‘Is that from who I think it’s from?’ asked Grace. Flick handed her the invitation and Grace cocked her head as she read it. She placed a hand over her heart. ‘I have such high hopes for you two.’
‘You know I’m not looking for a relationship.’
‘But you’re both so right for one another! I know something shitty happened with your ex, but Elijah could be your Prince Charming.’
Flick rolled her eyes. ‘My life isn’t a bloody Disney movie,’ she said but Grace wasn’t listening.
‘Ooh, perhaps he might be your DNA Match! You just need to get his saliva by asking him to lick something …’ She finished the sentence with a cheeky wink.
But the mention of DNA gave Flick the chills. ‘No, he’s not,’ she said firmly.
‘Don’t you believe in it?’
‘I know who my Match is and he wasn’t who I hoped he’d be.’
‘Oh, I’m sorry. I assumed once you found them, that was it? You were set for life.’
‘Not always.’
Grace’s stare remained locked on to Flick, as if expecting more of an explanation. But for Flick, the conversation was over. She’d already revealed more than she had intended.
Chapter 38
EMILIA
Emilia glanced at her watch: she was ten minutes ahead of schedule.Soon, she thought,soon I’ll know who I am. But her excitement was tempered by a growing unease.
It was a warm, balmy evening as she left the hotel’s entrance, crossed the road and made her way towards the chalky-white lighthouse. To one side were small, moored boats, masts hoisted but sails down, and their hulls covered with brightly coloured tarpaulins. To the other side, a bevy of swans were feeding together, all but one of them paired. She stared at the solitary one, a kinship forming.
Emilia had already sent Ted a text message and a map to confirm the time and location of where they could meet during his break from meetings. He responded with a simple ‘Yes.’
Live dangerously and give your security team the slip.
I don’t think I can.
Do it for me. Let’s be a normal couple for a few minutes. You won’t be disappointed.
Okay. I love you. ?
Even now, you’re still playing a part, she thought. And for a moment, she allowed herself to imagine he was genuine.
Alone on the jetty, Emilia made her way to one of five green benches and took a seat. She focused her attention on the Jet d’Eau, a gush of water bursting from the lake’s surface 140 metres high into the air. A gentle breeze caused the spray to slant slightly and spread a cool, fine mist against her flushed forehead and cheeks.
It wasn’t long before she heard the sound of soft-soled footwear on concrete and Ted took a seat beside her. She was almost sick with nerves as he kissed her on both cheeks.
‘I’m sorry I’m late,’ he began. ‘I haven’t got long. I’ve really missed you.’
Had she not known any better, she might have been taken in by his sincerity.
‘Where’s your security?’
‘I gave them the slip,’ he replied with a wink. ‘I told them I was going back to the suite to take a shower, then slipped away through the fire exit. You’re a bad influence.’
‘Who am I, Ted?’ she asked suddenly. ‘Because I know you’ve been lying to me.’
He paled. ‘Where is this coming from? Has something happened? Are you feeling all right?’
Emilia spotted a female figure from the corner of her eye. It wasn’t Bianca, but a young mum walking hand in hand with a toddler.Where is she?she thought. The plan had been for Emilia to lure Ted there alone before Bianca and Adrian appeared and questioned him. Regardless, she pressed on.
