Page 75 of Broken Beyond Repair

After lunch, her assistant continued her work from the table whilst Beatrice positioned herself back at the kitchen island where she could continue to watch everyone, including Sydney. Anthony taught him new skills and showed him how to build on his current skills, particularly where the knives were concerned.

She’d never seen Alex as happy as he was now. A tear pooled in her eye at his enthusiasm for his passion. A quick wipe and it was gone before anyone could notice. Her smile widened further as she gazed over at her diligent assistant typing away on her laptop; the first, and likely only, assistant she was going to miss.

By the time they’d said goodbye to Anthony, Alex was a different chef altogether.

“What would you like to do now?” Beatrice asked.

“How does anything beat Chef Anthony? Seriously, Mum, that was amazing. I can’t wait to tell my friends.”

It wasn’t as if Alex hadn’t met swathes of celebrities over the years, yet this one had made an impact on him.

“Well, how about a board game whilst we enjoy that delicious-looking afternoon tea you made?” Beatrice suggested, eager to dive into a scone.

“You’ll play?” he cheered, his eyes widening. “Which one?”

“Your choice. Sydney, you in?”

“You bet I am,” Sydney replied with a grin.

Beatrice had never seen a laptop close so fast.

“How about some champagne to go with it? We are celebrating after all. Sydney, would you do the honours?”

“Can I have some?” Alex pleaded.

“One glass.”

Alex’s eyes shone. “Thanks, Mum. You’re the best.”

It warmed her heart to hear such praise from him.

Beatrice drained her glass as she stared at the rain lashing against the patio door. Alex was in the final throes of thrashing Sydney at Monopoly, having bankrupted Beatrice early on.

“This weather was going to break at some point.” Beatrice yawned. “At least it will give the grass a much-needed drink.”

“Typical of it to rain on my birthday,” Alex groaned.

Sydney reluctantly placed her dog counter on Mayfair, where a hotel was parked.

“Ha!” Alex shouted, his mood suddenly swinging.

Sydney raised her hands. “Okay, you win.”

“Yet again!” he said, getting up and scowling through the patio doors. “I wanted to go in the pool today.”

“And why can’t you?” Sydney said. “I’m going to. Right now, in fact.”

“Cool. Can you pack up, Mum? I’ll grab my shorts.” Alex ran out of the kitchen without waiting for an answer.

After packing up, Beatrice headed to her room with the intention to have a nap. As she drew the curtain, she noticed the shower had passed. The dark grey cloud had moved beyond the hill. On opening her balcony door, a cool, much-needed breeze of fresh air hit her. She could hear Alex and Sydney lapping the pool, racing each other again.

She changed into a bikini instead, her red one and checked herself out in the mirror. It was a similar image to the one from yesterday, when she’d been standing in her red lace underwear in front of Sydney. Although they covered the same amount of flesh, there was something more exposing, being in one’s underwear as opposed to a bikini. Bikinis were worn to be seen; underwear was intended to be hidden, except around special people.

She’d enjoyed Sydney seeing her like that and believed the feeling may have been mutual. The woman had certainly taken her time in dressing her and zipping her up. Her breath on her skin had made Beatrice inhale deeply, though it was likely a polite way of asking her to breathe in.

Returning to the kitchen, she sat by the open patio door to remove her walking boot. She could hear Alex and Sydney chatting in the pool.

“Have you considered moving schools? A fresh start as whoever you want to be?”