She cleared her throat. ‘I think maybe I should leave with Austin …’ She didn’t want to tell him that part of the reason was because of Ranulph and Becca getting together, and trusted that he wouldn’t ask. ‘But not until I’ve done the drawings. I’ll work as quickly as I can but of course we don’t know when Austin will leave. That’s the first problem.’
‘I didn’t know there was a list …’
Cass smiled briefly. ‘Sorry, I didn’t know either, until I started. But there are only two items on it.’ Bastian didn’t say anything so Cass went on. ‘Where can I do the work? If Austin finds out what I’m up to he’ll make it difficult, or impossible. You must be aware how fixated he is on this prize. He’ll do anything to sabotage your chances.’
Bastian nodded. ‘You can use my study. There’s a lock on the door.’
Cass shook her head. ‘It wouldn’t be hard for Austin to find out I was in there, even if I locked the door. And if I did lock the door I’d be forever worrying that Austin was going to start banging on it.’
Bastian didn’t speak but nodded.
‘But the harder problem is how are we going to keep Austin here so I’ve got time to finish? If he finds a way out, he won’t wait for me.’
‘And why are you so keen to go with him? Don’t you like it here?’ Bastian smiled to indicate he wasn’t really offended.
‘I love it here,’ said Cass seriously. ‘There’s always going to be a big place in my heart for Dominica, no matter what happens.’
Bastian smiled. ‘I guessed you felt like that about it. I wish everyone felt like you. So why do you want to leave?’
‘Bastian! Haven’t you thought about this? When Austin leaves, he’ll take his completed – or nearly completed – work with him and get it to the judges of the prize before the deadline.’
Bastian sighed. ‘I have been thinking about how to get my entry in on time. But with the hurricane and all I couldn’t make it a priority.’
‘But you have to! Otherwise Austin, or some other entrant, will win the money. If I leave with Austin I can take your paper with me. Get it to the judges!’
Bastian didn’t speak immediately. ‘That would be a very big thing to do for Dominica, Cass. I would be very grateful.’
‘And?’ For once Bastian’s relaxed, thoughtful manner was driving Cass mad.
‘I think we should take a walk along to Delphine’s house.’
‘I wouldn’t want to intrude on her free time—’
‘She’ll be happy to see us. Come, Friendly,’ he said, and they set off.
‘Where does Delphine live?’ said Cass after they seemed to have been walking quite a way. She was keen to get going on the drawings while she knew Austin was occupied at the dig.
‘Not far now.’ He stopped and pointed to a collection of small buildings just above a small cove.
‘Oh, wow,’ said Cass, when she had taken in what a wonderful position the property was in. ‘The views must be outstanding!’
‘They are. The property was left to them by the family who had once owned them.’
Cass swallowed. She knew, in theory, about slavery, but it was a shock to hear it mentioned openly.
‘Although then the property wouldn’t have been worth much. Now, it’s prime real estate. Delphine and her family rent out little cabins that look out to sea—’
‘Oh!’ said Cass. ‘I see! They won’t have guests, so, if the buildings are still standing, there might be one I could work in.’
‘Exactly that. Delphine’s brother has a garage on the site. He keeps my pick-up on the road. But he’s been busy putting the house back together recently.’
They walked on for a couple of moments and thenarrived at a courtyard with buildings around it. Some were stone but a couple of them were traditional wooden buildings on stilts.
Delphine came out to meet them. ‘Hey, Baz!’ she said. ‘What you doin’ here?’ Her lazy tone belied her smile of welcome.
‘I’ve brought Cass with me. We have a big favour to ask.’
‘I bet it involves that Austin!’
