CHARLOTTE
“Keep going, Charlotte,” says Richard.
“Okay, um, Richard’s over-written some of the estimates on income and expenses, some upwards and some down. Err…. you’ve scrubbed out interest payments entirely, but added in some legal fees….”
“If I put cash into the project to replace bank funding, there won’t be any interest payments,” comments Richard.
Of course, yes….
I work my way through the rest. “You’re offering to cover all the building and development costs, plus some marketing, in exchange for a thirty per cent share?”
“I think thirty per cent is a bit steep, don’t you?” says Michael calmly.
Richard sniffs. “Well, that’s open to negotiation isn’t it.… but you’ve not stopped talking to me….”
The two lean across the table towards each other, Alternately taking the pen from the other, scribbling amendments on the paper bag, crossing-out previous notes and over-writing them. Richard is clearly enjoying himself. Michael, for all his restraint, is also, I think, enjoying himself.
I glance at my Master, who, lips pursed, is suppressing a smile. In a low voice, he says, “They’ve already decided they’re going to do it. It’s just the thrill of the chase now….”
Men….
The pen is tossed to the table-top. Richard and Michael stand, shaking hands. “Done!” says Michael. “Charlotte, meet your new shareholder.”
?
“My new shareholder?”
He rolls his eyes. “Didn’t you read any of those papers I showed you? About the purchase of the hotel and house?”
“Er… well, I scanned them quickly, but it all seemed a bit….”
He looks at me, face blank. “Boring? Is that the word you’re looking for?”
I hang my head. “Yes.”
Richard laughs. “You’d better start taking an interest in these things now, Charlotte. It’s a bit odd that I should know already that you’re a shareholder in ‘Life and Beauty’, but you don’t.”
Blushing. “Sorry. I didn’t realise.”
Michael grabs me under the chin. “We’re getting married. Of course you’re a shareholder.”
“On that subject.…” continues Richard, “Have you set a date?”
Michael goes very still.
Waiting?
“Er, we’d not really discussed it,” I say. “With everything that’s happened….” I glance at my fiancée.
He still doesn’t speak.
What’s he waiting for?
My Master breaks in. “I was rather hoping that I’d be asked to be Best Man.” He swings to Michael, who is suddenly wreathed in smiles. “You can take that as a heavy hint.”
“Who else would I ask?”
All eyes fix on me. “So, when were you thinking of, Charlotte?” My Master gaze is level.
That’s what Michael’s waiting for….
that I only ever said ‘Yes’ to marrying
I
around Michael’s neck, pulling myself up to kiss him. “How about the Spring? You should have the house and the hotel ready by then. We could have the
up.
other
face falls. Voice tense, “And what would
though Beth and I are related…. somehow…., the
be honoured.
that very
he watches me, and Michael
*****
Three months later….
is here on our mountain. I sit on grassy slopes, cradling a mug of coffee. Beside me, sitting on a blanket, one leg outstretched, stiff from where it is still healing, is
a whole new start. From behind us comes the bang and clatter of the last of the workmen in the house, with occasional yelled instructions from
me, my Master asks, “You’re not too upset about not going back to college this
it this way works just as well as actually attending. So long as we have a decent internet
are sure of
on the cheek. “I’m
hair, a bright halo, and his blue eyes, brilliant in the sunshine.
of turf.” says
look more like a home and less like a building site. We could move back
promised me my home, months ago. And now
hand, kissing my knuckles. Then,
Choosing your words?
“Yes?”
you. Even meeting James and me, you chose to enter the auction, but you did that out of necessity. I’d like to know what you
knees, arms wrapped around his
What do I want?
my new home behind me, my
water. The air
all here, at last, together. I have you
between them; that locked
Oh…. Oh….
then, standing, takes my hand. “I think I’m going to ask
moment, there is a bang and a crash from
Michael. “What now?” He shrugs apologetically at us, then goes back up the hill to see what the
long before all the workmen go home. We could,
let me help you
*****
thought we were supposed to just be preparing things….”
head. “Yes, quite. I’m preparing you. I wouldn’t like Michael to find you non-prepared for him.” He returns his attentions to my inner thighs, where he is kissing and nibbling
“Please, Master.”
we’re waiting for Michael. Don’t be impatient. And besides, I enjoy watching you like this. I can see you arouse, watch your
doesn’t, as I expect, open me with his fingers. Instead, he laves my outer lips
Aaahhhh……
Beautiful…. Opening up all by yourself….” And as his tongue
Ohhhh…. Godddddd……
my hips are
a pleasant sight.” Michael is leaning against the
up from where his mouth is fastened around me. “Didn’t see
look like a man enjoying
wrong there. Succulent lemon and brine…. Thought you were still working
a noise that’s going to
says my Master. “If I recall, in the original tale,
Listening. I can hear every word you sayyy….
raises his head from where he is licking out the
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