Page 46 of The Stranger

“Thanks.” I peel open the unsealed flap.

“Anything interesting?”

“Just my ticket home.” I’d made a point of demanding it. I wanted to make it abundantly clear I’m out of here as soon as possible. Twenty-five days and counting.

“Cattle class,” she says with a sigh. “At least your flight will be pretty short.”

“Yes.” It can’t come quickly enough. “Do you think I should go and look for the kids? They’ve been with Maria a long time.”

“Nah, they love hanging out with her and Sophia.”

Story checks out. Since we got here, I’ve barely had to look after them. When they want to swim, they come looking for me, but mostly they’re off doing their own thing. Or at least doing things without me.

“Does Maria’s granddaughter live with her?”

“She’s just here for the summer to visit her grandparents and their pooch, Bouton.”

“There is nothing button-like about his size,” I reply. “What is he? One-part Great Dane, one-part wolf?”

“I think there might be some pony in there.” She glances at the clock. “I expect Sylvie will be helping Sophia muck out the stables right about now. She’ll be yammering in her ear while staring adoringly at that dog. She’s desperate for a dog.”

“Is she?”

“Crazy desperate. Meanwhile, Felix will be gazing doe-eyed over his shovel at a certain female. He’s desperate for a girlfriend. A girlfriend called Sophia.” Her brows lift tellingly.

“No.” I scoff, then add, “Really?”

“Yup.”

“Isn’t he a bit young?”

“Apparently, the men start young in the du Beaumont household.”

Fuq moi, is that even normal? As the youngest sibling of our brood, and an aunt to only littlies, I have no idea how boys of twelve work.

“A chip off the old block.” At her tone, I glance sharply her way. “The boss is also a fan of older ladies,” she adds.

I almost say that’s not my experience but snap my mouth closed instead.

Monsieur LDH likes older women? Brain, back away from that thought because it requires no further examination.

I mean, the older generations do have a lot to offer, but I’ve seen the framed photo Sylvie has of her mother by her bed. She wasn’t any kind of old. She was stunning.

“Think I should go and keep an eye on him? Felix, I mean.”

She gives a laugh with the kind of confidence I long to buy into. “Sophia is fifteen. That boy hasn’t got a chance.”

“Still, maybe I should⁠—”

“Sit. Take the wins when they come. You’ll get enough of them this month, believe me.”

“If you’re sure,” I mutter unhappily at the sudden reminder. It’s not spending time with the kids that annoys me but how this whole thing came about. Curse his pretty face for forcing me to come along to the house named after his joyful late wife.

It’s not even like he needs me here. It’s more that he didn’t like the thought of me getting the better of him.

I should’ve left when he threatened to chuck me out in his office. Except I detest bullies, and I wasn’t going to stand for him threatening Emmy. I will have my payback, I think darkly as I run my fingers over the corner of the envelope. I’ll make sure that arsehole won’t escape unscathed. I’m not sure how I’ll get my revenge, though I imagine it will be in small, petty ways. But as Zoe said, I’ll take those wins when they come.

“It’s a beautiful place, right?” I look up to find Zoe’s attention has followed mine as I gaze out over the terrace and the pool beyond.