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Olivia nodded. This felt comfortable to her. After all, her life was all about rules. She understood their importance. It was one of the reasons she loved the finance industry – there were regulations to abide by, lines people couldn’t cross without serious repercussions. As a child, she’d watched her dad check, double-check and triple-check his equipment, running his hands over any ropes they might use for signs of fraying, making list upon list so he didn’t forget a step. He’d ask her questions (she knew it was a quiz, but she didn’t mind – she’d always thought that was where her love for a good exam came from) and she would dutifully answer. But for her dad, the meticulous process – the checks and balances – were the structure within which wild – but safe – adventure could take place. Some people felt rules were stifling. But because of him Olivia found them comforting.
But rules only kept you safe as long as everyoneobeyed them. She looked around at her fellow passengers. Would they all listen?
After she had chosen her kit and disinfected it, she set it all to one side in a cubby that had been marked for her.
‘Excuse me, Olivia?’
‘Yes?’ She turned to see the familiar man standing behind her, along with the beautiful dark-haired woman, both smartly dressed in expensive merino wool layers.
‘Maxwell Sadler. This is my girlfriend, Lucinda.’ He extended his hand, and Olivia took it, and then Lucinda’s. The woman had to be at least a decade – or maybe more – younger than him.
‘Oh, it’s very nice to meet you both.’
‘And you. I’ve heard alotabout you.’ He put a strong emphasis onlot, making Olivia blush.‘So is what Cutler tells me true? The Hunt Advisory man himself isn’t here?’
‘I’m afraid so. You’ll have to settle for me. But I’m sure I can answer any questions—’
Maxwell tutted. ‘Well, that’s just typical. I was going to surprise him at your special dinner in Ushuaia, but our flight was delayed. Didn’t get to the hotel until almost midnight. So did he see my name on the passenger list and run? Of course he didn’t want to come and face the music.’
Olivia frowned. ‘Face the music?’
‘Your husband and I go back a long way. I knew him when the debtors were banging down the door and he was begging us to extend his credit. He never had much luck with an artist until Yennin. I know he’s turned things around with that auction sale – he got lucky there. He was probably a day away from total bankruptcy. I hopehe thanked whoever it was who introduced him to that French billionaire. Now he’s just got to sustain it. I suppose Yennin’s untimely death has helped too.’
‘Max! Don’t say things like that.’ Lucinda slapped her partner’s chest. ‘Yennin’s work is remarkable. His success has been a long time coming and it’s a travesty he isn’t alive to bask in all the praise.’
‘On that I agree,’ said Olivia.
‘Lucy here is a big fan.’ Maxwell pulled her towards him, and it looked like she winced just a bit, although maybe Olivia was imagining it. ‘She was the one who convinced me to come on this cruise. I’m more the relax-on-a-hot-beach-in-Ibiza type than freeze-my-balls-off-in-Antarctica, but whatever Lucy wants, she gets.’
‘As it should be,’ Lucinda replied.
‘This Yennin guy is a big deal back in her country. I tried to get Aaron to give me a good deal, but he said the only way to purchase a piece was to come on this cruise, so, here we are.’
‘You’re from Lithuania?’ Olivia asked Lucinda.
‘Yes,’ she replied, although she glared at Maxwell.
‘I’ve been once,’ Olivia said. ‘To Vilnius. It’s a beautiful country.’
‘Thank you. I miss it very much.’
‘I’ve stolen her away,’ said Maxwell. ‘It cost me a premium berth on a luxury cruise but she’s worth every penny.’
Olivia smiled, but she was worried about what Maxwell had said right at the beginning of their conversation. He was right: Aaronhadleft after seeing the passenger list. He’d lied about the Bertrand emergency. So was the list the trigger?
A day away from total bankruptcy.
She tried to remember how Aaron had been acting on the day of the auction. Had he been worried? Afraid? He’d been nervous, sure – but jitters on auction day were completely normal. And then, of course, there’d been Yennin’s absence and the rumours flying around about the accident. That would’ve been enough to put anyone on edge. She hadn’t been in the right headspace to notice either way. It had been her worst day too. She’d been moments away from – well, from a consequence of burnout that she couldn’t have recovered from.
Then the auction had happened, and she’d been swept away into a new life.
She’d always been impressed – overwhelmed even – by Aaron’s lifestyle, ever since they’d started dating. He spent money like it was water, never seeming to worry about price tags or budgets, and she knew how important it was for him, in his industry, to project the right image. It sounded like Maxwell was suggesting it was more than a projection. Instead, it was a total delusion. There was so much she didn’t know. Hadn’t been bothered to know. She’d just been a passenger in her own life.
She had to step up and take control.
‘Max, that lecture we wanted to attend is about to start. Shall we make a move?’
‘Of course.’ He leaned over and kissed her cheek.