Chapter 43: Her Lovers' Touch, Part 25, Night Terrors

JAMES

We wave Richard and Beth off down the drive. Both still look half-asleep, but both also are wearing smiles.

I think we can count that as a success....

"I'm going for a soak in the bath," says Charlotte.

Michael twinkles. "Want me to come and scrub your back?"

Hasn't he ever had enough...?

She grins and punches him on the shoulder. "Give me ten minutes first."

I stretch and yawn.

An easy day today methinks....

Coffee....

In the kitchen, pondering the evening's events, I stare out of the window to the bubble and pop from the stove-top and the rising fragrance of Arabica.

There's a click behind me: Michael carefully closing the door behind him. He nods back behind himself. "She's headed for her bath," he says quietly.

"I daresay we'll see her again in a couple of hours and lightly poached."

He huffs. "What is it with women and hot water?" Then he turns serious. "You okay now?"

"Yes, I'm good. It went well wouldn't you say?"