AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Marianna had always been headstrong, wanting the best for herself, and for Isla.
‘It’s like talking to a metal bulkhead.’ Isla rolled her eyes. ‘Where’s Leo, anyway?’
‘Forgive a mother for wanting a moment to catch up with her other beautiful girl.’ Marianna rolled her eyes, but they twinkled all the same. ‘If only you’d been quite so delighted to see me.’
‘I am,’ Isla argued. ‘You know I am.’
Her mother waved her hand dismissively.
‘Anyway, Leo isn’t here. She met someone.’
‘Leo met someone? Wait—you seem remarkably smug about it. You set her up, didn’t you? Oh, Mother.’
‘It was purely fortuitous, I can assure you.’
Realisation walloped Isla. Clear and unequivocal.
‘You’ve come to set me up with someone, haven’t you?’
‘Of course not.’ For the second time in as many moments, Marianna flashed her an innocent look.
And for the second time in as many moments, Isla refused to be fooled; she’d seen her mother wield it as both a shield and a weapon for years.
‘Mother, I am here to find myself as a doctor, the way I always wanted to do. Not to find myself a husband, the way you always wanted me to do.’
‘You’re here to lick your wounds after Bradley,’ her mother corrected. ‘But he simply isn’t worth the upset.’
‘I can assure you, Mother, I don’t care in the least about Brad-the-Cad.’
‘Well, of course, darling. Glad to hear it.’
But at least Marianna had the grace to look sheepish.
‘Right.’ Isla eyed her mother cautiously. ‘Just as long as you understand that.’
‘Oh, I do.’
It was all too suspiciously easy. Warily, Isla closed the door behind them. She might have known it was too good to be true.
‘Although, if the opportunity with some eligible male should present itself, grab it by the...horns, I always say.’
‘Mother...’ Isla chastised.
‘It’s come to my attention that you have a very nice First Officer on board, by the name of Nikhil Dara,’ Marianna noted, her expression too casual.
‘What do you know about Nikhil?’ Isla breathed, realising her mistake too late.
Her mother eyed her shrewdly. ‘How very interesting.’
Isla kicked herself. She knew her mother well enough to have known not to react. Marianna was too sharp by half.
‘Mother...’
‘I know that Leo is off with Daksh Dara. Not that she thinks I know it.’
‘Daksh Dara?’
‘He calls himself Dax, and he is Nikhil’s older brother.’
