AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I didn’t do any of those things,” I protest.
“Ah. So you feel you were unjustly treated?”
I’m getting into full flow now. The words tumble out. “Yes, and not just me. Don’t you care at all about anyone else? What about those kids whose lives you ruined?”
I expect a swift rebuttal. Men like Ethan Savage never admit to being wrong.
Instead, he regards me steadily, then, “Tell me how I ruined their lives.”
“Gregory may not pass his exams, and if he doesn’t, he’ll lose his university place.”
“Do I know a Gregory?”
“No, obviously not. He’s just a kid from the estate who wanted a better life and was prepared to work for it. The girls, too. They want to run their own business rather than skivvy for some thug of a man, having babies and being a punchbag.”
“That sounds wise. What girls?” he asks.
“Sharon and Kylie.”
“Sharon and…?”
“Oh, never mind. What do you care? You could have let them carry on studying in the back room. It was safe, they were hurting no one. And wee Robbie? He needs a home. I want to foster him, but of course you won’t allow that either.”
“I have no view about fostering one way or the other,” he counters. “What’s stopping you?”
“I live in your property.”
“And? I like children. My island is fast becoming overrun with them. There’s probably room somewhere about this mansion for a small boy. I assume heisquite small?”
“He’s very small. And he eats a lot.”
“Well, order in extra, then.” He smiles at me. “Is that all, Miss Delaney?” He cocks his head. “I think that’s my ride.” The sound of the circling helicopter reverberates around us.
“I…yes.” Bemused, I watch him saunter out of the front door. Only when he hops up into the chopper do I think to call out my thanks.
Tony
“Do you know who Gregory is?”
I’m on the back foot. I know I never mentioned Gregory, but somehow Ethan knows about him. “He works in Jenna’s bar,” I reply.
“Is that all? What about his university aspirations?”
“Ah.” I might have known he wouldn’t be asking unless he already knows the answer. “What do you want to know?”
“Jenna seems to think he has a real chance at it. What do you think?”
I draw in a breath. “I agree. He seems bright. A hard worker…”
Ethan nods slowly. “What about Sharon and Kylie?”
“You mean the Mrs Mop girls?”
“Do I?” He settles himself on the leather sofa in his office.
“Yes. They’re starting a cleaning company but need some business advice and probably a bit of finance to help them get established.”
“Would they be a good investment?”
