Page 126 of Never Too Late to Date

‘Again, no real idea about where we go from here. It’s all been such a shock. Alex also wants to meet up tonight. He’s got something special to show me, apparently.’

Suzie’s giggle set Vicky off.

‘No, not that. I’ve already seen plenty of it, from all angles.’

‘Stop it. I’m going to choke. What do you want to happen?’

‘Nothing can happen. It can’t go anywhere. He’s so much younger than me, for one thing.’

‘Rubbish. You’re hot. The age gap’s nothing. If it were the other way round, no one would bat an eyelid. And now you’re staying on the island … there’s no excuse not to sample more of his special talents.’

Vicky put both hands up.

‘OK, enough. Just promise me you’ll update me on what happens tonight with Christian.’

‘And you with Alex.’

‘It’s a deal.’

Arriving back at the sanctuary, Vicky’s eyes were automatically drawn to the clinic area. She’d seen Alex arrive before she left for lunch, and she could see him still moving around the examination room. There’d obviously been a new animal brought in. Maybe he needed help. She’d only taken a couple of steps when a taxi drew up, and a dishevelled man in a baseball cap and dark glasses got out. For a second she could have sworn it was Ian. But why would he be in Greece?

The man moved towards her.

‘You bitch! You tricked me.’

Vicky swallowed. It was indeed Ian, angry Ian, the version that could very well deck her if she let him. Not that she would. Never again.

‘You lied about that money. Half of it should be mine.’

Keeping icy calm was the key here. Her mind raced. How had he found out? Had Tasha somehow let it slip? But she had to make everything plain as day. Any hesitation and he’d be on it like a rabid dog.

‘None of the money is yours, Ian. It’s all mine. It was left to me by my parents, in an account in my name. I’ve consulted a lawyer, and you are not entitled to any of it.’

She was using a tone she’d learnt to use with injured animals. Low and slow. He was so close she could see his brown eyes bulge. He seemed shocked she was answering back, rather than backing down as she’d done too many times in the past. The realisation that she was no longer afraid of him was empowering. She’d spent so many years at the mercy of his moods; she needed to show him she’d broken free for good.

‘And can I remind you, you kept your pension in the divorce. I could have said I was entitled to half of that, but I didn’t.’

He was standing right in front of her. Behind him, she saw Alex run across the courtyard, with Maeve, Seamus and Aoife following.

‘How do you think I felt when the bank copied me into an email confirming your purchase of half of this place…’ Ian waved his arm around the courtyard. ‘Not that it looks like it’s worth a tenth of what you’re paying, and if you want my opinion, my professional opinion, you’ve been done.’

‘That’s just it, Ian. I don’t want your opinion, about anything. Not now, and not ever.’

She’d lost any ability to keep it calm. Her voice was as loud as his.

‘And I’ll be straight onto the bank about their stupid mistake in contacting you. It’s none of your business.’

Alex now stood directly behind her ex-husband, his face like thunder. Vicky lowered her voice again.

‘I’d like you to leave now. You’ve had a wasted journey. And for the last time, you will never get your hands on any of that money.’

Ian’s face, contorted with hate, came right up to hers. She could feel his breath on her face.

‘You absolute cow.’

He drew back his fist, but before he could get any closer, Alex had delivered a right hook out of nowhere and knocked him to the ground.

Ian’s crestfallen face as he staggered to his feet was Oscar-worthy. He looked between the two of them, stroking his jaw.