Chapter 38

*****

Charlotte

I'm working in my office when my phone buzzes.

"Hello?"

"Um, Charlotte, it's Kirstie here from the front desk."

"Yes, Kirstie. What is it?"

"I'm in the small conference room by the lobby with James and Ben Summerford…."

What the hell does he want?

"…. James is asking if you could join them."

Ben is the last person in the world I want to see. But my Master is with him, asking me to join them….

And so of course, my gut clenching, I go.

*****

Fists balled, I stalk into the conference room, not bothering to hide my thoughts as I see Ben. Kirstie is standing as far back into a corner of the room as she is able.

My Master locks eyes with me, pointing to a seat. As I take it, he moves, placing himself more or less between me and Ben. Arms folded, he waits in silence….

For what?

Red-faced, his skin shiny, Ben stutters as he speaks. "I wanted to apologise, Charlotte. I didn't understand. I'll admit that really, I still don't. I thought you were.… betraying my brother. It's obvious that you're not. If Mike's happy, then it's not for me to interfere."

You're not wrong there….

"Apology accepted, Ben." But I have no wish to speak to this man, to pretend that somehow, we are friends again. I glance at my Master for permission and he gives a small nod, so I stand and return to my office.

I can't work. My concentration is blown. I make myself a coffee. Then I don't want it.

Go take a walk maybe….

It's cold….

Might calm me down….

I'm just reaching for my jacket when I realise I'm not alone. My Master is standing at the door, his beautiful dark eyes soft with emotion. "Hello," he says. "Going somewhere?"

"I was just going to stretch my legs. I'm…. a bit wound up."

He strides forward, wraps his arms around me. "It's alright now. It's done."

"I know. I just…."

"Why don't we take that walk together?"

"I'd like that, Master."

He kisses the top of my head. "Good."

The weather is brisk. It will turn icy as night draws in: perfect to clear my fuddled head and muddled feelings. For a few minutes, we just walk together, me stepping out smartly to keep up with my Master's long-legged stride. Despite his slight limp, he can still set a tidy pace. But it keeps me warm. I'd not dressed for the weather, expecting to be in my office most of the day. In his long overcoat, I don't think my Master notices the cold, but I'm grateful to keep moving.

The direction feels random, but we find ourselves walking down streets brightly lit in red and green. Tinny music drifts from some stores, Christmas carols from others.

"How are you feeling now?" His gaze slants to mine.

"Much better. Master?"

"Mmm?"

"What happened after I left?"

"Um, let's see. It came out that Ben is apparently seeing Kirstie's sister, Erin, now. Kirstie threatened to… what were her words? To 'have Ben for horse-meat' if he ever raised a hand to Erin."

I halt in mid-stride. "What? Kirstie actually said that? To Ben?"

He swivels on his heel, turning to face me, his lips quirking. "I think I quoted her verbatim."

"You'd not have thought she had it in her, would you?"

He clicks his tongue. "I'm becoming more impressed with Kirstie all the time. It was due to her that Ben came in to apologise."

"Really?" I wrap my arms around myself, moving from one foot to the other.

"Yes, really." He reaches out, touches me. "You're cold."

"Just a bit."

He casts around the nearby stores, then points. "How about a hot chocolate?"

"Sounds lovely."

Indoors, it's warm and merrily heading for Christmas. Decorations drape from the ceiling. A tree leans lopsidedly against the end wall and the counter is piled with mince pies, stollen bread and spiced buns.

I wrap chilled fingers around a large mug of cinnamon milk. It's hot and frothy, deliciously fragrant and spicy, and so…. in-season….

My Master sits across the small table from me, his eyes fixed on my face. It's a little disconcerting. "Sure you're alright?" he says.

"Yes, I am. Ben turning up like that unsettled me. But this is lovely."

"The milk?"

"That, yes, but…." I wave an arm around the cafe…. "I meant all of this. The lights. The Christmas tree. The decorations…." I take a sip of the milk then suck at scalded lips. "…. Everything. I love it."

He smiles and traces the line of my cheek with a fingertip. "It's the first time we've had a Christmas, isn't it. We can't really count the first two." He looks outside, scanning the street. "I should be getting you a Christmas present. What would you like?"

"Anything, Master. It doesn't matter. Even with Ben interfering and trying to spoil things, what we have now…. what I have now… is so much more than I could ever have hoped for." As I think about his words, I blow on my milk then take another sip. It glows down inside me, warming me, fingertips to ears. "When you said you're impressed by Kirstie, what did you mean?"

He speaks matter-of-factly. "She handles herself well under pressure. Even when she is clearly stressed or unnerved, she does the right thing. I've decided to put her talents to better purpose if she is happy with the idea."