Page 102 of The Facilitator, Part 2

“Does anyone know where heis?”

“No, he left the police station, and didn’t turn up in court so there is a warrant for his arrest. He can’t stayon the run,he would have no idea how,” Viviennesaid.

Mackenzie had ensured Vivienne had staff around the clock at her house. The gardener-come-driver had been with her for years and was more than willing to move into the small annexe that had once been the home of Daniel. I thought he might have a little crush onVivienne.

“I am so exhausted,” I said, rubbing my hands over myface.

“Why don’t you take a nap? We’ll man the phones or whatever happens until Mackenzie returns,” Gabriellasaid.

I nodded and thanked her. I tripped as I walked up the stairs, not realising just how weary I was. Still dressed, I climbed under the sheet and closed my eyes. I felt the waves of tiredness wash over me as my body relaxed and my limbs grew heavy. I was asleep inminutes.

* * *

Iwokewith a jolt and checked my watch. Although still light outside, I had been asleep for three hours. I leapt from the bed, hearing Mackenzie’s voice, and rushed down thestairs.

“Hey, baby,” he said, as Istumbled.

“I’m sorry, I had a nap and it extended into a full-blownsleep.”

“I know, I came up to see you. I decided to leave yousleeping.”

“How did it go?” Iasked.

“She’s lovely, Lauren, what more can I say? She’s distraught, of course. It was her that called. She was in Paris, apparently, and wondered if I’d agree to meet her. She didn’t want to leave a message with you, because she wasn’t sure what to say. She can’t wait to meet you, by theway.”

“How did she get your phone number?” Iasked.

“Sandra. I think she was hoping Kelsey would get in touch and override my father’swishes.”

“The funeral people emailed you,” I said, while Iremembered.

“I saw it on my phone. I’ve replied confirming the date withthem.”

He gave the date to Vivienne and I was surprised to note it was in three days’time.

“That’s quick,” I said, although by that point it would have been aweek.

“I guess they have a slow week,” he said. He chuckledsoftly.

“We’ll leave you two. Now we have the date, I can get the caterers sorted,” Vivienne said. They hugged Mackenzie and I waved them off at the frontdoor.

“Come here,” he said, when I walked back into the kitchen. I stood between his thighs. “Thank you,” hesaid.

“Forwhat?”

“Marrying me, giving me space to deal with this, being here, the list is endless,” hesaid.

“How do you feel, Mackenzie?” Iasked.

“Angry, mostly. I’m back to being angry with him, Lauren, and I can’t help that. I might get some therapy when we get back home. I could have had five years with Kelsey, but he selfishly decided to keep her a secret, and I don’t know why. I wonder if her Down’s was an issue forhim.”

“I think you might be reaching there, he didn’t indicate that in his letter and Sandra doesn’t believe it, doesshe?”

“No, I guess I’m trying to come up with a reason that satisfies me, because his letter didn’t. I thought I’d gotten somewhere with him when we met. But you know what? He’s still the selfish self-centred, only ever thought about himself person he was when my mother died and he abandoned me twenty-five yearsago.”

There wasn’t much I could say to that. I wouldn’t have been satisfied with that letter had it been my parent, either. Mack obviously had his reasons and we were never going to know any more than he’d wanted Mackenzie toknow.

* * *