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“I know. But she’s happy over there. And I want her to be happy.”
His lips curve up. “Fair enough. I’d be sorry to see you go. Are you thinking just for the two years that Alan Woodridge asked for?”
“In the first instance. I’d come back every few months, probably. Long term? It depends. I’ve been talking to my team about it, trying to iron out any issues.” I look at Mack and Saxon. “Obviously, it depends in part on you two, and Elizabeth. We’re at a vital stage in our research, and I know it won’t make things easier me being in the UK.”
“The only issue I can foresee is the timing of any meetings,” Mack said. “But I don’t see why we can’t schedule for early mornings and the occasional late evening here. We’d either hold them on Zoom, or you could join us on Zoom while the rest of us meet up in person. Everything else can be done online. Like Hux said, I’d miss you, but you’ve got to follow your heart.”
I nod. I look at Saxon then. “How do you feel about running both the Wellington and Auckland branches of NZAI?” I ask softly.
His eyebrows rise, and he sits up a little straighter. “You wouldn’t want Jeff to take over?” Jeff is one of the most senior members of my team in Auckland.
“He’d oversee the work when you weren’t there. But I’d prefer it if you’d head the business. It would mean some travel on your part. Maybe a week in Auckland, a week in Wellington? Or a few days in Auckland anyway. You’d make the decisions. Run the show. I’d always be on hand if you want to discuss anything, but I’d mainly concentrate on the new research with Acheron. What do you think? You don’t have to decide now.”
“I’m incredibly flattered you’ve asked me.” He looks genuinely touched.
I grin. “Why? You’re my cousin. And we work well together.”
“Yeah, but… it’s your company.”
“And?”
“And I’m… me,” he finishes lamely, in an uncharacteristic display of modesty. “Do you trust me to be at the wheel?”
“Dude, you’re practically running the Wellington branch already, and anyway you’re twice as smart as me.” He gives me a wry look, and I say, “Alcohol makes you tell the truth. You’re smart as, Saxon, but you don’t take yourself seriously enough. You’re more than capable of doing this. If you want to.”
“I want to. And thank you for saying that.”
“Are you going to cry?”
“Possibly. Look the other way.”
I chuckle and flick some water at him. “We need to work out some details,” I tell them. “But in general you’re okay with it?”
“With you putting my sister first?” Huxley asks. “I think so.”
“We’ll find a way to make it work,” Mack says. “Go for it.”
Saxon glances over at the building. “The girls will be on their way back soon.” He smiles. “Are you going to tell her tonight?”
“I hadn’t planned to.”
“Well, either way, I’m pleased for you. And incredibly jealous. She’s gorgeous, and nice with it. You don’t deserve her.”
I sigh as I watch the Southern Lights flicker. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Heidi
The hour or so that I’m with Elizabeth and the others is the most enjoyable I’ve spent in a long time. We test a whole raft of New Zealand wines, Elizabeth asking for details as she can’t drink, and I sample so many chocolates that they’ll need to reinforce the plane when I get back on it.
We spend most of the hour drinking, talking about boys and babies, even my mother, Elizabeth’s mother, and my grandmother, who all giggle as though they’re fifteen. Joanna’s gone to bed in the villa next door, so the conversation inevitably turns risqué as time goes by and we get more tipsy.
But it’s only as we finish the last sample of wine that Evie says, somewhat slyly, “So, Heidi… how’s it going with Sir Richard?”
“Yeah,” I say, choosing a last chocolate from the box, “this is really a conversation I want to have.”
“Who’s Sir Richard?” Victoria asks.
