There was a short pause and then Ranulph started talking about the archaeological site and Cass tuned out.
While before her feelings for Ranulph were painful but bearable, now she felt she was about to witness him falling in love – or back in love – with a woman who was genuinely suitable for him. Could she tolerate it? Should she leave as soon as she could? With Austin, possibly?
It’s just a crush, she told herself. You’ve fallen for a good-looking, slightly older man. It was bound to happen. It doesn’t mean anything and my feelings won’t last. She took a breath that was almost a sob and hastily sipped some water to disguise the sound. He wouldn’t have fallen in love with you, anyway, she told herself, even if this Becca from his past hadn’t turned up.
After dinner, everyone drifted on to the veranda apart from Delphine and Cass, who cleared up. Then Delphine cut up some limes, filled a jug of water, and put glasses on a tray. Then she got out a bottle of rum and a bowl of sugar.
‘I’m off home now,’ she said. ‘I’ll be back, but after breakfast. Will you be able to cope? Everyone can make their own breakfast if you can’t.’
Cass took out the drinks tray and then the glasses. Bastian had disappeared into his study and Austin was sitting a little way away. When everyone had what they wanted, she took her drink and sat next to Austin. She had made a decision.
‘Keep me up to date about your plans to leave, won’t you? I want to leave too. I realise it will be expensive, but if I could borrow the money from you, I can get it back from my father as soon as we’re near an internet connection.’
Austin sipped his drink and looked at her, making her feel very uncomfortable. ‘Why is that? I thought you liked it here.’
Cass realised she should have anticipated this response and had a reply ready. Friendly came up to her and she was able to gain some time while she fondled his ears. ‘I don’t think I’m needed here.’
‘What about your boyfriend?’
‘He’s not my boyfriend!’ Cass replied, more vehemently than she meant to. ‘We’re just travelling companions. He’s a friend of my father’s. And it will be easier for just two of us to leave than three – if we’re to try to get a lift on a private plane.’
‘That’s true, and maybe it will be easier for me to do that if I have a pretty girl with me.’ Austin looked at her, his eyes roving over her in a calculating way.
She wasn’t dressed remotely provocatively. She’d hardly looked in a mirror since she’d arrived, and although she had washed her hair in cold water, she’d just let it dry in the sun. It would be sticking out at all sorts of stray angles. She didn’t know if she couldeven find the small amount of make-up she’d brought with her and she was wearing combat shorts which were incredibly grubby. With a pair of very battered trainers on her feet she looked like a Boy Scout at the end of a long jamboree. She certainly didn’t feel pretty.
His words made Cass feel uncomfortable and the thought of travelling with him made her shiver. She also found the thought of being Austin’s ‘pretty girl’ demeaning.
‘Yes,’ said Austin. ‘I think us teaming up is a very good idea.’
‘I haven’t definitely decided—’
‘There’s nothing for you here, Cass. Don’t make yourself look like an idiot.’ Then he walked to the drinks table and helped himself to more rum.
Cass went back to the kitchen and poured herself some water, grateful it was in plentiful supply because of the huge tanks to collect rainwater, put there when the house was built. Now, as she sipped from her glass, she heard Bastian’s pick-up drive off. He never seemed to rest, Cass thought.
She went back to the end of the long veranda. She didn’t want to join Ranulph, Becca and the others up the other end but was reluctant to go to bed. The air was warm and the gentle swish of the waves was soothing. And the stars shone like a million torches, bright, illuminating.
From there, one could only see the sea, and in the distance the island of Marie-Galante. There was no trace of the destruction the hurricane had left behindit. Everything was calm. But surely it was time for Bastian’s guests to go home?
Ranulph came up behind where Cass was sitting. He made her jump. ‘Bastian kindly took the other archaeologists to where they’re living but Becca is going to stay the night. I was wondering if you could lend her some things?’
Cass forced herself to swallow the great lump of resentment this request caused. ‘Won’t the people she’s staying with be worried about her if she doesn’t go home?’ She hoped her grumpiness didn’t show. It was bad enough feeling so devastated – she didn’t want Ranulph to guess how she felt.
Ranulph seemed confused. ‘Of course not. The others will let them know where she is.’
‘Oh, yes.’ Cass forced a smile. ‘You’ve had a good evening?’
Way to go, Cass, she thought. She sounded as if she was delighted for Ranulph and Becca.
He smiled, obviously pleased. ‘It’s been great to catch up. So much has happened since Becca and I were last together.’
His obvious happiness showed he was completely unaware that his words made Cass feel they were tearing into her flesh.
‘Of course,’ she said. ‘It’s great Becca found you.’
‘Ah! She was more interested in the archaeological site. I just happened to be there.’
‘Oh, she seems pretty glad to see you too. And why not? Come and let’s see what she needs.’
