Page 115 of Original Sin

‘It’s where my friends live. Do you know Karina Savoy’s place?’

Tom raised an eyebrow and his interest in Paula seemed to click up a notch. ‘Oh yes, I do,’ he said. ‘A beautiful house.’

Swinging left, the car passed through iron gates, down a long drive, and pulled up outside a white detached residence with a large veranda that snaked around its whole perimeter. ‘Now this is more like it,’ smiled Paula, climbing out. The setting was spectacular, with views out to the Atlantic Ocean lying in turquoise and cobalt blue stripes in front of her.

The house was not huge, but big enough, with seven bed– and bathrooms. The interior design was a little too chintzy, but already Paula was making mental notes on what improvements she could make, and imagining taking afternoon tea with Karina and her new friends on the veranda.

‘There are beautiful fireplaces in every room,’ said Tom, handing her a colour sales brochure. ‘The grounds are wonderful, too. Orange, lemon, and avocado trees grow just over there by the infinity pool.’

Paula watched him pace around the room and just for a moment saw a little of herself in Tom Hawsley. He was not of this world, just play–acting, pretending he was comfortable in this environment. It was something she could relate to. During her final two summers at high school, Paula had worked as a maid at the local hotel in Greenboro, a beautiful stately house where she could imagine herself living as the rich, beautiful chatelaine. Back then, she realized, she might even have found Tom Hawsley attractive. She hadn’t missed how lovely his eyes were, a pale grey, with long spidery black lashes.

As Paula had been lost in thought, Tom had walked up behind her. ‘I take it you like it,’ he said, touching her bare arm.

Paula flinched, feeling uneasy with the thoughts now running through her head. She had learnt, long ago, to block anything inappropriate out of her life, and she stepped away from him, flustered. Her mother had taught her that one slip could ruin your life and she wasn’t going to let anything spoil her perfect moment.

‘I think I just need a few moments alone,’ said Paula quickly, taking her cell phone out of her Birkin. ‘I need to speak to my husband about the house.’

She retreated to the veranda, her gaze lost on the blue horizon. She’d always wanted a house with an ocean view. When she had been in Greenboro, surrounded by trailers and broken cars, she swore to herself that, one day, she would live in the light where she could see for miles. People in her hometown used to say that money didn’t matter. Well, whoever had said it hadn’t been here, where the air tasted clearer and the sun seemed to shine through the haze like liquid silk. Excited now, she scrolled down to William’s number and pressed ‘call’.

‘Darling, it’s me.’

‘Oh, hi. How’s Bermuda?’

Suddenly she felt a rush of warmth for her husband. ‘Oh darling, you’re going to absolutely love it. The golf here is fantastic. The house I’m standing in front of at the minute is going to blow your mind. I mean, it’s Price on Application, so I don’t even know how much it is yet but–’

‘Paula, the Bermuda house will have to wait.’

Despite the heat, her skin felt icy cold. I don’t understand. We agreed … ’

‘Honey, the deal is off.’

William’s voice sounded tired and weary down the line.

‘Canopus have pulled their offer,’ he continued. ‘Or rather, they’ve revalued the company and are now offering half the value per share.’

‘Half?’ she almost shrieked. ‘Why the hell have they done that? Can they do that? A deal’s a deal.’

‘Not exactly, honey,’ he said patiently. ‘They have to do due diligence first, investigate the company, look at the accounts, and

work out if the company is worth what they’ve offered.’

Paula looked around at the house. Suddenly it seemed even more beautiful than before, now that it was slipping from her grasp. ‘So what’s wrong with the company?’

William sighed. ‘It’s too complicated to go into right now. We are trying to answer Bruno Harris’s concerns, but if they won’t back down, the bottom line is that we can’t sell Asgill’s.’

‘I … ’ she stuttered, ‘I just don’t believe it.’

‘I know it’s disappointing, honey.’

‘But this house is in Tucker’s Town,’ she said, her voice almost pleading. ‘It’s so beautiful. Do you know how rarely properties like this come on the market?’

‘Honey, a house in Bermuda wasn’t really a priority anyway.’

She fell silent, unable to speak. Her heart was racing, her breath fluttery. Not a priority? How dare he! After all she’d done to position them in high society! She flipped her mobile shut angrily.

Tom Hawsley walked out onto the veranda.

‘Is everything all right, Mrs Asgill?’