Page 103 of Broken Beyond Repair

“When you’re ready, Miss Russell.”

“Thank you,” she called after him as he returned to the vehicle. Beatrice stood and slid her handbag on to her shoulder. She looked down at the younger woman. “I assume you’d like a ride, Sydney?”

“As long as the ride goes directly to your bedroom.”

“Oh,” Beatrice chortled. “Smooth, Sydney; smooth.”

Sydney flicked an eyebrow up as she stood. “I thought so.”

“Do you not have any more luggage than that rucksack?”

Sydney shrugged. “I kinda left in a hurry.”

“I’m sure I have a bikini you can borrow.”

“In this weather! My nipples will fall off.”

“I’ll find something warm to cover them with, don’t you worry,” Beatrice replied, moistening her lips with the tip of her tongue.

Sydney let out a soft whimper and followed Beatrice to the Mercedes.

“Is Jonathon not with you?”

“He flew his family out to the States for Christmas. I couldn’t deny him a holiday; he’d earned it with all the PR events I’ve been to since the summer.”

Beatrice headed down to the rear bench seat rather than taking an individual seat. It was this type of airport vehicle that had spurred her on to buy her own Mercedes Sprinter. They were practical and luxurious.

Sydney sat beside her as she had hoped.

“I must thank you for looking out for Alex when I was too focussed on myself,” Beatrice said as they pulled away from the airport terminal. “You sensed he needed help when I didn’t.”

“We can’t all give help to those we love. Even if we want to, sometimes we don’t know how. I’ve been there with Sam. I recognised it, and I did better next time I saw someone in need of help.”

Beatrice nodded. It was good of Sydney to let her off so lightly. If she hadn’t been so inept at motherhood, Sydney wouldn’t have been put in the position where she’d needed to help Alex.

“Is Alex still ‘he’ or…?”

“For now. He said I’d be the first to know if or when that changes. So get in line.”

Sydney smirked. “I’m happy to. Where is he?”

“Staying with Anthony in New York. His dad’s place doesn’t hold the same appeal it once did.”

“Good. I don’t want Alex around that kind of toxicity.”

Beatrice gazed at Sydney in wonder. She hadn’t appreciated how much she cared for him.

“I mean… you don’t?”

“It’s okay,” Beatrice reassured her, placing her hand over Sydney’s and leaving it there. “I love that you care for my child.”

Sydney’s blushing smile told her the message was received.

“He’ll be back for New Year,” Beatrice continued, stifling a yawn with her free hand. “It gives me time to sleep off this jet lag and—”

“I don’t think you’ll be doing much sleeping for the next few days,” Sydney interrupted.

“— and gives us,” Beatrice firmly regained control of her sentence, “enough time to head to Scotland and be back for a cosy Christmas, just the three of us.”