Second Course: Watercress Soup

Expand on the first taste. You don’t need to rush to bring this course together... it’s a tease, often with a bit of salt.

The afternoon sun had finally found the angle it needed to pierce Liam’s curtains. Awful nuisance. Doesn’t belong here. Liam left the sunlight - and his bed - behind. 

Liam pulled out his best suit - not good enough, we’ll need to stop at Seville Row - and only then realized he was naked and hard. 

He dreamed of Her at night, saw Her and saw the disorder of the world when he woke. So disorderly. No wonder she rarely deigned to visit this vulgar city. 

Liam was grinning as he jumped into his car. There was so much in the world he could fix for her. 

First stop: The family lawyer.

“Everything to your satisfaction?” the obsequious clerk who drew up the purchase of Liam’s flat asked. 

Liam dropped a file on the clerk’s desk, much larger than the papers for his flat.

“And then some! We’ve developed an appetite for property,” Liam happily replied in a chummy voice. He walked behind the clerk’s desk to stand closer to his new mate. 

Liam opened up the file and traced an imaginary line with his finger around a multi-lot package on Tite Street.

“After he recovered from the shock at the cost of my humble flat, Father decided to diversify his investments. Specifically, by purchasing these modest lots.” Liam put an arm around the clerk. “The Crowne Estates has already agreed to sell at a fair price. You’ll find all the paperwork you need to start.”

“And your father...?” The clerk was baffled. There were rumors about the Etherington-Smith boys doing too much coke.

“Is eager to begin development. If Father starts to balk, remind him to show Mother the design for the Thorne Suite. She’ll be delighted.”