Page 153 of Every Silent Lie

“Ron will take you.”

“I can get myself to work.”

“But you don’t need to because Ron can take you and then come back for me and Albi.” He motions outside. “Look at it, Camryn.” Then he points to my heels.

“Yes, but I have these,” I say, dipping and picking up my wellington boots from where I left them.

“They’ll look smashing with that dress.”

I point a half scowl half smile at him. “Talk later.”

“We will,” he says, full of authority.

* * *

Small talk is the name of the game on the drive with Ron, it seems. Where do I work, how long have I worked there, where did I meet Dec, when did I meet him? I couldn’t help but think they were all questions he knew the answers to. “Have you worked for Dec for long?” I ask, if only to relieve him of the pressure to think up any more pointless questions.

“Ten years.”

“Wow, that long?”

“It was a stopgap that lasted six years. Then Albi arrived, and I got attached to the little bugger.”

I laugh, and the sound is natural. “Not much hope for me then, is there?”

“You’re getting attached?” he asks.

“He’s adorable.”

“He is.” He must sense the endless questions I want to ask. The smile he gives me out the corner of his mouth tells me I’m right.

“Are you married, Ron?” I ask, dipping into my bag to find my phone.

“Divorced. She left me for a richer man.”

Wincing, I turn a sympathetic smile onto him. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. He’s bankrupt now.”

I laugh. “Karma.”

“No, Dec Ellis.”

“Huh?”

“Dec bankrolled my new business that put him out of business.”

“Oh my God,” I murmur. “Does he get a kick out of avenging people who have wronged him?”

“Dec wasn’t wronged.”

I shake my head. He’s right. “What business are you in?”

“Chauffeur.” He smirks. “Dec hired me ten years ago to be his personal driver. Like I said, it was just a stopgap until I got myself back on my feet. Naturally, when one’s being driven daily by someone, they slowly get to know them.”

“And Dec got to know you, found out your story, and stumped up endless cash to bankroll a new luxury private chauffer business.”

“You got it. I bought a fleet of prestigious cars, hired some men, bought some suits, and away I went. We made a deal. He put in half a million for forty percent and if I paid him back within five years, he’d drop to twenty.”