Richard
James taps on my door. “Got a minute?”
“Of course. What can I do for you?”
“I wanted a quick word, while….” He looks back over his shoulder. "…. while Francis is on her lunch break."
Doesn’t want her listening in?
Personal business then….
“Take a seat.” I wave him to the couch. “Coffee?”
“Thanks, yes.”
James waits while I pour two cups then, “That conversation we had the other day, about Charlotte never having had a real Christmas before….”
“Yes?”
“I have a couple of thoughts. The first is that, traditionally, Christmas is when families gather together….”
“And you don’t much fancy the idea of Ben calling by?” I keep my voice dry.
He raises eyes to the ceiling. “God save me. No, I don’t. But… I had a lot of Christmases alone after my divorce and I entirely understand why
