She nodded. ‘I’d like that,’ she said, delighted that her upsetting afternoon was turning into a much happier day than she’d expected.
He stood up and held out his arms. ‘Can I give you another hug?’
Daisy couldn’t help smiling as she stepped into his outstretched arms. ‘Of course.’
It felt so good to be held by him once again. An image of Bella began forming in her mind, but she pushed it away. She wasn’t doing anything wrong and right now she barely cared.
He put a finger under her chin and lifted her face to smile at her. ‘It’s good to see you again, Daisy.’
‘It’s good to see you, too,’ she said.
‘And you mustn’t worry. We’ll find a way to sort this out, I promise you. I’ll go and give Sebastian a call, see what he says.’
15
GABRIEL
Gabriel was aware he was probably crossing the line by calling Fi’s brother. His parents probably wouldn’t approve, but he felt responsible for a young member of his staff and didn’t wish to ask anything further of Daisy until she’d had a chance to come to terms with everything that had happened. He went to his office, closed the door and sat down to call Sebastian. The mobile number rang for a while and he was about to cut off the call when he heard a voice say, ‘Sebastian Fielding, hold on one minute please.’
Gabriel waited while Sebastian spoke to someone.
‘Sorry about that,’ he said. ‘I was just filling up with petrol.’
‘I don’t mean to interrupt you. I can call back if you’re driving,’ Gabriel said.
‘No, not at all, I’ve come up from the South of France and am almost at the end of this drive, so I could do with something else to think about. Anyway, I’ve got the phone on hands free, so please carry on.’
‘It’s Gabriel Wilson here, your sister Fi works on the reception at my parents’ hotel.’ Gabriel heard Sebastian clear his throat.
‘Is my sister all right?’ he asked, the panic obvious in his tone.
‘Yes, she’s fine,’ Gabriel said hurriedly, not wishing to worry him unnecessarily. ‘But there’s something I think you’d want to know.’ He hesitated. ‘Look wouldn’t yourather call me back when you’re not driving?’
‘No, please continue.’
Sebastian explained about Aaron and how he’d stalked and threatened Daisy and how he was now using Fi to get back at her for leaving him. ‘He hasn’t done anything to Fi as yet, but I thought you’d want to know that he’s hanging around and Fi seems to be getting quite close to him.’ He spoke in more detail, filling Sebastian in on the things Daisy had told him about the man.
There was a brief silence. ‘Thank you for telling me. I’ll call my butler now – he’ll know what to do and he’ll ensure nothing untoward happens to my sister. And Gabriel?’
‘Yes?’
‘Thank you for taking the time to call me. I appreciate it.’
‘No problem. Daisy will be relieved to know that I’ve been able to contact you.’
‘I’m just outside Dinard now, so will be home in about two hours. I’d appreciate it if you have a chat with my sister as soon as you can; she needs to be put in the picture about this idiot. You can tell her I know and I’ll sort this out as soon as I get back.’
Gabriel ended the call and rubbed his face with his hands. It was a relief that Sebastian had listened so readily to what he had to tell him. Not wishing to alert Fi to anything before she was in his office, he gave her a call at reception and asked her to come through as soon as possible.
She entered the room a short while later and took the proffered seat on the other side of the desk, looking a little concerned. ‘This feels a little official,’ she said, forcing a smile.
‘Don’t worry, it’s not about the hotel.’
Her perfectly shaped eyebrows knitted together. ‘What is it about then?’ she asked. Then narrowing her eyes,added. ‘It’s about Phil, isn’t it? Daisy’s been saying things.’ She went to stand up.
‘Sit down, Fi,’ Gabe snapped, tired of her blaming Daisy for something she wasn’t guilty of. ‘I’ve just got off the phone with your brother.’
‘Why?’ she asked nervously, but remaining seated. ‘What have I done?’
