James
My mobile rings: Richard.
“James, I was having a word with Charlotte earlier. She’s a little upset that the university is kicking up a fuss over the way her course options are moving around. The training periods, academic time and so on. It was all supposed to be arranged, but apparently, they’re giving her a hard time over it.”
“Yes, I thought something like this might crop up. Did you have something in mind?”
“Absolutely. I know where this is coming from. The Chancellor, Wilmore, is fine, but the Bursar is an interfering busybody with an inflated sense of self-worth, who pokes his nose into every aspect of university life, whether it belongs there or not. If he didn’t have tenure he’d have been out years ago.”
“So…?”
“First, I like you to have a word with Charlotte….”
*****
The crook of my thumb and forefinger under her chin, I force her face to mine, “Charlotte, is it that you want to attend the university? Or that, in a couple of years’ time, you simply want the qualifications and the letters after your name?”
She’s nervous, and I’m deliberately keeping her that way. I want this dealt with once and for all….
…. Then I know what I’m dealing with….
She licks her lips. “I want the qualifications, Master. They’re the key to my getting on in the world.”
I kiss her. “Good girl. You’re thinking clearly. Keep what you just said in mind.”
*****
“No Beth today?” asks Michael. “I thought she’d be along to give Charlotte some moral support.”
Richard replies, watching him in the rearview mirror. “Elizabeth couldn’t make it today. She’s had to go see a sick relative.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Someone close? Anything serious?”
“Her Uncle Albert. I don't think there's a cure for old age. He must be into his nineties and, well I'm not sure he's all there…” He taps his skull…. “…. any more. The last time we went to visit him, he kept thinking Elizabeth was his wife. I think it was his wife…. Some female relative anyway, long gone. Elizabeth she's a bit of a favourite of the old man’s when she was a little girl, and she’s very fond of him.”
As we park up, “I don’t think I can add much to this,” says Michael. “I’ll go for a walk down by the river while you’re all in there. Give me a call when you’re done, and I’ll meet up with you.” He kisses Charlotte. “Good luck.” Then he saunters off.
“I’m afraid you can’t come in Charlotte,” says Richard, sounding apologetic. “I realise that seems unfair when we’re going to be talking about you….”
says
Shopping?
Charlotte?!?
you had a blow to the
“I knew I wouldn’t be with you, Master. I’m going to do the rounds of the
fun.” I kiss her forehead. “I’ll call you when we’re
*****
through the parkland campus, Richard comments “We'll get what we want but it's not going to be a
so sure
me,” he says
building, a security guard recognises Richard, opening the door for him with some show of
without a trace of either modesty or
money, don't you?” I murmur from the side of
words are equally quiet. “Money gives you power, and power is meant to be enjoyed. Especially when it means
everything. And right off, I understand why he
of a
name?”
“I can never remember….”
struts across
Bantam….
hand. “Thank you so much for
were here
hand a brief tug, releasing it quickly. “Bursar, this is my
it, it is damp
is waiting
Us…?
Chancellor is a big, friendly-faced
“Mr Richard
forgotten my name in the
Richard’s brow puckers.
is built to scale and the ham-hand thrust
though trying to bring
Haswell is here regarding
Excellent results. She has a difficulty
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Gsep
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