‘Right, so obviously you’ll keep us informed,’ said Claude. ‘Niki, Maya will call you shortly. You can all drop off now.’
‘Okay.’ She, Maya, and Ruby dropped off the video call, leaving me and Claude.
‘Phoo,’ she sighed. ‘Not what I expected to be doing on a Monday evening. But Maya will sort it. I have every faith in her.’
‘Me too,’ I said, meaning it. But before I let Claude go, there was one more item on the ‘fuckupery’ list to address.
‘Claude, I lied to you before.’
The number elevens between her brows deepened. ‘About what?’
‘About the bloke in the photos.’
‘Julian, you mean?’ she asked, confused.
‘No, the blurry bloke. On the boat.’
‘Oh.’ And then her eyes doubled in size. ‘Oh my god. ItwasTommy!’
‘Yes.’
‘But why didn’t you tell me?’ she asked gently.
And even though I’d had my reasons –goodreasons, or so I’d thought at the time – Claude’s gentle tone triggered a pang of guilt. I should have trusted her with the truth from the start.
‘I’m sorry I lied but it was all so sudden and unexpected and just really,reallyweird.’
‘I understand – I mean, I didn’t tell you about running into Gregory until you pressed me – but are you all right?’
I wasn’t – not entirely – but confessing to Claudehadunburdened me. I felt at least a stone lighter.
‘I’m all right – or I will be.’
‘Okay, good – but I’m here if you need me.’
‘Thanks, Claude.’
‘Now, what onearthis Tommy doing on Aetheria?’ Ah, there she was – my forthright sister. ‘What sort of engineering project involves sailboats?’
It was an excellent question, but I couldn’t tell Claude about the Secret Squirrel business.
‘I’m not sure. But if I find out, you’ll be the first to know.’
‘Sounds intriguing. You’re not in anydanger,are you?’ she asked with a laugh.
‘Nooo – course not,’ I replied, matching her laugh with my own.
We ended the call and the smile fell from my face. ‘At least, I bloody well hope not,’ I muttered.
I glanced at the time. I’d missed the rest of the sunset, but there were still the lights of Naxos across the way to enjoy. Then my stomach rumbled, as if it had just remembered that I hadn’t eaten yet.
‘Yes, yes, I hear you.’
I went to the minibar to assemble a plate of nibbles and pour a glass of wine. I took both out to the porch and had just sat down when a whisper came from the darkness.
‘Ally.’
I startled, sloshing my wine down my hoodie.
