‘I have been called away on urgent business. The girls… they won’t understand. But could you look after them for me, whilst I’m gone?’
I frowned. There was nothing I could do to look after two adolescents who absolutely despised me. ‘Of course I will, but we’re all here aren’t we? And Jeannie will take care of them.’
Mimi fiddled with a tassel on her sarong. If she didn’t have so much botox in her forehead she would definitely be frowning.
‘How long will you be gone for?’ I asked.
‘That’s just it. I don’t know… I might have to fly to New York.’
‘New York? But you will be back in time for Christmas?’
She hesitated. ‘Yes– yes, I’m sure I will.’
That was a no, then. ‘How can your boss call you away at such short notice to work overseas at Christmas? Shouldn’t you be on compassionate leave?’
She dropped the tassel, looking irritated by my questioning. And then I understood.
‘I will speak to the girls now,’ she said quietly.
I stood watching her with more than a little glee as I sipped the rum, coconut and strawberry slush through a straw. Oh, this little showdown was going to be as delicious as the Lava Flow in my hand. I plucked the yellow umbrella out of the drink and slid it behind my ear with a devilish grin, then watched as Mimi made her way over to the twins, her sarong swaying with each step. As she approached, Beebee and Ceecee sat up, removing their sunglasses to eye their mother suspiciously.
Mimi leaned in close, speaking in hushed tones. I couldn’t hear what was being said of course, but their expressions quickly changed from confusion to disbelief, and finally to anger. Beebee’s face reddened, while Ceecee’s eyes narrowed dangerously.
‘You can’t be serious!’ Beebee’s shrill voice cut through the party chatter. ‘You’re leaving?’
Heads began to turn, and Mimi glanced around nervously before turning back and shushing them.
But Ceecee was having none of it. She stood up abruptly, the sun lounger loudly scraping against the tile. ‘This isbullshit!’ she spat. ‘First Dad dies, and now you’re running off to God knows where?’
‘You can’t do this to us,’ Beebee whined, her voice cutting through the party noise. ‘It’s Christmas!’
Heads turned to watch the scene unfold. Mimi tried to calm her daughters, speaking in hushed tones and reaching out to touch their arms. In unison, they jerked away.
‘Don’t touch me!’ Ceecee spat.
‘You’re abandoning us, just like you always do.’ I saw a tear slide down Beebee’s cheek. ‘You’re a shit mum, do you know that?’
‘Look us in the eye and tell us you aren’t going to seehim!’
They stared Mimi down as she gesticulated, saying something inaudible.
So, there was an affair and it seemed like they knew now, too. I still wished I could tell them about their father and what he’d got up to. Mexico was just the tip of the iceberg, ifeverythingwe had heard was true.
I didn’t hear what Mimi said to them next, but she straightened and walked out.
Making my way over, I downed the rest of my drink and put it on the side.
‘Fancy a dip, girls?’ I said with a mile.
They stared daggers at me. Shrugging, I released the ties on my kimono, letting it drop to the floor for my grand reveal; that I, too, knew how to do ab crunches.
They stared down at my body before I turned and executed a perfect dive into the pool. When I came up, Martha was shaking her head at me like she was a little disappointed. Then, when she saw their twisted jealous faces, she smirked.
16
DEALS AND DEADLINES
The next morning, the atmosphere in the dining room was icier than outside as we sat eating breakfast. Clem was still in bed, having missed the entirety of the party, which was a real shame because she didn’t get to witness Fergus falling backwards off his chair and into the pool.
