Cass, who’d only quite recently mastered the art of delicate watercolours of small vases of flowers, felt a little daunted but didn’t comment.
‘But as I think Sylvie would like to see some of our more well-known beauty spots, I’ve arranged to borrow a car from Delphine’s brother, and perhaps, Ranulph, you would take her on a tour?’ He smiled at Sylvie in a way that obviously made her feel flattered and excited at the prospect. ‘My pick-up only holds two comfortably.’
‘That sounds excellent,’ said Cass, lighthearted with relief that Ranulph would be safely out of the way, during the day at least.
Cass got through dinner, helped Delphine in the kitchen afterwards, refused a nightcap while sitting on the veranda, looking at the stars and listening to the surf breaking gently on the sand below, and went to bed. Once there, she realised she couldn’t put off facing Ranulph too long or she’d be spending most of hertime in Dominica hiding in what was usually a storeroom. It was fine as a small bedroom but when the sounds and scents of Dominica were outside, being enjoyed by everyone else, she felt like a prisoner. But only she could get herself out of her cell.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Cass got up early the following morning and went to look for Bastian in the building where he sorted out Friendly’s food.
‘You’re up early,’ said Bastian, measuring out rice.
‘Yes! I just wanted to find out what your schedule is for today.’
‘Well, I’ve told Michael I want to set off immediately after breakfast but we’ll see. He may be jet-lagged or he may have already gone on to Dominica time and not feel the need to hurry.’ He paused. ‘I know you’ll be ready on time whatever, Cass.’
‘Yes. I’m very excited by this project, as I’m sure you know.’
‘I do know, and I also know that there is something going on between you and Ranulph.’
‘No. I mean yes. There is something going on – or there was – but there isn’t now.’ She stopped, not sure how much she wanted to explain.
‘I hope you’re not asking for tips on your love life from someone who can’t persuade his girlfriend to share an island with him,’ said Bastian.
Cass laughed. ‘I think your system suits you both very well. So perhaps Ishouldask your advice.’
‘I’d rather you didn’t. I’d feel so responsible if it all went wrong because of something I’d said.’
‘Don’t worry about that,’ said Cass. ‘It’s already gone wrong; you couldn’t make it worse. But I’m not going to insist you talk to me about it. I’ll go and help Delphine.’
‘Delphine: now, she’s your woman for advice on your love life. I speak from experience.’
‘You don’t have to help me, you know. I am paid to do this,’ Delphine told her a few minutes later.
Cass liked Delphine’s forthright manner. You were never in any doubt about what Delphine thought and Cass felt she could be forthright in return.
‘I know you are, but I don’t mind helping at all, and I want to avoid Ranulph.’
‘Hmm. Haven’t you been in love with that boy all this long time?’
‘Yes! But I told you what happened, and I want to get him out of my head. Him being here was a horrible shock. I don’t even know why he is here!’ Cass picked up the tray of glasses for fruit juice. ‘Shall I take these?’
Delphine nodded. ‘Breakfast is formal today. I imagine that will go on for a couple days and then we’ll go back to normal ways.’
Cass went through to the veranda. ‘Good morning!’ she said to Michael and Sylvie, who were already at the table. ‘Did you sleep well?’
‘Yes, thank you,’ said Michael.
‘It took me a while to get off and then I was awake a lot in the night,’ said Sylvie, who didn’t seem to know that ‘Did you sleep well?’ was a rhetorical question that didn’t require a truthful answer.
Ranulph appeared shortly afterwards, and Cass managed to give him a nod in an almost normal way. Bastian didn’t come to breakfast and Cass found it all tortuous.
‘I must get my things together,’ she said as soon as she reasonably could. ‘I know Bastian will want to be off as soon as possible.’ She smiled at no one in particular, and got up.
It didn’t take her long to put a sketch pad and a selection of pencils in her bag. If she needed to take photographs, she had her phone. How different everything was now compared to her first trip to Dominica. Electric light, mobile phone coverage and ice in the drinks. It was almost decadent.
She went outside to stand by the pick-up, where she found Bastian.
