Page 128 of Don't Believe A Word

After an afternoon spent sharing memories of the small girl who’d once ruled Gabe and Lukas’s world, David and Jasper brought in cocktails and Cynthia insisted everyone must stay for dinner. It turned into a lively affair with Gabe seeming as bemused as he did joyful, while everyone else indulged in a little too much wine and Sadie kept breaking into tears of relief and laughter.

The next morning, Cristy couldn’t recall whose idea it had been to visit the place where Janina’s car had left the road, only that it was David who’d contacted the police to find out the exact spot. When he’d received a call back the decision was made. It would happen this morning and act as a final farewell to Janina, someone had said, a memorial of sorts. Though the sentiment behind it was touching, by the time Cristy and David got up she wasn’t feeling quite so sure about it. However, she didn’t want to be the one to cast a shadow over the occasion by voicing doubts that she couldn’t explain anyway, so she pushed past them and texted a yes to Connor when he messaged to ask if he should book their flights back to Bristol later that day.

Without actually meaning to she checked to see if there were any more anonymous texts, and thank God, there weren’t. The latest had arrived last night and she’d already moved it to the folder.He’ll promise you the earth and end up letting you down. I will never do that.She wondered if these missives were more responsible for unsettling her than what was happening here, then pushed them out of her mind too.

‘So you’re going home later?’ David said, as he came into the bedroom to find her packing.

As she looked at him, standing in the misty rays of sunlightstreaming through the windows, her heart swelled with feeling. ‘I have to,’ she smiled, ‘but I’m not looking forward to leaving you.’

Taking her hand he pulled her to him and gazed searchingly into her eyes. ‘Will you come back?’ he asked, almost as if seeming to doubt it.

‘Of course,’ she whispered.

‘When?’

She laughed and murmured softly as he kissed her.

‘Maybe we should go away somewhere, just the two of us,’ he suggested. ‘I mean, when the series is finished.’

‘I’d love that. Where are you thinking?’

‘Somewhere warm and exotic, exclusive and … How about one of the Aman resorts?’

Her eyes widened in surprise. Though she’d never visited one she knew very well how luxurious and insanely expensive they were.

‘Give it some thought,’ he said, ‘and let me know when you’re ready for me to book. Or we can go somewhere else. Whatever works for you.’

He’ll promise you the earth and end up letting you down. I will never do that.

‘What?’ he said, frowning.

Cristy shook her head, annoyed that the text had managed to push into her thoughts now. ‘I hear the one in Morocco is exceptional,’ she said.

‘Amanjena,’ he murmured. ‘Have you been there?’

‘I haven’t.’

‘Me neither. So maybe that’s where we’ll go.’ His eyes rose to his hand as he ran it over her hair, and lowered back to hers as he said, ‘I’ve loved spending the last week with you. I admit, when I flew over last Saturday I hadn’t realized it would be quite so … hectic, or that we’d end up in Florida for forty-eight hours, but I’ve enjoyed the madness of it, and the experience of watching you work. I even got a kick out of being a small part of it.’

‘Not so small,’ she corrected. ‘I might even say we couldn’t have done it without you.’

He laughed. ‘I’ll take that, even though it’s not true.’

‘Dad!’

He groaned. ‘Yes, we definitely need some time for us,’ he said, and after kissing her again he picked up her bag to carry it down to the car.

‘Have you heard from Sadie this morning?’ Cristy asked, as Anna caught up with them on the stairs.

‘Yes. She’s already at the hotel with Gabe and the others. Apparently she went to see Mia first thing.’

Surprised and concerned, Cristy said, ‘What happened?’

‘Mia wouldn’t let her in again, although she told her, through the door, that if she wants to be an “ungrateful bitch” – her words – and go off with strangers it’s her choice, she won’t stop her. But if she does she’ll be out of the will.’

‘Is she actually in it?’ David asked wryly.

Anna shrugged. ‘I think she’s supposed to inherit everything when Mia goes, but as we know, nothing Mia says is to be trusted, and she’s used her will for years to control everyone around her. Anyway, I don’t think Sadie cares. It’s not about money for her.’