Chapter 26: Chapter 26

For the smallest of moments, I think Charlotte is going to launch herself at Marcie, but then Michael’s hand is on her arm, his knuckles white.

Michael’s voice is cool. “You have a big mouth, Marcie. I’m not going to tell James you said that. If you don’t care for him, then fair enough; I know he can be abrasive sometimes. But don’t talk about what you don’t know. Before you go opening your mouth at random again, you might try finding out a few facts; such as how did James come by his limp?”

Marcie’s face is sour and pale. She stares back at him but doesn’t speak.

Time to show my colours. Let’s wave the flag for them….

“Michael, how did James get his limp?” I ask.

In fact, I’m genuinely interested. James Alexanders does not seem like the kind of man to get involved in a street brawl.

Michael’s eyes meet mine for a moment. So do Charlotte’s. They both know what I just did.

“He was shot,” says Michael. “A man was trying to murder Charlotte, but James shielded her with his body and took the bullet for her.”

Marcie’s eyes widen. I think mine do as well.

“Wow!” I say. “A real hero.”

“Yes,” says Michael, “a hero.”

“Yeah….” slurs Steve, his tone sarcastic. “A real hero….”

Charlotte breaks in, her tone acid. “Have you done anything heroic recently, Steve?”

“Apart from getting punched unconscious by Charlotte here…” finishes Michael. Steve blanches and finally….

…. finally….

…. staggers away into the crowd.

Marcie is gaping, but Michael has not finished. He continues. “Tell me, Marcie. Do you think you’re ever going to have someone who will volunteer to take a bullet for you?”

She flushes and looks down. “You don’t like me much do you, Michael?”

“Not much, no.”

“Why not?”

“Well, let’s see…. So far, you’ve offended me, upset my wife, and you just insulted my best friend.

How’s that for starters? Now, go away and don’t bother us again, Marcie. I don’t care for your company.”

And she leaves, following Steve.

I’m impressed by Michael’s style. Slimy Steve and Marcie the Mouth, both seen off in one smooth movement.

He didn’t seem the type…

“You don’t pull any punches, do you?”

Michael is tight-lipped. “She just insulted both my wife and my best friend. I saw no reason to be polite.”

Then that easy smile of his is back. “I don’t think you’re going to have any more trouble with Steve this evening, Kirstie,” says Michael. He pushes my chin up with a finger. “You look better without your jaw hung open,” he remarks.

Embarrassed, I realise that I too was agape at Michael’s performance. Steve is sitting at the far side of the room, his face sullen.

“He looks like a sulky kid,” I comment.

Michael’s eyes slide sideways to me. “You mean the kind of kid who’s discovered that all the chocolate chip cookies are on too high a shelf?”

Despite myself, I have to smile. “Yeah, that’s the one…. Is all that true? About James?” I ask.

“Every word.”

Charlotte is nodding enthusiastically.

“A gunman was after Charlotte? You were there?”

“I was, yes. I tried to stop the shot, but I couldn’t move fast enough to get the gun from him. I only managed to knock off his aim. James didn’t even hesitate. He simply put himself between Charlotte and the gun. He nearly died, and I think he’s always going to have that limp.”

“Wow! And…. Charlotte punched Steve? That’s true too?”

Now Michael laughs. “Yup. The pushy bastard wouldn’t take a hint and leave her alone. She swings a punch you’d be happy to see from any professional; all but knocked him out cold. She certainly made a mess of his nose. In fact, you saw an example of it with Ben didn’t you….”

I laugh. “Sounds good to me. Who taught you to box?” I ask.

“My ex-husband,” says Charlotte, smiling into her glass.

Ex-husband….?

Michael’s head swivels. “You never mentioned that?”

“Didn’t I? thought I had. I never said I didn’t like Chad. It just didn’t work as a marriage. I’d be happy to be his friend again.”

Michael looks away but seems unsettled. His gaze alights on my choker and his eyes crinkle. “Who’s the lucky man?”

“Um, I don’t think you’ll have met him. He’s new to all this.”

“Perhaps you’ll introduce us then? I assume that’s who you’re waiting for?”

“Yes, it is, and yes, I’d like that.”

James arrives. “Hello, Kirstie. I didn’t know you were here.” He looks genuinely pleased to see me.

“Hello, Mr Alexanders….”

“Kirstie, we discussed this before. We’re not at work now. It’s James….”

“Hello, James. Michael here was just telling me how you saved Charlotte’s life….”

His eyes roll sideways. “I thought we agreed not to advertise that….” he mutters.

Michael’s grin is unrepentant. “We agreed not to advertise it unnecessarily. Sometimes it is appropriate.”

“Like when?”

“Like when Marcie gets disparaging about my best friend and risks my wife punching her teeth out.”

James frowns. “Have I missed something?”

I’m saved from answering. Ryan appears at the door.

“He’s here then?” says Michael.

“Sorry?”

“No woman smiles like that at the arrival of a random stranger.” His words are calm, but his eyes are smiling.

I blush.

Oh, God. I just blew off your brother….

“Kirstie, it’s alright.” He touches my hand; the briefest of glancing touches. “Ben’s a good man, even if it doesn’t look that way to you right now. But he’s not the right man for you.”

There’s a lump in my throat.