Page 13 of Mayfair Madame (Mayfair Heights #1)

Chapter Twelve

Naomi

I t pained me to see Ellie so concerned about her weight. In my eyes, there was nothing wrong with her, but everyone’s perceptions were different. Was anyone happy with how they looked?

I wasn’t, but I’d come to terms with why, and it no longer caused me the anxiety it used to. If only Ellie could have that same ‘a-ha’ moment, but I feared she had a long way to go before she was anywhere close.

It made sense now why Ellie had wanted to meet at the bar last night and not come out for the meal. She’d clearly been hungry this morning but then realised the implications of her actions.

It didn’t matter that I’d chosen a place where I knew the food was healthy and nutritious. When you felt food was the root of all your problems, nothing would work.

But I was determined for us to have a carefree day, not one focused on food.

“You know what? Let’s have some fun. I can’t remember the last time I did something I wanted to do. Are you up for it, Ellie?”

“Of course. I don’t think I’ve done anything but work since I got here.”

“Then let’s put that right.”

Even this early on, the sun was beating down, and I had the perfect way to cool us off.

“Come on. I haven’t done this in years.” The sight of people out on the lake earlier inspired my idea. “Pedalo for two, please.”

I handed over my money, turned back to Ellie, and laughed.

Her face was one of abject horror. “You want me to get on that?”

“Yes! Here, you need to put this on first.” I handed her an orange life vest and held the pedalo while she climbed aboard.

“Eww, Naomi. The seat’s all wet.”

“It’s part of the fun. Now keep up. No going around in circles.”

I settled into the seat and peddled hard. I reckoned I could miss leg day at the gym with all this exercise.

Ellie kept up, pumping her legs like mad, a huge smile on her face. It seemed she was enjoying this as much as I was. I’d not felt this light and stress free in years.

“Naomi, how do you steer this thing?” She said, her voice laced with urgency. “Those guys are coming straight for us.”

A pedalo with four men in their twenties headed our way on a direct collision course. Not a life jacket in sight.

“Stop pedalling, Ellie. We’ll never outrun them. The best we can hope for is for them to bypass us.”

We slowed and drifted a little to the left, but not quite far enough, and with a bump, they ploughed into us, giving us both a jolt.

They cheered and shook their beer cans at us. Each wore a T-shirt declaring ‘we’re on it until we vomit’. If they were drunk this early in the day, no doubt they’d be vomiting fairly soon.

“Hey, ladies. Fancy a ride on this?” Obscene gestures accompanied their invitation.

I rolled my eyes, and Ellie laughed. “Boys will be boys, I guess.”

“Not today, lads, you’re on your own,” I called across to them, but determination flitted across one man’s face. What would he do?

Using my foot, I tried to push them away, but another held on tight, refusing to let go.

Not wanting to be deterred, the guy stood on unsteady legs and stepped towards us. The pedalo rocked dangerously.

“You’ve got plenty of room on there for another one,” he said, his words slurred, his arms outstretched.

“He’ll have us all over,” Ellie warned. “Don’t let him get on, Naomi.”

“I won’t, don’t worry.” I gritted my teeth, doing my best to remove us from harm’s way.

But with his jaw set, he took a step forward, then another.

His mates shouted encouragement.

“Go on.”

“Fuck, yeah.”

“Go get ’em.”

One more step, and his foot was on our pedalo.

“Naomi.” Ellie gripped onto the sides as it lurched from the extra weight.

“I know, I know.” I braced myself against the other pedalo, trying to keep us steady.

I didn’t know what to do, and short of pushing him off, we were stuck with him wobbling precariously.

But in his state of drunkenness, he overbalanced, and fell head first into the water with a splash.

He spluttered and went under, his arms flailing above his head. Shouts and laughter erupted from his friends as he resurfaced, until he went under again, a look of panic on his face.

Goddamn it. I bet the fucker couldn’t swim.

The laughs turned to shouts of concern as moments later, he’d yet to re-emerge. His friends were in no fit state to rescue him. What the fuck should we do?

Another splash sprayed water all over me. Ellie was in the water. Of course she would be.

She took a deep breath and dropped below the surface. How she’d see anything in the murky lake, I didn’t know.

I peered over the side of the pedalo into the depths, unable to see a damn thing. Where the hell was she?

There was every reason to worry. Danger lurked even in the calmest of waters. Either of them could get tangled in underwater weeds, or maybe he’d drag her down.

