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“I see. Here.” Ethan hands over a card. “This is the address of a house I own in Stirling. It’s divided into flats. An…associate of mine lives there. She’s at catering college and hires out the other rooms to students. If you want to get in touch with her, mention I sent you. She’ll let you have one of them. There won’t be any cost.”
Gregory stares at the card. “A free room? Are you sure, sir?”
He expects there to be a catch, and to be fair, so do I.
“I am.” He slants a glance across the bar at Jenna, then back to Gregory. “I was informed recently that I ruined your life. I want to put that right. So, here’s what I’ll do. You need to give up working here. You won’t have the time if you’re going to concentrate on your studies. Max out your student loan to pay the fees, and if you need more cash for luxuries like food, I’ll employ you part time in one of my restaurants in Stirling. How does that sound?”
“It sounds…fucking wonderful.”
“Good. We have a deal, then.” He produces another business card and hands this one across the bar to Jenna. “This is the number for my accountant. He’s expecting a call from Sharon and Kylie.”
“Oh,” is the best she can manage.
“And while we’re at it, I’ve decided I may have been a little hasty over the study thing. I’ve decided to do as you suggest.”
“I don’t understand…”
“I mean to turn a blind eye, Miss Delaney. And I also mean to reduce your monthly fees by two hundred pounds. Will that be enough to cover the costs?”
“You mean, I can start up again? The kids can come back?”
“That is what I mean, Miss Delaney. Congratulations. You won the argument.”
“I did?”
He quirks his lip. “Don’t milk it, Jenna. I don’t enjoy admitting I’m wrong, but it has been known to happen. Occasionally.”
“But—”
“Shall we leave it there, Jenna?”
Jenna opens her mouth again, but I forestall her. I’m a great fan of quitting while you’re ahead.
“Yes, we will absolutely leave it there. Can I buy you a drink, Ethan?”
He grins at me. “A beer would be very welcome.”
Jenna jumps to it. “On the house, obviously.”
I’m woken by the shrill sound of Jenna’s phone ringing on the bedside table. She reaches for it.
“Hello? Yes, speaking.” She sits up suddenly. “Yes, yes, we are. Are you sure?”
She’s quiet for a few moments, listening.
“Of course. Yes, that would be wonderful. Today? We’ll be there.”
She ends the call, then beams at me. “That was Social Services. They’ve spoken to Robbie’s mother, and she’s agreed to the fostering. They say we can pick him up today for a visit, then if it goes well, he can come to us permanently.”
“Permanently?”
“Well, until she comes out of jail, but that’s likely to be a few years.” She lets out an excited shriek. “They’re letting us have him.” She hesitates, then, “Do you think…?”
“Think what?”
“Could it have been your boss? I mean, he has influence everywhere. Do you think he might have…done something? Pulled strings…?”
I consider that for a moment. “It wouldn’t surprise me.”
