“I’ve reached the Prosperity tier in my new business. The company is rewarding me for all my hard work with a brand new car! A Mercedes! Can you believe it?” Mum clasped her hands together, her face bursting with excitement. “Things are finally looking up for me, darling. I’ve found my calling. I’m creating the life I deserve.”
Something crinkled against her skin. I grabbed the corner of her sleeve and rolled it up, exposing a row of shiny Flourish patches dotted all the way from her wrist to her shoulder.
“I thought you only had to wear one of these to receive the benefits of its amazing transdermal technology?” I said wryly.
Mum yanked her sleeve down, glowering at me. “Yes, well, that’s what itsays, but I want to accelerate results. I want to embody the Flourish values of Grow. Nourish. Live. The technology really is miraculous. I feel so invigorated, so alive. I can sense my metabolism working faster, burning away the fat.”
I eyed Mum’s stomach, which wobbled a little as she drew away. It honestly looked as if she’d gained weight. Which was totally fine, unless you were lying to people in order to convince them to buy silver patches to stick on their arms. “Just how much weight have you lost with these patches?”
“Oh, who’s really counting!” Mum flicked her wrist dismissively. A patch peeled off the back of her hand and fluttered to the floor. “The whole point is that I’mflourishing.I’m living my truth and changing people’s lives for the better. And I’m working with a company who supports me and rewards success. So will you come to my Mercedes party?”
“But how have you sold enough patches to afford a car like that? You’ve been in business for less than a month!”
“I’m just that brilliant.” Mum grinned. “And I didn’t even have tobuythe car. I’m leasing it, and the company is giving me a monthly cash bonus to pay the lease. As long as I continue to keep my status, I’ll never have to make a single payment on the car. Isn’t that incredible? I got a free car!”
“What?” Of all the things I’d heard so far today, this wasby farthe most ludicrous. “Mum, that’snota free car. That’s not a gift. It’s a fucking trap to keep you buying thousands of those stupid patches every month. This is that smoothie company all over again, and the wobbleators, and what about those high-end baby accessories—”
Mum huffed. “I’d appreciate it if you could be a bit more supportive.”
“Yeah, Mina.” Morrie stepped up and placed his arm around Mum’s shoulders, beaming at her. He flashed me his devil-may-care grin. “Your mother has achieved something remarkable. We should be supporting her, instead of cutting her down.”
“See? Morrie respects my dreams. He knows a fellow entrepreneur, a kindred business owner who isn’t afraid to take a chance on a revolutionary product—”
“I sure do, Mrs. Wilde.” Morrie held out his box. “Cronut?”
“No thank you. With all these healthy nutrients entering my bloodstream, I have no need for processed sugar and gluten…” Mum hesitated for only a moment. “Oh, go on, just one. These patches have been working so well. I’ve hardly eaten a thing in three days. So one wee cronut won’t make a difference. In fact, I can barely taste it! Actually… I’d better have another, just in case. I don’t want to completely waste away. Everything in moderation, they say.”
“Please, have as many as you like.” Morrie grinned.
“You’re a treasure, Morrie. Will you please convince my daughter to come along tomorrow night? It’s going to be fabulous. I’ve rented the community hall, and I’ve got a DJ coming, and Richard’s sourced me some lovely Champagne. Of course, my new car will be parked right out the front. Flourish have gifted me five hundred quid’s worth of product to give away, and all the healthful smoothies we can drink!”
Oh no, not more smoothies.I sighed. “Of course I’ll be there. We’ll all come along.”
Mum reached over and cupped Morrie’s hands, then mine. “Oh, thank you. I think you’ll have an amazing time. And maybe once you see my car, you’ll rethink this bookshop lark and consider becoming part of my downline. The commission really is generous, and there are so many opportunities to—”
“Is that the time?” Morrie glanced at his phone. He let out a giant yawn. “Helen, I’m so sorry to rush off, but I’ve spent the night up in London and I had to get up at the crack of dawn to buy cronuts before I caught my train. I’m positively shattered. I need to get off to bed. But I’ll see you ladies tomorrow night.”
Morrie bent down to kiss my cheek. “Don’t run off now,” he whispered. His breath against my cheek sent a jolt of heat through my body. Morrie pulled away with a languid smile and disappeared up the staircase. Mum stared after him as if the power of her gaze could force him to run back and beg for my hand in marriage.
Mum sighed. “He really is amazing. You’re so lucky, Mina.”
Behind her, Heathcliff harrumphed.
“Yes, I am. Actually, I’m really sleepy as well.” I did my best fake yawn.
“But it’s only just after nine!” Mum pouted. “I thought we could go out for breakfast to celebrate.”
“I’m sorry. I’ve got some important things to do this morning. We’ll see you tomorrow, though.”
“I’ll be the one in the brand new Mercedes.” Mum beamed as I shuffled her out the door. As soon as she was outside, I slammed the door shut, drew the bolt across, and glared up at Morrie, who was hiding on the top landing, stifling a laugh.
“Why did you do that?” I yelled. “You’re just encouraging her. This isn’t funny. It’s a completedisaster. Mum can’t afford payments on that car—”
“Relax, gorgeous.” Morrie was down the stairs in a flash. He spun me around and pressed my back against the shelves. One hand circled my wrist, pinning it above my head. His face hardened with lust as his icicle eyes swept over my body. “I did it because once you get going with Helen, you’ll be at it all night trying to convince her to give up her latest business opportunity. I have other plans for you.”
“Oh, you do?” I meant it to sound incredulous, but the words came out breathy. Morrie’s grapefruit and vanilla scent washed over me, obliterating all my senses.
“I do.” Morrie touched his tongue to his bottom lip, his eyes wild with hunger. “I’ve had designs on this body of yours for days now, but you’ve been too busy with organized events and chasing murderers and worrying about your father, and I had this stupid trip to take. When is it time for Morrie to defile you? When will a jolly good dicking fit into your busy schedule?”
