“What happened?”
“Oh, God.” There was no mistaking the anguish in her voice. “It was Nicole causing trouble.”
“What trouble? For whom?”
“All of us. And she’s managed to break up Laura and Adam. How one woman could have so much hate in her, I’ll never understand. Oh God, the look on Laura’s face…I never imagined Nicole would do such a thing. She was always so charming and lovely to everyone.”
Wasn’t she just?Pierre thought, grimly remembering the sweet smiles as Nicole complimented her on her painted Wellies and hair. Then the condescending tone a few days ago.Try not to look like a Camden Market hippie.
“She fooled all of us,” Millie said.
Pierre had never heard Millie angry, but just then, rage crackled in her voice.
“All of it to sabotage Laura so I would have to wear that hideous Vivienne Westwood monstrosity. But I’ll tell you something, that’s not happening. I’d rather cancel the wedding.”
“Please don’t do that.”
“I don’t care.” The normally sweet, soft Millie now had real steel in her voice.
“Think about Lord M.” Pierre couldn’t begin to imagine what it would do to him. To all of them.
“Pierre?” Millie called her attention back.
“Yes?”
“Could you please ring the harbourmaster and check when the next ferry is, and ask him to let us know if Laura tries to take it? We have to stop her.”
Pierre checked the time. She knew the timetable by heart and there would be a ferry to St Malo in forty minutes. “I can go myself. What do you want me to do if she tries to leave the island?”
“Call me. Or Adam. Or George. I’m on my way home.” And she hung up.
Pierre stood uncertainly in the middle of the gallery. Lord M was alone; he’d be waiting for her.
“Pierre?” Liam had arrived, also out of breath. He must have cycled fast. “Laura’s gone missing.”
“I know. I promised Millie to go to the harbour in case Laura tries to leave. Could you sit with Lord M?”
“I’ll go,” Gabriel said from behind her.
She turned and found him coming up the stairs too. Nicole was behind him looking – Pierre couldn’t believe her eyes – composed and silky-smooth.
“You can’t go anywhere.” She reached and twined her fingers with his. “We have things to do here to manage this crisis.”
“If you’re going to the ferry terminal,” Liam spoke directly to Gabriel, ignoring Nicole. “I’ll search the marina in case she took the water taxi.”
Gabriel moved away from Nicole. “Is Adam here?”
She glanced towards the open door to her office.
Both Liam and Gabriel moved towards him, then they stopped. Adam was perched on the arm of a chair, staring at nothing, the phone still in his limp hand, and the look on his face was desolate, broken.
Liam turned to Pierre. “You stay with Lord M, and don’t tell him anything. We don’t need him having an upset too.” And he went downstairs again and out.
Pierre watched him go, then glanced towards Lord M’s room. What did he need? The book. She’d forgotten. And after that? It all seemed too far away. She had to think of something to distract him. The music playlist for the wedding.
“I’ll go to the harbour,” Gabriel said. “And Pierre, call us if she turns up?”
“You can’t go anywhere.” Nicole reached for Gabriel’s hand again.
