Chapter 77: The Daughter's Manumission, Part 11, The Explanation

"I didn't want...." She gulps, swallows hard and starts again. "I didn't want to come, but Ben was so angry when he thought he'd seen Charlotte and James.... When he thought he'd seen them...." Red-eyed, she looks up in appeal, like a little girl 'fessing up to stealing cookies. "I was trying to stop him, or at least calm him down."

What a fucking mess....

"Didn't help much, did it?"

What to do with her....

James....

Can't risk him knowing she's still here...

"Look, it's getting late," I say. "I'd put you up in the hotel overnight, but I don't think it's a good idea for you to risk running into James right now. I'll call a taxi to get you home. Have you got keys to get back in?"

She wipes snot from her nose. "There's a spare set with my neighbour, thanks." Her voice chokes. "I don't think it's going to help much with James though. I'll have to see him at the office tomorrow, assuming I still work there."