He was a big guy, and my Ellie was short by comparison. I held my breath, searching frantically for a sign. Anything to show she was okay. My stomach lurched, worried neither would resurface.

There was another splash over to my right, quite a way from where they’d both gone under. Ellie held the man in her grasp, his face blue.

“Ambulance.” She panted, struggling to keep them both above water. “He needs an ambulance.”

“Already on it.” A boat approached them. A man leant over the side and struggled to drag the lifeless man into the boat. Ellie climbed in after him and collapsed on her back, exhausted. I hoped to fuck she was okay.

“Here.” He threw me a rope. “You’ll not manage to peddle ashore on your own.”

I tied it to the front and sat on the edge of the seat while he towed me back to shore. Ellie was now performing CPR. Today had taken a turn, but definitely not one I had expected.

The other guys followed, their faces pale. I doubted this was what they’d had in mind either when they got up this morning.

Two paramedics waited on the shore and took over from Ellie the moment we landed.

She watched as they worked, concern on her face. She raked her fingers through her sodden hair and took the proffered silver blanket.

I jumped off the pedalo and sprinted towards her, my heart in my throat. “Oh my God, Ellie. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just cold. The water’s fucking freezing.” Her teeth chattered as she wrapped the blanket tighter around her.

“Here, let me warm you up. You need to get out of those clothes. We’ll get a taxi back to my place.” I reached for her, only to be pushed away.

“No. You’ll get wet too, and I have to stay here until the police come.” She swiped at a tear on her cheek. “I need to see if he’s going to be all right.”

We looked over to where the paramedics were still treating him. He was moving, at least. Apprehension turned to anger. It boiled in my chest. How did something like this happen? Weren’t there precautions in place?

She turned to me. “Stupid fucker shouldn’t have been messing about in the first place.” From her tone, she was as enraged as I was.

“I know, but your instincts kicked in, and your quick reaction likely saved him. Never a dull moment with us, is there?” I tried to lighten the mood. The need to care for her overwhelmed me.

“You’re not wrong, but I’d have preferred not to go swimming in the lake today.” She shivered again, her skin pale.

“Sit here. I’ll grab a coffee from the cafe over there. Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be back in a minute.”

I kissed her forehead. It was cool to the touch and ran to the kiosk I’d visited earlier.

“On the house,” the server said before I could pay. “He’d be dead if it hadn’t been for her, but he wouldn’t have been the first. There have been a few over the years.”

“Thank you. She’s something special, isn’t she?” I looked over to where she sat. She leant forward, her head in her hands. “How did the others die?”

“Some were like him. Drunk and messing around. I’m sure some were suicides or accidental drownings. It might be a lake, but there are still dangers.”

I nodded my understanding and walked back to Ellie. I sat on the bench next to her.

Her shivers had worsened. “This should warm you up. Once we’re done, we’re going back to mine. No arguments. I have a deep bath with your name on it.”

I thought she’d object, but she rested her head on my shoulder. “Thanks, I’d like that. I hope they’re not too much longer.”

The police arrived, and we watched the drama unfold before us. The police interviewed the man’s friends, their disapproval evident. The paramedics came to see Ellie, insisting she go to hospital, but she shrugged them off.

“I’ll be fine. I’m just cold and want to go home.”

“You should really be checked out,” one of them said, but she shook her head.

“I’m good. Get him to the hospital.” Reluctantly, they stood and walked away.

“Are you sure that’s wise?” I asked, her chilled hand in mine.

“I’m sure. A long, hot bath is all I need.”

Eventually, we gave our statements to the police. Ellie told them they could contact her at the station if they had any further questions, and then finally, we were headed to my apartment in a taxi, my arm wrapped protectively around her shoulder.

I offered a brief nod to Walter as we made our way to my apartment, and the moment we stepped through the door, I pulled her to my chest.

“Fuck, Ellie. I thought I’d lost you for a moment. When you didn’t come up straight away, I felt sick. Never scare me like that again.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. It was hard to see, and I almost missed him. I caught sight of his hand and grabbed hold of it. I don’t know how I got him out, Naomi. He almost dragged me down with him. Somehow, I got my arms under him and pulled.”

“You could have died.” I whispered. My stomach dropped at the realisation. But by the grace of God, she’d come out of it alive. It could have had a completely different outcome, and I wasn’t happy with that.

“I’m a little warmer now, but wouldn’t say no to that bath. Is the offer still open?”