The first message was from Rachel asking him where the hell he was and why hadn’t he replied to her earlier text.
The second was from Jenna.All getting a bit weird here, will try to explain this evening if you’re joining us for dinner. That’s if we make it to dinner, chances are we won’t!
He didn’t think twice. He rang Jenna. She answered after two rings.
‘Okay,’ he said, ‘what’s going on now? More to the point, why does Rachel suddenly want to come and stay with me?’
‘I didn’t know that she did.’
‘Apparently she does.’
‘It might be because we had a bit of a run-in with Valentina.’
‘Over what? Those bloody obnoxious stepkids of hers?’
There was a pause in his ear. Thinking the signal had cut out, he said, ‘Jenna, are you still there?’
‘Yes.’
‘Why are you hesitating?’
‘Perhaps you should speak directly to Rachel.’
‘Why?’
‘I … I just think you should.’
‘Is that my brother?’ Callum heard Rachel demand in the background. There was a muffled response from Jenna and then his sister’s voice blasted in his ear. ‘Why didn’t you reply to my texts?’
‘I was just about to,’ he lied. ‘I was busy earlier.’
‘So can I come and stay with you?’
‘What’s brought this on?’
‘If I don’t come to you I’ll head back to London,’ she said without answering him.
‘I wouldn’t advise going back to London on your own, not after what you’ve just been through, and if you come to my place, not only will it be a bit cramped, but you’ll be on your own while I’m working. Is that what you really want?’
‘Anything would be better than staying here with that vicious-tongued Valentina. Honestly, Cal, you wouldn’t believe how vile she is. And worse still, it looks like Mum and Alastair have had an affair.’
‘What!’
‘Oh God, I didn’t mean to tell you that. Jenna said I shouldn’t mention it to anyone until we knew for sure.’
‘Rachel, stop babbling and tell me what the hell you’re going on about? Of course Mum and Alastair have never had an affair, don’t be ridiculous!’
‘There’s no need to shout, Cal.’
‘Yes there is when your mouth is out of control and you’re not making any sense. Now take a deep breath and start from the beginning by explaining what is going on, or what you think is going on, because I’ll tell you straight, there’s no way Mumwould have cheated on Dad, and with Alastair of all people. It’s madness.’
‘Is it? Then maybe you’d better speak to Jenna, she was the one who was present when all this kicked off. I’ll hand you over to her and you can—’
‘No,’ he interrupted, ‘don’t bother; I’ll come up there.’
*
Alastair still hadn’t made it back to the house. He’d spotted Laura sitting alone at a table near the water’s edge in the garden of the Wherryman, and after she’d spotted him and waved, he’d changed course and moored up.
