Michael
Charlotte is white and starting to tremble. Eyes streaming, shaking violently, she drops her face into her hands.
Christ….
…. She’s going to collapse….
James, his expression alarmed, is already rising, but I’m there before him, catching her before she falls.
Supporting her as I guide her back down, I pull her back to cradle her on my lap. She’s not usually a ‘sitting on the knee’ kind of girl, but by any measure, this is a special occasion.
“Shhh….” I kiss her hair, murmuring something to her. She’s sobbing and crying into my chest…. “It’s alright. It’s alright.”
Richard, his face stricken, stands. “Charlotte, I….”
“Just emotional,” I say. “Don’t worry. She’ll be fine in a minute.”
Richard nods, then walks to a cupboard, taking out a bottle of brandy. He splashes a measure
