Chapter 17
407 Words
We return to the house to find James waiting for us. “I’ve had an interesting morning. Kirstie…” he begins.
Michael interrupts him. “… has been burgled and everything at the mill is a mess. Ryan’s at his wit’s end…”
“… and Kirstie was in tears at work. I’ve invited her and Ryan to stay here for a few days. To give them a break from living in that caravan. Hope that’s okay with you?”
“Better than okay. You beat me to it. And Larry here has a few ideas about these stolen goods.” He plucks at a lip. “I’ll go make up a room for them. Catch you later.” He strides away, humming.
“He’s walking with a spring in his step,” I comment.
“It is a wedding,” says James. “It’s supposed to be a happy occasion.”
is“Looks like more than that to me.”
James leans in, speaking quietly. “In fact, you’re quite right. He and Charlotte are working on your next grandchild.”
“Ah... And that’s something he wants? The house isn’t exactly short of babies now.”
“Yes, well, Michael always said he wanted to fill this house with children.”
“He’s off to a good start: Cara, Adam, Vicky...”
James raises brows. “I think it was implicit he"d like some of the children to be his. Out of all of us here, Michael’s the only one here who’s not a parent. That was the deal we made, he and I, when we first set up our Triad. And that, for the sake of the children, he would be the legal father…”
his“Including Cara?”
“Including Cara, yes. As far as the rest of the world is concerned, she is Cara Summerford. At least while she’s still small.”
“And when she"s older?”
“When she"s old enough to understand…” He rocks his hand… “… we"ll see. The important thing right now is that she"s raised, protected and loved.”
“And you? How do you feel about that?”
“I shall be Uncle James, to Cara and to any other child Charlotte produces.”
Uncle JamesI ponder. “So what does that make me?”
He laughs. “We’ve established that, haven’t we. You’re Grandad K.”
*****
- Writer
