‘No.’ A horrible thought struck Cass. ‘He won’t be at the party, will he? No, of course not! Why did I even let myself think that for a second?’
‘Because you have literally lost your senses,’ said Rosa. ‘But never mind, you’ve time to get them back before the party. I wonder when it will be? What will you wear?’
The day after this discussion came an official invitation. It was a reception to celebrate the official presentation of the prize.
With it came another email.If you can come, please bring any other watercolours of flowers you have done. I want you to meet my publisher. I have an idea! It’s only an idea at present, but I’m optimistic.
A day later there was another email from Bastian.
There are complications, I’m afraid. Instead of just inviting you to a party, I now have to ask you for a huge favour. Austin has challenged my winning of the prize. There has to be an inquiry, although generally things are looking OK for me. Could you possibly come to London and give evidence? It won’t be in a court of law, but it would be wonderful if you could explain how you came to find and see the petroglyph, using the map my father had. You could also tell the committee how Austin tried to prevent you from getting the work off the island in time to get my entry in, after the second hurricane. It’s on 30 July at 9.00 a.m.
Cass felt a bit sick at the thought of having to do this but then remembered what she’d done at the time to protect and then email Bastian’s work. Relating her story to a few people in smart suits would be easy in comparison.
When she got home from her shift at the wine bar later that evening she also saw the long-awaited email from Austin.Hi, if you want your Dad’s camera, come and collect it from me at 9.00 a.m. on 30 July, at the Alexandra Hotel, Paddington.
No niceties, no real sign-off, just the bald statement. For exactly the same time as she was supposed to be giving evidence against him. And while Cass didn’t know London well, she knew that Bastian’s publisher and Paddington were many miles and an awful lot of traffic apart.
It couldn’t be coincidence that he chose that time, and that location. Austin would have known about the inquiry and he did not want her giving evidence for Bastian, that was pretty certain.
Although she wasn’t expecting a positive response, Cass emailed to ask if Austin could see her at another time.
If you want the camera, be there then. Your choice.
Cass did not know what to do. She’d risked her life for Bastian’s work (although she hadn’t thought this at the time) and she knew her father wanted his camera back however much he said that he didn’t.
Then, without letting herself think about it too much, she emailed Ranulph. She had his email address from when they first set off to Dominica together: she just never thought she’d use it.
Dear Ranulph
I’ve been asked to tell Bastian’s publishers what I know about the petroglyph and how it was found.
Austin has been in touch and says I can collect my dad’s camera, in Paddington, at exactly the same time. I asked if he’d change the time and of course hewouldn’t. He obviously knows about the meeting with Bastian’s publishers and doesn’t want me there.
What on earth should I do? Sorry to involve you in this, but I didn’t know who else to ask.
Best wishes
Cass
She hadn’t known how to sign off her email and ‘best wishes’ seemed the best bet. Or was it too formal after all that she and Ranulph had been through?
She closed her laptop and went downstairs. She chatted to her mother for a little bit before declaring she was going to bed. Once she had a plan of how to deal with the situation she would probably tell her mother but while she was unsure, she’d keep her worries to herself.
She hadn’t intended to check her emails again but couldn’t resist it, and to her surprise, Ranulph’s name was in her inbox. Her heart leapt. Just seeing his name there made her stomach turn over, just as it used to when she saw him in the flesh.
She made herself calm down. His reply would be short, formal and unhelpful: she couldn’t allow herself to expect more.
Dear Cass
Great to hear from you although shame about the circumstances.
Of course you must testify for Bastian, but you don’t necessarily have to do it in person.
I’ll be in London then and I suggest we meet up in the morning (although it will have to be early) and I record what you want to say about finding the petroglyph. I’ll ask questions if I think there’s anything you haven’t said. Then you can collect the camera. But you mustn’t see Austin on your own.
Yours
Ranulph
