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“Anyway, we hoped you wouldn’t discover our little subterfuge, but now you have, please don’t tell your sister. I mean, you know what she’s like, and she’d be angry we didn’t give her or the kids any of it.”
“Listen.” I try to breathe and form a rational response to this and ignore the way my head is spinning and say with a measured tone. “Just have a good time, ok. It’s your good fortune and of course it’s up to you what you do with it. However, next time, tell us because if anything happened to you, we wouldn’t have a clue.”
“Of course, you would. You are down as my next of kin, and the executor of my will. You would know everything, Jessica, because you are the responsible one in the family.”
Never has a truer word been spoken as I picture my parents enjoying a luxury cruise without telling anyone and my sister and her husband currently languishing at his Majesty’s pleasure in a cell for burglary. I still haven’t got to the bottom of that yet and to make matters worse, there is a crime to solve, that is expanding with more victims by the day. To cap it all, I must make sure two sweet little children don’t suffer the effects of any of it. Then added to the mix, I am struggling to ignore the very real feelings that are growing by the second for a man I detested on sight and everything that he stands for. Christmas is merely days away and I wouldn’t recognise what a festive feeling is if it hit me and yet when Angelina sang so sweetly in the kitchen, it stirred a memory that has long been forgotten.
“Mum…” I say with a sigh. “Just, well, have fun, ok?”
I don’t know who is more surprised as she says with a catch to her voice,“We will. Thank you and Jessie…”
“Yes mum.”
“If we hit an iceberg and don’t make it, the key to the safe is in my knicker drawer. Well, I must go because there’s a show I’ve been absolutely dying to watch. Good night and kiss the kids from me.”
She cuts the call and as I stare into the flickering fire, for some reason, a rare smile makes it onto my face as I picture my parents living like royalty for two weeks of unexpected pleasure. How could I possibly be angry about that?
CHAPTER24
ROBERT
I’m not sure Jessica has thought this through when she agreed to spend the night with my parents. It’s the last place I want to be for sure and just being in the same room as them is bringing my childhood back with a vengeance.
Dad is obviously annoyed with my mother for issuing the invitation in the first place and yet I don’t believe I have ever seen mum as happy as she is now.
She left the room holding the hand of the small girl who has melted all our hearts, with her brother trailing after them, stuffing what is close to a whole packet of cookies in his mouth.
As soon as the door closes, my father growls, “That’s all I need.”
“What is?” His words irritate me, and he sighs. “What if we’re in danger and your mother has brought innocent children into it?”
“In danger? What from?” I roll my eyes. “You installed a better security system than me, and I went overboard.”
“You can never be one hundred per cent sure of anything, Robert, and now we must deal with a crisis on top of entertaining strangers.”
“Then we’ll leave.” I bark, and he rolls his eyes. “And disappoint your mother, like you’ve always done. You really are selfish, and I’m not surprised that Samuel fell out with you in such a big way.”
I can’t believe he is going there, and he obviously realises his mistake because he quickly changes the subject. “Your grandfather.”
“What about him?”
“He’s worried about you.”
“Why?” I ask the question, knowing it’s merely a diversion tactic, and he shrugs, turning to the door. “We should head back to the fire. I could use a drink.”
I’m guessing he’s had quite a few already due to his bloodshot eyes, and it makes my heart sink. My father has always liked a drink or two and it was a habit that got worse over the years. Both of my parents like to indulge of an evening, and I’m amazed they don’t fall into debt from their drinks bill alone.
We step into the room as Jessica finishes her call and as she turns to face us, I see a strange expression in her eye. She appears to be miles away and looks so vulnerable and fragile standing by the crackling fire. I immediately want to take every care she has and make them all go away.
She looks up and as her eyes find mine, it hits me like a rocket launcher. I like her. I need her in my life, and I never want to let her go. Such alien emotions for a man who vowed never to form attachments and yet here she is, the most unusual woman I have ever met who is, sadly, a lot like me.
Ignoring my father, in two strides I am by her side and leaning down, whisper, “You only have to say the word and we’ll leave. Whatever’s troubling you can be dealt with by me, and you have my word on that. You are not alone.”
The way her eyes fill with glistening tears almost breaks me and it’s only when my father says irritably, “I need a drink.” That she shakes herself and her walls go up once more.
“Maybe I should help your mother. It’s not right that I’m leaving her to do all the work.”
The fact that leaves me with my father makes me say quickly, “I’ll take you to them.”
