Page 99 of The Devil’s Lair

Alice is at the kitchen window as we approach. She sees us and waves, then comes to the door. “What a lovely surprise.”

“We’re not intruding, are we?”

“Absolutely not.” She sweeps Isla into her arms and kisses her cheek. “You’re always welcome, especially this little bug.”

“Sorry we haven’t called in for a while.”

“No apologies. I know you’re busy. Tea?”

“I’d love some.”

She sets Isla on the floor. “Go on into the living room. I won’t be long.”

I take Isla’s hand, and we settle onto Alice’s couch. Bright sunshine pours through the windows, giving the farmhouse a completely different look, almost cottage-like. Cozier. After a few seconds, Isla jumps off the couch to inspect a small wicker basket filled with odds and ends. She dips inside and plucks out a wooden toy animal, studying it, nose screwed up.

“Isla, careful. You shouldn’t touch things that don’t belong to you.”

“She’s fine.” Alice sets down a tray of tea and biscuits on the low coffee table. “Let the child breathe, Rebecca.”

“I don’t want her breaking your things.”

“It’s just stuff. Nothing is irreplaceable. It’s all part of her growing up, spreading her wings, finding out how the world works. Let her explore. If she breaks something, she’ll learn something.”

Alice pours the tea and passes me a mug. Isla reaches for her juice box and a biscuit, then goes back to exploring the contents of the wicker basket.

“So, how are things?”

A genuine smile inches across my face. “They’re good. I finally figured out what I want to do with my life. At least for now.”

“Ooh, do tell.”

“I’m going to write and illustrate children’s books. I used to be pretty good at drawing when I was a kid, and I’ve read hundreds of books to Isla to know which kinds of stories land and those where the child gets bored.”

“That’s so exciting. I’m thrilled for you.” She angles her head to one side. “And Tobias? How are things going with him?”

A faint blush heats my cheeks. “We’re moving forward. We’ve kind of… well, we’ve kissed a couple of times.” For some odd reason it doesn’t feel strange telling Alice that. There’s something about her that’s warm and motherly. Having missed out on a mother figure, perhaps the child inside me still seeks a replacement. Whatever the reason, she’s so easy to talk to.

Alice leans forward and pats my knee. “That’s wonderful, Rebecca. Especially after what you’ve been through.”

I sigh. “If you’d asked me a few weeks ago whether I could see this happening, I’d have laughed and told you I’m sworn off men for life, but Tobias is…” I throw my hands out to the side. “Different.”

“He always has been. Out of all of Charles’s kids, I’ve felt closest to Tobias and Saskia. Maybe because they were so young when George and I returned from Japan, whereas the other three were older and more independent. He’s a good man.”

“Isla adores him. He can do no wrong in her eyes.”

A thud sounds upstairs. It’s only then I realize Isla isn’t in the living room.

I get to my feet. “I’m so sorry, Alice. I didn’t even see her leave. I’ll go get her.”

“Rebecca, she’s fine. Now, finish your tea. She’s spreading her wings. It’s a good sign. I’m glad she feels at home here.”

I sit back down. “Sorry. Marcus’s legacy is hard to shake. I spent so long trying to keep her quiet and us as small as possible so as not to anger him.”

“You’ll get there.”

“I’m glad he’s dead,” I whisper. “Does that make me a bad person?”

“Absolutely not. It makes you human. Besides, Tobias is the kind of father Isla deserves, don’t you agree?”