He smiled tightly, distinctly uncomfortable with this incessant questioning. “There always was. I just didn’t do anything about the research side, because as you know, I was procrastinating about it all. But now, with it being the start of a brand-new year and Daisy’s not-so-subtle hinting,” he added, holding up his daughter’s Christmas present to him, “I’ve decided the time is right to jump straight in. New Year’s resolution and all that.”
“Well, I’m pleased to hear that certainly,” Vanessa said, smiling, and Ethan exhaled, realizing that this cover story was actually proving to be a bit of a lifesaver. “And goodness knows the critics do love an Irish element—all that good old reliable Catholic repression,” she joked lightly. “So that New York agent must have been very positive about what you’ve written so far. What was her name again?”
“Erm, Rachel with some Italian-sounding surname. She was at one of the bigger agencies but has just set up on her own,” he said, thinking quickly. Damn, he hated this bald-faced lying, but wasn’t it still necessary, given the circumstances? A few more days and this would all be over and done with, and everything could get back on track. “You probably wouldn’t have heard of her,” he continued, smiling nervously, and at that moment, Daisy walked into the room, and Ethan wanted to hug her.
Saved…
“Hello, darling,” Vanessa cooed as his daughter sat on the bed next to her. “I’m just trying to get your dad to explain why he has to run off to Dublin this weekend and leave us.”
She gave him a conspiratorial smile. “For his book, silly.”
“I know but…” Vanessa looked from Ethan to Daisy. “Actually, here’s a thought,” she suggested suddenly. “Why don’t we all go—all three of us?”
Ethan’s head snapped up. “To Dublin?” He gulped. The last thing he needed was a repeat of the scenario in New York where he had to keep making excuses to sneak away.
“Yes, why not?” she said, smiling. “I can sort the tickets online in a jiffy. It would be a good excuse, actually. I haven’t been home to see Mum and Dad for a while, and of course I didn’t get to see them at Christmas, what with being in New York.” Her parents lived in one of the Dublin suburbs, but her visits home were infrequent, and Ethan had only visited there on one occasion to meet them.
“But what about my ballet class tomorrow?” Daisy whined somewhat dramatically, and Ethan gave her a grateful look. His girl knew exactly what was going on, having in the meantime been fully briefed on his cover story. “And my piano lesson too. I can’t miss another one. I’m already behind after being in New York.” She gave them her best petulant look. “I don’t want to go away again.”
He met Vanessa’s eye and shrugged helplessly. “It’s a good idea, but Daisy’s right. We’ve only just come back from a trip, so perhaps it’s just too soon to take another. Not to mention that I’ll be mostly working anyway.” He turned back to his packing. “Probably best to wait for a better opportunity. Midterm maybe? We could tie it with a proper visit to your mum and dad’s then, spend some quality time with them rather than just a quick flying visit.”
“Perhaps you’re right.” Vanessa seemed to be thinking it over, and Ethan knew that she still wasn’t altogether convinced about this so-called research trip.
He sighed inwardly. Well, there was really nothing he could do about that just now. This entire charade was ultimately for her benefit, so really, he should stop feeling so guilty. He took a deep breath. Christ, all this fibbing and ducking and diving questions was really taking its toll. Clearly he would never have been cut out for MI5.
“We’ll be so proud of you when the book comes out, Daddy,” Daisy said, smiling at him.
“Well, I’ll try my best, but of course there are no guarantees,” he muttered, not wanting to add even more pressure to all this by having to produce a decent manuscript at the end of it.
Vanessa stood up. “Yes, that is true. The trip will be well worth it. Go and do your research, darling, and enjoy every minute. Daisy and I will be sure to have lots of fun while you’re gone. I think I’ll make some tea. Anyone like some?”
Ethan nodded, eager for her to leave the room so he could have a moment alone with his daughter. “That would be lovely, thanks.”
“Daisy?”
“Yes, please.”
Vanessa went to do the honors, and as soon as she was gone, he turned to Daisy. “Good thinking, buttercup. For a moment there, I really thought we’d all have to go.”
“That’s okay, Dad. I knew you wouldn’t want us tagging along.”
“Well, it’s not so much that. More that I’ll probably need all my time there to try and get the ring back from Rachel.”
Daisy shook her head. “I just can’t believe she’s wearing your ring.” She looked up, her expression thoughtful. “Does it fit, I wonder?”
“Sorry, what?”
“The ring. Does it fit Rachel, or did she have to get it made smaller or bigger or anything?”
“I have no idea, sweetheart. I was so taken aback to hear that she was wearing it at all that it really wasn’t something I thought to ask.”
Daisy nodded as if thinking something over. “Well, you should really check.”
“Yes, yes I will,” Ethan replied absently, although in truth, he couldn’t care less. What mattered was that the ring washis—made to fit Vanessa—and for the sake of his relationship (and indeed his sanity), he needed to get it back.
Pronto.
Chapter 26
