inspiration and he would not have had to descend to the cheat and sham
My dear Chantelle - /You will never be, could never be the man Nicholas
is. Damn you. Suddenly he was shaking with anger, and she was
screaming at him.
You're a cheat and a liar. For all your airs, you're still a cheap
little barrow-boy at heart. You're small and shoddy I've beaten
Nicholas Berg every time I've met him. No, you haven't, Duncan, It was
I who beat him for you!
I took you, For a while, she sneered. Just for a short fling, Duncan
dear. But when he wanted me he took me right back again. What do you
mean by that he demanded.
The night before last, Nicholas was here, and he loved me in a way you
never could. I'm going back to him, and I'll tell the world why., You
bitch., He is so strong, Duncan. Strong where you are weak., And you
are a whore. He half turned away, and then paused.
Just be at St Nazaire on Tuesday. But she could see he was hurt, at
last she had cut through the carapace and touched raw quick nerves.
He loved me four times in one night. Duncan, magnificent soaring love.
Did you ever do that? I want you at St Nazaire , smiling at the
creditors on Tuesday. Even if you succeed with Golden Dawn, within six
months Nicholas will have your job, But until then you'll do exactly
what I say. Duncan braced himself, a visible effort, and began to walk
away.
You are going to be the loser, Duncan Alexander, she screamed after him,
her voice cracking shrilly with frustration and outrage. I will see to
that - I swear it to you., He subdued the urge to run, and crossed the
terrace, holding himself carefully erect, and the storm of her hatred
and frustration burst a-round him.
Go into the streets where you belong, into the gutter where I found you,
she screamed, and he went up the stone staircase and out of her sight.
Now he could hurry, but he found his legs were trembling under him, his
breath was ragged and broken, and there was a tight knot of anger and
jealousy turning his guts into a ball.
The bastard, he spoke aloud. That bastard Berg. Tom? Tom Parker?
That's right, who is this, please? His voice was so clear and strong,
although the Atlantic Ocean separated them.
It's Nicholas, Nicholas Berg. you? the big voice boomed with genuine
pleasure. Nick, how are you? God, I'm glad you called. I've been
trying to reach you. I've got good news. The best. Nicholas felt a
quick lift of relief.
Samantha? No, damn it/ Tom laughed. It's the job. Your Job.
It went up before the Board of Governors of the University yesterday.
I had to sell it to them hard - I'll tell you that for free - but they
okayed it. You're on, Nick, isn't that ?) great It's terrific, Tom.
'You're on the Biology faculty as an associate, it's the thin end of the
wedge, Nicholas. We'll have you a chair by the end of next year, you
wait and see. I'm delighted. Christ, you don't sound it, Tom roared.
What's bugging you, boy? Tom what the hell has happened to Samantha?
And Nicholas sensed the mood change, the silence lasted a beat too long,
and then Tom's tone was guileless.
