When I'm with you

The soul of a traitor

The morning coffee quickly cheered him up and gave him a working mood. Broome stared at the screen of his laptop and didn't notice that a good two hours had passed. It was still a long time before he met Allison, and he went down to the hotel cafe for a proper Breakfast. When he went to his favorite window seat, he found that his table was occupied, and by no one else but Georgie. She was sitting in a deep wicker chair, her legs tucked under her, reading a book. Next to her on the table was a half-empty coffee pot and a plate of leftover pancakes. Without a word, he walked over and sat down in the next chair. Georgie put the book down on the table and looked at him carefully.
"Oh, Great Daniel Broome, you finally remembered my existence", she said and looked down at the pages again.
"I never forgot about you", tried to justify Dan, "just yesterday went completely wrong as I planned, in the morning problems at work, and then .."
"Yeah," Georgie interrupted, not taking her eyes off the book.
"What's going on, Georgiana ? what's the matter?" he asked, suddenly feeling guilty.
"Nothing that you might be interested in," she Georgie, I'm living my Own life …"
"Come on, I just forgot to call yesterday," Dan began.
"Already forget", Georgie interrupted again, without looking up.
The waiter came over and Broome ordered. Miss lamb still acted as if he wasn't there.
"What are you reading?", he asked, "I haven't seen you this involved in a long time."
She flinched and snapped the book shut, as if remembering his presence.
The cover was almost black and showed Vaguely familiar to Broome.
"Nothing," Georgie said sharply, " tell what do you want from me?"
Her question surprised Dan so much that he looked at her blankly.
"I really didn't think it was that important to you", he said, "I 've... I wanted to help Allison and her family...damn..."
She looked at him carefully and suddenly felt ashamed of her behavior.
The waiter came back with the Broome' s order. Dan looked at his plate, but he wasn't hungry anymore. He pushed his plate away and looked at her again.
" Relax already, you have absolutely nothing to do with it", admitted Georgie, " it's just ... something's happened and I have a lot to think about"
"Is it that serious?"  Dan asked.
"Yes" she said after a moment's hesitation — but i manage it. Must cope...
"Are you sure?", he asked, "maybe..."
"I'm quite sure," Georgie interrupted.
They paused, looking at each other. Then Broome pointedly moved his plate and began his Breakfast.
"So what are you reading?" he finally asked.
Georgiana picked up the book and showed it to Broome. He was surprised to find that this was Crowe's last book. He had a copy of it in his office, and it was not for nothing that the book seemed so familiar.
"I still can't read it, I usually don't miss his masterpieces", admitted Broome, "I didn't know you were a Crowe's fan.
" Me? No ... I don't know, "Georgie said, confused," I haven't read any of his work, other than that"
"The soul of a traitor," intoned Broom, " it is a mysterious name. I wonder what it's about?"
"This book is about Francis himself," Georgie said after a moment, then added, " and about me..."
Catching a surprised look She looked down, confused.
"Don't ask," Georgie said, forestalling his question, "I need to think ... and talk to him. But until I'm ready..."
"If you need anything, I'm always there", said Broome smiled and touched her hand with his.
"I know ", she said, also trying to smile.
"Would you like a donut? "is it still warm?" he asked after a short silence.
"Yes, you know I love them," Georgie said cheerfully, picking up the treat and taking a decent bite, "Let's forget about me. You'd better tell me what's going on with you and Allison"
He gave his charming smile and looked at her.
"I fell in love like a boy, and I'm ready to give up everything just to have her around." he said.
"I didn't think this would happen to you," Georgie admitted, " but I'm glad it's Allison, I think she's right for you... When is the wedding?"
"That will depend on her," said Dan, smiling, " we'll wait and see ..."

