Chapter 185: Natale, Part 23

Klempner

At last, I get some privacy with her. James ushers out Jenny, protesting all the way. Michael leaves too, turning as he exits to give me a kind of approving nod.

Haswell poured glasses of champagne, passing them around at their side of the screen, although I did notice that he poured for Mitch from a different bottle. The top of the flute is just in view, spitting the odd bubble over the rim.

"Are you alone now?"

She looks sidelong, off-screen. "Yes, they've gone."

"What's Kirstie doing there?"

"I'm fitting her for her wedding dress. They've set the date for Christmas, remember."

"I didn't know that."

"Oh... no... Of course you wouldn't." She takes a sip of her bubbly, looking away. "It's been so long. They said you were dead. The police said there was a body."

"There was, but not mine."

She peers into the screen, searching my face. "How are you? What happened?"