Page 97 of A Very Happy Easter

“We’re here today at the Kennedy-Renner Centre to meet a group of selfless community champions and learn about the true meaning of Easter—the chocolate!”

Heath appeared at my side. “I’m not a religious man, but isn’t that overlooking quite a lot of stuff?” he whispered.

“Yes, but she says stuff like that on purpose. Nothing builds engagement on social media like people telling you that you’re wrong in the comments.”

“Huh. Clever.”

“Today’s Easter egg hunt is sponsored by Crabtree Confections because everybody deserves a little treat, don’t they?” Don’t mention poor people. Please, please, please. I held my breath, but thankfully, she switched directions. “And today’s Easter bunny is none other than Eisen Renner, philanthropist and MMA heartthrob. Eisen, do you want to say a few words for our viewers?”

My brother’s expression said he wanted to do anything other than talk to Polly’s fans, but he mugged for the camera and said nice things while Janie scuttled out of viewing range. I couldn’t blame her.

Bex stomped over, her face black. “Robert’s outside. He says he hired a guy to play the spare chick so he didn’t have to. What an utter cockwomble.”

Their son looked up at her. “Mum, what’s a cockwomble?”

“It’s like a silly billy, but older.”

“Does the trust allow substitutes?” Salma asked.

“I don’t know offhand, but we can look into it.”

Serena and Owen walked in, and holy shit, Serena had brought Marc di Gregorio with her. Hallelujah! Honestly, I wanted to kiss her. The pressure was off me now because literally nobody would care about me or Heath or Eisen or Easter when there was a Hollywood megastar in the building. Polly’s jaw dropped, and she made a beeline across the room.

“Marc? Marc di Gregorio?”

He turned on his hundred-gigawatt smile, but just for a second, I thought I saw tiredness in his eyes.

“Your sister might be my new favourite person,” I told Heath. “Did you know she was bringing Marc?”

“I knew he was in town, but I didn’t want to get your hopes up in case he couldn’t make it. He and Serena are in talks to do another Whispers in Willowbrook special, something set abroad this time.”

“Who knew Mr. Hollywood would be such a big fan of British crime drama?”

“It was a surprise to all of us, not least Serena. But he seems like an okay guy. He’s opened doors for her in the industry.”

Janie and her boys helped Eisen into the bunny costume, and Joanna made some last-minute adjustments. Vic arrived, followed by Kirsten, Rebecca, and Annabel. Constance and William had headed to the Galápagos Islands for their honeymoon, but they’d made a donation to the Foundation before they left. Marissa was there too, down to earth as always, and Robyn had shown up with hand-knitted scarves for everyone.

As for the criminal contingent, Don had been released on bail, but Neil was still locked up, and there he’d stay until he’d served his original sentence. There’d also be a trial for new charges, and Heath said it was doubtful he’d get testosterone treatment in prison. Neil was about to become someone’s bitch, and nobody was more worthy of the role.

Life was perfect.

For roughly three minutes.

Then Robert walked in with his substitute chick, and I did a double take when I saw the guy’s face.

Fuck.

“Edie, what is it?” Heath followed my gaze. “You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.”

Salma swivelled in that direction too. “Oh, shit.”

“Who is that guy?”

“His name is Damon Aldrich.” I sucked in a breath. “Also known as Hugo Thompson-Reed, my ex-fake boyfriend.”

“And Miles B Long, world-famous porn star,” Salma put in.

“Ah.”