“And Samantha threatened to unman me,” Scott said mildly. “I only found out a day before she did when Noah spoke to me about it, but as far as both girls are concerned, we’ve been in this together for months.”
Maisy cackled over her wine. “This is all just very fascinating, boys.”
“I’m sure they’ll forgive us in time,” Scott said a little louder than necessary. “At heart, Sam and Nicole know that Noah had no choice but to keep Edgar’s secret. But they’ve already got a lot on their plates, and this was the… final straw, you might say. Noah and I thought you might get the job done a little faster. And time is of the essence.”
“And getting their dad back might you get out of the doghouse?” Maisy asked.
“Yes, perhaps,” Scott admitted. “Thatwouldbe nice.”
“So, you want me to go to Bali?” Toby pressed. “When? Now?”
“Well…” Scott looked uncomfortable. “I know you’re not… I mean, I don’t know what your level of commitment to Tabby is?—”
“I love her. I love her, and I’ll do whatever it takes. What’s Edgar’s address?”
Scott’s mouth fell open. “Okay, well, we don’t have an address, but?—”
But Toby was already returning to the stairs. “Text me what I need to know,” he told Scott. “I’m gonna pack and head straight for the airport. I can be in Bali tonight. Tomorrow. I don’t know what the time difference is, but I’ll go right now.”
“It’s still morning,” Noah said. “You’ll get there in daylight with the right flight.”
“Then I’ll get the right flight.”
Toby thought of Tabby’s big blue eyes filled with tears. Scott and Noah weren’t the only ones in the doghouse. He’d earned a place there, too, and he’d get out of it by any means necessary. He stopped at the foot of the stairs: “Is there anything else I need to know, guys?”
A loaded silence fell. Scott scratched his neck. Noah checked his phone.
“Guys?” Toby repeated.
Both men shook their heads.
“There’s nothing else,” Scott said.
“All done,” Noah added, reaching for his beer.
Toby didn’t believe them for a second but decided he didn’t have time to figure it out. He had a flight to catch, a father to retrieve and a woman to save and love forever.
“Dahling?” Maisy called as he began climbing the stairs.
Toby winced. He was abandoning her and their packing attempt, and he’d have to ask her to care for Mopsy while he was gone on top of that. He turned, ready to promise whatever it took to stay on her good side, but Maisy spoke first.
“I’m Googling flights,” she said, frantically tapping her phone screen. “I’ll book the first empty seat and take Mopsy back to my place. It’ll be so lovely to have some company.”
Toby was beyond touched. “Maisy, you’re so fucking amazing?—"
“I know, dahling. Just get me some champers through Duty Free, won’t you? Only no Veuve. I can’tstandthat stuff.”
“Dom Pérignon,” he promised. “As much as they let me take.”
* * *
Ngurah Rai International Airportand its surrounding streets were cramped with people. The weather was humid and heavy, like a weighted blanket on his head. Toby battled through the traffic and, taking Noah’s advice, rented a scooter from a nearby store. He hadn’t ridden a bike in years, but it was pretty straightforward, especially with a phone holder that let him see Google Maps. He hit the open road after almost two hours of traffic jams and near misses, riding alongside trucks and taxis as they travelled three vehicles to two lanes. When he reached the jewel-bright fields and open jungle, he felt like he could breathe again. He’d taken the first available flight to Bali, and between the smell of microwaved fish and baby screams, it hadn’t been a relaxing time, especially on top of his stress about Tabby. He’d tried to call her from Melbourne Airport, but she hadn’t picked up. He didn’t know how he’d be able to sleep until he knew she was safe.
“Edgar will know,” he told himself as he swerved to avoid another pothole. “Edgar’ll sort everything out.”
He felt like he was going to visit a sage on a mountain—some fictional being humans had only ever whispered about. That obviously wasn’t the case, but still, from everything he’d ever heard about Edgar DaSilva, he was more myth than man.
Upon reaching Ubud, Toby’s stomach sank. The easy part was done. Now, he had to actually find Edgar. There was no address, he didn’t own a mobile phone and the landline had been disconnected as far as he and Scott could make out. Again, on Noah’s advice, he stopped in at the dodgiest pub he could find, a dusty, run-down place with a faded leprechaun on the sign and an American expat behind the bar.
