‘What were they about?’
‘Listen to them and you’ll find out.’ She dares, knowing exactly how hard and for how long, I’ve worked to avoid them.
‘I told you before. The man’s been pining for you since he left.’
‘I asked him to sing one to me and that’s when he said about Vegas. He wouldn’t do it in the hot tub. Sorry, he wouldn’tsingin the hot tub. He had no problem doing the other stuff.’
‘Eww. And ahh. I see why you want to go to Vegas.’ She squints at the phone.
‘I’m intrigued, but what if I hate them? Or read them wrong? We’re only just getting back on track. It seems like the past is the past, so maybe I should leave it there?
‘You could always have a sneaky listen on YouTube. Or just google the lyrics? Then you’ll be alone and if you hate them – which you won’t – it won’t matter.’
‘It feels like cheating at this stage. I’d love to hear them from his mouth. Anything else seems like second rate. But equally, I’m terrified. “The Mark You Made” – with a title like that, it can’t be good, right? But if it isn’t, why would he want me to go to Vegas to watch him perform?’
‘You’ll love it, trust me. Damn. I’m getting an incoming call. It’s the client I’m waiting for. I’m sorry, sis. I have to go. Chat later.’
I blow her a kiss as she ends the call, my belly buzzing with the warm fuzzies that the excitement of a giddy festive season with family, and a boyfriend, brings.
That fuzzy feeling rapidly evaporates as Megan enters the office again. Her expression dark with despair.
‘What? What is it?’ I rise from behind the desk quicker than a speeding bullet.
‘It’s the ballroom.’
Relief floods through me. My first thoughts were for Victoria. Then Ryan.
‘What’s up with the ballroom?’ It’s probably not big enough to hold all the people currently engaged in a bidding war for tickets to the Christmas ball.
‘I found a new crack. Several actually.’ Megan shuffles from foot to foot, every bit of her aware of the devastating blow she’s just landed on me.
‘Not more dry rot?’ It’s barely a whisper.
This will finish us. Just when the future was looking bright, it’s ripped away, yet again.
She nods. ‘Looks like it. I’m so sorry, Sash. There’s no way we can hold a ball there. We couldn’t even hold a tea party for two. The insurance simply won’t cover us. The whole thing is going to have to be knocked down and rebuilt. It’s a health and safety nightmare.’
My legs give way beneath me and my bottom hits the cushioned chair.
I nod and she leaves, knowing I need a few minutes to process. Hell, it’s going to take more than a few minutes.
So much for the warm and fuzzies. Merry fucking Christmas.
I’m still slumped over my desk when Ryan’s head pops unexpectedly round the door. The smile freezes on his face the second he catches sight of me.
‘Sash? What is it? What’s wrong?’ He’s by my side in a one swift leap, kneeling on the floor next to me. His eyes gleam so darkly, they’re practically black.
I can’t find the words to tell him. To explain. The dry rot has been the bane of my life for the past three years, but even before that the castle was haemorrhaging cash. The truth of the matter is I just don’t think I’m fit to run the place, and this is the final straw.
‘We need to cancel the ball.’ It’s the truth, but it’s the least of my concerns. My family home will more than likely have to be sold because no matter what I do, I can’t seem to turn things around.
‘Oh thank god! You scared the shit out of me. From the expression on your face, I thought it was going to be way worse.’
‘It is way worse. That’s just it.’ Silent tears streak my cheeks. I swipe them away with the back of my hand. I’m not a crier, not normally, but the situation is so desperate.
‘What happened? You know you can talk to me about anything.’ Ryan perches on the desk in front of me and takes both my hands in his. His stare penetrates my soul, pleading with me to open up. ‘I wasn’t here for you before, but I am now, Sash. Let me help you.’
I’m so ashamed. So embarrassed. I feel like such a failure. My parents ran this place like a well-oiled machine and I can’t even manage to turn a profit. I’ve ruined everything.
