The Devil's Handshake
physical
attributes, his feelings towards their daughter were a completely
different matter. In the little girl’s case, she could do no wrong.
He absolutely adored her. She was the grandchild that Stephen had
never had.

2
    Holland Park 2007
    With a heavy heart because Stephen felt he
had been left with little choice but to resign his position, which
was why the butler found himself opposite Sir Thomas in the study
of the house explaining what his “Woman” had done to the young and
inexperienced member of his staff.
    Twenty minutes later, having finished his
explanation and despite being red-faced Stephen waited for his
Master’s response. He didn’t have to wait long. It was instant and
without hesitation.
    “ Stephen please pay the girl
£30,000 on the condition she signs a binding Private and
Confidentiality Agreement, and please make sure we give her an
excellent introduction and reference,” Thomas ordered his face
impassive as he came straight to the point.
    The statement caught the old butler off guard
because Thomas had used his Christian name. That was something done
he hadn’t since he was young boy. Gathering his thoughts, Stephen
offered first a singular nod as to his acceptance of the task. He
then answered. “A very generous offer, Sir Thomas. I am sure young
Jackie will accept.” as he believed it was an extremely fair offer
for it was equivalent to two years’ salary for the girl.
    “ So there will be no need
for your resignation?” queried Thomas, hoping he had put an end to
the matter.
    The man was the only real link he had left to
his mother, as he had chosen to cut all ties with his father and
didn’t want to lose Pritchard over the incredibly stupid actions of
Nara.
    “ No, Sir Thomas, my mind is
made up! I cannot work for such a person who has no respect for the
people who are only trying to make her life easier! Physically
attacking a poor young girl over an accident is just not acceptable
in any society,” Stephen answered sticking to his guns
resolutely.
    “ He’s right of course, Nara
is thoroughly out of bloody order and has acted no better than the
bloody animal that once owned her life!” Thomas reasoned inwardly.
“Well I am certainly putting a stop to that! Right now!” He thought
with conviction. “Maybe that will work” he concluded, his mind made
up as to his next course of action.
    “ Stephen would you mind
waiting for one moment please?” he asked trying hard not to show
his anger.
    “ Of course, Sir Thomas,”
answered the butler as his master got up and left the
room.
    Less than a minute later, he returned with a
sweat-covered Nara in tow from the private gym in the house.
Looking up at her, Stephen immediately felt uncomfortable.
    “ Does he really believe an
apology from the little tart is going to work,” Stephen angrily
thought with distain and disappointment showing on his face. He had
expected more from Thomas.
    “ Nara, did you hit Jackie?”
Thomas asked, ignoring the disapproving look from his long-standing
butler.
    “ Yes, my Thomas, I did!”
Nara answered without remorse and with fire in her eyes.
    “ Why?” Thomas
queried.
    “ Because the little
‘gullukçy’ spilt boiling tea over me in front of my friends, so she
needed to be taught a lesson!” Nara answered, using the Turkman
word for servant disparagingly.
    Suddenly without warning, all in one movement
Thomas smacked Nara across her face with a stinging slap.
    “ HOW DARE YOU, THIS IS NOT
FUCKING TURKMENISTAN!” Thomas shouted loudly towards Nara. “WE DO
NOT ACT LIKE THE DICTATORS OF YOUR COUNTRY AND HIT OUR STAFF LIKE
ANIMALS! IN DOING SO YOU HAVE NOW EMBARRASSED ME AND MY NAME WITH
PRITCHARD, FOR THAT YOU WILL BE PUNISHED”
    “ N-O, N-O P-L-E-A-S-E M-Y
THOMAS” “P-L-E-A-S-E,” Nara screamed with terror as it suddenly
dawned on her that Thomas was about to beat her.
    Unknown to the Butler watching them, she had
not experienced a beating since Turkmenistan at the hands of

Similar Books

Godzilla Returns

Marc Cerasini

Assignment - Karachi

Edward S. Aarons

Mission: Out of Control

Susan May Warren

Past Caring

Robert Goddard

The Illustrated Man

Ray Bradbury