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‘Stopped by?’ I laugh ‘What for? Cigars and laughs over a mature whiskey?’

‘There’s no need for insolence, Olivia’

I gape at hi to correct hi those visits I bet there have been soed Yet my damn curiosity won’t allow me to shut the hell up ‘What for?’ I watch as his lids perforht, too

‘We may not like each other, but when it co just fine’ His head cocks, expectantly ‘Now, let’s go’

I feel h on his order, bristling froleainal wooden floor is clearly still polished weekly and the décor, although now creaold, is opulent It’s dripping in nificent But all of the lovely décor now just see to fool people fro truly represents and what happens here And who frequents this posh establish thely knohere I’ll find Willia me around to face hi returns It’s unwarranted and unnecessary, but I can’t help it I hate that I know this place, probably better than Miller ‘Which one?’ I retort, harsher than I le Bar?’ He drops ardsto subside any time soon I can’t confirm that The farther into the Society I venture, theharder to control All of Miller’s words outside are suddenly forgotten I can’t ree Bar,’ he responds calnals to the left with a sweep of his ar his ithout retaliation He’s not biting He’s cal within his sweet girl On the longest gulp of air I’m ever likely to take, I yank so are Bar, just as I remember, is almost tranquil Plush velvet armchairs litter the space, suited bodies reclined in rasped in their pal is dim, the chatter quiet It’s civilised Respectful It defies everything Willianifies My nervous feet cross the threshold of the double doors I can feel Miller behind me, my body’s natural reaction to his closeness ever present I’ but unable to enjoy the usual delicious sensations of internal sparks because of the exquisite surroundings that are torturing ht nise Miller I can tell because of the surprised expressions replacing the initial curiosity Or do they recognise hts and push on, finding myself at the bar fast I can’t think like that Ifor the exit any hts Miller needs et you?’

I direct my attention to the impeccably turned out barman and immediately blurt my order ‘Wine Whatever you have’ My buather every reasonable fibre ofin an attempt to calm myself down Alcohol Alcohol will help The bar my order while he looks on to Miller in question

‘Scotch Straight,’ Miller mutters ‘The best you have And al Royal Salute, fifty years old It’s the very best, sir’ He indicates a bottle on a glass shelf behind the bar and Miller grunts his acceptance, but he doesn’t take a stool next tothe bar and nodding to a few inquisitive faces The best they have No one pays for drinks at the Society The obscene membership fees cover it And Miller will undoubtedly know this He’swith his perfectly neat drinks cabinet and helping hi along just fine?

A glass of white wine is placed beforeas a huge fraht with lass suspended in iant h the relaxed atth black hair is slicked back into a tight ponytail Everyone is aware of hi Miller, whose hackles see at et – but his naue He’s William’s first in com to dilute the evil vibes e from every pore

I sit back on nore his presence I intobreath of air, and Miller bristles into the realainston me