Page 70 of Don't Believe A Word

‘Would you think the worst of me if I cut all ties?’ he asked, staring at a sugar pack as he emptied it into a saucer. ‘Not financially, obviously, I’ll pay what I have to towards Bear’s upkeep …’

‘Upkeep! He’s not a car …’

‘You know what I mean. I’ll do the child maintenance thing and set up a savings account for him. I’ll even have him for holidays if she wants me to, but I just can’t be married to her any more.’

‘You need to tell her that, not me.’

‘I intend to, the next time I’m there. I’d do it via FaceTime, just to get it over with, but Aiden called me a disgusting name for even considering it.’

Proud of her son, Cristy said, ‘When are you planning to go?’

‘In a couple of weeks, I guess. Or I could delay until you’ve finished this series and maybe you’d consider coming with me. We could go on to Hawaii after or … OK, you’re not on board for it.’

Shaking her head in disbelief, she said, ‘You know, sometimes with you I feel as though I’ve gone right through the looking glass and there’ll never be a way back. I used to understand you, I could even guess what you were thinking, but now … I have to put it down to Marley’s influence because you’re clearly as delusional as she is.’

‘That’s a no then?’

In spite of herself she laughed. ‘Come on, finish that coffee and we’ll leave together. Then I have to get to the office.’

‘Any chance of meeting up later?’ he asked, once they were out on the street.

‘Zero,’ she smiled, and planting a quick kiss on his cheek she hurried off towards the Downs to find her car.

*

Anna tells me you might be coming to Guernsey soon. You know you’re welcome to stay here. We’d all love to see you. Sending info re Winters financial affairs via email. Sorry it took a while. Hope it’s OK to say this, but I miss you. David x

Jodi looked up from the message, eyes shining with delight. ‘I always said it wasn’t over between you,’ she declared.

‘The point,’ Cristy responded, hefting the baby onto her other shoulder, ‘is that his relationship with Juliette isn’t over. And saying he misses me doesn’t actually mean anything.’

‘He’s invited you to stay with him,’ Connor pointed out, coming to refill her wine glass.

‘That’ll be his mother’s doing, but even if he wants me there what good can come of it? Actually, don’t answer that. It’s been a long day thanks to digging into all the Albescu stuff this afternoon –God I felt like I needed a shower by the time we’d finished. Time to relax now, and talking about David, or Matthew …’

‘Or Robert,’ Connor quickly put in. ‘You still haven’t told us about this morning …’

‘Because there’s nothing to tell,’ Cristy cried with a laugh. ‘It was just coffee and we talked about Sadie and the series the entire time. So, will you please stop trying to create a drama out of a void and talk me through the email David sent about the Winters sisters’ finances.’

With a roll of his eyes, Connor sank back down on the sofa with Jodi and, slipping an arm around her, he said, ‘They’re basically stinking rich, have got wealth managers working for them all over the planet, directed from London, and have a strong preference for so-called ethical investments and biomedical research. Everything’s run by their trusty advisers at Crosswell Haigh in the City who liaise with bankers, lawyers and finance analysts, all appointed by CH and approved by the sisters’ chief lawyer, Victor Dubois. Apparently, Dubois has divulged something interesting in his report, but David is still waiting to hear if he can share.’

‘Did he give any sense of what it might be?’

‘No, and I haven’t been back to ask. I figured he’ll get in touch himself as soon as he has an answer. Anyway, I think we can safely say we won’t be receiving any historical bank statements or records of dubious investments circa 2000–2001, which is what we’d really like to see.’

‘Do you honestly think,’ Jodi said, ‘that there would be an official record of a trafficking transaction? I’ve no idea how these things work, but I’d say much more likely is that the payment was made by a third – or forty-third – party. So, in other words, in a way that could never be traced to them. That’s even if such a payment was actually made, though I know we’re assuming for the moment that it was.’

Knowing she was right, Cristy rested a cheek against Aurora’s downy head and thought, fleetingly, of Matthew’s baby son in LA. He’d probably smell and feel much the same and would be every bit as vulnerable and adorable and scrumptious as the dear little soul she was holding now.

‘Well,’ she said, ‘it’s going to be interesting to find out whatthis Victor Dubois has told David, presuming he’s willing for us to know. Seems odd that he’d mention it if he wasn’t. Is he Guernsey-based, do we know?’

‘I’m sure we can find out,’ Connor replied, stifling a yawn. ‘So what’s your current thinking on a trip to the island?’

Wishing she had better control of her heart flips, Cristy said, ‘You mean to speak to Corny the housekeeper? It’ll have to wait until Sadie’s back there. I think she and Jasper are leaving on Tuesday so maybe the end of next week. Are you going to come?’

Looking at Jodi, Connor said, ‘How would you feel about that?’

‘I think I’ll cope. Will you take up David’s offer to stay atPapillon?’ she asked Cristy.