The Lover's Children novel Chapter 40

KLEMPNER

Georgie leans forward on her elbows. "But you're trying though. Trying to fit. To make Charlotte happy. And Mitch. And your new daughter."

"Oh, yes." I breathe out glowing fumes. "It's not easy, but I'm trying."

She mirrors me, blowing out her cheeks, staring at the tabletop. "Is it worth it? Are you happy? At least, is it making you happy?"

"A wife. My daughters. Old and new. I have never been so happy as I am now." I empty my glass again. Refill it again. "I'll keep working at it."

Her smile dawns. "I suppose that's alright then." She reaches out, chinks her glass against mine. "If you can do it, so can I."

“You never mentioned who your date was with. Is it someone I should know?”

“Borje.”

Ahhh…

It occurs to me that I’d intended to get Georgie talking. Instead…

I chink my glass back. "Good luck."

*****

I saw them together at Kirstie and Ryan’s wedding, Georgie and Borje. He's a striking-looking man, with the silver-blond of the Scandinavian. It's easy to see why a woman would be attracted to him. Certainly, Georgie seems taken by his charms.

James appears undisturbed by Borje’s interest in his daughter.

Would he say anything?

Michael too, seems to think well of him…

Even if he did admit that Borje fucked Jenny…

Something about Borje set my antennae twitching.

I'm not sure what it is.

And Georgie is overly naive.

*****

“You’re looking very smart, Richard,” says Mitch.

I follow the line of my wife’s attention. Haswell is dressed in full regalia: shirt and tie, pants, jacket and waistcoat, clearly tailor-made, grey with an understated check. The wristwatch is Cartier and I imagine not the variety of Cartier bought from a street trader at a ‘bargain price’.

“Thank you, Mitch.” He straightens the jacket. “Coming from you, I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“You should get a waistcoat, Larry,” says Mitch.

“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”

“It would suit you. You have the build to carry one well.” She comes close, slides a palm down my chest. “I’d like it,” she purrs.

My cock twitches…

Christ…

Not here…

Haswell checks his cuff links. “I’d be happy to recommend you my tailor.”

Mitch casts around. “Where is she? I told Jenny to be ready. Larry, go find her would you. And make sure she’s decently dressed.”

*****

I locate my older daughter lurking in her book-lined office clicking around something on her laptop screen. Cara sits on the rug by her feet, trying to decapitate a six-inch, pink elephant. Michael clatters with a hammer, installing another bookshelf where you’d not think there was the space for one.

“Charlotte, your mother’s waiting for you.”

Her eyes don’t leave the screen. “Waiting? Why?”

“She’s going shopping. Richard and Beth are ready to go.”

She’s still scrolling and clicking. “I told her I didn’t want to come.” … I edge around to see what’s holding her attention.

The Fellowship of the Ring… First Edition…

“I think she expects you to.”

Jenny’s eyes lift, green as a snake. “You mean, you’ve been sent to issue a summons?”

“That’s about the size of it, yes.”

Michael keeps a straight face, more or less, but Jenny’s expression is sullen. “What kind of shopping?”

“Knowing your mother, probably clothes.”

“Shoes maybe,” says Michael. His cheek jumps under the effort of containing a grin. “Bags. Hats. Jewellery.”

Jenny withers him with a look. Or tries to. “I'd rather spend the morning gnawing my foot off. Anyway, I'm working.”

“Doing what?” I ask.

She flounders. “The keep-fit class.”

“Nope, no need today, Babe.” Michael’s not bothering to hide the grin anymore. “Chad’s back. We’re fully manned.”

“Oh.” She deflates.

“Ah, Jenny…” Mitch sails in. “… There you are.” Her face falls as she casts a gimlet eye over our daughter's jeans, sneakers and tee shirt. “What were you planning on wearing to go out? You can't go into a department store dressed like that.”