Masters And Lovers 1-4

“What on earth…?”

Elizabeth sits to one side of the table. Michael to the other. Each has a mound of paper worthy of a termite mound and a cardboard crate to one side. As I watch, Elizabeth briefly scans a sheet then tosses it into the box beside her. Michael is shaking his head, disbelief writ large.

“He really did keep everything, didn't he. This is a parking ticket from nineteen-ninety-two and this….” He scans the sheet, his lips moving as he does so, “…. is an invoice and guarantee for removal of a wasps’ nest from the following year.”

“How did you get dragged into this, Michael?”

“He volunteered,” says Elizabeth, her voice short. “Please don’t upset my staff member. I might lose him.”

Michael snorts. “You’ve got me for today until Charlotte and James turn up. But I’m happy enough to help. If you like, I can take a box home with me. No harm in doing a bit during the evening in front of the fire.”

Elizabeth swings grateful eyes on him. “Oh, would you?”

*****

pleasant afternoon, my

chair. It’s very uncharacteristic. Normally, my Elizabeth is graceful and carries herself well. Today she has all the signs of being at

around the room. “Master, is there any

few hours of

wedding-dress-blind. For someone who normally doesn’t give a hoot about clothes, Charlotte is being very picky about this. I wouldn’t have minded if she was having trouble finding something to suit her. But she looked stunning in everything

she would, wouldn’t

“Master?”

a lot like you my Love, and you also looked stunning on

smiles, squeezing my hand at

What’s wrong?