Chapter 58: The Virgin´s Summer, Part 9, James Returns

My Master pulls up outside and I rush out to meet him, Michael following in my wake.

“Master! How are you?”

“I´m good Charlotte. Glad to be back here again with you both.”

He hugs me and swings me around, kissing me soundly, but I notice his eyes lock briefly with Michael´s. Is it my imagination? Michael gives him the smallest of headshakes, all but invisible.

We go back inside, my Master´s arm around my waist from one side, Michael´s from the other.

“How was your trip?” asks Michael.

“Very successful: much more so than I expected.”

“They´ve extended your contract?”

“Better than that. I´ve been offered a directorship. Apparently, this first phase was a practice run for me, while they weighed me up. Haswell wants me to take charge of the project.”

“That´s great, James. I... assume you accepted?”

“Oh yes.” My Master rubs his hands together. “Why would I not? All that hard work is paying off at last.”

“It sounds as though congratulations are in order then?”