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Esther nods and applies. “I made him some pancakes and bacon. It’s in the fridge when he’s ready.” She comes to Rose and fusses over Maggie for a few moments. “Do you think you and my son could refrain from ripping out each other’s throats while I’m gone?”
“We’ll try,” Rose quips, her smile cheeky. “I’ve forgiven him, anyway.”
“For which bit?”
“All of it. The jet’s ready. Daniel’s packing for St. Lucia.”
“And you’re not?” Esther asks, her eyebrows arched. Rose shakes her head, and Esther exhales.
“You look beautiful, Mum,” Danny says, wandering in with a Scotch in his grasp. “Enjoy.” His nose scrunches and Rose obviously tries to hold back a grin.
“I will.” She plants a kiss on his cheek. “Isn’t it a bit early?” she asks, indicating the drink in his hand.
“It’s noon.” He takes some of his drink, eyes on Rose.
“Ready?” Otto asks, appearing at the door. I blink my surprise. He’s in trousers and a jacket.
“Ready,” Esther says, joining him. He takes her in as she wanders over, his eyes lighting up, but he doesn’t tell her how stunning she looks. He doesn’t need to. His face says it all as he slips an arm around her shoulders and leads her out.
Rose immediately turns to me. “Otto’s proposing.”
“Oh, that’s great,” I smile, trying to inject some enthusiasm into my words.
“I’m delighted,” Danny says dryly, abandoning his drink and taking Maggie from Rose’s arms, putting her on his shoulder.
“I can tell.” I look at my mobile. Would Brad answer if I called?
“Oh, are these the revised drawings?” Rose drags the laptop toward her and looks at the screen.
“Yeah. A few tweaks still needed I think,” I say, absentmindedly. Should I call him? “I’m thinking maybe we should pinch a few more feet from the sunbed area for the beach bar.” I can’t stand this. Sitting around waiting for him to emerge from his splurge on all things forbidden. I know it’s over. I accept that.
But . . . do I?
I feel like I’m depending on someone to tell me my destiny.
It’s driving me insane.
“Excuse me,” I blurt, getting up. “I need the bathroom.” I turn the laptop fully toward Rose. “There are some lovely lounger pods which would look amazing in the bar area. Take a look.” Everyone’s carrying on like normal, pretending they’re not worried Brad has gone AWOL.
“Sure.”
I exit the kitchen and hurry up the stairs, rushing down the corridor and knocking on a door. Fury pulls it open, a towel wrapped around his waist. I divert my eyes up. I don’t know how to approach this without getting a flat refusal. “I need to go to the club,” I say. “Mason’s had to take over for Brad, and Nolan and Anya are struggling to get everything done for opening.”
“Give me five minutes.”
I nod and go to my room, quickly changing into some denim shorts and a white linen shirt before heading downstairs. “Anya needs some help at Hiatus,” I say.
Danny looks across to me as he pulls a sterilizing bag from the microwave. He nods. No objection. Nothing. “Get one of the Vikings to take you.”
“Okay.” I back out of the kitchen and wait at the bottom of the stairs for Fury, pacing, twitchy.
As to his word, he appears in five minutes, suited and booted. “Let’s go.” I leave the house and slip into the front of his car, putting my bag on my lap. He climbs in.
I wait until we’re on the main road before I talk. “Fury,” I say, facing him.
“Pearl.”
“I want to go to the Four Seasons.”
