‘And how did she react?’
‘She was very distressed. I felt sorry for her, alone and a long way from home so I gave her my mobile number. I told her if she needed someone to talk to, to call me.’
Phillips pursed his lips and nodded, his pale eyes meeting Luke’s. ‘Bit of a white knight, are we?’
‘I like to help people if I can.’
‘And did Miss Stefanski take your advice, you know, to get on with her life?’
‘No, she contacted me again.’
‘She called you?’
‘Texted me.’
‘Just the once?’
‘No.’ Luke hesitated, trying to remember how many times he had deleted her insistent messages. ‘On numerous occasions and there were a couple of calls.’
‘And how did you respond?’
‘I reminded her of our previous conversation. That Jordan wasn’t someone who had steady girlfriends. Again, I tried to encourage her to make friends with other girls in the hotel and go out and have fun.’
‘So, you ignored the other calls?’
‘Yes, I deleted her texts and blocked her mobile.’
Phillips nodded, tilting his head thoughtfully as once again Luke became the focus of his silent attention.
‘When was the last time you saw Miss Stefanski?’
Luke sighed inwardly. Here it was, the make or break moment. ‘Last night. She sent me a text through a new mobile number. Asked me to meet her in the small cove below Caer Gwyn – the house just beyond the hotel,’ he said to their frowns. ‘Said she had something important to tell me.’
‘And can you remember roughly what time it was?’
‘Around ten-fifteen.’
‘What made you decide to go? I mean, you’d blocked her phone once, why didn’t you just ignore her?’
‘I’m not sure. I guess I thought I’d have one last attempt to convince her she was wasting both her time and her life over Jordan. He was with someone else; he no longer wanted her. She needed to move on; to find someone who wanted a proper relationship with her and not just a few weeks of fun.’
‘And what happened when you got there?’
‘She was very wound up. She said he had to take her back. She claimed she was pregnant but I’m not sure I believed her. She was almost hysterical. When I tried to calm her down she became very angry. She told me I was useless and …’ he ran his fingers along his jawline ‘… then she struck me.’
‘Scratched you?’
‘Yes.’
‘And your reaction was?’
‘I walked away. I told her I was through with trying to help her. I ignored her abuse and returned to the barbeque.’
‘And to Cat Trevelyan.’
‘Yes.’
‘Did she notice the marks on your face?’ Cousins joined the conversation again.
