Chapter 30
545 Words
Michael
She’s gone….
…. and I feel miserable.
How could this have happened?
James stares at the steering wheel. “How about a drink?”
He looks equally downcast.
I shrug. “Why not? There’s a bar around the corner.”
*****
We nurse a beer apiece, whiskey chasers on the bar.
“Perhaps we should go to the Club tonight?” suggests James. “Try to get back to a normal life?”
My stomach churns at the thought. “You go if you’d like to. I’m really not in the mood.”
What to say?
“Are you happy with your money’s worth?”
He snorts. “Absolutely. How could she have given more than she did? What she did and gave of herself is above and beyond what I expected or hoped for.”
I take a couple of swallows of my beer, knock back the chaser and wave the barman for another round.
“What was it she said to you?”
“Mmm? sorry?”
“She said something to you, as we were saying goodbye. What was it?”
He looks down at the bar and for a long pause, I think he’s not going to reply. “She said that whatever happens to her in her life, I will always be her Master.”
I stare at him. “You’re kidding…. And you talk about going to the Club?”
Again, a long pause.
“What…?” I ask. “You think she didn’t mean it?”
He gulps down his whiskey. “I think she did mean it. but what are the chances of it coming to anything? She’s gone to University. She young, intelligent and stunning. She’s going to have men…. men of her own age…. around her like flies…. and after this last week, she knows what to do with them.” He swipes a hand through his hair. “What exactly do you think are the chances of us ever seeing her again?”
didexactly“That piece of paper she gave you, is it contact details?”
He blinks at me, then mutters, “How stupid can I be?” He reaches into his pocket, pulls out the crumpled scrap of paper.
“A name and address?” I ask.
He frowns. “No, it’s an e-mail address.” He sniffs. “Clever of her. Complete contact without actually surrendering any privacy.” He looks at the scrap, musing. “Interesting, the address is in fact, for the auction house; charlotte@…. She’s not actually given away anything at all.”
I pull out my phone. “Whatever it is, let me load it in. I’ll send her a message, just to make sure we stay in contact.”
James looks askance at me. “Keep it brief and to the point. Don’t say anything that might weird her out.”
“Of course.”
He stands, “I’ve got things to do today. Do want a lift back?”
“No, I’m good. Think I’ll stay here for a while.”
“Okay. Sure you don’t want to come to the Club tonight?”
I shake my head. “Maybe in a few days….”
“Alright. See you around.”
*****
- Writer
