Masters And Lovers 1-4 novel Chapter 46

Michael

I don’t much feel like breakfast, but for the sake of form, I join Mitch, James and Charlotte in the kitchen, downing a coffee, then pouring another.

James is on his usual ‘toast and coffee only’ breakfast. Mitch works her way through yoghurt and muesli, eating tidily and sipping at a cup of peppermint tea.

Charlotte’s standing on tip-toe, rummaging at the top shelf of the store cupboard. James stands, walks across. “What are you looking for?”

“Pickled onions.”

“You don’t like pickled onions.”

“I felt like one sliced up on my sandwich.”

I’ve already seen the other items laid out on the worktop for Charlotte’s ‘sandwich’, along with the expression flitting across James’ face as he saw them too.

Hmmm…

But he snakes up a long arm to the top shelf and takes down a jar.

In some fascination we sit, watching Charlotte assemble a peanut butter, avocado and pickled onion sandwich, on crusty bread cut thick enough to use as a draught excluder. In a final flourish, she scrapes brown sauce over one hefty slice then joins us at the table with her creation.

James passes her a carving knife. “That’s breakfast is it?”

“Ah-ha. I felt like a change.” She raises a hand to her mouth, then pauses, looking between me and James. “Oh, sorry. Did you want one too?”

“No, thanks.”

“Not for me.”

Mitch reaches, lifts the lid of the sandwich, inspects the contents, then lays it down again. “It was ice cream on toast with me.” She finishes her tea.

James shudders. Charlotte’s eyes widen. “Hey, that sounds good.” She turns to him. “Do we have any ice cream?”

I refill Mitch's cup. “I’ll fetch you some across from the hotel.”

“Great! Thanks.” She bites into her monstrous creation.

I turn to Mitch. “How long can we expect this to last?”

“For me it was about the first three months. It faded after that.”

I watch the consumption of the Sandwich of the Baskervilles. “No morning sickness at all?” I ask.

Charlotte chews and swallows. “Nah… Everything’s fine…” She takes another bite, chews… and pauses. “Um, actually…” She’s looking a bit pasty.

She stands, gulping… “’Scuse me…”… and heads out of the kitchen at speed. A minute or so later, the sound of a toilet flush drifts in from the hall.

“Yes, that was me too,” comments Mitch.

*****

Richard

James spreads fingers over a swathe of land marked out on the City Project plans. “So that’s the permissions all in place now on F-site.”

“When can we start work on the area?”

“As soon as the contractors complete the groundwork on E-site. I’m expecting next week for that. Then we can roll them on to the next phase.”

“Sounds good.” I look at my watch. “I think I’m calling it a day. Always good to end on a high note.” James shifts mugs, paperweights and a stapler off the plan, rolling it into a tube. “Care to join me for a drink before you head home?”

He takes a breath. “I would, yes.”