The Lover's Children novel Chapter 59

JAMES

Borje measures me with his eye. “James, you’re not quite friendly to me over this, are you?”

“Am I not?”

“No, you’re not. You were happy enough to introduce me to Charlotte. But now that I’m interested in your daughter, the shine’s worn off your smile.” He’s probably right. I am edgy over this. And for no reason I can put my finger on.

Borje narrows his eyes. “Are you putting Larry up to this campaign against me?”

“No, I’m not. He’s protecting Georgie. At least, he thinks he is.”

“Georgie doesn't need protecting from me, so Larry can just fuck off.”

“He says you behave oddly around her. Maybe he has a point. What is it you want, Borje?”

“That should be obvious. I’m interested in Georgie. I wanted to ask you about her.”

“Ask? It's a bit old fashioned, isn't it, Borje? We're past the day when a woman needed her father’s permission for her choices.”

His chin lifts. “James, I am not asking your permission. But I…”

“Georgie's not a child. She can look after herself.”

He arches brows. “You think? I think Georgie is rather more fragile than that. And besides, we both know there are special circumstances.”

“Circumstances? What circumstances? Because you banged Charlotte a couple of times at the club? Just because you’re fucking my daughter doesn’t make it my business.”

Borje colours up, his voice heating, “I am not fucking your daughter. I do not want to fuck her…” His tone cools, but his skin is florid against the silver of his hair. “… I want a relationship with her. And I would like to be sure, James, before I go any further than buying her a few meals, that this doesn't cause any difficulties.”

“Difficulties? What kind of difficulties? Georgie’s a grown woman. It’s her decision who she chooses to… to…” My words fail. I can’t bring myself to say them.

Borje rests forward, elbows on knees. “James, I have never heard you sound so insincere. For a man who, I know for certain fact, believes that everyone, male and female alike, should make their own life choices, you are completely unconvincing. Quite clearly, you do have a problem here.”

He’s right. I shouldn’t be reacting like this. But…

Georgie…

I can’t claim to know Borje well. But from what I do know of him, my experience of his behaviour, he’s a decent man.

I’m being completely unjust. And I know it well.

My mouth is floury and sour. “Why don’t you pour yourself a drink. And another for me. The decanter’s on the side over there.”

Borje opens his mouth as though to refuse, then closes it again. Nodding, he stands, and pours two small whiskeys, passing one to me. Sipping, he swishes it around. “Not bad.”

“It’s better than not bad. Look, sit down again. Let’s replay this conversation and I’ll try not to be...”

“… overtly and undeservedly overprotective?” He sips again, holding my eyes with a steel-blue gaze, but his lips are twitching.

“Alright, alright, I asked for that. What is it you want?”

He lets out a slow stream of air. “As I said, James, I want you to tell me about Georgie.”

“What about her? And why?”

“Why?” He cradles his glass. Stares into the fire. “Because I think she's lovely and lonely. And somehow, lost…”

His words pierce me, but Borje is still speaking… “I’m not looking for a bit of casual fun with Georgie.” He grins and clucks, flashing brows. “I have nothing against casual fun, but Georgie’s worth more than that. And I want more than that with her.”

“Oh…”

“Yes. Oh. Now does that change things between us, James?”

“Um, yes. I suppose it does. I assumed...” My mouth dries up and I take shelter in my glass.

He sweeps a hand back through his hair, grimacing. “You assumed that I was taking advantage of Georgie who, as I am sure you realise, under that veneer of temper, thorns and fake authority, is in fact, quite vulnerable.”

My drink provides a few moments more shelter. “Yes. She is. Where is this going?”

His previous confidence seems to evaporate. Cupping his glass in both palms, his mouth working, he stares into the fire.

“Borje, you came here to ask me about my daughter. So ask.”

He forms his words slowly, deliberately. “Alright… James, you and I met through the clubs…”

*Alarm bells ringing*

“I would really appreciate it if you don't make mention of your involvement with Charlotte to Georgie.”

Borje huffs and cracks a smile. “How stupid do you think I am?” Then, rubbing a finger over his forehead, “James, you’re a Dom…”

What the hell’s this leading to…?

“…Whether we’re talking work or play, that’s your personality. It’s not just what you are. It’s who you are.”

I cover my confusion with another sip. “Granted. So?”

“So, Georgie adores you, respects you. Has you on a pedestal. So far as I can tell, she always has done. I suspect that’s why she took it so hard when you and her mother split up.” He gives me an apologetic smile. “Hero to zero…”

My gut tightens… “Perhaps. Go on.”

He pauses, collecting his thoughts perhaps. “Despite that, the pair of you have now settled your differences…”

“I agree. Borje, what’s your point?”

He raises a staying palm. “Bear with me, James. I’m getting there. Look, Georgie’s living in the hotel next door. After over a year, she’s still there…”

“She doesn’t want to move back with her mother.”