Page 61 of Tainted Love

When I make it back on deck wearing slightly more clothes, Williams and Amanda are at the breakfast table. She’s leaning into his side and there’s a sparkle in her eyes across the table full of fruit, breads, meats, cheeses and pastries.

I guess I’m not the only one who had a good night.

Gregory is on his phone, pacing the front of the deck in smart navy shorts and a plain white T-shirt, shades in place, hair wet from the shower. I open my laptop and boot it to life.

‘You’re working?’ Amanda asks.

‘Something came up this morning. Sorry to have this on the table over breakfast.’

Williams holds up a hand as if to say,Don’t worry. ‘Everything okay?’

I glance back at Gregory as I take a seat and refrain from saying,Obviously not. ‘A London tabloid got wind of the case.’

‘The murder?’ Amanda asks, sitting forward and grabbing a slice of wholemeal toast.

I scowl at her flippancy from behind Bryony, who’s pouring me a cup of coffee.

‘He’s settling with them?’ Williams asks.

I shake my head and sip the soothing, rich coffee. ‘They’re going to print.’

‘A local tabloid and they won’t settle? What do they have?’

I set my cup on the table and type my password into my laptop. ‘They think Gregory bribed the police, or the CPS.’

The sound of Williams saying, ‘And they think they have sound intel,’ is drowned out by Amanda’s shouting.

‘Bloody hell, Scarlett!’ She’s out of her seat. ‘Bribes now? Christ, you could lose your job over an association with bribes. Your wholecareer. Yourlife.’

There are things I miss about the old me. How uncomplicated and honest my life was. There are other things I’m glad have changed. Like the strength I’ve found in my own convictions. The way I won’t be a pushover to keep people happy. And something I’ve learned from Gregory: the ability to take control of a situation, to move atmypace.

I retrieve my coffee cup from the table and sip as Amanda stands in front of me.

‘At some point, Amanda, you’re going to realise that heispart of my life. A very big and important part of it.’

Her mouth opens and closes without sound, hands moving to her hips.

‘I appreciate what you’re saying, and I know you’re being a good friend, I do. But you don’t know everything about the situation and…’ I hate lying to my best friend but I have to, ‘…he didn’t bribe anyone. Money breeds enemies and Gregory has amassed a few. That’s all you need to know.’

‘Christ, you even sound like him.’

I rise abruptly from my seat to face her, acutely aware that all movement on the yacht has stopped. ‘I don’t take that as an insult.’ My words have much more strength than my eyes, which are pleading for her to trust me, to be my best friend.

This is more than a squabble over her stealing my clean towel, or taking my hair clips from my desk, or me letting her down for drinks after the office. But I can’t be the one to back down. Not this time.

‘What do you need me to do?’ she eventually asks.

Williams exhales and movement starts up again on the yacht.

‘Richard is filing for an interim injunction. He might even have it now.’ I check my watch. Nine-fifteen here, afternoon in London.

‘After that, he’ll need to make a case to force them into settlement.’ She snaps into work mode but flashes me a fleeting conciliatory smile.

‘Exactly. Sydney, Gregory’s PR manager, has been sending through details all morning. I need to call Richard for an update. If you could start pulling together a case summary.’

‘Got it.’

‘He’ll need to know the details and background. I can help you with that.’