‘Three hundred US,’ he says brusquely, offering them to me. ‘That should be more than enough for a taxi to get you where you need to go. Keep the change.’
I’m speechless. In the space of a couple of minutes, I seem to have been reduced to nothing more than a minor irritation that can be conveniently got rid of by chucking a bit of money at it. I’m reminded once again of the filmPretty Woman, but this time the scene where Richard Gere tells Julia Roberts that he’s never treated her like a prostitute, instantly making her feel exactly that. Thankfully, before I can open my mouth to tell Harvey exactly what I think of his attitude, Gabriel finally finds his voice.
‘I’m not abandoning Tori,’ he tells Harvey firmly, making my spirits soar. ‘We pretty much go past the door of her hotel,’ he continues. ‘So we can drop her on the way.’
Oh. That’s not the comeback I was hoping for. At all.
28
‘Tori,’ Amy exclaims in mock surprise as I join the rest of the group in the lobby the next day. ‘Do my eyes deceive me? Are you actually planning on joining us for an activity?’
‘I’m glad to see you’re feeling better, Amy,’ I say neutrally. I’m feeling so low after being dropped like a hot brick by Gabriel yesterday afternoon that I don’t have the energy to let her goad me. He did text his apologies and has promised to send a car to collect me for the concert tonight, but the way he just let Harvey shove me aside so easily has left a bitter taste in my mouth.
‘Has your pianist deserted you?’ Amy continues triumphantly. ‘I have to say that I don’t know what you saw in him. They seemed a most unsavoury family to me. I’ve told Stewie I don’t want him going to that bar any more. They obviously have no concept of food hygiene and I’d hate for him to go through what I did.’
Amy is staring at me, seemingly willing me to come at her, and normally I would spring to the defence of the Campbells. Unsurprisingly, however, I’m just not feeling it today.
‘I’m sure Raphael will be very upset to lose Stuart’s custom,’ I say mildly instead.
‘It’s no more than he deserves,’ Amy declares, clearly enjoying being on what she thinks is the moral high ground. ‘Stewie and I are going to celebrate our final night here with dinner and a couple of glasses of wine at the Blue Dolphin instead. From what I’ve heard, that’s a proper bar, rather than some ramshackle hut. You’re all most welcome to join us. One thing I realised from that disgusting lunch with your friends is that the food here doesn’t really reflect Jamaican cuisine, but I’m sure the Blue Dolphin will offer something more authentic. So, who’s in?’
‘I’ve got plans, but thank you for the invitation,’ I tell her.
‘Surprise, surprise. Lily, what about you?’
‘Umm. Dan and I also have plans. I hope you don’t mind.’
‘Robert?’
‘I’ll take my chances at Raphael’s, thanks, Amy.’
‘Looks like a romantic dinnera deuxfor you and me, babe,’ Amy says to Stuart, planting a kiss on his lips. ‘Play your cards right and it could be your lucky night.’
‘Oh, God,’ Robert whispers to me. ‘I think I’m going to puke.’
Thankfully, we’re spared any further insights into Amy and Stuart’s sex life by the arrival of the tour bus. Even better, Amy and Stuart decide to sit several rows behind Robert and me, so I can neither see nor hear them. Dan and Lily are across the aisle from us and, once the guide has introduced himself, given us a summary of the attractions we’re going to visit, and set off, Lily leans across.
‘I really am sorry about Amy,’ she says quietly. ‘I don’t know what’s got into her this holiday. I think it was the right decision not to say anything about you and Stuart until we get home though. Are you OK?’
‘I’m fine,’ I reassure her.
‘How come you’re not seeing Gabriel today?’
‘He’s tied up with rehearsals for the concert tonight,’ I tell her flatly. ‘He’s sending a car later though.’
‘He seems really nice.’ She grins conspiratorially. ‘His mother’s a bit terrifying though, isn’t she? I’m not sure I’d want her as my mother-in-law.’
‘We’re a long way from having to worry about stuff like that.’
She studies me for a moment. ‘Are you sure you’re OK?’ she asks. ‘You seem a bit down.’
‘I really am fine, honestly.’ I’m not, but I need time to get my thoughts in order before I share them.
Lily nods surreptitiously in the direction of Robert, who’s staring out of the window, evidently in a world of his own. ‘How’s he getting on? Any signs of a thaw between him and Fliss?’
‘Nope. I think he’s resigned himself to the fact that they’re over. He’s learned a lot about himself and grown through this process though, so I think he’ll do a lot better next time.’
She laughs softly. ‘You make it sound like he’s had a bad job experience, not been dumped by his girlfriend. Ever the recruiter, Tori. Do you have an idea of the type of role that would suit him, boyfriend-wise?’
