Masters And Lovers 1-4

*****

James

Richard sits, the Heads of Terms document open on the table in front of him. Beth arrives and sits next to Charlotte, the two of them chattering excitedly.

“Yes, I remember him now,” says Richard. “My father introduced me when they were setting up the deal. It was for the development of what later became the Imperial Hotel and the area all around there.”

“The Imperial?” Michael raises brows. “Where James had his apartment originally? And, isn't that where you first met Beth?”

“That's right.” Elizabeth and I exchange grins at the memory of that first meeting and she grins wickedly. My cock stirs….

Christ…. Not now….

“Bit of a coincidence that, isn’t it?”

Elizabeth chimes in. “No, actually, it isn’t a coincidence at all. I was working at the Imperial because Uncle Albert suggested I go there for a job. He almost insisted actually.”

Everyone’s attention turns to her. “Go on,” says Michael. “What did he say?”

“And when was this?” I add.

Beth frowns. “It’s some years ago now. I don’t really remember it properly. The only reason I remember it at all is because he was so insistent.”

“Alright….” says Michael, a touch of irritation in his voice. “But exactly what did he say?”

“He rambled a lot.” Beth strokes her hair, staring vacantly. “He said something like…. that I should get a real job and that I should start at the bottom. And that I shouldn’t try to take shortcuts.” Then she raises a finger. “No, he said I should make an honest living and live clean. That I was cleverer than he was and if I worked hard I'd make something of myself.”

Michael smiles. “He got that right didn't he....”

“Those were his words. And he wanted me to go to the Imperial.”

Charlotte sounds apologetic. “No offence, Beth, but it sounds a bit odd. How…. old…. Was your uncle at the time?”

Beth gives her a sidelong look. “He was very old. He was quite addled really. Not all there. But he seemed to think it was important. And to me, it made no difference. One chambermaid’s job was as good as another. I was just funding my way through college. And he was pleased when I told him I’d done what he asked.”

“Made no difference?” I laugh. “You ended up married to Richard because of it. The man who owns half the City. And you say it made no difference?”

Richard rolls eyes at me and Beth blushes. “I didn’t mean….”

Ah, crap….

When, will I learn to keep my mouth shut?

“My apologies, Beth. I didn’t mean that the way it came out sounding.”

Michael gives me an acid look, then “What was your uncle like as a person? Before he grew so old?”

Beth cheers up almost on the spot, a faraway look in her eyes. “Nice…. To me anyway. He was a bit…. withdrawn from everyone else.” Her mouth draws down. “I don't think he was a very strong man. Aunt Delia always was very strict with him. She ruled him with a rod of iron. Always telling him what to do. What not to do. If he was reading his paper and visitors came by, she'd take it from him and fold it away because he was making the place untidy.”

grimaces. “I can't imagine being a child around there was much fun

tea. She gave me an antique china plate in one hand with a slice of

Uncle Albert was very happy. But

you grow up with

Charlotte nods....

upbringing normal to

I was his pet. He always made a fuss

“Richard are

him now. And there’s something else.

him, almost breathing the words. “Can you remember what she

“He called her

the floor as Charlotte stands, her already pale face draining of colour. “Short

at

*****

Forty-Three Years Ago

Al is sitting by the window with his back to them, a little girl on his knee, talking to her. Her body hidden by his; all that can be seen of her is a shock of

her name was Shelley. And Princess Shelley wasn't like all the other ordinary

she already knows the answer to her

princesses

looks to his teenage son. Richie rolls

Secretly, they wanted red hair too. But it didn't matter because Princess Shelley knew she wasn't ordinary. She was the best and the most important of all the princesses and one day she was going to

father shoots him a sharp glance, but Al has heard it. He breaks off and turns around,

him. “Forget it, Al. We’re early. I was enjoying the

I’ll have

“Same for me, please.”

barman pulls two beers, setting the glasses on the bar, then cocks

“Lemonade, please,”

have a chaser with

but serves

the table by the window, a beer glass and a shot glass already there. “It looks as though you’ve been here

Sure you don’t want

“Beer’s fine for me. I like to keep a clear head while

grins. “Never found a snifter stopped me from thinking straight.”

sucking orange squash through a straw. She is perhaps four years old, and the orange hair frames wide-set sea-green eyes. Her face is under freckle attack and seems

this then?”

friend, Mr Haswell, and his son, Richie. This

up at the strangers, wide-eyed in the way

didn’t mean to seem rude.

back and forth. “Yes, well, Shelley was a bit of a late surprise for us all. Four sons we had already. And all well-grown. Two already

have some

go and tell the man at

trots across to

and she’s the baby of the family. Her brothers dote on her. We

passes a bag down to Shelly who opens it on the spot, delving in. She returns to

Close your mouth when

“Yes, Daddy.”