Masters And Lovers 1-4 novel Chapter 22

Michael

Ben rejoins me. “She seems a lovely woman, that Mitch. A bit withdrawn, but I suppose that’s understandable.”

“It’s very soon for her. I think she’d lost a lost of confidence, with her husband being as he was.”

Condemnation creeps back into Ben’s voice, “What was that all about? She left him?”

I cut him short. “He was knocking her around, Ben. When we got her out of there, the bastard had her on the floor. He’d have beaten the shit out of her if I’d not kicked the door in to stop it.”

His eyes widen. “Really? You don’t think of people really behaving like that, do you?”

Oh, get real…

“Whether you do or you don’t, just bear it in mind when you’re talking to her. She’s had a lot to cope with over the years and it’ll take her a while to readjust.”

Ben blinks rapidly, licks his lips. “You’re right. I jump to conclusions, don’t I?”

“Yes, you do. So make a few allowances, eh. Just try to be happy for people.”

Ben drops into silence, downs half his drink. “Did I catch it right, there are two brothers? But the other wouldn’t come?”

“That’s right. Stephen's a pig-headed bastard. Sees the world through blinkers.”

“What did they quarrel over?”

“As I understand it, he saw himself as head of the family. He was very controlling when Mitch was young. She ran away from home. He never forgave her.”

“That’s sad. What did she do after that?”

My throat tightens. Abruptly, my beer’s not so good.

What do I say?

Ben stalls. “Hey, was she pregnant with Charlotte? Is that why he wouldn’t have her back? How they became separated?”

“No, Charlotte came later.”

But Ben, narrow-eyed with suspicion, continues. “How old was she when she ran away?”

“Fifteen, I believe.” I’m thoroughly uncomfortable now, looking around for an excuse to end the conversation.

“Jeez… that’s young to be away from home. What did she do?”

Ben, you’ll have to excuse me. I have an announcement to make.”

*****

Richard

The small stage area grows quickly brighter; a spotlight over Michael.

“Ladies and gentlemen, could I have your attention.” A hush falls, the last couple of chatterers lagging until they realise they are talking over the quiet and also lapse into silence.

Michael speaks. “As you know, my wife Charlotte, or Jenny as some of you know her, didn’t have a great start in life. It doesn’t get much worse than being orphaned so young...” Beside me, Charlotte’s head drops. Mitch’s hand creeps into hers.

Michael continues. “But all through the years, Charlotte always hoped and believed she wasn’t alone in the world. After a lot of searching, we learned that was true when we found her; Mitch, Charlotte’s long-lost mother...”

He gestures across… “Mitch, come and join me here…”

The lovely woman exchanges a look with her daughter. Charlotte gives her a smile and a shove. “Go on.”

Mitch moves across to join Michael, her walk a smooth undulation, but however graceful her movement, her expression is awkward, embarrassed. As she stands beside Michael, he lays a hand on her shoulder, then addresses the room again.

He grins. “… And I don’t think anyone looking at the two of them could ever doubt we have mother and daughter here. Two generations of the same family. And when we throw in Beth as well, we’d all better look twice to be sure of who we’re talking to…”

A general low rumble of laughter ripples across the room, heads nodding, fingers pointing…

“… And so it is honour of Michelle… Shelley… Mitch… that we held this party. Michelle Kimberley. Charlotte’s mother.”

Applause begins, hands clapping, but Michael raises his hands and silence falls again.

He continues. “However, since we decided to have this party and invited you all here, events have overtaken us. I have another announcement to make…” Voices murmur. Heads nod. “… because in fact, although it’s not yet obvious, we have here tonight not two, but three generations from this family of remarkable women.” He curls fingers to Charlotte in a Come Hither gesture… She drops her face…