Excerpt: Born Again in Bournemouth

The squeal was nearly ear-splitting, even on a crowded rail-station platform, where more than a few startled travelers turned to see if they were about to be cut down by an unchecked train charging through their midst. It was only Maggie, however, and she clung to Cal fiercely, her legs about his waist and her arms around his neck like a jitterbug dancer waiting to be dipped backwards before being flipped through the air in some acrobatic maneuver.

Roger was, frankly, embarrassed by his wife at times, but he knew the general history between these two old friends, and was willing to let the demonstrative Maggie have her day. These were former lovers, after all, practically since childhood, which gave Roger some nervous pause, as Cal Howard was young and very good-looking, but there was really nothing he could do about any of that. Cal had traveled a grueling distance to Bournemouth to see Roger out of trouble, and Maggie was Roger’s wife now, while Cal had his own extraordinary girl back home. There should be no problems on that front.

Roger took Cal’s hand. “How were your flights?”

“Long and numerous. I’ll have to look at a map to figure out where I am at this very moment. England I’m told.”

Maggie jumped in front of Roger. “Did you get to see any of London yesterday? Isn’t it fabulous? We’ll go up there, you and I, during the week, when we’re low on bookings at the Chestnut. Maybe next week for a couple of days. Wilson and Roger can manage without us.” Maggie was talking so fast that spittle had formed at the edge of her mouth. She was wearing bright red lipstick, which was an unusual decoration for the normally paint-shy woman.

“Who is Wilson?” asked Cal.

“He’s the day-manager. I’ll explain more about him later.” Maggie tugged Cal’s arm ecstatically. “Do you need a late lunch?”

Cal was holding the paper bag Amira had given him, half a sandwich inside still wrapped in wax paper. Maggie grabbed the bag from his hand. “What’s this? Bought a lunch on the train, have you? How extravagant.” She poked about inside, pulling out the sandwich, unwrapping it and stuffing it in her mouth. “Mmmmerf…”

“Cal, I’ve got a meeting set up with my lawyer for later this afternoon. I trust the money you wired has gotten to the bank here?”

“We’ll have to check on that. I was told it should be here before me. Why don’t we take my things to the hotel, and then you and I can go look after our interests.”

“Because I really can’t sign anything until I have the money in hand.”

Maggie shouted at him. “Roger! No one is going to screw you out of your bloody hotel!”

Taking her by the shoulder, Cal eased Maggie down the sidewalk. “What?” she asked, her hands holding her copper hair away from her face, as the wind tangled it.

“Maggie. Please take my suitcase back to the hotel. Roger and I are going for a beer. Sit and have one yourself when you get home. I’ll bet your pulse is in the near-danger range.”