Page 100 of Atticus Arnott's Great Adventure

‘But what about you? Divorce can take a terrible toll, and I know you’re putting a brave face on things.’

‘It’s agony if I’m honest,’ Mary said and felt Atticus’s comforting hand on her shoulder. ‘I spoke to Conor this morning, and things haven’t turned out how he expected them to.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Well, Lucinda has ended their relationship, and he’s on his own at Belvedere House, which isn’t a great deal of fun at Christmas.’

‘But what did he expect?’ Atticus gripped Mary’s shoulders and turned her to face him. ‘Conor didn’t consider you when he had you dangling on a string all that time while he made up his mind. His children were low on his list of priorities, too.’ He shook his head. ‘I’m sorry, Mary, but I think he’s got what he deserves.’

‘I know that you’re right,’ Mary sighed. ‘But when the children spoke to him today, they were enthusiastic and excited about everything in Spain. It must have been hard for him to hear.’

‘Too bad.’ Atticus shrugged.

‘Caitlin wouldn’t go to the phone, though. She refuses to speak to her daddy.’

‘I wouldn’t worry too much about Caitlin.’ Atticus pointed to a young couple playing bat and ball on the beach. Caitlin was laughing with the jogger, whose name was Luis. ‘She seems preoccupied to me,’ he said, smiling.

‘Well, we have a week here, and Conor has time off from work to be with the kids when we return. Hisoffice is closed for two weeks.’

‘Then he can explain to them. Make sure he moves to one of the properties he rents out,’ Atticus added.

‘To be honest, letting him take over childcare for a few days will be good. If you remember, I have a new business kicking off in the new year.’

‘How has that gone down?’

‘Like a lead balloon.’ Mary began to chuckle. ‘When Conor stopped crying and pleading with me to change my mind, he suddenly remembered that I’m starting Arnott’s Auctioneers.’

‘I can’t imagine that he was happy?’

‘He was furious. In fact, he called me every name under the sun and accused me of sleeping with Cillian McCarthy.’

‘The cheek!’

‘He even added Ruari into the mix and said I must be sleeping with him too.’ Mary sighed. She remembered Ruari’s kiss, his gorgeous eyes and wonderful embrace, and almost wished she were.

‘He’s trying to find blame that might justify his actions.’

Mary linked her arm through Atticus’s. ‘An angry Conor is far easier to deal with than a crying Conor,’ she said. ‘I had no hesitation in ending the call while he ranted and raved. He won’t have liked that.’

‘I’m sure he didn’t.’ Atticus grinned.

‘Have you spoken to Mungo?’ Mary asked.

‘I phoned to wish them a happy Christmas, but I’m afraid I woke him quite early this morning. Mungo wasn’t exactly filled with Christmas cheer.’

‘He’ll be furious that Jakeis here.’

‘That was one of his grievances.’

‘And the rest?’

‘Where do I start…’

They both looked out to sea, where Arthur, who’d been chatting with a fisherman, was now heading up the beach. Dressed in his Santa hat and snowman jumper, he waved when he saw them.

‘The barbecue is ready,’ Atticus said, taking a long-handled fork.

‘Do we have enough food?’ Mary asked.