, you´ll soon be stronger, and then you can slap my butt to glowing any time you want..."He bursts out laughing. Even Michael chuckles. "That´s about the size of it, isn´t it. Alright.

CHARLOTTEThe barman produces a pen. A paper bag from my book purchases is commandeered. Michael jots down figures on it, ´Hmmm´s for a minute, stares into space, writes some more, then passes it over to Richard.Richard works his way through, staring at the notes and numbers thoughtfully. Then he gazes into space for a minute, fingers twitching.Counting on his fingers? Working a calculator in his head?Then he scribbles more notes and annotations.Finally, he writes a one-line sentence under the lot, glances at Michael for a second, then, against Michael´s raised eyebrow, and my Master´s barely suppressed amusement slides the bag across the table to me."Let´s see how your accountancy´s coming on, Charlotte. What does that lot mean?"I scan the hieroglyphs in front of me...I set out to study physics and learn the secrets of the universe. Then I changed to engineering, so I could learn how to build a city. Now, I´m being asked to... cost it?"Um... Michael´s put dow

CHARLOTTE"You look... pensive..." comments Michael. "What´s up?""Beth took me shopping today, to look at wedding dresses."He grins a little-boy grin. "Sounds like fun.""Yes... but...""But what? Don´t worry about the budget. Get what you want.""It´s not that. It´s...""What? Do I have to prise it out of you?""All they showed me were white dresses."My Master smiles. Michael bursts out laughing. "And that´s worrying you? Charlotte, it´s a long time since anyone worried about whether brides are virgins on their wedding night.""It just feels a bit... two-faced."My Master wraps long arms around me. "Charlotte. I would like you to wear white.""Master?""You will always be my Virgin."-----Hand-writing weddings invitations is boring work, even for your own wedding, especially if you don´t have a clue who most of the people coming are...... A few of my college friends, some of my Master´s and Michael´s friends, of course, Richard and Beth, who are

CHARLOTTEA whirl of people greets me as I step from the car, Richard´s own.Richard turns to Ross, chauffeuring. "Get parked up, and then join us inside.""I´ll be there as quickly as I can. Wouldn´t miss this..." says Ross. "Good luck, Charlotte. I´ll see you in there."Some in the gathering, I know, but not many. For the most part, the people milling around me are strangers.It is comforting to have Beth and Richard with me, familiar faces to settle me a little.Beth, as my bridesmaid, fusses with my train and my bouquet, then checks her own gown is as it should be"You look beautiful, Charlotte." says Richard "You take me right back to my own and Beth´s own wedding day. Thank you for doing me the honour, of asking me to give you away.""I have no father, Richard. You´re the nearest thing I have to a male relative. And thank you for accepting."He kisses my forehead. "Michael is a lucky man... Are you ready?"Am I ready?I´m not. I don´t think I ever will be,

BETHThe party is dying down. "Fancy a nightcap?" asks Richard."Mmm, yes, good idea."We order a brandy apiece, and make our way through to the library.James is there, reading, sitting in a leather armchair by the fire, long legs outstretched in front of crackling flames.Richard, frowns, his eyes meeting mine. "I thought he´d be upstairs with..." he murmurs."James? Is everything alright? We thought..." My husband´s words trail away.James looks up at us over his glasses, mouth quirking in humour. "You thought... what?""Um....""It´s their wedding day. This is Michael´s night.""Ah..." Richard, hesitates, clearly trying to choose his words, and failing to find them. "Mind if we join you? We´re having a nightcap.""Be my guests. I was doing just that, myself." He lifts a balloon glass, swirls it for a moment, then sips.We seat ourselves, Richard rubbing his hands in front of the flames. "I think we can call the day a success," says Richard."Oh, I think