My mouth opened and closed several times but at first, no words came out. ‘What?’ I squeaked eventually. ‘So, you’re… you’re…’
I continued to gawp at Trudy, waiting for everything to fall into place. Only it didn’t. It all just tumbled onto the floor in a huge, indecipherable heap.
Trudy placed her hand on my forearm. ‘I’ll explain what I can later, but for now Tom needs to interrupt that meeting.’ She turned to Tommy. ‘We got the go-ahead, so get to the lounge and tell Julian his son’s on the phone – and it’s urgent.’
‘But Julian doesn’t have a son,’ I said, becoming even more confused. ‘He doesn’t have any children.’
‘I know, hun. And so does Dale. He’ll understand that something’s up and know to keep Kovalec occupied while Julian’s out of the room. That’ll give me time to brief Julian.’
So, Dale is in on it too? So much for the cutesy retirees from Ottawa!
Tommy nodded sharply, then left me alone with Trudy.
‘Come on, hun,’ she said, ‘you should head back upstairs. Unless youdoneed the bathroom.’
‘Uh, yes, actually. Do you mind?’
‘Not at all.’
Trudy left and I sat heavily on the lid of the toilet, snippets of our interactions flitting through my mind. I’d warmed to Trudy immediately – she’d been so sweet and chatty, if a little nosey at times. But that wasn’t her being nosey, I realised. She was getting close to me to protect the operation.
The day on the sailboat… the cooking class withYiayiá… the breakfasts… the afternoon at the spa… her harping on (and on) about Tommy being interested in me… The entire time, Trudy was evaluating me, determining if I was a threat.
Or a distraction.
Which I had been.
‘Oh god,’ I groaned, dropping my head into my hands as another realisation landed. It must have beenTrudywho’d raked Tommy over the coals.
Perhaps he was right. Maybe I needed to get off the yacht and out of harm’s way. Although, if Trudy believed I was in danger, wouldn’t she have suggested I leave? Or eventoldme to?
I took in a long, slow, deep breath and blew it out. Then did the same again. And again. Soon enough, my heart rate started to slow. I stood up and wet a hand towel, patted my neck with it, then dropped it in the basket at my feet. I retrieved my lipstick from my clutch and with as steady a hand as I could muster, reapplied. (Never underestimate the bolstering power of a bold red lip.)
I looked myself in the eye. ‘All of this is for Julian. Just stay calm and leave it to the professionals.’
Hah! If only I’d given myself that advicebeforeI invited myself to dinner.
After one more bracing breath, I opened the door and peeked out. No one in the salon but when I looked down the corridor, Julian and Trudy were standing close together, talking in terse, muted tones. Julian’s face was in shadows, and I could onlyimaginewhat was going through his head.
Every part of me wanted to rush over and urge him to do whatever Trudy said to avoid being arrested, but there was no possible scenario in which that would help. Instead, I scurried across the salon, out onto the deck, and upstairs to the flybridge. Scott the chief steward was there, checking that the table had been properly cleared.
‘Oh, hello,’ he said, noticing me. ‘I hope you’re enjoying your evening.’
‘Absolutely,’ I lied with a wide smile. ‘The crew’s been brilliant, and the meal was just incredible.’ Translation:I’ve barely engaged with the crew and I was too nervous to eat much of anything.
‘Always good to hear,’ he said with a grateful nod. ‘Can I get you anything?’
I was about to sayno, but I was suddenly ravenous.
‘This is super cheeky,’ I said, playing coy, ‘but could I possibly have a toasted cheese and Marmite sandwich?’
His mouth twitched, but otherwise he maintained his professional air. ‘I’ll do my best,’ he said with a smile, then left.
I sat on one of the long, built-in leather sofas, my body facing Naxos, and stared at the lights dancing on the water. I could just imagine what was happening in the galley – Dimitra pointing at Scott with a spatula and saying, ‘Over my dead body will I make a toasted cheese and Marmite sandwich.’ She was a Michelin-starred chef, after all.
‘You look like you’re a million miles away.’
I jolted, then looked up.
