“There are worse places to be locked away.” I wondered if she was speaking from personal experience but I decided not to ask. Maia heaved in a sigh. “Do you want to watch a film?”
I raised my eyebrows. Maia had never asked me to hang out before.
“It’s late…you were just asleep.”
“I’m awake now.” She grabbed the remote and switched her TV on. “Before you go scorched earth on Mr Tell, remember what I said about trusting him. Someone’s trying to mess things up between you. Don’t let them.”
As she scrolled through movie options, I stared at my phone, wondering what to do. Call him and give him hell? Demand answers. No. That’s what Old Lola would have done. Instead I sent him a text.
Alfie, Grace told me someone has been stealing from you. Don’t get mad at her, she thought I already knew. Maia confirmed that’s why you’re keeping me here. I’m angry you didn’t tell me but I trust you. I love you. xxx
I blew out a breath as the opening forBridesmaidsstarted to play. I’d said the wordsI trust youand now I had to live by them. He wouldn't betray me again. Hewouldn’t.
Thirty-Three
On Monday morning I woke up on Maia’s couch with a headache and a sore neck.
“I tried to move you back to your bed but you kicked me.” She’d told me, giving me an apologetic grin as she’d handed over a cup of coffee. I’d downed the caffeine and then ran the hottest shower I could stand. I’d barely slept and the sleep I did have was filled with worries from the day. I needed Alfie by my side and in my bed so I could feel right again. For now, I’d have to cope on my own.
I walked out into the sun, ready to start the final week. Sid was already hard at work, fussing with the tower, trying to look busy. I waved at him as I started the walk down.
With the final project almost complete, there wasn’t much to do except make sure it stayed perfect for the rest of the week. Our sculptures sat in a gorgeous line, the dancing lady, the elephant, Jemima Puddle-duck and Mr Fox and our fairytale tower. I gave myself a moment to feel proud. To ignore the drama of my father, Carolyn, and those awful photos. I wasn’t going to let that ruin what I’d achieved. It was almost over now and my heart hurt at the thought of them being dismantled.A thought occurred to me then and I only hesitated a second before deciding to risk asking Jeff for a favour.
To the left, some ways away from our work tent, was the set with Harrington serving as the backdrop. There, I spotted Jeff typing furiously on his phone while the crew hustled around him. The contestants wouldn’t be arriving until tomorrow, but the set had to be ready. Their materials, spaces, everything ready to go.
“Jeff, I have a question.” He waved at me to go ahead but didn’t look up. “The sculptures that Sid and I have made, what are you planning to do with them now filming is nearly over?”
“They’ll be disposed of somehow,” he said without looking up. “You’ve done great work, thank you.”
“I appreciate that but I’d appreciate it more if my ‘great work’ wasn’t thrown in the trash.” He glanced up at me, eyebrows raised at my tone. “They can last a while longer if looked after properly. Could I donate them if production doesn’t want them?”
“I’ll speak with the network as technically they own them but if they agree, I don’t see why not.”
I thanked him and hurried away before he changed his mind. Before I could reach Sid, I spotted Maia hovering outside Harrington. She waved me over. I gave Sid a ‘two minutes’ gesture. I would feel bad about being late but it’s not like we had much to do.
Maia looked concerned as I met her on the gravel path. “Your fathers at the gate. Are you expecting him?”
“No.” My stomach turned over. I wasn’t ready to see him but he wouldn’t just show up here for no reason. “Let him in.”
She frowned. “Are you sure?”
“Do you think he’s responsible for the photos?”
“No but we know he’s involved in other things.” ‘Other things’ meaning he’d been a drug trafficking gangster for most of my life. I still couldn’t wrap my mind around it.
“If he had bad intentions I doubt he’d do anything in the middle of the day with a film crew right there.”
Her lips thinned into a grim line but she knew I had a point. She turned on her heel, leaving me to wait on tenterhooks to find out what my father wanted. Five minutes later, I watched my fathers battered old Mazda rumble down the drive.
He stepped out of his car, hands immediately fussing with his shirt that was missing a button. He was carrying a small, lavender-coloured gift bag.
“I’m sorry if this is bad timing, I didn’t mean to bother you at work.”
“And yet you’re here, bothering me at work.”
“Aye.” He shuffled his feet. For a moment I almost felt guilty, then I remembered who this man was. A violent criminal. “Well, I wanted to give you something before the wedding. I haven't seen you in a couple of weeks, I’ve missed you.”
I left it unsaid that he went more than twenty years without seeing me. I took the bag and pulled out the tiny plant.
