JAMES
Charlotte is in stitches, wagging a finger at Michael. "Oh, the look on your face."
"What's going on?"
Michael looks bemused. "You are sure about this? I'll ask you again, now, while it's just us."
"Yes, I'm sure. It's fine. It was worth it just to see your face."
"Charlotte? Michael? What's happening?"
Michael flushes brilliant red. "Charlotte has something to tell you."
Her face swings gaping to his, then she cracks out laughing again.
She's not pregnant?
"Charlotte, are you.... You're not...." I nod down to the general area of her midriff. Her face goes slack, quite blank for a moment, then she curls up with laughter again, giggling helplessly. After a good minute of unfettered mirth, she gets the words out. "No, Master, I'm not."
She's not a giggler....
One of her virtues....
"So?"
"Michael is helping Richard out with his birthday present to Beth."
What are they talking about...?
"Sorry, I'm not getting this. What's happening for Beth's birthday?"
*****