I got to work on Natalie’s swan. I worked late into the night and threw myself into it again the next day. I wanted to send plans to Sid for his opinion but decided not to interrupt hisweekend. By Sunday night, I had a plan and a supply order that I emailed over to Rosies. It was going to be tough to get everything pulled together so quickly but I was sure I could do it.
No word from Alfie. All day. No good mornings. No calls. Just a single delivery of bleeding hearts.
My phone started ringing and I snatched it up, hoping to see Alfie’s name on the screen. Instead, I saw Grace’s.
“Grace, how are you?”
“I’m well, I just wanted to check in. I hope I’m not intruding but I know the gossip rags have been giving you a hard time this week, I wanted to make sure you aren’t taking it to heart.”
“I’ve barely noticed, honestly.” That was partly true. I’d refused to look at whatever was circulating online. It would only make me feel worse. I’d warned Natalie and Keira that they might see some things about me and to just ignore it. “It’s all bullshit anyway.”
“It always is. And everything with you and my brother, that’s all okay?”
My alarm bells started ringing. “Of course. Do you have any reason to think it wouldn't be? Have you spoken to him?”
“No. I’m the last person he’d confide in. Well, maybe second to last.” His mother was in last place, I thought. “It’s a small world, Lola. People talk. There are rumours that you’re…on the out.”
I rolled my eyes to the heavens. This was ridiculous. I thought small town gossip was bad but apparently the big city rumour mill was worse.
“Alfie’s always been something of a…he’s always been sought after. Most men as wealthy as him aren’t nearly as attractive. As uncomfortable as it is for me to say it, it’s true. The gossip mill will always churn out nonsense but occasionally there’s a nugget of truth in it. I hear that you didn’t come back to London this weekend.”
“Are you serious?” I stood, pacing the room. “Are there spies everywhere? Why does anyone care where I go?”
“People – women, really – are searching for cracks. If there’s a crack there’s an opportunity.”
“These would be the sharks he’s mentioned to me?” Her silence was my answer. “There are no cracks. He and I are fine.” I hoped that was true.
“Okay, I’m sorry for prying. He and I aren’t close but I still worry. I know he’s distracted dealing with the lawsuits and the theft but he needs you now more than?—”
“The what?” I cut her off. “What are you talking about?”
There was a long silence. What lawsuits? What thefts?
“I…I thought he told you everything.”
I closed my eyes. “Grace, I have to go. I’ll see you at Natalie’s wedding.”
“Lola I’m sor—” I hung up on her and stormed out of the room. I banged on Maia’s door and she answered, bleary eyed.
“Maia, has someone stolen from Alfie? Don’t lie to me.”
She blinked, rubbing sleep from her eyes. “Yes. Money has been lifted from one of his accounts. That’s all I know.”
“What the – why don’t I know that? Is that why Alfie couldn’t come?”
“Part of it, yes. I don’t know why you don’t know. My job is to keep you safe, not pass messages. I’m having a hard time figuring out when to be your friend or Mr Tell’s employee. To tell you the truth, I’m getting sick of the balancing act.” She walked into her room and I followed her. It was strange seeing her in a tank top and shorts and not her usual bodyguard garb. Her rooms were smaller than mine but cosy. She sank into a chair. “I don’t know why you’re not allowed to know. I questioned Elliot when he said not to tell you but he wouldn’t elaborate.”
I gritted my teeth. “Who did it?”
“I don’t know. I think they know and they aren’t telling me and yes, that makes me suspicious. But I follow their orders, so we stay here.”
“Oh, fuck that.”
“Lola,” she snapped, her tone harsh enough to make me shut up for a minute. Maia never snapped. “He hasn’t said as much but I don’t think he wants you on the road. Someone might really hurt you. Here, it’s easier to keep you safe. Please don’t make my life difficult. The gates to Harrington are locked and unless you want to dig a fucking tunnel, you’re staying here until he says otherwise.”
I stared at her and she stared right back, waiting for a fight. Instead, I sank onto the couch next to her.
I started to laugh. I couldn’t help it. “He’s literally locked me away in a fucking castle.”
