Chapter One

Michael came down to breakfast at ten thirty, as was his habit. His mother, her red hair as always perfectly styled, the floral print chiffon blouse and designer label pants the epitome of class made her look what she was, a rich lawyer’s wife. She sat at the oak dining room table, sipping coffee from a dainty porcelain cup. Her china blue eyes narrowed at his entrance, he frowned inwardly, the reason he was a late riser was to avoid confrontations like this with his mother.

Pasting an unconcerned polite smile on his face he greeted her, “Good morning, mother.” And served himself some scrambled eggs, sausages and bacon from the heated side board.

His mother waited till he had seated himself and accused “You were out till the early hours again Michael.” she sighed theatrically tapping her perfectly manicured red nails on the dining table “If you were as energetic about  work, as you are about your social life you would be giving your brother and sister some kind of competition. As it is they are well aware, as am I, that you are not much use for anything.” Michael tuned out his mother’s lecture after all he heard the same thing on a regular basis. It was not his fault his brother and sister were over achievers. His only real interest was in the clubs and social life his parent’s money entitled him to. He was only 25 and felt he had years before he had to tow the line and earn a living. He concentrated on his breakfast and pretty much ignored his mother as she continued in the same vein for several more minutes. Suddenly his attention was caught by something his mother said, he looked up at her and said “Sorry mother what did you just say?”

With a heavy sigh of frustration she repeated herself, “I said that your father wants to see you in his office at eleven thirty. He is expecting you as I assured him you would be there.” She stood up from the table and her Jimmy Choo’s clacked on the Italian tiled floor as she swept out of the room in a huff.

Michael felt his stomach clench in apprehension and looked down at his plate of food. It was only half finished but he pushed it away – the thought of dealing with his father was enough to remove his appetite for the day. A meeting with his cold, perfectionist father was never a pleasant experience.