Chapter 20: Her Lovers' Touch, Part 2, Albert's Papers

James suppresses a smile. "I've had Charlotte at the proofing yards down by the docks. Some useful add-on training in failure testing on metals and other materials."

I scratch my chin. "How did you pull that off, James? We don't have connections with any of the firms down there do we?"

"City NDT would like to tender for the contract on the bridge, for the testing and maintenance program." He flashes brows. "I took the opportunity to take a favour."

"Does blowing something to bits in a proofing yard qualify as non-destructive testing?" I ask.

"Nooo...." he concedes, "but their director mentioned that they were running a series of tests on rocket motors for a new government contract, so I, um, eased a lever into the crack. It's all useful experience for a trainee engineer, especially as...." He nods towards Charlotte.... ".... It's going to be all knuckling down academically for a while now, with exams coming up."