“What’s the deal with the two of you?” She’d never discussed this with her dad before, but from the moment she’d first met Betsy, she’d noticed some kind of tension between the older lady and her father. Betsy had insinuated several times that they were close, but Bea had no idea how close.
“What do you mean?”
“Are you dating? Friends? Neighbours? What kind of relationship do you have?”
Dad’s eyes narrowed. “When did we swap roles? You sound like you’re my father, not the other way around.”
He was right. She was acting like a concerned parent. “Sorry—it’s none of my business. I’m only curious.”
He grunted. “We’re friends.”
“Nothing more?”
“We spend time together and enjoy each other’s company. No, it’s not romantic, if that’s what you’re inferring. We both like to fish and we’re around the same age. She’s a little older than me, but she’s a nice lady and we don’t have to pretend to be someone else. We like to sit quietly and fish or talk about politics. Nothing too deep. It’s nice to have friends.”
Suddenly she felt ashamed of prying. “You’re right, Dad. It is nice to have friends. I’m glad you have Betsy in your life. My only concern is that she might not be the person you think she is.”
“Who is she, then?”
“It’s possible she had another name when she lived in the USA. She might be on the run from the law. The girls and I have been doing a bit of research. We think she’s a fugitive, and she’s hiding out on the island.”
Dad laughed. “You’ve been watching too muchCSI.”
“I’m serious, Dad.”
He laughed harder until he coughed. “Stop, honey— that’s silly.”
Bea shook her head. “Fine. Don’t believe me. By the way, where is she?”
“She fainted.”
“What?” Bea hadn’t expected that. “Is she okay?”
“I don’t know. She came with me in the ambulance. She got light headed, so they wheeled her off somewhere else.”
“I’ll go and check on her.” Bea stood to her feet.
Dani, Harry and Aidan returned at that moment, drinks in hand plus a takeaway bag, which Aidan handed to Bea. “I got you some nuggets. There wasn’t much.”
“That’s fine—thanks. I’m going to look for Betsy. She came in with Dad and then fainted. I want to make sure she’s okay.”
Aidan’s brow furrowed. “I hope she isn’t hurt.”
“I don’t know, but I’ll find out.”
Bea headed back to the reception area, where she asked about Betsy. She was told the older lady’s son had picked her up and taken her home, that she was fine and had simply been lightheaded from too much sunshine and not enough hydration.
Bea took a seat in the waiting area and laid her head back against the wall. The adrenaline that’d pumped through her veins for hours had now abated. All she felt was tired. Her phone rang, and she pressed it to her ear, eyes still shut.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Bea. It’s Penny.”
She straightened in her seat, a smile forming on her lips. “Penny, how are you? It’s so nice to hear your voice.”
“I’m great. Listen, Bea, we’re coming back to the island for the reunion. I told Rowan we can’t miss it, even though he’s not so thrilled about the idea. But I desperately want to see all of you.”
“I’m glad. It’s not going to be a big deal or anything, but I think it will be nice. It wouldn’t be the same without you and Rowan there.”
