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Estelle: They’re making me turn off my phone
Flicking airplane mode on, she put it back in her pocket, still feeling horny, but now disconnected from the source. Her rational mind objected to James and any possible relationship with him, but her libido played whack-a-mole with each thought that popped up, gleefully bashing it back down.
She tried to engage with the quiz as it started, but had nothing to offer. Thankfully, Finn and his friends were making Elyse feel welcome, so Estelle didn’t have to make an effort. Her brain was now entirely focused on a man she was supposed to hate and how he’d made her feel the opposite of that emotion.
The final round of questions was underway, and Estelle was still replaying James kissing her. Staring off into the middle distance, the faces in the bar blurring, she relived the memories as if they were happening again, sensations barrelling through her until her body ached and her head spun.
Her heart jolted, and she blinked to bring her vision back into focus.
James was here.
Striding across the bar towards their table, his expression was determined, his gaze fixed on… Elyse?
Estelle stood.
Elyse turned. ‘James?’
Ryan immediately got to his feet, followed by Finn.
James’s eyes flicked to Estelle’s, then he crouched so his face was level with Elyse’s.
‘I need to speak to you. Urgently,’ he said to her.
‘Hold your horses,’ the quiz master called out. ‘No interruptions during questions or the Beardy Boys will be disqualified.’
Elyse’s hand was pressed to her chest. ‘I, er…’
‘It’s Dad. It can’t wait.’
Elyse’s eyes widened, and she got to her feet. ‘I’m so sorry,’ she said to her teammates.
James stood, his gaze flicking to Estelle. He looked as if he was using every ounce of strength to hold in a scream of anger and pain. What was going on?
‘I’m so sorry,’ Elyse repeated to the room, then followed James as he wove through the bar to the front door.
For a second, Estelle dithered, then she hurried after them, Henry joining her from his seat at another table.
‘Who’s that with Hunter-Savage?’ he asked.
‘Elyse. His ex. She’s now living with me.’
‘What? When did this happen?’ Henry rubbed a hand across his forehead. ‘Jesus Christ. That man just leaves a trail of devastation in his wake.’
‘You don’t know that,’ she hissed as she pushed open the door.
Outside, James was facing Elyse. His Ferrari was at an angle in front of the pub, as if he’d had no time to park properly.
‘What’s going on?’ Estelle asked.
James’s eyes flicked from Henry to her. ‘Dad’s been arrested.’
She gasped. ‘Why?’
‘I don’t know all the details, but it’s really serious. Elyse and I have got to get on the next available flight to China to try and help him.’
Elyse started crying.
Moving forward, Estelle hugged her and rubbed her back. ‘Everything’s going to be okay. I promise.’