Sidney and Charlotte practically flew into Sophia's office. The hostess, who was sitting at her Desk, gave them both a puzzled look and motioned for them to sit down. It took only a second for Charlotte to realize that Dr. Fuchs's treatment had paid off, and that Mrs. Denham was feeling much better than she had the day before.
"How are you, Sophia?"  Sidney asked, sitting down in the chair next to Charlotte.
"Obviously better than the two of you," she said, eyeing Charlotte carefully as she tried to make her hair look more or less presentable and somehow smooth out her rather rumpled dress"you look like a homeless couple. Did you spend the night at the railway station?"
Charlotte burst out laughing, but regained her composure in time. Sidney, on the other hand, was so serious that he didn't pay much attention to this remark.
"I'm glad you feel better," he said calmly, but his whole appearance just screamed that he was barely holding back the tension and excitement.
Sophia looked at Charlotte carefully, silently demanding an answer to her question.
" We fell asleep in the car near the house", admitted Charlotte," we really needed to talk to you."
"I didn't think Sanditon house was out of beds," Sophia said reproachfully, then looked at Sidney and added, " so what brings you to me, Mr. Parker? Clearly not a desire to find out how I'm doing."
"This," he said bluntly, handing her a copy of the contract Tom had signed.
Sophia took the papers and, after a quick glance at the preamble, frowned and looked up at Charlotte and then at Sidney.
"Is that what I think it is?" she asked.
"Unfortunately, Yes," Parker said.
She put down the documents and called a servant over the intercom.
A moment later, the maid's worried face appeared in the doorway.
"Cassie, make tea for everyone," Sophia said, but after looking around at her disheveled early guests, she added, " no, coffee is better.. . and bring something to eat."
The maid bowed slightly and left, only to return in a few minutes with a tray.
While Sidney and Charlotte regained consciousness, fueling their bodies with hot coffee and fresh pastries, Sophia went deep into reading the contract. As they moved forward, her expression changed several times from openly condescending to surprised-angry and back again.
Finally, she put down the papers and took off her glasses and put them on the table.
"Tom Parker has outdone himself this time.... Where is the line between crazy and genius? Who knows When he need to stop? Mr. Parker, if I were you, I would seriously consider treating your brother. Psychiatry has made a big leap forward now...and he definitely needs help from specialists, "she said wearily," before he lets his whole family go around the world again. I don't understand why he has such a pathological urge to do such stupid things."
Sidney was silent, knowing that every word she said was true. Tom was dangerous. And first of all for himself and the people closest to him.
"I must say you were very thoughtful when you warned me about this, Sidney," Sophia said.
"But all I did was get Tom to insure the project," he said ruefully, " and I was foolishly hoping that would solve something."
"No company insures against idiocy, Mr. Parker," Sophia said reasonably, " and you know it.
"Yes, you're right," Sidney agreed.
"Isn't there anything we can do about it?", Charlotte asked, "we must do something to help."
"I don't think we can avoid a trial," Sidney told her, " I'm sure she's got it all figured out, Eliza Profy, and she's got a fortune like this for a reason."
"Not all," said the Lady Dan, drawing Sidney and Charlotte's startled looks, "I think I can surprise Mrs. Campion after all."
"What are you talking about?"  Charlotte asked, practically jumping out of her chair.
"During our last meeting, Sidney expressed well - founded concerns about his brother's possible rash actions, " Sophia replied, " and that made me think hard."
"What are you talking about?", Sidney asked impatiently, leaning forward.
"I've decided to protect my investments, and yours, too," Sophia said, pulling a document from a folder on her Desk.
He reached out and took the papers from her, reading:" Agreement on the division of powers".
"Compiled almost a week ago," Sidney muttered, "But what is it?"
"If you don't go into details, it says that by agreement of three parties: me, you and your brother Executive powers in all transactions related to reconstruction of Sanditon and the subsequent festival only four people have access. Two investors and two Executive Directors: Charlotte Heywood and Esther Babbington. Mr. Thomas Parker remains only a consultant and mastermind, who is assigned one-quarter of all profits from the future project. Your brother signed this agreement.
"So Tom doesn't officially have the right to sign?", Charlotte said, "so his contract with Eliza..."
"Then why did he make a deal with her?", Sidney asked, "if he knew that his signature didn't solve anything? I do not understand."
"I'm sure Mr. Parker didn't even try to get into the essence of this agreement,"Sophia replied," I don't think he read anything beyond the words 'mastermind'."
"But I didn't sign this document," Sidney said
"I took the liberty to register it without your signature", said Sophia, "I was afraid to miss the time, and as it turned out, not in vain. Now all you have to do is sign your autograph and Tom's contract with Eliza can be declared invalid in a pre-trial order."
"Is it really that simple?" Charlotte exclaimed in surprise.
"No, not really, there are always nuances, you will need to settle some details", said Sidney, "but in General, everything is as Sofia says."
"That's great!", Charlotte said, excited, "we need to tell Tom and Mary. She's so upset about all this."
"Of course, I would also worry if my husband constantly tried to make me and my children beggars", said Sophia, "I'm surprised at her patience."
Sidney was silent, studying the papers carefully. Unlike his brother, he was quite meticulous in business and tried not to miss even the smallest detail.
Sophia waited patiently for his decision, finishing her cold coffee. Finally, he looked up and put down the papers.
"What do you say, Mr. Parker?" the hostess asked.
"I'll say I need a pen," he said calmly.
She smiled and handed him the writing material.
After signing, he gave her the pen along with one copy of the agreement.
"If I were you, I'd should find a good lawyer, Mr. Parker, " Sophia said, " everything has to be official, so that Mrs. Campion doesn't have a chance, not a crack that She can slip through."
"I already have one," Sidney said, " thank You for your help, Mrs. Denham."
"Thank you, Sophia," Charlotte said.
"Go now," the old Lady waved at them, " and clean yourself up, get some sleep, it's painful to look at you both."
They thanked their hostess again, and without a word of agreement, they got up and left the office together.
As soon as the massive doors closed behind them, phones appeared in Sidney and Charlotte's hands.
"Daniel, this is Sydney Parker," he said,"how can I find your lawyer"
"Mary, I have good news for you...", she said with a smile.